Distal radius fractures and distal ulna fractures among adults in a southern China county during the 11-year-period 2010 to 2020.

Most distal radius fractures are associated with distal ulnar fractures. However, there is still a lack of consensus on the incidence of different types of distal ulnar fractures among adults in China. Therefore, we analyzed the incidence of distal radial fractures with and without associated distal ulnar fractures among adults in a southern China county from 2010 to 2020. Registry data of 2333 patients (2351 sides) with a distal radius fracture from 2010 to 2020 underwent evaluation, encompassing parameters such as age, sex, distal radius fracture classification, fracture side, and distal ulnar fracture classification. Distal radial fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA classification. Distal ulnar fractures were examined using the Q-modifier classification. 1719 females (73.68%) and 614 males (26.32%) were included in the study. Compared to men, the incidence of distal radial fractures accompanying distal ulnar fractures in women was approximately 2.8 times higher. Additionally, 49.81% of distal radius fractures were associated with fractures of the distal ulna, while 46.44% were associated with fractures of the ulnar styloid. The most common fracture type was that of the ulnar styloid Q1 (93.73%). The mean age of female patients was 61.71 ±â€…12.13, while male patients had an average age of 50.63 ±â€…14.86. The Q1 type was the most common type of distal ulnar fracture. We also found that more females (age range: 50 years or older) had type C distal radius fractures compared to males. However, type B fractures were observed more frequently in males than in females (range: 18-49 years). Osteoporosis was believed to be the main cause of fractures in women aged >50 years old. Moreover, the peak incidence of radius fractures in males was lower than in females in different age groups.

Recent insights into contributing factors in the pathogenesis of cirrhotic ascites.

Cirrhotic ascites refers to the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity due to severe liver disease and impaired liver function, which leads to poor blood circulation in the body, increased pressure in the hepatic sinus wall, and the exudation of fluid from the plasma into the peritoneal cavity. Cirrhotic ascites is a common complication of cirrhosis and poses a threat to the health and lives of modern people, causing a heavy social burden worldwide. So far, there are no effective treatment methods available to improve the quality and quantity of life for patients and their partners; existing drugs can only alleviate the symptoms of cirrhotic ascites and slow down its progression. This article aims to carefully examine the pathogenesis of cirrhotic ascites by exploring various contributing factors such as portal hypertension, renal dysfunction, inflammation, growth factors, oxidative stress, immunocytes, and gut microbiota. The purpose is to gain better insights and deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in this condition.

The role of Interleukin-38 in modulating T cells in chronic Colitis: A mouse model study.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-38 belongs to the IL-36 subfamily within the IL-1 family. Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) exhibit higher levels of IL-38 in their intestinal tissue compared to healthy controls, suggesting that IL-38 may play a role in the pathogenesis of IBD. However, IL-38's impact on T cell-mediated immune responses in gastrointestinal inflammation has not been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this work was to elucidate the role of IL-38 in modulating T cells in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced chronic colitis. METHODS: Recombinant IL-38 (rIL-38) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to mice with chronic colitis induced by DSS. Clinical symptoms, length of colon, and histologic alterations were assessed. Cytokine production was quantified using ELISA, and helper T (Th) cell subsets were evaluated via flow cytometry. RESULTS: Administration of recombinant IL-38 (rIL-38) alleviated DSS-induced chronic colitis. In addition, animals with chronic colitis treated with rIL-38 exhibited a significant decrease in the spontaneous production of inflammatory cytokines by neutrophils in the lamina propria. Furthermore, rIL-38 treatment increased the absolute numbers and percentages of regulatory T cells (Tregs) but decreased the absolute numbers and percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells. Moreover, rIL-38 treatment also decreased IL-17A-producing γδT cells substantially. CONCLUSION: This study's results show that IL-38 reduces the effects of chronic colitis caused by DSS by boosting Treg reactions and reducing Th1/Th17 reactions and IL-17A-producing γδT cells in LPL. Therefore, we propose that IL-38 has the potential to be utilized as a biological therapy agent for IBD.

