Surface barriers to mass transfer in nanoporous materials for catalysis and separations.

Surface barriers to mass transfer in various nanoporous materials have been increasingly identified. These past few years especially, a significant impact on catalysis and separations has come to light. Broadly speaking, there are two types of barriers: internal barriers, which affect intraparticle diffusion, and external barriers, which determine the uptake and release rates of molecules into and out of the material.

Effect of External Surface Diffusion Barriers on Platinum/Beta-Catalyzed Isomerization of n-Pentane.

We have developed a generalizable strategy to quantify the effect of surface barriers on zeolite catalysis. Isomerization of n-pentane, catalyzed by Pt/Beta, is taken as a model reaction system. Firstly, the surface modification by chemical liquid deposition of SiO was carried out to control the surface barriers on zeolite Beta crystals.

IL-33 Alleviated Brain Damage via Anti-apoptosis, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Inflammation After Epilepsy.

Interleukin (IL)-33 belongs to a novel chromatin-associated cytokine newly recognized by the IL-1 family, and its specific receptor is the orphan IL-1 receptor (ST2). Cumulative evidence suggests that IL-33 plays a crucial effect on the pathological changes and pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and injuries, such as recurrent neonatal seizures (RNS). However, the specific roles of IL-33 and its related molecular mechanisms in RNS remain confused.

Understanding the Role of Internal Diffusion Barriers in Pt/Beta Zeolite Catalyzed Isomerization of n-Heptane.

Applications of zeolites in catalysis are plagued by strong diffusion resistance, which results from limitations to molecular transport in micropores, across external crystal surfaces, but also across internal interfaces. The first type of diffusion resistance is well understood, the second is receiving increasing attention, while the diffusion barriers at internal interfaces remain largely unclear. We take Pt/Beta catalyzed isomerization of n-heptane as the model system to explore the role of internal diffusion barriers in zeolite catalysis.

Balancing the Micro-Mesoporosity for Activity Maximization of N-Doped Carbonaceous Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Carbonaceous porous structures have instigated global research interest as promising low-cost electrocatalysts for numerous energy technologies. However, the rational design principle of pore structures for activity maximization is still unclear. In this work, a series of N-doped carbon (N-C) catalysts with exclusively different micro-mesoporosity are investigated for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

IL-33/ST2L Signaling Provides Neuroprotection Through Inhibiting Autophagy, Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress, and Apoptosis in a Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a member of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) cytokine family and an extracellular ligand for the orphan IL-1 receptor ST2. Accumulated evidence shows that the IL-33/ST2 axis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) diseases and injury, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the roles and molecular mechanisms of the IL-33/ST2 axis after TBI remain poorly understood.

IL-33 Provides Neuroprotection through Suppressing Apoptotic, Autophagic and NF-κB-Mediated Inflammatory Pathways in a Rat Model of Recurrent Neonatal Seizure.

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a novel identified chromatin-associated cytokine of IL-1 family cytokines. It signals through a heterodimer comprised of ST2L and IL-1RAcp, and plays a crucial role in many diseases. However, very little is known about the role and underlying intricate mechanisms of IL-33 in recurrent neonatal seizure (RNS).

The tailored synthesis of nanosized SAPO-34 via time-controlled silicon release enabled by an organosilane precursor.

Phenyltrimethoxysilane as a Si source can significantly slow down the crystallization process for SAPO-34 synthesis, leading to the formation of agglomerated nanocrystals (<100 nm). The obtained nanosized SAPO-34 shows enhanced catalytic stability in methanol-to-olefin conversion under industrially relevant conditions.

Detection of RAGE expression and its application to diabetic wound age estimation.

With the prevalence of diabetes, it is becoming important to analyze the diabetic wound age in forensic practice. The present study investigated the time-dependent expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) during diabetic wound healing in mice and its applicability to wound age determination by immunohistochemistry, double immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. After an incision was created in genetically diabetic db/db mice and control mice, mice were killed at posttraumatic intervals ranging from 6 h to 14 days, followed by the sampling of wound margin.

Influences of CCK-8 on expressions of apoptosis-related genes in prefrontal cortex neurons of morphine-relapse rats.

In order to elucidate the influences of CCK-8 on expressions of apoptosis-related genes, Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3, of prefrontal cortex neurons in morphine-relapse rats, an effective, successful morphine-relapse-rat model using the conditioned place preference (CPP) under CCK-8 (0.01, 0.1 and 1.

Curcumin alleviates brain edema by lowering AQP4 expression levels in a rat model of hypoxia-hypercapnia-induced brain damage.

The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin (CU) against brain edema in a rat model of hypoxia-hypercapnia (HH)-induced brain damage (HHBD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, including a control group and four treatment groups. The rats in the control group were raised under normal laboratory conditions and were injected with water, whereas the rats in the treatment groups were exposed to a low O/high CO environment simulating HH conditions, and were injected with water, CU, dimethyl sulfoxide (solvent control) or monosialoganglioside GM1.

Activation of α7nAChR Promotes Diabetic Wound Healing by Suppressing AGE-Induced TNF-α Production.

