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Abstract Background Non-isolated auditory neuropathy (AN), or syndromic AN, is marked by AN along with additional systemic manifestations. The diagnostic process is challenging due to its varied symptoms and overlap with other syndromes. This study focuses on two mitochondrial function-related genes which result in non-isolated AN, FDXR and TWNK, providing a summary and enrichment analysis of genes associated with non-isolated AN to elucidate the genotype-phenotype correlation and underlying mechanisms. Methods Seven independent Chinese Han patients with mutations in FDXR and TWNK underwent comprehensive clinical evaluations, genetic testing, and bioinformatics analyses. Diagnostic assessments included auditory brainstem response and distortion product otoacoustic emissions, supplemented by other examinations. Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing validated genetic findings. Pathogenicity was assessed following American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Genes associated with non-isolated AN were summarized from prior reports, and functional enrichment analysis was conducted using Gene Ontology databases. Results A total of 11 variants linked to non-isolated AN were identified in this study, eight of which were novel. Patients’ age of hearing loss onset ranged from 2 to 25 years, averaging 11 years. Hearing loss varied from mild to profound, with 57.1%(4/7) of patients having risk factors and 71.4%(5/7) exhibiting additional systemic symptoms such as muscle weakness, ataxia, and high arches. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that genes associated with non-isolated AN predominantly involve mitochondrial processes, affecting the central and peripheral nervous, musculoskeletal, and visual systems. Conclusion This study identifies novel mutations in FDXR and TWNK that contribute to non-isolated AN through mitochondrial dysfunction. The findings highlight the role of mitochondrial processes in non-isolated AN, suggesting potential relevance as biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases. Further research is required to explore these mechanisms and potential therapies. Graphical Abstract

Sarcopenia is a progressive systemic skeletal muscle disease induced by various physiological and pathological factors, including aging, malnutrition, denervation, and cardiovascular diseases, manifesting as the decline of skeletal muscle mass and function. Both exercise and nutrition produce beneficial effects on skeletal muscle growth and are viewed as feasible strategies to prevent sarcopenia. Mechanisms involve regulating blood flow, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, protein synthesis and degradation, and satellite cell activation through exerkines and gut microbiomes. In this review, we summarized and discussed the latest progress and future development of the above mechanisms for providing a theoretical basis and ideas for the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.

Abstract To locate and read the complex pointer meter dial for the images with uneven illumination, blurred dial, and tilted dial, this paper firstly proposes an improved BRISK‐FREAK algorithm for dial position. Then, combined with the Line Segment Detector (LSD) algorithm, an automatic identification method for complex pointer meter is proposed. The dial of a large number of SF6 complex pressure pointer meter images are located and the results reveal that the proposed improved BRISK‐FREAK algorithm has good adaptability under strong interference. The computational speed of the proposed algorithm is 33% and 17% higher than the Scale‐Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) algorithm and the Binary Robust Invariant Scalable Keypoints (BRISK) algorithm respectively. The positioning success rate of the proposed algorithm is 40%, 64%, and 32% higher than that of the SIFT, Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF (ORB) and BRISK algorithms respectively. The reading success rate of the proposed method is 94.5%, which is 19.5%, 39.9% and 14.8% higher than that of the methods based on the ORB, SIFT and BRISK algorithms respectively. It is particularly suitable for application in the actual substations to realize the identification of complex pointer meters.

Abstract Molecular recognition is a fundamental function of natural systems that ensures biological activity. This is achieved through the sieving effect, host-guest interactions, or both in biological environments. Recent advancements in multifunctional proteins reveal a new dimension of functional organization that goes beyond single-function molecular recognition, emphasizing the need for artificial multifunctional materials in industrial applications. Herein, we have designed a porous Ni4O4-cubane squarate coordination polymer as an artificial molecular recognition host, drawing inspiration from the structural and functional features of natural enzymes. A comprehensive assessment of the material’s ability to distinguish target species under different operating conditions was carried out. The results confirm its sieving function through hexane isomers separation, host-guest interaction function via xenon/krypton separation, and dual presence of sieving and interaction through carbon dioxide/nitrogen separation. Additionally, the material demonstrates good stability and feasibility for large-scale production, indicating its practical potential. Our findings provide a bio-inspired multifunctional recognition material for chemical separations as proof-of-concept while offering solutions to advance artificial multifunctional materials adaptable to other applications beyond chemical separations.

