CoSe nanoparticles in-situ grown in 3D honeycomb carbon for high-performance lithium storage.

Although transition metal selenides are considered to be extremely promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), severe volume changes and low electronic conductivity are their huge and unavoidable challenges. To solve these problems, CoSe nanoparticles in-situ grown on the inner surface of every macropore of 3D honeycomb C is successfully synthesized by three simple steps: dense assembling of polystyrene spheres, calcination and gaseous selenylation. The sizes of CoSe and honeycomb pores are 10-15 nm and 190 nm, respectively. The content of CoSe is 72 wt%. This unique architecture guarantees high electrochemical activity, rapid reaction kinetics and excellent structural stability of CoSe, as identified by cycling and rate performance measurements, various electrochemical kinetics analyses and ex-situ characterization of the cycled electrode material. As a result, the CoSe@honeycomb C anode exhibits extraordinary cycling performance (823.5 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g-1, 610.1 mAh g-1 after 250 cycles at 2 A g-1, 247 mAh g-1 after 1500 cycles at 5 A g-1) and exceptional rate capability (261.9 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1, 1491.4 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1), demonstrating that it is a potential anode material for high-performance LIBs.

Study of pharyngeal airway morphology with CBCT: Benefits of four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments.

Background and Aim: Four premolars extractions are routine procedures for correction of malocclusion, but will inevitably lead to a reduction of tongue space, whether this will weaken the pharyngeal airway remains a controversy. Patients and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs of 80 patients who completed four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments were collected and divided into three anteroposterior skeletal groups according to the ANB (angle subspinale to nasion to supramentale) value. Linear, angular, cross-sectional area, and volumetric dimensions of the pharyngeal airway were measured using Dolphin Imaging 11.9 software. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient test were performed to assess the intergroup comparisons. Treatment changes were evaluated with two-sample t-tests. Results: In intergroup comparisons, vertical linear and cross-sectional area differences were identified in S-Go/N-Me, VD1, VD1/N-Me, VD2/N-Me, AA, OAA and OMINI (p<0.05), while other measurements showed no significant differences. Angle2, the tilting degree of the pharyngeal airway, showed a positive correlation with ANB (p<0.05). As for the treatment changes, a significant increase was found in the pharyngeal airway in the Class I group (OUA p<0.05, VD1 p<0.001, VD2 p<0.05) and Class II group (VD1 p<0.001. VD2, p<0.05), and inversely, a significant decrease was found in the pharyngeal airway in the Class III group (OAA p<0.05, OMINI p<0.05, OUA p<0.05). No volumetric difference was identified. Interestingly, regarding the preoperative pharyngeal airway size, values trended to the mean value significantly. Conclusion: Four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments did not affect the pharyngeal airway volume except for the vertical liner and cross-sectional area dimensions. The trend of the gold standard suggested a positive influence of four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments.

[Comparison of single infusion of anti-BCMA versus combined infusion of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells for immune reconstruction in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma].

