Regulating Zn2+ Migration-Diffusion Behavior by Spontaneous Cascade Optimization Strategy for Long-Life and Low N/P Ratio Zinc Ion Batteries.

Parasitic side reactions and dendrite growth on zinc anodes are formidable issues causing limited lifetime of aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). Herein, a spontaneous cascade optimization strategy is first proposed to regulate Zn2+ migration-diffusion behavior. Specifically, PAPE@Zn layer with separation-reconstruction properties is constructed in-situ on Zn anode. In this layer, well-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) can spontaneously separation to bulk electrolyte and weaken the preferential coordination between H2O and Zn2+ to achieve primary optimization. Meanwhile, poor-soluble polymerized-4-acryloylmorpholine (PACMO) is reconstructed on Zn anode as hydrophobic flower-like arrays with abundant zincophilic sites, further guiding the de-solvation and homogeneous diffusion of Zn2+ to achieve the secondary optimization. Cascade optimization effectively regulates Zn2+ migration-diffusion behavior, dendrite growth and side reactions of Zn anode are negligible, and the stability is significantly improved. Consequently, symmetrical cells exhibit stability over 4000 h (1 mA cm-2). PAPE@Zn//NH4+-V2O5 full cells with a high current density of 15 A g-1 maintains 72.2% capacity retention for 12000 cycles. Even better, the full cell demonstrates excellent performance of cumulative capacity of 2.33 Ah cm-2 at ultra-low negative/positive (N/P) ratio of 0.6 and a high mass-loading (~17 mg cm-2). The spontaneous cascade optimization strategy provides novel path to achieve high-performance and practical ZIBs.

Hidden-information extraction from layered structures through terahertz imaging down to ultralow SNR.

Noninvasive inspection of layered structures has remained a long-standing challenge for time-resolved imaging techniques, where both resolution and contrast are compromised by prominent signal attenuation, interlayer reflections, and dispersion. Our method based on terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy overcomes these limitations by offering fine resolution and a broadband spectrum to efficiently extract hidden structural and content information from layered structures. We exploit local symmetrical characteristics of reflected THz pulses to determine the location of each layer, and apply a statistical process in the spatiotemporal domain to enhance the image contrast. Its superior performance is evidenced by the extraction of alphabetic characters in 26-layer subwavelength papers as well as layer reconstruction and debonding inspection in the conservation of Terra-Cotta Warriors. Our method enables accurate structure reconstruction and high-contrast imaging of layered structures at ultralow signal-to-noise ratio, which holds great potential for internal inspection of cultural artifacts, electronic components, coatings, and composites with dozens of submillimeter layers.

Well-shaped poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based copolymer nanowires from spherical micelles via kinetic shape evolution.

The formation of self-assembled arrays or superstructures from copolymers has attracted intense research interest. Herein, we propose a kinetic approach to form self-assembled nanowires using a PDMS-based block copolymer consisting of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-poly[2-(cinnamoyloxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PDMS-b-PCEMA). The copolymer was synthesized by using the macroinitiator PDMS-Br to initiate 2-(trimethylsiloxy)ethyl methacrylate (HEMA-TMS) via ATRP, followed by hydrolysis of the TMS group and gradual esterification with cinnamoyl chloride. PDMS-b-PCEMA presented core-shell spherical micelles in tetrahydrofuran, which transformed into nanowires within 5 days self-assembly via a typical kinetic shape evolution. The diameter of the assembled nanowires with a PCEMA inner core and PDMS shell was about 25-35 nm. The formation of these nanowires reflected a balance between the PDMS and PCEMA components: the PDMS segment was soluble enough to form a corona block, which was beneficial for the transformation of the micellar shape. Meanwhile, the PCEMA segment was able to control the diameter of the nanowire micelles but had no decisive effect on their formation. The effect of solvents on the self-assembled micelles indicated that nanowires were formed in tetrahydrofuran and dichloromethane, while core-shell micelles were formed in acetone. This was due to the different permittivities of these solvents. The nanowires were fixed by cross-linking the PCEMA group under UV irradiation, which enhanced their stability. We believe that this work provides a new strategy for the formation of nanowires and offers a guide for the diversified self-assembly of nanostructures from copolymers.

