Template Guiding for the Encapsulation of Uniformly Subnanometric Platinum Clusters in Beta-Zeolites Enabling High Catalytic Activity and Stability

Subnanometric metal clusters have attracted extensive attention because of their unique properties as heterogeneous catalysts. However, it is challenging to obtain uniformly distributed metal clusters under synthesis and reaction conditions. Herein, we report a template-guidance protocol to synthesize subnanometric metal clusters uniformly encapsulated in beta-zeolite, with the metal ions anchored to the internal channels of the zeolite template via electrostatic interactions. Pt metal clusters with a narrow size range of 0.89 to 1.22 nm have been obtained on the intersectional sites of beta-zeolite (Pt@beta) with a broad range of Si/Al molar ratios (15-200). The uniformly distributed Pt clusters in Pt@H-beta are subject to strong electron withdrawal by the zeolite, which promotes transfer of active hydrogen, providing excellent activity and stability in hydrodeoxygenation reactions. A general strategy is thus proposed for the encapsulation of subnanometric metal clusters in zeolites with high thermal stability.

Superhydrophobic-superoleophilic biochar-based foam for high-efficiency and repeatable oil-water separation

Leakage accidents occurring during oil production and transportation are currently one of the most serious environmental problems worldwide. Developing efficient and environmentally friendly oil-water separation methods is the key to solve this problem. In this work, a facile method to fabricate a high-performance oil absorbent through the loading of ball-milled biochar (BMBC) and octadecylamine on the skeleton of melamine foam (MF) is reported. The resulting ball-milled biochar-based MF (BMBC@MF) displayed a complex three-dimensional porous structure. The BM biochar on the surface of BMBC@MF forms nano/μm-scale folds, which reduced the surface energy of BMBC@MF after grafted octadecylamine. These structures resulted in the conversion of the hydrophilic surface of MF to hydrophobic surface. These characteristics made the modified foam an excellent oil absorbent with a high oil absorption capacity (43-155 times its own weight) and extraordinary recyclability. Furthermore, the BMBC@MF could maintain high hydrophobicity and adsorption stability in a wide pH range (from 1 to 11). More importantly, BM biochar is a cheap and readily available material to make BMBC@MF possible for large-scale production. Therefore, this work provides an effective way for low-cost, environmentally friendly, and large-scale production of superhydrophobic adsorbents for oil-water separation.

Diagnostic performance of combined use of automated breast volume scanning & hand-held ultrasound for breast lesions

Background & objectives

Breast cancer being one of the most common malignant tumours among women, diagnostic modalities for early detection of the same become of paramount importance. In this context, the hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) and automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) could provide valuable information for clinicians to diagnose breast diseases. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the diagnostic performance of combined use of HHUS and ABVS for the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods

A total of 361 female patients, who underwent both HHUS and ABVS examinations were included in this study. ABVS and HHUS images were interpreted using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). The distributions of the BI-RADS categories and pathology results were shown as specific numbers. Kappa coefficients test (κ) was calculated to compare the diagnostic results amongst the ABVS, HHUS and ABVS combined with HHUS. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the three diagnostic methods were calculated and their respective diagnostic performance was analyzed by receiver operator characteristic curve.

Results

Of a total of 431 lesions, 153 (35.5%) were malignant and 278 (64.5%) were benign. With respect to the pathology results, the value of κ was 0.713 (P<0.001) for HHUS, κ=0.765 (P<0.001) for ABVS and κ=0.815 (P<0.001) for HHUS+ABVS. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV for HHUS combined with ABVS were 96.08 (147/153), 88.49 (246/278), 91.18 (393/431), 82.12 (147/179) and 97.62 per cent (246/252) respectively. For HHUS, these were 90.20 (138/153), 84.17 (234/278), 86.31 (372/431), 75.82 (138/182) and 93.98 per cent (234/249) respectively; and for ABVS these were 92.16 (141/153), 87.05 (242/278), 88.86 (383/431), 79.66 (141/177) and 95.28 per cent (242/254), respectively. There was no significant difference amongst these three methods, but the diagnostic performance of HHUS combined with ABVS was better than, or at least equal to, that of HHUS or ABVS alone.

Interpretation & conclusions

The results of this study suggest that ABVS is a promising and advantageous modality for breast cancer detection. Furthermore, the combination of HHUS and ABVS showed a more comparable diagnostic performance than HHUS or ABVS alone for distinguishing between benign and malignant breast lesions.