Diabetes frequently presents accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which might induce excessive TNF-α production from macrophages to cause impaired wound healing. Recent studies have shown that activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) on macrophages efficiently suppressed TNF-α synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the accumulation of AGEs in the wounds and determine whether PNU282987, an α7nAChR agonist, can improve wound repair by inhibiting AGE-mediated TNF-α production in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model.

Awareness Status of Chronic Disabling Neurological Diseases among Elderly Veterans.

Background: The awareness, treatment and prevention of chronic diseases are generally poor among the elderly population of China, whereas the prevention and control of chronic diseases in elderly veteran communities have been ongoing for more than 30 years. Therefore, investigating the awareness status of chronic disabling neurological diseases (CDND) and common chronic diseases (CCD) among elderly veterans may provide references for related programs among the elderly in the general population.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among veterans ≥60 years old in veteran communities in Beijing.

Analysis of Forensic Autopsy in 120 Cases of Medical Disputes Among Different Levels of Institutional Settings.

Despite advances in medical science, the causes of death can sometimes only be determined by pathologists after a complete autopsy. Few studies have investigated the importance of forensic autopsy in medically disputed cases among different levels of institutional settings. Our study aimed to analyze forensic autopsy in 120 cases of medical disputes among five levels of institutional settings between 2001 and 2012 in Wenzhou, China.

Curcumin inhibits apoptosis and brain edema induced by hypoxia-hypercapnia brain damage in rat models.

Curcumin, extracted from South Asian spice turmeric, has been determined to have the promising ability in antioxidation and anti-inflammation. However, the effect of curcumin on treating brain damage has been not reported. In this article, the aim was to evaluate the effect of curcumin on cell apoptosis in rats exposed to hypoxia-hypercapnia and explore the therapeutic potential of curcumin in hypoxia-hypercapnia brain damage (HHBD).

[Study on the mechanism of how curcumin improves pulmonary vascular remodeling associated with chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of how curcumin improves pulmonary vascular remodeling associated with chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods: The model of chromic hypoxia hypercapniapulmoary remodeling was made. Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6): group I (normoxia control group), group II (hypxia and hypercapnia model group), group II (disodium cromoglycate control group), group IV (curcumin treated group).

[The contributing risk factors, prevention and treatment of functional dependence among the oldest-old and elderly subjects].

Objective: To compare the risk factors on the functional dependence between the oldest-old and elderly veterans.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among veterans ( ≥ 60 years of age) lived in 44 veterans' communities in Beijing. The socio-demographic information and history of non-communicable chronic diseases were collected via face-to-face interviews, and the functional status was assessed by the 20-item version of the Activities of Daily Living Scale.

The time-dependent expression of α7nAChR during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats.

The study on time-dependent expression of α7 nicotine acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) was performed by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time PCR during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats. Furthermore, co-localization of α7nAChR with macrophage or myofibroblast marker was detected by double immunofluorescence. A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into control and contusion groups (3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, and 14 days post-injury).

[Protective effect of qingxin kaiqiao fang containing cerebrospinal fluid on PC12 cell injury induced by Abeta25-35].

Objective: To observe the protective effect of Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang containing cerebrospinal fluid on PC12 cell injury induced by Abeta25-35, in order to provide basis for clinical application of the formula.

Method: Sprague Dawley rats were orally administration with Qingxin Kaiqiao Fang (7.9 g x kg(-1)) twice a day for 3.

Time-dependent expression and distribution of Egr-1 during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats.

Recent studies have shown that early growth response factor-1 (Egr-1) plays an important role in regulation of inflammation and tissue repair, but little is known about its expression after trauma to skeletal muscles. A preliminary study on time-dependent expression and distribution of Egr-1 was performed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blotting during skeletal muscle wound healing in rats. An animal model of skeletal muscle contusion was established in 45 Sprague-Dawley male rats.

Effects of curcumin on levels of nitric oxide synthase and AQP-4 in a rat model of hypoxia-ischemic brain damage.

This study examines the preventive and therapeutic effects of curcumin on brain edema after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in a rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: a sham group (SH), a hypoxic-ischemic group (HI) without drug treatment, a hypoxic-ischemic group (CU) with curcumin injection, and a hypoxic-ischemic group with DMSO injection (solvent control, SC). HIBD treatment led to edema and ultrastructural changes in the hippocampus, increased the activity levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the brain (P<0.

[Effects of α-lipoic acid and vitamin C on oxidative stress in rat exposed to chronic arsenic toxicity].

Objective: To explore arsenic-induced oxidative stress and the protective efficacy of α-lipoic acid and vitamin c.

Methods: 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. Ten rats (the control group) were exposed to deionized water for 6 weeks, and the others were alone exposed to sodium arsenite (50 mg/L water) for 6 weeks, at the same time, three group rats were administered intragastrically (i.

[Analysis of 90 autopsy cases in medical legal dispute].

Objective: To analyze the significance of forensic autopsy in medical tangle.

Methods: Ninety autopsy cases of medical legal dispute were retrospectively analyzed from the database of our department from 2001 to 2008. All cases were analyzed and classified based on age, sex, cause of death, clinic diagnosis and forensic diagnosis.