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Iron is considered as an attractive alternative material for bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS). The sirolimus eluting iron bioresorbable scaffold (IBS), developed by Biotyx Medical (Shenzhen, China), is the only iron-based BRS with an ultrathin-wall design. The study aims to investigate the long-term efficacy, safety, biocompatibility, and lumen changes during the biodegradation process of the IBS in a porcine model. A total of 90 IBSs and 70 cobalt-chromium everolimus eluting stents (EES) were randomly implanted into nonatherosclerotic coronary artery of healthy mini swine. The multimodality assessments including coronary angiography, optical coherence tomography, micro-computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histopathological evaluations, were performed at different time points. There was no statistical difference in area stenosis between IBS group and EES group at 6 months, 1year, 2 years and 5 years. Although the scaffolded vessels narrowed at 9 months, expansive remodeling with increased mean lumen area was found at 3 and 5 years. The IBS struts remained intact at 6 months, and the corrosion was detectable at 9 months. At 5 years, the iron struts were completely degraded and absorbed in situ, without in-scaffold restenosis or thrombosis, lumen collapse, aneurysm formation, and chronic inflammation. No local or systemic toxicity and abnormal histopathologic manifestation were found in all experiments. Results from real-time PCR indicated that no sign of iron overload was reported in scaffolded segments. Therefore, the IBS shows comparable efficacy, safety, and biocompatibility with EES, and late lumen enlargement is considered as a unique feature in the IBS-implanted vessels.

Abstract The cycling stability of O3‐type NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 (NFM) as a commercial cathode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) is still a challenge. In this study, the Ni/Fe/Mn elements are replaced successfully with tantalum (Ta) in the NFM lattice, which generated additional delocalized electrons and enhanced the binding ability between the transition metal and oxygen, resulting in suppressed lattice distortion during charging and discharging. This caused significant mitigation of voltage decay and improved cycle stability within the potential range of 2.0–4.2 V. The optimized Na(Ni1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3)0.97Ta0.03O2 sample achieved a reversible capacity of 162.6 mAh g−1 at a current rate of 0.1 C and 73.2 mAh g−1 at a high rate of 10 C. Additionally, the average charge/discharge potential retention reached 98% after 100 cycles, significantly mitigating the voltage decay. This work demonstrates a significant contribution towards the practical utilization of NFM cathodes in the SIBs energy storage field.