Robotics Dexterous Grasping: The Methods Based on Point Cloud and Deep Learning

Dexterous manipulation, especially dexterous grasping, is a primitive and crucial ability of robots that allows the implementation of performing human-like behaviors. Deploying the ability on robots enables them to assist and substitute human to accomplish more complex tasks in daily life and industrial production. A comprehensive review of the methods based on point cloud and deep learning for robotics dexterous grasping from three perspectives is given in this paper. As a new category schemes of the mainstream methods, the proposed generation-evaluation framework is the core concept of the classification. The other two classifications based on learning modes and applications are also briefly described afterwards. This review aims to afford a guideline for robotics dexterous grasping researchers and developers.

[Expression and significance of chemokine CXCL12 and receptor CXCR4 in adenomyosis]

Objective: To observe the expression, correlation and significance of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) in endometrium and myometrium of adenomyosis. Methods: Totally 38 patients were selected in this study, who underwent hysterectomy for adenomyosis at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from October 2017 to December 2018 as the adenomyosis group, and, in the same period, selected 31 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Ⅲ or cervical cancer undergoing hysterectomy served as control group. The expression levels of mRNA and protein for CXCL12, CXCR4 in the endometrium and myometrium of the two groups were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. Results: (1) The protein levels of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in endometrium in uterus with adenomyosis (0.229±0.025 and 0.226±0.016) were significantly higher than those in endometrium in uterus without adenomyosis (0.153±0.018 and 0.178±0.026); compared with each other, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). And the expressions of CXCL12 and CXCR4 proteins in uterine myometrium of adenomyosis were 0.222±0.045 and 0.126±0.058, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (0.091±0.029 and 0.099±0.020); compared with each other, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (2) The expression levels of CXCL12 and CXCR4 mRNA in endometrium of patients with adenomyosis were 6.31±0.12 and 8.49±0.21, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (1.23±0.10 and 1.36±0.13); compared with each other, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of CXCL12 and CXCR4 mRNA in myometrium of patients with adenomyosis were 9.11±0.12 and 8.45±0.16, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (1.18±0.08 and 1.46±0.13); compared with each other, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). (3) In endometrium and myometrium of uterus with adenomyosis, CXCL12 and CXCR4 mRNA expression levels were positively associated (r=0.478, 0.542, all P<0.05). Conclusions: The levels of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the endometrium and myometrium of adenomyosis are increased and positively correlated. The two chemokine may be involved in the development of adenomyosis.

Effects of Crystallite Sizes of Pt/HZSM-5 Zeolite Catalysts on the Hydrodeoxygenation of Guaiacol

Herein, Pt/HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts with different crystallite sizes ranging from nanosheet (~2 nm) to bulk crystals (~1.5 μm) have been prepared for the hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol, and their effects on the reaction pathway and product selectivity were explored. HZSM-5 zeolites prepared by seeding (Pt/Z-40: ~40 nm) or templating (Pt/NS-2: ~2 nm) fabricated intra-crystalline mesopores and thus enhanced the reaction rate by promoting the diffusion of various molecules, especially the bulky ones such as guaiacol and 2-methoxycyclohexanol, leading to a higher cyclohexane selectivity of up to 80 wt % (both for Pt/Z-40 and Pt/NS-2) compared to 70 wt % for bulky HZSM-5 (Pt/CZ: ~1.5 μm) at 250 °C and 120 min. Furthermore, decreased crystallite sizes more effectively promoted the dispersion of Pt particles than bulky HZSM-5 (Pt/Z-400: ~400 nm and Pt/CZ). The relatively low distance between Pt and acidic sites on the Pt/Z-40 catalyst enhanced the metal/support interaction and induced the reaction between the guaiacol molecules adsorbed on the acidic sites and the metal-activated hydrogen species, which was found more favorable for deoxygenation than for hydrogenation of oxygen-containing molecules. In addition, Pt/NS-2 catalyst with a highly exposed surface facilitated more diverse reaction pathways such as alkyl transfer and isomerization.

Diagnostic value of combined nucleic acid and antibody detection in suspected COVID-19 cases

OBJECTIVES

Nucleic acid testing is the gold standard method for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, large numbers of false-negative results have been reported. In this study, nucleic acid detection and antibody detection (IgG and IgM) were combined to improve the testing accuracy of patients with suspected COVID-19.

STUDY DESIGN

The positive rate of nucleic acid detection and antibody detection (IgG and IgM) were compared in suspected COVID-19 patients.

