[A multicenter cross-sectional study on chronic critical illness and surgery-related chronic critical illness in China]

Objective: To understand the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of chronic critical illness (CCI) in China. Methods: The clinical data of 472 adult patients admitted to ICU in 53 hospitals, including basic information, disease-related data, nutrition program, etc., were collected on May 10, 2019, by means of multi-center cross-sectional study. If surgical intervention was needed or the occurrence of the disease was directly related to the surgery, ICU patients were regarded as surgical ICU cases (n=211). In this study, the diagnostic criteria for CCI were: (1) admission to ICU >14 days;(2) combined with persistent organ dysfunction. The prevalence,distribution and treatment of CCI and surgery-related CCI were recorded and analyzed. The Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fisher exact test were used for comparative analysis. Results: Among the 472 ICU patients from 53 hospitals, 326 were male (69.1%) and 146 were female (30.9%). The prevalence of CCI was 30.7% (145/472). Among 211 surgery-related ICU patients, 57 developed CCI with a prevalence of 27.0%. As compared to non-CCI patients, higher APACHE II score [median (IQR) 13.5 (10.0, 18.3) vs. 11.0 (7.0, 16.0), U=2970.000, P=0.007], higher Charlson comorbidity index [median (IQR) 4.0 (2.0, 7.0) vs. 3.0 (1.0, 5.0), U= 3570.000, P=0.036] and higher ratio of breath dysfunction [68.4% (39/57) vs. 48.1% (74/154), χ(2)=6.939, P=0.008] and renal dysfunction [42.1% (24/57) vs. 18.2% (28/154), χ(2)=12.821, P<0.001] were found in surgery-related CCI patients. While SOFA score, Glasgow coma score and other visceral function were not significantly different between surgery-related CCI and non-CCI patients (all P>0.05). NUTRIC score showed that surgery-related CCI patients had higher nutritional risk [43.9% (25/57) vs. 26.6%(41/154), U=5.750, P=0.016] and higher ratio of mechanical ventilation [66.7% (38/57) vs. 52.3% (79/154), χ(2)=3.977, P=0.046] than non-CCI patients. On the survey day, the daily caloric requirements of 50.2% (106/211) of surgery-related ICU patients were calculated according to the standard adult caloric intake index (104.6 to 125.5 kJ·kg(-1)·d(-1), 1 kJ=0.239 kcal), and the daily caloric requirements of 46.4% (98/211) of patients were calculated by physicians according to the severity of the patient's condition. 60.2% (127/211) of nutritional support therapy was enteral nutrition (including a combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition), while the remaining patients received parenteral nutrition (24.6%, 52/211), simple glucose infusion (9.0%, 19/211), or oral diet (6.2%, 13/211). The target calorie of CCI group was 104.6 (87.9, 125.5) kJ·kg(-1)·d(-1), and the actual calorie intake accounted for 0.98 (0.80, 1.00) of the target calory. In the non-CCI group, the target calorie was 104.6 (87.9, 125.5) kJ·kg(-1)·d(-1), and the actual calorie consumed accounted for 0.91 (0.66, 1.00) of the target calorie. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P=0.248, P=0.150). Conclusion: The prevalence of CCI and surgery-related CCI in ICU is high, along with severe complications, respiratory and renal dysfunction and mechanical ventilation. Surgical patients admitted to ICU are at high nutritional risk, and active and correct nutritional support is essential for such patients.