Femoral version and its clinical relevance in adult hip preservation surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Femoral version (FV) is more widely adopted with the definition as the angle between the long axis of the femoral neck and the tangent line of the posterior femoral condyles on the axial plane, and the normal range between 5 and 20°. FV can be measured by imaging and functional tests. Cross-sectional CT including both the hip and the knee is the typically used imaging technique, yet variation exists according to the different landmarks used. As MRI investigations are routinely performed preoperatively, and protocols can be easily adopted to include version measurement, they are frequently used as an alternative to CT and offers several advantages. Abnormal FV has adverse effects on the biomechanics and musculoskeletal health of the whole lower limb. It affects the lever arm of muscles and the forces that the hip and patellofemoral joints suffer, and can lead to disorders such as osteoarthritis and impingement. In adult hip preservation surgery for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), abnormal FV is sometimes accompanied by other morphological abnormities of the hip, a more severe DDH, and can help predict postoperative range of motion (ROM), and postoperative impingement. Currently, the most frequently used surgical technique for abnormal FV is femoral derotational osteotomy. Many controversies are left to be solved, including the specific origin of FV, the indication for femoral derotational osteotomy, especially in patients with combined DDH and abnormal FV, and the explicit compensation mechanism of abnormal FV by tibial torsion.

Population pharmacokinetic and exposure-toxicity analyses of nab-paclitaxel after pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to establish a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model to evaluate the dynamic relationship between the concentrations of total and unbound paclitaxel, and the exposure-response analysis of albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) after pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-G-CSF) administration in patients with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 653 concentrations corresponding to total paclitaxel and 334 concentrations corresponding to unbound paclitaxel were analyzed in 24 subjects who randomized received a single 260 mg/m2 dose of two nab-paclitaxel formulations with a 21-35-day washout period. PEG-G-CSF was administered to all the patients in each cycle to prevent neutropenia. The exposure-response relationships were evaluated using the exposure to total, albumin-coated, and unbound paclitaxel, as well as the reduction in neutrophil count. The exposure data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effect modeling. A linear regression model was used to test the statistical significance of the correlation between percentage of reduction in neutrophil count and exposure. RESULTS: The PK characteristics of total paclitaxel were described using a three-compartment model with first-order elimination, and a mechanism-based model incorporating linear release of nab-paclitaxel and the saturated binding of unbound paclitaxel to plasma components was established. The release ratio of paclitaxel from nab-paclitaxel was estimated to be 4.60% and the maximum unbound fraction (2.76%) was reached at the end of the infusion. The study found that a longer duration of total paclitaxel concentration > 0.19 µmol/L was significantly correlated with a reduction in neutrophil count (r2 = 0.23, P = 0.00062). Specifically, a duration of > 8.6 h was a predictor of a decreased neutrophil count. CONCLUSION: The decrease in neutrophils induced by nab-paclitaxel was significantly correlated with the duration above a total paclitaxel concentration of 0.19 µmol/L despite the use of PEG-G-CSF.

Highly effective removal of basic fuchsin dye using carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan grafted acrylic acid-acrylamide/montmorillonite composite hydrogel.

This study developed a nanocomposite hydrogel, CAM4-MMT, for efficiently removing basic fuchsin dye from water. The hydrogel was prepared by grafting a copolymer of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) onto carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM), and doped with montmorillonite (MMT), exhibited excellent thermal stability, a porous inner structure, large specific surface area (1.407 m2/g), and high swelling capacity (107.3 g/g). The hydrogel achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 694.1 mg/g and a removal rate of 99.5 %. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the adsorption process. Regeneration and reuse tests confirmed that the hydrogel has excellent recyclability. In conclusion, the CAM4-MMT composite hydrogel efficiently removed basic fuchsin from water solutions, offering a new scheme for eliminating basic fuchsin using natural polysaccharides with promising applications.

