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Purpose: No reliably specific marker for complicated appendicitis has been identified. The ratio of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin (ALB) (CRP/ALB ratio) is a new inflammation-based prognostic score that is associated with the severity of inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of CRP/ALB ratio for the diagnosis of complicated appendicitis in children.Methods: A retrospective study of 296 children with acute appendicitis was conducted with assessments of demographic data, clinical symptoms, pre-operative laboratory results, abdominal ultrasound examinations and clinical outcomes. According to the postoperative pathological results, patients were divided into a simple appendicitis group (169 patients) and a complicated appendicitis group (127 patients). SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyse the data.Results: Of the 296 patients, CRP/ALB ratio was higher in complicated appendicitis than in simple appendicitis (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher levels of white blood cell count (WBC), CRP, CRP/ALB ratio, and increased incidence in submucosal layer loss and appendicolith were independent risk factors for complicated appendicitis in children. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of the CRP/ALB ratio (0.883) was larger than that of WBC (0.702), CRP (0.802), ALB (0.835), submucosal layer loss (0.633) and appendicolith (0.673). A CRP/ALB ratio ≥ 1.39 was found to be a significant marker in the prediction of complicated appendicitis, with 86.61% sensitivity and 84.62% specificity. Patients with a CRP/ALB ratio ≥ 1.39 had a 31.263 times higher chance of having complicated appendicitis (95% CI: 16.449-59.418) than those with a CRP/ALB ratio < 1.39.Conclusion: The admission CRP/ALB ratio was significantly higher in children with complicated appendicitis. The CRP/ALB ratio is a novel but promising haematological marker that aids in the differentiation of acute complicated and simple appendicitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult survivors of childhood brain tumors often present with cognitive deficits that affect their quality of life. Studying brain structure and function in brain tumor survivors can help understand the underlying mechanisms of their cognitive deficits to improve long-term prognosis of these patients. This study analyzed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) derived from T1-weighted MRI and the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to examine the structural and functional alterations in 35 brain tumor survivors using 35 matching healthy individuals as controls. Compared with healthy controls, brain tumor survivors had decreased gray matter volumes (GMV) in the thalamus and increased GMV in the superior frontal gyrus. Functionally, brain tumor survivors had lower ALFF values in the inferior temporal gyrus and medial prefrontal area and higher ALFF values in the thalamus. Importantly, we found concurrent but negatively correlated structural and functional alterations in the thalamus based on observed significant differences in GMV and ALFF values. These findings on concurrent brain structural and functional alterations provide new insights towards a better understanding of the cognitive deficits in brain tumor survivors. • A multimodal neuroimaging study was conducted to investigate structural and functional changes in brain tumors survivors. • Survivors showed decreased GMV in the thalamus and increased GMV in the SFG. • Survivors showed lower ALFF values in the ITG and MPFA and higher ALFF values in the thalamus. • We identified a concurrent structural and functional alterations in the region of the thalamus, whose GMV and ALFF values are negatively correlated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: FLZ (N-[2-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-acrylamide) is a novel anti-Parkinson''s disease candidate drug. A sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantification of FLZ in rat brain. Carbamazepine was selected as the internal standard. Sample preparation involved double liquid–liquid extraction by n-hexane and ethyl acetate with high extraction efficiency. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax SB-C18 column (100mm×2.1mm, 3.5μm) with an isocratic elution system comprised of acetonitrile and 0.3% aqueous acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.3ml/min. The elutes were detected under positive electrospray ionization (ESI) and the target analytes were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The method was sensitive with the lowest limit of quantification (LLOQ) at 1.0ng/g brain tissue. Good linearity (r >0.99) was obtained over the range of 1.0–400ng/g. The intra- and inter-day precision ranged from 0.68% to 12%, while the accuracy between 92.7% and 111%. In addition, the stability, recovery and matrix effect involved in this method were also validated. The method was used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of FLZ in rat brain successfully after intravenous administration. The brain distribution studies showed that the brain distribution of FLZ was limited with the penetration ratio less than 0.1 in rats, with no target effect in the seven collected regions. Inhibition of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) by zosuquidar·3HCl ((2R)-1-{4-[(1aR,10bS)-1,1-difluoro-1,1a,6,10b-tetrahydrodibenzo[a,e]cyclopropa[c][7]annulen-6-yl]-1-piperazinyl}-3-(5-quinolinyloxy)-2-propanol trihydrochloride) resulted in a significant increase in brain-to-plasma ratio, while no significant increase by inhibition of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) by ko143 (2-methyl-2-propanyl 3-[(3S,6S,12aS)-6-isobutyl-9-methoxy-1,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12a-octahydropyrazino[1′,2′:1,6]pyrido[3,4-b]indol-3-yl]propanoate). The results indicated that FLZ had poor penetration to the brain due to the P-gp transport system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The supported ultra-small Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, as conventional functional materials for versatile applications, are scarcely investigated for their catalytic properties in peroxymonosulfate-activated reactions to deal with the ever-growing environment issues. In this work, highly dispersed ultrafine Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles are successfully generated in framework of mesoporous silicas (such as Fe/Si-3, with 3.01 wt% of Fe content) through an in - situ approach with iron phthalocyanine as Fe source. The formation of Fe-N or Fe-C bonds exerted remarkable isolation effect on the generation of the nanoparticles. Fe/Si-3 gave superior activity to other Fe catalysts analogs including bulk Fe 2 O 3 in peroxymonosulfate-triggered degradation of tetracycline. Fe/Si-3 has a wide working pH window of 3–11. It can be recycled for 3 times without significant loss of the degradation activity. The radicals of S O 4 ⋅ − , ⋅ O H , O 2 ⋅ − and 1O 2 all contributed to the degradation reaction. The