An Efficient Strategy for Reinforcing Flexible Ceramic Membranes.

Herein, we present a facile reinforcement method for the large-scale fabrication of highly flexible, mechanically stable, temperature-resistant ceramic lightweight membranes based on the cross-linked assembly of zirconia-silica (ZrO2-SiO2) nanofibrous and montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets through electrospinning and a subsequent calcination process. The resulting MMT@ZrO2-SiO2 membranes exhibit high flexibility with a bending rigidity of 0.2 cN mm-1, robust mechanical performance with a tensile strength of up to 1.83 MPa, robust fire resistance, and temperature-invariant mechanical stability from -196 to 1000 °C. The thermal superinsulation with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.026 W m-1 K-1 and the improved mechanical strength can be attributed to the cross-linked interfacial interaction between the ZrO2-SiO2 nanofibers and the MMT nanosheets. Additionally, a firefighter uniform with MMT@ZrO2-SiO2 membranes inside features a superior thermal protective property up to the A2 level (combined flame and radiant exposure) and an excellent fire resistance of up to 1000 °C, which is ideal for next-generation firefighter uniform manufacturing.

Spontaneous nystagmus with an upbeat component: Central or peripheral vestibular disorders?

Objective: To determine the topical diagnosis and etiologies of spontaneous nystagmus (SN) with an upbeat component. Methods: We retrospectively recruited 43 patients with SN with an upbeat component at a university hospital in China from 2020 to 2022. SN with an upbeat component was divided into pure upbeat nystagmus (UBN), SN with a predominant upbeat component, and SN with a non-predominant upbeat component. We analyzed their clinical and neurotologic findings and the final diagnosis. Results: Fourteen (32.6%) of them showed pure UBN, while 29 (67.4%) exhibited SN mixed with an upbeat component, mixed upbeat-horizontal in 15, mixed upbeat-horizontal-torsional in 13, and upbeat-torsional in the remaining one. Pure UBN and SN with a predominant upbeat component were more common in central than in peripheral vestibular disorders [16 (80.0%) vs. 0 (0%), Chi-Square test, p < 0.001]. Central vestibular disorders were diagnosed in 20 (46.5%) patients, peripheral in 14 (32.6%), and undetermined in nine (20.9%) patients. The underlying causes mainly included acute unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy (n = 11), posterior circulation infarction (n = 9), benign recurrent vertigo (n = 4), vestibular migraine (VM, n = 3), and VM of childhood (n = 2). Conclusion: SN with an upbeat component can be seen in both central and peripheral vestibular disorders. Pure UBN was a characteristic sign of central vestibular dysfunction. Central vestibular disorders should be highly suspected when patients show pure UBN or SN with a predominant upbeat component.

[Effect and mechanism of testosterone level on inflammatory bone resorption in periodontitis with mice].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of testosterone level on inflammatory bone resorption in periodontitis with mice. METHODS: Forty-eight SD mice were randomly divided into unligated group, sham operation group, castration group, castration + testosterone group, 12 mice in each group. At 6 weeks after ligation, serum testosterone levels were measured, and alveolar bone loss (ABL) and alveolar bone absorption area were compared by hematoxylin - eosin staining and methylene blue staining. The expression of inflammatory cytokine messenger RNA(mRNA) in gingival tissue was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. SPSS 20.0 software package was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Serum testosterone level among four groups was the highest in the unligated group, followed by castration + testosterone group, sham operation group and castration group, with significant difference(P<0.05). The ABL of the castration + testosterone group was significantly larger than that of the unligated group, the sham operation group and the castration group(P<0.05). The ABL of the castration group was significantly smaller than that of the sham operation group (P<0.05). The alveolar bone resorption area of the castration + testosterone group was significantly larger than that of the unligated group, the sham operation group and the castration group(P<0.05). The alveolar bone resorption area of the castration group was significantly smaller than that of the sham operation group (P<0.05). Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) mRNA, interleukin-6(IL-6) mRNA and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) mRNA levels in gingival tissues of sham operation group, castration group and castration + testosterone group were significantly higher than the unligated group. The levels of interleukin-10(IL-10) mRNA in gingival tissues of sham operation group, castration group and castration + testosterone group were significantly lower than those in unligated group(P<0.05). The level of IL-1ß mRNA in gingival tissues among four groups was the the highest in the unligated group, followed by castration + testosterone group, sham operation group and castration group, with significant difference (P<0.05). Serum testosterone levels were positively correlated with ABL, alveolar bone resorption area, and IL-1ß (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis with mice have decreased testosterone levels, and long-term testosterone depletion can reduce inflammatory bone resorption in alveolar bone, which may be achieved by reducing the level of IL-1ß, indicating that reduction of the level of testosterone in periodontitis patients may be a new treatment target for alveolar bone resorption.