The impact of health related quality of life for children and adolescents aged 8-15 years in Nanjing / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection and health related behaviors on the health related quality of life of children and adolescents aged 8-15 years in Nanjing, so as to provide a theoretical basis for improving HRQoL in children and adolescents.@*Methods@#From December 2022 to January 2023, a total of 2 398 students aged 8-15 years from the third grade of primary school to junior middle school in Nanjing were selected by multistage random cluster sampling. The 3 level EuroQol 5 dimension Questionnaire Youth Vension (EQ-5D-Y-3L) was completed by the respondents on their own, and the parents assisted in completing the rest of the questionnaire.@*Results@#The EuroQol-index(EQ-index) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of being infected individuals were lower than those of uninfected and previously infected ( P <0.05). The proportion of being infected individuals reporting difficulty on "Pain/Discomfort" was higher than that of uninfected and previously infected individuals, and the proportion of reporting difficulty on "Mobility" was also higher than that of uninfected individuals ( P <0.05). Lack of parental companionship( OR=10.19, 95%CI =3.12-33.22), irregular breakfast consumption ( OR=10.63, 95%CI =3.20-35.25), and excessive screen time ( OR=8.24, 95%CI =3.02-22.51) increased the risk of difficulty on "Mobility" in being infected individuals ( P <0.05). Irregular breakfast consumption ( OR=1.93, 95%CI =1.31-2.84) and consumption of sweetened beverages and snacks (OR=1.56, 95%CI =1.17-2.10) increased the risk of having lower EQ index in previously infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals. Furthermore, consumption of sweetened beverages and snacks ( OR=1.57, 95%CI =1.21-2.05) and excessive screen time ( OR=1.49, 95%CI =1.12-1.98) also increased the risk of VAS scores being lower in previously infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals ( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The COVID-19 infection impairs HRQoL, and unhealthy behaviors deteriorate its negative impact. Healthy behaviors and lifestyles should be advocated to reduce the impact of COVID-19 infection on HRQoL.

A Clinical Study on the Use of Yiqi Yangxue Decoction Combined with Chemotherapy to Promote Rapid Postoperative Recovery in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: To observe the promotion effect of Yiqi Yangxue decoction combined with chemotherapy on the rapid recovery of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after surgery. Methods: Eighty postoperative NSCLC patients admitted to our hospital from April 2019 to September 2021 were divided into a chemotherapy group (n = 40) and a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group (n = 40) according to a random sampling method. Both groups were treated with surgery and postoperative routine chemotherapy. The TCM group was treated with Yiqi Yangxue decoction, one dose per day, starting from the first day of chemotherapy. Four weeks was a course of treatment, and three courses of treatment were taken continuously. The levels of serum tumour markers (carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125)), immune function indicators (CD3+, CD4+/CD8+, and NK cells), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was assessed with reference to the WHO efficacy criteria for solid tumours, and the toxic side effects of the two groups were assessed with reference to the WHO classification criteria for the toxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. Results: After treatment, the levels of CEA, CYFRA21-1, and CA-125 were lower than those before treatment in both groups, and they were lower in the TCM group than in the chemotherapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of CD3+, CD4+/CD8+, and NK cells in both groups were higher than before treatment, and they were higher in the TCM group than in the chemotherapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the PSQI and ISI scores of both the groups were lower than those before treatment, and they were higher in the TCM group than in the chemotherapy group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the overall tumour control rate was higher in the TCM group than in the chemotherapy group (P < 0.05). During the treatment period, the TCM group showed lower levels of gastrointestinal reactions, leucopenia, anaemia, and neurotoxicity than the chemotherapy group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of Yiqi Yangxue decoction combined with chemotherapy for postoperative NSCLC patients can effectively reduce serum tumour marker levels, enhance the body's immune function and sleep quality, and the patient's efficacy and toxicity reduction are obvious, which is conducive to the rapid recovery of many indicators after surgery.

Accurate Channel Estimation and Adaptive Underwater Acoustic Communications Based on Gaussian Likelihood and Constellation Aggregation.

Achieving accurate channel estimation and adaptive communications with moving transceivers is challenging due to rapid changes in the underwater acoustic channels. We achieve an accurate channel estimation of fast time-varying underwater acoustic channels by using the superimposed training scheme with a powerful channel estimation algorithm and turbo equalization, where the training sequence and the symbol sequence are linearly superimposed. To realize this, we develop a 'global' channel estimation algorithm based on Gaussian likelihood, where the channel correlation between (among) the segments is fully exploited by using the product of the Gaussian probability-density functions of the segments, thereby realizing an ideal channel estimation of each segment. Moreover, the Gaussian-likelihood-based channel estimation is embedded in turbo equalization, where the information exchange between the equalizer and the decoder is carried out in an iterative manner to achieve an accurate channel estimation of each segment. In addition, an adaptive communication algorithm based on constellation aggregation is proposed to resist the severe fast time-varying multipath interference and environmental noise, where the encoding rate is automatically determined for reliable underwater acoustic communications according to the constellation aggregation degree of equalization results. Field experiments with moving transceivers (the communication distance was approximately 5.5 km) were carried out in the Yellow Sea in 2021, and the experimental results verify the effectiveness of the two proposed algorithms.