METHODS

A total of 71 patients with suspected COVID-19 were selected to participate in this study, which included a retrospective analysis of clinical features, imaging examination, laboratory biochemical examination and nucleic acid detection and specific antibody (IgM and IgG) detection.

RESULTS

The majority of participants with suspected COVID-19 presented with fever (67.61%) and cough (54.93%), and the imaging results showed multiple small patches and ground-glass opacity in both lungs, with less common infiltration and consolidation opacity (23.94%). Routine blood tests were mostly normal (69.01%), although only a few patients had lymphopenia (4.23%) or leucopenia (12.68%). There was no statistical difference in the double-positive rate between nucleic acid detection (46.48%) and specific antibody (IgG and IgM) detection (42.25%) (P = 0.612), both of which were also poorly consistent with each other (kappa = 0.231). The positive rate of combined nucleic acid detection and antibody detection (63.38%) was significantly increased, compared with that of nucleic acid detection (46.48%) and that of specific antibody (IgG and IgM) detection (42.25%), and the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.043 and P = 0.012, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Nucleic acid detection and specific antibody (IgG and IgM) detection had similar positive rates, and their combination could improve the positive rate of COVID-19 detection, which is of great significance for diagnosis and epidemic control.

Assessment of knee extensor and flexor function using isokinetic test in COPD: impact on exercise capacity

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the relationship between strength and endurance of knee extensor and flexor and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).METHODS: A total of 108 patients with stable COPD (age: 65 years, IQR25-75: 59-72) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Knee extensor and flexor function was evaluated using the isokinetic test, and the parameters attained were considered as independent variables. Exercise capacity was evaluated using 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and 30-second sit-to-stand test (30s SST), and the results were considered as dependent variables. The association between lower-limb muscle function and exercise capacity was assessed using multiple regression analysis.RESULTS: The patients mostly had moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction with a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) of 57.87 ± 17.71% predicted. In multiple regression analysis, flexor total work (TW), extensor endurance ratio (ER), age and FEV₁%pred were significantly associated with 6MWT (adjusted R² = 0.455, P < 0.001). Flexor TW and age were significantly associated with 30s SST (adjusted R² = 0.355, P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: Knee endurance has a significant relationship with exercise capacity, and knee flexor endurance seems to be an important factor contributing to exercise capacity in COPD patients.

Differential distribution of characteristic constituents in root, stem and leaf tissues of Salvia miltiorrhiza using MALDI mass spectrometry imaging

Segmentation-quantification is the most commonly used method for studying the tissue distribution of bioactive constituents in plant, but this method would bring uncontrollable pollution, compound migration and denaturation. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), as a new method developed in the past 20 years, has high sensitivity, high spatial resolution, high degree of visualization, and low risk of contamination and degeneration when studying tissue distribution of compounds. For the first time we applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to tissue distribution of characteristic constituents of the medicinal plant Salvia miltiorrhiza. From the collected data, we found the regional differences in root, stem, and leaf tissues, and the ion information with differential distribution characteristics. We also identified 18 bioactive constituents in S. miltiorrhiza with their spatial distribution information. In addition, the plant was divided into five parts, and the identified compounds were analyzed for differences between tissues using LC-MS, which results verified those found from the MSI. It is figured out that MALDI-MSI can be reliably applied to the differential distribution of salvianolic acids and tanshinones.

Quantification of microbiota-related phenols and aromatic acids in mouse feces of a diabetic nephropathy model by simultaneous BDAPE derivatization using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In the intestine, several phenols and aromatic acids are generated by microbiota and are highly related to the formation of uremic toxins. Herein, we developed a new derivatization reagent, 2-bromo-1-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl] ethyl ketone (BDAPE), that reacted simultaneously with phenols and aromatic acids. Following a reaction within 2 h at 60 °C in the presence of 200 mM potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃), the obtained BDAPE derivatives were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column and quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) in positive electrospray ionization mode. This method allowed a lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) of 0.090 μΜ for 3-indolepropionic acid (3IPA), indole-3-acetic acid (3IAA), p-cresol (PC), benzoic acid (BA), and phenol (PN); 0.30 μΜ for phenylacetic acid (PAA); 0.45 μΜ for 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4HPAA); and 0.60 μΜ for 3-phenylpropionic acid (PPA). Methodological validation further demonstrated acceptable accuracy (%RE < 16.1) and precision (%RSD < 16.2), suggesting that this is a sensitive and robust method for simultaneous quantification of phenols and aromatic acids. The method was successfully applied to analyze these microbiota-related analytes in mouse feces of a diabetic nephropathy model. Graphical abstract.

