A Phototheranostic Strategy to Continuously Deliver Singlet Oxygen in the Dark and Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment

Continuous irradiation during photodynamic therapy (PDT) inevitably induces tumor hypoxia, thereby weakening the PDT effect. In PDT-induced hypoxia, providing singlet oxygen from stored chemical energy may enhance the cell-killing effect and boost the therapeutic effect. Herein, we present a phototheranostic (DPPTPE@PEG-Py NPs) prepared by using a 2-pyridone-based diblock polymer (PEG-Py) to encapsulate a semiconducting, heavy-atom-free pyrrolopyrrolidone-tetraphenylethylene (DPPTPE) with high singlet-oxygen-generation ability both in dichloromethane and water. The PEG-Py can trap the 1 O2 generated from DPPTPE under laser irradiation and form a stable intermediate of endoperoxide, which can then release 1 O2 in the dark, hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, fluorescence-imaging-guided phototherapy demonstrates that this phototheranostic could completely inhibit tumor growth with the help of laser irradiation.

[A survey on clinical characteristics and risk factors of severe asthma in China]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of severe bronchial asthma in Chinese people over 14 years old. Methods: According to the multi-stage random cluster sampling methods, a total of 164 215 subjects were visited by a questionnaire in the epidemiology survey from eight provinces (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Liaoning, Henan, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Sichuan provinces) located in seven regions (north, northeast, east, central China, south, southwest and northwest) of China from February 2010 to August 2012. A total of 2 034 were diagnosed as asthma. The clinical characteristics and related risk factors of patients with severe asthma in China were analyzed. Results: Among all asthma patients, 560 were newly diagnosed, accounting for 27.5% (560/2 034) and the percentage of previously confirmed patients was 72.5% (1 474/2 034). A total of 145 were eligible for severe asthma, accounting for 9.8% (145/1 474) of previously confirmed asthmatics and 7.1% (145/2 034) of all asthmatics. 83.5% (121/145) severe asthmatics had at least one trigger factor. Correlation analysis showed that the risk factors of severe asthma were: smoking (OR=1.543, 95%CI: 1.250-1.814), obesity (OR=2.186, 95%CI: 1.972-2.354), petting (OR=2.135, 95%CI: 1.904-2.283), combined with allergic rhinitis (OR=3.456, 95%CI: 2.721-4.326), gastroesophageal reflux disease (OR=1.842, 95%CI: 1.682-2.140), bronchiectasis (OR=1.665, 95%CI: 1.347-1.912) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=1.312, 95%CI: 1.171-1.694). Conclusions: The most common comorbidities in severe asthmatics in China are allergic rhinitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The risk factors of severe asthma include obesity, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, smoking and petting.

[A pathological report of three COVID-19 cases by minimal invasive autopsies]

Objective: To investigate the pathological characteristics and the clinical significance of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia (termed by WHO as coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19). Methods: Minimally invasive autopsies from lung, heart, kidney, spleen, bone marrow, liver, pancreas, stomach, intestine, thyroid and skin were performed on three patients died of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Chongqing, China. Hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE), transmission electron microcopy, and histochemical staining were performed to investigate the pathological changes of indicated organs or tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells as well as the expression of 2019-nCoV proteins. Real time PCR was carried out to detect the RNA of 2019-nCoV. Results: Various damages were observed in the alveolar structure, with minor serous exudation and fibrin exudation. Hyaline membrane formation was observed in some alveoli. The infiltrated immune cells in alveoli were majorly macrophages and monocytes. Moderate multinucleated giant cells, minimal lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils were also observed. Most of infiltrated lymphocytes were CD4-positive T cells. Significant proliferation of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia and focal desquamation of alveolar epithelia were also indicated. The blood vessels of alveolar septum were congested, edematous and widened, with modest infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes. Hyaline thrombi were found in a minority of microvessels. Focal hemorrhage in lung tissue, organization of exudates in some alveolar cavities, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were observed. Part of the bronchial epithelia were exfoliated. Coronavirus particles in bronchial mucosal epithelia and type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia were observed under electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining showed that part of the alveolar epithelia and macrophages were positive for 2019-nCoV antigen. Real time PCR analyses identified positive signals for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. Decreased numbers of lymphocyte, cell degeneration and necrosis were observed in spleen. Furthermore, degeneration and necrosis of parenchymal cells, formation of hyaline thrombus in small vessels, and pathological changes of chronic diseases were observed in other organs and tissues, while no evidence of coronavirus infection was observed in these organs. Conclusions: The lungs from novel coronavirus pneumonia patients manifest significant pathological lesions, including the alveolar exudative inflammation and interstitial inflammation, alveolar epithelium proliferation and hyaline membrane formation. While the 2019-nCoV is mainly distributed in lung, the infection also involves in the damages of heart, vessels, liver, kidney and other organs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the mechanism underlying pathological changes of this disease.

