P–N depleted bulk BiOBr/α-Fe2O3 heterojunctions applied for unbiased solar water splitting

P–N depleted bulk BiOBr/α-Fe₂O₃ heterojunction (DBH) nanostructures with the growth of (001) BiOBr facets were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. Such DBH nanostructures show superior hydrogen evolution efficiency.

[Optic nerve subarachnoid space expansion in MR imaging: a etiology study]

Objective: To investigate spectrum of causes in optic nerve subarachnoid space (ONSS) expansion by using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Methods: A retrospective study. Twenty-six patients (46 eyes) with ONSS expansion and 20 healthy adults (40 eyes) were recruited in Neuro-ophthalmology Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January, 2014 to December, 2015. The diameters were measured on the optic nerve (OND) and optic nerve sheath (ONSD) 2.4 mm behind the globe. ONSS was calculated by the formula of (ONSD-OND)/2. All participants were under went ophthalmologic examinations. The patients' clinical features, MRI and final diagnosis were analyzed. Qualitative data were compared between groups by using chi square test and quantitative data were compared by independent sample t test. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between ONSS group and control group with age, BMI and mean arterial blood pressure (P>0.05). Larger space was found in ONSS group with mean±standard deviation (SD) of (1.9±0.4) mm comparing to the control group with (1.2±0. 2) mm (t=2.879, P<0.01). Bilateral ONSS expansion were found in 20 patients, 15 patients (75%) with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), 2 patients (10%) with neurosyphilis, 2 patients (10%) with peri-neuritis and 1 patient (5%) with hydrocephalus. Unilateral ONSS expansion were seen in 6 patients, 4 patients (66.7%) with compressive lesson on anterior visual pathway, 1 patient (16.7%) with fungal infection and 1 patient (16.7%) with peri-neuritis. Conclusions: The CVST patients more frequently presented bilateral ONSS expansion. Unilateral ONSS expansion may indicate compressive lesions located on the anterior visual pathway. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 911-917).

Focus: Nucleation kinetics of shear bands in metallic glass

The development of shear bands is recognized as the primary mechanism in controlling the plastic deformability of metallic glasses. However, the kinetics of the nucleation of shear bands has received limited attention. The nucleation of shear bands in metallic glasses (MG) can be investigated using a nanoindentation method to monitor the development of the first pop-in event that is a signature of shear band nucleation. The analysis of a statistically significant number of first pop-in events demonstrates the stochastic behavior that is characteristic of nucleation and reveals a multimodal behavior associated with local spatial heterogeneities. The shear band nucleation rate of the two nucleation modes and the associated activation energy, activation volume, and site density were determined by loading rate experiments. The nucleation activation energy is very close to the value that is characteristic of the β relaxation in metallic glass. The identification of the rate controlling kinetics for shear band nucleation offers guidance for promoting plastic flow in metallic glass.

[Salvage surgical treatment for local recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer]

The salvage radiation or surgery is the main choice for recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer now. However the recurrent tumor becomes radiation insensitive and meanwhile,morbidity and mortality become higher.Recently the endoscopic salvage surgery has been developed;the collective evidence from a number of such studies suggests that endoscopic nasopharyngectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of rNPC.This article reviewed related researches about the feasibility,methods, and current situation of endoscopic salvage surgery.

Effects of atomic interaction stiffness on low-temperature relaxation of amorphous solids

While low-temperature relaxations show significant differences among metallic glasses with different compositions, the underlying mechanism remains mysterious. Using molecular dynamics simulation, low-temperature relaxation of amorphous solids is investigated in model systems with different atomic interaction stiffness. It was found that as the interaction stiffness increases, the low-temperature relaxation is enhanced. The fraction of mobile atoms increases with increasing interaction stiffness, while the length scale of dynamical heterogeneity does not change. The enhanced relaxation may be due to increased dynamical heterogeneity. These findings provide a physical picture for better understanding the origin of low-temperature relaxation dynamics in amorphous solids, and the experimentally observed different β-relaxation behaviors in various metallic glasses.

