Decay and Termite Resistance of Wood Modified by High-Temperature Vapour-Phase Acetylation (HTVPA), a Simultaneous Acetylation and Heat Treatment Modification Process.

High-temperature vapour-phase acetylation (HTVPA) is a simultaneous acetylation and heat treatment process for wood modification. This study was the first investigation into the impact of HTVPA treatment on the resistance of wood to biological degradation. In the termite resistance test, untreated wood exhibited a mass loss (MLt) of 20.3%, while HTVPA-modified wood showed a reduced MLt of 6.6-3.2%, which decreased with an increase in weight percent gain (WPG), and the termite mortality reached 95-100%. Furthermore, after a 12-week decay resistance test against brown-rot fungi (Laetiporus sulfureus and Fomitopsis pinicola), untreated wood exhibited mass loss (MLd) values of 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively, while HTVPA-modified wood exhibited MLd values of 0.2-0.9% and -0.2-0.3%, respectively, with no significant influence from WPG. Similar results were observed in decay resistance tests against white-rot fungi (Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor). The results of this study demonstrated that HTVPA treatment not only effectively enhanced the decay resistance of wood but also offered superior enhancement relative to separate heat treatment or acetylation processes. In addition, all the HTVPA-modified wood specimens prepared in this study met the requirements of the CNS 6717 wood preservative standard, with an MLd of less than 3% for decay-resistant materials.

Assessing the Long-Term Creep Behaviour of Hydrothermally Treated Japanese Cedar Wood Using the Short-Term Accelerated Stepped Isostress Method.

In this study, short-term accelerated creep tests were conducted using the stepped isostress method (SSM) to investigate the impact of hydrothermal treatment on the long-term creep behaviour of Japanese cedar wood and to determine optimal hydrothermal treatment conditions. The results showed that SSM can effectively predict the creep behaviour of hydrothermally treated wood. Among the treatment conditions tested, Japanese cedar wood treated hydrothermally at 180 °C for 4 h exhibited higher flexural strength retention (91%) and moisture excluding efficiency (MEE) (44%) and demonstrated superior creep resistance compared to untreated wood. When subjected to a 30% average breaking load (ABL) over 20 years, the specimen's creep compliance, instantaneous creep compliance, b value, activation volume, and improvement in creep resistance (ICR) were 0.17 GPa-1, 0.139 GPa-1, 0.15, 1.619 nm3, and 4%, respectively. The results indicate that subjecting Japanese cedar wood to hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C for 4 h has a negligible effect on its flexural properties but results in significant improvements in both dimensional stability and creep resistance.

Characterization and Prediction of Physical Properties of Luanta Fir Wood with Vacuum Hydrothermal Treatment.

This study used the luanta fir (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata) wood, one of the most used wood construction and building materials in Taiwan, as specimens to examine the impact of different conditions of vacuum hydrothermal (VH) treatment on the physical properties of this wood. A prediction model for these properties was created using a nondestructive spectroscopy technique. The test results revealed that the mass loss, moisture exclusion efficiency, anti-swelling efficiency, color difference, and surface contact angle of the VH-treated wood all increased under increasing heat treatment temperature and time. Moreover, the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in creating the prediction model for the physical properties of the VH-treated luanta fir wood revealed that the ratios of performance to deviation (RPD) for mass loss, equilibrium moisture content, and color difference were all above 2.5, indicating a high prediction accuracy. These results suggested that an NIR spectrometer can serve as a useful instrument for the accurate prediction of the physical properties or for controlling the quality of VH-treated wood.

Minimally invasive pedicle screw fixation, including the fractured vertebra, combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty for treatment of acute thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture in middle-age and elderly individuals: A prospective clinical study.

