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Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were incorporated into TiO2nanorods (TiO2NR) by hydrothermal treatment to prevent bacterial infections of Ti implants. The successful preparation of TiO2NR doped with GQDs on Ti was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. Results showed that the mean diameter of the nanorod was 60 nm, and the hydrophilicity was significantly improved. The GQDs-modified TiO2NR showed excellent antimicrobial effect against Streptococcus mutanswith an efficiency of 97.8% due to the combined effect of GQDs and nanorod structure. Moreover, GQDs-modified TiO2NR exhibited good biocompatibility and osteogenetic potency for cell spreading, thus contributing to the new bone formation even in bacteria-induced implant infection.

Hyperlipidemia is a frequent metabolic disorder that is closely associated with diet. It is believed that brown rice, containing the outer bran layer and germ, is beneficial for the remission of hyperlipidemia. This study established a rat model of hyperlipidemia by feeding a high-fat diet. The hypolipidemic potential of germinated brown rice (Gbrown) and germinated black rice (a germinated black-pigmented brown rice, Gblack) were explored in the model rats, mainly in the aspects of blood lipids, lipases, apolipoproteins, and inflammation. The gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats receiving diverse dietary interventions was determined by 16S rDNA sequencing. The results showed that the intervention of Gbrown/Gblack alleviated the hyperlipidemia in rats, evidenced by decreased TC, TG, LDL-C, and apolipoprotein B, and increased HDL-C, HL, LPL, LCAT, and apolipoprotein A1. Gbrown/Gblack also weakened the inflammation in hyperlipidemia rats, evidenced by decreased TNF-α, IL-6, and ET-1. In addition, 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the diet of Gbrown/Gblack elevated the abundance and diversity of gut microbiota in hyperlipidemia rats. At the phylum level, Gbrown/Gblack decreased Firmicutes, increased Bacteroidetes, and decreased the F/B ratio in hyperlipidemia rats. At the genus level, Gbrown/Gblack decreased Streptococcusand increased Ruminococcusand Allobaculumin hyperlipidemia rats. Some differential microbial genera relating to lipid metabolism were also determined, such as the Lachnospiraand Ruminococcusin the Gblack group, and the Phascolarctobacterium, Dorea, Turicibacter, and Escherichia-Shigellain the Gbrown group. Notably, the beneficial effect of Gblack was stronger than Gbrown. To sum up, the dietary interventions of Gbrown/Gblack contributed to the remission of hyperlipidemia by alleviating the dysbiosis of gut microbiota.

Background:Caregiving burden is common among family caregivers (FCs). In Taiwan, no reports have compared caregiving burden according to disease stage, or explored the comprehensive factors of caregiving burden in the FCs of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate caregiving burden at different diagnosis stages and its potential predictors in the FCs of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 192 FCs. Caregiving burden was measured using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment tool. The predictive factors of caregiving burden in the FCs of patients with HCC were identified using a linear regression model.Results:The global caregiving burden had no significant differences between the four disease stages. The lack of family support and impact on schedule were significantly higher at the terminal stage than at the earlier stage. The risk factors of caregiving burden were high depression, high financial demand, heavy caregiving tasks, advanced age and frequent patient contact, which obtained a variance of 47.8% in the regression model.Conclusion:Healthcare providers need to proactively identify and assess FCs with risk factors of caregiving burden and provide appropriate interventions specific to individual needs at different disease stages.

A metal-free approach for the synthesis of 3-trifluoromethyl-1,2,4-triazoles viaI2-mediated oxidative cyclization of readily accessible trifluoroacetimidohydrazides with N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) has been disclosed. In this transformation, the commonly used organic solvent DMF is applied as a C1 synthon and the methine unit of the 1,2,4-triazole products is independently from N-methyl and N-acyl of DMF. The application potential of the developed method has been demonstrated by the synthesis of the key skeleton of factor IXa inhibitors.

Objective:Regular retrospective analysis is necessary for potential improvement in clinical practice for the treatment of hard-to-heal wounds. Comorbidities and outcomes have demonstrated spatial and temporal diversity, emphasising the importance of updates in epidemiology. The complexity of healing hard-to-heal wounds has long been known, and so we sought evidence-based improvement on the current principles of treatment.Method:Demographic and clinical information of patients from the WoundCareLog database was collected. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and completed follow-up after treatment were included. Comorbidities were diagnosed and classified into eight categories based on ICD-10. We compared the demographic and aetiological characteristics between patients with and without comorbidities by t-test and Chi-squared test. The impact of comorbidities on wound healing were evaluated with a multivariate Cox model.Results:A total of 2163 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled, of whom 37.0% were aged 61–80 years, 36.0% were aged 41–60 years and 60.8% were male. The lower extremities and buttocks were the most commonly affected areas with hard-to-heal wounds. Non-traumatic wounds accounted for 66.6% of cases, and infection, pressure and diabetes were the most common causes. Paralysis and diabetes were the most important factors which led to a prolonged healing process and inferior clinical outcomes.Conclusion:Comorbidities of hard-to-heal wounds were treated as separate contributors and their weighted effect on outcome was calculated through correlation analysis. Paralysis and diabetes were the most unfavourable comorbidities affecting the treatment of non-traumatic hard-to-heal wounds. Our study highlighted the priority of comorbidity treatment through data-driven approaches. It provides potential value in developing better public health strategies and preventive medicine.

