H2 -free Semi-hydrogenation of Butadiene by the Atomic Sieving Effect of Pd Membrane with Tree-like Pd Dendrites Array.

H2 -free semi-hydrogenation at room temperature shows great advantage for replacing the thermocatalytic process in industry owing to the high energy and resource saving, however, remains great challenges. Herein, a tree-like Pd dendrites array decorated Pd membrane was constructed as the core device in an electrochemistry assisted gas-fed membrane reactor for butadiene semi-hydrogenation. It reveals that hydrogen atomic sieving effect of this Pd-based membrane under electrochemical condition was the key for semi-hydrogenation. The configuration study of Pd nanostructured membrane demonstrates that the penetration of hydrogen atoms through Pd membrane from electrochemical side to chemical side is affected by the consumption of hydrogen atom in semi-hydrogenation step. Such atomic sieving property of nanostructured Pd membrane with 5.1 times increase in catalytic active surface area brings above 14 times higher in butadiene conversion than that of bare Pd foil, with ≈90 % of butenes selectivity at butadiene conversion ≈98 % over 300 h of H2 -free reaction under 15 mA cm-2 .

Electrochemistry-assisted selective butadiene hydrogenation with water.

Alkene feedstocks are used to produce polymers with a market expected to reach 128.4 million metric tons by 2027. Butadiene is one of the impurities poisoning alkene polymerization catalysts and is usually removed by thermocatalytic selective hydrogenation. Excessive use of H2, poor alkene selectivity and high operating temperature (e.g. up to 350 °C) remain the most significant drawbacks of the thermocatalytic process, calling for innovative alternatives. Here we report a room-temperature (25~30 °C) electrochemistry-assisted selective hydrogenation process in a gas-fed fixed bed reactor, using water as the hydrogen source. Using a palladium membrane as the catalyst, this process offers a robust catalytic performance for selective butadiene hydrogenation, with alkene selectivity staying around 92% at a butadiene conversion above 97% for over 360 h of time on stream. The overall energy consumption of this process is 0.003 Wh/mLbutadiene, which is thousands of times lower than that of the thermocatalytic route. This study proposes an alternative electrochemical technology for industrial hydrogenation without the need for elevated temperature and hydrogen gas.

[Finite element optimization analysis of minimally invasive screw treatment for Sanders typeâ ¡calcaneal fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore biomechanical characteristics of minimally invasive different screw fixations in treating Sanders typeⅡcalcaneal fractures. METHODS: Dicom data of calcaneus by CT scan were input into Mimics 21.0 software and Ansys15.0 software to construct three-dimensional finite element digital model of calcaneus;this model was input into UG NX 10.0 software, and calcaneus was cut according to Sanders classification to establish Sanders typeⅡ calcaneus model with posterior articular surface collapse;then simulated minimally invasive screw internal fixation after calcaneal fracture:a screw from posterior articular surface was used to outside-in fix sustentaculum tali, other 4 screws were used to fix calcaneus by different methods through calcaneal tuberosity, and 4 different calcaneal models were obtained. Under the same conditions, 4 types of internal fixation models were loaded respectively, and nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to calculate the stress distribution of different internal fixation models. RESULTS: Under the same condition of loading, the model 3 had smaller displacement value, maximum calcaneus displacement value and maximum equivalent stress value of the screw than other three internal fixation models, and the stress was more dispersed. CONCLUSION: In minimally invasive screw internal fixation of calcaneus fracture, after 1 sustentaculum tali screw fixation, 2 screws crossed fix posterior articular surface from calcaneal tuberosity, 2 screws fix parallelly calcaneocuboid joint from calcaneal tuberosity are more suitable for biomechanical requirements, and could provide basic theory for clinical treatment.

Effects of erythropoietin for precaution of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Steroids such as glucocorticoid have been widely used for their excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-immune, and anti-shock properties. However, the long-term use in high doses has been found to cause necrosis of femoral head and other serious adverse reactions. Thus, it is of great importance to safely use these medications on patients without inducing bone necrosis. METHODS: In this preclinical study, we examined the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) to attenuate the induction of steroid-induced femoral bone necrosis using rats to build up the in-vivo models. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: negative control group (group A), disease group (group B), and EPO group (group C). 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone was administrated into group B and group C for 6 weeks with two intramuscular injections per week per rat. Group C was further given daily intraperitoneal injections of rHuEPO during this period. Group A received only injection of saline at the same schedule. 12 weeks after the initial drug administration, the rats' femoral tissues were harvested for HE staining, immunohistochemistry studies for PECAM-1(also CD31) expression and Western Blotting for VEGF expression. RESULTS: Histology studies showed that compared with the disease group, EPO group had significant improvement and bone morphology being much closer to the negative control group. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that EPO group had statistically much more expression of PECAM-1 than the other groups did. Western Blot demonstrated that the EPO group had significantly higher VEGF expression than the disease group. CONCLUSION: Results suggested that simultaneous injection of EPO could partially prevent steroid-induced ANFH.

