Semi-solid slurry of AZ91 magnesium alloy prepared by electromagnetic stirring near liquidus temperature

An electromagnetic stirring process near liquidus temperature was designed and demonstrated experimentally to produce semi-solid slurry of AZ91 magnesium alloy, in order to avoid not only contamination from mechanical stirring but also the inflammation of Mg alloy melt at elevated temperature. AZ91 alloy feedstock was isothermally heat treated at 600-610 for 20 min, and then stirred by electromagnetic field. Globular primary particle characteristic was observed optically in the castings. Mechanical properties were also studied

Ultrasound-guided anterior iliopsoas muscle space block effectively reduces intraoperative hypotension in elderly adults undergoing hip surgery: A randomised controlled trial

BackgroundHypotension often occurs during hip surgery in elderly adults with conventional posterior lumbosacral plexus block.PurposeWe conducted a randomised controlled trial to determine if simple iliopsoas space block can lower the incidence of intraoperative hypotension (IOH) and provide sufficient perioperative pain relief during hip fracture surgery in elderly adults.MethodsPatients undergoing surgery for elderly hip fracture were randomised to receive either an anterior iliopsoas space block with a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve block or a posterior lumbosacral plexus block. The primary outcome was a composite measure of IOH incidence comprising frequency, absolute and relative hypotension durations.ResultsCompared to the posterior group, the iliopsoas space block group had a decreased median frequency of IOH [1.09 (0–2. 14) vs. 3 (1.6–4.8), p = 0.001, respectively] along with lower absolute [5 (0–10) min] and relative [minutes below systolic blood pressure of 100 mmHg in % of total anaesthesia time, 6.67 (0–7.65)] duration of IOH compared to the posterior group [35 (10–45) min, p = 0.008; 37.6 (12.99–66.18), p = 0.004, respectively]. The median pain levels in the post-anaesthesia care unit and median intraoperative sufentanil usage were comparable between the iliopsoas space group [2 (1–3); 8 (6–10) μg] and posterior group [1 (0–3); 5 (5–8) μg]. Thermal imaging revealed that the limb injected with the iliopsoas space block had a higher skin temperature than the unblocked limb in the sacral plexus innervated region.ConclusionA single iliopsoas space block lowers the IOH incidence and provides comparable perioperative analgesia to conventional lumbosacral plexus block.Clinical Trial RegistrationTrial registration at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2100051394); registered 22 September 2021

THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF CASSAVA ( MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ ) LEAF FLAVONOID EXTRACTS ON LIVER DAMAGE OF CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INJURED MICE

Background: Cassava leaf contains many kinds of flavonoids, most of flavonoids function as effective antioxidants in vivo. The protective effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaf flavonoid extracts on liver damage were evaluated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced injury in mice. Materials and methods: The protective effects of cassava leaf flavonoid extracts on liver damage were evaluated using CCl4-induced injury in mice. The mice were weighted to calculate sample quantity of mice. Bloods were taken to evaluate ALT and AST of serums. Livers were excised and weighted, and fixed for pathological observation. Prepared 10% liver tissue homogenate was used to evaluate MDA, SOD, GSH-PX levels. Results: Cassava leaf flavonoid extracts significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the relative liver weight when compared with the CCl4-treated group. The contents of ALT and AST in serum of experiment mice declined significantly when compared to those of the CCl4-treated group, but did not reach normal levels of control group. Pathological observation of livers showed that cassava leaf flavonoid extracts significantly ameliorated the CCl4-induced pathological changes. Conclusion These results provided biological evidence that cassava leaf flavonoid extracts indeed expressed potential efficacy of prohibiting liver injury in mice

Somatic Mutational Landscape of Splicing Factor Genes and Their Functional Consequences across 33 Cancer Types

Hotspot mutations in splicing factor genes have been recently reported at high frequency in hematological malignancies, suggesting the importance of RNA splicing in cancer. We analyzed whole-exome sequencing data across 33 tumor types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and we identified 119 splicing factor genes with significant non-silent mutation patterns, including mutation over-representation, recurrent loss of function (tumor suppressor-like), or hotspot mutation profile (oncogene-like). Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis revealed altered splicing events associated with selected splicing factor mutations. In addition, we were able to identify common gene pathway profiles associated with the presence of these mutations. Our analysis suggests that somatic alteration of genes involved in the RNA-splicing process is common in cancer and may represent an underappreciated hallmark of tumorigenesis

Proteomic Analysis for Finding Serum Pathogenic Factors and Potential Biomarkers in Multiple Myeloma

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant tumor, which takes the second place in malignant blood disease. The clinical symptoms are complicated that make more difficult to diagnose and therapy. Lots of researches focus on the proteins about MM in order to solve those problems. We used proteomic methods to find potential biomarkers in MM patients. Methods: We applied the peptide ligand library beads (PLLBs) to deplete high abundance proteins in serum for finding potential pathogenic factors and biomarkers of MM. Using 1D-Gel-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we identified 789 and 849 unique serum proteins in MM patients and in healthy controls, respectively. Results: Twenty-two proteins were found differentially expressed between the two groups including serum amyloid A protein, vitamin D-binding protein isoform-1 precursor, plasma kallikrein, and apolipoprotein A-I. Changes of integrin alpha-11 and isoform-1 of multimerin-1 were validated with Western blotting. The linkage of the differentially expressed proteins and the pathogenesis pathways of MM were discussed. Conclusions: PLLB combined with 1D-gel-LC-MS/MS analysis is an efficient method to identify differentially expressed proteins in serum from patients with MM

Silver-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization: Facile Access to Spirolactone-Pyrrolidines Containing a Spiro Quaternary Stereogenic Center

An unprecedented Ag(I)-catalyzed asymmetric desymmetrization of spiro cyclohexadienone lactones has been developed successfully, which performs well over a broad scope of substrates and provides a facile access to optically active spirolactone-pyrrolidines in high yields with excellent levels of diastereo-/enantioselectivities

Silver-Catalyzed Enantioselective Desymmetrization: Facile Access to Spirolactone-Pyrrolidines Containing a Spiro Quaternary Stereogenic Center

An unprecedented Ag(I)-catalyzed asymmetric desymmetrization of spiro cyclohexadienone lactones has been developed successfully, which performs well over a broad scope of substrates and provides a facile access to optically active spirolactone-pyrrolidines in high yields with excellent levels of diastereo-/enantioselectivities