Perceived Social Support Buffers the Associations of Household Chaos and Physical and Mental Health in rural Early Adolescents

Purpose Previous studies have shown that early adolescents living in chaotic homes exhibit worse physical and mental health. However, the potential protective factors for the links between household chaos and early adolescents’ health are still unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether perceived social support moderates the associations among household chaos, physical health and mental health among Chinese rural early adolescents. Methods Physical health was measured by general health and allostatic load (AL). Mental health was reflected by depression and life satisfaction. Specifically, early adolescents (N =350; Mage =10.88 ±1.36 years) from Chinese rural counties reported their household chaos, perceived social support, general health, depression and life satisfaction. AL scores were measured by six physiological indices. Meanwhile, the adolescents’ parents reported their family income. Results The results showed that household chaos was negatively correlated with adolescents’ general health and life satisfaction but positively correlated with depression. In addition, perceived social support moderated the link between household chaos and early adolescents’ health. Specifically, the negative associations among household chaos and general health, depression and life satisfaction were weaker among those who reported higher levels of perceived social support. In addition, adolescents’ AL was independent of household chaos, perceived social support and their interactions. Conclusions Household chaos is a risk factor for physical and mental health among early adolescents living in rural China. Perceived social support mitigates risks to rural adolescents’ physical and mental health

Clinical outcomes of olecranon sled fixation in patients with Mayo type II olecranon fractures

Background: Tension band wiring and plate fixation are common internal fixation methods used for olecranon fractures, but complications and reoperations are common. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical outcomes of displaced olecranon fractures treated with olecranon sled internal fixation. Methods: The data of 39 patients with olecranon fractures treated with olecranon sled in the Department of Traumatology of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital between May 2018 and April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 17 males and 22 females; the mean age was 44.0 ± 15.8 (range, 18–68 years). Preoperative olecranon fractures were classified according to the Mayo classification: 24 cases were type IIA and 15 cases were type IIB. Elbow range of motion (extension and flexion) and forearm rotation (protonation and supination) were observed at the last follow-up. The Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), Disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were used to evaluate elbow function and pain, and complications were also recorded. Results: Thirty-nine patients were followed up for 33.6 ± 8.3 months (range, 25–51 months) after the operation. At the last follow-up, the mean flexion-extension arc was 137° ± 15° (range, 60°–160°), and the mean pronation-supination arc was 178° ± 4° (range, 160°–180°). The mean MEPS was 94.9 ± 9.9 (range, 50.0–100.0). The mean DASH score was 5.4 ± 4.3 (range, 0–18.3). The mean VAS score was 0.4 ± 0.8 (range, 0–3). Seven patients developed olecranon skin irritation, and 3 of them had the internal fixation device removed. Two patients developed heterotopic ossification, of whom 1 patient suffered elbow stiffness. Conclusion: Olecranon sled internal fixation has good clinical outcomes in the treatment of Mayo type II olecranon fractures with a low rate of reoperations

Esterified Soy Proteins with Enhanced Antibacterial Properties for the Stabilization of Nano-Emulsions under Acidic Conditions

Soy protein isolate (SPI), including β-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S), generally have low solubility under weakly acidic conditions due to the pH closed to their isoelectric points (pIs), which has limited their application in acidic emulsions. Changing protein pI through modification by esterification could be a feasible way to solve this problem. This study aimed to obtain stable nano-emulsion with antibacterial properties under weakly acidic conditions by changing the pI of soy protein emulsifiers. Herein, the esterified soy protein isolate (MSPI), esterified β-conglycinin (M7S), and esterified glycinin (M11S) proteins were prepared. Then, pI, turbidimetric titration, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, intrinsic fluorescence spectra, and emulsifying capacity of esterified protein were discussed. The droplet size, the ζ-potential, the stability, and the antibacterial properties of the esterified protein nano-emulsion were analyzed. The results revealed that the esterified proteins MSPI, M7S, and M11S had pIs, which were measured by ζ-potentials, as pH 10.4, 10.3, and 9.0, respectively, as compared to native proteins. All esterified-protein nano-emulsion samples showed a small mean particle size and good stability under weakly acidic conditions (pH 5.0), which was near the original pI of the soy protein. Moreover, the antibacterial experiments showed that the esterified protein-based nano-emulsion had an inhibitory effect on bacteria at pH 5.0

Biomechanical comparison of three internal fixation configurations for low transcondylar fractures of the distal humerus

Background: We aimed to evaluate the biomechanical stiffness and strength of different internal fixa tion configurations and find suitable treatment strategies for low transcondylar fractures of the distal humerus.Methods and materials: Thirty 4th generation composite humeri were used to create low transcondy lar fracture models that were fixed by orthogonal and parallel double plates as well as posterolateral plate and medial screw (PPMS) configurations (n = 10 in each group) using an anatomical locking com pression plate screw system and fully threaded medial cortical screws. Posterior bending (maximum 50 N), axial loading (maximum 200 N) and internal rotation (maximum 10 Nmiddotm) were tested, in that order, for each specimen. Stiffness under different biomechanical settings among different configurations were compared. Another 18 sets of fracture models were created using these three configurations (n = 6 in each group) and the load to failure under axial loading among different configurations was compared.Results: Under posterior bending, the stiffness of parallel group was higher than orthogonal group (P 0.05). Under inter nal rotation, the stiffness of parallel group was higher than orthogonal group (P = 0.044), and orthogonal group was higher than PPMS group (P = 0.029). In failure test under axial loading, the load to failure in the orthogonal group was lower than parallel group (P = 0.009) and PPMS group (P = 0.021), but the differ ence between parallel group and PPMS group was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All specimens in orthogonal group demonstrated distal medial failure; most specimens had distal medial and trochlear failure in the parallel group; most specimens exhibited contact failure in the PPMS group.Conclusion: For treating low transcondylar fractures, the overall stiffness and strength of the parallel configuration were superior to those of the orthogonal and PPMS configurations. Nevertheless, the PPMS configuration can provide adequate stability and stiffness comparable to double plate configurations un der axial loading. Therefore, the PPMS construct may have certain clinical value.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd

DOTA functionalized adsorbent DOTA@Sludge@Chitosan derived from recycled shrimp shells and sludge and its application for lead and chromium removal from water

DOTA@Sludge@Chitosan was synthesized by a facile treatment using DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N\u27,N,N\u27-tetraacetic acid) to modify dry sludge and chitosan in an acidic solution. The performance of developed DOTA@Sludge@Chitosan was investigated for the adsorptive removal of Cr6+ and Pb2+ from water. Characterization studies showed that the materials possess a large surface area (52.009 m2/g), pore volume (0.069 cm3/g), and abundant functional groups of amino and hydroxyl. The prepared material showed a synergetic effect due to carboxylic acid and sludge, effectively removing Cr6+ and Pb2+. It reached 329.4 mg/g (Pb2+) and 273.3 mg/g (Cr6+) at 20 °C, much higher than commercial activated carbon. The regeneration of the adsorbent was tested for six adsorption and desorption cycles. The results demonstrate that the DOTA@Sludge@Chitosan adsorbent well-maintained high adsorption capacity attributed to its stability, making it a promising adsorbent for heavy metals removal from industrial effluent