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A well‐designed architecture is presented here to construct high‐performance anion exchange membranes (AEMs). A series of quaternized fluorene‐containing block poly(arylene ether sulfone ketone)s (QFPESK‐m‐n) is synthesized as the main chains, and grafted with comb‐shaped C8 long alkyl chains for the AEMs. By varying the hydrophilic segment' length, there has been a significant change in the microstructure as well as phase separation morphology of the membranes, as confirmed by atomic force microscopy. Hence the as‐prepared AEMs with moderate ion exchange capacities (IECs) show enhanced hydroxide conductivities in the range of 28.8―94.7 mS⋅cm−1 from 30 to 80°C. Furthermore, based on the block backbones and hydrophobic comb‐shaped alkyl chains, the AEMs show low‐level swelling ratios of 4.3% to 9.2% at 30°C and from 6.2% to 13.2% at 80°C, and superior ratios of conductivity to swelling. In addition, the QFPESK‐m‐n AEMs also depict acceptable mechanical properties, good thermal stability and an optimizable alkaline stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop a logistic regression model and a simple score system for the prediction of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing operations for rheumatic mitral valve disease. METHODS A total of 1241 rheumatic patients (mean age 57 ± 6 years), who underwent routine coronary angiography (CAG) before mitral valve operations between 1998 and 2009, was analyzed. To identify low-risk (≤5%) patients, a bootstrap refined logistic regression model on the basis of clinical risk factors was developed, from which an additive model was derived. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare discrimination, and precision was quantified by the Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic. Significant coronary atherosclerosis was defined as 50% or more luminal narrowing in one or more major epicardial vessels by means of CAG. RESULTS One hundred twenty-seven (10.2%) patients had significant coronary atherosclerosis. Independent predictors of significant CAD include age, male sex, hypertension, angina, smoking, and hypercholesterolemia. Five hundred and fifty patients were designated as low risk according to our logistic regression and additive models. Of these patients, only 6 (1.1%) had single-vessel disease, and none had multivessel disease. Our models proved more efficient than established regression models. CONCLUSIONS Our logistic regression model could estimate the risk of significant CAD in rheumatic patients undergoing mitral valve operations, while the additive simple score system could reliably identify the low-risk patients in whom routine preoperative angiography might be safely avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using self-developed large-scale coal and gas outburst test device and 16CHs SAMOS monitoring system of acoustic emission, discussed the impact of coal and gas outburst on acoustic emission characteristics of coal induced by the change of stress level in distressed area. The results show that, in the process of gas adsorbing, the temperature of coal increases, and with the increase of stress in the distressed area, the increment of temperature increase of coal has the trend to reduce. In the process of outburst, the temperature of coal will experience a steep drop mutation process, but the impact of stress change in distressed area is not obvious to the plunged mutations of coal body temperature. In addition, in the coal gas filling stage, along with the increase of stress in the distressed area, Hit rate peak decreases, and the produced acoustic emission characteristics are not obvious, but in the out burst stage, along with the increase of stress in the distressed area, Hit rate peak increases, the resulting acoustic emission characteristics are more obvious. In the whole process of coal and gas outburst, through coal body acoustic emission characteristics and its temperature change rule analysis, there is a close inner link between the acoustic emission and coal temperation, and in the coal and gas outburst, coal energy is in a direct relationship with coal rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Potentilla discolor on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzensulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced experimental ulcerative colitis(UC) in rats and to determine its therapeutic mechanism through mitochondrial autophagy, immune cells, and cytokines. A rat model of UC was established by TNBS-ethanol enema. Rats were divided into six groups: control, UC model, sulfasalazine(positive drug), and high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose ethanol extract groups. After 14-day continuous administration of the corresponding drugs, the disease activity index(DAI) and hematoxylin and eosin(HE) were evaluated. The morphological structure of mitochondria was observed by using transmission electron microscope(TEM), mitophagy-related mRNA expression was detected by using Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), immune cell differentiation in rat serum was detected by using flow cytometry(FCM), and cytokine expression in colon tissues of rats was detected by protein microarray. The results showed that compared with the model group, each dose group of P. discolor could significantly reduce the DAI of UC model rats, and decrease the degree of inflammatory cells infiltration in the colon tissue of UC model rats. Meanwhile the expressions of T cells and Th cells in the serum increased significantly, the expression of Tc cells in the serum decreased significantly. Transmission electron microscope found that there was fusion of mitochondria and lysosomes in the colon tissue of the administration group. The expressions of mitochondrial autophagy related genes NF-κB, p62 and parkin were significantly increased in colon tissues. The results of protein chip showed that compared with the model group, the high dose group of P. discolor could significantly regulate the expression of cytokines. In conclusion, these results suggested that P. discolor improved TNBS-induced acute ulcerative colitis in rats by regulating the mitochondrial autophagy and the inflammatory factor expression.

