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Nano-micro Letters Nov 2023Based on the attributes of nonflammability, environmental benignity, and cost-effectiveness of aqueous electrolytes, as well as the favorable compatibility of zinc metal... (Review)
Review
Based on the attributes of nonflammability, environmental benignity, and cost-effectiveness of aqueous electrolytes, as well as the favorable compatibility of zinc metal with them, aqueous zinc ions batteries (AZIBs) become the leading energy storage candidate to meet the requirements of safety and low cost. Yet, aqueous electrolytes, acting as a double-edged sword, also play a negative role by directly or indirectly causing various parasitic reactions at the zinc anode side. These reactions include hydrogen evolution reaction, passivation, and dendrites, resulting in poor Coulombic efficiency and short lifespan of AZIBs. A comprehensive review of aqueous electrolytes chemistry, zinc chemistry, mechanism and chemistry of parasitic reactions, and their relationship is lacking. Moreover, the understanding of strategies for suppressing parasitic reactions from an electrochemical perspective is not profound enough. In this review, firstly, the chemistry of electrolytes, zinc anodes, and parasitic reactions and their relationship in AZIBs are deeply disclosed. Subsequently, the strategies for suppressing parasitic reactions from the perspective of enhancing the inherent thermodynamic stability of electrolytes and anodes, and lowering the dynamics of parasitic reactions at Zn/electrolyte interfaces are reviewed. Lastly, the perspectives on the future development direction of aqueous electrolytes, zinc anodes, and Zn/electrolyte interfaces are presented.
PubMed: 37975948
DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01227-x -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021Meningiomas represent the most common benign histological tumor of the central nervous system. Usually, meningiomas are intracranial, showing a typical dural tail sign... (Review)
Review
Meningiomas represent the most common benign histological tumor of the central nervous system. Usually, meningiomas are intracranial, showing a typical dural tail sign on brain MRI with Gadolinium, but occasionally they can infiltrate the skull or be sited extracranially. We present a systematic review of the literature on extracranial meningiomas of the head and neck, along with an emblematic case of primary extracranial meningioma (PEM), which provides further insights into PEM management. A literature search according to the PRISMA statement was conducted from 1979 to June 2021 using PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases, searching for relevant Mesh terms (primary extracranial meningioma) AND (head OR neck). Data for all patients were recorded when available, including age, sex, localization, histological grading, treatment, possible recurrence, and outcome. A total of 83 published studies were identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases, together with additional references list searches from 1979 to date. A total of 49 papers were excluded, and 34 manuscripts were considered for this systematic review, including 213 patients. We also reported a case of a 45-year-old male with an extracranial neck psammomatous meningioma with sizes of 4 cm × 3 cm × 2 cm. Furthermore, whole-body Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT was performed, excluding tumor spread to other areas. Surgical resection of the tumor was accomplished, as well as skin flap reconstruction, obtaining radical removal and satisfying wound healing. PEMs could suggest an infiltrative and aggressive behavior, which has never found a histopathological correlation with a malignancy (low Ki-67, <5%). Whole-body Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT should be considered in the patient's global assessment. Surgical removal is a resolutive treatment, and the examination of frozen sections can confirm the benignity of the lesion, reducing the extension of the removal of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.
PubMed: 34575090
DOI: 10.3390/life11090942 -
Cancer Communications (London, England) Aug 2019In the past decade, remarkable progress has been made in reprogramming terminally differentiated somatic cells and cancer cells into induced pluripotent cells and cancer... (Review)
Review
In the past decade, remarkable progress has been made in reprogramming terminally differentiated somatic cells and cancer cells into induced pluripotent cells and cancer cells with benign phenotypes. Recent studies have explored various approaches to induce reprogramming from one cell type to another, including lineage-specific transcription factors-, combinatorial small molecules-, microRNAs- and embryonic microenvironment-derived exosome-mediated reprogramming. These reprogramming approaches have been proven to be technically feasible and versatile to enable re-activation of sequestered epigenetic regions, thus driving fate decisions of differentiated cells. One of the significant utilities of cancer cell reprogramming is the therapeutic potential of retrieving normal cell functions from various malignancies. However, there are several major obstacles to overcome in cancer cell reprogramming before clinical translation, including characterization of reprogramming mechanisms, improvement of reprogramming efficiency and safety, and development of delivery methods. Recently, several insights in reprogramming mechanism have been proposed, and determining progress has been achieved to promote reprogramming efficiency and feasibility, allowing it to emerge as a promising therapy against cancer in the near future. This review aims to discuss recent applications in cancer cell reprogramming, with a focus on the clinical significance and limitations of different reprogramming approaches, while summarizing vital roles played by transcription factors, small molecules, microRNAs and exosomes during the reprogramming process.
