Sequential thermal dissolution of two low-rank coals and characterization of their structures by high-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Rationale: Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/TOF-MS) were used to separate and reveal the molecular characteristics of organic matter in low-rank coals.

Methods: Six soluble portions (SPs) were obtained by sequential thermal dissolution (TD) of two low-rank coals in the order of cyclohexane, acetone and methanol solvents at 300°C. Organic matter with different molecular characteristics were enriched in eachTD extract, which was further separated and analyzed by GC/MS and HPLC/TOF-MS using an electrospray ionization source in positive mode to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the structural composition of coals.

Antinociceptive effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 in a rat model of cancer-induced bone pain.

Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is a major ingredient of ginseng, a traditional medicine that has been used for thousands of years. Previous studies have reported that GRb1 had anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. The current study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of GRb1 in a rat model of cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP) established by intratibial injection of Walker 256 cells.

Analysis of soluble components in coals and interpretations for the complex mass spectra.

Rationale: The deduction of useful information from the mass spectra of a complex mixture like coals remains difficult, which limits the clean and efficient utilization of coals. It is necessary to explore the data interpretation methods for mass spectra and visualize the analytical data of coals for industrial utilization such as feedstock selection.

Methods: Coal sample and methanol were mixed and heated to 310 °C and kept at that temperature for 2 h.

Sequential ultrasonic extraction of a Chinese coal and characterization of nitrogen-containing compounds in the extracts using high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry.

Dongming lignite was sequentially extracted with petroleum ether, carbon disulfide, methanol, acetone, and isometric carbon disulfide/acetone mixed solvent at room temperature to afford extracts 1-5, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to separate and characterize heteroatomic species in the extracts at molecular level. Molecular mass of compounds in the extracts is mainly distributed from 300 to 800 u, and the relative abundance of compounds with molecular mass over 800 u in the carbon disulfide extract is 135 times of that in the petroleum ether extract.

[Atlanto-axial pedicle screw fixation through posterior approach for treatment of atlanto-axial joint instability].

Objective: To discuss the therapeutic effects of the atlantoaxial pedicle screw system fixation in treatment of atlantoaxial instability.

Methods: From June 2003 to March 2010, 32 patients with atlantoaxial instability were treated by atlantoaxial pedicle screw system fixation, included 21 males and 11 females wiht an average age of 42.5 years old ranging from 28 to 66 years.

[Effect of IGF-1 on NO and PGE2 in rabbit articular chondrocytes induced by IL-1].

Objective: To explore the effect of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) on the concentration of NO and PGE(2) in the supernatant of rabbit articular chondrocytes induced by IL-1, and to explore the mechanism of IGF-1 in the development of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: The samples were divided into 7 groups: IL-1beta 10 microg/L group, IL-1beta 10 microg/L+IGF-1 1 microg/L group, IL-1beta 10 microg/L+IGF-1 10 microg/L group, IL-1beta 10 microg/L+IGF-1 50 microg/L group, IL-1beta 10 microg/L+IGF-1 100 microg/L group, IGF-1 50 microg/L group, and a blank control group. The chondrocytes from the articular cartilage of 2 month old rabbits were cultivated and identified, and then co-cultured in the second filial generation chondrocytes on plates with or without recombinant human IGF-1 or IL-1.

[Culture of chondrocytes using nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen in vitro].

Objective: To evaluate the value of the nano-hydroxyapatite/ collagen (nHAC) as a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering.

Methods: The normal cartilage from patients after total hip arthroplasty of osteoarthritis was selected, and then chondrocytes were digested, separated, and amplificate in vitro. The chondrocytes were seeded onto the nHAC scaffold and were cultured in a 3-dimensional environment for 5 and 10 days.