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Thyroid hormones are metabolic indicators to evaluate the physical condition of emergency hospitalized patients, while the relationship between total triiodothyronine and the severity of emergency inpatients is still unclear. To explore the thyroid function levels of inpatients in emergency ward and the status of combined Nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS), and to emphasize the importance of thyroid hormone examination for non-endocrinology inpatients. According to thyroid function of inpatients in emergency ward, they were divided into NTIS group and non-NTIS group, the hematological characteristics and TH levels of each group were analyzed. Based on clinical diagnoses, the hospitalized patients were divided into three major groups, namely infection group, non-infection group and impaired organ function group. Among them, infection group was further divided into sepsis group, lung infection group and local infection group, altogether five groups. The thyroid function levels and low values in each group were evaluated, and the correlation between hormone levels and inflammatory factors, nutritional indicators and the relationship with the risk of death was discussed. The inpatient rate in emergency ward complicated with NTIS was 62.29%, T3 was the most sensitive index of NTIS, followed by FT3. Compared to non-NTIS group, the NTIS group had an increased risk of death. The sepsis group and impaired organ function group had the highest rates of complicated NTIS, reaching 83.33% and 78.12% respectively. Spearman's correlation analysis implied T3/T4/FT3 levels were positively correlated with ALb and PLT (except T4), and negatively correlated with CRP, D-Dimer, IL-6 and Fer. The Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) and Area under the curve (AUC) showed T3 levels alone were strongly associated with the risk of death (AUC 0.750; 95% CI 0.673–0.828; P < 0.001). T3 is the most sensitive indicator for emergency patients, followed by FT3. The decrease of T3 level has a good predictive value for mortality risk. Thyroid function should be monitored in critically ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymerization degree plays a vital role in material properties. Previous methodologies of molecular weight control generally cannot suppress or alleviate batch-to-batch variations in device performance, especially in polymer solar cells. Herein, we develop an in-situ photoluminescence system in tandem with a set of analysis and processing procedures to track and estimate the polymerization degree of organic photovoltaic materials. To support the development of this protocol, we introduce polymer acceptor PYT constructed by near-infrared Y-series small molecule acceptors via Stille polymerization, and shed light on the correlations between molecular weight, spectral parameters, and device efficiencies that enable the design of the optical setup and confirm its feasibility. The universality is verified in PYT derivatives with stereoregularity and fluoro-substitution as well as benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene-based polymers. Overall, our result provides a tool to tailor suitable conjugated oligomers applied to polymer solar cells and other organic electronics for industrial scalability and desired cost reduction. Polymerization degree plays a vital role in controlling material properties and batch-to-batch variations in device performance of polymer solar cells. Here, authors develop in-situ photoluminescence system in tandem to track and estimate the polymerization degree of organic photovoltaic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pemigatinib is a selective fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1–3 inhibitor and has demonstrated acceptable tolerability and clinical activity in advanced solid tumors in Western population. This phase I trial evaluated pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) characteristics, preliminary safety and efficacy of pemigatinib in Chinese patients with advanced, solid tumors. Patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic solid tumors bearing FGF/FGFR1-3 alterations received oral pemigatinib at 13.5 mg once daily (QD) on a 2-weeks-on/1-week-off schedule. The primary endpoint was PK/PD characteristics; secondary endpoints were safety and efficacy. Twelve patients were enrolled (median age: 61 years, 58.3% males). PK data demonstrated pemigatinib (13.5 mg QD) was rapidly absorbed with a geometric mean elimination half-life of 11.3 h. The geometric mean values of maximum serum concentration and area under the plasma concentration–time curve from 0 to 24 h at steady state were 215.1 nmol/L and 2636.9 h·nmol/L, respectively. The mean clearance adjusted by bioavailability at steady state was low (11.8 L/h), and the apparent oral volume of distribution was moderate (170.5 L). The PD marker, serum phosphate level, increased on days 8 and 15 of cycle 1 (mean: 2.25 mg/dL, CV% [percent coefficient of variation]: 31.3%) and decreased to baseline post 1 week off. Three (25.0%) patients experienced grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events. Partial response was confirmed in one patient with FGFR1-mutant esophageal carcinoma and one with FGFR2-mutant cholagiocarcinoma. Pemigatinib had similar PK/PD characteristics to Western population and demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and potential anti-cancer benefit in Chinese patients with FGF/FGFR1-3 altered, advanced, solid tumor. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04258527 [prospectively registered February 6, 2020]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of organic solar cells (OSCs) is mainly related to the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) microstructure of specific active layer systems, which is often in a metastable state. A promising strategy to address the abovementioned shortcomings of BHJs is to develop single-component active layer materials. Owing to the single-component small molecule materials with defined chemical structures generally exhibit poor absorption spectra, herein we first introduced narrow bandgap Y-series acceptors into the molecular skeleton of single-component materials, and designed two molecular dyads, SM-Et-1Y and SM-Et-2Y. The optical bandgaps ( E g opt s ) of the two dyads are 1.364 and 1.361 eV, respectively, which are much smaller than those of previously reported single-component molecules. Consequently, the SM-Et-2Y-based single-component OSCs (SCOSCs) showed a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.07%, superior to SM-Et-1Y (2.53%), which is one of the highest PCEs reported for SCOSCs to date. Moreover, both SM-Et-1Y- and SM-Et-2Y-based devices exhibited excellent photo-stability, retaining over 90% of their initial performance after 250 h of continuous illumination. Our results provide a deeper understanding of the molecular backbone and a guiding principle for the rational design or selection of non-fullerene single-component materials with suitable donor/acceptor ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug resistance is an increasing problem in the treatment of vaginitis bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis caused by biofilm-forming bacteria and fungi. In this study, the antimicrobial activities of the synergistic effects coordinated by antimicrobial peptides HPRP-A1, HPRP-A2, and chlorhexidine acetate (CHA), against biofilms caused by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and one fungus Candida albicans, were investigated in vitro and in mouse and rat infection models. The minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration and the fractional biofilm inhibitory concentration of HPRP-A1, HPRP-A2 alone and in combination with CHA were determined by classical methods. The crystal violet staining assay was used to determine the biomass of agents on biofilms. The MTT assay was used to determine the metabolic activity of agents on biofilms. Different microscopy assays were used to observe the morphological characteristics of bacterial and fungal biofilms after drug treatments. The extracellular polysaccharide was detected by a phenol–sulfuric acid method. The combined uses of HPRP-A1, HPRP-A2 and CHA exerted strong synergistic effects to inhibit the formation of bacterial and fungal biofilms and disrupt the construction of biofilms in vitro and in vivo. In animal vaginitis models, the drug combination reduced 99.9% of the number of bacterial and fungal CFU, and showed significant therapeutic effects against biofilm vaginitis. The mechanism of membrane disruption coordinated by the combination of drugs depends not only on the inhibition of extracellular polysaccharides secreted by bacterial and fungal cells, but also on the ability of the peptides to penetrate the cell membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Series of MnOx catalysts were synthesized through oxalate route and calcined at facile temperatures. Characterizations through XRD, N2-adsorption/desorption, HRTEM, C6H6-TPD, O2-TPD, XPS, and H2-TPR revealed that MnOx calcined at 250 °C (N250) with a main crystal phase of Mn2O3 showed micro-mesopores and largest specific surface area, and therefore had a high adsorption capacity of C6H6. N250 also presented better oxygen mobility, rich surface adsorbed oxygen species (Oads), and proper ratio of surface Mn4+/Mn3+. The starting temperature of H2-TPR of N250 was the lowest among the obtained MnOx samples. As a result, N250 exhibited the lowest T90 value of 191 °C in C6H6 thermal catalytic oxidation (WHSV 60,000 mL gcat.−1 h−1, initial C6H6 concentration 190 ppm) among all the catalysts, and this T90 value is lower than those reported in many research. At last, a potential reaction pathway was proposed according to the results of in-situ FTIR measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), common chemical contaminants found in office and home environments, are one of the main causes of sick building syndrome. To efficiently remove the VOCs in terms of energy efficiency, product selectivity, safety and durability is the main target for current indoor VOCs control study toward the aim for future commercial application. The main challenge to achieve this goal is represented by removal specific VOCs with low concentration under room temperature. In a chemical kinetics sense, this means overcoming the activation barriers to achieve considerable reaction rate for reactants with low concentration without the aid of increasing temperature. Assistance the VOCs catalysis degradation reaction with oxidizing species or pre-degradation the reactants to easier treated substances could also help to increase the reaction rate by providing an alternative route for the reaction with lower activation energy. This technique route thus holds great promise to achieve commercial application for indoor VOCs degradation study. Therefore, we provide here an overview of the efforts that have been developed already on combing traditional photocatalysis and catalysis technology with techniques capable of producing highly active species to remove indoor VOCs. The assistance techniques include, but not limited to technologies, such as vacuum ultraviolet, ozone, plasma. Special emphasis is placed on rational catalyst designing to meet the challenge of indoor VOCs removal in the kinetic sense. Last but not least, we also identified future opportunities for indoor air quality control including: (a) combining high-voltage electrostatics in the system using post catalyst bed configuration to solve the issues of VOCs abatement and particulate matter capture in one basket. (b) To obtain a more complete understanding of the mechanism underlying the combination effects, which is crucial to get a better catalyst designing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution contributes substantially to global health burdens; however, less is known about pollution patterns in China and whether they differ from those elsewhere. We evaluated temporal and spatial heterogeneity of air pollution in Lanzhou, an urban Chinese city (April 2009-December 2012), and conducted a systematic review of literature on air pollution and health