Over 15% Efficiency in Ternary Organic Solar Cells by Enhanced Charge Transport and Reduced Energy Loss

In this study, an efficient ternary bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cell (OSC) is demonstrated by incorporating two acceptors, PC₆₁BM and ITC6-4F, with a polymer donor (PM6). This reveals that the addition of PC₆₁BM not only enhances the electron mobility of the derived BHJ blend but also facilitates exciton dissociation, resulting in a more balanced charge transport alongside with reduced trap-assisted charge recombination. Consequently, as compared to the pristine PM6/ITC6-4F device, the optimal ternary OSC is revealed to deliver an improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.11% with a boosted J_SC, V_OC, and fill factor (FF) simultaneously. The resultant V_OC and FF are among the highest values recorded in the literature for the ternary OSCs with a PCE exceeding 15%. This result thus suggests that besides improving the charge transport characteristics in devices, incorporating a fullerene derivative as part of the acceptor can also improve the resultant V_OC, which can reduce the energy loss to realize efficient organic photovoltaics.

Enhanced Resistance Switching of Ga₂O₃ Thin Films by Ultraviolet Radiation

Conductive filament mechanism can explain major resistance switching behaviors. The forming/deforming of the filaments define the high/low resistance states. The ratio of high/low resistance depends on the characterization of the filaments. In many oxide systems, the oxygen vacancies are important to forming the conductive filaments for the resistance switching behaviors. As ultrawide band gap semiconductor, Ga₂O₃ has very high resistance for its high resistance state, while its low resistive state has relative high resistance, which normally results in low ratio of high/low resistance. In this letter, we report a high ratio of high/low resistance by ultraviolet radiation. The I-V characteristics of Au/Ti/β-Ga₂O₃/W sandwich structure device shows that the HRS to LRS ratio of 5 orders is achieved.

Clinical characteristics of 161 cases of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Changsha

OBJECTIVE

In December 2019, a new type of coronavirus-infected pneumonia broke out in Wuhan and spread rapidly to other parts of the country. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the confirmed cases of COVID-19, who were admitted to the North Hospital of Changsha first Hospital (Changsha Public Health treatment Center) from January 17 to February 7, 2020.

RESULTS

The median age of COVID-19 patients was 45 years (range 33.5-57). The male patients accounted for 49.7%, 64.6% of the patients had a history of exposure in Wuhan, and 31.7% had family aggregation. The median days of onset were six, and the incidence of severe illness was 18.6%. Compared with the non-severe group, the severe group showed statistical significance in older age, hypertension, bilateral lung plaque shadow, decrease in lymphocyte count, increase in C-reactive protein (CRP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, combined hypertension, oxygenation index, double lung patch, decreased lymphocyte count, and elevated levels of C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase can be used as predictors of the disease severity.

