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Liposarcomas are rare in the orbit. We analyzed a series of primary liposarcomas to determine the features unique to the orbit. Records from 10 Chinese patients treated for primary orbital liposarcoma at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, between September 2009 and September 2020 were reviewed. This cohort included four men and six women with age of onset ranging from 18 to 80 years. The pathology was myxoid liposarcoma in five patients, dedifferentiated liposarcoma in two patients, well-differentiated liposarcoma and pleomorphic liposarcoma in one patient each, and dedifferentiated liposarcoma and well-differentiated liposarcoma co-existing in one case. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-defined, irregular, or lobulated mass in the orbit, which contained components that were suppressible in the fat-suppression sequence, as well as components that were enhanced by gadolinium enhancement. Nine patients relapsed after surgery, with a mean recurrence of 2.44, and one patient was lost to follow-up. The interval between treatment and first recurrence ranged from 4 months to 16 years; 55.6% of patients with orbital liposarcoma relapsed within one year. Three patients underwent local excision alone, four patients underwent excision combined with radiotherapy, and three patients underwent exenteration. Half of the patients were misdiagnosed in the pathologic diagnosis after their first or multiple surgeries. No distant metastasis, death from tumors, or invasion of adjacent organs was observed after 21–150 months of follow-up. Orbital liposarcoma is easily misdiagnosed and prone to recurrence; however, MRI findings may help identify orbital liposarcoma prior to surgery. The optimal treatment choice remains to be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Structural anomalies of the jugular foramen (JF) and adjacent structures may contribute to development of pulsatile tinnitus (PT). The goal of this study was to assess anatomical variants in the ipsilateral JF region in patients with PT and to explore possible predisposing factors for PT. Methods  One hundred ninety-five patients with PT who underwent CT angiography and venography of the temporal bone were retrospectively analyzed. Anatomic variants including dominance of the ipsilateral JF, bony deficiency of the sigmoid sinus and internal carotid artery canal, high riding or dehiscent jugular bulb, dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal, tumors in the JF region, or cerebellopontine angle were assessed. Results  Of 195 patients with PT, the prevalence of a dominant JF on the ipsilateral side of patients with PT was 67.2%. Furthermore, the dominant JF demonstrated a significant correlation with the presence of ipsilateral PT (p  < 0.001). No anatomical variants were present in 22 patients (11.3%), whereas in patients with structural variants, bony deficiency of the sigmoid sinus was most common (65.6%), followed by high riding (54.9%) or dehiscent jugular bulb (14.4%). Dehiscent internal carotid artery canal (3.1%) and superior semicircular canal (4.1%) were occasionally identified, while arteriovenous fistula, arterial aneurysm and tumors arising from the JF region or cerebellopontine angle were rarely encountered. Conclusion  Structural abnormalities of the JF and adjacent structures may predispose to the development of PT. Knowledge of these anatomical variants in the JF region may help establish a clinical strategy for addressing PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the safety and efficiency of the Se/CO/H2O redox process, five ionic liquids (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmin][BF4], 1-propyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [pmim][BF4], 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bdmim][BF4], N-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [eim][BF4], and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, [bmim][OTf]) were used as solvents instead of dimethyl formamide. The effect of the structure of anions and cations in ionic liquid, and water content on the Se reduction rate was investigated. In addition, the Se reduction pathway was also explored using UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that the Se reduction rate is significantly increased by ∼1.4 times using [bmim][BF4], mainly by activating the water molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regenerable flue gas desulfurization (FGD) is highly attractive because of the transformation of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to high-value products. In this study, selenium-assisted SO2 reduction by carbon monoxide (CO) in the liquid phase [dimethylformamide (DMF) + water (H2O) mixture] is proposed and applied in the FGD process. This process realizes recycle of the elemental sulfur product under room temperature. Moreover, results show that both the selenium catalyst and DMF solvent have good stability and can be well recycled, implying that this process is economically feasible. Furthermore, the mechanism of selenium-assisted SO2 