in Lanzhou. Average levels were 141.5, 42.3, and 47.2 μg/m for particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM), NO, and SO, respectively. Findings suggest some seasonality, particularly for SO, with higher concentrations during colder months relative to warmer months, although a longer time frame of data is needed to evaluate seasonality fully. Correlation coefficients generally declined with distance between monitors, while coefficients of divergence increased with distance. However, these trends were not statistically significant. PM levels exceeded Chinese and other health-based standards and guidelines. The review identified 13 studies on outdoor air pollution and health. Although limited, the studies indicate that air pollution is associated with increased risk of health outcomes in Lanzhou. These studies and the high air pollution levels suggest potentially serious health consequences. Findings can provide guidance to future epidemiological studies, monitor placement programs, and air quality policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing shortage of water resources has led to the development and adoption of aerobic rice system, which saves water input and increases water productivity by reducing water use during land preparation and limiting seepage, percolation, and evaporation. Aerobic rice also reduces labor requirement and greenhouse gaseous emission from rice field. In an aerobic rice system, the crop can be dry direct-seeded or transplanted and soils are kept aerobic throughout the growing season. Supplemental irrigation is applied as necessary. Aerobic rice cultivars are adapted to aerobic soils and have higher yield potential than traditional upland cultivars. Grain yields of 5-6 t ha can be reached in aerobic rice system. However, yield decline or even complete failure of aerobic rice under continuous monocropping threatens the widespread adoption of aerobic rice technology. Here, we review research findings on possible causes responsible for yield decline of continuous aerobic rice. Our main findings are: (1) both biotic and abiotic factors are involved in the continuous cropping obstacle of aerobic rice; (2) recent research focused on abiotic factors related to the continuous cropping obstacle, such as soil pH increase, ammonia toxicity, and nutrient deficiencies; and (3) strategies which will help in mitigating the continuous cropping obstacle of aerobic rice include selection of new aerobic rice cultivars, nutrient management practice, crop rotation, and soil acidification. Identifying the causes responsible for continuous cropping obstacle of aerobic rice and adopting effective strategies are crucial to achieve sustainability of aerobic rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the impairment of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid localization and DNA3867 (mtDNA3867) deletion and the correlation between cardiac and skeletal muscle cells in mice with viral myocarditis, 50 BALB/c mice were divided into two groups randomly. In experimental group ( n=40), the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.1 mL Eagle liquid with CVB3(TCID50=108), while in the control group ( n=10), the mice were subjected to equal volume of Eagle liquid. The impairment of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid localization and mtDNA3867 deletion rate of cardiac and skeletal muscle were detected separately at day 3, 11 and 24 after injection. The correlation of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid localization and mtDNA3867 deletion rate between cardiac and skeletal muscle cells cells was analyzed using Spearman method. At the day 3 after injection, in both cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, mtDNA3867 deletion rate was significantly higher in experimental group than in control group ( P<0.05), but the localization of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid showed no difference between two groups ( P>0.05). At day 11 after injection, the mtDNA3867 deletion rate of both cells in experimental group was increased to the peak level ( P<0.05), and the impairment of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid localization of both cells also increased markedly in experimental group as compared with control group ( P>0.05). At the day 24 after injection, the impairment of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid localization and mtDNA3867 deletion of both cells showed a recovery tendency, but still severer than those at the day 3 after injection ( P<0.05). The impairment of mitochondrial membrane phospholipid localization and mtDNA3867 deletion were consistent and synchronistic between cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, and showed good correlations ( P<0.05). The impairment of mitochondria plays an important role in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis, and the skeletal muscle cells might act as a peripheral “window” to reflect the mitochondrial damage of cardiac myocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the metal compositions in indoor PM2.5 and the potential health risks they pose to residents of an urban area in China. A total of 41 and 54 households were surveyed in February and September 2013, respectively. The results showed that the indoor concentrations of metals varied depending on the types of cooking fuels used. All measured concentrations of metals were highest among households using coal for cooking. In the majority of households, non-carcinogenic risks were posed by the use of coal. The carcinogenic risks posed by chromium (VI) and arsenic were generally higher among households using coal for cooking than among those using gas or electricity. The multivariate linear regression model suggested a potential adverse effect from arsenic and cadmium on birth weight and gestational weeks. This study also found that cooking fuel was the most significant factor that contributed to the differences in concentrations of metals in indoor PM2.5 and highlighted the importance of using clean energy for cooking and heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]