Over 15.7% Efficiency of Ternary Organic Solar Cells by Employing Two Compatible Acceptors with Similar LUMO Levels

Efficient organic solar cells (OSCs) are fabricated using polymer PM6 as donor, and IPTBO-4Cl and MF1 as acceptors. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of IPTBO-4Cl based and MF1 based binary OSCs individually arrive to 14.94% and 12.07%, exhibiting markedly different short circuit current density (J_SC ) of 23.18 mA cm^-2 versus 17.01 mA cm^-2 , fill factor (FF) of 72.17% versus 78.18% and similar open circuit voltage (V_OC ) of 0.893 V versus 0.908 V. The two acceptors, IPTBO-4Cl and MF1, have similar lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels, which is beneficial for efficient electron transport in the ternary active layer. The PCE of optimized ternary OSCs arrives to 15.74% by incorporating 30 wt% MF1 in acceptors, resulting from the simultaneously increased J_SC of 23.20 mA cm^-2 , V_OC of 0.897 V, and FF of 75.64% in comparison with IPTBO-4Cl based binary OSCs. The gradually increased FFs of ternary OSCs indicate the well-optimized phase separation and molecular arrangement with MF1 as morphology regulator. This work may provide a new viewpoint for selecting an appropriate third component to achieve efficient ternary OSCs from materials and photovoltaic parameters of two binary OSCs.

Phase junction enhanced photocatalytic activity of Ga2O3 nanorod arrays on flexible glass fiber fabric

Ga₂O₃ nanostructures hold great potential applications in photocatalytic fields due to their stability, high efficiency and environmental friendliness. The construction of phase junction has been proved to be one of the most effective strategies for enhancing Ga₂O₃ photocatalytic activity. However, the influence of the formation process at the interface of the phase junction on the photocatalytic activity of Ga₂O₃ nanostructures is far less well understood. In this work, for the first time, large-area Ga₂O₃ nanorod arrays (NRAs) with controllable α/β phase junction were prepared in situ on a flexible glass fiber fabric by a facile and environmentally friendly three-step method. The α/β-Ga₂O₃ phase junction NRAs exhibit an ultra-high photocatalytic degradation rate of 97% during Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 60 min, which is attributed to a unique phase junction promoting efficient charge separation. However, the photocatalytic activity of α/β-Ga₂O₃ phase junction NRAs is not evident in the early phase transition, possibly due to the presence of defects acting as charge recombination centers.

Ga₂O₃ nanostructures hold great potential applications in photocatalytic fields due to their stability, high efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Hierarchical bimetallic hydroxide/chalcogenide core-sheath microarrays for freestanding ultrahigh rate supercapacitors

Transition metal compounds (TMCs) either crystalline or amorphous exhibit specific advantages in electrochemical energy storage. To integrate their merits into one electrode, we have herein developed hierarchical bimetallic hydroxide/chalcogenide core-sheath microarrays on nickel foam (NF) for freestanding high-efficiency supercapacitors, wherein interior crystalline metal chalcogenides serve as highly conductive pivots and exterior amorphous bimetallic hydroxides provide rich ion diffusion channels. With the synergic effect of the unique structure and bimetallic composition, the as-prepared Ni(OH)₂-Co(OH)₂/NiSe-Ni₃S₂/NF electrode displays an ultrahigh areal specific capacitance of 19.01 F cm^-2 at 15 mA cm^-2, which can be retained as 6.01 F cm^-2 even at 125 mA cm^-2. To the best of our knowledge, such excellent tolerance of ultrafast ion insertion/extraction at high current density is rare among NF-based free-standing electrodes. The asymmetric supercapacitor by assembling with activated carbon as the negative electrode delivers a volumetric capacitance of 3.93 F cm^-3 at 30 mA cm^-2, corresponding to an energy density of 13.9 mW h cm^-3 at a power density of 200 mW cm^-3. A capacitance retention of 82.5% was observed after 4000 cycles, together with an average 97% coulombic efficiency. This work may provide a facile strategy to construct hierarchical microarrays for efficient energy storage devices.