[Short- to mid-term evaluation of CT-guided 125I brachytherapy on recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers].

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the short- and medium-term clinical effects of 125I seed implantation on recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers. METHODS: Thirty patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers after operation, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, totaling 421 lesions 4.2 (2-9) cm in diameter, 23 males and 12 females, aged 56 (39-71), underwent implantation of 12-70 125I seeds (on average 33 per person) under the guidance of CT, ultrasonography, or endoscopy with an interval of 1 cm between any 2 seeds with the radioactive activity per seed of 29.6 MBq and matched peripheral dose of 90-160 Gy. Follow-up was conducted for 13 (4-40) months to observe the local control rate, overall survival rate, pain relief, and clinical complications. RESULTS: Follow-up 4 months later showed that 24 of the 42 lesions obtained complete remission, 11 obtained partial remission, 5 no change, and 2 progress of disease, with a clinical response rate of 83.3% (CR+PR). The overall 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 88.4%, 72.4%, and 45.2% respectively with a median survival time of 31 months. The pain relief rate was 73.4% (17/23). The long-term complications included hyperpigmentation at operative sites (n=4), insensible feeling on lateral cheek (n=3), dryness of oral cavity (n=2), and headache combined with infection (n=1). CONCLUSION: Relieving the pain, improving the life quality, CT guided radioactive 125I seed implantation is a simple, safe, and effective method in treating recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer with minimal damage and few complications.

[CT guided radioactive 125I seed implantation in treating localized advanced pulmonary carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of CT guided radioactive 125I seed implantation (CTRISI) in the treatment of localized advanced pulmonary carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-two biopsy -confirmed localized advanced pulmonary carcinoma patients (Group A) with 48 lesions, 5.5 (4.5 -7.5) cm in diameter, clearly demarcated from the adjacent normal tissue, who failed to be improved in the first line chemotherapy, underwent CI-guided implantation of 125I seeds of 23.3 - 30.0 megabecquerel (MBq) into these lesions with the matched peripheral dose of 100-150 Gy. Thirty patients (Group B) treated by first line chemotherapy were randomly selected as the control group. RESULTS: CT follow-up two months later proved that the local control rate of Group A was 78.1%, significantly higher than that of Group B; the one year survival rate of Group A was 65.0%, significantly higher than that of Group B (48.0%); the median survival time of Group A was 15 months, significantly longer than that of Group B (11 months); no myelosuppression was found in Group, and the myelosuppression rate of Group B was 46.3%. In Group A small amount of effusion was observed, pneumothorax occurred in 4 cases with one of the lungs compressed by less than 30% that was improved after conservative treatment; one week after the procedure bloody sputum occurred in 15 cases. CONCLUSION: Improving the living quality obviously and with good short-term effects and few complications, CTGRISI procedure is safe and well-tolerated in treating localized advanced pulmonary carcinoma in Chinese patients.

[Radioactive seed 125I implantation in treating recurrence and metastasis after liver transplantation in hepatoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of CT-guided radioactive seed (125)I implantation in treating recurrence and metastasis after liver transplantation in hepatoma. METHODS: Eleven patients with recurrence and metastasis after liver transplantation for hepatoma, with 45 metastatic lesions, 2.5 cm in diameter on average totally 9 males and 2 females, aged 56 (35 approximately 68), underwent CT-guided radioactive seed 125I implantation for 33 man-times. 125I seeds of the radioactivity of 30 MBq at a distance of 0.5 approximately 1.0 cm were implanted into the recurrence and metastasis lesions according to TPS system before the operation. The matched peripheral dosage (MPD) was 100 approximately 150 Gy, and the number of radioactive seeds for one patient ranged 10 approximately 100. RESULTS: Among the 45 lesions, 17 obtained CR, 20 PR, 7 NC, and 1 PD. The response rate was 82.2%. Side effects occurred during the procedure including pneumothorax in 1 cases with the lung compressed less than 30 percent, bleeding in 3 cases, and blood in sputum and defervescence in 5 cases. Seeds migration 2 months after the operation occurred in 2 cases. WBC decreased slightly in 2 cases 2 weeks after the operation, with the WBC count >or= 3 x 10(9)/L. No other severe complications, such as massive hemorrhage, bile fistulae, and pancreatic fistula were seen. CONCLUSION: CT guided radioactive seed 125I implantation procedure has good clinical effects with minimal damage and few complications in treating recurrence and metastasis after liver transplantation in hepatoma.