Objective The pedicle screw technique has been widely used in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis orthopedic surgery, but misplacement of screws may damage important structures such as blood vessels and nerves around the pedicle, resulting in serious consequences. Therefore, our research team has independently developed a surgical tool to assist in the placement of pedicle screws. This study aims to investigate the safety and accuracy of postural awareness tool assisted nail placement in orthopedic surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Method A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis admitted to our hospital from July 2019 to July 2022, including 10 males and 14 females, with an average age of 14.88 ± 2.36 years (10–19 years). The mean follow‐up was 15.67 ± 2.20 months (12–20 months). We divided the patients into postural awareness group (n = 12) and C‐arm group (n = 12) according to whether the postural awareness surgical tool was used during the operation. All patients were treated with posterior spinal orthopedic surgery. The postural awareness group was assisted by pedicle screw placement with a postural awareness surgical tool, while the C‐arm group was given a pedicle screw placement with freehand technique. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, nail placement related complications, nail placement accuracy, and scoliosis correction rate were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results The operative time, intraoperative blood loss and fluoroscopy times in the postural awareness group were significantly lower than those in the C‐arm group, with statistical significance (p

Abstract Backgroud Supernatants from various cytological samples, including body cavity effusion, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and needle aspiration, have been validated for detecting genetic alterations using cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the sensitivity of fusion variations detection remains challenging. The protection of cell‐free RNA (cfRNA) is critical for resolving the issue. Methods A protective solution (PS) was applied for preserving cfRNA in cytological supernatant (CS), and the quality of protected cfRNA was assessed by cycle threshold (CT) values from reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Furthermore, we collected an additional set of malignant cytological and matched tumor samples from 84 NSCLC patients, cfDNA & cfRNA extraction and double detection for driver gene mutations was validated using the multi‐gene mutations detection by RT‐qPCR. Results Under the optimal protection system, 91.0% (101/111) of cfRNA were protected effectively. Among the 84 NSCLC patient samples, seven cytological samples failed the tests. In comparison with tumor samples, the overall sensitivity and specificity of detecting driver genes of supernatant cfDNA and cfRNA were 93.8% (74/77) and 100% (77/77), respectively. Notably, when focusing exclusively on patients with fusion gene changes, both sensitivity and specificity reached 100% (11/11) for EML4‐ALK, ROS1, RET fusions, and MET ex14 skipping. Conclusion These findings suggest that cfDNA & cfRNA extraction and double detection strategy recommended in this study improve the accuracy of driver genes mutations test, especially for RNA‐based assay.

Abstract. Immune escape mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can disrupt every step of the anti-cancer immune response. In recent years, an increased understanding of the specific mechanisms fueling immune escape has allowed for the development of numerous immunotherapeutic treatments that have been introduced into the clinical practice. The advent of immunotherapy has dramatically changed the current treatment landscape of advanced or metastatic NSCLC because of its durable efficacy and manageable toxicity. In this review, we will first present a brief overview of recent evidence on immune escape mechanisms in NSCLC. We will then discuss the current promising immunotherapeutic strategies in advanced or metastatic NSCLC tumors.

Abstract. Background:. Lung cancer has been the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide for many years. This study aimed to investigate the global patterns and trends of lung cancer. Methods:. Lung cancer incidence and mortality were derived from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database. Continuous data from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Time Trends were used to analyze the temporal trends from 2000 to 2012 using Joinpoint regression, and average annual percent changes were calculated. The association between the Human Development Index and lung cancer incidence and mortality was assessed by linear regression. Results:. An estimated 2.2 million new lung cancer cases and 1.8 million lung cancer-related deaths occurred in 2020. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) ranged from 36.8 per 100,000 in Demark to 5.9 per 100,000 in Mexico. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) varied from 32.8 per 100,000 in Poland to 4.9 per 100,000 in Mexico. Both ASIR and ASMR were approximately twice higher in men than in women. The ASIR of lung cancer showed a downward trend in the United States of America (USA) between 2000 and 2012, and was more prominent in men. The age-specific incidence rates of lung cancer for ages of 50 to 59 years showed an upward trend in China for both men and women. Conclusions:. The burden of lung cancer is still unsatisfactory, especially in developing countries like China. Considering the effectiveness of tobacco control and screening in developed countries, such as the USA, there is a need to strengthen health education, accelerate the establishment of tobacco control policies and regulations, and improve early cancer screening awareness to reduce the future burden of lung cancer.

