Remarkable Synergistic Catalysis of Ni-Doped Ultrafine TiO on Hydrogen Sorption Kinetics of MgH.

Catalysts play an extraordinarily important role in accelerating the hydrogen sorption rates in metal-hydrogen systems. Herein, we report a surprisingly synergetic enhancement of metal-metal oxide cocatalyst on the hydrogen sorption properties of MgH: only 5 wt % doping of Ni into ultrafine TiO enables a significant increase in hydrogen desorption kinetics; it absorbs 4.50 wt % hydrogen even at a low temperature of 50 °C.

Safety and efficacy of denosumab in the treatment of pulmonary metastatic giant cell tumor of bone.

Background: Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is an intermittent and locally aggressive tumor with increasing pulmonary metastatic potential. In this study, we evaluated the interim clinical outcome of denosumab in patients with pulmonary metastatic GCT.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed seven patients with pulmonary metastatic GCT who received denosumab treatment after local tumor surgery during January 2014 and July 2016.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of Complex I inhibitor R419 and its derivatives as anticancer agents in HepG2 cells.

In this study, Complex I inhibitor R419 was firstly revealed to have significant anticancer activity against HepG2 cells (IC = 5.2 ± 0.9 μM).

Discovery of novel selective GPR120 agonists with potent anti-diabetic activity by hybrid design.

GPR120 is an attractive target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In this study, a series of biphenyl derivatives were designed, synthesized by hybrid design. The selected compound 6a exhibited potent GPR120 agonist activity (EC = 93 nM) and high selectivity over GPR40.

Luminescence and Energy Transfer between Ce and Pr in BaYSiO under VUV-vis and X-ray Excitation.

A detailed investigation on photoluminescence properties and energy transfer (ET) dynamics of Ce, Pr-doped BaYSiO is provided along with the potential X-ray excited luminescence application. The luminescence properties of Pr are studied in VUV-UV-vis spectral range at low temperature, and the spectral profiles of PrP and D emission lines are determined using time-resolved emission spectra. Upon 230 nm excitation, the electron population from Pr 4f5d state to its 4f excited state is discussed in detail.

[Non-leaching, broad-spectrum antibacterial poly (ε-caprolactone)/gelatin-QAS nanofiberous membranes for wound dressing].

5-20 wt% trimethoxysilylpropyl octadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride (QAS) was used to modify Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-gelatin hybrid to fabricate non-leaching antibacterial nanofiber membranes (PG-Q) by electrospinning. The results from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the QAS leaded to phase separation between the QAS and PCL. Hydrophilic test demonstrated that the PG-Q nanofiber membranes had hydrophobic surface, which was help for peeling off the dressing from the wound.

Icariin-loaded electrospun PCL/gelatin nanofiber membrane as potential artificial periosteum.

Due to the significant role of the periosteum in bone regeneration, we hypothesised that using a specially engineered artificial periosteum could lead to an enhancement in osteogenesis in bone grafts. Herein, we describe our work aimed at fabricating an electrospun fibrous membrane as an artificial periosteum that exhibits flexibility, permeability and osteoinduction. This membrane was designed to cover the complex surface of bone grafts to facilitate and accelerate bone regeneration.

Ir-Doped NiFe LDH to expedite hydrogen evolution kinetics as a Pt-like electrocatalyst for water splitting.

NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe LDH) is a state-of-the-art oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst, yet it suffers from rather poor catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to its extremely sluggish water dissociation kinetics, severely restricting its application in overall water splitting. Herein, we report a novel strategy to expedite the HER kinetics of NiFe LDH by an Ir4+-doping strategy to accelerate the water dissociation process (Volmer step), and thus this catalyst exhibits superior and robust catalytic activity for finally oriented overall water splitting in 1 M KOH requiring only a low initial voltage of 1.41 V delivering at 20 mA cm-2 for more than 50 h.

