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Trans-oxanes are important liquid crystals. The commonly used techniques for the synthesis were to react 2-substituted propylene glycols with substituted formaldehydes. Such process produces toxic cis-oxanes, which are harmful to the environment. The cis to trans isomerization of wasted cis-oxanes was studied in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst. The yield of cis to trans conversion was over 70%, which was much higher than 42–69% when traditional methods were employed. The total yield of the new method was increased to 90%. Further investigation of effects of catalysts, reaction times, temperatures on the cis-trans conversion was carried out. Proposed mechanism of this process for the conversion was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypertension requires continuous and long‐term care to prevent associated complications. Chronic disease management mode (CDMM) was developed to improve patients' self‐management. We aimed to evaluate quality of care and clinical outcomes of CDMM versus routine care. Methods: 300 patients aged >30 years with primary hypertension were randomly allocated to the CDMM intervention group (n = 162) or the usual care control group (n = 138). CDMM comprised nursing consultations, telephone contact, online WeChat link, health education, and appropriate referrals during hospitalisation and after discharge. QLICD‐HY (V 2.0) scale was used to evaluate the quality of life. Care outcomes were biochemical parameters, body mass index, blood pressure levels, waist circumference, psychological indicators and quality of life assessed on admission (baseline) and one month post‐care for both groups. Data were collected and analysed using SPSS 20.0. Results: After one month, the intervention group had 6 mm Hg (95% CI: −5.12 to −9.08) lower SBP and 0.6 mM/L (95% CI: −0.52 to −0.68) lower LDL than the control group. In terms of improvements in BMI, UmAlb or waist circumference, there were no differences between both groups. The intervention group scored better on psychological indicators than controls (P < 0.05), and scores reflecting social and psychological function in the intervention group were significantly higher than scores at baseline, and higher than scores of controls after one month (P < 0.05). In the control group, there was no statistically significant difference between the scores at baseline and after one month. Conclusions: Under CDMM hypertension care, improvement of blood pressure and LDL was clinically significant. Intervention care further improves social and psychological function among participants with primary hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive taking fluoride (F) causes severe damage to reproductive system through stimulation of apoptosis and oxidant stress. Selenium (Se) may promote anti-oxidant enzymes and invert cell apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Se on peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) apoptosis and oxidant stress in women with fluorosis. Sixty women were divided into three groups according to serum and urine fluoride and hair Se as High F + high Se group, High F group and Control group. The activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde (MDA) and Se were measured. The levels of sirtuin type 1 (SIRT1), estradiol (E 2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The expression of protein and apoptosis rate were detected by Western blot and Flow cytometry. The levels of E 2 , anti-oxidant enzymes in High F group were significantly lower than that in Control group, while the levels of SIRT1 and MDA were significantly higher. The levels of anti-oxidant enzymes and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were significantly increased in High Se + high F group while the expression of caspase-3 was significantly increased in high F group. The levels of LH and FSH in serum were significantly increased in High F group and High Se + high F group. Therefore, Se alleviates apoptosis induced by F through improving the expression of HSP70 and reduces oxidative stress by regulating levels of SIRT1 and anti-oxidant enzymes, and the secretion of certain reproductive hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]