ABSTRACT: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of minimally invasive pedicle screw (MIPS) fixation, including the fractured vertebra, combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for the treatment of acute thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture in middle-age and elderly individuals.Between January 2016 and August 2019, a total of 30 patients, with a mean age of 69.4 years (range, 58-75 years), who experienced thoracic or lumbar fracture without neurological deficits, underwent the MIPS procedure combined with PVP. Preoperative and postoperative pain were assessed using a visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index. Cobb angles and anterior column height were measured on lateral radiographs before surgery and at 3 days, 1, 3, and 6 months, and 1 and 2 years at final follow-up after surgery.All patients underwent surgery successfully, with a mean follow-up of 18.2 ±â€Š5.7 months (range, 12-45 months). Mean preoperative visual analog scale score decreased from 7.3 ±â€Š2.2 to 1.4 ±â€Š0.3 at the final follow-up (P < .05). Mean preoperative Oswestry Disability Index decreased from 84.2 ±â€Š10.3 to 18.8 ±â€Š7.5 (P < .05) at the final follow-up. The Kyphosis angle of operative segment was improved from preoperative (21.38 ±â€Š1.68)° to (4.01 ±â€Š1.38)° 3 days postoperatively and (5.02 ±â€Š1.09)° at final follow-up (P < .05). The anterior vertebral height was improved from preoperative (49.86 ±â€Š6.50)% to (94.01 ±â€Š1.79)% 3 days postoperatively and (91.80 ±â€Š1.88)% at final follow-up (P < .05). No significant changes in vertebral body height restoration were observed during 2 years of follow-up after surgery. In addition, there were no instrumentation failures or complications in any of the patients.MIPS, including the fractured vertebra, combined with PVP, was a reliable and safe procedure, with satisfactory clinical and radiological results for the treatment of thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture in patients without neurological deficits.

Effects of exercise on high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and lipid metabolism in ApoE knockout mice.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is growing more common in the Western world, has become the main cause of chronic liver disease and is strongly associated with metabolism syndromes. NAFLD can indicate a wide spectrum of hepatic pathologies, ranging from simple hepatic steatosis and inflammatory non-alcoholic steatohepatitis to more severe stages of fibrosis and cirrhosis. Moreover, evidence has demonstrated that physical inactivity and westernized dietary habits may facilitate the development of NAFLD. Lipid modulation and metabolism could be important factors in the development of steatosis. Lipid species, characterized using a lipidomic approach with untargeted analysis, could provide potential biomarkers for the pathogenesis of NAFLD or therapeutic applications. Thus, in this study, the effects of exercise on the improvement of NAFLD were further investigated from a lipidomic perspective through the aspects of lipid regulation and metabolism. METHODS: Wild type (WT) C57BL/6 J and C57BL/6-ApoEem1Narl/Narl mice were assigned to one of four groups: WT mice fed a normal chow diet (CD), apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mice fed a normal CD, ApoE knockout mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and ApoE knockout mice fed a HFD and provided with swimming exercise. The treatments (e.g., normal diet, HFD, and exercise) were provided for 12 consecutive weeks before the growth curves, biochemistry, fat composition, pathological syndromes, and lipid profiles were determined. RESULTS: Exercise significantly reduced the HFD-induced obesity (weight and fat composition), adipocyte hypertrophy, liver lipid accumulation, and pathological steatosis. In addition, exercise ameliorated HFD-induced steatosis in the process of NAFLD. The lipidomic analysis revealed that the changes in plasma triglyceride (14:0/16:0/22:2), phosphatidic acid (18:0/17:2), and phosphatidylglycerol (16:0/20:2) induced by the administration of the HFD could be reversed significantly by exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-week regular exercise intervention significantly alleviated HFD-induced NAFLD through modulation of specific lipid species in plasma. This finding could elucidate the lipids effects behind the hepatic pathogenesis with exercise.

Plasma Proteomic Changes of Atherosclerosis after Exercise in ApoE Knockout Mice.