Objective: We observed and compared the differences in immune reconstruction between single-infusion anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) , chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) , and combined infusion of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells in the treatment of recurrent/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) . Methods: Sixty-one patients with RRMM who underwent CAR-T cell therapy in our hospital from June 2017 to December 2020 were selected. Among them, 26 patients received anti-BCMA target, and 35 patients received anti-BCMA combined with anti-CD19 target. Using flow cytometry, we determined T cell subsets (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+)) , B cells (CD19(+)) , and NK cells (CD16(+) CD56(+)) at different time points before and after CAR-T treatment, and detected immunoglobulin IgG, IgA and IgM levels by immunoturbidimetry. We compared the reconstruction rules of lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulins in the two groups. Results: CD8(+) T lymphocytes recovered most rapidly after the infusion of CAR-T cells, returning to pre-infusion levels at 3 months and 1 month after infusion, respectively[BCMA: 695 (357, 1264) /µl vs 424 (280, 646) /µl; BCMA+CD19: 546 (279, 1672) /µl vs 314 (214, 466) /µl]. NK cells returned to normal levels at 3 months after infusion in both groups[BCMA: 171 (120, 244) /µl, BCMA+CD19: 153 (101, 218) /µl (Normal reference range 150-1100/µl) ]; however, the NK cells were not maintained at stable levels in the BCMA CAR-T cells group. The recovery of CD4(+) T lymphocytes in both groups was slow and remained persistently low within 12 months after infusion, and no recovery was observed in most patients. The reversal of the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) lasted for more than a year. The levels of CD19(+) B cells in both groups returned to baseline 3 months after infusion[BCMA: 62 (10, 72) /µl vs 57 (24, 78) /µl; BCMA+CD19: 40 (4, 94) /µl vs 29 (14, 46) /µl]. IgG returned to the pre-infusion level 12 months after infusion in the group with anti-BCMA cells alone, but not in the group with combined infusion of CD19 CAR T cells[7.82 (6.03, 9.64) g/L vs 6.92 (4.62, 12.76) g/L]. IgA returned to pre-infusion levels at 9 and 12 months after infusion, respectively[BCMA: 0.46 (0.07, 0.51) g/L vs 0.22 (0.12, 4.01) g/L; BCMA+CD19: 0.46 (0.22, 0.98) g/L vs 0.27 (0.10, 0.53) g/L]. IgM in both groups returned to pre-infusion levels 6 months after infusion[BCMA: 0.43 (0.06, 0.60) g/L vs 0.20 (0.13, 0.37) g/L; BCMA+CD19: 0.53 (0.10, 0.80) g/L vs 0.16 (0.11, 0.28) g/L]. There was no significant difference in the indexes of lymphocyte subpopulation reconstruction and immunoglobulin recovery between the two groups at each time point. Conclusion: This study showed that in patients with RRMM treated with CAR-T cells, the appropriate target antigen can be selected without considering the difference of immune reconstruction between anti-BCMA CAR-T and combined anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy.

The Association between Tea Consumption and the Risk of Fracture: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies.

OBJECTIVES: Inconsistent results exist on the role of tea consumption on subsequent risk of fracture. A dose-response meta-analysis was therefore conducted to assess the association of tea consumption with the risk of fracture based on prospective cohort studies. METHODS: The electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched to identify prospective cohort studies from inception until September 2020. The categories of high versus low and dose-response meta-analyses for tea consumption on the risk of fracture were calculated using the random-effects model. Eight prospective cohort studies recruited 774,134 individuals selected for the final meta-analysis. RESULTS: An increment of 1 cup in tea consumption was not associated with the risk of fracture [relative risk (RR), 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.96-1.00; P = 0.102]. Moreover, the highest tea consumption category was associated with a reduced risk of fracture (RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.98; P = 0.005). Furthermore, heavy (RR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.98; P = 0.008) and mild (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-1.00; P = 0.046) tea consumption were associated with lower risk of fracture. However, moderate tea consumption was not associated with the risk of fracture (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.94-1.02; P = 0.281). CONCLUSION: This study found that increased tea consumption may provide a protective role in the risk of fracture. The benefits of tea consumption should be further explored according to the characteristics of the individuals.

