Low-Loading and Highly Stable Membrane Electrode Based on an Ir@WOxNR Ordered Array for PEM Water Electrolysis.

Developing cheap and stable membrane electrode assembly for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) plays critical roles in renewable energy revolution. Iridium is the commonly efficient oxygen evolution reaction catalyst. But the reserve in earth is a shortage. Herein, an ordered array electrode in feature of the defective Ir film decorated on external WOx nanorods (WOxNRs) is designed. Electrodeposition is carried out to prepare an iridium coating (∼68 nm in thickness) to guarantee the ordered morphology. This novel electrode obtained brilliant I-V performances (2.2 A cm-2@2.0 V) and 1030 h stability (0.5 mA cm-2) with a reduced loading of 0.14 mgIr cm-2. The uniform dispersion Ir catalyst on the WOx substrate benefits to enhance Ir mass activity and improve the poor conductivity originating from WOx. Compared with that of sprayed electrode, the threshold current density of mass transport polarization region can be expande to at least 3.0 A cm-2 for ordered structure electrode attributed to the abundant water storage bulk. This novel Ir@WOxNRs electrode occupies a huge potential to defuse the cost and durability issues confronting with the PEMWE.

N-acetylcysteine treatment following spinal cord trauma reduces neural tissue damage and improves locomotor function in mice.

Following spinal cord trauma, mitochondrial dysfunction associated with increased oxidative stress is a critical event leading to leukocyte inflammatory responses, neuronal cell death and demyelination, contributing to permanent locomotor and neurological disability. The present study demonstrated that the mitochondrial enhancer N-acetylcysteine (NAC) may restore redox balance via enhancement of mitochondrial respiratory activity following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). In addition, NAC ameliorates oxidative stress-induced neuronal loss, demyelination, leukocyte infiltration and inflammatory mediator expression and improves long-term locomotor function. Furthermore, neuronal survival and neurological recovery are significantly correlated with increased mitochondrial bioenergetics in SCI following treatment with NAC. Therefore, NAC may represent a potential therapeutic agent for preserving mitochondrial dynamics and integrity following traumatic SCI.

Targeting endothelin receptors A and B attenuates the inflammatory response and improves locomotor function following spinal cord injury in mice.

After spinal cord injury (SCI), the disruption of blood-spinal cord barrier by activation of the endothelin (ET) system is a critical event leading to leukocyte infiltration, inflammatory response and oxidative stress, contributing to neurological disability. In the present study, we showed that blockade of ET receptor A (ETAR) and/or ET receptor B (ETBR) prevented early inflammatory responses directly via the inhibition of neutrophil and monocyte diapedesis and inflammatory mediator production following traumatic SCI in mice. Long-term neurological improvement, based on a series of tests of locomotor performance, occurred only in the spinal cord­injured mice following blockade of ETAR and ETBR. We also examined the post­traumatic changes of the micro-environment within the injured spinal cord of mice following blockade of ET receptors. Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in spinal cord­injured mice treated with vehicle, whereas blockade of ETAR and ETBR reversed the oxidation state imbalance. In addition, hemeoxygenase-1, a protective protease involved in early SCI, was increased in spinal cord­injured mice following the blockade of ETAR and ETBR, or only ETBR. Matrix metalloproteinase-9, a tissue-destructive protease involved in early damage, was decreased in the injured spinal cord of mice following blockade of ETAR, ETBR or a combination thereof. The findings of the present study therefore suggested an association between ETAR and ETBR in regulating early pathogenesis of SCI and determining the outcomes of long­term neurological recovery.

[Modified funnel method transpedicular bone graft in the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To explore efficacy of modified funnel method for transpedicular bone grafting in treating thoracolumbar vertebras fracture. METHODS: From May 2006 to November 2011, 35 patients (19 males and 16 females, ranged in age from 21 to 66 years with an average of 34.6 years) with thoracolumbar vertebras fracture were treated by posterior pedicle screw fixation, reduction and modified funnel method for transpedicular autogenous iliac bone grafting. Of the 35 cases, 9 cases were severe compression fracture and 26 cases were burst fracture. The anterior body height and Cobb's angle of injured vertebral were measured by X-ray; the effect of implantation bone and CT value were assessed by radiograph CT scan; Nerve function were evaluated according to Frankel's neurological function classification and back pain were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were followed up from 18 to 37 months with an average of 19.7 months. No nerve injuries aggravated, and 11 patients with partial nerve injuires preoperatively were improved at least 1 level recovery postoperatively; Breakage or loosen of screws were not found. Vertebral bone grafting filled well, bone fusion were got after 6 months' treatment and without cavity gap in grafting bone area. The anterior vertebral height was improved respectively from preoperative (50.17 +/- 8.26)% to postoperative (90.79 +/- 4.85)%, and (90.34 +/- 4.03)% at the final follow-up. The Cobb's angle improved from preoperative (28.7 +/- 6.24) degrees to postoperative (7.26 +/- 3.79) degrees, with (7.34 +/- 4.05) degrees at the final follow-up. CT value of injured vertebras at the final follow-up were significantly higher than adjacent vertebras'. The average VAS was 1.06. CONCLUSION: Posterior pedicle screw fixation, reduction and modified funnel method for transpedicular autogenous iliac bone grafting is a feasible and safe method for the treatment of thoracolumbar vertebras fracture. It can effectively prevent bone loss of injured vertebral height, progressive deformity of kyphosis, and keep spinal movement function at the maximum.