Transcriptomic changes in the nasal epithelium associated with diesel engine exhaust exposure

BACKGROUND

Diesel engine exhaust (DEE) exposure causes lung cancer, but the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs are not well understood.

OBJECTIVES

To assess transcriptomic alterations in nasal epithelium of DEE-exposed factory workers to better understand the cellular and molecular effects of DEE.

METHODS

Nasal epithelial brushings were obtained from 41 diesel engine factory workers exposed to relatively high levels of DEE (17.2-105.4 μg/m3), and 38 unexposed workers from factories without DEE exposure. mRNA was profiled for gene expression using Affymetrix microarrays. Linear modeling was used to identify differentially expressed genes associated with DEE exposure and interaction effects with current smoking status. Pathway enrichment among differentially expressed genes was assessed using EnrichR. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to compare gene expression patterns between datasets.

RESULTS

225 genes had expression associated with DEE exposure after adjusting for smoking status (FDR q < 0.25) and were enriched for genes in pathways related to oxidative stress response, cell cycle pathways such as MAPK/ERK, protein modification, and transmembrane transport. Genes up-regulated in DEE-exposed individuals were enriched among the genes most up-regulated by cigarette smoking in a previously reported bronchial airway smoking dataset. We also found that the DEE signature was enriched among the genes most altered in two previous studies of the effects of acute DEE on PBMC gene expression. An exposure-response relationship was demonstrated between air levels of elemental carbon and the first principal component of the DEE signature.

CONCLUSIONS

A gene expression signature was identified for workers occupationally exposed to DEE that was altered in an exposure-dependent manner and had some overlap with the effects of smoking and the effects of acute DEE exposure. This is the first study of gene expression in nasal epithelial cells of workers heavily exposed to DEE and provides new insights into the molecular alterations that occur with DEE exposure.

Cell-free Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA test in pleural effusion for tuberculous pleurisy: a diagnostic accuracy study

OBJECTIVES

Tuberculous pleurisy (TP) diagnosis remains difficult, with the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and mycobacterial culture (culture) only about 30-50%. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of a cell-free Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA test (cf-TB) in pleural effusion for TP.

METHODS

Adults (≥18 years) with suspected TP presenting with pleural effusion were consecutively recruited, and pleural effusion specimens were prospectively collected in Beijing Chest Hospital, Beijing, China. After centrifuging pleural effusion, sediments were used for culture, Xpert and T-SPOT.TB assay, whereas supernatants were used for cf-TB and adenosine deaminase assay. The diagnostic performance was assessed against a composite reference standard.

RESULTS

From June 2015 to December 2018, we prospectively evaluated 286 adults with suspected TP. One hundred twenty-two participants were classified as definite TP based on the prespecified composite reference standard. The cf-TB produced a sensitivity of 79.5% (97/122, 95% confidence interval (CI) 72.4- 86.7) for definite TP, which was superior to Xpert (38.5% (29.9-47.2); 47/122; p < 0.001) and culture (27.1% (19.2-34.9); 33/122; p < 0.001). With pleural effusion Xpert and/or culture as the reference standard, cf-TB showed 96.6% (57/59, 95% CI 92.0-100.0) sensitivity, which was also significantly higher than Xpert (79.7%, 95% CI 69.4-89.9; 47/59; p 0.004) and culture (55.9%, 95% CI: 43.3-68.6; 33/59; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The cf-TB clearly showed improved sensitivity compared with Xpert and culture. We recommend cf-TB as the first-line test for TP diagnosis.

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist combined with high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for adenomyosis: a clinical study

OBJECTIVES

This study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) combined with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation treatment for adenomyosis.

DESIGN

A non-randomized prospective study.

SETTING

Gynaecological Minimally Invasive Centre in a single hospital.

POPULATION

Patients with adenomyosis.

METHODS

Seventy-nine patients with adenomyosis were enrolled, including 55 patients in the control group treated with only HIFU and 24 patients in the study group treated with GnRH-a combined with HIFU. All the patients follow up 6 months after the HIFU procedure. The related parameters in the two groups were assessed before and 3 months as well as 6 months after treatment including serum levels of tumor marker and cytokine, volumes of uterine, adenomyotic lesion, and menstrual blood, as well as dysmenorrheal scores.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Differences between the group treated with HIFU alone and the group treated with GnRH-a combined with HIFU.