Constructing metal-organic framework-derived Mn2O3multishelled hollow nanospheres for high-performance cathode of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Herein, we successfully synthesize Mn2O3multishelled hollow nanospheres through simply oxidizing Mn-based metal-organic framework microspheres. The number of the shells reaches 4. Many cavities and nanograins are hidden underneath the shell. The multishelled hollow structure brings about a wide hierarchical mesopore size range, large pore volume (0.26 cm3g-1) and high specific surface area (117.6 m2g-1). The superior zinc-ion storage performance may be achieved. The reversible capacity reaches 453 mAh g-1at current density of 0.1 A g-1. After 500 cycles at 1 A g-1, the discharge capacity of 152.8 mAh g-1is still delivered. The discharge capacity at 1.5 A g-1stabilizes at 107 mAh g-1. The zinc storage process is further studied through kinetics analyses. It is found that in the zinc storage process, ion diffusion process and capacitive process occur simultaneously, and the capacitive process is dominant. The excellent electrochemical performance is mainly attributed to the multishelled hollow nanosphere structure of Mn2O3. This structure promotes contact of electrode materials/electrolyte, offers more active sites, facilitates infiltration of electrolyte, buffer volume change of Mn2O3, improving electrochemical activity, reaction kinetics and cycling performance of Mn2O3. Overall, Mn2O3multishelled hollow nanosphere is an excellent cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Intimately coupled Mn3O4nanocrystalline@3D honeycomb hierarchical porous network scaffold carbon for high-performance cathode of aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Herein, 3D honeycomb hierarchical porous network scaffold carbon is synthesized by a unique PVP-SiO2-boiling method with the boiling bubbles as soft template and SiO2nanospheres as hard template. Then MnO2nanosheets intimately grow on the carbon matrix and are further decomposed to Mn3O4nanocrystalline with size of 7-9 nm. The obtained Mn3O4nanocrystalline@3D honeycomb hierarchical porous network scaffold carbon has abundant mesopores and large specific surface area (92 m2g-1). When used as a cathode material for zinc-ion batteries, the synthesized composites exhibit high reversible capacity (546.2 mAh g-1at 0.5 A g-1), remarkable cycling stability (discharge capacity of 97.8 mAh g-1at 3 A g-1after 600 cycles) and superior rate capability (15.7 mAh g-1at 10 A g-1). The kinetics analyses indicate zinc storage mechanism includes diffusion process and capacitive process of Zn2+and H+ions, and the capacitive storage is dominant. The outstanding zinc storage performance benefits from the structural advantages. The unique carbon matrix improves electronic conductivity of Mn3O4, facilitates penetration of electrolyte, and well supports Mn3O4nanocrystalline. The small size and large specific surface area of Mn3O4nanocrystalline induce significant capacitive storage effect.

Effects of water deficiency on preference and performance of an insect herbivore Ostrinia furnacalis.

With further climate change still expected, it is predicted to increase the frequency with plants will be water stressed, which subsequently influences phytophagous insects, particularly Lepidoptera with limited mobility of larvae. Previous studies have indicated that oviposition preference and offspring performance of Lepidoptera insects are sensitive to drought separately. However, the integration of their two properties is not always seen. Here, we evaluated changes in oviposition selection and offspring fitness of a Lepidoptera insect under three water-stressed treatments using a model agroecosystem consisting of maize Zea mays, and Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis. Results found that female O. furnacalis preferred to laying their eggs on well-watered maize, and then their offspring tended to survive better, attained bigger larvae mass, and developed more pupae and adults on the preferred maize. Oviposition selection of O. furnacalis positively correlated with height and leaf traits of maize, and offspring fitness positively related with water content and phytochemical traits of hosts. Overall, these results suggest that oviposition choice performed by O. furnacalis reflects the maximization of offspring fitness, supporting preference-performance hypothesis. This finding further highlights that the importance of simultaneous evaluation of performance and performance for water driving forces should be involved, in order to accurately predict population size of O. furnacalis under altered precipitation pattern.

