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A series of PIM-1/POSS microfibrous membranes were fabricated by electrospinning technology. The addition of POSS particles could greatly enhance the hydrophobicity, and a superhydrophobic−superoleophilic membrane was obtained as the POSS concentration increased to 40 wt %. The scanning electron microscopy images indicate that the incorporation of POSS particles results in formations of hierarchical structures on the surface of the PIM-1/POSS fibers. Both the intrinsic hydrophobic nature of POSS and the increase in the fiber surface roughness led to the superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity. The 40 wt % PIM-1/POSS fibrous membrane could not only separate a wide range of immiscible oil−water mixtures with efficiencies higher than 99.95% but also separate water-in-oil emulsions with efficiencies higher than 99.97%. Furthermore, because of the ultrahigh intrinsic microporosity of the PIM-1 polymer, the PIM-1 fibrous membrane exhibited the ability to adsorb a large amount of contaminants such as oil red O and solvent blue 35 from oils. Therefore, these membranes are multifunctional and can be applied to treating immiscible water−oil mixtures, water-in-oil emulsions, and cleanup of oil soluble contaminants.

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Adiponectin is an important adipokine exclusively secreted from adipose tissue. Growing evidence suggests that adiponectin inhibits the growth of cancer cells and reduces cancer risk. Many studies have examined the association between circulating adiponectin levels and the risk of breast cancer. However, the results of numerous epidemiological studies have been inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis on the association between circulating adiponectin levels and the risk of breast cancer. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science were searched to identify all observational studies that examined the relationship between circulating adiponectin and breast cancer. Standard mean difference (SMD) values and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated and pooled using the meta-analysis methodology. Summary effect estimates were derived using a random effects meta-analysis model. The analysis included eight studies that met the study criteria and described the relationship between circulating adiponectin levels and breast cancer. A total of 1803 participants and 885 cases of breast cancer were included in this meta-analysis. Serum total adiponectin concentrations were lower in patients with breast cancer, with a pooled SMD of -0.39 μg/ml (95% CI -0.618 to -0.161, P=0.001). However, adiponectin levels were not associated with the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women [four studies, random effects SMD=0.02 μg/ml (95% CI -0.164 to 0.204, P=0.829)]. These results collectively suggest that lower adiponectin levels are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

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