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In the construction of novel near-infrared (NIR) radiation sources, NIR phosphors equipped with a large emission range and thermally stable luminescence are highly desired. In this work, we designed and prepared a series of Cr3+ activated and Cr3+/Yb3+ co-activated KScP2O7 (KSPO) phosphors, with their composition–morphology–structure properties and interaction mechanisms systematically investigated. Excited by 475 nm, KSPO:0.03Cr3+ can emit 700–1200 nm NIR light peaking at 873 nm with a large full width at half maximum (FWHM, 163 nm) corresponding to the 4T2 → 4A2 transition among Cr3+ ions. Cr3+ ions occupy solo crystal sites with a weak local crystal-field environment, which is verified to be responsible for the NIR broadband emission. With the addition of Yb3+, extra NIR emission dominating at 968 nm was obtained, as a result of the 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 transition of Yb3+ ions. The internal quantum efficiency was improved from 27.3% of KSPO:0.03Cr3+ to 40.5% of KSPO:0.03Cr3+,0.004Yb3+ phosphor, mainly benefiting from the energy transfer of Cr3+ → Yb3+. The fabricated NIR pc-LED, utilizing KSPO:0.03Cr3+,0.004Yb3+ phosphor and a 470 nm LED chip, exhibits high output power (37.56 mW@320 mA). Taking this NIR pc-LED as a radiation source, the doll model, the cleanser content, and high-resolution human hand vein imaging are visualized with the assistance of a NIR camera. The present work suggests that Cr3+/Yb3+ co-activated KSPO phosphor has considerable application prospects in night-vision, bio-imaging, and noninvasive detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) in DM patients positive for anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (anti-MDA5) autoantibody (MDA5-DM) often have a poor prognosis, frequently fatal. As there is a scarcity of data regarding the effect of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on RP-ILD in MDA5-DM patients (MDA5-RPILD), we conducted this study to determine the efficacy of a IVIG add-on initial treatment. Methods Patients with newly-onset MDA5-RPILD from September 2018 to June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed for 6 months in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. They were divided into two groups: IVIG and non-IVIG groups. The major measurement of treatment outcome was the difference in the mortality in 3-month and 6-month between two group patients. Other relevant indicators were also recorded, including the incidence of infection, the dosages of GCs, the remission rate and the variables in laboratory data. Results The IVIG group (n  = 31) showed significantly lower 6-month mortality rate than the non-IVIG group (n  = 17) (22.6% vs 52.9%; P  =0.033). The IVIG group patients had a higher remission rate at 3 months (71.0% vs 41.2%; P  =0.044). Gradual reduction was observed in the first 3 months with regard to the titre of anti-MDA5 autoantibody, the serum level of ferritin and the ground glass opacification GGO scores. Conclusion IVIG adjunct therapy is a very effective first-line treatment for patients with MDA5-RPILD. IVIG may increase the survival and remission rate by lowering ferritin concentration, anti-MDA5 titre and GGO score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]