[National surveillance of Oncomelania hupensis in China, 2015-2019].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the monitoring data of Oncomelania hupensis in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2015 to 2019, so as to understand the changes of Oncomelania snail status in the schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China and to provide the scientific evidence for Oncomelania snail control. METHODS: According to the requirements of National Scheme for Schistosomiasis Surveillance in China (2014 Edition), national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in all schistosomiasis-endemic counties (cities, districts) and the potential endemic counties (cities, districts) in the Three Gorges Reservoir areas, and Oncomelania snail status was monitored according to different epidemic types. In endemic areas, Oncomelania snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling and environmental sampling, and the occurrence of frames with Oncomelania snails and the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in Oncomelania snails were calculated, while in potential endemic areas, the risk of imported Oncomelania snails and Oncomelania snails in floating debris were monitored. RESULTS: Oncomelania snail survey was performed covering an area of 116 834.16 hm2 in the national schistosomiasis surveillance of China from 2015 to 2019, with 35 007.62 hm2 Oncomelania snail habitats identified. A total of 6 908 292 frames were surveyed during the 5-year period, and there were 364 555 frames detected with Oncomelania snails, with a 5.28% mean occurrence of frames with Oncomelania snails. Among 997 508 living Oncomelania snails captured, no S. japonicum infections were detected, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay detected 18 positive mixed Oncomelania snail samples. During the period from 2015 to 2019, 147.20 hm2 emerging Oncomelania snail habitats were identified, with an overall tendency towards a rise seen in the proportion of emerging Oncomelania snail habitats in plain regions with waterway networks (0.12% to 92.00%), a tendency towards a rise followed by decline seen in marshland and lake regions (0 to 96.72%), and a large fluctuation in hilly regions (0 to 88.49%). A total of 831.10 hm2 re-emerging Oncomelania snail habitats were found in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China from 2015 to 2019, with an overall tendency towards a rise seen in the proportion of re-emerging Oncomelania snail habitats in marshland and lake regions (16.05% to 79.66%), an overall tendency towards a decline seen in hilly regions (19.25% to 81.00%), and a minor fluctuation in plain regions with waterway networks (1.10% to 10.14%). During the 5-year period from 2015 to 2019, a total of 48 656 kg floating debris were captured in 4 surveillance sites in the Three Gorges Reservoir areas, and 2 204 snails were found, with no Oncomelania snails identified. CONCLUSIONS: The areas of Oncomelania snail habitats tended to be stable in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China during the period from 2015 to 2019, however, there was a gradual rise in the area of Oncomelania snail habitats year by year, and LAMP assay identified positive Oncomelania snail samples, suggesting Oncomelania snail control is far from optimistic in China.

Watermelon-like TiO2 nanoparticle (P25)@microporous amorphous carbon sphere with excellent rate capability and cycling performance for lithium-ion batteries.

To overcome the inferior rate capability and cycling performance of TiO2 nanomaterials as an anode material of lithium-ion batteries, we encapsulate TiO2 nanoparticles (P25) in carbon spheres through a facile pyrrole polymerization and carbonization. Material characterization demonstrates TiO2 nanoparticles are uniformly embedded in microporous amorphous carbon spheres, forming a watermelon-like structure. P25@C exhibits excellent high rate capability with average discharge capacity of 496, 416, 297, 240, 180, 99, 49 and 25 mAh g-1 at current rate of 0.5C, 1C, 5C, 10C, 20C, 50C, 100C and 200C, which shows superior long-term cycling performance with discharge capacity of 106.9 mAh g-1 at 20C after 5000 cycles. The capacity loss rate is only 0.008% per cycle. The outstanding lithium storage performance is ascribed to the watermelon-like composite structure, which remarkably improves electronic conductivity and structure stability of TiO2 nanoparticles. More importantly, the agglomeration of TiO2 nanoparticles is eliminated, and the entire surface of every TiO2 nanoparticle participates in the electrochemical reaction, which brings about an intense capacitive Li storage effect and leads to the high specific capacity and excellent rate capability of P25@C. This is confirmed through qualitative and quantitative analysis of the contributions from surface capacitive storage and bulk intercalation storage to the total capacity of the composite.

Construction of Co3O4 three-dimensional mesoporous framework structures from zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 with enhanced lithium storage properties.

High-porosity mesoporous framework structures are attractive for electrochemical energy storage and other applications. Herein we demonstrate a novel synthesis strategy to make zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 oxidize to a Co3O4 three-dimensional mesoporous framework structure. This strategy relies on the oxygen-limitation effect of the closed nanocage and the affinity effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone towards zeolitic imidazolate framework-67. Several TiO2 nanospheres, as the unique structure junctions, are uniformly embedded within the Co3O4 framework to enhance the framework strength. The TiO2/hydrous titania polyhedron nanocage, as the protecting shell, further encapsulates the Co3O4 framework, forming a perfect capsule-type hybrid. As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, TiO2@Co3O4 framework capsules show superior lithium storage performance with high reversible capacity, stable cycling life and good rate capability. A reversible capacity of 1042 mAh g-1 can be delivered after 200 cycles at a current density of 300 mA g-1. The average discharge capacity over 200 cycles reaches 926 mAh g-1. This demonstrates the superiority of this material structure and its great potential as an anode for high-performance lithium-ion batteries. This work indicates a new strategy to take advantage of metal-organic frameworks to synthesize their mesoporous framework derivatives.