Aflatoxin M1 cytotoxicity against human intestinal Caco-2 cells is enhanced in the presence of other mycotoxins

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a class 2B human carcinogen, is the only mycotoxin with established maximum residue limits (MRLs) in milk. Toxicological data for other mycotoxins in baby food, containing cereals and milk, either in isolation or in combination with AFM1, are sparse. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity of AFM1, ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), and α-zearalenol (α-ZOL), individually and in combinations, in human Caco-2 cells. The tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay demonstrated that (i) OTA and AFM1 had similar cytotoxicity, which was higher than that of ZEA and α-ZOL, after a 72 h exposure; and (ii) the quaternary combination had the highest cytotoxicity, followed by tertiary and binary combinations and individual mycotoxins. Isobologram analysis indicated that the presence of OTA, ZEA, and/or α-ZOL with AFM1 led to additive and synergistic cytotoxicity in most combinations. The cytotoxicity of OTA was similar to that of AFM1, suggesting that OTA in food poses a health risk to consumers. Furthermore, AFM1 cytotoxicity increased dramatically in the presence of OTA, ZEA, and/or α-ZOL (p < 0.01), indicating that the established MRLs for AFM1 should be re-evaluated considering its frequent co-occurrence with other mycotoxins in baby food which contains milk and cereals.

Effectiveness of rubber seed oil and flaxseed oil to enhance the α-linolenic acid content in milk from dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to investigate effect of rubber seed oil compared with flaxseed oil when fed alone or in combination on milk yield, milk composition, and α-linolenic acid (ALA) concentration in milk of dairy cows. Forty-eight mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments according to a completely randomized design. Cows were fed a basal diet (control; CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 4% rubber seed oil (RO), 4% flaxseed oil (FO), or 2% rubber seed oil plus 2% flaxseed oil (RFO) on a dry matter basis for 9 wk. Feed intake, milk protein percentage, and milk fat levels did not differ between the treatments. Cows fed the RO, FO, or RFO treatments had a higher milk yield than the CON group (up to 10.5% more), whereas milk fat percentages decreased. Compared with the CON, milk concentration of ALA was substantially higher in cows receiving RO or RFO, and was doubled in cows receiving FO. The ALA yield (g/d) increased by 31.0, 70.3, and 33.4% in milk from cows fed RO, FO, or RFO, respectively, compared with the CON. Both C18:1 trans-11 (vaccenic acid) and C18:2 cis-9,trans-11 (conjugated linoleic acid; CLA) levels were higher in cows fed added flaxseed or rubber seed oil. The CLA yield (g/d) increased by 336, 492, and 484% in cows fed RO, FO, or RFO, respectively, compared with the CON. The increase in vaccenic acid, ALA, and CLA was greater in cows fed RFO than in cows fed RO alone. Compared with the CON, the milk fat from cows fed any of the dietary supplements had a higher concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids; conversely, the saturated fatty acids levels in milk fat were 30.5% lower. Insulin and growth hormones were not affected by dietary treatments; however, we noted an increase in both cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acids levels in the RO, FO, or RFO treatments. These results indicate that rubber seed oil and flaxseed oil will increase milk production and the concentration of functional fatty acids (ALA, vaccenic acid, and CLA) in milk fat while decreasing the content of saturated fatty acids.

Effects of c-Jun N-terminal kinase on Activin A/Smads signaling in PC12 cell suffered from oxygen-glucose deprivation

Activin A (Act A), a member of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, is an early gene in response to cerebral ischemia. Growing evidences confirm the neuroprotective effect of Act A in ischemic injury through Act A/Smads signal activation. In this process, regulation networks are involved in modulating the outcomes of Smads signaling. Among these regulators, crosstalk between c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Smads signaling has been found in the TGF-β induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, in neural ischemia, the speculative regulation between JNK and Act A/Smads signaling pathways has not been clarified. To explore this issue, an Oxygen Glucose Deprivation (OGD) model was introduced to nerve-like PC12 cells. We found that JNK signal activation occurred at the early time of OGD injury (1 h). Act A administration suppressed JNK phosphorylation. In addition, JNK inhibition could elevate the strength of Smads signaling and attenuate neural apoptosis after OGD injury. Our results indicated a negative regulation effect of JNK on Smads signaling in ischemic injury. Taken together, JNK, as a critical site for neural apoptosis and negative regulator for Act A/Smads signaling, was presumed to be a molecular therapeutic target for ischemia.