Chemotherapy plays a key role in improving disease-free survival and overall survival of gastric cancer (GC); however, response rates are variable and a non-negligible proportion of patients undergo toxic and costly chemotherapeutic regimens without a survival benefit. Several studies have shown the existence of GC subtypes which may predict survival and respond differently to chemotherapy. It is also known that the expression level of chemotherapy-related and target therapy-related genes correlates with response to specific antitumor drugs. Nevertheless, these genes have not been considered jointly to define GC subtypes. In this study, we evaluated seven genes known to influence chemotherapeutic response (ERCC1, BRCA1, RRM1, TUBB3, STMN1, TYMS and TOP2A) and five receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) (EGFR, ERBB2, PDGFRB, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2). We demonstrate significant heterogeneity of gene expression among GC patients and identified four GC subtypes using the expression profiles of eight genes in two co-regulation groups: chemosensitivity (BRCA1, STMN1, TYMS and TOP2A) and RTKs (EGFR, PDGFRB, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2). The results are of immediate translational value regarding GC diagnostics and therapeutics, as many of these genes are curently widely used in relevant clinical testing.

Samples of chicken, duck, quail, and pigeon were collected from Jiangsu, Anhui, and Hebei in 2009-2011, and sixteen H9N2 subtype isolates of avian influenza virus (AIV) were identified. The eight full-length genes of 16 AIV isolates were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced. Genome sequence analysis showed that the amino acid motif of cleavage sites in the HA gene was P-S-R/K-S-S-R, which was consistent with the characterization of the LPAIV, and the Leucine (L) at the amino acid position 226 in the HA genes of all isolates indicated the potential of binding with SAalpha, 2-6 receptor. All isolates had a S to N substitution at residue 31 in the M2 gene, which is related to the resistance phenotype of adamantanes. The key molecular features of 16 AIV isolates from different hosts were same. Genome phylogenetic analysis revealed that all 16 H9N2 subtype AIVs originated from F98-like virus as backbone and formed two new genotypes through reassortment with HA gene of Y280-like virus and PB2 and M genes of G1-like virus. Our findings suggest that more attention should be paid to the surveillance of H9N2 influenza virus and its direction of reassortment.

Objective: To evaluate the results of reconstruction by free anterolateral thigh flaps (ALT) after operation of head and neck tumors., Methods: Forty-three cases underwent the reconstruction of postoperative defects with free anterolateral thigh flaps after head and neck cancer surgeries between November 2007 and June 2010 were reviewed. Ages of the patients ranged from 40 to 81 years, with a median of 56 years; 32 males and 11 females; 23 cases of oral carcinoma, 7 cases of tonsil carcinoma, 11 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and 2 cases of head skin cancer. TNM classified as follows: no case of distant metastasis; T1 9 cases; T2 17 cases; T3 11 cases; T4 6 cases. All patients were applied with ALT to restore swallowing and respiratory functions. The mean length of blood vessel pedicles of the ALT free flaps was 12.5 (8 - 18) cm. The flaps were 4 - 15 cm in width, 5 - 25 cm in length., Results: In the 43 cases applied with ALT free flaps, 40 cases were successful and 3 cases unsuccessful. Two of the failed cases were reconstructed with pectoralis major flap. In 11 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, except 3 cases with total laryngectomy, 8 cases (72.7%) had their laryngeal function been preserved., Conclusions: The successful rate of ALT free flaps is perfect. There were no serious complication in offered areas. The flap could be shaped into various forms. ALT free flap is an ideal flap to reconstruct the defect after surgery in some head and neck tumors.