[Meniere' s disease and allergy].

Meniere' s disease is a clinical syndrome that consists of episodes of spontaneous vertigo usually associated with unilateral fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. The pathogenesis remains unknown, and the underlying pathophysiologic state in Meniere' s disease is endolymphatic hydrops. Allergy is thought to be one of the etiologic factors. The present study examined whether subjects with Meniere' s disease have pathological immune reaction related to type Ⅰ allergy.

Co3O4 hollow nanospheres/carbon-assembled mesoporous polyhedron with internal bubbles encapsulating TiO2 nanosphere for high-performance lithium ion batteries.

Co3O4 hollow nanospheres 15 nm in the diameter were assembled to the mesoporous polyhedron together with carbon. Within the Co3O4 polyhedrons, the bubbles 300-500 nm in diameter were uniformly generated. Every bubble further encapsulated one TiO2 nanosphere, forming a unique sphere-bubble structure. The specific surface area and the pore volume were calculated to be 97.85 and 0.31 cm3 g-1. When evaluated as anode material for lithium ion batteries, the as-prepared material exhibited superior lithium storage properties with high specific capacity, excellent cycling stability and good rate capability. After 400 cycles, the discharge capacity of 609 mAh g-1 was still delivered at current density of 335 mA g-1. Even at a high current density of 2000 mA g-1, the reversible capacity reached 296 mAh g-1. The outstanding electrochemical performance was attributed to the unique hybrid structure, which avoids nanomaterial aggregation, promotes ion diffusion and electron transfer, accommodates volume change of Co3O4 during (de)lithiation process, enhances structure strength, cycling stability and space utilization ratio of the hollow material.

[Experimental studies on the repair and restitution of cartilage by cartilage acellular extracellular matrix and adipose tissue-derived stem cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of the repair and restitution of ear-shaped cartilage by adipose tissue-derived stem cells(ADSC) and cartilage acellular extracellular matrix. Methods: ADSC were extracted by digesting with collagenase type II from the adipose tissue from 32 patients with adiposity whose fats were drawn, and were cultured and subcultured in vitro. The natural biological scaffolds were prepared by acellular method using porcine ear cartilage, and then the second generation ADSC(5.0×10(7)/ml) were inoculated on the preformed natural bio-scaffold scaffold by culturing in vitro for 3 days to form a cell scaffold complex. 32 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the experimental groups, the control group A, the control group B and the control group C. All New Zealand white rabbits were modeled by ear cartilage defects. The cell scaffolds composite was implanted into the experimental group of the ear cartilage defects of rabbits, the ADSC were implanted into the control group A, the cartilage acellular extracellular matrix scaffold was implanted into the control group B and the control group C was modeled only by ear cartilage defects. After 16 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the repair effect was observed by gross appearance and histological examinations including HE, Toluidine blue staining, Safranin O and typeⅡ collagen staining. Its were quantitatively analyzed by positive staining results of type Ⅱ collagen. Ear cartilage tissue elasticity was detected. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: The cartilage defects in the experimental group were repaired well by general shape observation and those in the control group was filled in with granulation tissue. There were significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in the wet weight(P<0.05). HE staining showed that cartilage cavities formed in articular cartilage defects, and only the fibrous tissue was filled with the ear cartilage defect in the control groups. In the repair area, Toluidine blue staining, Safranin O and type Ⅱ collagen staining were positive in the experimental group, and negative in the control groups. There was no significant difference between the experimental group and the normal ear cartilage in the ear cartilage elastic constant detection(P>0.05). Conclusions: The mechanics and histology of rabbit ear neonatal cartilage constructed by ADSC combined with cartilage acellular matrix are close to normal ear cartilage. Cartilage acellular matrix material combined with adipose-derived stem cells has good repair and reconstruction ability for ear cartilage defects, which possesses potential clinical application value.