A straightforward strategy for the metal-free construction of trifluoromethyl-containing pyrazole derivatives has been achieved from readily available α-halo hydrazones and CF3-imidoyl sulfoxonium ylides. The cascade transformation proceeds through the formal [4+1] cycloaddition followed by an unexpected dual double bond isomerization. The protocol features mild conditions, easy operation, excellent substrate compatibility, and good regioselectivity. The synthetic utility is demonstrated by scale-up reaction and further elaboration of the obtained pyrazole products.

Atherosclerotic plaques develop in the inner intimal layer of arteries and can cause heart attacks and strokes1. As plaques lack innervation, the effects of neuronal control on atherosclerosis remain unclear. However, the immune system responds to plaques by forming leukocyte infiltrates in the outer connective tissue coat of arteries (the adventitia)2–6. Here, because the peripheral nervous system uses the adventitia as its principal conduit to reach distant targets7–9, we postulated that the peripheral nervous system may directly interact with diseased arteries. Unexpectedly, widespread neuroimmune cardiovascular interfaces (NICIs) arose in mouse and human atherosclerosis-diseased adventitia segments showed expanded axon networks, including growth cones at axon endings near immune cells and media smooth muscle cells. Mouse NICIs established a structural artery–brain circuit (ABC): abdominal adventitia nociceptive afferents10–14entered the central nervous system through spinal cord T6–T13dorsal root ganglia and were traced to higher brain regions, including the parabrachial and central amygdala neurons; and sympathetic efferent neurons projected from medullary and hypothalamic neurons to the adventitia through spinal intermediolateral neurons and both coeliac and sympathetic chain ganglia. Moreover, ABC peripheral nervous system components were activated: splenic sympathetic and coeliac vagus nerve activities increased in parallel to disease progression, whereas coeliac ganglionectomy led to the disintegration of adventitial NICIs, reduced disease progression and enhanced plaque stability. Thus, the peripheral nervous system uses NICIs to assemble a structural ABC, and therapeutic intervention in the ABC attenuates atherosclerosis.

Germination and processing are always accompanied by significant changes in the metabolic compositions of rice. In this study, polished rice (rice), brown rice, wet germinated brown rice (WGBR), high temperature and pressure-treated WGBR (WGBR-HTP), and low temperature-treated WGBR (WGBR-T18) were enrolled. An untargeted metabolomics assay isolated 6 122 positive ions and 4 224 negative ions (multiple difference ≥1.2 or ≤0.8333, P<0.05, and VIP≥1) by liquid chromatography-mass spectrum. These identified ions were mainly classified into three categories, including the compounds with biological roles, lipids, and phytochemical compounds. In addition to WGBR-T18 vs.WGBR, massive differential positive and negative ions were revealed between rice of different forms. Flavonoids, fatty acids, carboxylic acids, and organoxygen compounds were the dominant differential metabolites. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, there 7 metabolic pathways (phenylalanine/tyrosine/tryptophan biosynthesis, histidine metabolism, betalain biosynthesis, C5-branched dibasic acid metabolism, purine metabolism, zeatin biosynthesis, and carbon metabolism) were determined between brown rice and rice. Germination changed the metabolic pathways of porphyrin and chlorophyll, pyrimidine, and purine metabolisms in brown rice. In addition, phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism were differential metabolic pathways between WGBR-HTP and WGBR-T18. To sum up, there were obvious variations in metabolic compositions of rice, brown rice, WGBR, and WGBR-HTP. The changes of specific metabolites, such as flavonoids contributed to the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunomodulatory effects of GBR. HTP may further improve the nutrition and storage of GBR through influencing specific metabolites, such as flavonoids and fatty acids.

