Photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties of N + S co-doped TiO2 nanotube array films under visible light irradiation

In this paper, we report on the co-doping nitrogen and sulfur has been achieved in the TiO2 nanotube array films by treatment with thiourea and calcination under vacuum at 500 {\deg}C for 3 h. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. XPS spectra revealed that N might coexist in the forms of NTiO and NOTi, S was incorporated into the lattice of TiO2 through substituting oxygen atoms in the N + S co-doped TiO2 nanotube array films. XRD patterns indicated that improved crystallinity was obtained for N + S co-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays as compared to that of undoped TiO2 nanotube arrays. In photoelectrochemical measurements, the photocurrent of N + S co-doped TiO2 nanotube array films was greatly enhanced compared to that of undoped samples under visible light irradiation. And the photocatalytic activities of the samples were evaluated on the removal of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The N + S co-doped TiO2 nanotube array films showed a better photocatalytic activity than the undoped sample due to the N, S doping. Keywords: Nanostructures; Oxide; Thin films; Electrochemical propertiesComment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Case report: Targeted sequencing facilitates the diagnosis and management of rare multifocal pure ground-glass opacities with intrapulmonary metastasis

IntroductionTreatments for multiple ground-glass opacities (GGOs) for which the detection rate is increasing are still controversial. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) may provide additional key evidence for differential diagnosis or optimal therapeutic schedules.Case presentationWe first reported a rare case in which more than 100 bilateral pulmonary GGOs (91.7% of the GGOs were pure GGOs) were diagnosed as both multiple primary lung cancer and intrapulmonary metastasis. We performed NGS with an 808-gene panel to assess both somatic and germline alterations in tissues and plasma. The patient (male) underwent three successive surgeries and received osimertinib adjuvant therapy due to signs of metastasis and multiple EGFR-mutated tumors. The patient had multiple pure GGOs, and eight tumors of four pathological subtypes were evaluated for the clonal relationship. Metastasis, including pure GGOs and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, was found between two pairs of tumors. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) monitoring of disease status may impact clinical decision-making.ConclusionsSurgery combined with targeted therapies remains a reasonable alternative strategy for treating patients with multifocal GGOs, and NGS is valuable for facilitating diagnostic workup and adjuvant therapy with targeted drugs through tissue and disease monitoring via ctDNA

Comprehensive comparative analysis of prognostic value of serum systemic inflammation biomarkers for colorectal cancer: Results from a large multicenter collaboration

BackgroundThe incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is common and reliable biomarkers are lacking. We aimed to systematically and comprehensively compare the ability of various combinations of serum inflammatory signatures to predict the prognosis of CRC. Moreover, particular attention has been paid to the clinical feasibility of the newly developed inflammatory burden index (IBI) as a prognostic biomarker for CRC.MethodsThe discrimination capacity of the biomarkers was compared using receiver operating characteristic curves and Harrell’s C-index. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to compare survival differences between the groups. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine the independent prognostic factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between IBI, short-term outcomes, and malnutrition.ResultsIBI had the optimal prediction accuracy among the systemic inflammation biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of CRC. Taking IBI as a reference, none of the remaining systemic inflammation biomarkers showed a gain. Patients with high IBI had significantly worse overall survival than those with low IBI (56.7% vs. 80.2%; log-rank P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that continuous IBI was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of CRC patients (hazard ratio = 1.165, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.043–1.302, P<0.001). High IBI was an independent risk factor for short-term outcomes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.537, 95% CI = 1.258–1.878, P<0.001), malnutrition (OR = 2.996, 95% CI = 1.471–6.103, P=0.003), and recurrence (OR = 1.744, 95% CI = 1.176–2.587, p = 0.006) in CRC patients.ConclusionsIBI, as a reflection of systemic inflammation, is a feasible and promising biomarker for assessing the prognosis of CRC patients

Effect of different lubricating oil formulas on the adaptability of cGPF aftertreatment

Based on two different components of lubricating oil, this paper analyzes the filtration efficiency, ash accumulation speed, vehicle WLTC emissions, fuel consumption, and CT scan on a National V emission standard engine equipped with a cGPF aftertreatment device. The results show that both oils can ensure that cGPF meets the emission and fuel consumption requirements of National VI emission standard, but oil F accumulates ash quickly before the ash accumulation of 33% in the discharge, which has a significant effect on PN reduction, and oil C accumulates ash faster after the accumulation of 33%. The effect of reducing the PN is accelerated. Oil F is based on a full calcium detergent system, which has a trend of first to slower for the collection efficiency; while oil C is based on a mixed Ca/Mg detergent system, which has a trend of first slowing and then fasting the collection efficiency. The critical point is generally about 33% of accumulated ash. For oil F, less ash is deposited in the front and middle of the cGPF, while more ash tends to deposit towards the outlet. In contrast, cGPF aged with Oil C has a relatively uniform deposition distribution