Protective Effects of Sheng-Mai-San on Right Ventricular Dysfunction during Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia in Mice.

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and failure contribute to the increasing morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases; however, current treatment strategies are grossly inadequate. Sheng-Mai-San (SMS) has been used to treat heart diseases for hundreds of years in China, and its protective effects on RV have not been observed. The present study was to investigate the protective effects of SMS aqueous extract on RV dysfunction in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) mice model. The results showed that CIH mice model presented RV dysfunction and maladaptive compensation after 28-day-CIH and SMS treatment significantly reversed these changes. Diastolic function of RV was restored and systolic dysfunction was attenuated, including elevation of RV stroke volume and fractional shortening, as well as pulmonary circulation. Structurally, SMS treatment inhibited RV dilation, cardiomyocytes vacuolization, ultrastructure abnormalities, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3. Of importance, SMS showed remarkable antioxidant activity by decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), increasing the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), as well as inhibiting the overexpression of 3-NT in RV. Our results indicate that SMS preserve RV structure and function in CIH-exposed mice by involving regulation in both ROS and Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) production.

Sheng-Mai-San attenuates contractile dysfunction and structural damage induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia in mice.

Sheng-Mai-San (SMS), a well-known Chinese medicinal plant formula, is widely used for the treatment of cardiac diseases characterized by deficiency of Qi and Yin syndrome. A mouse chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) model was established to mimic the primary clinical features of deficiency of Qi and Yin syndrome. Mice experienced CIH for 28 days (nadir 7% to peak 8% oxygen, 20 min per day), resulting in left ventricle (LV) dysfunction and structure abnormalities. After administration of SMS (0.55, 1.1, and 5.5 g·kg(-1)·d(-1)) for four weeks, improved cardiac function was observed, as indicated by the increase in the ejection fraction from the LV on echocardiography. SMS also preserved the structural integrity of the LV against eccentric hypotrophy, tissue vacuolization, and mitochondrial injury as measured by histology, electron microscopy, and ultrasound assessments. Mechanistically, the antioxidant effects of SMS were demonstrated; SMS was able to suppress mitochondrial apoptosis as indicated by the reduction of several pro-apoptotic factors (Bax, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3) and up-regulation of the anti-apoptosis factor Bcl-2. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SMS treatment can protect the structure and function of the LV and that the protective effects of this formula are associated with the regulation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

[Case-control study on effects of fracture of processus styloideus ulnae on prognosis after plate fixation for the treatment of distal radial fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze effects of fracture of processus styloideus ulnae on prognosis in the treatment of distal radial fracture of type C according to AO classification. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study, and the information was got ten through case evaluation and follow-up, including sex, age, patient satisfaction, Gartland & Werley score and radiographic score. There were 76 patient treated with open reduction and plate fixation in People's Hospital Affiliated to Peking University from July 2006 to July 2011. All the patients were divided into two groups: no combination with fracture of processus styloideus ulnae (group A, 56 cases), combination with fracture of processus styloideus ulnae (group B, 20 cases). The patients in group A and B were treated with open reduction and internal fixation; however the fracture of processus styloideus ulnae was not fixed. The indexes such as clinical data, bone grafting, joint movement, Gartland & Werley score and radiographic score were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The ulnaris pain of patients in group B was more obvious than that in group A. The local VAS, palmar and dorsal flexion degree of wrist joint, motion VAS, patients satisfaction score, radial and ulnar deviation degree, pronation and supination of forearm degree, Gartland & Werley score and radiographic score were separately 0.1 ± 0.1, (51.1 ± 1.9)°, (60.2 ± 1.9)°, 0.6 ± 0.1 (23.1 ± 0.9)°, (28.7 ± 1.3)° (81.5 ± 2.6)°, (68.2 ± 2.7)° 1.9 ± 0.3, 89.6 ± 12.3 in group A; and separately 0.3 ± 0.3, (51.4 ± 2.3)°, (66.6 ± 1.7)°, 0.5 ± 0.2, (24.5 ± 2.0)°, (26.9 ± 1.8)°, (80.3 ± 2.5)°, (70.3 ± 3.7)°, 1.2 ± 0.4, 92.5 ± 7.5 in group B; there were no statistical differences in above indexes between two groups. CONCLUSION: Whether the distal radial fracture with a concomitant unrepaired ulnar styloid fracture or not exerts no influence on mainly outcomes including function, radiography and motion of the wrist.