reduction by CO in DMF/H2O is investigated. Results show that the selenium catalyst dissolves in solution and forms Sen2- species, which are the active intermediates and promote formation of the sulfur product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate and compare the imaging feature of sinonasal oncocytic papilloma (OP) with inverted papilloma (IP). The CT and MR imaging manifestations of 17 pathology proven sinonasal OPs were reviewed and compared with 17 IPs randomly selected as a control group over the same period. Seventeen sinonasal OPs had unilateral occurrence and 16 of them (94.1%) had a lobulated configuration.The distribution of original sites differed significantly between OPs and IPs (p < 0.05).OPs (47.1%) particularly involved the maxillary sinus,while IPs (64.7%) usually arose from the lateral nasal wall.OPs exhibited isointense in 5 cases and grape- or patchy-like hyperintense in 12 on T1 weighted image, and isointense in 13 and hyperintense in 4 on T2 weighted image, with moderate enhancement. 10 OPs appeared as a Type II time intensity curve (TIC).There was significant difference of pre-contrast T1 signal intensity between OPs and IPs (p < 0.05).The prevalence of the imaging findings of "focal osteitis" (11.8% vs 94.1%) and "cystic change" (94.1% vs 17.6%) differed significantly between OPs and IPs (p < 0.05), but not for "cerebriform"sign (82.4% vs 94.1%) (p > 0.05). Three imaging features including high signal on T1 weighted image, cystic change and only a rare association of focal osteitis may help the diagnosis of OP distinguished from IP. The typical imaging characteristics should prompt an accurate diagnosis of sinonasal OPs in routine clinical practice. Combination of CT and MR imaging characteristics can be more helpful in discriminating OPs from IPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is a well-known protein family that is widely distributed in many organisms. Members of this family have been implicated in a broad range of reactions involved in the metabolism of various organic compounds. Recently, an increasing number of studies have shown that the CYP450 enzyme also participates in the elimination and degradation of organic pollutants, by white rot fungi (WRF), a famous group of natural degraders. This paper reviews previous investigations of white rot fungal CYP450 involved in the biodegradation of organic pollutants, with a special focus on inhibitory experiments, and the direct and indirect evidence of the role of white rot fungal CYP450 in bioremediation. The catalytic mechanisms of white rot fungal CYP450, its application potential, and future prospect for its use in bioremediation are then discussed. [Display omitted] • Reviewed the role of CYP450s in the biodegradation of organic pollutants by WRF. • The inhibitory experiments and the evidence for WRF CYP450s in bioremediation were presented. • Discussed the catalytic mechanisms of WRF CYP450s in organic pollutants biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and thin-section magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of facial nerve hemangioma. The HRCT and MRI characteristics of 17 facial nerve hemangiomas diagnosed between 2006 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients included in the study suffered from a space-occupying lesion of soft tissues at the geniculate ganglion fossa. Affected nerve was compared for size and shape with the contralateral unaffected nerve. HRCT showed irregular expansion and broadening of the facial nerve canal, damage of the bone wall and destruction of adjacent bone, with 'point'-like or 'needle'-like calcifications in 14 cases. The average CT value was 320.9 ± 141.8 Hu. Fourteen patients had a widened labyrinthine segment; 6/17 had a tympanic segment widening; 2/17 had a greater superficial petrosal nerve canal involvement, and 2/17 had an affected internal auditory canal (IAC) segment. On MRI, all lesions were significantly enhanced due to high blood supply. Using 2D FSE T2WI, the lesion detection rate was 82.4 % (14/17). 3D fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (3D FIESTA) revealed the lesions in all patients. HRCT showed that the average number of involved segments in the facial nerve canal was 2.41, while MRI revealed an average of 2.70 segments ( P < 0.05). HRCT and MR findings of facial nerve hemangioma were typical, revealing irregular masses growing along the facial nerve canal, with calcifications and rich blood supply. Thin-section enhanced MRI was more accurate in lesion detection and assessment compared with HRCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave was employed to prepare sodium bisulfate crystal using equimolar quantities of sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate. The effects of microwave on heating behavior and water content changes were studied by monitoring the temperature and weight. To embody the positive effect of microwave on dehydrating speed and crystal transformation, thermal conductive heating was compared. The phase transformation and micro morphology of the product were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that crystallization with lower water content obtained higher percentage of sodium bisulfate. Microwave can significantly speed up dehydration and the dehydrating efficiency increase over the output power. According to the phase transformation process, a possible mechanism for H + -dependent sodium bisulfate crystallization is proposed. Moreover, regular crystal with greater size was obtained under microwave irradiation. The specific phenomenon may be ascribed to the oriented attachment of hydrogen sulfate in alternating electromagnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusions: The combined analysis of axial, coronal, and sagittal planes can increase the positive rate of diagnosis for dehiscence of the facial nerve canal. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scanning of the condition of the tympanic portion of the facial nerve canal in patients with chronic otitis media. Methods: A total of 76 ears of 72 inpatients with chronic suppurative otitis media and with cholesteatoma or granulation tissues in the attic were examined by routine HRCT. The condition (including dehiscence) of the tympanic portion of the facial nerve canal observed by CT on multi-planar images and surgical findings were recorded. Results: The condition of the tympanic portion of the facial nerve canal observed by CT could be confirmed by surgical findings in 67/76 ears, but was not confirmed in 9/76 ears. Axial-transverse images could clearly show the position and length of dehiscence on the lateral wall of the facial nerve, while coronal images were superior to axial-transverse images in showing the bony circumference of the facial nerve, and sagittal images could show the inferior wall of the facial nerve canal more clearly than images on the former planes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) has been applied in the treatment of olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). However, there is a lack of research examining the impact of EEA on locally advanced ONB. This study assessed the outcomes of EEA in patients with locally advanced ONB and its impact on the quality of life (QOL). We retrospectively reviewed patients with Kadish stage C ONB who underwent EEA between December 2004 and October 2019 and assessed demographic data, histopathologic grade, the extent of resection, postoperative complications, and outcomes. Preoperative and postoperative QOL was assessed using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test. Twenty-six patients (18 men, 8 women; aged 26–79 years) were enrolled, with 12 cases of Hyams grade II and III and 1 case of grade I and IV each. In total, 25 patients received radiotherapy and 16 patients received chemotherapy, of whom 11 received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperative nasal bleeding was observed in 2 patients. The follow-up ranged from 8 to 124 months (median, 42.3 months). The 1-year and 5-year overall survival were 96.2% and 84.8%, respectively. The 1-year and 5-year disease-free survival were 76.9% each. The analysis of the postoperative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test scores showed significant improvement in certain psychological and sleep-associated domains, compared with the preoperative scores. Our results showed that pure EEA followed by radiotherapy offered excellent outcomes in the management of selected patients with locally advanced ONB. The postoperative QOL was significantly improved. More research is required on neoadjuvant chemotherapy to establish its role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Cyanide is considered one of the most lethal poisons, reports on visual changes after acute cyanide poisoning are rare due to a low rate of survival of those having committed suicides. Case details. A 30-year-old man developed visual loss in both eyes after inhaling sodium cyanide gas, but nothing abnormal was found in slit lamp microscope and indirect ophthalmoscope examinations 5 months later. In pattern visual evoked potential, the amplitude of P100 wave was apparently decreased. Humphrey perimetry examination and AccuMap multifocal visual evoked potentials objective perimetry showed severe defects of the central visual field. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signal changes in bilateral putamen. Results of other examinations, including Farnsworth dichotomous color vision test, optical coherence tomography, retinal nerve fiber layer examination and flash electroretinography, were normal. Discussion. Although magnetic resonance imaging showed no changes in the signal of the visual pathway, clinical features and our test results suggest a possible lesion in the posterior visual pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect and mechanism of particulate matter capture and migration in activated carbon sintering flue gas purification system. [Display omitted] • The material flow analysis of K was established. • The release of AC is a key link affecting the concentration of flue gas particles. • The sintered ash is captured by AC via inertial collision and interception diffusion sedimentation. • The