Chromium-Doped Nickel Oxide and Nickel Nitride Mediate Selective Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Sterol Intermediates Coupled with H2 Evolution.

Replacing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with the thermodynamically favorable electrooxidation of organics is considered a promising approach for the simultaneous production of hydrogen (H2 ) and high-value chemicals. However, exploring and optimizing efficient electrocatalysts remains a challenge for large-scale production of value-added steroid carbonyl and H2 . Herein, Cr-NiO/GF and Cr-Ni3 N/GF (GF: graphite felt) electrocatalysts were designed as anode and cathode for the production of steroid carbonyls and H2 , respectively. The cooperative Cr-NiO and ACT (4-acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidine-N-oxyl) electrocatalyst can be extended to the electrooxidation of a series of steroid alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes. Additionally, Cr-Ni3 N displays superior electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), with a low overpotential of 35 mV to deliver 10 mA cm-2 . Furthermore, the system coupled with anodic electrooxidation of sterol and cathodic HER exhibited excellent performance with high space-time yield of 48.85 kg m-3 h-1 for steroid carbonyl and 1.82 L h-1 for H2 generation in a two-layer stacked flow cell. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations indicated that Cr doping effectively stabilizes ACTH on the NiO surface, and ACTH molecule could be captured via the ketonic oxygen interaction with Cr, resulting in excellent electrocatalytic activity. This work develops a novel approach to the rational design of efficient electrocatalysts for the simultaneous production of H2 and large-scale value-added pharmaceutical carbonyl intermediates.

[Surgery for mass at root of the neck--with 26 cases report].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical treatment of mass at root of the neck. METHOD: Twenty-six cases of mass in root of the neck, 10 benign tumor and 16 malignancy. All the patients were received surgical treatment with "T" or "L" shaped incision, and cleidotomy or remove partial of presternum and articulationes sternoclavicularis when necessary. RESULT: All the benign tumor were removed completely, 1 case with chylous leakage and 1 case with recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after operation. Twelve cases of malignant tumor removed completely and 4 cases underwent partially resection. Subclavian vein rupture occur in 2 cases during operation, and chylous leakage in 1 case, brachial plexus or phrenic nerve injury in 2 cases individually, 1 case with mediastinal emphysema and 2 cases with hematoma. Follow up for 1 to more than 5 years. No patient died and relapsed in benign group. Six malignant cases survive for 5 years after operation,4 cases survive for more than 3 years,and 2 patients alive for 2 years. And the others were died within 1 year in malignancy group. CONCLUSION: Surgery for mass in root of the neck is feasible and with good effect for benign mass,and also is a way to treat the malignancy in this region.

[Study in safety of total thyroidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the complications in total thyroidectomies and the safety of total thyroidectomy. METHOD: Retrospective analyses 351 cases underwent total thyroidectomy in our department. Preoperative and postoperative electronic laryngoscopy were used to assess the vocal cord function. All patients have serum calcium analysis on the operative day and 3rd and 7th day after operation. RESULT: Temporary hypocalcaemia occurred in 47.01% after total thyroidectomy, but only 15.67% with severe symptom temporarily,and 21.37% with temporary mild numbness. Permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 0.85% patients. None with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and temporary unilateral vocal cord palsy occurred in 1.42% patients and permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 0.56% patients. CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy is safe with low complications.

[Transcranial endoscopic excision of glossopharyngeal nerve to treat glossopharyngeal neuralgia].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new transcranial endoscopic approach of glossopharyngeal neurotomy to treat glossopharyngeal neuralgia. METHOD: The clinical data, the operative technique, the operative effect and the result of follow-up of two patients were presented. Through reviewing pertinent literature, we discussed the therapeutic advancement of glossopharyngeal neuralgia and the preponderance of transcranial endoscopic approach of glossopharyngeal neurotomy. RESULT: The two patients both have satisfied outcomes and remained free of disease after surgical treatment. The endoscopic surgery has many significant advantages, such as rigorous operation, little injury, precise therapeutic effect, few complication, and so on. CONCLUSION: Transcranial endoscopic approach of glossopharyngeal neurotomy is an ideal method to treat glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

[In situ preservation of parathyroid glands in total or near total thyroidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preservation of parathyroid glands and its function during total or near-total thyroidectomy. METHOD: One hundred and thirty one patients underwent total thyroidectomy, near total thyroidectomy, hemithyroidectomy and isthmectomy. In operation, the parathyroid glands were exposed, or were identified under microscope when necessary. The third rank of inferior thyroid arteries was ligated to preserve parathyroid glands in situ, and the parathyroid function was observed after thyroidectomy. RESULT: Four patients (3%) had a transient hypoparathyroidism after thyroidectomy, 26 patients (20%) had a obviously biochemical hypocalcemia with no symptoms, 73 patients (56%) had a lower calcium level in the first 3 days after surgery compared with preoperative level, 28 (21%) patients who underwent ipsilateral total and contralateral subtotal isthmectomy were all normocalcemic after surgery. There were no permanent hypoparathyroidism and death in our study population. CONCLUSION: In total or near-total thyroidectomy, parathyroid glands and its artery blood-supply should be exposed and preserved. Vasodilator and calcium supplementation should be given to patients with obviously lower serum calcium level after surgery to prevent permanent hypoparathyroidism.

[Surgical treatment of hyperthyroidism].

OBJECTIVE: In order to explore the management of peri-operation and the therapeutic effect in the surgical treatment of hyperthyroidism. METHODS: Fifty five cases of hyperthyroidism were undergone near-total thyroidectomy, during the operation recurrent laryngeal nerve was exposed, and the parathyroid was found with microscope when necessary. The third rank of inferior thyroid arteries were ligated to guarantee the blood supply for parathyroid. RESULTS: All cases underwent near-total thyroidectomy. There was no mortality, and no permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred, and no permanent hypoparathyroidism, and no recurrent hyperthyroidism. Follow-up was carried out 16 months to approximately 5 years after near-total thyroidectomy patients, Hypothyroidism occurred in 15 cases (57.7%), serum calcium levels were 2.15-2.45 mmol/L. CONCLUSIONS: Special attention should be given to the management of peri-operation, the above the method can prevent operative complication in the surgical treatment of hyperthyroidism, with excellent result.

[Congenital external and middle ear malformation-with 62 ears report].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between external ear malformation and middle ear abnormality, and also the results of surgical treatment. METHOD: Fifty-two cases with external ear malformation (62 ears) was dividied into two groups:the minor group and severe group. All the patients received surgical treatment, 48 ears by transmastoid approach and 14 ears by "direct entrance" approach. RESULT: The middle ear abnormality was minor in minor group,and severe in the patients with severe external ear malformation. In 93.5% cases the hearing threshold improved more than 15 dB in 3 months after operation, and reduce to 85.5% in 3 years follow up. CONCLUSION: The middle ear malformation is corresponding to external ear malformation. The effect of surgical treatment is different according to the degree of malformation and surgical complication.