Poly­(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) derived from renewable biological feedstocks is regarded as a potential material for high-quality oil production through weak acid catalysis. PHB can be converted to PHB oil in a single-step reaction catalyzed by aluminum dihydrogen phosphate, and the yield can reach 36.9 wt % at mild reaction conditions (240 °C for 6 h). The hydrogen/carbon ratio and higher heating value of the oil obtained are 1.63 and 42.3 MJ/kg, respectively, which makes it comparable to that of oxygenated commercial gasoline.

Background. Conventional nasogastric tube placement is an essential clinical procedure; however, complications may arise from blind manipulation. We tested the feasibility and efficiency of a visual nasogastric tube insertion system (VNGS) using a manikin. Methods. A microimaging fiber (0.8 mm) was integrated into the nasogastric tube to create the VNGS. Twenty inexperienced physicians were enrolled and assigned to the visual or conventional group. Each physician performed 10 repeated nasogastric tube insertions with visual guidance or the conventional method; another 20 inexperienced medical students received nasogastric tube insertion training using visual guidance or the conventional method. Results. The nasogastric tube successfully reached the stomach and the narrow anatomic structures were visualized with the VNGS. Time required for insertion was significantly shorter in the visual group compared to the conventional group (22.56 ± 3.08 versus 37.30 ± 4.12 seconds, P < 0.001). Tube misplacement was observed in 19/100 cases (19%) in the conventional group; no misplacement was observed in the visual group. Less mucosal damage was noted in the visual group (3.43 ± 1.63 versus 9.86 ± 2.31 cm2). Medical students performed better NGT insertions (shorter insertion time and less procedure-related complications) after undergoing the visual guidance training. Conclusions. The VNGS may provide a new technique for nasogastric tube insertion applicable to clinical use or simulation training.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded nanobubbles irradiated with low-intensity, low-frequency ultrasound in nude mice with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA transplanted tumor model of HCC in nude mice was established in 40 mice, which were then randomly divided equally into four groups: group A (saline), group B (5-FU-loaded nanobubbles), group C (5-FU-loaded nanobubbles with non-low-frequency ultrasound), and group D (5-FU-loaded nanobubbles with low-frequency ultrasound). The tumor size in each mouse was observed via ultrasound before and after the treatments. Inhibition of the tumor growth in each group was compared, and survival curves were generated. Tumor tissues were removed to determine the apoptotic index using the TUNEL method and quantitative analysis. Tumor tissues with CD34-positive microvessels were observed by immunohistochemistry, and the tumor microvessel densities were calculated.ResultsThe growth rate of the tumor volumes in group D was significantly slower than that in the other groups, while the tumor inhibition rates and apoptotic index in group D were significantly higher than those of the other groups. The number of microvessels staining positive for CD34 was decreased in group D. Therefore, group D presented the most significant inhibitory effects.ConclusionsTherefore, 5-FU-loaded nanobubbles subjected to irradiation with low-frequency ultrasound could further improve drug targeting and effectively inhibit the growth of transplanted tumors, which is expected to become an ideal drug carrier and targeted drug delivery system for the treatment of HCC in the future.

Background The higher professional identity of general practitioners (GPs) helps to promote the establishment of hierarchical diagnosis and treatment in China. However, previous studies focus on the investigation of specialists. As the main provider of residents’ health services, GPs are the basis of primary health care services in China. This study aims to investigate the professional identity of GPs and its influencing factors. Methods A cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted from December 2021 to January 2022, and subjects were selected by two-stage stratified random sampling. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 2,200 GPs (99.1% response rate) in Chongqing, a municipality in western China. Practicing identity was measured by the Practicing Identity Scale, psychological capital was measured by the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-24), and patients were measured by the Perceptual Patient Slowness Questionnaire. Through the construction of a multiple linear regression model to analyze correlation, the related factors of GPs’ professional identity are discussed. Results The total score of professional identity of GPs was 65, with an average score of 53.59 (SD = 6.42). The scores of self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience in psychological capital were 26.87 ± 5.70, 26.47 ± 5.74, 26.97 ± 5.55, and 26.86 ± 5.59, respectively. The score of perceived patients was 34.19 ± 7.59. Average monthly income, management responsibility, work tenure, self-efficacy, hope, resilience, and patient’s contempt are related to practice identity (P < 0.05). Conclusions GPs in Chongqing, a municipality directly under the central government in western China have high professional identity and strong psychology.