Topics: Animals; Cellular Reprogramming; Humans; Neoplasms; Neoplastic Stem Cells
PubMed: 31464654
DOI: 10.1186/s40880-019-0393-5 -
IScience Sep 2023Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage systems owing to their remarkable energy density, resource... (Review)
Review
Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are regarded as a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage systems owing to their remarkable energy density, resource availability, and environmental benignity. Nevertheless, severe shuttling effect, sluggish redox kinetics, large volumetric expansion, and uncontrollable dendrite growth hamper the practical applications. To address these intractable issues, two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have emerged expeditiously as an essential material strategy. Herein, this review emphasizes the development and application of 2D TMDs in Li-S batteries. It starts with introducing the fundamentals of Li-S batteries and common synthetic routes of TMDs, followed by summarizing the employment of pristine, hybrid, and defective TMDs in the realm of expediting sulfur chemistry and stabilizing lithium anode. Finally, the development roadmap and possible research directions of TMDs are proposed to offer guidance for the future design of high-performance Li-S batteries.
PubMed: 37601770
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107489 -
Korean Journal of Radiology Sep 2023Regrowth after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of symptomatic large thyroid nodules, initially treated as benign, sometimes turns out to be malignancies. This study aimed...
OBJECTIVE
Regrowth after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of symptomatic large thyroid nodules, initially treated as benign, sometimes turns out to be malignancies. This study aimed to assess the ultrasound (US) characteristics of thyroid nodules initially treated as benign with RFA and later diagnosed as cancers, predictive factors for cancers masquerading as benign, and methods to avoid RFA in these cancers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 134 consecutive patients with 148 nodules who underwent RFA between February 2008 and November 2016 for the debulking of symptomatic thyroid nodules diagnosed as benign using US-guided biopsy. We investigated the pre-RFA characteristics of the thyroid nodules, changes at follow-up after RFA, and the final surgical pathology.
RESULTS
Nodule regrowth after RFA was observed in 36 (24.3%) of the 148 benign nodules. Twenty-two of the 36 nodules were surgically removed, and malignancies were confirmed in seven (19.4% of 36). Of the 22 nodules removed surgically, pre-RFA median volume (range) was significantly larger for malignant nodules than for benign nodules: 22.4 (13.9-84.5) vs. 13.4 (7.3-16.8) mL ( = 0.04). There was no significant difference in the regrowth interval between benign and malignant nodules ( = 0.49). The median volume reduction rate (range) at 12 months was significantly lower for malignant nodules than for benign nodules (51.4% [0-57.8] vs. 83.8% [47.9-89.6]) ( = 0.01). The pre-RFA benignity of all seven malignant nodules was confirmed using two US-guided fine-needle aspirations (FNAs), except for one nodule, which was confirmed using US-guided core-needle biopsy (CNB). Regrown malignant nodules were diagnosed as suspicious follicular neoplasms by CNB. Histological examination of the malignant nodules revealed follicular thyroid carcinomas, except for one follicular variant, a papillary thyroid carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
Symptomatic large benign thyroid nodules showing regrowth or suboptimal reduction after RFA may have malignant potential. The confirmation of these nodules is better with CNB than with FNA.
Topics: Humans; Radiofrequency Ablation; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 37634644
DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2023.0386 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022(1) Background: Despite the high accuracy of CT-guided transthoracic biopsy for diagnosis of pulmonary lesions, in a certain amount of cases biopsy results may indicate...