Objective:This study aimed to investigate how adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) from diabetic and from non-diabetic rats affect wound healing in different microenvironments.Method:The two types of ASC-rich cells were distinguished by characteristic surface antigen detection. The ASC-rich cells were transplanted into the wounds of diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Wound healing rates were compared and the healing process in the wound margin sections was used to determine how ASC-rich cells affect wound healing in different microenvironments.Results:ASC density was decreased in diabetic rats. The generation time of ASC-rich cells from diabetic rats (d-ASC-rich cells) was longer than that of ASC-rich cells from non-diabetic rats. The number of pre-apoptotic cells in the third generation (passage 3) of d-ASC-rich cells was higher than that among the ASC-rich cells from non-diabetic rats. CD31 and CD34 expression was higher in d-ASC-rich cells than in ASC-rich cells from non-diabetic rats, whereas CD44 and CD105 expression was lower than that in ASC-rich cells from non-diabetic rats. Transplantation of ASC-rich cells from non-diabetic rats promoted wound healing in both non-diabetic and diabetic rats. In contrast, d-ASC-rich cells and enriched nuclear cells only promoted wound healing in non-diabetic rats. ASC-rich cell transplantation promoted greater tissue regeneration than d-ASC-rich cell transplantation.Conclusion:ASC-rich cells promoted wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. ASC density was lower in the adipose tissue of diabetic rats compared with non-diabetic rats. d-ASC-rich cells did not promote wound healing in diabetic rats, suggesting that caution is warranted regarding the clinical use of diabetic adipose stem cell transplantation for the treatment of diabetic wounds.

A silver-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with trifluoroacetimidoyl chlorides for the rapid assembly of 5-(trifluoromethyl)imidazoles has been developed. Notable features of the reaction include readily accessible reagents, a broad substrate scope, and high efficiency. The protocol can be successfully applied to construct the analogue of the specific allosteric modulator of GABAAreceptors. The silver species could be recycled by a simple operation.

The paper provided a simple method for preparing the β-carotene reference standard from a β-carotene food additive (96%) based on high speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC). The obtained material was qualitatively detected by IR, NMR, MS, the results showed the material was purified β-carotene, the purity of obtained β-carotene reference standard can be as high as 99%. The prepared reference standard can be used for quality control of related health food. The provided method is simple, universal, cheap, and the sample preparation can be enlarged to g grade.

Background: Nutrition is often thought to influence outcomes in critically ill patients. However, the relationship between macronutrient delivery and functional status is not well characterized. Our goal was to investigate whether caloric or protein deficit over the course of critical illness is associated with functional status at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) discharge. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of surgical ICU patients at a teaching hospital in Boston, MA. To investigate the association of caloric or protein deficit with Functional Status Score for the ICU (FSS-ICU), we constructed linear regression models, controlling for age, sex, race, body mass index, Nutritional Risk in the Critically Ill score, and ICU length of stay. We then dichotomized caloric as well as protein deficit, and performed logistic regressions to investigate their association with functional status, controlling for the same variables. Results: Linear regression models (n= 976) demonstrated a caloric deficit of 238 kcal (237.88; 95%CI 75.13–400.63) or a protein deficit of 14 g (14.23; 95%CI 4.46–24.00) was associated with each unit decrement in FSS-ICU. Logistic regression models demonstrated a 6% likelihood (1.06; 95%CI 1.01–1.14) of caloric deficit ≥6000 vs. &lt;6000 kcal and an 8% likelihood (1.08; 95%CI 1.01–1.15) of protein deficit ≥300 vs. &lt;300 g with each unit decrement in FSS-ICU. Conclusion: In our cohort of patients, macronutrient deficit over the course of critical illness was associated with worse functional status at discharge. Future studies are needed to determine whether optimized macronutrient delivery can improve outcomes in ICU survivors.

Rechargeable batteries are promising platforms for sustainable development of energy conversion and storage technologies. Highly efficient multifunctional electrodes based on bimetallic sulfides for rechargeable batteries are extremely desirable but still challenging to tailor with controllable phase and structure. Here, we report a colloidal strategy to fabricate FeCo-based bimetallic sulfides on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), which are expected to display highly efficient oxygen electrocatalysis and sodium storage performances. Specifically, as-screened FeCo8S8nanosheets (NSs) on rGO originating from suitable tailoring of the Co9S8matrix with Fe at the atomic level exhibited a very low potential difference (0.77 V) at 10 mA cm–2and negligible voltage loss after 200 cycles as an air electrode for Zn–air batteries. For Na–ion batteries, FeCo8S8NS/rGO demonstrated a superior high-rate capability (188 mAh g–1at 20 A g–1) with long-term cycling stability. The bifunctional electrocatalytic property and sodium storage performance are attributed to not only the synergistic effect of Fe/Co but also the optimized catalytic activity and ion transport ability by the in siturGO hybrid. This work demonstrates the potential applications of FeCo-based bimetallic sulfides as efficient electrode materials for both rechargeable Zn–air and Na–ion batteries.

β-Carotene is one of the most abundant natural pigments in foods; however, usage of β-carotene is limited because of its instability. Microencapsulation techniques are usually applied to protect microencapsulated β-carotene from oxidization. In this study, β-carotene was microencapsulated using different drying processes: spray-drying, spray freeze-drying, coating, and spray granulation. The properties of morphology, particle size, water content, thermal characteristic, and chemical stability have been explored and compared. Scanning electron microscopy measure¬ments showed that the coated powder had a dense surface surrounded by starch and suggested that the coating process gave a microencapsulated powder with the smallest bulk density and the best compressibility among the prepared powders. The chemical stabilities of microcapsules were evaluated during six months of storage at different temperatures. The coated powder had the highest mass fraction of β-carotene, which indicated that the coating pro¬cess was superior to the three other drying processes.