Hierarchical NiCoO@NiCoS Nanocomposite on Ni Foam as an Electrode for Hybrid Supercapacitors.

In this work, NiCoO@NiCoS nanocomposite with a hierarchical structure is prepared by a multistep process. First, NiCoO nanowires array on Ni foam is prepared by a hydrothermal and a subsequent calcination process. Then, the NiCoO nanowires array is converted to NiCoO@NiCoS nanocomposite through a vapor-phase hydrothermal process.

[Therapeutic Effect of Uncemented Allograft-prosthetic Composite for the Reconstruction of Tumorous Bone Defect].

Objective: To investigate the surgical techniques and mid-term efficacy of reconstruction for proximal femur with allograft-prosthetic composite (APC) .

Methods: Fifteen patients who underwent uncemented APC reconstruction of proximal femur after bone tumor resection were retrospectively evaluated. Image and physical examinations were taken on the 1st,3rd,6th,9th and 12th month after surgery and every 6 months thereafter to assess union condition,greater trochanteric bone absorption and myodynamia of abductors.

Local symmetric distortion boosted photon up-conversion and thermometric sensitivity in lanthanum oxide nanospheres.

It is essential to simultaneously boost the luminescence intensity and thermometric sensitivity of up-converted optical thermometers towards potential biomedical sensing applications. Herein, the effects of local site symmetry on the up-conversion (UC) emission and thermal sensing ability in trigonal-phased La2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ nanospheres were qualitatively explored using cubic-phased Lu2O3 and Y2O3 with a similar shape and phonon energy as contrasts. Under 980 nm light excitation, much stronger UC emissions were detected in La2O3 samples than that in cubic Lu2O3 and Y2O3 samples, and the possible mechanisms were elaborately proposed using Eu3+ as a luminescent probe.

High-performance second-Stokes generation of a Nd:YVO/YVO Raman laser based on a folded coupled cavity.

We report an actively Q-switched Nd:YVO/YVO intracavity Raman laser at second-Stokes wavelength of 1313.6 nm, which is capable of operating efficiently under pulse repetition frequency higher than 80 kHz. A folded coupled cavity is adopted to optimize the fundamental and the Stokes resonators individually and make full use of the high pump intensity on the Raman crystal.

10.3-W actively Q-switched Nd:YVO/YVO folded coupled-cavity Raman laser at 1176 nm.

We report herein an efficient actively Q-switched Nd:YVO/YVO intracavity Raman laser operating at 1176 nm. Factors such as resonator geometry and pumping scheme are optimized to strengthen the power scalability and the conversion efficiency of the intracavity Raman laser. With a folded coupled cavity adopted to make full use of the high pump intensity on the Raman crystal, the first-order Stokes output of 10.

Manipulation of autophagy: a novelly potential therapeutic strategy for retinal neovascularization.

Background: The relationship between the role of VEGF and autophagy in the process of retinal angiogenesis is still unclear. In this study, we explored this issue by using the mouse retinal vascular endothelial cell (RVEC) as a model.

Methods: RVECs were divided into the following groups: control, hypoxia (H), 3-methyladenine (3-MA) + H, VEGF + H, 3-MA + VEGF+H, anti-VEGF antibody + H, 3-MA+ anti-VEGF antibody + H.

Improving wood properties for wood utilization through multi-omics integration in lignin biosynthesis.

A multi-omics quantitative integrative analysis of lignin biosynthesis can advance the strategic engineering of wood for timber, pulp, and biofuels. Lignin is polymerized from three monomers (monolignols) produced by a grid-like pathway. The pathway in wood formation of Populus trichocarpa has at least 21 genes, encoding enzymes that mediate 37 reactions on 24 metabolites, leading to lignin and affecting wood properties.

The effect of fenofibrate on early retinal nerve fiber layer loss in type 2 diabetic patients: a case-control study.

