The engineering of defect-modified boron nitride ribbons: an effective adsorbent to rapid capture for tetracycline.

Antibiotics, the persistent organic pollutants, have brought serious pollution to the aquatic environment. Therefore, it is necessary to select rapid adsorbents to remove them from their long-term threat. Herein, the introduction of defects in BN was employed to enhance its surface chemical activity for rapid capture of tetracycline via hydrothermal and calcination methods. The defect content in BN can be controlled by adjusting the volume ratio of ethanol to water. Among them, when the volume ratio of H2O/ethanol is 4/1 (BN-3), BN-3 has the most N defects at 33%, which increases the adsorption rate of h-BN for TC and promotes the adsorption capacity to 302.15 mg g-1, which is due to the introduction of nitrogen defects significantly regulates the electronic structure of BN. The corresponding theoretical calculations confirm that BN with N defects decreases the absorption energy of BN for TC. Additionally, the adsorption removal rate of tetracycline still reached 95.5% after 5 cycles of TC adsorption by BN-3, indicating that the defect-modified BN has good reusability and is beneficial for its use in pollutant adsorption.

Comparison between dietary assessment methods and biomarkers in estimating dietary (poly)phenol intake.

Background: although widely used, there is limited understanding of the suitability of different dietary assessment tools to estimate (poly)phenol intake. This study aims to compare the agreement between a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a 7-day food diary (7DD) in assessing (poly)phenol intake and explore their associations with the urinary and plasma (poly)phenol metabolites. Methods: healthy free-living participants aged 18-80 years (n = 413) completed a 7DD and an FFQ (EPIC-Norfolk) and provided a 24 h urine and a fasting plasma sample. A comprehensive in-house (poly)phenol database was used to estimate (poly)phenol intake. The phenolic metabolite levels were analysed using a validated LC-MS method. The agreement between dietary assessment methods and biomarkers were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), weighted kappa, quartile classification, Bland-Altman plots and correlations. Results: the total (poly)phenol intake estimated from FFQ was higher than from 7DD (median 1463 and 1042 mg d-1, respectively). The agreement between FFQ and 7DD were moderate (ICC 0.51-0.59) for total (poly)phenols, flavan-3-ols, total phenolic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and alkylmethoxyphenols, and were poor for all the other classes and subclasses (ICC 0.00-0.48). Positive correlations with total urine phenolic metabolites were found in FFQ estimated anthocyanins, dihydroflavonols, total lignans, tyrosols, alkylmethoxyphenols, total phenolic acids, and total stilbenes and the 7DD estimated theaflavins and thearubigins (all FDR adjusted p values < 0.1). No significant correlations were found between total plasma phenolic metabolites and (poly)phenol intake. Conclusion: agreements between dietary assessment tools were moderate for the major classes of (poly)phenols, while agreements between (poly)phenol intake and biomarkers were poor. Future research using biomarker approaches to increase the accuracy of estimating (poly)phenol exposure in larger populations is needed.

In vivo study of the bioavailability and metabolic profile of (poly)phenols after sous-vide artichoke consumption.

Artichokes are a rich source of (poly)phenols, mainly caffeoylquinic acids, but little is known about their bioavailability from this source. This study investigated the absorption, metabolism and excretion of (poly)phenols after sous-vide artichoke consumption (5776 µmol of (poly)phenols) by healthy volunteers. Seventy-six (poly)phenol metabolites were identified by UHPLC-MS/MS using authentic standards, including acyl-quinic acids plus C6-C3, C6-C1, C6-C2, C6-C1-N, C6-C0 metabolites, and their phase-II conjugates. The major metabolites were 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxycinnamic acid, 3'-methoxycinnamic acid-4'-sulfate, and 4'-hydroxycinnamic acid-3'-sulfate, which appeared early in plasma (Tmax < 4 h); plus 3-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid, 3-(4'-methoxyphenyl)propanoic acid-3'-glucuronide, 3-(3'-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid and hippuric acids, which appeared later (Tmax > 6 h). The 24 h urinary recovery averaged 8.9% (molar basis) of the (poly)phenols consumed. Hepatic beta-oxidation of 3',4'-dihydroxycinnamic acid and methylated conjugates occurred, but was limited (<0.04%). 3'-Methylation exceeded 4'-methylation and interindividual variability was high, especially for gut microbial metabolites (up to 168-fold).

Quantitative Assessment of Dietary (Poly)phenol Intake: A High-Throughput Targeted Metabolomics Method for Blood and Urine Samples.

