[Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Mechanical Dynamics and BALP/CTX-1 Expression in Rats with Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture].

Objective: To analyze the effects of bone marrow mesenchyml stem cells (BMSCs) on bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP)/C-terminal telopeptide of type-Ⅰ collagen (CTX-1) expression and mechanical dynamics in rats with osteoporotic (OP) vertebral fracture. Methods: A total of 60 female Sprague-Dawley rats were evenly divided into three groups, a control group that received sham operation (sham group), a group consisting of rats with OP vertebral fracture (OP group), and the last group consisting of OP vertebral fracture rats given BMSCs treatment (BMSCs group). Comparison of the three groups of animals was made in terms of bone dynamic change, bone quantitative broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) measurement, and bone mineral density (BMD). HE staining was done to examine the bone histological morphological parameters of the vertebral body. Serum CTX-1 and BALP levels were determined by ELISA. Results: Mechanical comparison showed that there were significant differences in mechanical changes of L 5 vertebra body and right femur among the three experimental groups ( P<0.05). The elastic modulus and maximum load of the OP group significantly decreased compared with those of the sham group ( P<0.05). After the intervention, the maximum load and elastic modulus of the BMSCs group were significantly higher than those of the OP group ( P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, BUA and BMD values in the OP group were significantly downregulated ( P<0.05). After intervention, BUA and BMD of the BMSCs group were significantly higher than those of the OP group and were comparable to those of the sham group ( P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the number of trabeculae in the OP group was significantly fewer, and the distribution of trabeculae was disorderly and lacked regularity. Compared with the OP group, there were more trabeculae in the BMSCs group, and their distribution was more regular. Compared with sham group, bone histological morphological parameters of the vertebral body of rats in the OP group were significantly changed--mean trabecular plate thickness (MTPT) and trabecular bone volume (TBV) parameters were significantly decreased, while mineral apposition rate (MAR) and trabecula bone surface (TRS) parameters were significantly upregulated (all P<0.05). After the experimental intervention, bone histological morphological parameters of the vertebral body in the BMSCs group showed significant improvement compared with those of the OP group ( P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, serum BALP content in the OP group was greatly decreased, while the CTX-1 level was upregulated ( P<0.05). After the intervention, the BMSCs group had higher serum BALP content than that of the OP group and substantially lower CTX-1 content than that of the OP group ( P<0.05). Conclusion: BMSCs can improve the mechanical changes in rats with OP vertebral fracture, and can increase the maximum load and elastic modulus of bone tissue. In addition, BMSCs can upregulate the expression of BALP in serum and downregulate the expression of CTX-1, thus helping rats with OP vertebral fracture heal early.

Facile CO2 Cycloaddition to Epoxides by Using a Tetracarbonyl Metal Selenotungstate Derivate [{Mn(CO)3}4(Se2W11O43)]8.

A novel polyoxometalate cluster, i.e., Na1.5H4.5[(CH3)4N]2{[Mn(CO)3]4(Se2W11O43)}·9H2O (1), has been successfully synthesized under moderately acidic conditions. Compound 1 contains four electron-donating {Mn(CO)3}+ organometallic entities, which are grafted over an unprecedented heteropolytungstate electron-acceptor group. Compound 1 was further structurally characterized by various physicochemical techniques like elemental analyses, inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyses, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and so on. The polyoxoanion of 1 comprises a novel {Se2W11} fragment, which is obtained from molecular assembly of rare {SeW3} and {SeW8} species. Evaluation of the data from solution-state IR spectrum showed excellent agreement with the solid state IR spectrum, indicating the intact clusters in the CH3CN/Na2SO4 solvent. Also, negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was an alternative tool to verify the stability of 1 in the mixed solvent. Additionally, the resulting hybrid can act as a catalyst for cyclic carbonate formation from the reactants epoxides and CO2 under modest reaction conditions in conjunction with a 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bromide (2). The good activity can be substantiated due to the cooperative influence of polyoxoanion and Br- ions. Complex 1 can also be easily recycled and reused three times without obvious decrease of catalytic activity.