Ferroptosis: A novel therapeutic target of natural products against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin (DOX), a commonly used chemotherapy drug, is hindered due to its tendency to induce cardiotoxicity (DIC). Ferroptosis, a novel mode of programmed cell death, has received substantial attention for its involvement in DIC. Recently, natural product-derived ferroptosis regulator emerged as a potential strategy for treating DIC. In this review, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases to gather relevant articles on the use of natural products for treating DIC in relation to ferroptosis. The available papers were carefully reviewed to summarize the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of natural products in modulating ferroptosis for DIC treatment. It was found that ferroptosis plays an important role in DIC pathogenesis, with dysregulated expression of ferroptosis-related proteins strongly implicated in the condition. Natural products, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and quinones can act as GPX4 activators, Nrf2 agonists, and lipid peroxidation inhibitors, thereby enhancing cell viability, attenuating myocardial fibrosis, improving cardiac function, and suppressing ferroptosis in both in vitro and in vivo models of DIC. This review demonstrates a strong correlation between DOX-induced cardiac ferroptosis and key proteins, such as GPX4, Keap1, Nrf2, AMPK, and HMOX1. Natural products are likely to exert therapeutic effects against DIC by modulating the activity of these proteins.

[Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Patients with Acute Leukemia Complicated with Mucormycosis after Chemotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics and prognosis of patients with mucormycosis after chemotherapy for acute leukemia, and to strengthen understanding of the disease. METHODS: 7 cases of acute leukemia (AL) patients diagnosed with mucormycosis by metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) after chemotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from October 2021 to June 2022 were collected, and their clinical data, including clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 7 patients with AL complicated with mucormycosis, there were 3 males and 4 females, with a median age of 52(20-59) years. There were 6 cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 1 case of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Extrapulmonary involvement in 4 cases, including 1 case suspected of central nervous system involvement. The median time for the occurrence of mucor infection was 16(6-69) days after chemotherapy and 19(14-154) days after agranulocytosis. The main clinical manifestations of mucormycosis were fever (7/7), cough (3/7), chest pain (3/7) and dyspnea (1/7). The most common chest CT imaging findings were nodules, patchy or mass consolidation (6/7). All patients were treated with posaconazole or voriconazole prophylaxis during neutropenia phase. 5 patients died within 8 months, and the median time from diagnosis to death was 1 month. CONCLUSION: Although prophylactic antifungal therapy is adopted, patients with acute leukemia still have a risk of mucor infection during the neutropenia phase. Fever is the main manifestation in the early stage of mucor infection. The use of intravenous antifungal drugs alone is ineffective and there is a high mortality rate in acute leukemia patients with mucormycosis.

Population pharmacokinetics of free and liposome-encapsulated mitoxantrone in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma or small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at investigating the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of pegylated liposomal mitoxantrone (PLM) in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma or small cell lung cancer (SCLC) by constructing population pharmacokinetic (popPK) models for both liposome-encapsulated mitoxantrone and free mitoxantrone. METHODS: A total of 23 patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma and 42 patients with SCLC were included. A popPK model was simultaneously developed utilizing a non-linear mixed effects model (NONMEM) to explore the PK profiles of liposome-encapsulated mitoxantrone and free mitoxantrone. Clearance (CL) and distribution volume (V) were calculated, and covariate analysis was employed to evaluate the influence of patient disease type, demographic information, and biochemical indicators of liver and kidney function on PK parameters. RESULTS: The concentration-time profiles for both liposome-encapsulated mitoxantrone and free mitoxantrone were described by a one-compartment model. The release (Rel) of liposome-encapsulated mitoxantrone to free mitoxantrone was determined to be 0.0191 L/h, and the V of liposome-encapsulated mitoxantrone was 2.32 L. The apparent CL of free mitoxantrone was estimated at 1.66 L/h. The apparent V of free mitoxantrone was 35.8 L in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma and 22.2 L for patients with SCLC. In patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma, lower maximum concentration (Cmax) and higher apparent V of free mitoxantrone were observed compared with patients with SCLC. CONCLUSION: The popPK characteristics of both liposome-encapsulated and free mitoxantrone in patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoma or SCLC were effectively described by a one-compartment model.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy as the first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in China.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone as a first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: A partitioned survival model was developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced or metastatic OSCC over a 10-year lifetime horizon from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Costs and utilities were derived from the drug procurement platform and published literature. The model outcomes comprised of costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to address uncertainty and ensure the robustness of the model. RESULTS: Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy yielded an additional 0.337 QALYs and incremental costs of $7,117.007 compared with placebo plus chemotherapy, generating an ICER of $21,116.75 per QALY, which was between 1 time ($12,674.89/QALY) and 3 times GDP ($38,024.67/QALY) per capita. In one-way sensitivity analysis, the ICER is most affected by the cost of oxaliplatin, paclitaxel and tislelizumab. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, when the willingness-to-pay threshold was set as 1 or 3 times GDP per capita, the probability of tislelizumab plus chemotherapy being cost-effective was 1% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy was probably cost-effective compared with chemotherapy alone as the first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic OSCC in China.

