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To compare the new zero-profile (Zero-P) fusion cage with regular cage and plate (CP) in the treatment of anterior cervical single-level cervical degenerative diseases. Patients operated from January 2013 to August 2018 were enrolled. They were divided into the Zero-P group (n = 74 cases) and CP groups (n = 116 cases). Follow-up assessment was at 1, 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery, including the incidence of dysphagia, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Japanese orthopaedic association (JOA)score, C2-C7 Cobb angle, intervertebral disc height (IDH) and adjacent joint degeneration. The operation time and blood loss of patients in Zero-P group were less than those in the CP group, and there was no difference in hospitalization time. All 190 patients were followed up for 24 to 72 months, with an average of 35.29 months. In terms of clinical outcomes, vas and JOA scores of the two groups were significantly improved at one month and the last follow-up. The incidence of dysphagia in the Zero-P group was lower than that in the CP group. On radiological effects, Cobb angle and IDH showed significant correction in both groups, but the degeneration rate of adjacent joints in the Zero-P group was lower than the CP group. In ACDF, the clinical and radiological results of Zero-P and CP devices are satisfactory, but Zero-P cage may be superior in operation time, blood loss, the incidence of dysphagia and adjacent joint degeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solvothermal reaction between H4L, the rigid 2,6-di(2′,5′-dicarboxylphenyl)pyridine ligand, and Co(NO3)2·6H2O in water and DMF results in generation of a three-dimensional (3 D) coordination polymer (CP), [Co4(L)2(H2O)4]n·4DMF·H2O (1, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), with Co(II) ions as nodes. The characterization shows that 1 has a 3 D framework structure based on tetranuclear [Co4(μ1-COO)(μ2-COO)6], whose framework could be simplified into a binodal (3,6)-linked three-dimensional network with point symbol (42·6)2(44·62·88·10). The assessment of its application on sepsis mice was implemented and the detailed mechanism was studied. First, the relative expression of NLRP3 and ASC was detected via real time RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) assay after treatment with 1. Subsequently, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed and the IL-18 (interleukin-18) and IL-1β (interleukin-1β) contents were detected after treatment with 1. Molecular docking simulation confirmed that the biological activity came from the hydrogen bond that was formed between carboxyl group and the active site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation technology in mechanical engineering during product development is used routinely to reduce development time, prototypes and development cost. Nevertheless modelling and simulation technology of the human body has been mainly applied to component analysis or crash/accident simulation. The objective of this research is to explore the possibility of reducing human and animal trials for the development and optimisation of surgical methods and materials. To achieve these objectives, an in vivo and person specific simulation model is required. Leaning upon the research involving human being in the mechanical engineering, it was decided to experiment in vivo using a 50th percentile Adult Male. After obtaining ethics approval, a volunteer was selected. Three MRI scans of this volunteer were performed, each covering from the C4 vertebral level to the pubic symphysis; in two composed 3D volumes and each performed under different chest loading conditions. The 3 D MRI dataset was segmented and a Catia CAD-model created. One can manipulate and use this CAD-model derived from a human volunteer like any CAD-model in mechanical engineering. A simulation model is created from the CAD-model and non-linear analysis is carried out. The comparison of simulation results with that of test is good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absorption of NO in aqueous solutions of KMnO4and H2SO4was carried out in a stirred tank reactor under atmosphere pressure. The results indicated that the absorption process was under a fast pseudo-mth reaction regime. The reaction between NO and aqueous solutions of KMnO4/H2SO4was found to be first-order with respect both to NO and to KMnO4. The addition of H2SO4to KMnO4solutions increased the absorption rate of NO and increasing reaction temperature was also favorable to the absorption of NO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]