TD-DFT benchmark for UV-visible spectra of fused-ring electron acceptors using global and range-separated hybrids

The accuracy of Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory in predicting the vertical absorption wavelength of 50 widely-used fused-ring electron acceptors (FREAs) has been investigated by considering the solvent effects.

Infrared thermography and ulcer prevention in the high-risk diabetic foot: data from a single-blind multicentre controlled clinical trial

AIM

To assess the usefulness of monthly thermography and standard foot care to reduce diabetic foot ulcer recurrence.

METHODS

People with diabetes (n = 110), neuropathy and history of ≥ 1 foot ulcer participated in a single-blind multicentre clinical trial. Feet were imaged with a novel thermal imaging device (Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention System). Participants were randomized to intervention (active thermography + standard foot care) or control (blinded thermography + standard foot care) and were followed up monthly until ulcer recurrence or for 12 months. Foot thermograms of participants from the intervention group were assessed for hot spots (areas with temperature ≥ 2.2°C higher than the corresponding contralateral site) and acted upon as per local standards.

RESULTS

After 12 months, 62% of participants were ulcer-free in the intervention group and 56% in the control group. The odds ratios of ulcer recurrence (intervention vs control) were 0.82 (95% CI 0.38, 1.8; P = 0.62) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.21, 1.4; P = 0.22) in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, respectively. The hazard ratios for the time to ulcer recurrence (intervention vs control) were 0.84 (95% CI 0.45, 1.6; P = 0.58) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.34, 1.3; P = 0.24) in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Monthly intervention with thermal imaging did not result in a significant reduction in ulcer recurrence rate or increased ulcer-free survival in this cohort at high risk of foot ulcers. This trial has, however, informed the design of a refined study with longer follow-up and group stratification, further aiming to assess the efficacy of thermography to reduce ulcer recurrence.

Febrile neutropenia and its associated hospitalization in breast cancer patients on docetaxel-containing regimen: A retrospective cohort study on duration of prophylactic GCSF administration

PURPOSE

To compare febrile neutropenia (FN) incidence and hospitalization among breast cancer patients on docetaxel with no granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (GCSF) primary prophylaxis (PP), 4/5-day PP, or 7-day PP.

METHODS

We identified 3916 breast cancer patients using docetaxel-cyclophosphamide (TC), doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide then docetaxel (AC-T), fluorouracil-epirubicin-cyclophosphamide then docetaxel (FEC-T), docetaxel-carboplatin-trastuzumab (TJH), or docetaxel-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide (TAC) from a hospital pharmacy dispensing database in Hong Kong between 2014 and 2016. Patients were offered GCSF within 5 days since administering docetaxel. Outcomes included FN incidence, time to first hospitalization, hospitalization rate, and duration.

RESULTS

In TC regimen, FN incidence (with odds ratio, OR) of patients with no PP, 4/5-day PP, and 7-day PP was 21.69%, 7.95% (OR 0.31, p < 0.001), and 5.33% (OR 0.20, p < 0.001), respectively. In TJH regimen, FN incidence of patients with no PP, 4/5-day PP, and 7-day PP was 38.26%, 8.33% (OR 0.15, p < 0.001), and 8.57% (OR 0.15, p < 0.001), respectively. FN incidence of patients on AC-T regimen with no PP and 4/5-day PP was 20.93% and 6.84%, respectively (OR 0.28, p = 0.005); with FEC-T regimen, the incidence was 9.91% and 4.77%, respectively (OR 0.46, p = 0.035). Only 3.27% FN cases were not hospitalized. Mean (±standard deviation, SD) time to first hospitalization was 8.21 ± 2.44 days. Mean (±SD) duration of hospitalization for patients with no PP, 4/5-day PP, and 7-day PP was 4.66 ± 2.60, 4.37 ± 2.85, and 5.12 ± 2.97 days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

GCSF prophylaxis in breast cancer patients on docetaxel could reduce FN incidence and hospitalization. 4/5-day PP demonstrated similar efficacy to 7-day PP with superior saving benefits on healthcare expenditure.