Synthesis, taste characteristics and taste mechanism of N-lactoyl leucine from soy sauce using sensory analysis and UPLC-MS/MS.

Recently, amino acid derivatives gradually gained attention, but studies on N-lactoyl-leucine (Lac-Leu) and N-lactoyl-isoleucine (Lac-Ile) are limited. This study aims to explore the contributions of Lac-Leu and Lac-Ile to soy sauce. Lac-Leu and Lac-Ile were synthesized via enzymatic synthesis method catalyzed by Tgase. The mixed solutions containing Lac-Leu were found to have greater taste improvement than those containing Lac-Ile. Sensory evaluation indicated the sour, bitter, and astringent taste of Lac-Leu in water as well as its kokumi, astringent, and umami-enhancing taste in MSG solution. The taste threshold and umami-enhancing threshold of Lac-Leu measured by TDA and cTDA, respectively, were 0.08 mg/mL and 0.16 mg/mL. Molecular docking of Lac-Leu and Lac-Ile with the kokumi receptor CaSR and the umami receptors T1R1 and T1R3 indicated that Lac-Leu had higher affinities with receptors than Lac-Ile. These findings demonstrated the underlying contribution Lac-Leu made to soy sauce, indicating its potential to improve the flavor quality of soy sauce.

Recycling of wheat gluten wastewater: Recovery of arabinoxylan and application of its film in cherry and strawberry preservation.

This study investigated the effect of an edible water-extractable arabinoxylan (WEAX) coating on the postharvest preservation of strawberries and cherries. The WEAX film was prepared using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) film as a control, with thorough characterization of its film properties. Subsequently, strawberry and cherry fruits were submerged in a solution containing edible film-forming materials and left to be stored at room temperature, followed by the analysis of their physicochemical parameters to assess their preservation efficacy. The results show that the WEAX film exhibited enhanced flexibility, superior water vapor permeability, thermal stability, and surface morphology. Furthermore, the implementation of WEAX film effectively mitigated weight loss, decay, color degradation, softening process, ascorbic acid decline, anthocyanin accumulation, and an increase in malondialdehyde content in fruits. Thus, the incorporation of WEAX coating demonstrates its capability in prolonging the shelf life of fruits post-harvest, underscoring its potential in fruit preservation practices.

[Comparative study of orthopaedic robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery and open surgery for limb osteoid osteoma].

Objective: To compare the accuracy and effectiveness of orthopaedic robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery versus open surgery for limb osteoid osteoma. Methods: A clinical data of 36 patients with limb osteoid osteomas admitted between June 2016 and June 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 16 patients underwent orthopaedic robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (robot-assisted surgery group), and 20 patients underwent tumor resection after lotcated by C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy (open surgery group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the gender, age, lesion site, tumor nidus diameter, and preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores ( P>0.05). The operation time, lesion resection time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, lesion resection accuracy, and postoperative analgesic use frequency were recorded and compared between the two groups. The VAS scores for pain severity were compared preoperatively and at 3 days and 3 months postoperatively. Results: Compared with the open surgery group, the robot-assisted surgery group had a longer operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, less fluoroscopy frequency, less postoperative analgesic use frequency, and higher lesion resection accuracy ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in lesion resection time ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up after surgery, with a follow-up period of 3-24 months (median, 12 months) in the two groups. No postoperative complication such as wound infection or fracture occurred in either group during follow-up. No tumor recurrence was observed during follow-up. The VAS scores significantly improved in both groups at 3 days and 3 months after surgery when compared with preoperative value ( P<0.05). The VAS score at 3 days after surgery was significantly lower in robot-assisted surgery group than that in open surgery group ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in VAS scores at 3 months between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with open surgery, robot-assisted resection of limb osteoid osteomas has longer operation time, but the accuracy of lesion resection improve, intraoperative blood loss reduce, and early postoperative pain is lighter. It has the advantages of precision and minimally invasive surgery.

