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Background: An infected aortic aneurysm (IAA) is a rare and life-threatening disease. The aim of this study is to elucidate mid-term outcomes of IAA, incorporating patch angioplasty with bovine pericardium. Materials and Methods: Between June 2011 and August 2020, eight patients (one woman, seven men) with infected aneurysms of the thoracic and abdominal aorta were treated surgically. Results: There was no surgical/hospital death. There were two late deaths at follow-up. One patient (patient 6) was re-admitted to the hospital with vomiting blood four months after surgery and died despite treatment. Another patient (patient 5) died at his home 12 months after surgery, and the cause of death was unknown. Six patients remained alive with no evidence of recurrent aneurysm formation due to infection at a mean follow-up of 70.3 (range, 13-110) months. Conclusions: BPPA could be one of the surgical options for IAA, especially in patients with severe adhesion around the aneurysm.

Photooxidation provides a promising strategy for photocatalysis, photodynamic therapy, and environmental protection. Unfortunately, most organic photosensitizers possess weak hydrophilicity and a π-π conjugated structure, leading to singlet oxygen self-quenching, poor loadability and therefore unsatisfactory photooxidation efficiency. Thus, dispersion of these photosensitizers within a two-dimensional porous covalent organic framework has become a feasible strategy to hinder their self-aggregation and augment their loading capacity. Here, we report a phthalocyanine-based photosensitizer loaded on covalent organic framework nanosheets. This nano-photosensitizer exhibits highly dispersed organic fluorescent phthalocyanines and a high loading capacity. The fabricated nanosheets restrict self-aggregation of photosensitizer molecules and enhance the photooxidation activity, which may offer a new paradigm for photooxidation and its multiple applications.

The Songliao Basin (SLB) located in northeastern China is one of the largest Cretaceous continental sedimentary basins in the world. The SLB is filled with sediments deposited in the Upper Jurassic, the Lower Cretaceous and the Upper Cretaceous epochs. The Nenjiang Formation (K2n) is subdivided into five members, where Member 2 (K2n2) was deposited in the late Santonian in the lower part of the Nenjiang Formation. This member is characterized by a thick succession of organic-rich source rocks. However, the complexity of the depositional environment raises questions about the specific factors that drove this accumulation of organic material. Here, we present data on the total organic carbon (TOC) contents and their stable carbon isotope values (δ13Corg), as well as biomarker data from 50 outcrop samples collected from the Yuewangcheng (YWC) section, in the southeastern SLB. According to the variations of the bulk organic parameters (TOC and δ13Corg) and biomarker indices, the profile could be divided into three stages (stages I–III). The distribution of biomarkers (n-alkanes, steranes and hopanes) and δ13Corg values indicate that the organic matter (OM) in the Lower K2n2 is derived largely from algae and macrophytes, with a minor input from bacteria and land plants. The water column was stratified, as indicated by the presence of gammacerane. Variations in the pristane/phytane (Pr/Ph) and aryl isoprenoids relative to phenanthrene ratio (A-i/P) suggest that bottom waters were anoxic during Stage I (31.5–26.0 m) and Stage II (26.0–16.3 m), with the anoxic layer impinging on the euphotic zone and a relative oxic environment at Stage III (16.3–0 m). This brackish environment persisted in the water over the interval represented by the section, as reflected by methytrimethyltridecyl chromans (MTTCs) Index (MTTCI) and α-MTTC/γ-MTTC ratios. Marine transgressions, with subsequent seawater incursions, can be detected with the presence of 24-n-propyl-cholestanes and 24-isopropyl-cholestanes in the Lower K2n2 sediments, especially during Stage I. These seawater incursions are closely correlated with anoxic conditions and the deposition of organic-rich source rocks.

Tumor microenvironment with hypoxia and excess hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) tremendously limits the effect of chemoradiation therapy of colorectal cancer. For the first time, we developed a facile method to deposit manganese dioxide (MnO2) on the surface of albumin bound paclitaxel nanoparticles (ANPs-PTX) to obtain MnO2-functioned ANPs-PTX (MANPs-PTX). In the tumor microenvironment, MANPs-PTX could consume excess hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to produce abundant oxygen for tumor oxygenation and improve chemoradiation therapy. Meanwhile, the released Mn2+ from MANPs-PTX had excellent T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performances for tumor detection. Notably, the obtained MANPs-PTX would be a promising theranostic agent and have potential clinical application prospects.