Many studies have associated the consumption of (poly)phenol-rich diets with health benefits. However, accurate high-throughput quantitative methods for estimating exposure covering a broad spectrum of (poly)phenols are lacking. We have developed and validated a high-throughput method for the simultaneous quantification of 119 (poly)phenol metabolites in plasma and urine using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, with a very fast sample treatment and a single run time of 16 min. This method is highly sensitive, precise, accurate, and shows good linearity for all compounds (R2 > 0.992). This novel method will allow a quantitative assessment of habitual (poly)phenol intake in large epidemiological studies as well as clinical studies investigating the health benefits of dietary (poly)phenols.

Comparative dietary sulfated metabolome analysis reveals unknown metabolic interactions of the gut microbiome and the human host.

The gut microbiome converts dietary compounds that are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and further metabolized by the human host. Sulfated metabolites are a major compound class derived from this co-metabolism and have been linked to disease development. In the present multidisciplinary study, we have investigated human urine samples from a dietary intervention study with 22 individuals collected before and after consumption of a polyphenol rich breakfast. These samples were analyzed utilizing our method combining enzymatic metabolite hydrolysis using an arylsulfatase and mass spectrometric metabolomics. Key to this study is the validation of 235 structurally diverse sulfated metabolites. We have identified 48 significantly upregulated metabolites upon dietary intervention including 11 previously unknown sulfated metabolites for this diet. We observed a large variation in subjects based on their potential to sulfate metabolites, which may be the foundation for classification of subjects as high and low sulfate metabolizers in future large cohort studies. The reported sulfatase-based method is a robust tool for the discovery of unknown microbiota-derived metabolites in human samples.

CT texture analysis in bladder carcinoma: histologic grade characterization / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To explore the value of CT texture analysis (CTTA) in differentiating the pathological grade of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB).@*Methods@#A total of 53 lesions from 43 patients with bladder cancer confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively analyzed, including 27 cases of high-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) and 26 cases of low-grade urothelial carcinoma (LGUC). All the patients took pelvic CT and enhanced scanning in the same CT scanner with same scanning parameters. Lesions on both plain and enhanced CT images were delineated on software by two radiologists to extract the corresponding volumes of interest (VOI) and then 92 parameters based on feature classes were generated. The average values of two radiologists were obtained. The difference parameters between HGUC group and LGUC group were screened by nonparametric test, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was drawn. The corresponding optimal thresholds were determined and diagnostic effect was assessed.@*Results@#Nine difference texture parameters between HGUC group and LGUC group were selected, including 5 parameters on unenhanced images, namely, skewness, root mean squared, cluster shade, zone percentage and large area high gray level emphasis. There were 4 parameters on enhanced images, namely, skewness, kurtosis, cluster shade and zone percentage. The largest area under curve of 0.840±0.058 (95% CI 0.726-0.955) was obtained from skewness generated by VOI of unenhanced images. The cut-off value of skewness was 0.186 5, which permitted the diagnosis of HGUC with sensitivity of 92.59%, specificity of 73.08%, positive predictive value of 78.13%, negative predictive value of 90.48% and accuracy of 83.02%.@*Conclusion@#CTTA can effectively distinguish between LGUC and HGUC. Skewness from unenhanced CT images had the optimal diagnostic performance.

Effects of heart rate changes after holding breath and time for recovering stable heart rate on quality of coronary CTA / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the effects of heart rate changes after holding breath and time for recovering stable heart rate on the quality of coronary CTA.Methods Totally 700 patients undergoing coronary CTA examination in some hospital were enrolled into the study,whose data on initial heart rate at rest condition,maximal heart rate during breath holding,stable heart rate after breath holding as well as the time consumed for recovering stable heart rate were collected and analyzed.Results A heart rate trendgram was drawn to find out the rules for heart rate changes and time for recovering stable heart rate,so that proper retrospective or prospective scanning scheme could be determined.Conclusion Mastering the rules in heart rate changes and time for recovering stable heart rate contributes to guiding coronary CTA.

Coronary CT 3D post-processing standardized display and construction of digital teaching platform / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore coronary CT three-dimensional post-processing standardized display and the construction of digital teaching platform. Methods The conventional display positions of 3D post-processing image were summarized during daily coronary CTA examination, the common place was refined. The construction mode was explored for CTA digital teaching demonstration platform. Results Coronary CTA 3D post-processing standardized display with common and individual property contributed to enhancing the display of coronary images. The CTA digital teaching demonstration platform met the teaching requirements. Conclusion The coronary CT 3D post-processing standardized display and digital teaching platform facilitate the student to master related knowledge.

