Enhancing the mechanical performance of poly(ether ether ketone)/zinc oxide nanocomposites to provide promising biomaterials for trauma and orthopedic implants

Poly(ether ether ketone)/zinc oxide (PEEK/ZnO) composites were manufactured by using the injection molding technique. Before blending with the PEEK resin matrix, some ZnO nanoparticles were modified by γ-aminopropyltriethoxylsilane (APTES). The effect of surface modification of ZnO nanoparticles by amino groups and Si–O bonds was investigated. PEEK/ZnO composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The scanning electron micrographs showed that ZnO nanoparticles were encapsulated in the PEEK phase; within this phase, the nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed. Mechanical and tribological properties were measured by tensile strength, flexural strength, coefficient of friction, and wear rate. It was shown that the interfacial compatibility between ZnO nanoparticles and PEEK matrix was significantly enhanced due to the amino and Si–O bonds decorated on the ZnO nanoparticles. More importantly, the thermal stability of PEEK improved upon the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into this matrix. Cell viability studies with mouse osteoblasts demonstrated that cell growth on PEEK and PEEK/ZnO was significantly enhanced. On the basis of the obtained results, PEEK/ZnO composites are recommended as promising candidates for orthopaedic materials and trauma implants.

Poly(ether ether ketone)/zinc oxide (PEEK/ZnO) composites were manufactured by using the injection molding technique.     

Variation of red blood cell parameters in Behcet’s disease: association with disease severity and vascular involvement

Clinical Rheumatology - Behcet’s disease (BD) is a systemic and chronic inflammatory vasculitis with unknown etiology. Diagnosis is determined by evaluating several clinical criteria, but the...     

高血压患者心脏变时性功能不良及其意义

目的:探讨原发性高血压(EH)患者心脏变时性功能不良(CI)及其意义。方法:随机选择EH患者60例,行活动平板运动试验,记录心率、血压变化,运动时间(time)、代谢当量(METs);计算2级运动的心率变时性反应指数(CRI2)、最大心率收缩压二项乘积(RPP)和心肌耗氧量(MV.O2)并与正常对照组40例比较。结果:EH组峰值心率及心率上升幅度小于对照组(148.75±11.81):(154.27±12.05)次/min,(67.44±13.37):(74.12±14.43)次/min,P<0.05;CRI2低于对照组(0.94±0.22):(1.03±0.15),P<0.05;EH组CI的人数共29例(48.33%)明显多于对照组7例(17.5%),P<0.005,其中CRI2<0.8的人数20例(33.33%),CRI2>1.3的人数9例(15%),对照组为6例(15%)、1例(2.5%),两组间有显著性差异P<0.05;表明EH组存在CI;EH组运动时间(time)缩短(8.78±1.87):(9.77±1.88)min,P<0.05;运动贮量(METs)降低(9.21±1.39):(9.82±1.48),P<0.05;而RPP,MV.O2分别高于对照组[(26484.64±3573.49):(24118.39±3060.76),(30.78±5.0):(27.47±4.23)ml/kg.min,P<0.001]。结论:EH患者存在CI,提示有心脏自主神经损害,临床应引起重视。     

Effect of Information-Motivation-Behavioral Model Based on Protection Motivation Theory on the Psychological Resilience and Quality of Life of Patients with Type 2 DM

Psychiatric Quarterly - Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the remarkable disease challenges in the twenty-first century and poses threat to patients’ physical health. Given the difficulty of...     

Molecular and clinicopathological analysis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a dermal and subcutaneous tumor of intermediate malignancy. The most remarkable cytogenetic feature of DFSP is the chromosomal translocation t(17;22)(q22;q13), causing a fusion of the platelet-derived growth factor beta chain (PDGFB) gene at 22q13, and the collagen type 1 alpha 1 (COL1A1) at 17q22. The aim of the study was to analyze the molecular characteristic of DFSP in conjunction with histopathological and clinical features.     