Evaluation of omadacycline regimens for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia patients infected with Staphylococcus Aureus by pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis.

Omadacycline is an FDA-approved agent for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of omadacycline for treating CABP patients infected with Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis. Monte Carlo simulations (MCSs) were performed by utilizing omadacycline pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data, and in vivo PK/PD targets to calculate the probability of target attainment (PTA) and cumulative fraction of response (CFR) values for different dose regimens against MRSA and MSSA in CABP patients. A dosage regimen with a PTA or CFR expectation value greater than 90% was considered optimal. For all recommended dose regimens, PTA values for MRSA MIC ≤1 and MSSA MIC ≤4 on days 1, 4, and 7 were greater than 90%. Based on the MIC distribution of Staphylococcus aureus, all dose regimens had CFR values greater than 90% for both MRSA and MSSA. CFR values for different bacterial strains were still greater than 90% within the range of PK/PD target values less than 40, although they gradually decreased with increasing PK/PD target values. PK/PD modeling demonstrated that all recommended dose regimens of omadacycline are highly effective against CABP patients infected with MRSA and MSSA. The study provides theoretical support for the efficacy of omadacycline in different dose regimens.

Application of hip capsule peripheral nerve block in early analgesia in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Objective: The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block in early analgesia in elderly patients with hip fracture. Methods: A total of 44 elderly patients with hip fracture admitted to our hospital from August 2021 to December 2022 were selected and divided into 2 groups according to different analgesia programs. Results: At T1~T4, the resting and active visual analog scale (VAS) scores in group P were lower than group F (p < 0.05). The resting and active VAS scores at T5 in both groups were no visible differences (p > 0.05). After 30 min of block, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were decreased in both groups (p < 0.05), but no obvious difference was found in the two groups (p > 0.05). Before surgery, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and mini-mental state scale (MMSE) scores in both groups were reduced, and PSQI score in group P was lower than that in group F and MMSE score was higher than group F (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PENG technology is safe and effective in the early analgesia of elderly hip fractures. It can effectively block physiological stress response caused by acute trauma, improve pre-operative sleep quality, and reduce the incidence of cognitive dysfunction.

Objetivo: Investigar el efecto del bloqueo del grupo del nervio pericapsular en analgesia temprana en pacientes ancianos con fractura de cadera. Método: Se seleccionaron 44 pacientes ancianos con fractura de cadera ingresados en nuestro hospital entre agosto de 2021 y diciembre de 2022, divididos en dos grupos según diferentes programas de analgesia. Resultados: En T1~T4, los valores de la escala visual análoga (EVA) en reposo y con actividad en el grupo P fueron menores que en el grupo F (p < 0.05). Los puntajes de la EVA en reposo y en actividad en T5 en ambos grupos no mostraron diferencias visibles (p > 0.05). Después de 30 minutos de bloqueo, la presión arterial sistólica y diastólica, y la frecuencia cardiaca, disminuyeron en ambos grupos (p < 0.05), pero no se encontró una diferencia obvia entre ellos (p > 0.05). Antes de la cirugía, las puntuaciones del Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) y de la Mini-Mental State Scale (MMSE) en ambos grupos eran reducidas, y la puntuación del PSQI en el grupo P fue menor que en el grupo F, y la puntuación del MMSE fue mayor que en el grupo F (p < 0.05). Conclusiones: La técnica de bloqueo del grupo del nervio pericapsular es segura y efectiva en la analgesia temprana de fracturas de cadera en ancianos. Puede bloquear eficazmente la respuesta al estrés fisiológico causado por un trauma agudo, mejorar la calidad del sueño preoperatorio y reducir la incidencia de disfunción cognitiva.