Atherosclerosis is the preliminary cause of coronary artery disease, one of the diseases that account for the largest number of fatal mortalities. Physical activity is an effective strategy to restrain atherosclerosis from deterioration. Evidence indicated that changes in the proteomic profile are highly associated with atherosclerosis development, but the mechanism behind exercise for atherosclerosis amelioration has not yet been investigated from a proteomics perspective. Hence, the proteomic profiles could further elucidate the systematic effects of exercise intervention on ApoE knockout atherosclerotic model and high-fat-diet intervention. In the current study, Apoeem1Narl/Narl mice were randomly allocated into a normal diet (ND), Western diet (WD), and WD with 12-week exercise intervention (WD EX) groups. The plasma proteome between WD and WD EX groups demonstrate the significant difference, and ten major pathways, including cardiovascular disease (CVD)-hematological disease, inflammatory disease, infectious diseases, inflammatory response, cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, connective tissue disorders_inflammatory disease, metabolic disease_organismal injury and abnormalities, cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, connective tissue disorders_inflammatory disease, and endocrine system disorders_gastrointestinal disease, etc., were generated by the IPA analysis. The 15 proteins (MYOCD, PROS1, C2, SERPINA10, CRP, F5, C5, CFB, FGG, CFH, F12, PRDX2, PROZ, PPIA, and HABP2) critically involved in CVD-hematological disease pathway showed significant difference between WD and WD EX groups. In current study, exercise could significantly alleviate the significantly elevated C5 and inflammation induced by the WD group in accordance with amelioration of atherosclerosis. Therefore, exercise could mitigate chemotaxis through the modulation of the C5 level and innate immunity, thereby alleviating the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in Western-diet-induced obese mice.

Characterization and Prediction of Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Luanta Fir Wood with Vacuum Hydrothermal Treatment.

Since the chemical composition of wood is closely related to its mechanical properties, chemical analysis techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provide a reasonable non-destructive method for predicting wood strength. In this study, we used NIR spectra with principal component analysis (PCA) to reveal that vacuum hydrothermal (VH) treatment causes degradation of hemicellulose as well as the amorphous region of cellulose, resulting in lower hydroxyl and acetyl group content. These processes increase the crystallinity of the luanta fir wood (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata), which, in turn, effectively increases its compressive strength (σc,max), hardness, and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The PCA results also revealed that the primary factors affecting these properties are the hemicellulose content, hydroxyl groups in the cellulose amorphous region, the wood moisture content, and the relative lignin content. Moreover, the ratios of performance deviation (RPDs) for the σc,max, shear strength (σs,max), hardness, and modulus of rupture (MOR) models were 1.49, 1.24, 1.13, and 2.39, indicating that these models can be used for wood grading (1.0 < RPD < 2.5). Accordingly, NIR can serve as a useful tool for predicting the mechanical properties of VH-treated wood.

Anti-NAFLD Effect of Djulis Hull and Its Major Compound, Rutin, in Mice with High-Fat Diet (HFD)-Induced Obesity.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and the increasing trend of NAFLD has burdened the healthcare system. NAFLD encompasses a wide range of liver pathologies, from simple benign hepatocyte steatosis to more severe inflammatory nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) is traditionally used as a native cereal and a food supplement that promotes human health through its antioxidant, hepatoprotection, skin protection, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and antitumor effects. Djulis hull, regarded as agricultural waste, is usually removed during food processing and contains high rutin content. The present study evaluated the anti-NAFLD effect of Djulis hull and its major compound, rutin, in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into one of five diet groups (n = 6 per group) and fed the following for 16 weeks: (1) normal diet group (ND), (2) HFD group (HFD), (3) HFD and oral gavage of low dose (50 mg/kg) of Djulis hull crude extract group (HFD/LCE), (4) HFD and oral gavage of high dose (250 mg/kg) of Djulis hull crude extract group (HFD/HCE), or (5) HFD and oral gavage (50 mg/kg) of rutin (HFD/R) group. We found that Djulis hull crude extract markedly reduced HFD-induced elevation in body weight and fat around the kidney weights, hepatic injury indicators (AST and ALT), and steatosis and hypertrophy. Furthermore, Djulis hull crude extract administration significantly affected DG(20:4/18:1), PA(22:0/17:1), PC(10:0/17:0), and PA(18:4/20:5) in HFD-induced obese mice. In addition, treating HFD-induced obese rats with Djulis hull crude extract significantly increased fatty acid oxidation by increasing the protein expression of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, and hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 in the liver. Moreover, the administration of Djulis hull crude extract significantly decreased the inflammatory response (PPARγ, IL-6, and TNF-α) to modulate oxidative damage. Therefore, Djulis hull crude extract attenuated the progression of NAFLD by reducing inflammation mediated by PPARγ and enhancing the expression levels of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation mediated by AMPK signaling.