[Recent immunology research of Meniere's disease].

Inner ear disease is characterized by tinnitus, deafness and vertigo. The pathogenesis remains unknown. In the past, it is considered to be related to vascular disease such as thrombus and hemadostenosis.However, more and more researches indicate that it may be associated with multiple factors mediated by allergy. This paper reviews some possible pathogenesis of Meniere disease, including type Ⅰ allergy, autoimmunity, circulating immune complex and immune genetic.

20-Hydroxyecdysone-upregulated proteases involved in Bombyx larval fat body destruction.

During insect larval-pupal metamorphosis, the obsolete larval organs and tissues undergo histolysis and programmed cell death to recycle cellular materials. It has been demonstrated that some cathepsins are essential for histolysis in larval tissues, but the process of tissue destruction is not well documented. Fat body, the homologous organ to mammalian liver and adipose tissue, goes through a distinct destruction process during larval-pupal transition. Herein, we found that most of the Bombyx proteases - including Bombyx cathepsin B (BmCatB) (BmCatLL-2), Bombyx cathepsin D (BmCatD), Bombyx cathepsin L like-1 (BmCatLL-1) and -2(BmCatLL-2), Bombyx fibroinase (BmBcp), Bombyx matrix metalloprotease (BmMmp), Bombyx A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 (BmAdamTS-1), Bombyx A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs like (BmAdamTS L) and Bombyx cysteine protease inhibitor (Bmbcpi)- were expressed highly in fat body during feeding and metamorphosis, with a peak occurring during the nonfeeding moulting or prepupal stage, as well as being responsive to 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The aforementioned protease genes expression was upregulated by injection of 20E into the feeding larvae, while blocking 20E signalling transduction led to downregulation. Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining of BmCatB and BmBcp confirmed the coincident variation of their messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein level during the development and after the treatments. Moreover, BmCatB, BmBcp, BmMmp and BmAdamTS-1 RNA interference all led to blockage of larval fat body destruction. Taken together, we conclude that 20E regulates larval fat body destruction by upregulating related protease gene expression and protein levels during larval-pupal transition.

[Clinical study on locking plate for the treatment of non-osteoporotic complex proximal humeral fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To describe long-term results of locking plate used for the treatment of non-osteoporotic fresh three- and four-part proximal humeral fractures with at least 2 years follow-up. METHODS: The functional outcomes and the complications of non-osteoporotic three- and four-part fresh proximal humeral fractures treated with locking plate were assessed retrospectively. The active range of motion, the Constant score, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, the visual analogue score (VAS) were employed to evaluate the postoperative shoulder function, and the radiographic images were taken to evaluate the neck-shaft angle of the proximal humeral and postoperative implant-related complications. RESULTS: From January 2007 to October 2014, 107 consecutive fresh three- and four-part non-osteoporotic fresh proximal humeral fractures were treated with a locking plate in our department. Among them, 67 patients completed at least 2 years follow-up. The average follow-up time was (43.9±23.3) months (range: 24-108 months). The mean Constant score was 87.1±11.7 (range: 51-100), the mean UCLA score was 30.5±3.9 (range: 18-35), the mean VAS score was 1±2 (range: 0-7). The mean active forward flexion was 159.0°±19.3° (range: 80°-180°), the mean external rotation was 36.8°±19.5°(0°-80°) and the mean internal rotation was T11 level (T2-LS level). There were 11 patients who suffered from complications. Screw perforations were observed in 5 (7.5%) patients, avascular necrosis of the humeral head was observed in 9 (13.4%) patients and traumatic osteoarthritis was observed in 5 (7.5%) patients. Six patients showed two or more complications. There was no significant difference in outcomes when comparing the patients with three- part fractures (31 patients) with those with four-part fractures (36 patients). The rates of complications and avascular necrosis were significantly higher in the four-part fracture group than in the three-part fracture group. CONCLUSION: The locking plate is an effective method in treating three- and four-part non-osteoporotic fresh proximal humeral fractures. Strict surgical indication and precise surgical skill are the key points for successful treating non-osteoporotic fresh proximal humeral fractures. There is a higher rate of complications and avascular necrosis of the humeral head in the four-part fractures than in the three-part fractures.