Dynamic rheological behavior of high-amylose wheat dough during various heating stages: Insight from its starch characteristics.

The objective of this study was to understand how the dynamic rheological behaviors of high-amylose wheat (HAW) dough during various heating stages measured using a mixolab were affected by the starch properties. At the heating stage of 30 °C - 90 °C, low minimum (C2) and peak (C3) torques were observed for HAW doughs, which resulted from their reduced starch granule swelling. During holding at 90 °C, HAW doughs had low minimum (C4) and C3 - C4 torques, indicating a good resistance to mechanical shear and endogenous enzyme degradation. HAW doughs also had low final (C5) and setback (C5 - C4) torques, consistent with their low starch swelling power and solubility. The increased amylose in HAW starch formed long-chain double-helical B-type polymorph and amylose-lipid complex, which resulted in high starch gelatinization-temperatures and enthalpy change, low swelling power and solubility, low pasting viscosity, and high resistance of swollen granules to mechanical shear and enzyme degradation. The overall patterns of dough-rheological behavior of HAW doughs during heating were similar to their respective starch pasting profiles, indicating that starch was the dominant contributor to the dough rheology during heating. This study provides useful information for food applications and manufacturing of HAW-based products, especially none-fermented products requiring firm texture and low viscosity.

From Phosphate Fluoride to Fluorophosphate: Design of Novel Ultraviolet/Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Materials for BePO3F with Optical Property Enhancement.

Fluorine-containing compounds have stimulated the exploration of ultraviolet/deep-ultraviolet nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Alkali/alkaline-earth metal phosphates are one of the important potential systems as NLO materials, while the common small birefringence limits the phase-matching (PM) ability in the ultraviolet/deep-ultraviolet region. Herein, by applying a "fluorination synergy-induced enhancement of optical property" strategy, novel structures of phosphate fluoride/fluorophosphate in BePO3F with good thermodynamic/dynamic stability and promising NLO-related properties are discovered via performing crystal structure prediction combined with first-principles calculations. BePO3F-I-VI exhibit relatively large birefringence of 0.025, 0.048, 0.049, 0.049, 0.059, and 0.063 at 1064 nm, respectively. Simultaneously, BePO3F-I (Pc) is a new thermodynamically stable phosphate fluoride which possesses a wide band gap (Eg = 8.03 eV), large second-harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient (d11 = 0.67 pm/V, 1.7 × KDP), and the shortest PM wavelength of 292 nm. Other five thermodynamically metastable noncentrosymmetric (NCS) BePO3F structures (II-VI) belong to fluorophosphates and exhibit deep-ultraviolet PM wavelengths of 187, 183, 186, 188, and 196 nm. It reveals that the aligned nonbonding O 2p orbitals of [BeO2F2] and [PO4] units lead to a large SHG coefficient in the phosphate fluoride BePO3F-I. For fluorophosphates (BePO3F-II-VI), the synergy of [BeO3] planar units and [PO3F] units induces relatively large birefringence. Our research results provide an idea for exploring novel high-performance NLO materials.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Combined with Anti-vascular Agent Combretastatin A4 Phosphate Inhibits Growth and Vascularization of Liver Tumor in an Animal Model.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) on proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization combined with CA4P in the treatment of rabbit VX2 liver tumor. METHODS: The effects of different concentrations of CA4P on proliferation, migration and capillary tube formation of HUVECs were investigated by cell proliferation assay, wound healing assay and capillary tube formation assay, respectively. Thirty-two rabbits implanted with liver VX2 tumors were randomly divided into 4 groups. After catheterization of the left hepatic artery, the infusion was performed using normal saline (group A), CA4P aqueous solution (group B), lipiodol and polyvinyl alcohol particles (group C), and CA4P lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol particles (group D), respectively. Half of the animals in each group were euthanized for immunohistochemical analysis to evaluate microvessel density (MVD) at 3 days post-treatment. The other half were examined by MRI and histology to evaluate tumor growth and necrosis at 7 days post-treatment. RESULTS: CA4P could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs in cell experiments. After interventional treatment, the level of MVD in group D was lower than that in group C (P<0.01). The tumor volume in group C or D was lower than that in group A or B (P<0.01). The tumor necrosis rate was higher in group D than in the other groups. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that CA4P could inhibit the proliferation, migration, and capillary tube formation of HUVECs, and transcatheter arterial embolization combined with CA4P could inhibit the growth of VX2 tumor and obviously induce tumor necrosis.