Comparison of the Physico-Mechanical and Weathering Properties of Wood-Plastic Composites Made of Wood Fibers from Discarded Parts of Pomelo Trees and Polypropylene.

The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) made of polypropylene (PP) and wood fibers (WFs) from discarded stems, branches, and roots of pomelo trees. The results show that the WPCs made of 30-60 mesh WFs from stems have better physical, flexural, and tensile properties than other WPCs. However, the flexural strengths of all WPCs are not only comparable to those of commercial wood-PP composites but also meet the strength requirements of the Chinese National Standard for exterior WPCs. In addition, the color change of WPCs that contained branch WFs was lower than that of WPCs that contained stem or root WFs during the initial stage of the accelerated weathering test, but the surface color parameters of all WPCs were very similar after 500 h of xenon arc accelerated weathering. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs showed many cracks on the surfaces of WPCs after accelerated weathering for 500 h, but their flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values did not differ significantly during weathering. Thus, all the discarded parts of pomelo trees can be used to manufacture WPCs, and there were no significant differences in their weathering properties during 500 h of xenon arc accelerated weathering.

Proteomics Reveals Octyl Gallate as an Environmentally Friendly Wood Preservative Leading to Reactive Oxygen Species-Driven Metabolic Inflexibility and Growth Inhibition in White-Rot Fungi (Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor).

The most commonly applied wood preservatives are based on creosote, pentachlorophenol, and waterborne chromate copper arsenate, which negatively affect the environment. Thus, environmentally friendly wood preservatives are required. This study investigated the antifungal activity and mechanism of several long-chain alkyl gallates (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoates) against white-rot fungi, Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor. The results revealed that octyl gallate (OG) had the best antifungal activity. Additionally, OG may have a mechanism of action similar to surfactants and inhibit ATPase activity, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Upon exposure to endogenous ROS, cells rapidly inhibit the synthesis of 60S ribosomal subunits, thus reducing the mycelial growth rate. L. betulina and T. versicolor also remodeled their energy metabolism in response to low ATP levels and endogenous ROS. After OG treatment, ATP citrate synthase activity was downregulated and glycolytic activity was upregulated in L. betulina. However, the activity of aerobic pathways was decreased and the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway was redirected form nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) to minimize endogenous ROS-mediated damage in T. versicolor. Taken together, these observations reveal that OG is a potent inhibitor of white-rot fungus. Further structural optimization research and pharmacological investigations are warranted.

Djulis Hull Improves Insulin Resistance and Modulates the Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet (HFD)-Induced Hyperglycaemia.

In this study, we annotated the major flavonoid glycoside, rutin, of djulis hull crude extract using a Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) library and its MS/MS spectra. To evaluate the protective effect of djulis hull crude extract and rutin on glucose tolerance, we fed mice a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks to induce hyperglycaemia. These results showed that crude extract significantly decreased HFD-induced elevation in the area under the curve (AUC) of weekly random blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), and advanced glycation end product (AGE) levels, and significantly increased pIRS1 and Glut4 protein expression in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and liver. Furthermore, the HFD-induced reduction in the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) was reversed by crude extract. In addition, ZO-1 and occludin protein expression in the colon was markedly downregulated in HFD-fed mice, resulting in decreased intestinal permeability and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation, but were restored following crude extract. Moreover, the crude extract intervention had a profound effect on the alpha diversity and microbial community in the gut microbiota. Therefore, djulis hull crude extract could improve blood glucose and increase insulin receptor sensitivity in HFD-induced hyperglycaemia, which is likely due to its modulation of the gut microbiota, preservation of the integrity of the intestinal barrier to reduce body inflammation, increased antioxidant activity, and modulation of insulin signalling.