sintered ash remove via AC is an important solution of ultra-low emission. By using alkali metal K as the tracer component of sintered ash, the particulate matter (sintered ash and activated carbon powder) in the industrial two-stage moving bed purification project of sintered flue gas was studied. First, the distribution of K element in the gas phase and each link of the purification system was investigated. The material flowing direction as well as the trapping and releasing mechanism of sintered ash in the purification system were analyzed by BET, XRD, and SEM-EDS techniques. The migration and release rule of activated carbon (AC) powder from moving bed to gas phase was investigated, and the contribution of AC powder to flue gas particles and the key release link were clarified. The results showed that the sintered ash capture rate in the primary adsorption tower of AC was as high as 99.7%, while 65.92% of the sintered ash was captured in the middle chamber of the primary adsorption tower. Sintered ash is trapped by AC at 0–0.5 mm on the surface, which suggested the main trapping mechanisms are inertial collision and interception diffusion settling. The trapped sintered ash is recycled through the system with the AC, and eventually 99.9% ash is discharged with the sieved carbon powder from the desorption tower. The percentage of charcoal powder in the exit flue gas particulate matter is 55.45% and the release of activated charcoal powder to the gas phase in the secondary adsorption tower. Which is the key link affecting the exit flue gas particulate matter concentration. This study elucidates the capture and migration law of particulate matter in AC flue gas purification system, and provides a strong basis for the improvement of technology to achieve stable ultra-low emission of particulate matter from AC system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The surgical approach of acoustic neuroma includes translabyrinthine, transcranial fossa, suboccipital retrosigmoid sinus, and presigmoid retrolabyrinthine approach. Aims/Objective: To provide the anatomical basis for the surgical selection of presigmoid retrolabyrinthine approach by measuring the anatomical parameters of retrolabyrinthine space of the petrous bone by high-resolution CT. Material and methods: A retrospective study of 208 high-resolution CT (HRCT) images of 104 patients examined in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Forty-nine males and 55 females were included in this study. Lines were drawn on the HRCT to measure the morphological data for pre-operational assessment. Result: Morphological data were retracted from HRCT, for preoperational assessment. Conclusion and significance: Using the standard postprocessing images of temporal bone HRCT can predict the size of the retrolabyrinthine space and the degree of exposure to the inner auditory canal, providing an important anatomical index for the choice of presigmoid retrolabyrinthine approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free ammonia (FA), the unionized form of ammonium, is presented in anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) at high levels. However, its potential role in sulfur transformation, especially H 2 S production, during WAS anaerobic fermentation process was unrecognized previously. This work aims to unveil how FA affects anaerobic sulfur transformation in WAS anaerobic fermentation. It was found that FA significantly inhibited H 2 S production. With an increase of FA from 0.04 to 159 mg/L, H 2 S production reduced by 69.9%. FA firstly attacked tyrosine-like proteins and aromatic-like proteins in sludge EPSs, with C O groups being responded first, which decreased the percentage of α-helix/(β-sheet + random coil) and destroyed hydrogen bonding networks. Cell membrane potential and physiological status analysis showed that FA destroyed membrane integrity and increased the ratio of apoptotic and necrotic cells. These destroyed sludge EPSs structure and caused cell lysis, thus strongly inhibited the activities of hydrolytic microorganisms and sulfate reducing bacteria. Microbial analysis showed that FA reduced the abundance of functional microbes (e.g., Desulfobulbus and Desulfovibrio) and genes (e.g., MPST , CysP , and CysN) involved in organic sulfur hydrolysis and inorganic sulfate reduction. These findings unveil an actually existed but previously overlooked contributor to H 2 S inhibition in WAS anaerobic fermentation. [Display omitted] • Free ammonia in situ reduced H 2 S production during sludge anaerobic treatment. • Free ammonia inhibited the activities of hydrolytic microorganisms and SRBs. • Free ammonia destroyed membrane integrity and led to apoptosis. • Free ammonia reduced the relative abundance of S2- producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Pd/CuCl 2 /γ-Al 2 O 3 catalyst of high activity (up to 87%) and of sulfur-poisoning resistance to SO 2 as high as 10,000 ppm was designed for the selective catalytic oxidation of Hg 0 for the first time. It was found that Pd and CuCl 2 function as active sites of Hg 0 adsorption and HCl activation, respectively. The