[Clinical application of distal femoral patient-specific cutting guide based on knee CT and full-length X-ray film of lower extremities].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the feasibility and accuracy of distal femoral patient-specific cutting guide in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) based on knee CT and full-length X-ray film of lower extremities. METHODS: Between July 2016 and February 2017, 20 patients with severe knee joint osteoarthritis planned to undergo primary TKA were selected as the research object. There were 9 males and 11 females; aged 53-84 years, with an average of 69.4 years. The body mass index was 22.1-31.0 kg/m 2, with an average of 24.8 kg/m 2. The preoperative range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint was (103.0±19.4)°, the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 5.4±1.3, and the American Hospital of Special Surgery (HSS) score was 58.1±11.3. Before operation, a three-dimensional model of the knee joint was constructed based on the full-length X-ray film of lower extremities and CT of the knee joint. The distal femoral patient-specific cutting guide was designed and fabricated, and the thickness of the distal femoral osteotomy was determined by digital simulation. The thickness of the internal and external condyle of the distal femur osteotomy before operation and the actual thickness of the intraoperative osteotomy were compared. The intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage loss, and hidden blood loss were recorded. The ROM of knee joint, VAS score, and HSS score at 3 months after operation were recorded to evaluate effectiveness. The position of the coronal and sagittal plane of the distal femoral prosthesis were assessed by comparing the femoral mechanical-anatomical angle (FMAA), anatomical lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA), mechanical femoral tibial angle (mFTA), distal femoral flexion angle (DFFA), femoral prosthesis flexion angle (FPFA), anatomical lateral femoral component angle (aLFC), and the angle of the femoral component and femoral shaft (α angle) between pre- and post-operation. RESULTS: TKA was successfully completed with the aid of the distal femoral patient-specific cutting guide. There was no significant difference between the thickness of the internal and lateral condyle of the distal femur osteotomy before operation and the actual thickness of the intraoperative osteotomy ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 3 months. All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complications such as periarticular infection and deep vein thrombosis. Except for 1 patient who was not treated with tranexamic acid, the intraoperative blood loss of the rest 19 patients ranged from 30 to 150 mL, with an average of 73.2 mL; the postoperative drainage loss ranged from 20 to 500 mL, with an average of 154.5 mL; and the hidden blood loss ranged from 169.2 to 1 400.0 mL, with an average of 643.8 mL. At 3 months after operation, the ROM of the knee was (111.5±11.5)°, and there was no significant difference when compared with the preoperative one ( t=-1.962, P=0.065). The VAS score was 2.4±0.9 and HSS score was 88.2±7.5, showing significant differences when compared with the preoperative ones ( t=7.248, P=0.000; t=-11.442, P=0.000). Compared with the preoperative measurements, there was a significant difference in mFTA ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in aLDFA, FMAA, or DFFA; compared with the preoperative plan, there was no significant difference in FPFA, aLFC, or α angle ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of distal femoral patient-specific cutting guide based on knee CT and full-length X-ray film of lower extremity can achieve precise osteotomy, improve coronal and sagittal limb alignment, reduce intraoperative blood loss, and obtain satisfactory short-term effectiveness.

Ce-Mn coordination polymer derived hierarchical/porous structured CeO2-MnOx for enhanced catalytic properties.