Occurrence, seasonal variation and environmental impact of phosphorus flame retardants in a large scale wastewater treatment plant.

The occurrence, seasonal variation and emission of nine widely used phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) were investigated in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located in Guangzhou, China, over 1 year. Results showed that PFRs were widely detected in wastewater and sewage sludge. Tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was the most dominant PFRs in influent, effluent, and sludge. Significant seasonal variation of total PFRs in the influent was observed (p < 0.05). However, no significant seasonal variation found in chlorinated and alkyl PFRs. The emission of PFRs was comparable with the previously reported values of decabromodiphenyl ether in WWTPs. Risk quotient for PFRs showed low eco-toxicity risk in effluent for aquatic organisms. Since the removal efficiency of total PFRs was less than 30% and the use of PFRs had been increasing, continuous monitoring of the environmental impact on the receiving water is still needed.

Assessing pollution and risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants in China's top coal-producing region.

Managing and disposing of sewage sludge have been a severe environmental challenge around the world. China produces hundreds of million tons of sewage sludge annually, and a better understanding of the extent and risk of the associated pollution is of critical importance for implementing environmentally safe regulations and practices. The present study examined the quantity, composition, source, and risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sewage sludge from 18 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Shaanxi, one of China's top coal-producing provinces. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs varied from 778 to 3264 ng/g dry weight, which is below the upper safety limit (5000 ng/g dry weight) set for the disposal of sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants for agricultural use in China. However, the concentration of individual PAH compound exceeded the acceptable level prescribed by the Netherland Soil Standard. Three-ring PAHs were the most abundant constituent (50% of total PAHs on average), followed by four-ring PAHs averaging 25%. Relative to sludge PAHs in the same region a decade ago, the total concentrations decreased by more than 27% and the composition shifted to a more pronounced dominance by low molecular weight compounds. This compositional shift suggests higher contributions of petrogenic sources, which may reflect China's increasing consumption of petroleum products over the past decade. The flux of sludge PAHs from each WWTP was positively correlated with the corresponding city's GDP and population, and the total flux amounted to over 100 kg each year for WWTPs in the Xi'an city. The mean toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQ) value was more than twice higher than the value recommended by the Netherlands Soil Standard, and seven carcinogenic PAHs were the primary contributor (i.e., 89-99%) of the TEQ. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that sewage sludge PAHs in Shaanxi constitute a significant source of environmental pollution and toxicity, which cautions against the direct discharge and reuse of sewage sludge and further highlights challenges in managing and disposing of the vast quantities of sewage sludge in China.

An insight into the amphiphobicity and thermal degradation behavior of PDMS-based block copolymers bearing POSS and fluorinated units.

Methacryloxypropyl-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MAPOSS) and dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DFHM) are proposed to separately block-copolymerize with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based acrylate block copolymer (PDMS-b-PMMA). The syntheses of PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PMAPOSS and PDMS-b-PMMA-b-PDFHM were executed in this manner to examine the effect of PMAPOSS and PDFHM on surface amphiphobic behavior and thermal degradation behavior. PMAPOSS and PDFHM were found to both contribute towards the improvement of static hydrophobicity. However, the PMAPOSS was found to disable the dynamic hexadecane-dewetting properties because of its restriction on molecular wriggling motion and its induced high roughness. In contrast, PDFHM was found to improve the dynamic dewetting properties for oil-based ink. With regard to the thermal stability, the incorporation of either PMAPOSS or PDFHM into PDMS-b-PMMA with PDMS (Mn ∼1000 or 5000 Da) favors the increase in the original thermal-decomposition temperature. However, the presence of PMAPOSS initiates a higher degradation rate and fails to improve the thermal stability in the case of long PDMS (Mn ∼10 000 Da) due to the heterogeneous dispersion of POSS in the matrix.