The Jehol Biota of northern China provides a new and unmatched window for the reconstruction and understanding of Early Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems. Previous studies on the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic background of the Jehol Biota have mainly focused on middle–late evolutionary stages while the less diverse and more narrowly distributed early Jehol Biota remains less understood. The Lower Cretaceous (Valanginian–Hauterivian) Dabeigou Formation in the Luanping Basin (North China), preserves the early stage of the Jehol Biota and can be subdivided into three members. To reconstruct the living environment of the early Jehol Biota, we explored the geochemistry, bulk mineralogy, total organic carbon, sedimentology, and paleoecology of the Dabeigou Formation from the Yushuxia section of the Luanping Basin. Decreased volcanic activity during the deposition of the Dabeigou Formation resulted in changes in its source material from felsic to mafic. The Luanping palaeolake reached its deepest water depth during deposition of the Member 2, and generally exhibited low salinity, while a short time of high salinity occurred during deposition of the Member 3. Analysis on the paleoweathering indices and other evidences, indicate that the Luanping area was generally in cold and humid climate conditions during deposition of the members 1 and 2 (correlated to the Weissert Event), but changed to warm climate conditions during deposition of the Member 3, which coincides with an increasing trend of biotic diversity. Consequently, our results suggest that the increasingly warm paleoclimate and lacustrine productivity, associated with decreasingly volcanic activity in North China, have contributed to the early evolution of the Jehol Biota.

Introduction High-fluorescent cells (HFCs) that are detected with an automated hematology analyzer may be useful for the detection of tumor cells; however, the diagnostic ability of HFCs for differentiating malignant pleural effusion is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the combined detection of HFCs with the tumor marker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for the identification of malignant hydrothorax. Methods A total of 115 pleural effusions were collected. HFCs, including the relative counts (HF-BF%) and absolute counts (HF-BF#), were analyzed using the BF mode of a Sysmex XN9000 hematology analyzer. Simultaneously, the CEA level from the same patient was measured by an electrochemiluminescence method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of HFCs separately or combined with CEA analysis for malignant diseases. Results The levels of HF-BF#, HF-BF%, and CEA in the malignant effusion group were significantly higher than those in the benign control group. The diagnostic value of the HF-BF# and HF-BF% for malignant pleural effusion was low to moderate, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.663 and 0.715, respectively. The CEA detection showed a moderate diagnostic ability, and the AUC was 0.832. The AUC for the combined methods was 0.860 and 0.890, respectively. The cutoff levels of the HF-BF#, HF-BF%, and CEA levels were 29.5 × 106 /L, 5.6/100 WBC, and 4.795 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions The combined detection of high-fluorescent cells with the BF mode and CEA testing may be a good indication for malignancy.

Abraxane® (Abx), an FDA approved albumin-bound paclitaxel nano-formulation, is one of the most common chemical drugs for the treatment of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC). However, acquired resistance and metastasis are critical factors that limit the treatment of mTNBC by Abx. In particular, both the tumor hypoxic microenvironment and the increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels via paclitaxel stimulation primarily mediate the resistance to chemotherapy, where multiple drug resistance proteins such as P-gp and tumor invasion-related cytokines such as VEGF are continuously activated to pump out chemical drugs and aggravate tumor metastasis, respectively. Therefore, it is of great importance to combine tumor oxygenation with commercial chemical drugs for overcoming the acquired resistance and metastasis. In this study, a facile method was developed to deposit manganese dioxide (MnO2) onto the surface of Abraxane® (Abx) to form MnO2-modified Abx (M-Abx). The modification process did not change the critical characteristics of the parent Abx, which might have great potential for application in clinics for the treatment of mTNBC. Tumor oxygenation mediated by M-Abx specifically occurs within the H2O2-overexpressed tumor microenvironment, and significantly downregulates the content of tumor progression-related proteins, such as HIF-1α, P-gp, and VEGF. Ultimately, M-Abx treatment results in about a 2-fold increase in inhibition efficiency of tumor growth in both primary and metastatic tumors compared with traditional Abx therapy. Therefore, oxygen-rich chemotherapy was realized to efficiently sensitize paclitaxel, relieve acquired resistance and inhibit tumor metastasis.

Hypoxia, and hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), can induce tumor resistance to radiation therapy. To overcome hypoxia-induced radiation resistance, recent studies have described nanosystems to improve tumor oxygenation for immobilizing DNA damage and simultaneously initiate oxygen-dependent HIF-1α degradation. However, HIF-1α degradation is incomplete during tumor oxygenation treatment alone. Therefore, tumor oxygenation combined with residual HIF-1 functional inhibition is crucial to optimizing therapeutic outcomes of radiotherapy. Here, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsive nanoplatform is reported to successfully add up tumor oxygenation and HIF-1 functional inhibition. This ROS responsive nanoplatform, based on manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles, delivers the HIF-1 inhibitor acriflavine and other hydrophilic cationic drugs to tumor tissues. After reacting with overexpressed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) within tumor tissues, Mn2+ and oxygen molecules are released for magnetic resonance imaging and tumor oxygenation, respectively. Cooperating with the HIF-1 functional inhibition, the expression of tumor invasion-related signaling molecules (VEGF, MMP-9) is obviously decreased to reduce the risk of metastasis. Furthermore, the nanoplatform could relieve T-cell exhaustion via downregulation of PD-L1, whose effects are similar to the checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 antibody, and subsequently activates tumor-specific immune responses against abscopal tumors. These therapeutic benefits including increased X-ray-induced damage, downregulated resistance, and T-cell exhaustion related proteins expression achieved synergistically the optimal inhibition of tumor growth. Overall, this designed ROS responsive nanoplatform is of great potential in the sensitization of radiation for combating primary and metastatic tumors.

