Is epinephrine still the drug of choice during cardiac arrest in the emergency department of the hospital? A meta-analysis

Epinephrine is the first-line emergency drug for cardiac arrest and anaphylactic reactions but is reported to be associated with many challenges resulting in its under- or improper utilization. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, the efficacy and safety of epinephrine as a first-line cardiac emergency drug for both out-of-hospital and in-hospital patients was assessed. Pertinent articles were searched in central databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using appropriate keywords as per the PRISMA guidelines. Retrospective and prospective studies were included according to the predefined PICOS criteria. RevMan and MedCalc software were used and statistical parameters such as odds ratio and risk ratio were calculated. Twelve clinical trials with a total of 208,690 cardiac arrest patients from 2000 to 2022 were included, in accordance with the chosen inclusion criteria. In the present meta-analysis, a high odds ratio (OR) value of 3.67 (95 % CI 2.32–5.81) with a tau2 value of 0.64, a chi2 value of 12,446.86, df value of 11, I2 value of 100 %, Z-value 5.53, and a p-value < 0.00001 were reported. Similarly, the risk ratio of 1.89 (95 % CI 1.47–2.43) with a tau2 value of 0.19, chi2 value of 11,530.67, df value of 11, I2 value of 100 %, Z-value of 4.95, and p-value < 0.000001. The present meta-analysis strongly prefers epinephrine injection as the first cardiac emergency drug for both out-of-hospital and in-hospital patients during cardiac arrest

Roles of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of SLE

SLE is an autoimmune inflammatory disease in which various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including TGF-β, IL-10, BAFF, IL-6, IFN-α, IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-23, play crucial pathogenic roles. Virtually, all these cytokines can be generated by both innate and adaptive immune cells and exert different effects depending on specific local microenvironment. They can also interact with each other, forming a complex network to maintain delicate immune homeostasis. In this paper, we elaborate on the abnormal secretion and functions of these cytokines in SLE, analyze their potential pathogenic roles, and probe into the possibility of them being utilized as targets for therapy

Transparent conducting film fabricated by metal mesh method with Ag and cu@ag mixture nanoparticle pastes

Transparent conducting electrode film is highly desirable for application in touch screen panels (TSPs), flexible and wearable displays, sensors, and actuators. A sputtered film of indium tin oxide (ITO) shows high transmittance (90%) at low sheet resistance (50 ??/cm2). However, ITO films lack mechanical flexibility, especially under bending stress, and have limitation in application to large-area TSPs (over 15 inches) due to the trade-off in high transmittance and low sheet resistance properties. One promising solution is to use metal mesh-type transparent conducting film, especially for touch panel application. In this work, we investigated such inter-related issues as UV imprinting process to make a trench layer pattern, the synthesis of core-shell-type Ag and Cu@Ag composite nanoparticles and their paste formulation, the filling of Ag and Cu@Ag mixture nanoparticle paste to the trench layer, and touch panel fabrication processes

The Radio-to-Submm Spectral Index as a Redshift Indicator

We present models of the 1.4 GHz to 350 GHz spectral index, alpha(350/1.4), for starburst galaxies as a function of redshift. The models include a semi-analytic formulation, based on the well quantified radio-to-far infrared correlation for low redshift star forming galaxies, and an empirical formulation, based on the observed spectrum of the starburst galaxies M82 and Arp 220. We compare the models to the observed values of alpha(350/1.4) for starburst galaxies at low and high redshift. We find reasonable agreement between the models and the observations, and in particular, that an observed spectral index of alpha(350/1.4) > +0.5 indicates that the target source is likely to be at high redshift, z > 1. The evolution of alpha(350/1.4) with redshift is mainly due to the very steep rise in the Raleigh-Jeans portion of the thermal dust spectrum shifting into the 350 GHz band with increasing redshift. We also discuss situations where this relationship could be violated. We then apply our models to examine the putative identifications of submm sources in the Hubble Deep Field, and conclude that the submm sources reported by Hughes et al. are likely to be at high redshifts, z > 1.5.Comment: standard LATEX file plus 1 postscript figure. Added references and revised figure. second figure revision. Final Proof version. to appear in Astrophysical Journal Letter

Effects of amniotic membrane transplantation combined with limbal stem cell autograft transplantation on ocular burns