A series of silver coordination polymers (CPs) have been synthesized through self-assembly of three pyridinecarboxylic acid hydrazide (p-, m-, o-position) ligands with silver clusters (named Ag1-iah, Ag2-iah, and Ag3-iah). These silver CPs show different one- and two-dimensional topologies including cross-helical chains, planar network, and parallel helical chains for Ag1-iah, Ag2-iah, and Ag3-iah, respectively. The combination of experimental and computational results reveals the critical role in the space distribution of the coordination site of silver clusters and ligands in controlling the silver CPs’ dimensionality and packing arrangement and modulating the optical properties and stability. Luminescent investigations reveal that Ag3-iah can selectively detect dichloromethane or trichloromethane in tetrachloromethane. These silver CPs provide a good model to study the influence of the space distribution of the coordination site of ligands on their packing arrangement and properties.

Schizochytriumsp. A-2 is a heterotrophic marine fungus used for the commercial production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, the pattern of the distribution of DHA and how DHA is channeled into phospholipid (PL) and triacylglycerol (TAG) are unknown. In this study, we systematically analyzed the distribution of DHA in TAG and PL during the growth of the cell. The migration of DHA from PL to TAG was presumed during the fermentation cycle. DHA and docosapentaenoic acid were accumulated in both TAG and phosphatidylcholine (PC), whereas eicosapentaenoic acid was mainly deposited in PC. RNA seq revealed that malic enzyme may provide lipogenic NADPH. In addition, long-chain acyl-CoA synthase and acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase may participate in the accumulation of DHA in PL. No phosphatidylcholine:diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase was identified from the genome sequence. In contrast, phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase-mediated acyl-CoA-independent TAG synthesis pathway and phospholipase C may contribute to the channeling of DHA from PC to TAG.

Ulinastatin (UTI) is a broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitor isolated and purified from human urine with strong anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions, which is widely used for the treatment of various diseases, such as pancreatitis and sepsis. Although the therapeutic effects of UTI are reported to be associated with a variety of mechanisms, the signaling pathways mediating the anti-inflammatory action of UTI remain to be elucidated. In the present study we carried out a systematic study on the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms of UTI and their relationships in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Pretreatment with UTI (1000 and 5000 U/mL) dose-dependently decreased the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, iNOS) and upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β1) in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. UTI pretreatment significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by preventing the degradation of IκB-α. UTI pretreatment only markedly inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK at Thr183, but it did not affect the phosphorylation of JNK at Tyr185, ERK-1/2 and p38 MAPK; JNK was found to function upstream of the IκB-α/NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, UTI pretreatment significantly suppressed LPS-induced ROS production by activating PI3K/Akt pathways and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 via promotion of p62-associated Keap1 degradation. However, JNK was not involved in mediating the anti-oxidative stress effects of UTI. In summary, this study shows that UTI exerts both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects by targeting the JNK/NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathways.

Amorphous powder cores based on spherical (Fe0.76Si0.09B0.1P0.05)99Nb1amorphous powder and their SiO2layer prepared by in situ coating insulation process were investigated in detail. These cores were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses, and the results revealed that the surface layer of the amorphous powder was composed of SiO2with uniform surface coverage. The thickness of the SiO2insulating layer could be controlled by adjusting the tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) content. By cold-pressing with epoxy resin under a pressure of 1800 MPa, a ring powder core with an outer diameter of 20.3 mm, inner diameter of 12.7 mm, and height of 5.3 mm was prepared. The FeSiBPNb composite core showed its best properties when the TEOS content was 2 mL/g (the volume of TEOS for each gram of (Fe0.76Si0.09B0.1P0.05)99Nb1amorphous powder, mL/g), which showed good relative permeability in the high-frequency range of up to 10 MHz and a low core loss of 320 W/kg under the maximum magnetic flux density of 0.1 T and frequency of 100 kHz.

The Xisha Block is a minor one in the South China Sea and an important tectonic unit in the northwestern part of the region. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages for three volcanic intrusive core samples from Xike-1, an exploratory well penetrating the bioherms of the Xisha Islands. The core samples are from the Miocene reef carbonate bedrock and are recognized as dark-gray biotite-hornblende gabbro, gray fine-grained biotite diorite, and gray fine-grained granite, respectively. Zircon cathodoluminescence (CL) images and trace Th, U and Pb compositions of the zircons show that these rocks are of volcanic intrusive origin. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating yielded six groups of ages, ranging from 2451-1857 Ma to early Cretaceous, which indicate that the formation and evolution of the Xisha Block was affected by the evolution and closure of Neotethys Ocean, probably within its eastern extension into South China Sea. Both old, deep-sourced material, including fragments from Rodina supercontinent, and recent mantle-derived magma products contributed to the emergence and formation of the Xisha block. The SHRIMP U-Pb results also proved that this process differed from that of the Kontum massif, the Hainan Block, and the South China Block, but is similar to that of the Nansha and Zhongsha blocks. The process was associated with the effects of Yanshanian magmatism induced by subduction mechanisms of the Paleo-Pacific Plate or the reworking of the multiple magmatisms since the Early to mid-Yanshanian, possibly jointly experienced by the Xisha-Zhongsha-Nansha Block.