combination of these two phases could improve the regeneration and migration of active chlorine, hinder the simultaneously competitive adsorption of Hg 0 and SO 2 on the active sites of CuCl 2 and reduce the production and accumulation of sulfates, such as CuSO 4 . These mechanisms contributed to the outstanding catalytic performance of Pd/CuCl 2 /γ-Al 2 O 3 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, Hg re-emission from the wet scrubber has become a hot topic in the field of Hg abatement since wet scrubber has been considered as an effective way to remove Hg. In this paper, the effects of Cu ions on Hg re-emission were investigated for the first time in the presence of SO 3 2− . The effect of CuCl 3 2− was proved to directly reduce Hg 2+ to insoluble Hg 0 and to catalytically decompose Hg(SO 3 ) 2 2− to Hg 0 and SO 4 2− in the presence of SO 3 2− . When adding the Cu 2+ into solution with low concentration, Hg re-emission was increased due to the generation of Cu + from the reduction of Cu 2+ by SO 3 2− . Further increase of Cu 2+ concentration inhibited Hg re-emission, which was possibly owing to the formation of metal Cu which could absorb Hg 0 to form amalgam. The decomposition of Hg(SO 3 ) 2 2− by CuCl 3 2− and Cu + meet pseudo-first-order reaction with respect to Hg 0 and the activation energy parameters are 64.43 and 48.78 kJ/mol, respectively. Difference of electron transfer path in the decomposition of Hg(SO 3 ) 2 2− with Cu + was proposed to be the reason of low activation energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Precise localization and excision of the originating site of a sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP) is essential for decreasing tumor recurrence. In this study we evaluated the use of preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to pinpoint the attachment/originating sites of SNIPs in 143 patients. Methods Osteitis signs in CTs and convoluted cerebriform pattern (CCP)-based reverse tracings from MRIs of 143 SNIP patients were analyzed preoperatively to predict the originating site of SNIPs. The predicted sites were compared with actual SNIP attachment sites determined by surgery, and patients were followed-up for evaluation of SNIP recurrence rates over a mean period of about 4 years. Results Osteitis signs in CT accurately predicted the actual tumor attachment site in 49.7% of all patients. In comparison, convoluted cerebriform pattern (CCP)-based reverse tracings in MRI and combination CT plus MRI accurately predicted the SNIP originating sites in 84.1% and 86% of the patients, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity in predicting the SNIP originating site were: CT, 54.6% and 69.2%; MRI, 93.1% and 76.9%; and CT+MRI, 94.6% and 92.3%, respectively. A single postoperative recurrence occurred in 4.2% of the patients. Conclusions Preoperative combination of MRI and CT provides a better option to accurately predict the SNIP originating site, and thus may facilitate accurate and complete excision of the SNIP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of pretreatment ADC and Ki‐67 index in the prediction of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) patients. Methods: A total of 21 advanced ONB patients (mean 43.48 years ± 14.26; range 25–69 years; 13 men and 8 women) with diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) before NACT between June 2015 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into responders and non‐responders according to RECIST 1.1 after two cycles of NACT. The clinical data, ADCmean value, and Ki‐67 index were analyzed. Results: Kadish stage, ADCmean value, and Ki‐67 index showed statistical significance between responders and non‐responders. Patients with Kadish C stage were more likely to respond to platinum‐based NACT (p = 0.035). Patients with the lower ADCmean value showed response to NACT (p = 0.002) and the cutoff point was 1.04 × 10−3 mm2/s. Patients with the higher Ki‐67 index showed response to NACT (p = 0.003) and the cutoff point was 17.5%. Predictive performance of Ki‐67 index and ADCmean value showed no significance between responders and non‐responders (p = 0.865). A significant negative correlation was found between ADCmean value and Ki‐67 index (r = −0.539, p = 0.038). Conclusions: The pretreatment ADCmean value, Ki‐67 index and Kadish stage have the potential to predict the response to NACT in advanced ONB patients. Advances in knowledge: This is the first study that investigated the feasibility of DWI in predicting the response to NACT in ONB patients and showed that Kadish stage, pretreatment ADCmean and Ki‐67 index may play an important role in the prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Iron precipitates at different oxidation degrees are obtained by H 2 O 2. • Ms value of Fe 3 O 4 shows a decrease and then recovery with oxidation. • Magnetic properties are affected via a Fe-O bond length-related mechanism. • The "magnetic iron oxides" method is promoted for industrial iron precipitation. Large quantities of hazardous waste are generated in the removal process of iron in zinc