Fabrication of Mo+N-Codoped TiO2 Nanotube Arrays by Anodization and Sputtering for Visible Light-Induced Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Properties

Mo,N-codoped TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) were fabricated by a two-step method consisting of electrochemical anodization and subsequent magnetron sputtering of Mo. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). The results showed that the Mo,N-codoped TiO2 nanotube arrays exhibited higher visible light absorbance and remarkably enhanced photocurrent density and photocatalytic activity compared with single N-doped TiO2. The highly efficient photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity is associated with the codoping effect between Mo and N, which plays a key role in producing new states, narrowing the bandgap, and reducing the recombination thereby effectively improving the visible light absorption and photocatalytic activity of TNAs

How to Increase Farmers' Income in the Poor Mountainous Areas?

Using the gray system theory and gray relational analysis method, the relationship between added value of hybrid corn, hogs, Juglans siglillata, Pisum Sativum L., safflower and that of farmers' net income in Bailongjing Village, Wafang Township, Longyang District, Baoshan city, Yunnan Province was analyzed and the ways to increase farmers' per capita net income were studied. The results showed that economic income of farmers by structure adjustment of agriculture is Juglans sigillata>Pisium Sativum L.>safflower>hogs>hybrid corn. The study can provide scientific basis for optimizing agricultural industrial structure in Baoshan City, and promoting the rapid growth of farmers' economic income

Friend or foe? Essential roles of osteoclast in maintaining skeletal health

Heightened activity of osteoclast is considered to be the culprit in breaking the balance during bone remodeling in pathological conditions, such as osteoporosis. As a “foe” of skeletal health, many antiosteoporosis therapies aim to inhibit osteoclastogenesis. However, bone remodeling is a dynamic process that requires the subtle coordination of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Severe suppression of osteoclast differentiation will impair bone formation because of the coupling effect. Thus, understanding the complex roles of osteoclast in maintaining proper bone remodeling is highly warranted to develop better management of osteoporosis. This review aimed to determine the varied roles of osteoclasts in maintaining skeletal health and to highlight the positive roles of osteoclasts in maintaining normal bone remodeling. Generally, osteoclasts interact with osteocytes to initiate targeted bone remodeling and have crosstalk with mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts via secreted factors or cell-cell contact to promote bone formation. We believe that a better outcome of bone remodeling disorders will be achieved when proper strategies are made to coordinate osteoclasts and osteoblasts in managing such disorders

Comprehensive Treatment of An Advanced Lung Cancer Patient with EGFR Driver Gene Positive

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Most of the patients have distant metastasis when visiting the doctor, which seriously affects the survival time and quality of life of the patients. With the development of molecular targeted drugs, lung cancer treatment has been transformed from traditional chemotherapy to targeted therapy and precision medicine has been gradually applied in clinical practice, which can make lung cancer patients live longer and have a better quality of life. We present a case of advanced lung cancer patient who presented to Department of Thoracic Surgery of Beijing Haidian Hospital five years ago. We chose the reasonable treatment options though the genetic tests and circulating tumor DNA tests. We summarized the adverse reactions in the whole course of treatment. The comprehensive therapy we utilized, including targeted therapy, chemotherapy, antiangiogenic agents and local radiotherapy, have resulted in our patient with remaining alive. For advanced non-small cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive, individualized treatment was conducted based on precise genotyping and dynamic monitoring, which can not only control the tumor, but also have mild toxic and side effects. The survival time of the patients was prolonged and the quality of life was guaranteed

Election Procedure for Rural Two Committees

In order to further strengthen the construction and improvement of villager autonomy system with democratic election, democratic decision making, democratic management, and democratic supervision of rural two committees with Chinese characteristics, experience of work team of Longyang District Agricultural Technology Extension Station dispatched to villager committees (or offices) and their guidance on election of rural two committees in 2007-2016 were used, and exploration was made for election of rural two committees from the third to the sixth committees. It summarized achievements and main problems in election of rural two committees and came up with pertinent recommendations. The results of this study are expected to provide certain reference for theory and practice of future villager autonomy