Abstract The treatment of periodontitis focuses on controlling the progression of inflammation, reducing plaque accumulation, and promoting bone tissue reconstruction. Among them, the reconstruction of irregular bone resorption caused by periodontitis is a long‐standing challenge. At present, the local drug treatment of periodontitis is mainly anti‐inflammatory and antibacterial drugs. In this study, psoralen (Pso), a Chinese herbal medicine with anti‐inflammatory, antibacterial, and osteogenic effects, was selected for the local treatment of periodontitis. Meanwhile, an injectable methacrylate gelatin (GelMA) platform loading with Pso was constructed. Pso‐GelMA had the properties of fluidity, light cohesion, self‐healing, and slow release, which could be better used in the deep and narrow structure of the periodontal pocket, and greatly increased the effectiveness of local drug delivery. The pore size of Gelma hydrogel did not change after loading Pso by SEM. In vitro, Pso‐GelMA effectively upregulated the expression of osteogenic genes and proteins, increased alkaline phosphatase activity, promoted the mineralisation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) extracellular matrix, and had significant antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Therefore, Pso‐GelMA has immense promise in the adjuvant treatment of periodontitis.

Objective: This study summarized and analyzed the clinical data, preoperative preparation, surgical process and postoperative recovery of patients, to explore the clinical effect of posture-aware surgical tool in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis orthopedic surgery. Methods: This study demonstrated the whole process of using posture-aware surgical tools to assist the placement of screws in orthopedic surgery of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A 14-year-old and 8-month-old male with height 166 ​cm and weight 60 ​kg was diagnosed as Lenke type 1A adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The preoperative X-ray films of the patients showed that the Cobb angle was 66°, CSVL-C7PL (Central Sacral Vertical Line -C7 plumb line) was 4 ​mm, SVA (sagittal vertical axis) was 5 ​mm. The operative fixed segment was T5∼L3 vertebral body. Renaissance and other three-dimensional software were utilized for screw placement angle, entry point and other related information before operation. The use of posture-aware surgical tools during surgery can accurately select screw length, type and screw placement angle, as planned by using three-dimensional software before operation. Results: The entire operation process was smooth. The intraoperative blood loss was about 600 ​ml, and the operation time was about 445 ​min. A total of 18 screws were placed during the whole operation.The patient's Cobb Angle was 8.94°, CSVL-C7PL was 2 ​mm, and SVA was 3 ​mm on postoperative radiographs. Conclusion: The implantation of pedicle screw assisted by posture-aware surgical tool is safe and effective with a smooth operation process and favorable patient outcomes.

In terms of the great investment and high energy consumption of natural gas liquefaction process system, the technological economy of the process equipment can be evaluated reasonably through thermoeconomic analysis. The process flow was simulated with HYSYS based on the actual process and operation data of a natural gas liquefaction plant. Thereby, the thermoeconomic cost balance and auxiliary equations of each equipment were constructed based on economic and exergic analysis to analyze the thermoeconomic cost of streams. Besides, the technological economy of equipment was evaluated with the relative cost difference and the exergo-economic factor based on the fuel-product definition of the equipment and the thermoeconomic cost of each stream. Meanwhile, the optimization direction of each equipment was pointed out, and the influence degree of energy cost and non-energy cost on the unit thermoeconomic cost of the product was analyzed. The results show that the exergoeconomic factors of No. 3 compressor and No. 2 refrigerant pump in the process system are relatively high, and it is necessary to reduce their investment cost or the operation and maintenance cost. Additionally, energy cost is the main factor affecting the production cost of liquefied natural gas, and the unit thermoecomnomic cost of liquefied natural gas increases by 8.7% if the energy cost is increased by 10%. Generally, the research results could provide guidance and suggestions on the optimization, operation and maintenance of the natural gas liquefaction process system.

Background and objective Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improved survival of partial patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). However, it was still insufficient of data in older patients. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of immunotherapy in patients with LUSC in Chinese population of real world. Methods A total of 185 LUSC patients underwent pathological diagnosis were involved from January 2018 to January 2022. Patients were divided into elderly group (age ≥70 years) and younger group (age 0.05). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) and median overall survival (mOS) in elderly group were similar with younger group (P>0.05). Both combined group and immunology alone demonstrated prolonged mPFS in first-line compared with chemotherapy in elderly group. And combined group demonstrated significantly prolonged mPFS compared with chemotherapy in younger group (P0.05). Cox regression model demonstrated that clinical stage was an independent predictor and prognostic factor. The incidence of immune-related adverse was 58.0% (51/88) and grade 3 or above 25.0% (22/88). The most common grade 3 adverse events were rash, immune-associated pneumonia, and fatigue. Conclusion Immunology combined with chemotherapy increased ORR, mPFS and mOS of Chinese patients with LUSC in first-line therapy compared with chemotherapy. There was no difference of efficacy and adverse effects rate between elderly group and younger group. The adverse effects of immunology in elderly patients with LUSC were controllable.