factors for high degradation efficiency and broad working pH range of Fe/Si-3, the mechanism for formation of various radicals, as well as the transformation pathway of tetracycline molecules were proposed. [Display omitted] • Ultrafine Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles generated in - situ in framework of mesoporous silicas. • Coexistence of Fe-N or Fe-C coordination with ultrafine Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles. • Ultrafine Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles favorable in degradation of tetracycline. • The catalyst's wide working pH window of 3–11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing natural disasters have caused immediate and chronic psychosocial problems on adolescent survivors. Resilience-related skills are crucial for adolescents' recovery from and prevention against negative consequences, but relevant interventions are limited, especially for Tibetan adolescents. This study aimed to develop, implement, and preliminarily evaluate a culturally-attuned resilience intervention for Tibetan adolescent survivors living with natural hazards risks in China. The intervention was developed based on the 7Cs model of resilience (competence, confidence, connection, character, contribution, coping, and control), and Tibetan adolescents' resilience characteristics by interviewing adolescents, their teachers and experts. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted at three Yushu senior middle schools among Tibetan adolescent survivors at nine years after the 2010 Yushu earthquake in 2019. The intervention group attended nine 90-min sessions on learning competence, self-confidence, coping, interpersonal competence, and earthquake preparedness, and provided feedback after intervention. Both groups completed questionnaires about resilience, mental health, learning competence, self-esteem, coping, and interpersonal competence before and after the project. Compared with the control group (n = 28), the intervention group (n = 28) showed significant improvement in mental health, learning competence, coping, and interpersonal competence, but no significant difference in resilience and self-esteem was found. Most adolescents had a good impression (58.3%–100%) and high or moderate participation (91.7%–100%) of each intervention session. The intervention is feasible and acceptable, and shows preliminary effect in improving Tibetan adolescents' psychosocial well-being. Future research can tailor this resilience intervention to other developmental stages of adolescent survivors in other contexts with a large sample to benefit wider populations. • The development of a resilience intervention for adolescents living with natural hazard risks was described. • It was the first to incorporate the 7Cs of resilience into intervention design for this population. • It integrated daily-life resilience and disaster resilience, MHPSS and DRR. • It demonstrated preliminary effect on resilience and psychosical well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Novel upconversion NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+/TiO2 core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized and used to prepare the photoelectrode (PE) of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The morphology, structure, photoluminescence characterization of the NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+/TiO2 core–shell NPs and the photoelectric performance, alternating current impedance spectroscopy of DSSCs are characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, upconversion luminescence (UCL) spectrofluorimetry and electrochemistry. Compared with the pure TiO2 PE or the NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ upconversion NPs and TiO2 simply mixed prepared PE as the volume ratio of the core–shell structure, the DSSCs with the upconversion core–shell PE show a greater photovoltaic efficiency. The energy conversion efficiency of the DSSCs with a NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+/TiO2 PE is 23.1% higher than with a pure TiO2 PE and 99.1% higher than with a mixed PE using the same conditions. This enhancement is due to the UCL core extending the spectral response range of DSSCs to the infrared region and their particular shell structure, retaining its semiconductor character. This method represents a novel approach to increase the efficiencies of DSSCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Composite films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and functionalized, multi-walled, carbon nanotubes (PEDOT–MWCNT) were fabricated by a simple oxidative electropolymerization method. These films were formed on fluorine-doped, tin oxide, glass substrates as counter electrodes (CEs) of platinum-free, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The surface morphology, formation mechanism and electrochemical nature of PEDOT–MWCNT films were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and alternating current (AC) impedance spectroscopy. The SEM and AFM images showed that PEDOT–MWCNT films were more porous than PEDOT films. CV and AC impedance spectroscopy revealed that the PEDOT–MWCNT electrode had higher electrocatalytic activity for the I3 −/I− redox reaction and a smaller charge transfer resistance than the PEDOT electrodes. The energy conversion efficiency of the DSSC with a PEDOT–MWCNT CE was 13.0% higher than with a PEDOT CE using the same conditions with a ruthenium sensitizer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, a sensitive and specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass method has been developed and validated for the identification and determination of 7 flavonoids in dog plasma for the first time: epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, icariin, sagittatoside B, 2″-O-rhamnosyl icariside II, and baohuoside I. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on an Agilent Zorbax-SB C18 column (50mm×2.1mm, 1.8μm) with a gradient elution system composed of 0.3% acetic acid and 0.3% acetic acid in acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4mL/min. Detection was based on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using a multiple reaction monitoring mode with an electrospray ionization source. All of the calibration curves showed good linearity (r >0.99) within the tested concentration ranges. The lower limits of quantification of the seven analytes were all lower than 0.0654ng/mL. The relative standard deviations for intra- and inter-batches of the seven analytes were less than 13.7% and 14.9%, respectively, at four concentration levels of quality control samples, and the recoveries were between 92.8% and 114.5%, respectively. In addition, the seven flavonoids were found to be stable in dog plasma samples under short- and long-term storage and processing conditions. The validated method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence study in dog plasma after the oral administration of extracts of Herba Epimedii and Er-Xian Decoction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]