Photointiators have been commercially applied in ultra-violet photocuring ink, varnish, coating, lacquers since 1970s. The significant advantages of efficient, energy-saving and environmental-friendly make them more and more popular in automobile industry, package industry, etc. Photointiators can reach foodstuff by vapour or diffusion from the food contact layer of the package. Although UV ink is just printed in the outer surface of the package, the residue photointiators can transfer to the inner surface by “set-off” effect. Different photointiator has different chemical and physical properties, and shows different response by different testing instrument. In this study, two methods of liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF MS) and gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) were developed for determination of migration for 23 photoinitiators in food contact coating. The response of the photointiators by two methods was compared for method selection. For the LC-QTOF MS method, an Hypersil GOLD AQ C18 column was utilized and 0.1% formic acid water-methanol was used as mobile phase. QTOF MS was performed by electrospray ion source positive ion mode (ESI+) and mutiple reaction monitor high resolution (MRM HR) mode. Simple dilution with acidified methanol was used for migration solution pretreatment and internal standard method was used for quantification. The limits of detection are from 0.0025 to 0.01 mg/kg. Recoveries range from 60.9% to 124%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) are between 0.9% and 11.6%. For GC-MS/MS method, a CD-5 column was used, and the MS/MS was operated under MRM mode. Liquid-liquid extraction with n-hexane was used for migration solution pretreatment and internal standard method was also used for quantification. The limits of detection range from 0.0004 to 0.002 mg/kg. The recoveries range from 77.0% to 128%, with RSDs are between 0.4% and 8.1%. Migration solution of 13 batches of metal coating samples were tested, while 5 of them are positive of photoinitiaor TPO or 2,4-diethyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one, while the maximum detection value of photoinitiaor TPO is 0.0502 mg/kg, the detection values of 2,4-diethyl-9H-thioxanthen-9-one are all less than 0.002 mg/kg. The two methods are easy, sensitive and accuracy, which can determine the migration of photointiators in food contact coating.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), categorized as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are difficult to degrade, exhibiting reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity. Exposure to dust and soil particles containing BFRs may cause various health problems. The research aimed to assess the concentrations, potential origins, and health risks associated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel BFRs (NBFRs) in road dust and green belt soil in Harbin. The study revealed that ΣPBDE concentrations ranging from 0.15 to 193.75 ng/g (median: 48.01 ng/g) in road dust and 8.07 to 195.33 ng/g (median: 38.19 ng/g) in green belt soil. Notably, TBBPA contributed the most to the ΣPBDEs concentrations. And the concentrations of ΣNBFRs ranged from 2.34 to 130.53 ng/g (median: 18.48 ng/g) in road dust and 2.50 to 46.70 ng/g (median: 7.85 ng/g) in green belt soil. And tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) was the most dominant compound in both samples. Highways exhibited lower ΣPBDE concentrations in dust samples but higher ΣNBFR concentrations in soil samples compared to other roads. Moreover, most of the BFRs had a positive correlation with each other, suggesting that they may have similar sources. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested BFRs sources in road dust may come from wire, paint, building materials or commercial products, likewise, BFRs in green belt soil may come from household or industrial products. Health risk assessment indicated that BFRs in both types of samples in Harbin had no non-carcinogenic risk to residents. These findings provide valuable insights into understanding BFR pollution characteristics, identifying specific sources, and recognizing health hazards in dust and soil samples on roads from Harbin.

BackgroundThe rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is essential for controlling tuberculosis. Methods We designed a portable thermocycler-based real-time fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (cyp141-RealAmp) using six oligonucleotide primers derived from cyp141 to detect MTB. A combined number of 213 sputum samples (169 obtained from clinically diagnosed cases of pulmonary TB and 44 from a control group without tuberculosis) underwent Acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear, culture, Xpert MTB/RIF assays, and cyp141-RealAmp assay. ResultsBy targeting MTB cyp141, this technique could detect as low as 10 copies/reaction within 30 min, and it was successfully rejected by other mycobacteria and other bacterial species tested. Of the 169 patients, there was no statistical difference between the detection rate of cyp141-RealAmp (92.90%, 95% CI: 89.03–96.07) and that of Xpert MTB/RIF (94.67%, 95% CI: 91.28–98.06) (P > 0.05), but both were statistically higher than that of culture (65.68%, 95% CI: 58.52–72.84) (P< 0.05) and AFB (57.40%, 95% CI: 49.94–64.86) (P< 0.05). Both cyp141-RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF had a specificity of 100%. Furthermore, a high concordance between cyp141-RealAmp and Xpert MTB/RIF was found (Kappa = 0.89).ConclusionThe cyp141-RealAmp assay was shown to be effective, responsive, and accurate in this study. This method offers a prospective strategy for the speedy and precise detection of MTB.

Abstract Background In a randomized trial, Lianhuaqingwen (LHQW) capsule was effective for accelerating symptom recovery among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the lack of blinding and limited sample sizes decreased the level of clinical evidence. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of LHQW capsule in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Methods We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial in adults with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (17 sites from China, Thailand, Philippine and Vietnam). Patients received standard-of-care alone or plus LHQW capsules (4 capsules, thrice daily) for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the median time to sustained clinical improvement or resolution of nine major symptoms. Results The full-analysis set consisted of 410 patients in LHQW capsules and 405 in placebo group. LHQW significantly shortened the primary endpoint in the full-analysis set (4.0 vs. 6.7 days, hazards ratio: 1.63, 95% confidence interval: 1.39-1.90). LHQW capsules shortened the median time to sustained clinical improvement or resolution of stuffy or runny nose (2.8 vs. 3.7 days), sore throat (2.0 vs. 2.6 days), cough (3.2 vs. 4.9 days), feeling hot or feverish (1.0 vs. 1.3 days), low energy or tiredness (1.3 vs. 1.9 days), and myalgia (1.5 vs. 2.0 days). The duration to sustained clinical improvement or resolution of shortness of breath, headache, and chills or shivering did not differ significantly between the two groups. Safety was comparable between the two groups. No serious adverse events were reported. Interpretation LHQW capsules promote recovery of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 via accelerating symptom resolution and were well tolerated. Trial registration ChiCTR2200056727 .