Abstract Soil-related problems have grown up to be a major threat to human society. Scientific evaluation is helpful to understand the status of soil pollution and provide reference to further work. In this situation, Liaoning Province, a typical industrial and agricultural province in Northeast China, was selected as a case study region. It reviewed 200 studies published between 2010 and 2020 and recorded related data of soil heavy metal. It used model method and index method to evaluate the agricultural region. The comprehensive assessment score of Liaoning pollution level was 0.8998. Dalian was 0.9536, ranking first among the 14 cities. Huludao and Jinzhou were 0.7594 respectively, ranked the last. Heavy metal accumulation in different cities stemmed from different sources, including weathering of parent materials, industrial wastes, sewage irrigation, and mining activities. In general, the pollution level of heavy metal in Liaoning was at low risk level, but it still needs to pay attention to the health risk of heavy metal and the input of heavy metal into the soil, especially cadmium (Cd). This study provides a comprehensive assessment of soil heavy metal pollution in Liaoning, while identifying policy recommendations for pollution mitigation and environmental management.

This study aimed to clarify the maximum residue limit value of muskmelon, the additional types and their recommended values. Based on the quantitative analysis of 60 pesticide residues in 545 melon samples from 6 provinces in 2018 and 2019, the detected pesticide varieties were evaluated for chronic dietary intake risk (%ADI)，acute dietary intake risk (%ARfD) and risk matrix. The quality and safety risks of pesticide residues in muskmelon were discussed, and the research and analysis on the relatively high risks of pesticide residues and the supplementary types and recommended values of maximum residue limits (MRLs) were carried out. The results showed that the acute and chronic dietary risks of residual pesticides were less than 100%, and the acute dietary risk of pendimethalin was relatively high, reaching 56.67%, among the residual pesticides, pyridaben, emamectin benzoate, and bifenthrin had relatively high risk. And 65.22% of residual pesticides had no MRLs, including 3 residual pesticides with relatively high risks. Based on the above analysis, pyridaben, emamectin benzoate, bifenthrin and pendimethalin had the characteristics of relatively high risk and no maximum residue limit. It was recommended to formulate corresponding limit values. The recommended values were as follows: 1, 0.05, 1, 3 mg·kg−1.

Abstract Background The aim of this network meta‐analysis (NMA) was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors, alone or in combination with chemotherapy, as first‐line treatment for wild‐type advanced non‐small cell lung cancer. Methods We systematically searched databases, Clinical Trial.gov and included randomized clinical trials focusing on advanced NSCLC using PD‐1/PD‐L1 inhibitors as first‐line treatment. Hazard ratio for overall survival and progression‐free survival, odds ratio for any‐cause high‐adverse events (grade 3 or higher) were documented according to Bayesian NMA. Subgroup analysis was performed according to PD‐L1 level and histology. Results Thirteen trials including 9154 patients were included. In the PD‐L1 nonselective cohort, chemotherapy in combination with pembrolizumab and atezolizumab, respectively, were significantly better than any other treatment strategies in both OS benefit (HR = 0.63; HR = 0.85) and PFS benefit (HR = 0.52; HR = 0.63). In subgroup analysis, pembrolizumab appeared to provide the best OS benefit (HR = 0.67) as well as the best PFS benefit (HR = 0.67) in the PD‐L1 ≥ 50% cohort. In contrast, pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy exhibited the best OS benefit in the PD‐L1

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab combined with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on bevacizumab combined with EGFR TKIs in the NSCLC Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed and Embase. The data were extracted and assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook. We calculated the hazard ratio (HR), risk ratio (RR), and confidence interval (CI), and accomplished this meta‐analysis with Stata 14 software. Results Of 1301 articles scanned, five articles were involved in this meta‐analysis. We determined that compared with using EGFR TKIs alone, combination treatment significantly prolongs progression‐free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.52–0.70; p