Iron-nickel-based electrocatalysts are a group of noble-metal-free and high-performance candidate for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and autoxidation always occurs in their OER process. Autoxidation is a double-edged sword: it could in-situ generate high-catalytic activity sites to accelerate OER, but it also results in the attenuation of conductivity and the dissolution of active components. In this work, we propose a new strategy to relieve the negative impacts of autoxidation on OER through designing three-dimensional (3D) iron-nickel sulfide nanosheets/reduced graphene oxide (FeNiS2NS/rGO) nanohybrids via a one-pot colloidal method, which enabled the well dispersion and strong coupling of FeNiS2NS on the rGO. Such an interconnected 3D architecture could facilitate excellent electron transport, provide large amounts of active sites and prevent the dissolution of active components. The FeNiS2NS/rGO delivered extremely low overpotentials of 270mV and 200mV to reach a current density of 10mAcm−2, and rapid kinetics with Tafe slope of 38mVdec−1and 40mVdec−1for OER in 0.1 and 1.0M KOH, respectively. Moreover, they could retain a great stability without activity loss over long-term continuous electrolysis and long-ageing time under air conditions. This work provides an efficient approach to resolve the autoxidation problem of FeNiS2NS in the OER process and develops a promising earth-abundant OER electrocatalyst towards practical applications.

Background: Electrical probe memory using chalcogenide alloy has recently become the research focus due to its potential for the future archival storage. Objective: In spite of its extraordinary electro-thermal characteristics, the stability of the chalcogenide alloy remains questionable because of the well-known resistance drift effect. Method: Therefore, we here investigated the possibility of using TePdO media that was previously implemented for Blu-Ray disc as an alternative material for electrical probe memory application. Result: A parametric approach was first deployed to find out the appropriate deposition conditions to optimize the TePdO resistivity around 100 ohm·cm. Subsequently the thickness of the TePdO film was optimized in terms of the amorphous resistivity, stability and threshold voltage. Conclusion: Finally, the write and readout performances of the electrical probe memory were reevaluated with the use of TePdO film with respect to the proposed optimized parameters.

Purpose: Research on housing defects has limited its enquiry to the classifications of defects, potential impact of defects, and their detection and remediation during construction and the builder’s liability period, without considering the warranty period. The purpose of this paper is to better understand which impacts of defects are perceived as important by the key stakeholders involved in their detection and remediation over the construction, builder’s liability and insurer’s warranty periods. Design/methodology/approach: The questionnaire survey approach was used. The questionnaire distribution list was drawn from the UK’s largest warranty provider (WP) and approved inspector’s records. The questionnaire was distributed to 2003 people, receiving 292 responses, a response rate of 15 per cent. Findings: This research challenges the assertion that the house building industry (i.e. house builders (HBs), building inspectors and WPs) is predominantly cost focussed and finds that the potential impact of defects on home occupants (HOs) are their primary concern. In contrast, the HOs’ appear solely focussed on the disruption defects caused on their daily lives and perceive a lack customer focus in the house building industry. Originality/value: This study provides empirical evidence of the contrasting view of the house building industry and HOs with respect to the prioritisation of the impacts of defects. Further, this research offers HBs an alternative approach to determine which defects should be targeted for reduction purposes which may lead to improved levels of customer satisfaction.

In this research, the effects of main parameters such as speed of agitator, concentration and redium change ratio on the grinding effect were studied by the method of wet-grinding. The powder was characterized and analyzed by means of particle size analysis and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the mechanical grinding method can effectively prepare micro-nanosilicon carbide powder with particle size of about 130nm, the optimum parameter is the rotational speed 1000r/min, the concentration is 30%, the medium change ratio is 75%.

Porphyrin derivatives have been widely applied in MR imaging and photodynamic cancer therapy. We here report a novel Gd/Pt bifunctionalized porphyrin derivative (Gd/Pt-P1) for MRI-guided chemo-photodynamic cancer therapy. Gd/Pt-P1 was prepared from tetra(4-pyridyl) porphyrin (P1) viastep by step coordination to cisplatin and gadolinium (Gd(iii)). Gd/Pt-P1 showed a particularly high synergetic chemo-photodynamic antitumor effect in vivowith a tumor inhibition rate (TIR) of 96.6% and excellent MR imaging performance.