Nickel hydroxide is a potentially cheap non-precious metal catalytic material for alkaline hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). Herein, a nickel form (NF)-based nitrogen-modified nickel hydroxide (N-Ni(OH)2/NF) with interlaced two-dimensional (2D) nanosheet structures was synthesized by a simple one-step ammonia vapor-phase hydrothermal method for efficient electrocatalytic HERs. The effect of the reaction temperature of the catalyst preparation on the HERs’ performance was studied in detail. The HER activity of N-Ni(OH)2/NF is enhanced by the large specific surface area, mass transfer and electron conductivity provided by a unique and suitable 2D nanostructure and nitrogen doping. The obtained N-Ni(OH)2/NF not only shows a superior HERs performance, but also exhibits good stability during long-term electrolysis.

This paper presents models for UAV aerial-towed cables in free-end and fixed-end configurations, crucial for tasks like communication and aerial charging. By establishing a quasi steady-state model, computational results on cable shapes are obtained. To accelerate computations, a backpropagation (BP) neural network prediction model is trained, significantly reducing the computation time. An evaluation function has been developed that integrates both aircraft performance and cable shape considerations to evaluate circling parameters across various states. This function integrates techniques such as BP neural networks and particle swarm optimization (PSO) to refine parameters such as velocities and bank angles for both free-end and fixed-end cables. The results show that the BP neural network accurately predicts cable shapes, achieving a maximum error of 5% in towing force and verticality. Additionally, PSO efficiently optimizes circling parameters, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the evaluation function in identifying optimal solutions. This approach significantly improves the efficiency of determining optimal circling parameters for UAV aerial-towed cables, thereby contributing to their operational efficacy.

The distribution and fractionation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in different matrices refer to how these pollutants are dispersed and separated within various environmental compartments. This is a significant study area as it helps us understand the transport efficiencies and long-range transport potentials of POPs to enter remote areas, particularly polar regions. This study provides a comprehensive review of the progress in understanding the distribution and fractionation of POPs. We focus on the contributions of four intermedia processes (dry and wet depositions for gaseous and particulate POPs) and determine their transfer between air and soil. These processes are controlled by their partitioning between gaseous and particulate phases in the atmosphere. The distribution patterns and fractionations can be categorized into primary and secondary types. Equations are developed to quantificationally study the primary and secondary distributions and fractionations of POPs. The analysis results suggest that the transfer of low molecular weight (LMW) POPs from air to soil is mainly through gas diffusion and particle deposition, whereas high molecular weight (HMW) POPs are mainly via particle deposition. HMW-POPs tend to be trapped near the source, whereas LMW-POPs are more prone to undergo long-range atmospheric transport. This crucial distinction elucidates the primary reason behind their temperature-independent primary fractionation. However, the secondary distribution and fractionation can only be observed along a temperature gradient, such as latitudinal or altitudinal transects. An animation is produced by a one-dimensional transport model to simulate conceptively the transport of CB-28 and CB-180, revealing the similarities and differences between the primary and secondary distributions and fractionations. We suggest that the decreasing temperature trend along latitudes is not the major reason for POPs to be fractionated into the polar ecosystems, but drives the longer-term accumulation of POPs in cold climates or polar cold trapping.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Host cell invasion is mediated by the interaction of the viral spike protein (S) with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through the receptor-binding domain (RBD). In this work, bio-layer interferometry (BLI) was used to screen a series of fifty-two peroxides, including aminoperoxides and bridged 1,2,4 – trioxolanes (ozonides), with the aim of identifying small molecules that interfere with the RBD-ACE2 interaction. We found that two compounds, compound 21 and 29, exhibit the activity to inhibit RBD-ACE2. They are further demonstrated to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 cell entry, as shown in pseudovirus assay and experiment with authentic SARS-CoV-2. A comprehensive in silico analysis was carried out to study the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, revealing that both compounds have good physicochemical properties as well as good bioavailability. Our results highlight the potential of small molecules targeting RBD inhibitors as potential therapeutic drugs for COVID-19.

