Influence of morphology of hollow silica–alumina composite spheres on their activity for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

Abstract Hollow silica–alumina composite spheres were prepared by a polystyrene (PS) template method using various amounts of PS suspension. Homogeneous hollow spheres prepared using 40 g were found to be with a diameter of about 300 nm in scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated their hollow sphere morphology. From the nitrogen adsorption isotherm results, the homogeneous hollow spheres prepared using 40 g of the PS suspension were found to be an ordered pore structure. The activities of the hollow spheres prepared using various amounts of the PS suspension for hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane were compared. The results showed that 10, 7, and 6 mL of hydrogen were evolved from the aqueous ammonia borane solution in about 40 min in the presence of the hollow spheres prepared using 40, 80, and 120 g of PS suspension, respectively. The homogeneous hollow spheres with an ordered pore structure showed the highest activity among all the hollow spheres. The amount of acid sites and the coordination number of aluminum active species were characterized using neutralization titration and solid-state 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The homogeneous hollow spheres with an ordered pore structure had high amount of acid sites and 4-coordinated aluminum species. The relative proportion of 4-coordinated aluminum species was related to the dispersion of aluminum species. These results indicate that the homogeneous hollow spheres with an ordered pore structure showed the high activity because of high amount of acid sites induced by the highly dispersed aluminum species

Surgeons' exposure to radiation in single- and multi-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion; a prospective study.

Although minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) has widely been developed in patients with lumbar diseases, surgeons risk exposure to fluoroscopic radiation. However, to date, there is no studies quantifying the effective dose during MIS-TLIF procedure, and the radiation dose distribution is still unclear. In this study, the surgeons' radiation doses at 5 places on the bodies were measured and the effective doses were assessed during 31 consecutive 1- to 3-level MIS-TLIF surgeries. The operating surgeon, assisting surgeon, and radiological technologist wore thermoluminescent dosimeter on the unshielded thyroid, chest, genitals, right middle finger, and on the chest beneath a lead apron. The doses at the lens and the effective doses were also calculated. Mean fluoroscopy times were 38.7, 53.1, and 58.5 seconds for 1, 2, or 3 fusion levels, respectively. The operating surgeon's mean exposures at the lens, thyroid, chest, genitals, finger, and the chest beneath the shield, respectively, were 0.07, 0.07, 0.09, 0.14, 0.32, and 0.05 mSv in 1-level MIS-TLIF; 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.18, 0.34, and 0.05 mSv in 2-level; 0.08, 0.09, 0.14, 0.15, 0.36, and 0.06 mSv in 3-level; and 0.07, 0.08, 0.10, 0.15, 0.33, and 0.05 mSv in all cases. Mean dose at the operating surgeon's right finger was significantly higher than other measurements parts (P<0.001). The operating surgeon's effective doses (0.06, 0.06, and 0.07 mSv for 1, 2, and 3 fusion levels) were low, and didn't differ significantly from those of the assisting surgeon or radiological technologist. Revision MIS-TLIF was not associated with higher surgeons' radiation doses compared to primary MIS-TLIF. There were significantly higher surgeons' radiation doses in over-weight than in normal-weight patients. The surgeons' radiation exposure during MIS-TLIF was within the safe level by the International Commission on Radiological Protection's guidelines. The accumulated radiation exposure, especially to surgeon's hands, should be carefully monitored

Effect of a supplement containing Tongkat Ali intake on sleep, fatigue and psychological mood state

Background Tongkat Ali is used as a traditional folk remedy in Southeast Asian countries and the health benefits of consuming its products are well documented. However, few studies have reported the effects of Tongkat Ali supplementation on fatigue and psychological mood state. Objectives A randomized double blind placebo-controlled crossover study was conducted to investigate the effects of Tongkat Ali supplement on fatigue and psychological mood state. Methods We conducted the randomized double-blind placebo controlled cross over study to assess the efficacy of the Tongkat Ali supplement on fatigue and psychological mood state. Healthy adults were divided by age and body mass index (BMI) at baseline, into the Tongkat Ali first group, in which the participants consumed the Tongkat Ali supplements, and the placebo first group, in which the participants consumed placebo tablets Results An improvement in score from baseline in POMS Confusion-Bewilderment (CB) was observed only in the Tongkat Ali group (P<0.05). Conclusions The study indicated the single intake of Tongkat Ali supplements has the potential to improve psychological stress in healthy Japanese adults.departmental bulletin pape

A novel mouse model of soft-tissue infection using bioluminescence imaging allows noninvasive, real-time monitoring of bacterial growth.

Musculoskeletal infections, including surgical-site and implant-associated infections, often cause progressive inflammation and destroy areas of the soft tissue. Treating infections, especially those caused by multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a challenge. Although there are a few animal models that enable the quantitative evaluation of infection in soft tissues, these models are not always reproducible or sustainable. Here, we successfully established a real-time, in vivo, quantitative mouse model of soft-tissue infection in the superficial gluteus muscle (SGM) using bioluminescence imaging. A bioluminescent strain of MRSA was inoculated into the SGM of BALB/c adult male mice, followed by sequential measurement of bacterial photon intensity and serological and histological analyses of the mice. The mean photon intensity in the mice peaked immediately after inoculation and remained stable until day 28. The serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-1 and C-reactive protein at 12 hours after inoculation were significantly higher than those prior to inoculation, and the C-reactive protein remained significantly elevated until day 21. Histological analyses showed marked neutrophil infiltration and abscesses containing necrotic and fibrous tissues in the SGM. With this SGM mouse model, we successfully visualized and quantified stable bacterial growth over an extended period of time with bioluminescence imaging, which allowed us to monitor the process of infection without euthanizing the experimental animals. This model is applicable to in vivo evaluations of the long-term efficacy of novel antibiotics or antibacterial implants

Protective techniques against excessive radiation exposures.

<p>Surgeons should always pay attention to the location of their hands at every fluoroscopic shots during MIS-TLIF procedures. The hands are often exposed to the X-ray beam while confirming the insertion point of the Jamshidi needle. A long Kocher clamp can be used to hold the Jamshidi needle for keeping a distance from the X-ray tube.</p

Placement of radiation monitors.

<p>The operating and assisting surgeon and radiological technologist wore thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) badges at the thyroid, chest, genitals (unshielded; circles in A), and on the chest (shielded; dotted circles in A). The operating and assisting surgeon wore sterile TLD ring badges on their right middle fingers (B).</p

Utilization of fluoroscopy.

<p>Fluoroscopy was typically involved at 5 steps during MIS-TLIF: preoperative skin marking (A), confirmation of the retractor position (B), placement of the cage (C, D), insertion of the percutaneous pedicle screws (E–I), and placement of the rods (J–L). We used one-shot imaging, which uses short exposure times rather than continuous exposure.</p