hydrometallurgy, which poses a severely permanent threat to the environment. Recently, an innovative magnetite (Fe 3 O 4) method for iron precipitation has been proposed. Whereas, the magnetic separation performance and phase composition of Fe 3 O 4 are sensitively disturbed by the oxidizing conditions in the pregnant leach solution from zinc hydrometallurgy. In this work, a series of Fe 3 O 4 samples with different oxidation degrees were in-situ formed. We found that oxidation did not worsen the Fe removal and that all samples have a relatively high iron content (>42.3%). Meanwhile, although the magnetic properties of the samples showed a decrease (from 32.31 to 6.56 emu/g), it could be recovered (10.60 emu/g) by controlling the oxidation to a certain degree. This is correlated with the phase transition of iron oxides as the oxidation degree increase. Furthermore, it is clarified that the mechanism by which the oxidation affects the magnetic properties was the change of Fe-O bond length, as revealed by Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer measurement. This work provides a new strategy for the practical implication of the "magnetic iron" instead of the magnetite precipitation method in zinc hydrometallurgy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the mercury re-emission from the scrubbing solution has become a hot topic in wet flue gas desulfurization process (WFGD). Selenite is one of the most important matters in the solution. It is discovered that selenite have great effect on the mercury re-emission in the WFGD process in this paper. Several important parameters, such as selenite concentration, pH value, temperature and chloride concentration, and reaction mechanisms were studied on the Hg 0 re-emission. The experimental results indicate that mercury reduction and re-emission can be effectively inhibited with high selenite and chloride concentrations, low temperature and pH value. The mechanisms for inhibition of mercury reduction and re-emission are proved to be different under acid and alkaline conditions respectively. Under acid condition, it is the formation of stable HgSe that decrease Hg 0 re-emission. However, the formation of more stable HgSeO 3 SO 3 2 - or Hg ( SeO 3 ) 2 2 - than Hg ( SO 3 ) 2 2 - contributes to avoid the oxidized mercury reduction by sulfite ions and then the mercury re-emission under the alkaline condition. In addition, it is also found that Cl - ions can further enhance the inhibition effect and suppress Hg 0 re-emission by the formation of stable HgSeO 3 Cl - and HgSeO 3 Cl 2 2 - complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide formation in seed-assisted and controlled double-jet precipitation (CDJP) was explored. Results show that the formation of ZnO involves the initial surface precipitation of β-Zn(OH)2 intermediates on seed surfaces, followed by fast surface phase transformation to ZnO. During this process, the seeds play the role of crystallization catalysts to promote ZnO formation in a short time at room temperature via changing the precipitation pathway. Meanwhile, CDJP ensures the effects of the seeds by controlling the solution supersaturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation of particles is of paramount importance in nature and in diverse engineering applications. A simple and effective tunable mechanism for promoting aggregation of particles is highly desirable. Inspired by the important role of polysaccharide and amino acid playing in the formation of granular sludge, a new mechanism based on bridging and hydrophobic model was proposed to improve the aggregation of particles and enrich the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Effect of model polysaccharide (xanthan gum, XG), amino acid ( l -tryptophan, Trp), and their mixture on ZnO particles aggregation kinetics was investigated as an example. Results indicate that ZnO particles aggregation is enhanced by adding these polymers, especially by adding Trp-XG mixture with high Trp/XG ratios. Moreover, impact of various anions such as F − , Cl − , and SO 4 2 − on ZnO particles aggregation was investigated. Results reveal that the order of ZnO particles aggregation to be improved is SO 4 2 − > Cl − > F − . Sulfate produces the smallest hydrated diameter and is of great benefit to bridging and hydrophobic mechanism. Furthermore, optimal conditions for ZnO particles aggregation were used in abiological granular sludge (ABGS) formation for practical application. Results confirm that Trp-XG is highly effective to promote the formation of ABGS with regular granular morphology and excellent settling performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination in wastewater poses a severe threat to the environment and public health. Chemical precipitation is the most conventional process for heavy metal wastewater treatment. However, the flocculent structure of chemical precipitation sludge raises the problem of poor sludge settling performance that is difficult to overcome. Inspired by the biological granular sludge (BGS) formation process, we report here a facile and effective strategy to produce abiological