Photodynamic therapy in combination with ranibizumab versus ranibizumab monotherapy for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeTo perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the outcome and serious adverse effects of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) monotherapy vs. combined treatment of IVR and photodynamic therapy (PDT) on polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).MethodsA computerized online search was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. The quality of included studies was evaluated according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Stata 11.0 software was used to do the Meta-analysis.ResultsAfter a detailed systematic review, 4 articles (5 study samples) were included for this meta-analysis. PCV eyes treated with PDT combined with IVR achieved better best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) than IVR monotherapy group throughout a follow-up of 12(th) month (weight mean difference [WMD] in BCVA, 0.132; 95% CI, 0.029–0.234, p = 0.012). Further meta-analysis including studies with 24-month follow up period showed that BCVA at 24(th) month was also better in the combined treatment group than the monotherapy group (WMD in BCVA = 0.234; 95% CI, 0.071–0.398, p = 0.005). There were no significant differences both in serious ocular adverse effects and non-ocular adverse effects (p > 0.05) between two groups.ConclusionsTreatment of PCV by PDT combine with IVR is valuable in improving visual acuity and maintaining long term effectiveness. Given the inherent limitations of the included research, future studies are needed to further validate and update the findings in this area.     

Synthesis of zirconium modified FDU-12 by different methods and its application in dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization

Zirconium modified mesoporous materials were successfully synthesized by different methods including direct synthesis and post synthesis (grafting and impregnating). Meanwhile, the corresponding catalysts were prepared. A series of techniques, including small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and pyridine adsorption Fourier-transform infrared (Py-IR), were used to characterize the properties of supports and catalysts. The results of SASX and TEM characterization proved that all the modified materials retained the well-ordered mesoporous structure from the FDU-12 material. N₂ adsorption–desorption results showed that the Zr-FDU-12 material obtained by direct synthesis (Zr-in-F) possessed higher specific surface area (709 m² g⁻¹), pore volume (0.65 cm³ g⁻¹) and larger pore size (18.7 nm) than the Zr-FDU-12 materials obtained by the post synthesis. According to the characterization result of UV-Vis, Zr-in-F exhibited better dispersion of Zr species than materials obtained by the post synthesis. It was found that the incorporation of Zr species not only increased acidities but also enhanced the sulfidities of the Mo species. All the catalysts were evaluated for their activities in the hydrodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene, and the NiMo/Zr-in-F catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance (97.3%), attributed to its higher specific surface area, larger pore size, higher sulfidity, and more acidic sites.

Zirconium modified mesoporous materials were successfully synthesized by different methods including direct synthesis and post synthesis (grafting and impregnating).     

Study on the growth rate of natural gas hydrate in water-in-oil emulsion system using a high-pressure flow loop

Hydrate slurry transport technology in deep-water pipelines has become a focal point among worldwide researches, due to its high economic efficiency. However, as the key part of the hydrate slurry transport technology research, the mechanism and laws of natural gas hydrate growth dynamics are still unclear in the flow emulsion system. On this basis, we have conducted a series of growth kinetic experiments in a high-pressure loop, investigated systematically several influencing factors (i.e. the flow rate, water-cut, AA concentration and so on) of growth kinetics, obtained the quantitative relations between these factors and the gas consumption as well as the hydrate growth rate (gas consumption rate). It could be gained from analysis of these influencing factors, that the hydrate growth rate has an extreme value (maximum) during the formation process in a slurry system. The controlling factor of hydrate formation differed at the stages before and after this maximum value. The intrinsic kinetics controlled before the value while heat/mass transfer influenced after it. The time needed for the hydrate growth rate to reach the maximum point was generally within 0.5 h after the hydrate mass formation.

Hydrate slurry transport technology in deep-water pipelines has become a focal point among worldwide researches, due to its high economic efficiency.     