RESULTS

Before HIFU treatment, no significant difference was observed in serum levels of CA125, CA19-9, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), the volumes of uterine, adenomyotic lesion, and menstrual blood, as well as dysmenorrhea scores between the two groups. (P > 0.05). The serum CA125 levels significantly decreased in both groups after HIFU, but the serum CA125 levels in the study group were still significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The volume of uterine and adenomyotic lesion significantly decreased in both groups after HIFU procedure, and decreased even more in the study group 3 and 6 months after treatment (P < 0.05). Dysmenorrhea scores and menstruation volumes significantly decreased in both groups after HIFU treatment. Moreover in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group after 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the rate of adverse effects between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term follow-up results indicate that the combination of GnRH-a and HIFU treatment significantly decreased serum CA125 levels, volumes of uterine, adenomyotic lesion and menstrual blood, as well as dysmenorrhea scores, and improved the clinical outcomes compared with the HIFU ablation alone in patients with adenomyosis. However, the further follow-up is needed to explore the long-term effects.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

A combination of GnRH-a with HIFU in the treatment of adenomyosis significantly decreased serum CA125 levels, uterine and adenomyotic lesion volumes, dysmenorrhea scores, and menstrual blood volumes.

Low frequency, weak MCP-1 secretion and exhausted immune status of peripheral monocytes were associated with progression of severe enterovirus A71-infected hand, foot and mouth disease

A minority of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) results in severe neural complications. However, whether monocyte-mediated immunity is involved in the disease progression of HFMD remains unknown. One hundred and twenty mild and 103 severe HFMD patients were recruited and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry and Transwell culture were performed in the study. Peripheral monocyte counts were lower in both absolute counts and frequencies in severe cases compared to mild cases. After screening 10 monocyte-related cytokines by ELISA, only monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was found at higher levels in sera of mild cases compared to those with severe symptoms. Monocytes purified from mild cases produced more MCP-1 than the cells from severe patients when stimulated in vitro. We observed that immune exhaustion markers programmed death 1 (PD-1) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) were highly regulated on the surface of monocytes from severe cases compared to mild cases. PD-L1 blockade induced a higher production of MCP-1 in the supernatant of a Transwell system. The production of MCP-1 also increased following PD-L1 blockade of purified monocytes activated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) combined with R848 or EV-A71 virus. Our results indicate that absolute count, frequency and levels of MCP-1 secretion of peripheral monocytes, together with their immune status, probably contribute to differential disease prognosis in EV-A71-associated HFMD.

Clofazimine improves clinical outcomes in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

We carried out a randomized multicentre study in China to investigate whether the clofazimine would improve the efficacy of the standardized regimen in patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

METHODS

Patients with MDR-TB managed in 17 TB specialist hospitals in China between September 2009 and September 2011 were randomly assigned to the treatment groups at enrolment. In the intervention group, 100 mg clofazimine per day was added to the standardized regimen. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with successful outcomes.

RESULTS

From the 156 patients that were screened, 74 were assigned to the control group and 66 to the clofazimine group. Of the 66 cases analysed for clinical outcome in the clofazimine group, 36 patients were cured, and seven completed treatment, yielding a favourable outcome rate of 65.1%. The proportion of patients with favourable outcomes receiving the control regimen was 47.3% (35/74), which was significantly lower than that in the clofazimine group (p 0.034, relative risk 0.661, 95% CI 0.243-0.949).

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of clofazimine to the standard regimen improved the treatment of MDR-TB.

Case of severe acute hepatitis A virus infection in United Nations peacekeepers in South Sudan

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis, which can lead to severe cases and acute liver failure. A 41-year-old Chinese military officer of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in South Sudan manifested fever, jaundice and coagulation dysfunction. The patient initially had a negative anti-HAV IgM antibody test result but a positive anti-HAV-IgM antibody test result five days after his alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels peaked. He was given telemedicine consultation and was transferred to a Chinese military hospital specialising in infectious diseases for treatment of severe acute HAV infection. The peak ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and international standard ratio were 5410 U/L, 3475 U/L, 225.1 µmol/L and 2.12 during hospitalisation, respectively. Military personnel undergoing missions in areas with high prevalence of HAV should be tested for previous HAV infection before departure if they have not been previously vaccinated. If negative results are obtained, they should be vaccinated. Anti-HAV-IgM examination should be repeated after the first negative test result is obtained to eliminate the effects of a window period if a clinical suspicion exists. If a life-threatening case of HAV infection is present, the patient should be transported to a base military hospital specialising in infectious diseases for treatment.