A method of percutaneous vertebroplasty under the guidance of two C-arm fluoroscopes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical application in the percutaneous vertebroplasty under the guidance of one or two C-arm fluoroscopes. METHODS: One hundred forty three elderly patients with Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty under the guidance of one or two C-arm fluoroscopes. The number of pulsed imagings, the time of operation and the incidence of cement leakage were recorded. RESULTS: The average number of pulsed imagings was 16.00±1.58 vs 13.07±2.00 per patient under the guidance of one vs two C-arm fluoroscopes. The average time of operation was 48.42±5.00 minutes vs 39.70±7.42 minutes per patient under the guidance of one vs two C-arm fluoroscopes. The incidence of cement leakage was 20% vs 15.7% of the patients under the guidance of one vs two C-arm fluoroscopes. The differences in the number of pulsed imagings and the time of operation were statistically significant. The difference in incidence of cement leakage was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The two-fluoroscopic technique reduce the labor cost, the radiation, the time of operation and the operation risk.

[Multi-center retrospective analysis of clinical and related sociologic characteristics of postoperative distal radius fracture patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical-related characteristics of sociology of postoperative distal radius fracture patients. METHODS: A multi-center retrospective research was conducted on the information of the case evaluation and follow-up, including the patients' gender, age, habits, history of chronic diseases, conditions of fracture, length of hospital stay and treatments. The epidemiology data were analyzed with SPSS15.0. RESULTS: Of the entire 143 patients, 52 were male (average age: 41), and 91 were female (average age: 61). The different gender and age groups had significant distinction in the characteristics of injury. The length of hospital stay was influenced by the energy of injury. CONCLUSION: To reduce the damage or incidence of distal radius fracture, we should avoid falling, strengthen protection awareness, treat internal medicine diseases or osteoporosis and so on. The knowledge of characteristics of sociology and injury of distal radius fracture is beneficial to the prevention and treatment.

[A clinical study on the stability of miniscrew anchorage in orthodontics].

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to summarize the cases who used miniscrew anchorage and to evaluate the clinical factors influencing the stability of miniscrew. METHODS: The sample comprised 13 patients with 32 miniscrews, in whom the design, occlusogingival position, alveolar position, loading opportunity, gingival condition were investigated to assess the factors related to stability. The data was analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis using SAS 10.0 software package. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 90.6%. There was significant relationship between the patients' age and the stability of miniscrews (P=0.04). The success rate was 75% in adolescent patients, and 100% in adult patients. The osseointegration was affected by initial over-loading, but the long-term orthodontic loading (200g) was safe, if osseointegration was achieved. Perio-implant gingivitis, even the suppurative gingivitis (2 cases) didn't destroy the bone-implant interface. The success rate was independent on gender, occlusogingival position, jaw positioning, inserting times of the same miniscrew, and early loading. CONCLUSIONS: The primary stability is the crucial factor for long-term stability of the miniscrews.

[A study on the stability of miniscrew on different loading time as orthodontic anchorage].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the stability of the miniscrew on different loading time as orthodontic anchorage. METHODS: 2 healthy adult male Beagle dogs were used in this study. 48 mini-implants were implanted into the maxilla and mandible of the dogs. The miniscrews were divided into 8 different groups,1 group was loaded 0g as control group and the others were loaded 200g forces as experimental groups. 200g forces were loaded on the corresponding mini-implant anchorages immediately after implantation and at the time of 1w,2w,3w,4w,5w and 6w after implantation. The dogs were sacrificed at 12w after implantation. Histological progresses of implant-bone interfaces was examined with light microscope. Blue deposition and contact ratio were calculated and analyzed using SPSS13.0 software package. RESULTS: Fibrous and osseous-integration was noted in the interface, there was no significant difference in bone deposition ratio and bone contact ratio. CONCLUSION: Different force loading time does not affect the stability of the mini-implant anchorage.

[Effects of drought stress on photosynthesis capability of Spiraea fritschiana and Spiraea bunmalba 'Goldmound'].