Objective: To investigate the accuracy and repeatability of the software that we developed in measuring the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) Cobb angle. Methods: Fifty patients with AIS were included in the study. Three independent surveyors measured the Cobb angle of coronal main curve, thoracic kyphosis angle (TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis angle (TLK) and lumbar kyphosis angle (LL) by using protractor, scoliosis screening software and picture archiving and communication system (PACS). The measurement was repeated after an interval of 2 weeks. The measurement time of software method and protractor method were compared by Paired t-test. Taking the Cobb angle measurement results of the PACS as the reference standard. The repeatability of the surveyor and the consistency between the surveyors are compared by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Among the 50 patients, there were 18 males and 32 females, aged from 10 to 18 years (mean age of 14.4 years). The time of measuring Cobb angle by software method was significantly shorter than that by protractor method (94.7 ​± ​8.5s versus 217.9 ​± ​24.1s, t ​= ​−60.536, P ​ ​0.05). The reliability analysis showed that the three surveyors used software to measure the Cobb angle of the coronal main curve, TK, TLK and LL were all in good consistency (ICC>0.90). The repeatability and consistency of the software method used by the three surveyors were higher than that of the protractor method (ICC> 0.90). Conclusions: Compared with traditional protractor, the smartphone scoliosis screening software has shorter time, higher efficiency, higher accuracy and repeatability in measuring Cobb angle of AIS, so as to widely screen the diagnosis of scoliosis patients.

Abstract. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) uses molecular biological techniques to genetically diagnose embryos before in vitro fertilization. The information obtained through PGD can help clinicians select healthy embryos for implantation, prevent the transmission of inherited diseases and help affected families have healthy children. This paper reviews the development of PGD technology, the history of its application to hereditary hearing loss, and the general process of how PGD is applied to screen for hereditary hearing loss. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the reliability of PGD in the primary prevention of hereditary hearing loss, assist clinicians in counseling patients at risk of transmitting an inherited disease, and explore the journey from PGD to in vitro fertilization. Given that the application of PGD technology to hereditary hearing loss varies in different countries and regions, there is still a long way to go before PGD is routinely applied for the primary prevention of hereditary hearing loss.

Osimertinib is a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) and a star medication used to treat non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs). It has caused broad public concern that osimertinib has relatively low stability in plasma. We explored why osimertinib and its primary metabolites AZ-5104 and AZ-7550 are unstable in rat plasma. Our results suggested that it is the main reason inducing their unstable phenomenon that the Michael addition reaction was putatively produced between the Michael acceptor of osimertinib and the cysteine in the plasma matrix. Consequently, we identified a method to stabilize osimertinib and its metabolite contents in plasma. The assay was observed to enhance the stability of osimertinib, AZ-5104, and AZ-7550 significantly. The validated method was subsequently applied to perform the pharmacokinetic study for osimertinib in rats with the newly established, elegant, and optimized ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS) strategy. The assay was assessed for accuracy, precision, matrix effects, recovery, and stability. This study can help understand the pharmacological effects of osimertinib and promote a solution for the similar problem of other Michael acceptor-contained third-generation EGFR-TKI.

Abstract Background Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation status is essential to the optimal management of lung adenocarcinoma. Liquid biopsy has advantages such as noninvasiveness, speediness, and convenience. This study aimed to detect EGFR gene mutations using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) from different types of body fluids from patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Methods This was a prospective study of 20 patients with lung adenocarcinoma recruited between January 2017 and December 2018 at the Beijing Hospital. All patients had adenocarcinoma with confirmed sensitizing EGFR mutations. Body fluid specimens included pleural effusion, ascites, pericardial effusion, and cerebrospinal fluid. NGS was conducted to test for nine lung cancer‐related gene in body fluid supernatant free DNA, sedimentary tumor cells, and plasma free DNA. Results The EGFR gene mutation abundance of body fluid supernatant free DNA was higher than that of body fluid sedimentary tumor cells and plasma free DNA specimens (100% vs. 90% vs. 80%, respectively, all P

