[Study on the chemical constituent from the dichloromethane extract. of the pine needles of Cedrus deodara].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the dichloromethane extracted from pine needles of Cedrus deodara. METHODS: Compounds were isolated and purified from the dichloromethane extract of pine needles by chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and physicochemical property. RESULTS: Nine compounds were isolated and purified. Their structures were identified as stigmasterol (1), oleanolic acid (2), parahydroxybenzaldehyde (3), beta-sitosterol (4), syringaresinol (5), daucosterol (6), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (7), gallicin (8) and gallic acid (9). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-3, 5 -9 are isolated from pine needles of this genus for the first time.

Esophageal collateral veins in predicting esophageal variceal recurrence and rebleeding after endoscopic treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic treatment is recommended for the management of esophageal varices. However, variceal recurrence or rebleeding is common after endoscopic variceal eradication. Our study aimed to systematically evaluate the prevalence of esophageal collateral veins (ECVs) and the association of ECVs with recurrence of esophageal varices or rebleeding from esophageal varices after endoscopic treatment. METHODS: We searched the relevant literature through the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Prevalence of paraesophageal veins (para-EVs), periesophageal veins (peri-EVs), and perforating veins (PVs) were pooled. Risk ratio (RR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for cohort studies and case-control studies, respectively. A random-effects model was employed. Heterogeneity among studies was calculated. RESULTS: Among the 532 retrieved papers, 28 were included. The pooled prevalence of para-EVs, peri-EVs, and PVs in patients with esophageal varices was 73%, 88%, and 54%, respectively. The pooled prevalence of para-EVs and PVs in patients with recurrence of esophageal varices was 87% and 62%, respectively. The risk for recurrence of esophageal varices was significantly increased in patients with PVs (OR = 9.79, 95% CI: 1.95-49.22, P = 0.006 for eight case-control studies), but not in those with para-EVs (OR = 4.26, 95% CI: 0.38-38.35, P = 0.24 for four case-control studies; RR = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.83-3.97, P = 0.14 for three cohort studies). Patients with para-EVs had a significantly higher incidence of rebleeding from esophageal varices (RR = 13.00, 95% CI: 2.43-69.56, P = 0.003 for two cohort studies). Statistically significant heterogeneity was notable across the meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS: ECVs are common in patients with esophageal varices. Identification of ECVs could be helpful for predicting the recurrence of esophageal varices or rebleeding from esophageal varices after endoscopic treatment.

[Preparation and characterization of SrS : Eu, Sm phosphor].

In the present paper, SrS : Eu, Sm phosphors for the broad frequency infrared up-conversion were prepared. XRD analysis indicates that the SrS : Eu, Sm samples calcined at 1 100 degrees C for 1 h exhibit good luminescence properties and they are face-center cubic structure of SrS. Excitation spectrum reveals that the samples can be excited by ultra violet and visible light. Fluorescence spectrum of the samples is composed of four emission peaks at 567 nm, 589 nm, 602 nm and 648 nm respectively. Infrared photo-stimulation luminescence spectrum is a broad-band spectrum peaking at about 595 nm. Infrared response range of the samples is mainly between 800 and 1 400 nm.

[Preparation and characterization of MgxZn(1-x)O powders].

MgxZn(1-x)O has been subjects of intense attention as a novel photo-electronic functional material in recent years. In the present paper, MgxZn(1-x)O powders were prepared by sol-gel method. Effects of Mg contents on MgxZn(1-x)O structure and luminescence properties were studied. The authors observed that MgxZn(1-x)O exhibited two kinds of structures, hexagonal wurtzite and face center cubic while x was in the range of 0 and 1. The MgxZn(1-x)O powders were hexagonal wurtzite structure with x < 0.2, face center cubic structure with x > 0. 2 and their blend structure with x between 0.2 and 0.8. Luminescence spectrum analysis indicated that all MgxZn(1-x)O samples with various composition showed luminescence of ultra-violet and visible light. The ultraviolet emission peak was from 370 nm to 384 nm and the visible emission peak was around at 468 nm. The average size of MgxZn(1-x)O powders was about 100 nm.

[Synthesis and characterization of broadband IR-to-visible upconversion material caS : Ce, Sm by low-temperature combustion synthesis method].

Broadband IR-to-visible upconversion material CaS : Ce, Sm was synthesized for the first time by the low-temperature combustion synthesis (LCS) method. The effect of the rare earth dopant concentration on the upconversion properties was studied. XRD analysis shows that the sample features the cubic CaS crystal structure. The excitation spectrum of the sample is in the range of 200-500 nm, i. e. ultraviolet light or the visible light can excite the sample effectively to complete the "charged" process, and the excitation effect of the visible light is dominant. The IR sensitivity spectrum of the sample is in the range of 800-1 400 nm, indicating that CaS : Ce, Sm possesses the broadband IR-to-visible upconversion effect. The IR-to-visible upconversion spectrum of the sample is a broadband spectrum in the range of 450-650 nm, with two adjacent emission peaks at 513.4 and 572 nm, resulting from the transitions of Ce3+2T2g(5d)-->2F5/2 (4f) and the transitions of Ce3+2T2g(5d)-->2F7/2 (4f), respectively.

An 11-Year Review of the TARP Procedure in the Treatment of Atlantoaxial Dislocation.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to introduce the surgical techniques and evaluate the clinical outcomes of transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP) for the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Researchers have reported on transoral plate internal fixation for the treatment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD) without long-term follow-up and detailed clinical experience. METHODS: The clinical records of 388 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD, 340 cases; fixed atlantoaxial dislocation [FAAD], 48 cases) who received the TARP procedure from April 2003 to September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. They were treated separately with TARP-I or TARP-II (82 cases), TARP-III (248 cases), or TARP-IV (58 cases). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging were used to evaluate the efficacy of reduction and the degree of decompression, respectively. The long-term clinical outcome was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring and the Symon and Lavender standard. RESULTS: Immediate reduction was achieved for all the patients with IAAD (340/340), whereas anatomical reduction was achieved for 98.2% of patients (334/340). Anatomical reduction was achieved in 87.5% of patients with FAAD (42/48). The average degree of spinal cord decompression ranged from 75% to 100% with an average of 88.4%. The clinical data of 106 patients were evaluated in the latest follow-up (12-108 mo, average 60.5 mo). The average spinal cord improvement rate by Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring was 62.1%. According to the Symon and Lavender standard, there were 85 cases rated as markedly effective, 104 cases as effective, and 2 cases as noneffective. The overall markedly effective rate was 80% and the effective rate was 98%. CONCLUSION: The TARP procedure showed good anterior atlantoaxial release, reduction, decompression, and internal fixation for patients with IAAD and FAAD through a single anterior approach. It has the advantages of three-dimensional immediate atlantoaxial reduction and sufficient decompression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

[Preparation and characterization of CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ nanoparticles].

Long persistent phosphoresceoce CaAl2O4:Eu2+, Nd3+ nanoparticles were synthesized through sol-gel method. The structures and properties of the samples were analyzed by DTA, TGA, XRD, TEM and spectrometer. Results indicated that the CaAl2O4 crystalline phase was formed at 800 degrees C. The particles are spherical in shape and about 20-40 nm in size. The peaks of the excitation, emission and thermoluminescence spectra shift compared with the CaAl2O4: Eu2+,Nd3+ coarse crystals. The luminescence decay includes a initial rapid part and a following slow part. The decay time lasts for about 5 h.