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To compare the continuous infusion and intermittent bolus injection administration protocols of doxorubicin (Dox) under the same cumulative dose (12 mg/kg), and establish a rat dilated cardiomyopathy model with improved survival, a total of 150 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups: a control group, administered with normal saline; a Dox 1 group, administration twice a week at 1 mg/kg; a Dox 2, administration once a week at 2 mg/kg. Mortality rates in the Dox 1 and Dox 2 groups were 22% and 48%, respectively (P<0.05). As shown by echocardiography, both Dox groups exhibited significant chamber dilatation and reduced cardiac function (all P<0.05 vs. control). Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly increased (P<0.05) with both Dox regimens. The concentrations of Caspase-3 in myocardial tissues of rats significantly increased in both doxorubicin regimens. Myocardial metabolism imaging by histology and 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) both revealed decreased myocardial viability and necrosis, and even interstitial fibrosis, in left ventricles (LVs) in both Dox groups. Serum creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were significantly higher in the Dox 2 model than in the Dox 1 model. Doxorubicin given at both regimens induced dilated cardiomyopathy, while its administration at lower doses with more frequent infusions reduced the mortality rate.

The surface of much equipment that employed in petrochemical industry is always damaged by corrosion. As a novel technology, laser-high frequency induction hybrid cladding is an effective surface modification technology. Processing parameters, such as laser power, laser scanning speed and induction heating temperature, play an important part in the structural integrity of the coatings. The effects of these processing parameters to cladding integrity were investigated in this paper. Nickel base alloy (Ni60A) claddings were fabricated on the surface of low alloy steel by the way of laser-high frequency induction hybrid cladding and coaxial powder feeding. Macroscopic appearance and porosity of the claddings were systematically investigated by optical microscopy. The corrosion resistance of specimens manufactured by the optimum processing parameters is evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution by electrochemical test. As the change of processing parameters, the width, height and porosity of laser claddings had an obvious change. Optimum processing parameters was determined because of the overall performance of the claddings. A good metallurgical bonding between Ni60A claddings and substrate was shown by microstructure. The results of the polarization curves turned out that the corrosion resistance of the Ni60A cladding is apparently better than the matrix.

High-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts are essential for both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we provide the first report about a facile colloidal method to fabricate 2D ultrathin ternary FeNiS2nanosheets (NSs). When serving as an OER catalyst under alkaline conditions, they exhibited superior electrocatalytic performance over RuO2and achieved a current density of 10mAcm−2with a potential of 1.54V and a Tafel slope of 46mV decade−1. Meanwhile, an ORR catalytic activity was also achieved with an onset potential of 0.78V, a Tafel slope of 107mVdecade−1, and a high selectivity with electron transfer number of 3.92 and H2O2% of 3.6% at 0.3V under neutral conditions, which were comparable to those of the commercial Pt/C. The ternary FeNiS2-NSs were superior over the binary FeS NSs and Ni9S8nanorods synthesized via the same routes. More importantly, with the resistance for the corrosion and poison from the alkaline and phosphate buffer solution, the FeNiS2NSs exhibited superior stability without apparent OER or ORR catalytic activity loss over long-term operation. Their enhanced electrocatalytic performance compared to their binary counterparts indicate that a new strategy to prepare high performance OER and ORR catalysts was developed. In addition, the as-prepared FeNiS2NSs could serve as a noble-metal-free catalyst for OER or ORR with good electrocatalytic activities and long-term stability for practical applications.

The woodwardioid ferns are well-represented in the Northern Hemisphere, where they are disjunctly distributed throughout the warm temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. To infer the biogeographic history of the woodwardioid ferns, the phylogeny of Woodwardiawas estimated using rbcLand rps4sequences from divergent distribution regions including the Himalayas. Phylogenetic results support Woodwardiaas a monophyletic group with Woodwardia areolataeand W. virginicaas basal, these two species from eastern North America diverged early, which are sister clades to the remaining species from America, Europe, and Asia. Based on analyses of the fossil records of these species for divergence times, Woodwardiaspecies were estimated to have diverged initially in the Paleogene of North America. After its New World origin, a greater diversification and expansion of Woodwardiaoccurred in eastern Eurasia, with the European arrival of Woodwardia radicansduring the Middle Miocene. Compared to earlier reports, a migration back into North America via the Bering land bridge is consistent with these data.

Regioselective synthesis of 5,6,7-trihydroxyl and 5,7,8-trihydroxyl flavones has been achieved via a transition-metal-catalyzed C–H oxidation as the key step using naturally enriched 5,7-dihydroxyl flavone. The developed chemistry was applied to the synthesis of the naturally occurring and biologically active flavonoids wogonin (2), oroxylin A (3), and their glycosylated derivatives (4and 5) as potential carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 activators.

Although the medical decision-making process can be overwhelming for some surrogates, there is a lack of understanding regarding their experiences. The objectives of this study were to examine the decision self-efficacy and decisional conflict experienced by surrogates in intensive care units (ICUs) when faced with the decision of whether to reintubate patients with respiratory failure after a planned extubation. In addition, predictors and mediators influencing these decision-making processes were identified.