Persistent fifth aortic arch (PFAA) is one of the rarest congenital anomalies. We report a seven-month-old male with PFAA with upper arch interruption and lower arch coarctation diagnosed by echocardiogram and multidetector computed tomography.

With the power system harmonic pollution problems becoming more and more serious, how to distinguish the harmonic responsibility accurately and solve the grid harmonics simply and effectively has become the main development direction in harmonic control subjects. This paper, based on linear regression analysis of basic equation and improvement equation, deduced the least squares estimation (LSE) iterative algorithm and obtained the real-time estimates of regression coefficients, and then calculated the level of the harmonic impedance and emission estimates in real time. This paper used power system simulation software Matlab/Simulink as analysis tool and analyzed the user side of the harmonic amplitude and phase fluctuations PCC (point of common coupling) at the harmonic emission level, thus the research has a certain theoretical significance. The development of this algorithm combined with the instrument can be used in practical engineering.

The rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) in a Chinese stalagmite (SJ3) have been studied to delineate their possible sources and controlling mechanisms. The following results are obtained: (1) The REY in karst groundwater at the study site have very low concentrations, e.g. ranging from 59 × 10−6 to 614 × 10−6 μmol/L for La, and are transported predominantly in particle/colloidal phases.These elements show a high linear positive correlation with Fe, Mn and Al (r2 = 0.98, 0.95 and 0.91, respectively), which are also transported largely in particle/colloidal phases, suggesting a close association of REY with Fe, Mn and Al in colloidal/particle phases; (2) REY mobilization from the sources, i.e. the limestone host rock and the overlying soil layer, may not have exerted a significant influence on the REY patterns for SJ3 including anomalies of La, Ce and Y and fractionation between light and heavy REY; (3) The REY patterns of SJ3 display significant variations which are controlled in part by change in contributions from the limestone host rock and the overlying soil layer and can be associated with stadial–interstadial changes in past climate and environment. The REY contribution from the overlying soil layer is higher under a warm–humid climate phase than a cold–dry one and the REY contribution from the limestone host rock is reversed; (4) Some of the variations of the SJ3 REY patterns could not be explained with a simple mixing of different REY sources. Removal of REY from the groundwater in association with precipitation of colloidal and particle materials, an analogue to REY scavenging from seawater, is the most important mechanism influencing the SJ3 REY patterns. Strong REY “scavenging”, which may be caused by both less dynamic hydrology, longer travel-time and increased ionic strength of karst groundwater, is suggested to be responsible for the large positive Y anomalies and negative Ce anomalies and depletion of light REE relative to heavy REE during the cold–dry climate phases (e.g. the periods corresponding to the last glacial maximum and Heinrich event 1).

Objectives To evaluate the electrocardiographic characteristics of atrial tachycardia (AT) originating from atrial appendages in children and to investigate the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) under guidance of CARTO system and appendectomy. Methods Of the 17 children with incessant AT receiving RFCA under CARTO system in our electro cardiac lab, five were diagnosed as AT originating from atrial appendages, age 8.1±4.6 (3.2∼12.8) years. Male:Female 1:4. AT appeared to be incessant in all of these five children, resisting to diverse antiarrhythmic drugs or only minimal effects were gained. Decreased cardiac systolic function were detected in four children (80%) whose left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were 44%∼50%. Electroanatomical mapping under CARTO system revealed atrial appendage origin for these five children, RFCA by cooled tip catheter (Navi-Star THERMO COOL) were performed at the location of earliest AT origin. We investigated the P′ wave configurations in electrocardiogram of this AT type and effects of RFCA. Appendectomy was used for patients with AT recurrence after RFCA, and effects of this surgical procedure were evaluated. Results Increased focal automaticity was regarded as electro physiologic mechanism for AT originating from atrial appendages proved by CARTO mapping. Three from right atrial appendage (RAA) and two from left atrial appendage (LAA). P′ wave configuration for AT from RAA: (1) positive P′wave in I and aVL leads; (2) positive P′ wave in II, III and aVF leads; (3) negative and double-peak P′ wave in V1 lead. P′ wave configuration for AT from LAA: (1) negative P′ wave in I and aVL leads; (2) positive P9 wave in II, III and aVF leads (3) positive P′ wave in V1 lead (1 case) or bidirectional P′ wave with positive tendency (1 case). Immediate success rate for RFCA was 100%. three recurred (60%) during follow-up (5–14 months). Of these recurred, two originated from RAA (2/3, 66.7%) and one from LAA (1/2, 50%). Appendectomies were performed under general anaesthesia with beating heart, reversions to sinus rhythm were gained at time the appendages were incised. No recurrence was detected during 5–14 months9 follow-up. Conclusions (1) The electrocardiographic characteristics of AT originating from atrial appendages in children are unique. (2) RFCA under CARTO mapping system by cooled tip cather is safe and effective for AT originating from atrial appendages in children while recurrence rate is high. (3) Appendectomy for AT originating from atrial appendage is reliable, while the assurance of AT origin by CARTO mapping system should be gained preoperatively.