Objective: To explore the protection methods of parathyroid glands (PTGs) and their functions during total thyroidectomy., Methods: The locations and the blood supplies of parathyroid glands in 292 cases underwent total thyroidectomy between February 1990 and December 2009 were studied. The protective measures for PTGs and their blood supplies during total thyroidectomy were analyzed., Results: Total of 542 superior PTGs and 467 inferior PTGs were found in 296 cases of total thyroidectomy. Of the superior PTGs, 444 (81.9%) consistently located in the back sides of the thyroid glands and at the level of inferior edge of thyroid cartilage. The locations of the inferior PTGs were variable, 231 (49.5%) of them located in the inferior 1/3 part of the back sides of the thyroids and 116 (24.8%) at the inferior thyroid, in where inferior thyroid artery (ITA) branches enter thyroid. The fine dissections showed that the blood supplies to superior PTGs were mainly from the upper branch of ITA, accounting for 71 (68.3%) of 104 superior PTGs and the blood supplies to inferior PTGs were from the inferior branches of ITA system, accounting for 114 (80.3%) of 142 inferior PTGs. There was 13 cases with short-term hypocalcemia postoperatively, but no case with permanent hypoparathyroidism., Conclusions: The blood supplies of PTGs are associated with their locations. During total or subtotal thyroidectomy, parathyroid glands and their artery blood-supply should be exposed and preserved to prevent hypoparathyroidism after surgery.

Yet no universally accepted treatment protocol for oral hemangiomas and vascular malformations exists. This study determines the long-term clinical outcome after long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment in 121 previously untreated patients (78 females, 43 males; mean age, 19 years) with oral hemangioma or vascular malformations. The end point was 100% vessel clearing after 1 to 3 sessions.The power of the laser was set at 6.5 W per pulse, the pulse widths ranged between 30 and 60 milliseconds. With an optical fiber diameter of 600 microm, the wavelength was constantly 1064 nm. Dynamic cooling device was set at 10 to 20 and 10 to 15 times before and after pulse, respectively. Whereas 77% of lesions were cleared totally after a single session only, 23% required an overall of 2 to 3 sessions. Tissue sloughing occurred in all patients. The mean follow-up period of 13 months (minimum, 6 months; maximum, 24 months) showed neither functional nor cosmetic shortcomings. Long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment proved to be an effective and valuable method for the treatment of oral hemangiomas and vascular malformations.

Objective: To explore the characters of the cervical lymph node metastasis in differentiated thyroid carcinoma, and to provide evidence for proper surgery of differentiated thyroid carcinoma., Methods: From 1984 to 2000, 99 cases with differentiated thyroid carcinoma were performed thyroidectomy and neck dissection. The patients were followed up. A retrospective analysis was performed. Results In 99 cases with differentiated thyroid carcinoma, there were 61 papillary carcinoma, 13 papillary and follicular mixed carcinoma, 25 follicular carcinoma. According to 2002 UICC TNM classification, 60 cases were staged I, 1 case staged II, 5 cases staged III, 33 cases staged IV. Lobectomy and isthmectomy was performed in 80 cases, lobectomy was resected and opposite subtotal lobectomy in 15 cases, total thyroidectomy in 4 cases. One hundred and four neck dissection were performed in 99 cases (5 cases were bilateral neck dissection ). Among them, 66 (68 sides) were radical neck dissection, 33 (36 sides) were modified neck dissection. Pathological results showed that lymph nodes were positive in 86 sides of 83 cases. The rate of cervical lymph node metastasis was 83.8% (83/99). The positive rates of lymph node were 37.5% (39/104) in level VI and 76.9% (80/104) in II-V, which was statistically different (chi2 = 33.01, P < 0.01). The cervical lymph node metastasis in lateral area (level II-V) and that in VI had not relationship (chi2 = 2.08, P > 0.05). Ten and 15 year survival rates of all 99 cases were 88.3% and 84.5% respectively., Conclusions: The occurrence of lymph node metastasis in level VI and level II was different and no relationship .One can not judge whether lateral neck metastasis by the lymph node statue in level VI only . Although they all had good prognosis, patients with positive nodes in level VI were not worse than that in lateral neck (II-V).