Enhancing surface immobilization of bioactive molecules via a silica nanoparticle based coating

Surface modification is of significant interest in biomaterials, biosensors, and device biocompatibility. Immobilization of bioactive or biomimetic molecules is a common method of disguising a foreign body as host tissue to decrease the foreign body response (FBR) and/or increase device-tissue integration. For example, in neural interfacing devices, immobilization of L1, a neuron-specific adhesion molecule, has been shown to increase neuron adhesion and reduce inflammatory gliosis on and around the implants. However, the activity of modified surfaces is limited by the relatively low concentration of the immobilized component, in part due to the low surface area of flat surfaces available for modification. In this work, we demonstrate a novel method for increasing the device surface area by attaching a layer of thiolated silica nanoparticles (TNPs). This coating method results in an almost two-fold increase in the immobilized L1 protein. L1 immobilized nanotextured surfaces showed a 100% increase in neurite outgrowth than smooth L1 immobilized surfaces without increasing the adhesion of astrocytes in vitro. The increased bioactivity observed in the cell assay was determined to be mainly due to the higher protein surface density, not the increase in surface roughness. In addition, we tested immobilization of a superoxide dismutase mimic (SODm) on smooth and roughened substrates. The SODm immobilized rough surfaces demonstrated an increase of 145% in superoxide scavenging activity compared to chemically matched smooth surfaces. These results not only show promise in improving biomimetic coating for neural implants, but may also improve surface immobilization efficacy in other fields such as catalysts, protein purification, sensors, and tissue engineering devices.

Co Nanoparticles/Co, N, S Tri-doped Graphene Templated from In-Situ-Formed Co, S Co-doped g-C3N4 as an Active Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting

The development of high-performance electrocatalyst with earth-abundant elements for water-splitting is a key factor to improve its cost efficiency. Herein, a noble metal-free bifunctional electrocatalyst was synthesized by a facile pyrolysis method using sucrose, urea, Co(NO₃)₂ and sulfur powder as raw materials. During the fabrication process, Co, S co-doped graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was first produced, and then this in-situ-formed template further induced the generation of a Co, N, S tri-doped graphene coupled with Co nanoparticles (NPs) in the following pyrolysis process. The effect of pyrolysis temperature (700, 800, and 900 °C) on the physical properties and electrochemical performances of the final product was studied. Thanks to the increased number of graphene layer encapsulated Co NPs, higher graphitization degree of carbon matrix and the existence of hierarchical macro/meso pores, the composite electrocatalyst prepared under 900 °C presented the best activity for both hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with outstanding long-term durability. This work presented a facile method for the fabrication of non-noble-metal-based carbon composite from in-situ-formed template and also demonstrated a potential bifunctional electrocatalyst for the future investigation and application.

Facile Synthesis of Carbon-Coated Spinel Li4Ti5O12/Rutile-TiO2 Composites as an Improved Anode Material in Full Lithium-Ion Batteries with LiFePO4@N-Doped Carbon Cathode

The spinel Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/rutile-TiO₂@carbon (LTO-RTO@C) composites were fabricated via a hydrothermal method combined with calcination treatment employing glucose as carbon source. The carbon coating layer and the in situ formed rutile-TiO₂ can effectively enhance the electric conductivity and provide quick Li⁺ diffusion pathways for Li₄Ti₅O₁₂. When used as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the rate capability and cycling stability of LTO-RTO@C composites were improved in comparison with those of pure Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ or Li₄Ti₅O₁₂/rutile-TiO₂. Moreover, the potential of approximately 1.8 V rechargeable full lithium-ion batteries has been achieved by utilizing an LTO-RTO@C anode and a LiFePO₄@N-doped carbon cathode.

Association between interleukin 17A gene polymorphisms and risk of coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and genetic factors contribute to the development of this disease. We conducted a case-control study to assess the association between interleukin 17A (IL17A) rs2275913 and rs3748067 polymorphisms and development of CAD. A total of 372 CAD patients and 372 healthy controls were recruited in our investigation between January 2013 and December 2014. Genotyping of IL17A rs2275913 and rs3748067 was carried out using polymerase chain reaction combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism. Logistic regression analysis revealed that CC [odds ratio (OR) = 3.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.11-7.16] and TC+CC (OR = 1.54, 95%CI = 1.11-2.14) rs3748067 genotypes were associated with an increased risk of CAD compared to the TT variant. Individuals carrying the TC+CC genotype were more likely to have a higher risk of CAD if they were smokers, with an adjusted OR (and 95%CI) of 2.20 (1.31-3.71). In conclusion, we suggest that the CC and TC+CC genotypes of rs3748067 are connected with increased risk of CAD in comparison to the wide-type genotype, particularly in smokers.