The stems and leaves (SCSL) are the main byproducts of the Schisandra chinensis cultivation process, and they are worthy of research and utilization from the perspective of medicine and economic benefits. Eighteen (1–18) undescribed highly oxygenated and rearranged schinortriterpenoids (SNTs) and six analogues (19–24), including 14(13 → 12):16(17 → 13)-diabeoschiartane (1–7), 18(13 → 14)-abeoschiartanes (8–12, 19), 18-norschiartane (13), schiartanes (14, 20), 16,17-secopreschisanartanes (15–17, 21–24), lancifoartane (18) skeletons, were isolated from the SCSL. Compounds 1–7 feature a rare 7/5/5-fused carbocyclic core. The structures were established by MS, NMR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, ECD, and biogenetic considerations. In addition, neuroprotective assays were performed to gain a preliminary understanding of their biological activity. Compounds 2, 6, and 7 showed strong neurite outgrowth-promoting activity with 13.1 %, 12.0 %, and 12.2 % cell differentiation rate (positive group: 15.4 %), respectively. Compounds 1, 2, and 11 at a concentration of 25 μM also had neuroprotective effect on corticosterone (CORT)-induced PC12 cell injury, the cell viability was increased by 21.1 %, 19.5 %, and 24.4 % (positive group: 30.6 %), respectively. Molecular docking analysis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network revealed that compounds 2, 6, and 7 can exert neuroprotective effects through the regulation of growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2). The discovery was beneficial to the high-value utilization of SCSL and the development of natural neuroprotective drugs.

IntroductionConsidering the role of bacteria in the onset of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), we hypothesized that the use of influenza-Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination, oral probiotics or inhaled amikacin could prevent AECOPD.MethodsIn this pilot prospective, muti-central, randomized trial, moderate-to-very severe COPD subjects with a history of moderate-to-severe exacerbations in the previous year were enrolled and assigned in a ratio of 1:1:1:1 into 4 groups. All participants were managed based on the conventional treatment recommended by GOLD 2019 report for 3 months, with three groups receiving additional treatment of inhaled amikacin (0.4 g twice daily, 5–7 days monthly for 3 months), oral probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (1 tablet daily for 3 months), or influenza-S. pneumoniae vaccination. The primary endpoint was time to the next onset of moderate-to-severe AECOPD from enrollment. Secondary endpoints included CAT score, mMRC score, adverse events, and survival in 12 months.ResultsAmong all 112 analyzed subjects (101 males, 96 smokers or ex-smokers, mean ± SD age 67.19 ± 7.39 years, FEV1 41.06 ± 16.09% predicted), those who were given dual vaccination (239.7 vs. 198.2 days, p = 0.044, 95%CI [0.85, 82.13]) and oral probiotics (248.8 vs. 198.2 days, p = 0.017, 95%CI [7.49, 93.59]) had significantly delayed onset of next moderate-to-severe AECOPD than those received conventional treatment only. For subjects with high symptom burden, the exacerbations were significantly delayed in inhaled amikacin group as compared to the conventional treatment group (237.3 vs. 179.1 days, p = 0.009, 95%CI [12.40,104.04]). The three interventions seemed to be safe and well tolerated for patient with stable COPD.ConclusionThe influenza-S. pneumoniae vaccine and long-term oral probiotic LGG can significantly delay the next moderate-to-severe AECOPD. Periodically amikacin inhalation seems to work in symptomatic patients. The findings in the current study warrants validation in future studies with microbiome investigation.Clinical trial registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT03449459.