Sebaceous carcinoma of the lip: Comparing normal lip and cheek anatomy with the imaging features of a rare cutaneous malignancy

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare cutaneous malignancy, commonly affecting the eyelids. This case highlights a patient who presented with sebaceous carcinoma of the right upper lip with extensive involvement of the soft tissues of the head and neck. As part of the initial investigation, ultrasound was requested. This case demonstrates the ultrasound features of sebaceous carcinoma as well as revising the normal ultrasound anatomy of the upper lip and muscles of the cheek.     

Preparation of Magnesium-Aluminum Hydrotalcite by Mechanochemical Method and Its Application as Heat Stabilizer in poly(vinyl chloride)

The traditional methods for preparing magnesium aluminum layered double hydrotalcite (Mg₂Al-CO₃LDHs) in industry include coprecipitation and hydrothermal methods. Both these methods have the disadvantages of high preparation cost and complicated water washing process. Using Mg(OH)₂, Al(OH)₃, and CO₂ as raw materials in this work, the Mg₂Al-CO₃ LDHs are successfully prepared by mechanochemical method, which solves the shortcomings of traditional preparation method and realizes the conversion and utilization of CO₂ resource. The prepared Mg₂Al-CO₃ LDHs are evaluated as a heat stabilizer in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). The result indicates that, when 2.4 phr Mg₂Al-CO₃ LDHs, 0.3 phr ZnSt₂, and 0.3 phr of zinc acetylacetonate are added to the PVC, the thermal stability time of PVC can reach 190 min, which is better than PVC containing commercial Mg₂Al-CO₃ LDHs. Meanwhile, its processing performance is basically the same as the PVC containing commercial Mg₂Al-CO₃ LDHs.     

B型胰岛素抵抗的临床特点分析

目的　了解我国B型胰岛素抵抗（B-IR）患者的临床特点,提高诊治水平。方法　以“B型胰岛素抵抗”为关键词,检索中国知网和万方数据知识服务平台;以“type B insulin resistance”为关键词,检索PubMed数据库,检索2000年1月-2019年1月公开发表的文献,其中PubMed数据库中所检索文献筛选出报道中国患者的文献。根据筛选标准,共纳入13篇文献,15例患者。对其临床表现、实验室检查、治疗及随访情况进行归纳总结。结果　15例患者中男3例,平均年龄（46.3±17.0）岁;女12例,平均年龄（45.3±11.4）岁;年龄24~63岁,平均年龄（45.6±11.6）岁。15例患者均合并自身免疫性疾病,其中12例（12/15）合并1种疾病,3例（3/15）合并两种及以上疾病;9例（9/15）合并系统性红斑狼疮。15例患者中14例以高血糖起病者糖化血红蛋白为（11.9±2.7）%,1例以低血糖起病者糖化血红蛋白为7.6%。11例（11/15）患者空腹血清胰岛素>300 μU/ml,5例（5/15）有高睾酮血症。15例患者中7例（7/15）进行胰岛素受体抗体（AIRA）检测,结果均为阳性;6例（6/15）行13C呼气试验,其中4例阳性,2例阴性。糖皮质激素联合免疫抑制剂作为治疗该病的主要方案,其中4例（4/15）采用起始大剂量糖皮质激素冲击治疗（甲泼尼龙≥250 mg/d,共3 d）,其余11例（11/15）起始剂量为甲泼尼龙20~40 mg/d或醋酸泼尼松40~60 mg/d。12例（12/15）患者应用小剂量糖皮质激素（甲泼尼龙4~8 mg/d,醋酸泼尼松片2.5~10.0 mg/d）维持治疗。关于起始应用免疫抑制剂的方案,8例（8/15）患者起始选用环磷酰胺治疗,0.4~0.6 g/周起始应用,一般应用1~3周。血糖得以控制的时限为2周~1年。1例患者无随访记录,其余患者均进行随访,时间为2个月~7年。结论　B-IR临床罕见,有比较典型的血糖紊乱、高胰岛素血症和合并自身免疫性疾病,治疗方案主要包括糖皮质激素联合免疫抑制剂,需密切随访,改善预后。