With the continued downturn in global crude oil prices, the natural gas market shows a rapid growth trend. The coordination of natural gas trade is becoming more and more important, and many organizations have put forward natural gas energy metering the schemes. Nowadays, the energy metering schemes for long-distance natural gas pipelines have been approaching maturity, but the energy metering scheme between urban gas gate stations and urban gas users has not yet been proposed. Therefore, this paper takes two different types of cities in China for instance to verify the rationality of urban gas energy metering, and proposes a specific plan for urban gas energy metering. Taking Beijing (China) and Dali (Yunnan Province, China) urban gas systems as examples, by comparing the energy metering method with traditional volumetric metering method, it can be obtained that the use of volumetric metering method in Beijing and Dali will lead to different degrees of extra economic losses to the natural gas companies, and the extra economic losses in winter are the biggest. For some cities with high temperature in summer, the use of volumetric metering will lead extra economic losses in winter and extra economic benefits in summer. Therefore, it is fairer to use the urban gas energy metering method. Furthermore, the method of establishing an urban gas energy metering system and the method of building an Internet plus-based management system are proposed in this paper. Keywords: Urban gas, Energy metering, Energy valuation, Volumetric metering, Internet plus

The activation reactions of methane mediated by metal carbide ions MC3+ (M = Ir and Pt) were comparatively studied at room temperature using the techniques of mass spectrometry in conjunction with theoretical calculations. MC3+ (M = Ir and Pt) ions reacted with CH4 at room temperature forming MC2H2+/C2H2 and MC4H2+/H2 as the major products for both systems. Besides that, PtC3+ could abstract a hydrogen atom from CH4 to generate PtC3H+/CH3, while IrC3+ could not. Quantum chemical calculations showed that the MC3+ (M = Ir and Pt) ions have a linear M-C-C-C structure. The first C–H activation took place on the Ir atom for IrC3+. The terminal carbon atom was the reactive site for the first C–H bond activation of PtC3+, which was beneficial to generate PtC3H+/CH3. The orbitals of the different metal influence the selection of the reactive sites for methane activation, which results in the different reaction channels. This study investigates the molecular-level mechanisms of the reactive sites of methane activation.

Background and objective Albumin-bound paclitaxel is a novel paclitaxel formulation formed by the combination of paclitaxel and human serum albumin (HSA) to improve the efficacy of paclitaxel and reduce its adverse reactions. The aim of this retrospective study is to observe the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel-based therapy in the treatment of lung cancer. Methods We have enrolled 50 patients with advanced or unresectable retreatment lung cancer who were admitted from November 2011 to December 2014. All patients were treated with albumin-bound paclitaxel-based therapy with a 21 day cycle (albumin-bound paclitaxel weekly by intravenous dose of 130 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8). Efficacy was evaluated every two cycles according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 and side effects were observed during each cycle. All patients were evaluated. Results The total objective response rate (ORR) of albumin-bound paclitaxel-based therapy was 20%, disease control rate (DCR) was 68%. In the subgroup analysis, in squamous non-small-cell lung carcinoma groups, ORR and DCR were 26.7% and 80% respectively. Albumin-bound paclitaxel based chemotherapy combined anti-angiogenesis therapy had a promising overall response rate 36.4%. In the patients who had been previously treated with≥4 lines of chemotherapy DCR also reached 69.2%. The most common adverse reactions were hematologic toxicities and were all manageable, no hypersensitivity reactions or treatment-related grade 4 adverse events were reported. Conclusion Weekly albumin-bound paclitaxel is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of advanced lung cancer including all histological subtypes. Albumin-bound paclitaxel was associated with superior efficacy in patients with squamous (SCC) histology and combined with anti-angiogenesis therapy. Albumin-bound paclitaxel shown to be an effective and safe regimen for elderly or previous heavily treated patients.

After long time operation of the manufactured gas pipeline, the naphthalene in the gas will jam the pipeline and threaten the safety of the pipeline seriously. To study the naphthalene particle deposition law in the manufactured gas pipeline, a horizontal straight pipe of Kunming manufactured gas pipeline is taken as an example; based on Reynolds stress model and discrete phase model, ANSYS Fluent software is used to carry out the numerical simulation in different pipe diameters, particle size, inlet velocity, temperature, and pressure conditions. The main conclusion can be obtained as follows (1) in the horizontal straight pipe section, particle diameter and temperature are positively correlated with the deposition rate and the deposition velocity of naphthalene particle and the inlet velocity and pressure are negatively correlated with them; (2) the naphthalene particle deposition rate is mainly affected by the particle size and the inlet velocity; (3) the larger the pipeline diameters, the greater the particle mass flow rate under the same particle inlet concentration, the lower the carrying capacity of the fluid to particles, the greater the naphthalene particle deposition rate; (4) the naphthalene particle deposition can be suppressed by increasing the gas transmission velocity and pressure and reducing the temperature, thus ensuring the safe operation of manufactured gas pipeline.