Research Progress on the Indirect Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Methanol is a sustainable source of liquid fuels and one of the most useful organic chemicals. To date, most of the work in this area has focused on the direct hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. However, this process requires high operating temperatures (200-250 °C), which limits the theoretical yield of methanol. Thus, it is desirable to find a new strategy for the efficient conversion of CO2 to methanol at relatively low reaction temperatures. This Minireview seeks to outline the recent advances on the indirect hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. Much emphasis is placed on discussing specific systems, including hydrogenation of CO2 derivatives (organic carbonates, carbamates, formates, cyclic carbonates, etc.) and cascade reactions, with the aim of critically highlighting both the achievements and remaining challenges associated with this field.

A niobium-necked cluster [As3Nb(As3Sn3)]3− with aromatic Sn32−

A new Zintl cluster [As₃Nb(As₃Sn₃)]³⁻ was synthesized and characterized, in which an As₃ triangle and a bowl-type As₃Sn₃ ligand are bridged by a niobium atom. The Sn₃ ring is found to have σ-aromaticity featured by a delocalized Sn–Sn–Sn σ orbital.

A new application of the traditional Fenton process to gold cyanide synthesis using acetonitrile as a cyanide source

We introduced a general Fenton-reaction synthesis of metal cyanide solids using acetonitrile as a green cyanide source. This Fenton-improved cyanation method gets rid of CN⁻ ions and UV-light efficiently, which is green and facile.

An outbreak of Candida parapsilosis fungemia among preterm infants

In this article, we describe the first outbreak of Candida parapsilosis fungemia in our hospital. We examined a cluster of four nosocomial cases of C. parapsilosis fungemia that occurred in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Affiliated Xingtai People's Hospital of Hebei Medical University over a two-week period. We ascertained patient parameters including clinical characteristics, blood and sputum cultures, and drug sensitivity test results. Cultures from eight blood samples obtained from the four infected preterm infants showed identical characteristics and were identified as C. parapsilosis. In order to determine the infection-related factors and to control the spread of the infection among the population, we immediately initiated the emergency plan. All four of the preterm infants recovered from the infection; there were no deaths. Outbreaks of C. parapsilosis, mostly involving preterm infants of very low birth weight or extremely low birth weight, can and do occur in NICUs. Cultures prepared using multiple samples taken from different patients contribute to a more definitive diagnosis. Established measures that control and prevent the infection, as well as effective and comprehensive treatments, can lead to a favorable outcome. That is to say, improving both disinfection and isolation, as well as interrupting the pathway of transmission, is the key to controlling the spread of infection.

Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus from surgical site infections in orthopedic patients in an orthopedic trauma clinical medical center in Shanghai

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcus aureus or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of surgical site infections (SSIs). The aim of our study was to characterize molecularly S. aureus isolates from SSIs in orthopedic patients in Shanghai, China.

METHODS

Eighty-two S. aureus isolates (46 methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus [MSSA] and 36 MRSA) were collected from SSIs in orthopedic patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and a variety of clinically important toxin genes were detected. The sequence type, spa type, and agr group were determined to analyze the genotypes of all the isolates collected. In addition, MRSA isolates were characterized by staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type as well.

RESULTS

The strains showed susceptibility to antibiotics such as teicoplanin, minocycline, quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, mupirocin, and vancomycin. Ten pvl-positive isolates (three MRSA and seven MSSA) were found among all isolates. Eight community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) isolates were found, six of which belonged to ST59-MRSA-IV but most MRSA isolates (20/36, 55.6%) belonged to ST239-MRSA-III-t030/t037 with a wide range of antibiotic resistance. By contrast, MSSA isolates were more diverse in both molecular characterizations and virulence factors, with eight MSSA isolates harboring more than six toxin genes detected.

CONCLUSIONS

ST239-MRSA-III-t030/t037 was the epidemic clone, and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) strains might be the major pathogen causing S. aureus SSIs in orthopedic patients.

Direct Methylation of Amines with Carbon Dioxide and Molecular Hydrogen using Supported Gold Catalysts

The N-methylation of amines with CO2 and H2 is an important step in the synthesis of bioactive compounds and chemical intermediates. The first heterogeneous Au catalyst is reported for this methylation reaction with good to excellent yields. The average turnover frequency (TOF) based on surface Au atoms is 45 h(-1) , which is the highest TOF value ever reported for the methylation of aniline with CO2 and H2 . Furthermore, the catalyst is tolerant toward a variety of amines, which includes aromatic, aliphatic, secondary, and primary amines. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the N-alkyl formamide might be an intermediate in the N-methylation of amine process. Moreover, through a one-pot process, it is possible to convert primary amines, aldehydes, and CO2 into unsymmetrical tertiary amines with H2 as a reductant in the presence of the Au catalyst.

Hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres for efficient simulated sunlight-driven water oxidation

Oxygen generation is the key step for the photocatalytic overall water splitting and considered to be kinetically more challenging than hydrogen generation. Here, an effective water oxidation catalyst of hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres are prepared via a two-step sequential solvothermal processes and followed by thermal treatment. The existence of an effective heterointerface and built-in electric field in the surface space charge region in FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres plays a positive role in promoting the separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. Surface photovoltage, transient-state photovoltage, fluorescence and electrochemical characterization are used to investigate the transfer process of photoinduced charge carriers. The photogenerated charge carriers in the hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres with a proper molar ratio display much higher separation efficiency and longer lifetime than those in the FeTiO3 alone. Moreover, it is suggested that the hierarchical porous hollow structure can contribute to the enhancement of light utilization, surface active sites and material transportation through the framework walls. This specific synergy significantly contributes to the remarkable improvement of the photocatalytic water oxidation activity of the hierarchical FeTiO3-TiO2 hollow spheres under simulated sunlight (AM1.5).

An Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Number Based Approach for Multi-Criteria Group Decision-Making Problems

In this paper, a new approach is presented for solving multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) problems, which is based on new arithmetic operations and the ranking rules of trapezoidal interval type-2 fuzzy numbers (IT2FNs). Firstly, the shortcomings of some existing arithmetic operations of trapezoidal IT2FNs are discussed along with their ranking methods, before some new arithmetic operations and ranking rules are proposed. Secondly, some new aggregation operators including the arithmetic averaging aggregation operator, the ordered weighted averaging aggregation operator and the hybrid weighted averaging aggregation operator for trapezoidal IT2FNs are also developed. Thirdly, a new approach for MCGDM problems is developed based on the proposed operators and ranking rules. Finally, an example is provided to illustrate the feasibility and validity of this new approach, and a comparison analysis referring to the same example is also presented.

Effect of dietary energy source and level on nutrient digestibility, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and milk performance in lactating dairy cows

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary energy source and level on intake, digestion, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and milk production in lactating dairy cows, using corn stover as a forage source. Eight multiparous Holstein cows, 4 of which were fitted with rumen cannulas, were evaluated in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, with each period lasting 21 d. The cows were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups: low-energy (LE) ground corn (GC), LE steam-flaked corn (SFC), high-energy (HE) GC, and HE SFC. Changes to ruminal energy degradation rates were induced by feeding the cows diets of either finely ground corn or SFC as components of diets with the same total energy level. Milk yield, milk protein content and yield, and milk lactose yield all increased in response to higher levels of dietary energy, whereas contents of milk fat and lactose were unaffected. Cows fed HE diets had a higher crude microbial protein yield and total-tract apparent digestibility than those receiving LE diets. Milk yield, milk protein yield, and microbial protein yield were also higher when SFC replaced GC as the main energy source for lactating cows fed LE diets. These results suggest that an increased dietary energy level and ruminal degradation rate are beneficial to milk protein production, which we suggest is due to increased yields of microbial proteins, when cows are fed corn stover as a dietary forage source.

microRNA-33A expression is reduced in cerebral cortex in a rat model of ischemic tolerance

This study examined the microRNA&mdash;33a (miR&mdash;33a) expression levels in cerebral cortex in rat model of cerebral ischemic tolerance (IT), with 3&mdash;nitropropionic acid (3&mdash;NPA) preconditioning. Rat model of cerebral IT was established as follows: 14 male Sprague&mdash;Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, the 3&mdash;NPA treated group and the control group. Intraperitoneal injection of 3&mdash;NPA or normal saline was performed in 3&mdash;NPA treated group and control group, respectively. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in all the rats 3 days after injection and the infarct volume was measured on postoperative day&mdash;2. To study miR&mdash;33a expression levels in this model, male Sprague&mdash;Dawley rats (n = 31) were randomly divided into 4 groups, 3&mdash;NPA treatment group (n = 8), 3&mdash;NPA treatment + MCAO group (n = 9), MCAO group (n = 9), and control group (n = 5). Surviving rats were sacrificed 4 days after injection and cerebral cortex samples were obtained for total RNA isolation. MiR&mdash;33a expression levels were determined by real&mdash;time quantitative PCR (qRT&mdash;PCR). Infarct volume in 3&mdash;NPA treated group decreased significantly in comparison to the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Expression analysis by qRT&mdash;PCR revealed that miR&mdash;33a expression levels in 3&mdash;NPA treated group were significantly higher than that in control group (P &lt; 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference in miR&mdash;33a expression levels were observed in 3&mdash;NPA + MCAO and MCAO groups (both P > 0.05). Our results present convincing evidence that miR&mdash;33a expression levels are significantly reduced in the cerebral cortex in rat model of cerebral IT, which may have significantly impacted the infarct volume.

Aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in differentiated and undifferentiated Caco-2 cells

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) are natural mycotoxins that frequently present in food and feed and pose risks to human health. There are few data in the literature regarding the impairment of them in the intestine. Therefore, the present study investigated their cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells, especially the differentiated ones that resemble mature small intestinal enterocytes. Both undifferentiated (UC) and differentiated (DC) cells were treated with AFB1 and AFM1 at various concentrations for up to 72 h. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and DNA damage were determined. Data showed that AFB1 and AFM1 significantly inhibited UC and DC cell growth, increased LDH and caused genetic damage in a time- and dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In comparison, AFB1 was found to be more toxic than AFM1 on both UC and DC. All these cytotoxic outcomes might be associated with intracellular ROS generation, leading to membrane damage and DNA strand break. Additionally, DC was found to be more sensitive to aflatoxins, which might be due to the alteration of enzymes during cell differentiation. The present study provided the first in vitro evidence of DNA damage of DC induced by AFB1 and AFM1.

Comparative Efficacy of Four Treatments in Patients with Graves' Disease: a Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The question of which treatment should be preferred for the treatment of Graves' disease is debatable, and pairwise meta-analyses could not obtain hierarchies of these treatments. Our intention was to integrate the evidence to provide hierarchies of the comparative efficacy of 4 treatments (radioiodine, radioiodine+prednisone, antithyroid drugs and surgery).

METHODS

We conducted a Bayesian-framework network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare 4 treatments in patients with Graves' disease. The eligible RCTs were identified by searching Amed, the British Nursing Index, Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Google scholar, SIGLE, the National Technical Information Service, the National Research Register (UK) and the Current Controlled Trials databases. The data for 2 outcomes (e.g., ophthalmopathy and recurrence) were independently extracted by 2 authors.

RESULTS

A total of 4 RCTs were ultimately included. Radioiodine+prednisone therapy showed statistical significance in reducing the incidence of new or deteriorative ophthalmopathy comparing with the other 3 therapies. Compared with radioiodine, therapy with antithyroid drugs therapy as well as surgery significantly decreased the incidence of new or deteriorative ophthalmopathy. Radioiodine therapy significantly reduced the rate of recurrence when compared to therapy with antithyroid drugs or surgery. For decreasing the incidence of new or deteriorative ophthalmopathy, the 4 treatments were ranked as follows: radioiodine+prednisone therapy, therapy with antithyroid drugs, surgery and radioiodine therapy. For reducing the rate of recurrence, 3 treatments were ranked as follows: radioiodine therapy, therapy with antithyroid drugs and surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Radioiodine+prednisone therapy might have the least probability of leading to an exacerbation or new appearance of ophthalmopathy, and radioiodine therapy might have the least probability of causing a recurrence.

Hierarchical Mn₂O ₃Hollow Microspheres as Anode Material of Lithium Ion Battery and Its Conversion Reaction Mechanism Investigated by XANES

Hierarchical Mn2O3 hollow microspheres of diameter about 6-10 μm were synthesized by solvent-thermal method. When serving as anode materials of LIBs, the hierarchical Mn2O3 hollow microspheres could deliver a reversible capacity of 580 mAh g(-1) at 500 mA g(-1) after 140 cycles, and a specific capacity of 422 mAh g(-1) at a current density as high as 1600 mA g(-1), demonstrating a good rate capability. Ex situ X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectrum reveals that, for the first time, the pristine Mn2O3 was reduced to metallic Mn when it discharged to 0.01 V, and oxidized to MnO as it charged to 3 V in the first cycle. Furthermore, the XANES data demonstrated also that the average valence of Mn in the sample at charged state has decreased slowly with cycling number, which signifies an incomplete lithiation process and interprets the capacity loss of the Mn2O3 during cycling.