(1) Background: Despite the high accuracy of CT-guided transthoracic biopsy for diagnosis of pulmonary lesions, in a certain amount of cases biopsy results may indicate the presence of nonspecific findings or insufficient material. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of CT-guided transthoracic biopsy of pulmonary lesions in providing a specific diagnosis and to analyze the variables affecting biopsy results. (2) Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 170 patients undergoing 183 CT-guided transthoracic biopsies of pulmonary lesions were included. The clinical, radiological and pathological data were reviewed to classify biopsy results as diagnostic or nondiagnostic and to identify which variables were associated with the two groups. (3) Results: The biopsy results were diagnostic in 150 cases (82.0%), of which 131 (87.3%) positive for malignancy and 19 (12.7%) with specific benign lesions, and nondiagnostic in 33 cases (18.0%). Twenty-two of the thirty-three (66.7%) nondiagnostic cases were finally determined as malignancies and eleven (33.3%) as benign lesions. In the diagnostic group, all the 131 biopsies positive for malignancy were confirmed to be malignant at final diagnosis (87.3%); of 19 biopsies with specific benign lesions, 13 cases were confirmed to be benign (8.7%), whereas six cases had a final diagnosis of malignancy (4%). Multivariate analysis showed increased risk of nondiagnostic biopsy for lesions ≤ 20 mm ( = 0.006) and lesions with final diagnosis of benignity ( = 0.001). (4) Conclusions: CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy is an effective technique for the specific diagnosis of pulmonary lesions, with a relatively acceptable proportion of nondiagnostic cases. Small lesion size and final benign diagnosis are risk factors for nondiagnostic biopsy results.
PubMed: 35204450
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12020359 -
Oral Diseases Apr 2016Most viral infections encountered in resource-rich countries are relatively trivial and transient with perhaps fever, malaise, myalgia, rash (exanthema) and sometimes... (Review)
Review
Most viral infections encountered in resource-rich countries are relatively trivial and transient with perhaps fever, malaise, myalgia, rash (exanthema) and sometimes mucosal manifestations (enanthema), including oral in some. However, the apparent benignity may be illusory as some viral infections have unexpected consequences - such as the oncogenicity of some herpesviruses and human papillomaviruses. Infections are transmitted from various human or animal vectors, especially by close proximity, and the increasing movements of peoples across the globe, mean that infections hitherto confined largely to the tropics now appear worldwide. Global warming also increases the range of movement of vectors such as mosquitoes. Thus recent decades have seen a most dramatic change with the emergence globally also of new viral infections - notably human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) - and the appearance of some other dangerous and sometimes lethal infections formerly seen mainly in, and reported from, resource-poor areas especially in parts of Asia, Latin America and Africa. This study offers a brief update of the most salient new aspects of the important viral infections, especially those with known orofacial manifestations or other implications for oral health care.
Topics: Chikungunya Fever; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Coronavirus Infections; DNA Virus Infections; Dengue; Facial Dermatoses; HIV Infections; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Mouth Diseases; Mumps; Papillomavirus Infections; Parvoviridae Infections; RNA Virus Infections
PubMed: 26179810
DOI: 10.1111/odi.12356 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2022To evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of dual source dual energy computed tomography (DS-DECT) for benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of dual source dual energy computed tomography (DS-DECT) for benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
METHODS
Between January 2019 and December 2021, 60 patients with surgically and pathologically verified thyroid nodules treated at our institution were recruited. DS-DECT was administered to all patients. The iodine content of lesioned and normal tissues, the normalized iodine concentration (NIC) and standardized CT values of benign and malignant nodules, the consistency of examination results and pathological findings, and diagnostic effectiveness were all investigated.