The correlation between CT features and insulin resistance levels in patients with T2DM complicated with primary pulmonary tuberculosis.

The aim is to investigate the correlation between computed tomography (CT) features and insulin resistance levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with primary pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Nearly, 268 untreated PTB patients complicated with T2DM were divided into two groups according to the optimal cutoff value of HOMA-IR score for the Chinese population: HOMA-IR ≤ 2.69 (Group I: 74 patients), >2.69 (Group II: 194 patients). The basic characteristics and changes of CT manifestations were analyzed. In the two groups, the detection rate of large segmented leafy shadow was 39.2% and 78.9%; the air bronchogram sign detection rate was 40.5% and 80.9%; the discovery rate of mouth-eaten cavity was 33.8% and 73.7%; the thin-walled cavity detection rate was 2.7% and 16.0%; the rate of multiple cavities was 35.1% and 69.6%; and bronchial tuberculosis was found in 4.1% and 35.6%, respectively. The detection rates of lesions in Group II were significantly higher than in Group I (p < .05). HOMA-IR was found independently associated with large segmented leafy shadow, air bronchial sign, thin-walled cavity, and bronchial tuberculosis. The level of insulin resistance can effectively reflect the severity of PTB patients with T2DM. CT scan can directly provide image information in clinics. These two examinations can guide clinicians to accurately formulate subsequent treatment plans.

Effects of Acetylated Veneer on the Natural Weathering Properties of Adhesive-Free Veneer Overlaid Wood‒Plastic Composites.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the natural weathering properties of unmodified and acetylated veneer overlaid wood‒plastic composites (vWPCs) manufactured by one-step hot press molding. The results show that the water absorption and thickness swelling of vWPC with acetylated veneer were lower than those of unmodified vWPC. In addition, the surface tensile strength of vWPC increased with increasing weight gain of acetylated veneer, and the flexural properties of vWPC were not significantly different. Furthermore, the results of natural weathering demonstrated that not only the photostability but also the modulus of elasticity (MOE) retention ratio and surface tensile strength of vWPC with acetylated veneer were significantly higher than those of vWPC with unmodified veneer. Thus, better dimensional stability, surface tensile strength, and weathering properties can be achieved when the vWPC is made with acetylated veneer, especially those containing veneers with a higher weight percent gain.

Preparation of Biomorphic Porous SiC Ceramics from Bamboo by Combining Sol-Gel Impregnation and Carbothermal Reduction.

This study investigated the feasibility of using bamboo to prepare biomorphic porous silicon carbide (bio-SiC) ceramics through a combination of sol-gel impregnation and carbothermal reduction. The effects of sintering temperature, sintering duration, and sol-gel impregnation cycles on the crystalline phases and microstructure of bio-SiC were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that when bamboo charcoal-SiO2 composites (BcSiCs) were sintered at 1700 °C for more than 2 h, the resulting bio-SiC ceramics exhibited significant ß-SiC diffraction peaks. In addition, when the composites were sintered at 1700 °C for 2 h, scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the resulting bio-SiC ceramic prepared using a single impregnation cycle showed the presence of SiC crystalline particles and nanowires in the cell wall and cell lumen of the carbon template, respectively. However, bio-SiC prepared using three and five repeated cycles of sol-gel impregnation exhibited a foam-like microstructure compared with that prepared using a single impregnation cycle. Moreover, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction revealed that the atomic plane of the nanowire of bio-SiC prepared from BcSiCs had a planar distance of 0.25 nm and was perpendicular to the (111) growth direction. Similar results were observed for the bio-SiC ceramics prepared from bamboo-SiO2 composites (BSiCs). Accordingly, bio-SiC ceramics can be directly and successfully prepared from BSiCs, simplifying the manufacturing process of SiC ceramics.

Nonisothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Acetylated Bamboo Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites.