Sleep disturbance may cause physical and psychological problems. The relationship between sleep disturbance and the burden of caregiving among family caregivers (FCs) has not previously been investigated.

Fe2O3/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by the method of wet impregnation and were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), N2 adsorption and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), respectively. The activity of Fe2O3/γ-Al2O3 for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of phenol was tested. The effects of the initial pH of the phenolic aqueous solutions and the iron content of Fe2O3/γ-Al2O3 on phenol degradation have been studied. The results indicated that almost total removal of phenol and considerably high reduction of COD for the initial phenol concentration of 100-1000 mg/L were achieved under mild conditions. The leached iron from the catalyst was negligible.

The pervasive exposure of the general public to chemicals found in cosmetic products underlines the importance of maintaining stringent safety evaluations of cosmetic ingredients. Cosmetics products are composed of many raw ingredient materials including fragrances, colors, thickeners, surfactants, foam agents, minerals, and preservatives. Whether the make-up substances are chemical, synthetic or natural resource, they may be a problem for human dermal skin. The eyelid skin is one of the thinnest skins in the body, emphasizing the dangers of percutaneous absorption of irritants and allergens, with human eye areas on the face being extremely sensitive. Due to the sensitive nature of the human eyelid skin and tear film, great consideration must be taken when determining the safety of chemicals used to formulate cosmetics applied in the periorbital region. Among the cosmetic products commonly used, mascara, eyeliner, and eyelash glue are designed to be applied on the rims of the eyelid. The close proximity that these products may be applied daily to the ocular surface brings about the concern of chemical safety and ocular health. In this review, selected chemicals commonly found in the mascara, eyeliner and eyelash glue, and their potential hazards to the skin of ocular surface were specifically evaluated using available data.

Anthracite and bitumite were processed respectively at 1400°C,1700°C, 2000°C, 2200°C, 2400°C and 2600°C,and their chemical composition,resistivity,microstructure, phase composition,and the internal migration of molecular functional group were tested and characterized. The results indicate that moisture, ash and volatile in coal have gradually shifted and lost with the elevation of heat treatment temperature, while the higher temperature, the quicker and completer phase change. Heat treatment can make the coal transform from approximately insulative phase to conductive phase,. Furthermore, as the temperature increases, the conductive phase transformation effect is better. The higher the heat treatment temperature of coal, the more amorphous carbon transforming into crystalline carbon completely, but the less types of phases .

In this paper, reporting a new way to directly prepare quality of carbon materials such as artificial graphite, like-graphitization carburant and senior carbonaceous reductant et al ,which is prepared from anthracite under ultra-high temperature without any other additional process and catalyst. The chemical composition of carbon materials was analysed ; the electrical resistivity was tested; the composition of phase and the graphitization degree was tested by XRD; the microstructure was characterized by SEM and the degree of crystallization and crystal defect was characterized by the Raman diffraction spectrum. At the same time, the graphitization method was discussed during ultra-high temperature. The results show that good carburant and carbonaceous reductant can be prepared by anthracite which was graphitization under ultra-high temperature ;The microstructure of carbon materials which was prepared by anthracite that was graphitization during ultra-high temperature is more ordered than that of raw anthracite, its graphitization degree also increase significantly; When the ultra-high graphitization temperature is above 2600 °C, carbon materials which is like to pure graphite have a small amount of structural defects and distortion; the high quality carbon materials prepared by graphitization method under ultra-high temperature ,it is a simple process with low cost and high added value, and its prospects of application is broad.

The distributed processing of β-SiC submicron powders were carried out by tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH). The effects of dispersant on the dispersion stability of the β-SiC powders were investigated by the particle size, flow characteristics, morphology and other physical properties of the powder before and after dispersed treatment. The results show that the best dispersing state of SiC is obtained by using the ultrasonic 7mins. In these conditions, the suspension solid content of β-SiC is 8%, and the dosage of TMAH is 8wt.%. An optimum amount of TMAH is proved as 8wt.% when the solid content is kept as 8wt.%. The powder particle size has been reduced from 0.73μm to 0.45μm, and its flowability has improved significantly after low temperature drying. The dispersed powder has small particle size, uniform distribution and excellent dispersion stability.

Affected by high or low environment temperature, the measurement accuracy of watt-hour-meter field calibrator may decrease significantly. For the purpose of rejecting temperature interference, a hardware modification scheme for the calibrator prototype, adopting the electronic components with better temperature coefficient, is proposed. The testing results show that the improved prototype can meet the 0.05S measuring precision from-30°C to 55°C.

