Search

Aim: The aim of this study was to synthesize the self‐management theory, model and frameworks of patients with chronic heart failure, focusing on construction process, methods and existing problems. Background: Although the self‐management theories have been created and verified for those patients with chronic heart failure, no reviews have been performed to integrate these theories. Design: A scoping review of recent literature (without a date limit) was conducted. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed. If the study reported the construction of a self‐management theory, model or framework about chronic heart failure cases, it would be included in the review. Results: Fourteen studies were included, which could be categorized into situation‐specific theory, middle‐range theory and other theory models (including conceptual model, hypothetic regression model and identity description model). It also includes the update and validation of theories, the situation‐specific theoretical of caregiver contributions extended from situation‐specific theories and the nurse‐led situation‐specific theory in different contexts. Conclusion: Self‐management might contribute to start an education programme before patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) begin their chronic disease live as an individual. Our scoping review indicates that a series of self‐management theories, models and frameworks for CHF patients have been developed, but more studies are still needed to validate and support these theories according to their cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotransformation of ursonic acid (1) by two fungal strains Aspergillus ochraceus CGMCC 3.5324 and Aspergillus oryzae CGMCC 3.407 yielded thirteen new compounds (4, 5, 7–10, and 13–19), along with five recognized ones. The structural details of new compounds were determined through spectroscopic examination (NMR, IR, and HR-MS) and X-ray crystallography. Various modifications, including hydroxylation, epoxidation, lactonization, oxygen introduction, and transmethylation, were identified on the ursane core. Additionally, the anti-neuroinflammatory efficacy of these derivatives was assessed on BV-2 cells affected by lipopolysaccharides. It was observed that certain methoxylated and epoxylated derivatives (10, 16, and 19) showcased enhanced suppressive capabilities, boasting IC50 values of 8.2, 6.9, and 5.3 μM. Such ursonic acid derivatives might emerge as potential primary molecules in addressing neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The graphene-like wrapped Ni@C catalysts were facilely synthesized by a modified sol–gel method. Nickel nitrate and citric acid (CA) were adopted as the raw materials to form sol–gel mixture. Under the circumstances, the additive CA were employed not only as a complexing agent but also as a carbon source. It is found that the calcination temperature and the mole ratios between Ni and CA are the key factors affecting the physical property and the catalytic performance of catalysts in the conversion of nitroarenes into corresponding anilines. The results show that the Ni@C-500(1:1) catalyst exhibited the best performance in the hydrogenation of o -chloronitrobenzenes (o -CNB) to o -chloroanilines (o -CAN). The yield of o -CAN was achieved at 100% when o -CNB was completely converted at 40.0 °C under 2.0 MPa H2 for 2.0 h. Furthermore, the Ni@C-500(1:1) catalyst could be separated and recovered easily after reaction by an external magnetic field. The investigated results indicate that the Ni@C-500(1:1) catalyst remained higher activity after using twelve times. More importantly, this kind of catalyst is also active for the selective hydrogenation of other nitroarenes into the corresponding anilines. This new synthetic method may pave a way for producing low-cost Ni@C catalysts on a large scale, which is attractive for industrial anilines applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives: To translate the Patient Perceptions of Patient‐Empowering Nurse Behaviours Scale (PPPNBS) into Chinese and to psychometrically test the Chinese version of PPPNBS (PPPNBS‐C) in chronically ill patients. Background: The growing prevalence and burden of chronic illnesses became the driving force for the need of empowerment as an approach to engage patients in self‐management. The PPPNBS was developed to assess patient perceptions of the process of empowerment during hospitalisation. Extending its application to different clinical context and ethnicities is worth pursuing. Design: A cross‐sectional survey. Methods: The PPPNBS was translated according to Brislin's translation guidelines and was culturally adapted. A questionnaire survey was carried out to determine the reliability and validity of the PPPNBS‐C among a total of 517 hospitalised patients with chronic illnesses. Results: The content validity was found to be good with a content validity index of 0.94. Exploratory factor analysis identified six factors explaining 68.56% of the total variance and confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this six‐factor structure. The hypothesised differences were demonstrated through contrasted group comparisons by time since diagnosis and length of hospital stay. The score of the PPPNBS‐C was significantly and positively associated with that of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, as was the Self‐Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6‐Item Scale score, providing evidence of convergent validity. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.960 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.86 for the total scale, explaining good internal consistency and time stability. Conclusions: The PPPNBS‐C has preliminary verification of the validity and reliability and could be useful in measuring patient perceptions of patient‐empowering nurse behaviours. Relevance to clinical practice: The PPPNBS‐C can be applied to chronically ill patients as a metric of the implementation status of patient‐empowering nurse behaviours and can be used as a guide to encourage nurse's intentional utilisation of empowering behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel stimulus-responsive host-guest nanoparticles were prepared based on lanthanide infinite coordination polymer (COU@Eu-ICPs) for rapid and point-of-care analysis of phosphate (Pi) biomarkers. The obtained COU@Eu-ICPs, which have the host-guest structure, were applied to high-sensitive detection of Pi biomarkers by the means of ratiometric "fluorescence-visualization dual channel". The established method has the advantages of low detection limit (51 nM), wide linear range (0.25–5 μM) and rapid response to Pi within 3 min. The developed sensor was used to detect Pi in normal human urine and serum samples, with the recoveries of 96.04–106.3%. Furthermore, the fluorescent color changes of COU@Eu-ICPs from blue to red can be used to visually inspect Pi by the naked eyes. More importantly, a portable test strip based on COU@Eu-ICPs was fabricated and successfully applied to the rapid visual detection of Pi in human urine and serum samples. [Display omitted] • The novel stimulus-responsive host-guest nanoparticles COU@Eu-ICPs were prepared. • The obtained COU@Eu-ICPs was applied to high-sensitive detection of Pi biomarkers. • The color changes of COU@Eu-ICPs can be used to visually inspect Pi by the naked eyes. • A COU@Eu-ICPs portable test strip was applied to the rapid visual detection of Pi in human urine and serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of ternary low-platinum nanocatalysts, alloy PdPtIr/C, core-shell PdPt@PtIr/C and Pd@PtIr/C, have been prepared, and their catalytic behaviors toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR)/oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are comparatively investigated via cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry analysis in an acidic medium. Through a two-step colloidal technique, the synthesized core-shell structured catalyst PtPd@PtIr/C with alloy core and alloy shell show the best catalytic activity toward MOR and the best poisoning tolerance. The alloy PdPtIr/C catalyst prepared via a one-step colloidal technique exhibits the best performance toward ORR among the three catalysts. All the three catalysts are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and other characterization techniques. The core-shell structured PtPd@PtIr/C (1.50 A mg−1 Pt) catalyst shows superior activity than Pt/C (2.34 times) and ternary catalysts for the anodic oxidation of methanol. The I f/ I b ratio of PtPd@PtIr/C (1.56) is considerably larger than those of Pd@PtIr/C (1.22) and Pt/C (0.68), and is slightly higher than that of PdPtIr/C (1.54). The PtPd@PtIr/C is therefore the best catalyst in terms of MOR activity and CO tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Small nanoparticles offer high surface areas and are certainly desirable for electrocatalytic reactions and fuel cells. However, the drawback of using small nanoparticles is their tendency towards particle aggregation. This paper aims to inhibit platinum agglomeration by adding silicon oxide to a carbon support for enhanced catalytic activity in low-temperature fuel cells. The catalysts are characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Physical characterization and cyclic voltammetry techniques at room temperature are used to assess the effects of silicon oxide amount, post-heating temperature, and holding time on particle size and dispersion of active components, and the catalysts’ activity towards the methanol oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions. It is found that using a support of carbon powder with 3wt.% silicon oxide can enhance the electrochemically active surface area of Pt catalysts and their activity towards the anodic oxidation of methanol and reduction of oxygen. The active components are also more resistant than Pt/C to agglomeration upon heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A palladium decorated Pt/C catalyst, Pt@Pd/C, is prepared by a colloidal approach with a small amount of platinum as core. It is found that the catalyst shows excellent activity towards anodic oxidation of formic acid at room temperature and its activity is 60% higher than that of Pd/C. Decoration of palladium shell on the platinum core is supported by XPS results. Due to the use of platinum as core, active components are dispersed very well and the particle sizes are smaller than those of Pd/C. The cyclic voltammetry measurement clearly shows synthetic electro-oxidation effects of formic acid on Pt@Pd/C. It is speculated that the high performance of Pt@Pd/C may result from the unique core–shell structure and synergistic effect of Pt and Pd at the interface. The preparation method for Pt@Pd/C reported in this work will provide additional options for the design of catalysts for direct formic acid fuel cell (DFAFC). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An unreported nitronyl nitroxide radical ligand and corresponding radical-4f and radical-3d-4f complexes were prepared with structure changes from ring-shape to 1D zigzag. Magnetic measurements reveal that two different magnetic interactions coexist in radical-4f complex, while for radical-3d-4f complex, weak ferromagnetic coupling between Cu2+/Ln3+ and radical ligands as well as antiferromagnetic coupling between two adjacent radicals via the Ln3+ are observed. • Radical-4f ring dimer and radical-3d-4f 1D chain complexes have been prepared. • Comparison discussion of structure and magnetic property changes were conducted. • Complexes 2 , 3 and 5 display frequency temperature dependence at low temperature. An unreported nitronyl nitroxide radical ligand and its corresponding radical-4f (complexes 1 – 3) and radical-3d-4f complexes (complexes 4 – 6) were successfully prepared. Structural analyses indicate that the complexes 1 – 3 are cyclic structures consist of two identical units of Ln(hfac) 3 (NIT-5-OCH 3 -3pyridine) (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone; Ln = Gd 1 , Tb 2 , Dy 3), while the complexes 4 – 6 show 1D zigzag structures with periodic [Rad–Ln–Rad–Cu] (Ln = Gd 4 , Tb 5 , Dy 6) units. Dc susceptibility measurements reveal that two different magnetic interactions coexist in complex 1: (i) ferromagnetic coupling between Gd3+ and radical through the N O group, (ii) weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Gd3+ and radical through the pyridine ring. While for complex 4 , weak ferromagnetic coupling between Cu2+/Ln3+ and radical ligands as well as antiferromagnetic coupling between two adjacent radicals via the Ln3+ are observed at the same time. Furthermore, AC magnetic studies reveal that complexes 2 , 3 and 5 display slow magnetization relaxation at low-temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) education or training are considered fundamental to building and strengthening an EBP culture, as well as to encouraging evidence-based academic and clinical practice in the nursing community. However, few valid and reliable instruments are available for the assessment of EBP teaching and learning in clinical nurses in China. Translation, reliability, and validity testing of the English Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire (EBP2Q), which has strong psychometric properties, may encourage evaluation and promote the implementation of EBP in Mainland China. Methods: Based on established guidelines for the development of questionnaires, the English EBP2Q was translated and cross-culturally adapted. The Chinese version of the EBP2Q (EBP2Q-C) was validated using a sample of 543 nurses. Structural validity was evaluated through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, and the questionnaire was tested for convergent and criterion validity. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also evaluated. Results: The content validity index demonstrated good content validity (≥0.98). An eight-factor structure was obtained in the exploratory factor analysis, and verified by a three-order factor model from the confirmatory factor analysis (χ2/df = 2.001; RMSEA = 0.065; SRMR = 0.077; and CFI = 0.884). The Spearman's rank correlation analysis of the EBP2Q-C with the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire showed moderate correlations for Practice (0.58) and Confidence (0.68) and a low correlation for Sympathy (0.32). Criterion validity was demonstrated by significant differences in terms of nurses' highest education, present position, EBP training, involvement in research programs, and level of understanding of English. Both the overall Cronbach's α and the Cronbach's α for the domains exceeded 0.70. The intraclass correlation coefficients for the domains ranged between 0.75 and 0.96, indicating satisfactory repeatability. Conclusions: Except for the convergent validity of the Sympathy domain, the EBP2Q-C provided evidence of validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be applied in EBP education or training assessment in Mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conventional double catalyst layer (DCL) structures show no obvious improvement in cathode performance, due to the contradiction between improving mass transfer and maintaining good platinum (Pt) utilization. To decrease this conflict, a novel DCL cathode is prepared using catalysts with two different amounts of Pt; the catalyst with higher Pt content is used in the inner layer to concentrate the Pt, and the catalyst containing less Pt is used in the outer layer to maintain a suitable layer thickness. Polarization characteristics of cathodes with this novel DCL, a conventional DCL, and a single catalyst layer (SCL) are evaluated at ambient pressure in an H2/air PEMFC. The results show a significant increase in performance with the novel DCL cathode. Compared with the SCL cathode, the current density of the novel DCL cathode at 0.6V increases by 35.9%, while that of the conventional DCL cathode increases by just 