One-Step Growth of Amorphous/Crystalline Ga2O3 Phase Junctions for High-Performance Solar-Blind Photodetection

The pursuit of high-performance photodetectors functioning in the solar-blind spectrum is motivated by both scientific and practical applications ranging from secure communication, monitoring, sensing, etc. In particular, the fabrication of heterojunctions based on the wide band gap semiconductors has emerged as an attractive strategy to promote the high-efficient photogenerated electron/hole pair separation. However, the precisely controlled growth of heterojunctions remains a huge challenge. The lattice mismatch leads to the formation of defects and/or dislocations at the interface, deteriorating the performance of devices and limiting their envisioned applications. Here, we demonstrate a simple one-step growth of amorphous/crystalline Ga₂O₃ phase junctions by using sputtering technique, yielding a large responsivity of 0.81 A/W, a superior photo-to-dark current ratio over 10⁷, and an ultrahigh response speed of ∼12 ns. Compared to the previous reported solar-blind photodetectors, the obtained detectivity ≈ 5.67 × 10¹⁴ Jones is increased by 2 orders of magnitude. Such excellent photoresponse characteristics can be understood by the interfacial built-in field-promoted electron/hole pair separation for the amorphous/crystalline Ga₂O₃ phase junctions. Our results provide a novel path toward realizing high-performance optoelectronics functioning in the solar-blind spectrum.

Role of miR-214-5p in the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the role of miR-214-5p in proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells, as well as its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

30 pairs of PC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected in our Department. The expression level of miR-214-5p was detected by quantitative Real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Biological information analysis and luciferase report gene assay were used to verify potential target genes of miR-214-5p. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell methods were applied to observe the interference of miR-214-5p on invasion and migration of PC cells. Western blot (WB) assay was applied to determine the expression changes of Jagged 1 (JAG1) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes in PC cells.

RESULTS

QRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of miR-214-5p is significantly down-regulated in PC tissues and cells. Bioinformatics software and luciferase report gene assay identified that JAG1 is a target gene of miR-214-5p. The negative correlation between protein expressions of miR-214-5p and JAG1 was assessed by Western Blot assay. Furthermore, miR-214-5p could suppress cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and it also blocked the EMT in PC cells in vitro. Meanwhile, JAG1 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-214-5p on proliferation, invasion and migration of PC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpressing miR-214-5p could significantly inhibit malignant behavior of PC cells through targeted regulation of JAG1. Thus, miR-214-5p might be a potential therapeutic target for treatment of PC.

Oral cancer-associated tertiary lymphoid structures: gene expression profile and prognostic value

Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) provides a local and critical microenvironment for both cellular and humoral immunity and supports effective antigen presentation and lymphocyte activation. However, the gene expression profile and prognostic significance of TLS in oral cancer remain largely unrevealed. In this study, we found the presence of both intratumoral and peritumoral TLSs in a series of 65 patients with oral cancer treated by surgical resection, with positive detection rates of 33.8 and 75.4%, respectively. The presence of intratumoral TLSs, but not peritumoral TLSs, was significantly associated with decreased P53 and Ki67 scores (P = 0·027 and 0·047, respectively). The survival analyses revealed that oral cancer patients with higher grades of TLSs was associated with improved disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0·037 and 0·031, respectively). Gene expression profiling analysis of the cytokines and chemokines responsible for lymph-node neogenesis identified a three-up-regulated-gene set, i.e. IL7, LTB and CXCL13, which was shown to be correlated with human oral cancer-associated TLSs. This study provides a framework for better understanding of oral cancer-associated TLSs and for delineating future innovative prognostic biomarkers and immune therapeutic strategies for oral cancer.