Search

Metal coatings with micron thickness, high conductivity, and a unique structure that can provide exceptional electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance to insulation substrates are highly desirable, especially if the production method is inexpensive, pollution‐free, and efficient. In this study, the Ar/H2 mixed atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) was utilized to reduce AgNO3 to produce PC + ABS substrates coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). It was found that the low roughness AgNPs coating has a multilayer network structure, which could exhibit high conductivity and excellent EMI shielding effectiveness (SE). In conclusion, this method is an excellent choice for producing metal EMI shielding coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In our large‐scale study, the correlation between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) related to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and cardiac autonomic dysfunction was assessed by standard polysomnography (PSG). Cardiac autonomic dysfunction was evaluated by the measurement of heart rate variability (HRV). The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk was determined using the cross‐sectional prevalence of CVD and its overall 10 year risk according to the Framingham risk score (FRS). 4152 individuals were included in the study. A higher apnea–hypopnea index during REM sleep (AHIREM) was correlated with increased CVD risk. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CIs) for CVD prevalence and its high 10 year risk in participants having severe OSA during REM sleep (AHIREM ≥30 events/h) were 1.452 (1.012–2.084) and 1.904 (1.470–2.466) in the demographic adjusted model and 1.175 (0.810–1.704) and 1.716 (1.213–2.427) in the multivariate adjusted model, respectively, compared with the group with a AHIREM of <5 events/h. Fully adjusted multivariate linear regression models showed the independent association between AHIREM and a more elevated ratio of low‐frequency and high‐frequency (LF/HF) and LF in normalised units [LF (n.u.)] (P = 0.042, P = 0.027 in all participants and P = 0.033, P = 0.029 in participants with AHI during non‐REM sleep <5 events/h, respectively). Mediation analysis demonstrated that OSA during REM sleep and CVD risk was significantly mediated by LF/HF and LF (n.u.). OSA during REM sleep may be a marker behind CVD risk because it promotes cardiac autonomic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) combined with homocystinuria, cobalamin(cbl)C deficiency type (OMIM 277400), is the most common autosomal recessive inherited disorder of intracellular cobalamin metabolism caused by mutations in the MMACHC gene (OMIM 609831), of which more than 100 mutations have been identified to date. In this study, we only identified a coding mutation in one allele at the MMACHC gene locus, and no large fragments deletion or duplication were found. Up to now, only three epimutation cblC cases were reported. We hypothesized whether the MMACHC was hypermethylated. Methods: To address this hypothesis, the entire coding region and adjacent splice sites of the panel genes involved in metabolic diseases were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq X platform, followed by confirmation via Sanger sequencing in their parents and brothers. Methylation analysis of the MMACHC was performed using an EpiTect Bisulfite Kit and methylation‐specific PCR (MSP) to investigate the role of epimutations in cblC disease. Results: We identified a clearly pathogenic single heterozygous c.658_660del, p. (K220del) mutation, which was also identified in the mother. Analysis of the MMACHC indicated a heterozygous epimutation consisting of 34 hypermethylated CpG sites in a CpG island encompassing the promoter and first exon of the MMACHC, which was also identified in the father. Furthermore, we identified a single heterozygous c.*2C>T mutation in the sixth exon of the PRDX1 (OMIM 176763) in patients and their fathers, which was the only sequence variation that segregated with the MMACHC methylation. Neither c.658_660del and epimutation in MMACHC nor c.*2C>T in PRDX1 was discovered in her brother. Conclusion: We report compound heterozygotes in MMACHC for a genetic mutation and an epimutation in cblC cases. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of two cblC cases from China caused by compound heterozygous mutations with a coding mutation in one allele and an epimutation in the other at the MMACHC locus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrollable zinc dendrite growth and parasitic reactions have greatly hindered the development of high energy and long life rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. Herein, the synergic effect of a bifunctional lignin‐containing cellulose nanofiber (LCNF)‐MXene (LM) layer to stabilize the interface of zinc anode is reported. On one hand, the LCNF provides enough strength (43.7 MPa) at relative low porosity (52.2%) to enable the diffusion limited dendrite suppression, while, on the other hand, the MXene serves as a zinc gating layer, facilitating the zinc ion mobility, restricting the active water/anions from degradation in the electrode/electrolyte interface, and epitaxially guiding zinc deposition along (002) plane. Benefiting from the synergic effect of diffusion limited dendrite suppression and zinc gate, the LM layer enabled a high coulombic efficiency (CE) of 98.9% with a low overpotential of 43.1 mV at 1 mA cm−2 in Zn//Cu asymmetric cells. More importantly, Zn//MnO2 full cells with the LM layer achieve a high‐capacity retention of 90.0% for over 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1, much higher than the full cell without the protective layer (73.9% over 500 cycles). The work provides a new insight in designing a dendrite‐free zinc anode for long‐cycle‐life batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the relationship between parent–child postoperative pain scores and explore the factors that led to the difference in the score. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to select children and their parents who were 5–14 years old and scheduled for elective surgery as study subjects. When the child returned to the ward after surgery, the parent and child used the pain assessment tool to score the child's postoperative pain, respectively. Results: A total of 214 children and their parents were included in the study. The results showed that the postoperative pain scores of parents and children were 3.69 ± 2.47 and 4.05 ± 2.90, respectively, and there were differences between the scores (P < 0.05). The results of multiple linear regression indicated that whether the child used Patient‐Controlled Analgesia, different types of surgery and parents' pre‐operative anxiety may be the reasons for the differences in parent–child scores. Conclusion: The parents' pain scores differed from their children's pain scores. If health‐care professionals wanted to use the parents' pain score to replace the child's pain score, consideration should be given to whether children used patient‐controlled analgesia, different types of surgery and the parents' pre‐operative anxiety on the parents' pain score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Breast cancer (BC) displays different clinicopathological features and outcomes based on patient age, molecular subtype, and treatment. However, such features in BC patients in northwest China are unclear. This study investigated the clinicopathological features and overall survival (OS) of early stage BC patients using a population-based study. Methods Patients who were newly diagnosed with BC at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between January 2001 and June 2012 were included. Clinicopathological features and OS were assessed. Results The median age of 1287 patients was 50 years, with an average tumor size of 2.65 cm. Additionally, 42.7% were luminal A, 25.6% luminal B, 9.3% Her2 overexpression, and 17.7% triple negative. The cut-off age was 35 years, and young patients (< 35) tended to have larger tumors, ≥ 4 positive lymph nodes, grade 2 or 3 histology, non-luminal types, high Ki67, and poor outcomes. Patients with luminal A tumors showed moderate features: 50.6% had tumors < 2 cm, 56.7% had negative lymph nodes. Patients with Her2 overexpression tumors showed aggressive features and the poorest survival (5-year OS 67.6%). Patients with triple negative tumors were the youngest (average 48.4 years), but had the largest proportion of grade 3 histology and poor outcomes. Conclusion Our results are consistent with those in other provinces in China, but showed an earlier age at diagnosis and more aggressive pathological features compared to developed countries. Additionally, each molecular subtype showed specific features and different survival outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]