Effects of hemarthrosis on cartilage and synovium in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To provide experimental basis for clinic treatment by observing the effects of simple acute hematoma on cartilage and synovium, and improvement of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the damage. METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided 3 groups according to killed time: hematoma group, HA group and control group. These rabbits were killed at 4 days, 2, 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: Knee articular cartilage and synovium were obtained to detect histology, histochemistry and chondroitin proteoglycans (PG). Morphologies of cartilage and synovium in the control group were normal, while cartilage cells were detected hyperplasia of activation and each layer was disorganized in hematoma groups with 4 days and 2 weeks. Compared to the control group, concentrations of PG in 4 days and 2 weeks groups were significantly reduced (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was detected between 4 weeks group and the control group. Morphology was recovered normal in 8 weeks. Compared to hematoma group, morphology and histochemistry were improved in HA group at each time frame. CONCLUSIONS: Simple acute hematoma can lead to temporary change of morphology and biochemistry. Application of HA can reduce damage of hemarthrosis on cartilaginous and shorten the cartilage recovery time.

A Big-Data-based platform of workers' behavior: Observations from the field.

Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) has been used in construction to observe, analyze and modify workers' behavior. However, studies have identified that BBS has several limitations, which have hindered its effective implementation. To mitigate the negative impact of BBS, this paper uses a case study approach to develop a Big-Data-based platform to classify, collect and store data about workers' unsafe behavior that is derived from a metro construction project. In developing the platform, three processes were undertaken: (1) a behavioral risk knowledge base was established; (2) images reflecting workers' unsafe behavior were collected from intelligent video surveillance and mobile application; and (3) images with semantic information were stored via a Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS). The platform was implemented during the construction of the metro-system and it is demonstrated that it can effectively analyze semantic information contained in images, automatically extract workers' unsafe behavior and quickly retrieve on HDFS as well. The research presented in this paper can enable construction organizations with the ability to visualize unsafe acts in real-time and further identify patterns of behavior that can jeopardize safety outcomes.

On the changes of NT-proBNP level in children having undergone radical operation of tetralogy of Fallot and the clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE: To explore changes of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level in children having undergone radical operation of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and its clinical significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 52 cases of children with TOF hospitalized in our hospital from October 2011 to April 2013 were chosen, and they were all treated with radical operation of TOF. Levels of plasma NT-proBNP in these children were measured before the operation, and 3h, 12h, 48h, 1 week, 1 months, and 3 months after the operation. The cardiac color supersonic diagnostic set was used to examine pulmonary artery transvalvular pressure gradient, right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and right ventricular Tei index. RESULTS: (1) 3h after the operation, the level of NT-proBNP gradually rose and reached its peak 48h after the operation, which was markedly higher than the level before the operation (p < 0.01), yet the levels measured 1 month and 3 months after the operation were lower than the level before the operation (p < 0.05). (2) 1 week after the operation, NT-proBNP level, pulmonary artery transvalvular pressure gradient, and RVEDV of the group with right ventricular dysfunction were markedly higher than those of the group with normal right ventricular function (p < 0.05). (3) 3 months after the operation, levels of plasma NT-proBNP of children in the severe reflux group and moderate reflux group were markedly higher than those in the slight reflux group (p < 0.05); levels of plasma NT-proBNP of children in the severe reflux group were markedly higher than those of the slight reflux group (p < 0.05) 1 week or 3 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Changes of the NT-proBNP level during early stage after radical operation of children's TOF were in line with changes of the right ventricular function and could be regarded as an objective indicator for evaluating the right ventricular function.