Treatment of Autoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Astrocytopathy: Follow-Up in 7 Cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to report an autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy with long-term follow-up in 7 patients. METHODS: Antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay and patient data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Seven patients (4 female, 3 male) with ≥1 year follow-up were included. All patients had positive GFAP antibodies in their cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Their median age at disease onset was 56 years (range 27-69) and the median disease duration was 1 year (range 1-4). In the initial attack, all patients received intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) followed by oral steroids, which were tapered. Six patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). One patient had no response to IVIg and IVMP. Four patients received immunosuppressive agents. Five patients underwent the second lumbar puncture after treatment. CSF white blood cell counts, protein levels, and antibody titers were significantly decreased. CSF protein levels correlated positively with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score, which was elevated at each lumbar puncture. Four patients experienced relapse. To date, 6 patients had a bad prognosis, of which 2 died. CONCLUSIONS: Some patients with GFAP astrocytopathy experienced a poor response to treatment although they received steroids and immunosuppressive agents.

Lesions of the posterior limb of the internal capsule in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Posterior limb of the internal capsule lesions (PLICL) are one of the MRI features of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, there is no evidence that such lesions are pathogenically related to NMOSD. We retrospectively analyzed features of PLICL in NMOSD, and other central nervous system inflammatory disorders, in 561 patients. We also examined the pathological samples of six patients. Of the 561 patients investigated, PLICL were found in 65 patients (11.6%). Lesions were bilateral in 26 cases (40%) and unilateral in 39 cases (60%). Unilateral lesions were mainly located on the left side (74.3%, 29/39). Of the 65 patients with PLICL, 46 patients had NMOSD (70.8%) and were positive for anti-aquaporin (AQP4-IgG), four had NMOSD (6.2%) and were AQP4-IgG negative, 10 patients had multiple sclerosis (MS), three patients had NMDAR encephalitis, and two had autoimmune meningoencephalitis. Of the six patients whose pathological samples were evaluated, all had PLICL and were negative for AQP4-IgG, and none had pathological NMOSD lesion features. These cases included three patients with multiple sclerosis, one with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, and two with autoimmune meningoencephalitis. In conclusion, PLICL are found not only in patients with NMOSD, but also in MS and other disorders.

Different Phenotypes at Onset in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Patients with Aquaporin-4 Autoimmunity.

BACKGROUND: Although rare, brain abnormalities without optic neuritis (ON) or transverse myelitis (TM) diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have been reported in patients positive for the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody. OBJECTIVE: To analyze demographic and clinical differences among NMOSD patients without ON or TM, those with either ON or TM, and patients with simultaneous ON and TM at disease onset. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients who were positive for the AQP4 antibody, as detected using a cell-based assay, at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in China were recruited. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from each patient's medical record. RESULTS: A total of 292 patients were included in this study and were divided into four subgroups based on their initial manifestations: (i) NMOSD without ON or TM (NMOSD-ON-TM-, n = 70); (ii) NMOSD with ON (NMOSD-ON+, n = 95); (iii) NMOSD with TM (NMOSD-TM+, n = 116); and (iv) simultaneous ON and TM [neuromyelitis optica (NMO), n = 11]. We found that age at onset was lower in the NMOSD-ON-TM- group than that in the other groups. The interval from the first episode to relapse was shorter in the NMOSD-ON-TM- group than that in NMOSD-TM+ group. Cerebral spinal fluid white cell counts and protein levels were significantly higher in the NMOSD-ON-TM- group than those in the other groups. Lower Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were observed in the NMOSD-ON-TM- group. Brain abnormalities, including in area postrema and hemisphere lesions, were more frequent in the NMOSD-ON-TM- group. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients in the NMOSD-ON-TM- group experienced earlier relapse than those in other groups. Conversion to NMO in the NMOSD-ON+ group was greater than that in the other groups. Only 14 patients (4.8%, 14/292) had pure brain abnormalities, of which 12 had disease duration of several more years and 8 (57.1%) experienced relapses. CONCLUSION: NMOSD patients with different initial manifestations present with significant differences in clinical features during follow-up. Patients with long-term AQP4 autoimmunity in the brain in the absence of ON or TM are not common.

Aquaporin-4 antibody in neuromyelitis optica: re-testing study in a large population from China.