Application and advantages of tissue engineering technique in the treatment of infected bone defects / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:There are many treatment methods for infected bone defects,but there is no first stage treatment method,which has the characteristics of sustained-release,anti-inflammation,osteogenic activity,bone conduction and degradable absorption.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the research progress of bone tissue engineering technique in the treatment of infected bone defects.METHODS:A computer-based retrieval of PubMed,WanFang and CNKI databases was conducted for the articles published from 2000 to 2016,concerning the basic and clinical research on the local application of antibiotics;basic research on infected bone defects with sustained-release of antibiotics;basic studies on the source of seed cells and the osteogenic mechanism;and scaffold materials.A total of 55 eligible articles were included for result analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Topical application of antibiotics exhibits different effects in the treatment of osteomyelitis.The development of bone tissue engineering has brought new hope for the treatment of bone defects,and in the meanwhile,selection of excellent seed cells has become a hot and difficult research.A rational combination of antibiotics,seed cells and scaffold materials may provide a new treatment strategy for infected bone defects.

Application value of TRANCE technology in lower limb arterial occlusive disease / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the application value of triggered angiography non-contrast enhanced (TRANCE) technology in diagnosing lower limb arterial occlusive disease.Methods Totally 22 lower limb arterial occlusive disease patients were randomly selected,and then underwent TRANCE and DSA examinations.The arteries from the abdomen to the lower limb were divided into abdominal aorta,common iliac artery,external iliac artery,internal iliac artery,superficial femoral artery,deep femoral artery,popliteal artery,anterior tibial artery,posterior tibial artery and peroneal artery.Totally 337 sections displayed clearly were chosen to go through examinations by TRANCE and DSA.Results Of the 337 sections there were 312 ones with the same stenoses found by TRANCE and DSA,TRANCE found 16 sections with worse stenoses and 9 milder ones than by DSA.There were 153 sections with the same moderate stenoses (≥50％) displayed by TRANCE and DSA;Of the 153 sections,there were 15 ones with worse stenoses and 6 ones with milder stenoses found by TRANCE than by DSA.Kappa value of the two methods was 0.905.Conclusion TRANCE technology is a non-invasive,safe and nonradiative diagnosing method for the lower limb arterial occlusive disease.

High-resolution CT Reconstruction and Diagnosis in Syndrome for Hypertrophy of Transverse Process of the Fifth Lumbar Vertebra / 中国医学影像学杂志

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of high-resolution CT reconstruction techniques on the same slice in hypertrophy of transverse process of the fifth lumbar vertebra (HTPL5V), and to provide a basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Materials and Methods Twenty-two cases of clinically diagnosed HTPL5V and 20 normal adults were examined with GE LightSpeed 16-slice spiral CT (36 cases) and Philips iCT 256-slice (6 cases). L5 transverse process and the fifth lumber nerve were reconstructed and observed on the workstations. Results In 22 cases of HTPL5V, there were 26 pseudarthrosis formation and 2 sides with L5 transverse process touching the sacral ala. In 28 sides the iffth lumber nerve traveled through false foramina of the HTPL5V including 6 cases of bilateral compression and 16 cases of unilateral compression. In 21 cases, the nerve was compressed by hyperosteogeny on 27 sides (96.4%) and 1 side due to stenosis (3.6%). On 25 sides (89.3%) the compressed nerves were curved in shaper. There was bulging and/or herniated lumbar disc on 9 sides in 7 cases (32.1%). Conclusion High-resolution CT reconstruction techniques can demonstrate the iffth lumbar nerve of HTPL5V and provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Application of tissue equalization technique of direct digital radiography in cervical spine-thoracic spine / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Differences of thick and thin tissues in imaging areas is great because of postero-anterior images in cervical spine-thoracic spine.Although there are many image processing functions in direct digital radiography(DR)image with big range dynamic exposing,but routine direct DR hardly reveals anatomic structure of cervical spine-thoracic spine to detect diseases.Image quality of cervical spine-thoracic spine requires improvement.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the difference between direct DR image with tissue equalization(TE)technique and standard DR in cervical spine-thoracic spine,so as to explore the best image quality in cervical spine-thoracic spine.METHODS: A total of 200 cases were randomly selected from DR cervical thoracic image from Department of Radiology,General Hospital of Chinese PLA between April 2005 and August 2009 to evaluate the difference between these images of DR processed by tissue equalization and that of standard DR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The detail images of DR with tissue equalization in different thickness area of body could be revealed clearly in the same image,while the detail images of standard DR in cervical thoracic could be revealed clearly by adjusting window width and location repeatedly.Results show that the image quality of TE technique of direct digital X-ray radiography in cervical spine-thoracic spine could be clearly improved,it could be easily read and avoid the influence of body thickness area.Moreover,it could reveal clearly other part of body in detail.DR image with TE technique in cervical spine-thoracic spine can be applied widely due to simple operation,high diagnosis rate and low cost.