[Clinical study of FibroTouch and six serological models for assessing the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To evaluate the using value of FibroTouch and six serological models in detecting the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B, in an attempt to provide reference for accurate diagnosis. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-eight cases with chronic hepatitis B admitted to Xixi Hospital of Hangzhou from September 1, 2015 to September 1, 2017 were selected. All patients underwent liver histopathological examination and FibroTouch measurement to determine liver stiffness (LSM). Serum biochemical parameters were detected and the scoring values of six serological models were calculated. SAS 9.4 statistical software was used for statistical analysis, and the correlation between FibroTouch and the six serological models was analyzed by Spearman correlation. The diagnostic value of FibroTouch and six serological models was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) based on liver histopathological findings. Results: The median LSM of 258 cases with chronic hepatitis B was 9.4 (6.5-13.8) kPa. In the six serological models, the median value of aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), FIB-4 index, S-index, Forn's index, PRPindex, and FIB-5 were 0.42 (0.28-0.62), 1.27 (0.78-2.03), 0.11 (0.07-0.20), 6.95 (5.89-8.51), 0.000 8 (0.000 6-0.000 9),and 38.59 (36.28-40.97). FibroTouch had positive correlation with APRI, FIB-4, S-index, Forn's index, PRP, fibrosis stage (r= 0.73,P< 0.001) and inflammation grade, and had negative correlation with FIB-5, and both had statistical significance. The area under curve (AUC) of FT-LSM at S≥2, S≥3, S = 4 were 0.89, 0.90 and 0.85, respectively, which was significantly higher than serological models (P< 0.001). The AUC of S-index model at S≥2, S≥3, S = 4 were higher than other five serological models. Conclusion: The diagnostic performance of FibroTouch is significantly better than serological model. S-index model has the best diagnostic performance in the six serological models, and the combination of S-index and FT-LSM may better diagnose the grading of liver fibrosis, and thus can be applied and promoted in clinic.

N-Methylation of ortho-substituted aromatic amines with methanol catalyzed by 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazole NHC–Ir(iii) complexes

By the modification on benzo[d]oxazolyl-NHC-ligated cyclometalated Ir complexes, the N-methylation of ortho-substituted aromatic amines with methanol was remarkably improved.

Transition metal catalysed C7 and ortho-selective halogenation of 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazoles

An approach to construct C–X bonds on the C7 or ortho-position of 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazoles by Rh and Ru catalysts has been reported.

Simultaneous determination of 22 phthalate esters in polystyrene food-contact materials by ultra-performance convergence chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of 22 phthalate esters in polystyrene food-contact materials has been established using ultraperformance convergence chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. In this method, 22 phthalate esters were analyzed in <3.5 min on an ACQUITY Tours 1-AA column by gradient elution. The mobile phase, the compensation solvent, the flow rate of mobile phase, column temperature, and automatic back pressure regulator pressure were optimized, respectively. There was a good linearity of 20 phthalate esters with a range of 0.05-10 mg/L, diisodecyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate were 0.25-10 mg/L, and the correlation coefficients of all phthalates were higher than 0.99 and those of 16 phthalates were higher than 0.999. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification of 15 phthalates were 0.02 and 0.05 mg/kg, meanwhile diallyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg, and diisodecyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate were 0.10 and 0.25 mg/kg. The spiked recoveries were in the range of 76.26-107.76%, and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 1.78-12.10%. Results support this method as an efficient alternative to apply for the simultaneous determination of 22 phthalate esters in common polystyrene food-contact materials.

The Construction of C-N, C-O, and C(sp2)-C(sp3) Bonds from Fluorine-Substituted 2-Aryl Benzazoles for Direct Synthesis of N-, O-, C-Functionalized 2-Aryl Benzazole Derivatives

Herein, a general and practical route to 2-(2-aminophenyl)- and 2-(2-alkoxyphenyl)-substituted benzazoles by nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr) is described. Upon treatment with Cs₂CO₃, the formation of C-N, C-O bonds occur between fluorine-substituted 2-aryl benzazoles and a diverse range of nitrogen, oxygen nucleophiles to provide the targets in good to excellent yields. Commercially available nucleophiles and high atom economy are notable features of the protocol. Meanwhile, the construction of C(sp²)-C(sp³) bond was also furnished in the presence of palladium catalyst.

N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)-Catalyzed One-Pot Aerobic Oxidative Synthesis of 2-Substituted Benzo[d]oxazoles, Benzo[d]thiazoles and 1,2-Disubstituted Benzo[d]imidazoles

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC), generated in situ from easily available N-heterocyclic imidazolium salt with air as terminal oxidant, has successfully been utilized as a cheap and efficient catalyst for one-pot aerobic oxidative synthesis of 2-arylbenzo[d]oxazoles, 2-substituted benzo[d]thiazoles, and 1,2-disubstituted benzo[d]imidazoles.

Influence of aggregate pre-wetting and fly ash on mechanical properties of lightweight concrete

This study has examined the mechanical properties of lightweight aggregate concrete with a density of 1800 kg/m3. The effects of the following parameters on the concrete properties have been analyzed: the pre-wetting time of the lightweight aggregate and the percentage of pulverized fly ash used as cementitious replacement material. The strength of the lightweight aggregate was found to be the primary factor controlling the strength of high-strength lightweight concrete. An increase in the cementitious content from 420 to 450 kg/m3 does not significantly increase the strength of lightweight aggregate concrete. The relationship between the flexural and compressive strength at 28 days can be represented by the equation fr=0.69/fck. The elastic modulus was found to be much lower than that of normal weight concrete, ranging from 15.0 to 20.3 GPa. The addition of PFA increases the slump and density of lightweight aggregate concrete.