Enhancing the low temperature NH3-SCR activity of FeTiOx catalysts via Cu doping: a combination of experimental and theoretical study

A series of Fe_αCu_1−αTiO_x catalysts with variable Cu doping amounts was directly synthesized by the sol–gel method and their catalytic performances were tested for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia. The highest activity was achieved on Fe_0.9Cu_0.1Ti catalyst. NO conversion was above 80% and N₂ selectivity exceeded 90% on this catalyst in the temperature range of 200–375 °C. High NO and NH₃ oxidation activities facilitated the high NH₃-SCR activities of the catalysts in the low temperature range, while too strong NH₃ oxidation ability resulted in the decline of NH₃-SCR activity. DFT calculations based on the Fe and Cu co-doping TiO₂ model showed that the barrier of NH₃ activation is dramatically reduced as compared to pure Fe doping. This is due to the lowered p-band of lattice O. However, such activated O will also strongly decrease the barrier for the dissociation of NH₂ to NH species, which will lead to the formation of N₂O. Both Brønsted and Lewis acid sites over Fe_0.9Cu_0.1Ti catalyst are involved in the NH₃-SCR reaction. The adsorption of NO_x is strong in the low temperature range, and large amounts of nitrates were decomposed on the catalyst surface in the high temperature range.

A series of Fe_αCu_1−αTiO_x catalysts with variable Cu doping amounts was directly synthesized by the sol–gel method and their catalytic performances were tested for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with ammonia.     

Mechanism investigation on the reactions of ClF3O and n-decane by combining density functional theory and spontaneous emission spectroscopy

The mechanism of the reactions of ClF₃O and n-decane had two stages. The first stage was the initial reaction between ClF₃O and n-decane. The initial reactions were investigated using a density functional theory (DFT) method. The results showed that the critical part of the mechanism of the initial reaction was the roaming of the HF intermediate. A H atom on n-decane was abstracted by a F atom on ClF₃O to produce HF. The formed HF roamed around and then broke to give ClFO, fluorinated decane and a new HF molecule. The initial reactions were considered to be barrier-less reactions and extremely exothermic. The average released energy of the initial reactions was 412.9 kJ mol⁻¹, which was great enough to cause thermal decomposition of n-decane. The second stage included the reaction between ClFO and n-decane and the thermal decomposition of n-decane. The secondary reactions involving ClFO were also studied using a DFT method. ClFO was less reactive than ClF₃O. The average energy barrier of the reactions of ClFO and n-decane was 116.3 kJ mol⁻¹ and the average released energy was 266.5 kJ mol⁻¹. Thermal decomposition of n-decane was evidenced by the emission spectra of the characteristic radical intermediates CH and C₂, which were observed using an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) system. The main gaseous products of the thermal decomposition of n-decane, as identified using gas chromatography, were hydrogen, ethylene and acetylene. The experimental results showed that the thermal decomposition of n-decane was an important secondary reaction following the initial reactions.

The mechanism for the reactions of ClF₃O and n-decane was studied using experimental and theoretical methods.     

An antimicrobial modified silicone peritoneal catheter with activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria

Peritonitis, exit site and tunnel infections are serious complications of peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), which may lead to catheter loss, despite measures taken to reduce the infection rate. Catheters coated with antimicrobials have shown only short-term activity. We have developed a process for conferring broad-spectrum, long-duration antimicrobial activity on CAPD catheters while reducing the risk of resistance. Catheters were processed using an impregnation method. Three agents were used: rifampicin, triclosan and trimethoprim. Tests included establishing the duration of activity before test bacteria became resistant, the ability to kill 100% of attached bacteria in a predetermined time (tK100), and ability to withstand multiple high-count challenges until failure in a flow model. Antimicrobial activity continued until it was stopped at 280 days and the agents prevented the emergence of resistant strains. tK100 results showed a >99.9% reduction of attached bacteria. The flow model showed no colonization when repeatedly challenged with high loads of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli for ～90 days. The antimicrobial catheter material showed prolonged activity against common CAPD pathogens and promises to reduce clinical CAPD infection.     

强迫症患者早期经历的个案研究

目的探究强迫症患者早期经历的共性，并比较其与不同文化背景下相关研究的异同点。方法本研究采用个案研究的方法对10名强迫症患者的心理治疗个案记录进行质的分析。结果强迫症患者的早期经历具有5个共性，即早年病理性的亲子关系、超我力量强大、采用迎合的投射性认同方式、极度不安全感支配下的追求完美个性，以及自动采用神经症性防御机制。结论探究强迫症患者早期经历的共性对临床心理咨询师把握强迫症的心理机制和病程发展有一定意义。     

加强立法 完善医疗纠纷处理机制

本文关注医疗纠纷私力救济途径解决中存在的问题,首先提出了私力救济途径处理诱导纠纷激增的机制,并分析了美国的医疗纠纷诉讼处理经验与我国关于医疗纠纷处理适用法律的不足,提出了完善医疗纠纷立法的相关建议,以促使医患双方主动选择法律途径解决纠纷,促进和谐医患关系的建立。