In this paper, Spiraea fritschiana and Spiraea bunmalba 'Goldmound' were treated with mild, moderate, and severe drought to study the dynamic changes of their photosynthesis capability, and two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were adopted to analyze and identify the differences in the protein expression of the two species before and after the treatments, and the physiological mechanisms inducing the changes of the photosynthesis capability. Drought treatments had significant effects on the photosynthesis capability of the two species. Under drought stress, the maximum photosynthetic rate, light compensation point, and light saturation point decreased gradually, suggesting that the responses of the two species to drought stress were progressive. The two species presented stronger recovery capability after the mild and moderate stresses, but weaker recovery capability after severe stress. After the inducement of drought stress, the weaker drought-resistant S. bunmalba 'Goldmound' had six protein spots lost, eleven new protein spots appeared, thirteen protein spots up-regulation expression, and four protein spots down-regulation expression. All of the proteins were low molecular weight acidic proteins, of which, there were three kinds of different proteins that had been induced expression by drought and were the oxygen-enhanced protein factor 1 and 2 and the degradation fragments of large subunit 1,5-ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase. The drought- resistant difference of the two Spiraea species was related to the changes of their photosynthesis capability during drought stress.

Study on the radical scavengers in the traditional Chinese medicine formula shengmai san by HPLC-DAD coupled with chemiluminescence (CL) and ESI-MS/MS.

Shengmai San (SMS) has been used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in Asia for long-time. It has been reported that SMS can protect against oxidative stress and tune immune response in patients. In this paper, a high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-chemiluminescence (HPLC-DAD-CL) method for on-line detection was successfully applied to screen antioxidants in complex SMS extracts. The H(2)O(2) scavenging activity of every fraction of SMS extracts was measured to evaluate each contribution to the total anti-oxidative activities of the prescription, followed by structures identification of the main active components by LC/MS/MS. HPLC-DAD-CL method was also applied for comparing the scavenging rates of main active components between the individual herbs and SMS. Interestingly, we found that the scavenging activities of main components detected in the individual herbs were different from those in SMS. The experimental data indicated that drug interactions during decocting process could result in the changes of the antioxidants' solubility. This study demonstrated that HPLC-DAD-CL on-line assay was a useful technique for rapidly screening and identifying bioactive components from complex multi-herbal prescription.

[Effects of salt-alkali stress on osmoregulation substance and active oxygen metabolism of Qingshan poplar (Populus pseudo-cathayana x P. deltoides)].

Aimed to examine the adaptability of Qingshan poplar (Populus pseudo-cathayana x P. deltoides) to salt-alkali stress, two-year-old cutting seedlings of the poplar were treated with 28 combinations of salt-alkali stress. With increasing salt concentration, the leaf electrolyte leakage and MDA and proline contents of test seedlings all showed an increasing trend, while the leaf soluble sugar content and SOD and POD activities increased first but decreased afterwards. The increase of substrate pH made the electrolyte leakage, MDA content, and POD activity increased and the proline and soluble sugar contents decreased after an initial increase, but had lesser effects on the SOD activity. When the salinity was <100 mmol x L(-1) and the pH was increasing, all test physiological indices had a slight change while SOD activity kept at a higher level; when the salinity was >200 mmol x L(-1) and the pH was higher than 8.99, the electrolyte leakagewas higher than 50%, POD activity and MDA content increased obviously, proline and soluble sugar contents declined, and SOD activity was lower. It was concluded that a salt-alkali condition with salinity >200 mmol x L(-1) and pH > 8.99 was not appropriate to the growth of Qingshan poplar.

Characterization and determination of chlorophacinone in plasma by ion chromatography coupled with ion trap electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Plasmatic chlorophacinone is commonly measured with liquid chromatographic assay, which convenient but lacks sensitivity and selectivity and usually requires ion pair reagents to reduce the chromatographic tailed peak. In this paper, a novel method using eluent generator reagent-free ion chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometric detection for the determination of chlorophacinone in plasma has been developed. After samples were extracted with 10% (v/v) methanol in acetonitrile and cleaned by solid-phase extraction, chromatographic separation was performed on an IonPac AS11 analytical column (250 x 4.0 mm) using 40.0 mmol/L KOH containing 10% (v/v) methanol as organic modifier. Quantification was performed by negative electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The transition m/z 373 --> 201 was for the quantification ion; the transitions m/z 373 --> 172 and m/z 373 --> 145, as well as the isotope ions m/z 375 and m/z 203, were for the qualitative ions. All the method parameters were validated. It was confirmed that this method can be used in clinical diagnosis and forensic toxicology.