Background: Previous studies suggested that use of fenofibrate could significantly reduce the rate of progression into diabetic retinopathy (DR), and that retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) loss, which has been considered an important indicator for retinal neurodegeneration, might precede microvascular changes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect(s) of fenofibrate on RNFL thickness at early stage of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Methods: In this retrospective matched case-control study we included a cohort of 89 patients with type 2 DM, aged 40 or above, between Jan 1, 2017 and March 31, 2017.

Effects of a low salt diet on isolated systolic hypertension: A community-based population study.

Evidence has shown that long-term sodium reduction can not only reduce blood pressure, but also provide cardiovascular benefits. To date, there is little evidence related to the effects of salt reduction on isolated systolic hypertension (ISH).A total of 126 hypertensive patients were divided into an ISH group (n = 51) and a non-ISH (NISH) group (n = 75).

Microscopic structural descriptor of liquid water.

The microscopic structure of liquid water has been believed to be the key to the understanding of the unique properties of this extremely important substance. Many structural descriptors have been developed for revealing local structural order in water, but their properties are still not well understood. The essential difficulty comes from structural fluctuations due to thermal noise, which are intrinsic to the liquid state.

Fast propagation of electromagnetic fields through graded-index media.

Graded-index (GRIN) media are widely used for modeling different situations: some components are designed considering GRIN modulation, e.g., multi-mode fibers, optical lenses, or acousto-optical modulators; on the other hand, there are other components where the refractive-index variation is undesired due to, e.

Sole and combined vitamin C supplementation can prevent postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplementation (vitamin C solely or as adjunct to other therapy) on prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients after cardiac surgery. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of vitamin C supplementation in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and the meta-analysis was performed with a random-effects model. Thirteen trials involving 1956 patients were included.

Clinical Analysis of Classification and Prognosis of Ischemia-Type Biliary Lesions After Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to classify ischemia-type biliary lesions after liver transplantation according to their imaging findings and severity of clinical manifestations and to analyze the relationship between such classification and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS We collected clinical data of patients with ischemia-type biliary lesions (ITBL) after liver transplantation in the Organ Transplantation Center, the First Central Hospital of Tianjin, from August 2012 to July 2013; all patients were classified according to their imaging findings and relevant clinical data to analyze the relationship between their classification and prognosis. RESULTS The mean postoperative survival time, as well as the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rate, in Group ITBL showed statistical significance when compared with those in Group NITBL (log rank=12.

Antimicrobial gelatin-based elastomer nanocomposite membrane loaded with ciprofloxacin and polymyxin B sulfate in halloysite nanotubes for wound dressing.

Bacterial infection is a major problem world-wide, especially in wound treatment where it can severely prolong the healing process. In this study, a double drug co-delivery elastic antibacterial nanocomposite was developed by combining ciprofloxacin (CPX) and polymyxin B sulfate-loaded halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs-B) into a gelatin elastomer. CPX nanoparticles which act against both gram positive and gram-negative bacterium were dispersed directly in the matrix, and polymyxin B sulfate was loaded in HNTs and then distributed into the matrix.

Dual Maleimide Tagging for Relative and Absolute Quantitation of Cysteine-Containing Peptides by MALDI-TOF MS.

A dual maleimide (DuMal) tagging method has been developed for both relative and absolute quantitation of cysteine-containing peptides (CCPs) in combination with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. A pair of maleimides with minimal differences in their chemical structures, N-methylmaleimide and Nethylmaleimide, have been chosen to allow for the rapid (≈minutes) tagging of CCPs in the Michael addition reaction with high efficiency. It has been validated that the DuMal tagging technique is sensitive and reliable in the quantitative analysis of CCPs.

Effects of lipid-lowering agents on diabetic retinopathy: a Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Aim: To clarify this controversy and to provide evidence for application of lipid lowering agents in treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: We searched the databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and abstracts from main annual meetings up to January 1, 2017. Google scholar and ClinicalTrials.