Catalytic performance is largely dependent on how the structures/compositions of materials are designed. Herein, CeO2-MnOx binary oxide catalysts with a hierarchical/porous structure are prepared by a facile and efficient method, which involves the preparation of the hierarchical Ce-Mn coordination polymer (CPs) precursor, followed by a thermal treatment step. The obtained CeO2-MnOx catalysts not only well inherit the hierarchical structure of Ce-Mn CPs, but also possess porous and hollow features due to the removal of organic ligands and heterogeneous contraction during the calcination process. In addition, the effect of the Mn/Ce ratio is also studied to optimize catalytic performance. Specifically, the as-prepared CeO2-MnOx (5 : 5) catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance toward CO oxidation and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3 at low temperatures. Based on the characterization results, we propose that the special hierarchical structure, high surface area, strong synergistic interaction between CeO2 and MnOx, and high content of active Ce3+, Mn4+ and Osurf are collectively responsible for its remarkable catalytic performance.

Investigation of lightning ignition characteristics based on an impulse current generator.

Lightning strike is an important ignition source of forest fires. Artificial lightning discharge is a method for studying lightning fires. However, there is not enough data on the ignition of combustible materials caused by artificial lightning discharge. Previous studies on lightning ignition have focused on the heating and ignition effects of long continuing current (LCC), but the function of the impulse current that occurs before the LCC has not been taken into account. In this paper, an impulse current generator of 8/20 µs was used to simulate the ignition effect of impulse current on conifer needle beds. Different current waveforms have different ignition characteristics. We compared five kinds of conifer needle beds. The average of the current needed to ignite the needle bed of Larix gmelinii (Ruprecht) Kuzeneva was the smallest, and the average of the breakdown voltage was the smallest for the needle bed of Pinus massoniana Lamb. The total energy input to the conifer needle beds was fitted as a multiple log-linear regression model. The heating energy proportion value varies with different bulk densities, current amplitudes, and moisture contents. Based on this data, the heating energy of the impulse current transferred to the needles can be predicted. This information in conjunction with previous research on LCC was used to derive a lightning ignition prediction model of the full waveform for conifer needle beds.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic epoxidation properties of a new tellurotungstate(iv)-supported rhenium carbonyl derivative.

A monomeric tellurotungstate(iv)-supported rhenium carbonyl derivative: Na2H2[(CH3)4N]6[Te2W20O70{Re(CO)3}2]·20H2O (1) has been successfully isolated and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, etc. In particular, complex 1 could act as a efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for selective epoxidation of various alkenes including different cycloalkenes, styrene derivatives, internal and long-chain alkenes. For example, cis-cyclooctene undergoes up to 98.2% conversion and >99% selectivity at 75 °C in acetonitrile with 30% H2O2 as an oxidant. Additionally, the electrocatalytic property of 1 for NO2- reduction was also investigated.

Dehydrocostus lactone inhibits in vitro gastrinoma cancer cell growth through apoptosis induction, sub-G1 cell cycle arrest, DNA damage and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of dehydrocostus lactone against human BON-1 cancer cell lines and to explore the possible underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MTT cell viability assay was used to determine cytotoxic effects of dehydrocostus lactone in BON-1 cells. Fluorescence and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) techniques were used to study the effect of the compound on cellular morphology and apoptosis. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effect on cell cycle phase distribution. Effects of the drug on cell apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed by flow cytometry using annexin v and rhodamine-123 as fluorescent probes. RESULTS: The results of the present study indicated that dehydrocostus lactone significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited the growth of BON-1 cancer cells. These growth inhibitory effects of dehydrocostus lactone on BON-1 were found to be time and concentration-dependent. The IC50 of dehydrocostus lactone were found to be 71.9 µM and 52.3 µM at 24 and 48 h time intervals respectively. The growth inhibitory effects of dehydrocostus lactone were found to be due to loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the induction of apoptosis and sub-G1 cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSIONS: Dehydrocostus inhibits in vitro gastrinoma cancer cell growth and therefore may prove beneficial in the management of gastrinoma cancer.