Adsorption is a highly promising and widely used approach to remove Hg(II) ions from contaminated water. The key to this technology is exploring the effective adsorbent. The three-dimensional (3D) graphene as reduced graphene oxide hydrogel (rGH)-encapsulated silica gel (SG-PEI/rGH) was prepared by a moderate chemical reduction strategy using ascorbic acid. This composite structure was characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM analysis and used as adsorbents for Hg(II) ions. Its adsorption capacity toward Hg(II) ions was 266 mg/g and increased about 32% compared with the silica gel because of reduced graphene oxide hydrogel (rGH). Mechanism study showed that the high adsorption ability was due to the formation of an N⁻Hg complex with multi-amino groups on the surface of polyethyleneimine-modified silica gel (SG-PEI) and the rapid diffusion of adsorbed ions attributed to the rGH network structure. This composite SG-PEI/rGH would be a promising material for the removal of Hg(II) ions.

Porous poly- D, L-lactic acid (PDLLA) electrospinning fiber membrane was prepared, and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) was adsorbed and wrapped into it during the unique shrinking process of the PDLLA fiber membrane to fabricate the PDLLA/nHA composite membrane scaffold for tissue engineering. Compare with the composite fibers prepared by blend electrospinning, most of nHA particles are observed to distribute on the surface of new type composite fibers, which could significantly improve the water wettability and induce the cellular adherence. FTIR analysis indicated that the PDLLA/nHA composite fibrous membrane was formed by physical adsorption. The combination was probed by scanning electron microscope, thermo-gravimetric, water contact angle and mechanical property analysis. It was proved that the nHA particles’ content and distribution, surface wettability, modulus and tensile strength of PDLLA/nHA composite fibrous membrane were influenced by the concentration of nHA dispersion and pores on the PDLLA fiber surface. The 10.6 wt % PDLLA/nHA composite fibrous membrane exhibits a more balanced tensile strength (3.28 MPa) and surface wettability (with a water contact angle of 0°) of the composite mats. Scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscopy images of chondrocyte proliferation further showed that the composite scaffold is non-toxic. The adherence and proliferation of chondrocytes on the 10.6 wt % PDLLA/nHA fibrous membrane was significantly improved, compared with PDLLA mat. The 10.6 wt % PDLLA/nHA composite fibrous membrane has potential application value as scaffold material in tissue engineering.

Due to the periodic movement of the piston in the reciprocating pump, the fluid will cause a pressure pulsation, and the resulting pipeline vibration may lead to instrument distortion, pipe failure and equipment damage. Therefore, it is necessary to study the vibration phenomena of reciprocating pump pipelines based on pressure pulsation theory. This paper starts from the reciprocating pump pipe pressure pulsation caused by a fluid, pressure pulsation in the pipeline and the unbalanced exciting force is calculated under the action of the reciprocating pump. Then, the numerical simulation model is established based on the pipe beam model, and the rationality of the numerical simulation method is verified by indoor experiments. Finally, a case study is taken as an example to analyze the vibration law of the pipeline system, and vibration reduction measures are proposed. The following main conclusions are drawn from the analysis: (1) unbalanced exciting forces are produced in the elbows or tee joints, and it can also influence the straight pipe to different levels; (2) in actual engineering, it should be possible to prevent the simultaneous settlement of multiple places; (3) the vibration amplitude increases with the pipe thermal stress, and when the oil temperature is higher than 85 °C, it had a greater influence on the vertical vibration amplitude of the pipe.

When a long distance oil pipeline crosses an earthquake disaster area, inertial force and strong ground motion can cause the pipeline stress to exceed the failure limit, resulting in bending and deformation failure. To date, researchers have performed limited safety analyses of oil pipelines in earthquake disaster areas that include stress analysis. Therefore, using the spectrum method and theory of one-dimensional beam units, CAESAR II is used to perform a dynamic earthquake analysis for an oil pipeline in the XX earthquake disaster area. This software is used to determine if the displacement and stress of the pipeline meet the standards when subjected to a strong earthquake. After performing the numerical analysis, the primary seismic action axial, longitudinal and horizontal displacement directions and the critical section of the pipeline can be located. Feasible project enhancement suggestions based on the analysis results are proposed. The designer is able to utilize this stress analysis method to perform an ultimate design for an oil pipeline in earthquake disaster areas; therefore, improving the safe operation of the pipeline.