Yinhuang granule alleviates carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice and its mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is a formidable global medical challenge, with no effective clinical treatment currently available. Yinhuang granule (YHG) is a proprietary Chinese medicine comprising Scutellariae Radix and Lonicerae Japonicae Flos. It is frequently used for upper respiratory tract infections, pharyngitis, as well as acute and chronic tonsillitis. AIM: To investigate the potential of YHG in alleviating carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS: To induce a hepatic fibrosis model in mice, this study involved intraperitoneal injections of 2 mL/kg of CCl4 twice a week for 4 wk. Meanwhile, liver fibrosis mice in the low dose of YHG (0.4 g/kg) and high dose of YHG (0.8 g/kg) groups were orally administered YHG once a day for 4 wk. Serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) activity and liver hydroxyproline content were detected. Sirius red and Masson's trichrome staining assay were conducted. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, western-blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted. Liver glutathione content, superoxide dismutase activity level, reactive oxygen species and protein carbonylation amount were detected. RESULTS: The administration of YHG ameliorated hepatocellular injury in CCl4-treated mice, as reflected by decreased serum ALT/AST activity and improved liver histological evaluation. YHG also attenuated liver fibrosis, evident through reduced liver hydroxyproline content, improvements in Sirius red and Masson's trichrome staining, and lowered serum hyaluronic acid levels. Furthermore, YHG hindered the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and ameliorated oxidative stress injury and inflammation in liver from CCl4-treated mice. YHG prompted the nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and upregulated the expression of Nrf2-dependent downstream antioxidant genes. In addition, YHG promoted mitochondrial biogenesis in liver from CCl4-treated mice, as demonstrated by increased liver adenosine triphosphate content, mitochondrial DNA levels, and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha and nuclear respiratory factor 1. CONCLUSION: YHG effectively attenuates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the activation of HSCs, reducing inflammation, alleviating liver oxidative stress damage through Nrf2 activation, and promoting liver mitochondrial biogenesis.

Exploring the effect of Wuzhi capsule on the pharmacokinetics of regorafenib and its main metabolites in rat plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Regorafenib is a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor with severe hepatotoxicity. It undergoes metabolism mainly by CYP3A4 to generate active metabolites regorafenib-N-oxide (M2) and N-desmethyl-regorafenib-N-oxide (M5). Wuzhi capsule (WZC) is an herbal preparation derived from Schisandra sphenanthera and is potentially used to prevent regorafenib-induced hepatotoxicity. This study aims to explore the effect of WZC on the pharmacokinetics of regorafenib in rats. An efficient and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to quantitatively determine regorafenib and its main metabolites in rat plasma. The proposed method was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of regorafenib in rats, with or without WZC. Coadministration of regorafenib with WZC resulted in a prolonged mean residence time (MRT) of the parent drug but had no statistically significant difference in other pharmacokinetic parameters. While for the main metabolites of regorafenib, WZC decreased the area under the curve and maximum concentration (Cmax ), delayed the time to reach Cmax , and prolonged the MRT of M2 and M5. These results indicate that WZC delayed and inhibited the metabolism of regorafenib to M2 and M5 by suppressing CYP3A4. Our study provides implications for the rational use of the WZC-regorafenib combination in clinical practice.

Numerical analyses for three-dimensional face stability of circular tunnels in purely cohesive soils with linearly increasing strength.

The tunnel face stability in purely cohesive soils with linearly increasing strength was investigated using three-dimensional finite element limit analysis (FELA). Both the collapse (active failure) and blow-out (passive failure) of the tunnel face were considered in the analysis. The rigorous upper bound (UB) and lower bound (LB) solutions of the load factor were calculated with a wide range of ground conditions to cover a broad scope of practical application. The results showed that the whole surface of the face is at failure in the collapse case; while in the blow-out case, there exists a gradual evolution process from partial failure to global failure within the tunnel face with increasing buried depth. Later, based on 960 finite element limit analysis results, a series of practical equations were proposed for tunnel face stability analysis in purely cohesive soils. These equations can be employed to quickly calculate the UB and LB solutions of the limit support pressure and the stability number of a tunnel face in both the collapse and blow-out cases. Finally, the calculation results from these equations were compared with those from previous studies in detail. The comparisons showed that the proposed equations make an improvement over existing methods and can be used as an efficient tool in practical engineering.