Triglyceride to HDL-C ratio and increased arterial stiffness in apparently healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVES: High triglycerides and low high density lipoprotein cholesterol are important cardiovascular risk factors. Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) has been reported to be useful in predicting cardiovascular disease. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is a valid and reproducible measurement by which to assess arterial stiffness and a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis. However, there is limited evidence about the relationship between them. Therefore, we tested the hypotheses that TG/HDL-C is associated with baPWV in healthy individuals. METHODS: Fasting lipid profiles, baPWV and clinical data were measured in 1498 apparently healthy, medication-free subjects (926 men, 572 women) who participated in a routine health screening from 2011 to 2013. Participants were stratified into quartiles of TG/HDL-C ratio. BaPWV > 1400 cm/s was defined as abnormal baPWV, Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify associations of TG/HDL-C quartiles and baPWV, after adjusting for the presence of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: In both genders, we observed positive relationships between TG/HDL-C quartiles and BMI, systolic BP, diastolic BP, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, uric acid, and percentages of high baPWV. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that baPWV abnormality OR value of the highest TG/HDL-C quartiles was 1.91 (95% CI: 1.11-3.30, P < 0.05) and 2.91 (95% CI: 1.02-8.30, P < 0.05) in male and female after adjusting for age, systolic BP, diastolic BP, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, LDL-C, uric acid and estimated glomerular filtration rate when compared with the lowest TG/HDL-C quartiles. CONCLUSION: Increased TG/HDL-C was independently associated with baPWV abnormality in apparently healthy individuals.

Chemical constituents of flowers and fruits of Rabdosia excisa.

AIM: To study the chemical constituents in the flowers and fruits of Rabdosia excisa. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: Sixteen compounds isolated from the flowers and fruits of this plant were identified as: stigm asterol (I), α-amyrin palmitate (II), ursolic acid (III), 2α, 3α, 19-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (IV), 2α-hydroxyursolic acid (V), maslinic acid (VI), isodonal (VII), maoyecrystal E (VIII), kamebakaurin (XI), macrocalyxin G (X), epinodosinol (XI), rabdosichuanin C (XII), kamebacetal A (XIII), oridonin (XIV), enmenol-glucoside (XV), and lasiononin (XVI). CONCLUSION: All the constituents were found in Rabdosia excisa for the first time, except constituents III, IX, XII and XIV.

[125Iodine-induced radiation damage in the femoral arteries of rabbits].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: What damages 125Iodine (125I) seed implantation will do to normal tissue is an observation topic in clinic. This study was to investigate the impact of 125I seed implantation to the femoral arteries of rabbits. METHODS: A total of 30 healthy rabbits were divided into 3 groups. The femoral sheath in the hind leg at one side selected by random was opened and 10 125I seeds at 0.79-0.85 mCi were implanted near the femoral artery according to the treatment planning system (TPS) before operation. In control group, 10 seeds without radioactivity were implanted. After 2 weeks, 2 months and 4 months, the rabbits were killed, the vessel wall nearest to the seeds was taken out and its morphologic changes were observed by gross examination, light microscopy and electron microscopy. RESULTS: In gross observation, the vessel segments of the legs with 125I seed implantation had no apparent abnormality. Under light microscope, a few exfoliative endothelial cells were observed. Under electron microscope, exfoliation of endothelial cells, degeneration of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells were observed. The ratios of degenerative vessel endothelial cells to all vessel endothelial cells were 60%-70% in 2-week group, 50% in 2-month group and 30% in 4-month group; the ratios of degenerative vessel smooth muscle cells to all vessel smooth muscle cells in the 3 groups were 50%, 30% and 10%. CONCLUSION: 125I permanent implantation at 0.79-0.85 mCi mainly damages endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of the normal vessels and this damnification is reversible.

CT guided 125iodine seed implantation for portal vein tumor thrombus in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the clinical application of CT guided 125iodine implantation in patients with portal vein tumor thrombus in primary hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: The ten patients (9 males and 1 female, aged from 36 to 72 years) with portal vein tumor thrombus accompanying hepatocellular carcinoma had been treated with comprehensive therapy including surgery, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, radiotherapy ablation, microwave ablation or percutaneous ethanol injection. The average diameter of each tumor thrombus was 21.5 mm x 30.5 mm. Seeds of 30 MBq 125I were implanted 5 mm apart within the portal vein tumor thrombus. The follow-up after 4 months included enhanced spiral CT. RESULTS: CT screening of the tumours indicated that 4 out of 10 patients showed complete response to the therapy, 5 partial response and 1 stable disease. Adverse effects included aggravated abdominal dropsy and temporarily increased transaminase, which were controlled by medical management. Severe complications such as haemorrhage, biliary fistula, hepatic abscess, pancreatic fistula and hepatic function failure were not observed. Implanted seeds migrated to lung and left hepatic lobe in 1 case. CONCLUSION: CT guided implantation of 125iodine seeds, can effectively treat portal vein tumor thrombus accompanying hepatocellular carcinoma with minimal damage and few complications.