8.8%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Graphical abstract Three novel lanthanide–radical complexes. Complexes 1 , 2 and 3 are isomorphous. Ferromagnetic interactions between Ln and radical. Tb and Dy complex show the presence of frequency-dependent signals. Abstract Three new lanthanide-nitronyl nitroxide radical complexes [Ln(tfac) 3 (NIT-2thz)] (Ln(III) = Gd 1, Tb 2, Dy 3; tfac = trifluoroacetylacetonate; NIT-2thz = 2-(2′-thiazolyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) have been synthesized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that complexes 1 – 3 are isomorphous. They all crystallized in the C2/ c space groups. Each central Ln(III) ion is eight-coordinated by three bischelate tfac ligands and one radical ligand. More specifically, NIT-2thz acts as a chelate ligand to link one Ln(III) ion through its nitrogen atom of the thiazole ring and oxygen atom of the N–O group to form a two-spin system. Magnetic studies show that Gd complex exhibits ferromagnetic Gd(III)–radical coupling, Tb and Dy complexes exhibit frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is no consensus on whether intravenous rehydration must be added after preoperative phenoxybenzamine (PXB) administration for pheochromocytoma. The aim of this study is to investigate whether abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after PXB administration is associated with intraoperative hemodynamic instability., Methods: 83 Patients with pheochromocytoma received surgical treatment in the Department of Urology, Handan First Hospital, between October 2014 and July 2022. All patients were subclassified into either the hemodynamic stability group (HS group) or the hemodynamic instability group (HU group) according to whether intraoperative hemodynamic instability occurred, with 51 cases in HS group and 32 cases in HU group. Differences in data between the two groups were examined, and the risk factors for intraoperative hemodynamic instability were analyzed using logistic regression., Results: The results of the analysis showed no statistically significant differences in age, sex, location of the tumor, surgical method, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m 2 , blood and urine catecholamine test results, preoperative oral PXB followed by combined intravenous volume expansion, proportion of patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus or coronary heart disease between the two groups (P>0.05). The size of the tumor in the HS group was smaller than that in the HU group (5.3 ± 1.9 cm vs 6.2 ± 2.4 cm P=0.010). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that abandonment of intravenous volume expansion after preoperative receipt of α-blockers in patients with adrenal pheochromocytoma was not an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Only the tumor size (P=0.025) was an independent risk factor for intraoperative hemodynamic instability., Conclusion: The purpose of general preoperative intravenous fluid expansion is to prevent hypotension after the tumor has been resected. In the current study, we indicated that preoperative management of pheochromocytomas using the α-blocker PXB in combination with intravenous volume expansion does not further reduce the risk of intraoperative hemodynamic instability or postoperative complications compared with oral PXB alone. Therefore, our study supports preoperative management of pheochromocytoma with a single α-blocker, PXB, as sufficient., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Yan, Tian, Wu, Cai and Guo.)

A ratiometric fluorescent probe with blue-emission fluorescence based on N, Si-doped carbon dots (N, Si-CDs) for the detection of balofloxacin (BLFX) was synthesized by simple one-pot hydrothermal carbonization using methotrexate and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as carbon materials. The obtained N, Si-CDs showed dual-emission band fluorescence characterization at 374 nm and 466 nm. Furthermore, the synthesized N, Si-CD probe exhibited evidence of ratiometric fluorescence emission characteristics ( F 466 / F 374 ) toward BLFX along with a decrease in fluorescence intensity at 374 nm and an increase in fluorescence intensity at 466 nm. Based on this probe, a highly sensitive and fast detection method for the analysis of BLFX has been established with a linear range of 1-60 μM and a low detection limit of 0.1874 μM, as well as a rapid response time of 5.0 s. The developed assay has also been successfully applied for the detection of BLFX in tablets and rat serum., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Biotransformation of betulonic acid ( 1 ) by Rhizopus arrhizus CGMCC 3.868 resulted in the production of 16 new ( 3 , 5 , 6 , and 9 - 21 ) and five known compounds. Structures of the new compounds were established by analysis of spectroscopic data. Hydroxylation, acetylation, oxygenation, glycosylation, and addition reactions involved the C-20-C-29 double bond. Antineuroinflammatory activities of the obtained compounds in NO production were tested in lipopolysaccharides-induced BV-2 cells. Compared with the substrate betulonic acid, biotransformation products 3 , 8 , 9 , 14 , and 21 exhibited an improved inhibitory effect, with IC 50 values of 10.26, 11.09, 5.38, 1.55, and 4.69 μM, lower than that of the positive control, N G -monomethyl-l-arginine.