Coexisting natural enemies that share a common host resource in the same guild usually exhibit variation in their life history traits, due to their need to share a similar ecological niche. In this study, we compared the immature development times and adult life history traits of two coexisting, host-feeding parasitoids, Diglyphus isaeaWalker and Neochrysocharis formosaWestwood (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), of which both attack larvae of the same agromyzid leafminers. These two species are both synovigenic, idiobiont parasitoids, whose adults consume host fluids (“host feeding”) and lay anhydropic eggs. Of the two, D. isaeahas a larger body but little or no initial egg load, and engages in similar lifetime host-feeding events. However, it achieves higher fecundity, longer adult longevity, and higher host suppression ability than N. formosa,which has a smaller body and higher initial egg load. Although D. isaeaengages in similar lifetime host-feeding events with N. formosa, all of its gains in life history traits per host-feeding event of D. isaeawere larger than those of N. formosa.The age-specific fecundity and host mortality curves of N. formosawere more skewed in early life than those of D. isaea.In addition, the ovigeny index of N. formosawas negatively correlated to body size. Our results confirmed that two coexisting parasitoids, which share the same host resource, show different immature development patterns and life history traits, suggesting that different resource allocation mode could be a general rule of coexisting species sharing the same habitat or host.

To observe the effect of Liandouqingmai recipe (Chinese herbal medicine compound preparation) on the quality of life (QOL) and inflammatory reaction of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Groundwater is an important resource, it is used for variety of purposes in the inland river basins of arid western China. In recent years, the utilization ratio of surface water has been raised, the groundwater recharge rate from surface water has been reduced, and the aquifer depletion due to over-exploitation, which has led to the decline of groundwater levels and the degradation of eco-environments in the Shiyang River Basin, especially in Minqin. Therefore, the study on the groundwater levels change in recent years, as well as simulating and predicting groundwater levels in the future have gotten very important. The purpose of this study is to analyze the groundwater level variations of the study area. Basin on a conceptual groundwater model and observation groundwater level data, to establish the groundwater flow model by FEFLOW; simulated and validated the groundwater model. Finally the precision of model was evaluated. It was shown that the model could be used to predict the groundwater levels variation under different hypothesis conditions in Shiyang River Basin, which would provide the effective reference to the rational use and management of the groundwater.

In order to construct the groundwater numerical simulation model, the study area was determined on the basis of the geological and hydrogeological conditions. Taking Feflow as operating platform, combining GIS with Surfer software, a study area of the structure of three-dimensional aquifer model was established, realizing the 3D visualization of a large area of the complex geological content. Combined with the hydrogeological conditions, three-dimensional geological structure of the model further generalization. The result showed that the aquifer of the vertical was generalized into the unconfined aquifer; based on the characteristics of lithology, structure, parameters and distribution of recharge and discharge in groundwater system, the study area groundwater system was characterized by isotropic saturated-unsaturated numerical flow model, and the equilibrium composition of the elements was analysed in study area, the partition of the aquifer hydrogeological parameters was divided, lay the foundation for groundwater numerical model simulation.

Quiescent hair follicle (HF) bulge stem cells (SCs) differentiate to early progenitor (EP) hair germ (HG) cells, which divide to produce transit-amplifying matrix cells. EPs can revert to SCs upon injury, but whether this dedifferentiation occurs in normal HF homeostasis (hair cycle) and the mechanisms regulating both differentiation and dedifferentiation are unclear. Here, we use lineage tracing, gain of function, transcriptional profiling, and functional assays to examine the role of observed endogenous Runx1 level changes in the hair cycle. We find that forced Runx1 expression induces hair degeneration (catagen) and simultaneously promotes changes in the quiescent bulge SC transcriptome toward a cell state resembling the EP HG fate. This cell-state transition is functionally reversible. We propose that SC differentiation and dedifferentiation are likely to occur during normal HF degeneration and niche restructuring in response to changes in endogenous Runx1 levels associated with SC location with respect to the niche.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution is an intraoperative technique to reduce the number of red blood cells lost in shed blood during surgery. Standard guidelines for storage of platelets recommend constant gentle agitation to maintain gas exchange for the metabolically active platelets. The collected whole blood (WB) for acute normovolemic hemodilution remains stationary for as long as 8 hours before reinfusion. We hypothesized that gentle agitation of WB throughout storage would improve the coagulation properties of the WB at the time of reinfusion.

Development of the reservoir in A block of Liaohe Oilfield present compound rhythmreservoirs, high permeability layer among the reservoir, according to the realsituation that high permeability layer exist, for the efficient utilization of producingremaining oil by horizontal well, that need to optimize locations, trajectory, lengthof horizontal well. A fine geological model which reflects the characteristicsof the reservoir in studied area was constructed with Petrel and CMG software. Optimizelocations, trajectory, length of horizontal well and vapor injection parametersupon the history matching. The research result shows that steam override, afterreaching high permeability layer, the steam makes fast breakthrough in highpermeability layer, keeping on upward heating the reservoirs with large contactarea. Finally the reservoirs can be uniformly swept in the vertical direction. Thenumerical simulation accurately predicts the optimized horizontal well can effectiveexpoit the residual oil.