[Relationship between components changes and efficacy of Shengmaisan VII. Chemical dynamic change of schisandrin in Shengmaisan].

OBJECTIVE: To study the change of schisandrin in Shengmaisan (SMS) and decomposed group. METHOD: The HPLC-UV was used to determine schisandrin in SMS and decomposed group. RESULT: To extract Schisandra chinensis with ginseng, ophiopogon, general ginsenoside or ginsenoside Rg1 could promote the content of schisandrin. CONCLUSION: Saponin is propitious to extracting the schisandrin.

[Progress of histological study on anchorage implants].

The study and the application of anchorage implants had attracted more and more attention from the orthodontists. This article reviewed the histological studies involving the implants used as orthodontic anchorage and found tendency to be micro-implants and self-drilling. The new concepts of osseointegration between micro-implant and bone, immediate loading, long-term loading and periodontal repair after injury from anchorage implant evoked challenges to the conventional understanding.

[A primary construction of the 3D finite element model for fixed edgewise appliance].

PURPOSE: To construct a three-dimensional finite element model (3D-FEM) of the fixed appliance for mechanical analysis. METHODS: The figures of the brackets and the edgewise wire were constructed at the platform of powerSHAPE3040, based on a male's figures of mandibular dentition and alveolar bone. First, the bracket slot center plane (H plane) was lined, which was 4.3mm under the mesial buccal cusp of the 2nd molar and parallel to the XY plane. The point that each tooth's axis of buccal surface (line A) crossed the H plane was at the bracket's center (point O). Second, on the basis of H plane, line A, and point O, 0.018 inchx0.025 inch brackets were constructed on the teeth. All the slots were on the H plane.Then, according to the brackets' slots, plane f was gotten, which went through every slot smoothly and was perpendicular to the XY plane. At the base of slots' basal wall and gingival wall, the 0.016 inchx0.022 inch wire was constructed on the plane f. The figures of edgewise wire, teeth, alveolar bone, and brackets were transferred to ANSYS5.5 system in the IGES format. The teeth, periodontal membrane (PDM), alveolar bone, and brackets were broken down to 4-node tetrahedron element. The 10-node tetrahedron element was chosen to make the model of edgewise wire. RESULTS: The 3D-FEM of the brackets with teeth, PDM, alveolar, and the edgewise wire about the mandible were obtained. This kind of bracket was torqued slot bracket, which is similar to the preadjusted appliance. The edgewise wire was not as same as catenary curve or parabola completely. There were inset and offset on the wire following the dentition model. When the plain edgewise wire was inserted in the brackets, there was no force between the wire and brackets. If the wire was deformed as designed, the action could be analyzed. CONCLUSION: 3D mechanical analysis about the fixed appliance could be done on the model.

The rediscovery of ancient Chinese herbal formulas.

This review presents some recent discoveries of ancient Chinese herbal formulas evolved through thousands of years of clinical practice. It appears that many of the ancient combination formulas have sound scientific basis through modern pharmacological evaluation. Significant chemical changes occurred during the preparation (decoction) process of a prescribed herbal formula. For example, some toxic ingredients were significantly reduced and new active compounds generated due to the chemical interactions among the ingredients. Many combination formulas showed significantly better pharmacological results than individual herbal medicines participated in the formula. These findings suggest that the current drug screening and regulatory methodology will not be appropriate for the development of a botanical drug containing a group of phytochemicals, in which a synergistic interaction from chemical ingredients plays a fundamental role in the treatment of disease. If we view a diseased state in a holistic and dynamic way, i.e. it involves interactions among many biological systems in human body and these interactions change as the disease improves or worsens, the treatment of such disease with a single chemical entity may not be logical or technically feasible. Combination formulas may hold the potential to become the therapeutics of choice in the future due to the synergistic effect and dynamic adjustment achieved by the multiple ingredients that will restore the balance of an imbalanced or diseased human body.

[A postero-anterior cephalometric assessment of UCLP patients before and after rapid maxillary expansion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion on skeletal,dental,and nasal structures. METHODS: 8 UCLP patients in the period of permanent teeth (mean: 14 years old) were treated with rapid maxillary expansion. Pretreatment and posttreatment postero-anterior cephalograms were taken to evaluate the changes of the indicators. The data were analyzed with paired t-test. RESULTS: The indicators of the width of the nasal cavity, the upper intermolars, and the upper base bone had significant change (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Following dental arch expansion, the cleft side had remarkable skeletal alteration, while the alteration in noncleft side was mainly in teeth position. The nasal cavity had been expanded. It's more symmetrical between the relevant parts.