RESULTS
The diagnosis accuracy was the same as that of surgical pathology, producing a 100% accuracy for the 60 patients with thyroid nodules (42 were benign and 18 were malignant). The iodine content of lesioned solid tissue differed significantly from that of normal tissue, as did the iodine content of malignant and benign nodules ( < 0.05). In the arterial phase, no significant difference was found in NIC and standardized CT values between benign and malignant nodules ( > 0.05). The optimal critical NIC for differentiating benign and malignant nodules in the venous phase was 0.74 and the standardized CT value was 0.79 HU according to the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Malignant nodules were diagnosed when the NIC was <0.74 and the standardized CT value was <0.79 HU, with AUC values of 0.89 and 0.93, respectively, where the sensitivity and specificity of the differential diagnosis of NIC were 90.48% (38/42) and 88.89% (16/18), respectively, and those of the differential diagnosis of standardized CT value were 92.86% (39/ 42) and 94.44% (17/18), respectively. The diagnosis accuracy of DS-DECT was 100%, and the diagnostic results of morphological characteristics and pathological testing were consistent. The sensitivity and specificity of the NIC values and standardized CT values in the venous phase differential diagnosis of benign and malignant nodules were compatible with the morphological differential diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
DS-DECT is highly accurate in determining the benignity and malignancy of thyroid nodules and has a strong potential for clinical promotion to allow for prompt treatment.
PubMed: 36034942
DOI: 10.1155/2022/2257304 -
Annals of Thoracic Medicine 2015With increased exposure of patients to routine imaging, incidental benign intrathoracic masses are frequently recognized. Most have classical imaging features, which are... (Review)
Review
With increased exposure of patients to routine imaging, incidental benign intrathoracic masses are frequently recognized. Most have classical imaging features, which are pathognomonic for their benignity. The aim of this pictorial review is to educate the reader of radiological features of several types of intrathoracic masses. The masses are categorized based on their location/origin and are grouped into parenchymal, pleural, mediastinal, or bronchial. Thoracic wall masses that invade the thorax such as neurofibromas and lipomas are included as they may mimic intrathoracic masses. All examples are illustrated and include pulmonary hamartoma, pleural fibroma, sarcoidosis, bronchial carcinoid, and bronchoceles together with a variety of mediastinal cysts on plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sometimes a multimodality approach would be needed to confirm the diagnosis in atypical cases. The study would include the incorporation of radionuclide studies and relevant discussion in a multidisciplinary setting.
PubMed: 26664560
DOI: 10.4103/1817-1737.160365 -
The Breast Journal 2022To evaluate the potential of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) in reducing benign breast biopsy rate, thereby improving resource utilization. To explore its...
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the potential of contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) in reducing benign breast biopsy rate, thereby improving resource utilization. To explore its potential as a value-adding modality in the management of BI-RADS 4/5 lesions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a prospective study conducted between July 2016 and September 2018. Patients with BI-RADS 4/5 lesions detected on conventional imaging (mammogram, digital breast tomosynthesis, and ultrasound) were enrolled for adjunct CESM. Histopathologic correlation was done for all lesions. Additional suspicious lesions detected on CESM were all identified on second-look ultrasound and subsequently biopsied. Images were evaluated independently by two radiologists trained in breast imaging using BI-RADS classification. Presence of enhancement on CESM, BI-RADS score, and histopathology of each lesion were analyzed and tested with the chi-square/fisher-exact test for statistical significance.
RESULTS
The study included 105 lesions in 63 participants-1 man and 62 women, an average age of 53.7 ± 10.8 years. On CESM, 22 (20.9%) of the lesions did not show enhancement. All 22 lesions had been classified as BI-RADS 4A and were subsequently proven to be benign. Of the remaining 83 enhancing lesions, 54 (65.1%) were malignant and 29 (34.9%) were benign ( < 0.05). CESM detected 6 additional lesions which were not identified on initial conventional imaging. Four of these were proven malignant and were in a different quadrant than the primary lesion investigated.
CONCLUSION
There is evidence that the absence of enhancement in CESM strongly favors benignity. It may provide the reporting radiologist with greater confidence in imaging assessment, especially in BI-RADS 4A cases, where a proportion of them are in actuality BI-RADS 3. Greater accuracy of BI-RADS grading can reduce nearly half of benign biopsies and allow better resource allocation. CESM also increases the detection rate of potentially malignant lesions, thereby changing the treatment strategies.
Topics: Adult; Biopsy; Breast Neoplasms; Contrast Media; Female; Humans; Mammography; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 35711887
DOI: 10.1155/2022/7087408