Objective: To explore the regularity invading adjacent tissue of pyriform sinus carcinoma., Methods: The whole organ serial section of 68 total or partial laryngectomy and hypopharyngectomy specimen of pyriform sinus carcinoma were histopathologically studied., Results: In 68 pyriform sinus carcinoma, invaded ventricular and paraglottic spaces was 63 and 38 cases respectively, the difference of invasive frequency of both spaces was significantly marked (chi2 = 21.37, P < 0.01). Thyroid cartilage had the most invaded frequency of 92.6% (63/68). The all touching and pressing invasion of laryngeal cartilage was 89 times, and infiltrating invasion was 51 times. The invasive frequency of lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, posterior cricoarytenoid one, thyroarytenoid and interarytenoid ones were 63.2% (43/68), 57.4% (39/68), 55.9% (38/68), 51.5% (35/68) respectively. The invasive frequency of cricoarytenoid and cricothyroid joints were 30.9% (21/68), 17.6% (12/68) respectively. The invasive frequency of superior laryngeal nerve was 67.7% (44/65) , and more than that of recurrent laryngeal nerve (18/65, 27.7%). The pyriform sinus medial wall carcinoma was 14 cases, lateral wall carcinoma 18 cases, medial and lateral wall carcinoma 36 cases. The invaded pyriform sinus apex was 34 cases, normal its apex was 26 ones, submucous invasion of its apex was 8 ones. Light lymphocytic invasion was 66.2% (45/68) and seen most in pyriform sinus carcinoma. Submucous and leaping invasion of pyriform sinus carcinoma were 24 and 8 cases., Conclusions: Intralaryngeal invasion of pyriform sinus carcinoma arose through paraglottic space first. Laryngeal cartilage membrane and their cartilage were anatomical obstacle against cancerous invasion. Lateral cricoarytenoid muscle, posterior cricoarytenoid one, thyroarytenoid and interarytenoid ones were often invaded. Pyriform sinus medial wall carcinoma invaded intralaryngeal structure easily, its lateral wall carcinoma may invade upward, downward and outward along thyroid cartilage interior wall, medial and lateral wall carcinoma may invade intralaryngeal and extralaryngeal structure, and was the most serious lesion. The invasion of pyriform sinus apex is an important sign of pyriform sinus carcinoma spreading downward to inferior and peripheral tissues of hypopharynx.

Objective: To analyze the surgical data of well-differentiated invading thyroid carcinoma (WITC) , for acquiring the clinical experience., Methods: A retrospective analysis was made in 201 cases with well-differentiated invading thyroid carcinoma in Liaoning Tumour Hospital from 1984 to 2000. The data were statistically treated for survival curves according to the Kaplan-Meier method. The Log-Rank tests were employed to assess the statistical significance of various groups., Results: There were 3 cases with total laryngectomy and partial cervical trachea resection, 6 cases with partial cervical trachea resection, 67 cases with shaving off tumor from its surface, 9 cases with recurrent laryngeal nerve resection, 26 cases with shaving off tumor from the surface of recurrent laryngeal nerve. Other local structures invaded in 90 cases was resected with the thyroid tumour en bloc. One hundred and eighty nine cases with one thyroid lobe and isthmus ectomy, 5 cases one lobe and opsite subtotal ectomy. One hundred and twenty nine cases simultaneous neck dissection (5 cases bilateral neck dissection), in them, 75 neck radical neck dissection, 59 neck modified dissection. The 5-, 10- and 15-year living rates of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients were 85.6% , 77.3% and 69.4% respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients' age, tumour invading structure were independent prognostic factors., Conclusions: With proper operation, a better cure will be made in WITC.

Objective: To evaluate the results of re-operation of thyroidectomy for patients of thyroid carcinoma., Methods: 268 patients of thyroid carcinoma received completion thyroidectomy were retrospectively reviewed from 1984 to 2000. There were 59 males and 209 female cases. 256 cases had received nodule enucleating or partial thyroidectomy in other hospitals and 12 cases had unilateral subtotal thyroidectomy in this hospital. The types of reoperation were: Total thyroidectomy for bilateral thyroid carcinoma (6 cases); expand isthmectomy for isthmus carcinoma (1 case). Lobectomy plus isthmectomy for unilateral disease (261) Simultaneous neck dissections were performed in 196 cases. Among them, 94 cases had classical neck dissection, 102 cases had modified neck dissection., Results: Pathological results confirmed that there were 78 cases with residual thyroid carcinoma. The rate of residual carcinoma was 29. 1% (78/268). There were 95 cases with lymphnode metastasis. The rate of lymphnode metastasis was 48.5% (95/196). The rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 1.1% (3/268). The 5-year and 10-year survival rates of patients were 94. 0% (251/267) and 85. 2% (127/149) respectively., Conclusions: The residual carcinoma of completing thyroidectomy was high. Therefore re-operations of thyroid in selected cases were necessary.