The crystallization behavior of bamboo fiber (BF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites (BPCs) was investigated using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The results showed that unmodified BF as a nucleation agent accelerated the crystallization rate of the PP matrix during cooling whereas there is no significant effect on the improved crystallization rate in BPCs with acetylated BFs. Based on the Avrami method, Avrami-Ozawa method, and Friedman method, the corresponding crystallization kinetics of PP reinforced with different acetylation levels of BFs were further analyzed. The results demonstrated that the crystal growth mechanism of the PP matrix for BPCs with unmodified and various acetylated BFs exhibited tabular crystal growth with heterogeneous nucleation. A higher cooling rate is required to achieve a certain relative crystallinity degree at the unit crystallization time for BPCs with a higher weight percent gain (WPG) of acetylated BFs (WPG >13%). Furthermore, based on the Friedman method, the lowest crystallization activation energy was observed for the BPCs with 19% WPG of acetylated BFs.

MiR-34c-5p plays a protective role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via targeting CCL22.

Objective: To study the role of miR-34c-5p targeting CCL22 in affecting the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to verify the targeting relationship of miR-34c-5p and CCL22. The rats were randomly assigned into Control, COPD, COPD + empty plasmids, COPD + agomir, COPD + CCL22 shRNA and COPD + agomir + CCL22 groups. COPD model was built by using cigarette smoke exposure and LPS instillation. After 28 days, the pulmonary function was examined. ELISA method was used to detect TNF-α and IL-8 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), HE staining and Masson staining to observe the pathomorphological changes of lung tissues, qRT-PCR and/or Western blot to determine miR-34c-5p and CCL22 levels, and immunohistochemical staining to measure the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. Results: MiR-34c-5p could target CCL22 to down-regulate its expression. Both miR-34c-5p agomir and CCL22 shRNA could reduce breathing frequency (f), airway resistance (RI), and the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in BALF of COPD rats with increased Cydn (dynamic lung compliance) and PIF (peak inspiratory flow). Besides, the inflammatory cell infiltration, rupture of partial alveolus, enlarged alveolar cavity, and increased deposition of collagen fibers were observed in COPD rat tissues, with rise in mean linear intercept (MLI) and reduction in mean alveolar number (MAN), which could be reversed by miR-34c-5p agomir or CCL22 shRNA. Conclusion: MiR-34c-5p may promote inflammation response and maintain the protease-antiprotease balance via targeting CCL22, which provides scientific basis for the clinical treatment of COPD.

The Effect of Maleated Polypropylene on the Non-Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Wood Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites.

The influence of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) on the non-isothermal crystallization behavior of wood fiber (WF)-reinforced PP composites (WPCs) was investigated by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The results showed that MAPP as a nucleation agent accelerated the crystallization rate of the PP matrix in WPC under the cooling process. The corresponding crystallization kinetics and activation energy were further analyzed using the Avrami method, Avrami⁻Ozawa method, Kissinger method, and Friedman method. The results demonstrated that MAPP significantly changed the crystal growth mechanism of the PP matrix to heterogeneous nucleation for acicular and tabular crystal growth during the annealing step. A remarkably lower cooling rate can achieve a certain relative crystallinity degree at the unit crystallization time for WPC with 3 wt % MAPP (WPCM3). Similarly, the lowest crystallization activation energy was observed for the WPCM3 among all WPCs by the Kissinger method. Furthermore, based on the Friedman method, the addition of MAPP easily caused the PP matrix to crystallize in the WPC at the initial stage of relative crystallinity.

Characterization of Wood-Plastic Composites Made with Different Lignocellulosic Materials that Vary in Their Morphology, Chemical Composition and Thermal Stability.

