Graphite oxide (GO) samples were prepared by a simplified Brodie method. Hydroxyl, epoxide, carboxyl, and some alkyl functional groups are present in the GO, as identified by solid-state 13C NMR, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Starting with pyrolytic graphite (interlayer separation 3.36 A), the average interlayer distance after 1 h of reaction, as determined by X-ray diffraction, increased to 5.62 A and then increased with further oxidation to 7.37 A after 24 h. A smaller signal in 13C CPMAS NMR compared to that in 13C NMR suggests that carboxyl and alkyl groups are at the edges of the flakes of graphite oxide. Other aspects of the chemical bonding were assessed from the NMR and XPS data and are discussed. AB stacking of the layers in the GO was inferred from an electron diffraction study. The elemental composition of GO prepared using this simplified Brodie method is further discussed.

Background:To compare the efficacy of high- and low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) of the upper trapezius.Methods:Thirty patients (3 men, 27 women) were randomly assigned to receive either high-energy ESWT (0.210 mJ/mm2) or low-energy ESWT (0.068 mJ/mm2). Both groups received 1500 pulses of ESWT once a week, for 2 weeks. Outcome measurement was assessed by verbal numeric pain scale (VNS), neck disability index (NDI), neck range of motion (ROM) (flexion, extension, rotation, lateral bending), and pressure threshold (PT). Statistical analysis was performed with significance level of P < .05.Results:No statistically significant differences of demographic and clinical characteristics existed between the 2 groups. VNS, NDI, neck ROM (rotation to sound side, lateral bending to affected side, lateral bending to sound side), and PT were improved in both groups. In contrast, statistically significant improvements in neck flexion and neck extension were observed only in the high-energy group. We also found significant differences in post-treatment NDI (4.20 ± 1.78 vs 6.47 ± 2.48) and post-treatment neck flexion ROM (65.47 ± 10.09 vs 55.93 ± 11.07) between high-energy and low-energy group.Conclusion:ESWT effectively improves VNS, NDI, neck ROM, and PT to patients with MPS of the upper trapezius. High-energy ESWT was more effective in improving NDI and neck flexion ROM compared to the low-energy ESWT, suggesting superiority in functional improvement. Further studies are required to specify the effect of ESWT by energy intensity.

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The interfacial reaction between a eutectic Sn-3.5wt.%Ag solder and an electroless nickel-immersion gold-plated Cu substrate during reflow was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). During the initial reflowing, the amorphous, electroless Ni (P)-plated layer crystallized into two P-rich Ni layers: a Ni 12 P 5 + Ni 3 P mixed upper layer and a Ni 3 P lower layer. No ternary Ni-Sn-P layer was observed in the initial stage. After subsequent reflow for 60 s, a ternary Ni 2 SnP layer (containing a small amount of the Ni 3 P phase) was formed between the Ni 3 Sn 4 and P-rich Ni layers (Ni 3 P + Ni 12 P 5 + Ni).

It is known that allergic people was potentially vulnerable to bee venom (BV), which can induce an anaphylactic shock, eventually leading to death. Up until recently, this kind of allergy was treated only by venom immunotherapy (VIT) and its efficacy has been recognized worldwide. This treatment is practiced by subcutaneous injections that gradually increase the doses of the allergen. This is inconvenient for patients due to frequent injections. Poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) has been broadly studied as a carrier for drug delivery systems (DDS) of proteins and peptides. PLGA particles usually induce a sustained release. In this study, the physicochemical properties of BV were examined prior to the preparation of BV-loaded PLGA nanoparticles NPs). The content of melittin, the main component of BV, was 53.3%. When protected from the light BV was stable at 4 °C in distilled water, during 8 weeks. BV-loaded PLGA particles were prepared using dichloromethane as the most suitable organic solvent and two min of ultrasonic emulsification time. This study has characterized OPEN ACCESSMolecules 2015, 20 15073 the physicochemical properties of BV for the preparation BV-loaded PLGA NPs in order to design and optimize a suitable sustained release system in the future.