BACKGROUND: Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody sero-positivity is critically important in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). However, the sensitivity of different assays is highly variable. Repeating detection with a highly sensitive assay in a large population is necessary in the case of so-called negative NMO. METHODS: Retrospective analysis where AQP4 antibodies were detected by commercial cell-based assay (CBA), in-house M23-CBA and in-house M1-CBA. RESULTS: Of the 1011 serum samples, 206 (20.4%) were sero-positive by primary commercial CBA. In the retest, all 206 participants positive by primary commercial CBA also yielded positive results by in-house M23-CBA and the second commercial CBA again, but only 124 positive in in-house M1-CBA. Among the 805 participants negative by primary commercial CBA, 71 participants were positive for in-house M23-CBA, of which 20 participants were positive for the second commercial CBA, and none were positive by in-house M1-CBA. Of the 171 cerebral spinal fluid samples, 75 (43.9%) were positive by primary commercial CBA. All 75 participants positive by primary commercial CBA also yielded positive results by in-house M23-CBA and the second commercial CBA. Forty-nine (65.3%) of these 75 participants were positive by in-house M1-CBA. Among the 96 participants negative by primary commercial CBA, 15 participants were positive for in-house M23-CBA and none were positive by in-house M1-CBA and the second commercial CBA. CONCLUSIONS: Different AQP4 isoforms in CBA result in different detection effects, and in-house M23-CBA is the most sensitive method. Some AQP4 antibody-negative NMO may be subject to diagnostic uncertainty due to limitations of the assays.

Anti-KIR4.1 Antibodies in Chinese Patients with Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Disorders.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the frequency of KIR4.1 antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in control groups using a cell-based assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transfected HEK-293A cell line expressing KIR4.1 was established to test for the presence of KIR4.1 antibodies in blood serum. We tested 904 subjects, including 188 patients with MS, 264 patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), 209 patients with other inflammatory neurologic disease (OIND), 203 patients with other noninflammatory neurological disease (OND), and 40 healthy controls. RESULTS: KIR4.1 antibodies were present in 23 of the 188 (12.2%) MS patients, 42 of the 264 (15.9%) NMOSD patients, 32 of the 209 (15.3%) OIND patients, 24 of the 203 (11.8%) OND patients, and 2 of the 40 (5%) healthy controls. There were no significant differences among the MS and control groups (p = 0.279). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-KIR4.1 antibody, as determined by a cell-based assay, is not a specific biomarker for MS.

Superhydrophobic and oleophobic surface from fluoropolymer-SiO2 hybrid nanocomposites.

The fluoropolymer-SiO2 hybrid nanocomposite consisting of core-corona fluoropolymer-grafted SiO2 nanoparticle (NP) and poly(dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate) (PDFHM) was obtained by radical solution polymerization of the vinyl trimethoxy silane (VTMS)-treated SiO2 NP with DFHM in this work. In H2O/tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution, PDFHM self-assembles into dendritic micelle and the increase in H2O volume is favorable for fluoropolymer-grafted SiO2 NPs to create dense fluoropolymer corona layer. It also shows that the addition of H2O to the THF suspension of fluoropolymer-SiO2 nanocomposite could cause a transfer for surface morphology of cast film from smooth film-covered aggregation to bare-exposed flaky aggregation and microsphere aggregation, which results in an increase in surface RMS roughness of cast film and induces a superhydrophobicity. Oleophobicity of cast film can be improved by thermal annealing, because strong surface self-segregation of PDFHM chains during thermal annealing process arouses a marked increase in surface fluorine content.

Pyridine-containing block copolymer/silica core-shell nanoparticles for one-step preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces.

Two poly(4-vinylpyridine)-b-polystyrene diblock copolymer/silica core-shell nanoparticles (P4VP-b-PS/SiO2 NPs) are developed in this work. Confirmed by DLS analysis and TEM observation, one comprises a SiO2 core surrounded by a P4VP-b-PS shell and the other comprises a P4VP-b-PS core surrounded by a SiO2 shell, which is facilely prepared by the in situ hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) using cationic P4VP-b-PS micelles obtained in a THF-H2C2O4 (aq, 0.1 mol L(-1)) mixture and a DMF-H2C2O4 (aq, 0.01 mol L(-1)) mixture as template, respectively. The SCA, CAH, SA and SEM measurements reveal that one-step deposition of P4VP-b-PS/SiO2 NPs with SiO2 cores formed at a high level of TEOS creates a superhydrophobic surface with an SCA of 160°, a CAH of 2° and an SA of around 4° originating from the formation of a typical micro-nanoscale binary structure (MNBS). For the NPs with SiO2 cores formed at a low level of TEOS, the superhydrophobicity with a SCA of 151°, CAH of 3° and SA of around 5° can be induced by the transition of the surface microstructure from an uneven and discontinuous MNBS, created by a one-step deposition process, to the coexistence of MNBS and a nanoscale structure (NS) after annealing with toluene for 30 min. In contrast, one-step deposition of P4VP-b-PS/SiO2 NPs with P4VP-b-PS cores and SiO2 shells usually results in the inhomogeneous precipitation of SiO2 from bulk P4VP-b-PS along with the production of micro-cracks, with which is impossible to achieve surface superhydrophobicity.