granular sludge (ABGS) to solve this problem. In this procedure, controlled double-jet precipitation was performed to simulate the cell multiplication process in BGS formation by controlling the solution supersaturation. Meanwhile, ZnO seeds and flocculant polyacrylamide were added to simulate the role of nuclei growth and extracellular polymeric substances in BGS formation process, respectively. This procedure generates ABGS with a dense structure, large size and regular spherical morphology. The settling velocity of ABGS can reach up to 3.0cms−1, significantly higher than that of flocculent sludge (<1cms−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: It is important to distinguish between orbital cavernous haemangioma and schwannoma because the treatments of choice for the two tumours are different. The aim was to evaluate MR imaging findings distinguishing the two tumours.Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging including T1- and T2-weighted imaging and contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in 43 patients with cavernous haemangiomas and 16 patients with schwannomas confirmed by pathology. Location, configuration, margins, signal intensity, homogeneity and enhancement pattern of the tumour were retrospectively evaluated.Results: There was a significant difference between cavernous haemangiomas and schwannomas regarding the location, configuration and margins of the mass, signal intensity and homogeneity on T1- and T2-weighted imaging, the spread pattern of contrast enhancement, the enhancement pattern and the type of time-intensity curve (P<0.05). Markedly homogeneous hyperintensity signal on T2-weighted imaging and the spread pattern of the contrast enhancement favoured cavernous haemangioma rather than schwannoma (P<0.01).Conclusion: Cavernous haemangiomas and schwannomas have different MR imaging features that could be helpful in the differentiation between the tumours. The spread pattern of the contrast enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging is the most reliable finding distinguishing cavernous haemangiomas from schwannomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging including dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging in the differentiation of benign from malignant orbital masses and to evaluate which MR imaging features are most predictive of malignant tumors.Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the institutional review board and signed informed consent was obtained. Nonenhanced, static, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in 102 adult patients with an orbital mass. Diagnosis was based on histologic findings. MR imaging features of benign and malignant orbital lesions were evaluated correlated with histological findings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the best combination of MR imaging features that might be predictive of malignancy.Results: Nonenhanced, static, and dynamic enhancement MR imaging was significantly superior to two other models in prediction of malignancy (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that the most discriminating MR imaging features were isointense mass on T2-weighted imaging and a washout-type time-intensity curve for both observers.Conclusion: Nonenhanced, static, and dynamic enhancement MR imaging improved differentiation between benign and malignant orbital masses in adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive quantitative evaluation of the intercarotid artery distance (ICD) in the pediatric population has not been sufficiently explored. This study aims to measure the minimal ICDs at multiple levels of the skull base to assess changes in the ICD during development. Measurement of the ICDs between the paired paraclival, parasellar, and paraclinoid segments of the internal carotid artery (ICA) was performed on coronal MRI from 540 patients ranging from 0 to 17 years old (n = 30 for each age). Comparison of these indices in the very young (0–5 years, Group 1) and young (6–17 years, Group 2) patients, and assessment of the degree of sphenoid sinus pneumatization was employed. The narrowest ICD was located at the paraclinoid ICAs in the vast majority of cases (89.44%). When comparing the ICDs in very young age patients with the ICDs of 17 years old subjects, a statistically significant difference was found at the paraclival (ages 0–5), parasellar (ages 0–2), and paraclinoid (ages 0–4) ICDs (p < 0.05). Comparison of the ICDs between the intergroups (Group 1 and 2) also demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001). Pneumatization of the sphenoid sinus was initially noted to start at 3 years of age, and there were no patients with a non-pneumatized sphenoid sinus identified after 7 years of age in our cohort. Measurement of ICDs at multiple levels provides a valuable reference for EEA procedures in the pediatric population. While the ICD may be largely stable in the pediatric population after 5 years of age, additional anatomic factors may restrict transsphenoidal access in very young patients (0–5 years). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]