Retraction: Strontium-doped gelatin scaffolds promote M2 macrophage switch and angiogenesis through modulating the polarization of neutrophils.

Retraction of 'Strontium-doped gelatin scaffolds promote M2 macrophage switch and angiogenesis through modulating the polarization of neutrophils' by Tao Li et al., Biomater. Sci., 2021, 9, 2931-2946, https://doi.org/10.1039/D0BM02126A.

Sustaining Heteronormativity in Marriage: How Chinese Newspapers Frame Heterosexual Marriage Undertaken by Chinese Queer People.

Family members often cite broader societal discourses and norms when forcing Chinese queer people to engage in heterosexual marriage (referred to as HMQ; heterosexual marriage undertaken by Chinese queer people). It is unclear what these social norms entail and how the norms are maintained. This paper examines 89 Chinese newspaper articles to uncover the societal discourses driving families to pressure queer people into heterosexual marriage. We identified three framings: (1) Highlighting problems of formality marriage (the marriage between two queer people) and gay's wife marriage (the marriage between a queer man and a heterosexual woman); (2) portraying people involved in formality marriage and gay's wife marriage as suffering from heteronormative pressure to engage in marriage; and (3) presenting formality marriage in a collaboration frame and gay's wife marriage in a deception frame. These framings suggest heteronormativity in marriage is upheld in societal discourses about HMQ and sustained by two hierarchies created in Chinese newspaper articles: one degrading queer marriage practices, which made heterosexual marriage undertaken by queer people inferior to ideal heterosexual marriage; another stratifying queer marriage practices, which made the marriage between a queer man and a heterosexual woman less acceptable than the marriage between two queer people.

11B NMR of the Morphological Evolution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Borax.

This article applies nuclear magnetic resonance technology to the study of boron-containing traditional Chinese medicine, in order to explore the morphological evolution of boron elements in traditional Chinese medicine. Borax is a traditional Chinese medicine with anti-corrosion, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticonvulsant effects. It is made by boiling, removing stones, and drying borax minerals like borate salts. This article introduces an 11B nuclear magnetic resonance method for identifying and characterizing boron-containing compounds in TCM. We applied this technology to borax aqueous solutions in different chemical environments and found that with boron mixed in the form of SP2 hybridization in equilateral triangles and SP3 hybridization in equilateral tetrahedra, the pH changes in alkaline environments significantly affected the ratio of the two. At the same time, it was found that in addition to the raw material peak, boron signals of other boron-containing compounds were also detected in 20 commercially available boron-containing TCM preparations. These new boron-containing compounds may be true pharmaceutical active ingredients, and adding them directly to the formula can improve quality and safety. This article describes the detection of 11B NMR in boron-containing traditional Chinese medicine preparations. It is simple, non-destructive, and can provide chemical fingerprint studies for boron-containing traditional Chinese medicine.

Catalytic degradation of rhodamine B by titanium dioxide doped polydopamine photoresponsive composites.

Titanium dioxide-based materials treat wastewater contaminated by organic pollutants. However, the wide band gap and the ease of agglomeration limit its photocatalytic activity. PDA/PEI@TiO2@P-HSM composites were synthesized using PDA/PEI as an interfacial bonding modifier via polymerization reaction. Phase and chemical bonding analysis confirmed the modifiedTiO2 coated P-HSM, which can effectively reduce the band gap and control the agglomeration of titanium dioxide, i.e., suitable to degrade RhB. Under UV irradiation, PDA/PEI @TiO2@P-HSM can remove RhB up to 90 % in 100 min. The photocatalytic degradation process conforms to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood quasi-primary equation. The composite exhibited excellent stability and recycling i.e., a high removal effect, with a removal rate of up to 60 % after seven cycles of reaction.