[Effects of acupoint injection of autologous blood on symptoms and plasma motilin and gastrin levels of diabetic gastroparesis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of autologous blood point injection on diabetic gastroparesis and to study its underlying mechanism. METHODS: A total of 42 type-II diabetes outpatients and inpatients were randomly and equally divided into treatment group and control group according to a random digit table. Patients of the treatment group were treated by injection of the patient's own venous blood (2 mL/acupoint) into the unilateral Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (OV 12) and Weishu (BL 21), once every week, 4 times together. Patients of the control group were ordered to take motilium (10 mg/time), 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Plasma motilin and gastrin were detected by radioimmunoassay before and 4 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: Of the two 21 cases in the control and treatment groups, 3 and 7 experienced marked improvement in their symptoms, 4 and 8 were effective, 14 and 6 were failed in the treatment, with the effective rates being 33.3% and 71.4% respectively. The effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The contents of plasma motilin and gastrin in both control and treatment groups were reduced obviously after the treatment (P<0.01), and the effect of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group in lowering plasma motilin and gastrin levels (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupoint injection of the diabetes patients' own blood can obviously alleviate the symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis, which is closely associated with its effects in lowering plasma motilin and gastrin levels.

Surface self-segregation, wettability, and adsorption behavior of core-shell and pentablock fluorosilicone acrylate copolymers.

The surfaces of films cast from core-shell fluorosilicone acrylate copolymer (BA/MMA/DFHM and BA/MMA/DFHM/MPTMS/D(4)) latexes and linear pentablock fluorosilicone acrylate copolymer (PDMS-b-(PMMA-b-PDFHM)(2)) solutions are intensively investigated and compared by XPS, DCA, AFM, and QCM-D measurements. It is found that the molecular structures and in-solution aggregate structures of these well-defined copolymers have a dramatic influence on the surface structure formation, surface wetting, and adsorption behavior. The PDMS-b-(PMMA-b-PDFHM)(2) film cast from chloroform solution with high concentration of low-density unimers is able to perform as strong surface self-segregation of fluorine-containing groups as core-shell copolymer latex films. The BA/MMA/DFHM/MPTMS/D(4) in the core-shell latex particles exhibits the less pronounced surface self-segregation of silicon-containing groups than PDMS-b-(PMMA-b-PDFHM)(2) due to the occurrence of cross-linking reactions between polysiloxane chains. Indeed, such reactions induce the formation of silica network within the film material, which immobilizes tightly the fluorinated groups on the film surface and thus endows the film with higher surface structural stability for water compared to PDMS-b-(PMMA-b-PDFHM)(2) film with similar surface fluorine concentration and even higher silicon concentration. Still, the PDMS-b-(PMMA-b-PDFHM)(2) film definitely demonstrates higher advancing and receding contact angles for water than BA/MMA/DFHM/MPTMS/D(4) latex film in the case of synergism between surface enrichment of fluorine and silicon.

[Treatment of 113 oral and maxillofacial hemangiomas with long pulsed turnable 1064 nm Gentle YAG laser].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical therapeutic efficacy on hemangioma of oral maxillofacial regions using pulsed Gentle YAG laser. METHODS: Since April 2005 to August 2005, 113 cases of oral and maxillofacial hemangiomas were treated using pulsed Gentle YAG laser 1064 nm wavelength in our department. Minimal coagulation laser dosage was defined and used to avoid side effects such as thermal skin damage. The laser dosage was 170-240 J/cm2, with 1.5 mm in diameter spot and pulse wide of 30-60 ms. Dynamic cooling device set was used 10-20 times and 10-15 times pre- and post-pulse respectively. 9 of 113 cases had two sessions of treatment, 104 underwent only one session. 96% cases were followed up for 4-6 months. RESULTS: Total response was achieved in 85 cases (75.22%), good response in 28 cases (24.78%), fair response and poor response was 0. Temporary side effects included hyper-pigmentation in 11 cases (9.73%), hypo-pigmentation in 2 cases (1.77%), and they disappeared after 4 to 6 months. 7 cases had scar formation accounting for 6.19%. CONCLUSION: The minimal coagulation dosage pulsed Gentle YAG laser is a good tool to treat hemangioma in oral and maxillofacial regions. It has the advantage of fast efficacy, short term sessions and fewer side effects. It is worthy of wide clinical application.