In this study, four kinds of lignocellulosic fibers (LFs), namely, those from Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), Taiwan red pine (Pinus taiwanensis), India-charcoal trema (Trema orientalis) and makino bamboo (Phyllostachys makinoi), were selected as reinforcements and incorporated into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to manufacture wood-plastic composites (WPCs) by a flat platen pressing process. In addition to comparing the differences in the physico-mechanical properties of these composites, their chemical compositions were evaluated and their thermal decomposition kinetics were analyzed to investigate the effects of the lignocellulosic species on the properties of the WPCs. The results showed that the WPC made with Chinese fir displayed a typical M-shaped vertical density profile due to the high aspect ratio of its LFs, while a flat vertical density profile was observed for the WPCs made with other LFs. Thus, the WPC made with Chinese fir exhibited higher flexural properties and lower internal bond strength (IB) than other WPCs. In addition, the Taiwan red pine contained the lowest holocellulose content and the highest extractives and α-cellulose contents, which gave the resulting WPC lower water absorption and flexural properties. On the other hand, consistent with the flexural properties, the results of thermal decomposition kinetic analysis showed that the activation energy of the LFs at 10% of the conversion rate increased in the order of Taiwan red pine (146⁻161 kJ/mol), makino bamboo (158⁻175 kJ/mol), India-charcoal trema (185⁻194 kJ/mol) and Chinese fir (194⁻202 kJ/mol). These results indicate that the morphology, chemical composition and thermal stability of the LFs can have a substantial impact on the physico-mechanical properties of the resulting WPCs.

[A medium term therapeutic effects of anatomic locking plate for femoral intertrochanteric with lateral femoral wall fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively study medium term follow-up outcomes of the femoral intertrochanteric with lateral femoral wall fractures using anatomic locking plate fixation. METHODS: From June 2010 to January 2013, 18 cases of the unstable femoral intertrochanteric with lateral femoral wall fractures were treated with the anatomic locking plate, included 8 males and 10 females with an average age of 75.5 years ranging from 19 to 83 years old. There were 8 cases of traffic accident injuries, 6 cases of falls injuries, and 4 cases of falling from high place. The time from injury to operation was ranged from 1 to 14 days with an average of 4.5 days. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and the length of hospitalization were recorded and analyzed. The fracture union was assessed by follow-up radiographs and hip functional recovery by PPMS and Harris hip scoring. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 36 to 68 months with a mean of(44.8±8.8) months. The mean operative time was (61.02±38.28) min;the mean blood loss was (226.00±162.52) ml;the mean length of hospitalization was (10.8±9.2) days. During the follow-up period, no infection, deep veintllrombosis, screwed cut-out and implant failure occurred in all patients. Coxa vara with shortening deformity was noted in 2 cases. Bone union was found in all the cases. The bone healing time was ranged from 4 to 10 months with an average of 6.2 months. The mean PPMS score at the final follow-up was 7.22±2.36. The Harris score was 79.46±11.02, 5 cases were classified as excellent, 9 as good and 2 as fair. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal femoral anatomic locking plate can be used in treating intertrochanteric fractures with compromised lateral wall, which has a satisfied medium term follow-up outcomes, especially for complex fractures patterns in which intramedullary nailing may be difficult, and should not emphasis on premature loading.

Schistosoma japonicum soluble egg antigens attenuate IFN-γ-induced MHC class II expression in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Innate immune response plays the key role in initiating and guiding the immune response. Elucidating the innate immune related molecular events involved in the interaction between the parasite and the host will aid in the development of an effective vaccine and anti-schistosome pharmaceuticals. In this study, we examined the regulatory effect of Schistosoma japonicum soluble egg antigen (SEA) on MHC class II expression in macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. We demonstrated that SEA possesses the ability to down-regulate IFN-γ-induced MHC class II expression in RAW 264.7 cells. The production of IL-10 and IL-6 in RAW 264.7 cells, induced by SEA, was responsible for mediating the down-regulation of MHC class II. Our findings suggest that in RAW 264.7 cells (1) IFN-γ provides a condition for lower concentrations of SEA to attenuate MHC class II expression; (2) SEA attenuated IFN-γ-induced MHC class II expression and the IL-10 and IL-6 production is mediated at least partly by the interaction of SEA with TLR4; and (3) SEA attenuated IFN-γ-induced MHC class II expression at the transcriptional level.