AIM: To investigate the effects of amniotic membrane transplantation combined with limbal stem cell autograft transplantation on ocular surface repair time, repair rate and complications in patients with ocular burns. METHODS: The clinical data of each 61 cases(61 eyes)of patients with ocular burns who were treated by limbal stem cell autograft transplantation(control group)or amniotic membrane transplantation combined with limbal stem cell autograft transplantation(observation group)were retrospectively analyzed. The postoperative ocular surface repair rate, repair time, and visual acuity and complications(symblepharon, corneal neovascularization, and keratohelcosis)at 12wk after operation were recorded in the two groups, and the levels of cytokines \〖vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)\〗 were compared between the two groups before operation and at 2wk after operation. RESULTS: The postoperative ocular surface repair rate in observation group was higher than that in control group(PPPPPPCONCLUSION: Amniotic membrane transplantation combined with limbal stem cell autograft transplantation has significant treatment effects on patients with ocular burns, and it can promote ocular surface repair, improve postoperative visual acuity, and can also regulate corneal neovascularization, and it also has positive significance in reducing the risk of postoperative complications

Clinical importance of F-waves as a prognostic factor in Guillain-Barré syndrome in children

PurposeA limited number of studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical presentation in pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Therefore, this study examined the importance of F-wave abnormalities as a prognostic factor in pediatric GBS patients.MethodsThe records and electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) of 70 GBS patients were retrospectively evaluated, and divided into 2 groups according to the results of EDS. Group A (n=33) presented with F-wave abnormalities, and group B (n=26) exhibited normal findings. We compared laboratory reports, clinical features, response to treatment, and prognosis between the 2 groups.ResultsMotor weakness was the most frequently observed symptom for either group. Clinically, the incidence of fever and upper respiratory symptoms differed between the 2 groups, while the prevalence of abnormal deep tendon reflex (DTR) was significantly higher in group A than B (P<0.05). Patients diagnosed with GBS had received intravenous immunoglobulin treatment: 94% in group A and 58% in group B. Furthermore, significantly greater numbers of patients in group A showed H-reflex abnormalities and poor prognosis compared with group B (P<0.05).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that F-waves are a clinically important prognostic factor in GBS. F-wave abnormalities were associated with abnormal DTR and poor prognosis in patients. Limited studies have examined the link between F-wave abnormalities and clinical results; therefore, further randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the clinical characteristics and efficacy of treatments

Highly sensitive colorimetric detection of allergies based on an immunoassay using peroxidase-mimicking nanozymes

Nanomaterials that exhibit enzyme-like characteristics, which are called nanozymes, have recently attracted significant attention due to their potential to overcome the intrinsic limitations of natural enzymes, such as low stability and relatively high cost for preparation and purification. In this study, we report a highly efficient colorimetric allergy detection system based on an immunoassay utilizing the peroxidase- mimicking activity of hierarchically structured platinum nanoparticles (H-Pt NPs). The H-Pt NPs had a diameter of 30 nm, and were synthesized by a seed-mediated growth method, which led to a significant amount of peroxidase-like activity. This activity mainly occurs because of the high catalytic power of the Pt element, and the fact that the H-Pt NPs have a large surface area available for catalytic events. The H-Pt NPs were conjugated to an antibody for the detection of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the analytes; IgE is a representative marker for the diagnosis of allergies. They were then successfully integrated into a conventionally used allergy diagnostic test, the ImmunoCAP diagnostic test, as a replacement for natural signaling enzymes. Using this strategy, total and specific IgE levels were detected within 5 min at room temperature, with high specificity and sensitivity. The practical utility of the immunoassay was also successfully verified by correctly determining the levels of both total and specific IgE in real human serum samples with high precision and reproducibility. The present H-Pt NP-based immunoassay system would serve as a platform for rapid, robust, and convenient analysis of IgE, and can be extended to the construction of diagnostic systems for a variety of clinically important target molecules.11Ysciescopu

Exploring Charge Dissociation in a Statistical Sample of Active-Layer Models of an Organic Solar Cell

Charge dissociation in the active layer is one of the key factors for the power conversion efficiency of bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (OSCs). Numerous charge-transfer mechanisms have been proposed based on one of few microscopic models. Here, we would explore possible charge-transfer mechanisms for 155 models of donor/acceptor (D/A) interfaces, built via materials DCV-1 and C60 as the donor and acceptor, respectively. After the calculations of the key parameters related to the charge dissociation and a statistical analysis for the correlation between these parameters were carried out, we can obtain a more robust description of the charge dissociation in practical OSCs. The complicated relationship among the key parameters not only illustrates the important correlation between the D/A stacking pattern and charge-transfer mechanism but also suggests that different charge-transfer mechanisms take place more likely depending on the specific arrangements of the donor and acceptor