Investigation into the association between NLRP3 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus

We conducted a case-control study to investigate the role of three common polymorphisms (rs10754558, rs7512998, and rs12137901) of the gene NLR family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Between May 2013 and May 2014, 385 patients with T2DM and 401 control subjects were enrolled in our study. Genotyping of the three NLRP3 polymorphisms of interest was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Unconditional logistic regression analyses showed that individuals carrying GG and GC+GG rs10754558 genotypes were at significantly increased risk of T2DM, with adjusted odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) of 1.81 (1.16-2.83) and 1.40 (1.04-1.88), respectively. In conclusion, we propose that the NLRP3 rs10754558 polymorphism contributes to the development of T2DM, but that rs7512998 and rs12137901 variants are not associated with susceptibility to this disease.

Transdermal delivery of praziquantel: effects of solvents on permeation across rabbit skin

To explore a new method for the transdermal delivery of praziquantel (PZQ), the effects of solvents on permeation across rabbit skin were investigated. The solubility of PZQ in five different solvents, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (EGPE), 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide, and oleic acid, were measured with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The determination of the n-octanol/water partition coefficient of PZQ in the five different solutions and assay of serum concentration following PZQ transdermal administration in rabbits were performed using HPLC. The results indicated that the transdermal absorption of the drug was related to the partition coefficient and lipophilic characteristics of the solvent. The optimal solvent for PZQ transdermal delivery was EGPE in our protocol. The solubility of PZQ in EGPE is >400 mg/ml, and the apparent partition coefficient of PZQ in the solution is 0.895 (log P value). After transdermal administration of PZQ in EGPE solution, the bioavailability is 2.85-fold that after oral administration. The serum drug concentration was maintained at 4.0 mug/ml over 4 h, which is sufficient for the treatment of schistosomiasis. At the same time, no apparent side effects were found on the skin. EGPE may thus be a promising vehicle for the transdermal delivery of PZQ in the future.

Nitrobenzene compounds inhibit expression of VCAM-1

A series of nitrobenzene compounds has been discovered as potent inhibitors of VCAM-1 expression and, therefore, potential drug candidates for autoimmune and allergic inflammatory diseases. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies showed that a nitro group and two other electron-withdrawing groups are essential for these compounds to be potent inhibitors of VCAM-1 expression.

Cytogenetic analysis in workers occupationally exposed to nickel carbonyl

Chromosomal aberration and sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) base-line frequencies and SCE frequencies induced by 10 ng/ml mitomycin C (MMC) were analysed in cultured peripheral lymphocytes of 65 workers occupationally exposed to nickel carbonyl Ni(CO)4. The subjects were divided into 4 groups: (1) control; (2) exposed to nickel carbonyl (= exposed); (3) cigarette smokers; (4) smoking-exposed. The results show that there are no significant differences in chromosomal aberration frequencies, breaks or gaps, between the various groups. However, the SCE base-line frequency of the smoking-exposed group, with an average of 7.7/cell, was significantly higher than that of the control group, with an average of 6.5/cell (P less than 0.01), and also than that of the exposed group with an average of 5.9/cell (P less than 0.01). Similarly, the SCE frequency induced by 10 ng/ml MMC in the smoking-exposed group which averaged 15.5/cell was significantly higher than that of the control group (average of 13.2/cell (P less than 0.05], and also than that of the exposed group with an average of 12.3/cell (P less than 0.01). Under our experimental conditions, it may be that the level of exposure was not high enough to elicit an increase in chromosomal aberrations and SCE frequencies in the non-smoker exposed group. The fact that an increase in SCE frequencies was only found in the smoking-exposed group implies that the two factors, smoking and exposure to nickel carbonyl, are jointly responsible for the result.