Quantitative Characterization of Inorganic Pores in Sinian Doushantou Dolomitic Shale Based on FIB-SEM in Western Hubei Province, China.

Unlike traditional shale gas reservoirs, where organic matter pores dominate, inorganic pores are the primary reservoir space in the Sinian (Ediacaran) high-maturity Doushantou dolomitic shale in western Hubei Province, China. The inorganic pore characteristics of Doushantuo shale and its influence on shale gas aggregation were investigated by examining the TOC content, thermal maturity, mineralogical composition, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) of drill cores. The results show that the shale mineral composition in the study area is primarily dolomite and plate-shaped interparticle-intercrystalline pores associated with dolomite are widespread inorganic pores in dolomitic shale.

Hybrid interpenetrating network of polyester coronary stent with tunable biodegradation and mechanical properties.

Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) is an important candidate raw material of the next-generation biodegradable stent for percutaneous coronary intervention, yet how to make a polyester stent with sufficient mechanical strength and relatively fast biodegradation gets to be a dilemma. Herein, we put forward a hybrid interpenetrating network (H-IPN) strategy to resolve this dilemma. As such, we synthesize a multi-functional biodegradable macromer of star-like poly(d,l-lactide-co-ɛ-caprolactone) with six acrylate end groups, and photoinitiate it, after mixing with linear PLLA homopolymer, to trigger the free radical polymerization.

Preliminary studies on intimal injury related to stent retrieval in a canine model.

Objective: This pilot study aimed to observe intimal injuries related to stent retrieval in the iliac artery of a canine.

Background: In-stent restenosis remains challenging owing to permanent stent implantation. A retrievable stent may be alternative for intervention without permanent residue.

A Biodegradable Metal-Polymer Composite Stent Safe and Effective on Physiological and Serum-Containing Biomimetic Conditions.

The new-generation coronary stents are expected to be biodegradable, and then the biocompatibility along with biodegradation becomes more challenging. It is a critical issue to choose appropriate biomimetic conditions to evaluate biocompatibility. Compared with other candidates for biodegradable stents, iron-based materials are of high mechanical strength, yet have raised more concerns about biodegradability and biocompatibility.

Research and clinical translation of trilayer stent-graft of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene for interventional treatment of aortic dissection.

The aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening disease. The transcatheter endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) affords a minimally invasive technique to save the lives of these critical patients, and an appropriate stent-graft gets to be the key medical device during an EVAR procedure. Herein, we report a trilayer stent-graft and corresponding delivery system used for the treatment of the AD disease.

Diabetes results in structural alteration of chondroitin sulfate in the urine.

Purpose: The assessment of the clinical significance of chondroitin sulfate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) for the detection of the relationship between chondroitin sulfate (CS) structure and disease.

Methods: Healthy control (n=15), type 2 diabetic patients with normalbuminuria (n=12), and patients with microalbuminuria (n=13) were enrolled in the study. Total sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) concentration in the first morning urine was evaluated by 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue method and the composition was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis.

[Experimental study of saikosaponin-D (SSd) on lipid peroxidation of hepatic fibrosis on rat].

Objective: To study the effect of SSd on lipid peroxidation during experimental hepatic fibrosis progression.

Method: The experimental models of hepatic fibrosis were induced by intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) on rats. SSd was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks.