Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 and methanol over a hydrophobic Ce/SBA-15 catalyst

A series of Ce/SBA-15 catalysts with different degrees of hydrophobicities were prepared via a post-grafting method and used for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO₂ and methanol. The Ce/SBA-15-6 catalyst exhibited the highest DMC yield of 0.2%, which was close to the equilibrium value under the reaction conditions of 130 °C, 12 h and 12 MPa. The catalysts were characterized via XRD, BET, FT-IR, solid-state ²⁹Si MAS NMR, CA, TEM, XPS and NH₃/CO₂-TPD; the results indicated that the hydrophobicity of the catalysts facilitated the creation of oxygen vacancies, which could act as Lewis acids to activate methanol. Higher amounts of moderate acid sites led to higher yields of DMC. In addition, the hydrophobicity of the catalysts could also reduce the adsorbed water on their surface and increase the DMC yield while shortening the reaction time.

A series of Ce/SBA-15 catalysts with different degrees of hydrophobicities were prepared via a post-grafting method and used for the direct synthesis of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) from CO₂ and methanol.     

Added value of indocyanine green fluorescence imaging in liver surgery

Recently, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging has been widely used as a substitute for cholangiography in hepatobiliary surgery, to detect hepatic tumors, for accurate anatomical hepatectomy, and to increase the safety and accuracy of minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) hepatectomy. The clinical relevance of this method has been increasing gradually, as new procedures develop in this field. Various important roles and the latest added value of ICG fluorescence imaging in liver surgery are discussed in this report.     

Acetylsalicylic acid for metal stent in malignant distal common bile duct obstruction: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundEndoscopic biliary drainage is the treatment of choice for patients with malignant distal common bile duct obstruction. Self-expandable metal stents have clinical advantages including an increased duration of patency that may be prolonged by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) use. The aim of this study was to investigate whether ASA had a positive effect on the patency of self-expandable metal stents compared with placebo.MethodsThis prospective, multicenter, double-blinded, and randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted from October 2017 to May 2020 in Korea. Patients who underwent palliative endoscopic biliary drainage with self-expandable metal stents for malignant distal bile duct obstruction were enrolled, and allocated to ASA treatment or placebo. The study outcomes were the rate of stent dysfunction at 6 months, duration of stent patency, risk factors for stent dysfunction, and any adverse events.ResultsInterim analysis included 24 and 28 patients in the ASA and placebo groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the ASA and placebo groups in stent dysfunction (25.0% vs. 20.7%, P = 0.761) or the duration of stent patency (150.97 ± 10.55 vs. 158.07 ± 8.70 days, P = 0.497). Six patients experienced suspected ASA-related adverse events, and there was one lethal case.ConclusionsASA did not prolong stent patency. This study was terminated early because of the possibility of serious adverse events related to ASA treatment of these patients receiving palliative care.     

Development of SSR and SNP markers for identifying opium poppy

Papaver somniferum L. (opium poppy) is the original plant of heroin, which is a major narcotic drug, and this plant has brought great harm to human health. However, the ban on opium poppy cultivation and trafficking is facing great challenges because of abnormal profits. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification is important to address the abovementioned problems. In this study, eleven simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were mined to distinguish opium poppy from other six Papaver species. These molecular markers were further verified through a large number of plant materials of these seven Papaver species. An excellent multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system that simultaneously amplifies the three of eleven SSR markers was developed, which effectively improves the efficiency and speed of identification. The present research is of great implication for identifying and investigating the illegal cultivation and trafficking of opium poppy.

     

急性缺血性脑卒中介入取栓治疗的预后及其影响因素

 目的 探讨急性缺血性脑卒中(acute ischemic stroke,AIS)介入取栓治疗的预后及其影响因素。方法 选取2017-01至2019-07在医院神经内科接受介入取栓治疗的106例AIS患者,根据术后3个月患者改良Rankin评分评估预后水平,分为预后良好组和预后不良组,对两组患者各项临床资料进行分析,对比预后的相关因素及危险因素,并对认知功能和预后血清神经相关因子表达水平进行对比。结果 患者年龄大、合并冠心病、术前血清CRP及Hcy高、阻塞血管再通时间较长、术后36 h存在部分再通均为AIS介入治疗预后不良的危险因素(OR>1,P<0.05);预后良好组的认知功能、运动功能、语言功能均优于预后不良组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者吞咽功能差异无统计学意义。预后良好组血清神经相关因子表达水平均优于预后不良组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 预后良好AIS患者各项功能与血清神经相关因子表达水平状态均较好,对年龄较大、发病至就诊时间较长、合并冠心病,且术前血清CRP、Hcy、NIHSS评分偏高,阻塞血管再通时间较长及术后36 h内仅达到部分再通的患者应给予充分重视,对危险因素积极预防,提高预后水平。