153 research outputs found
Nuclear Quantum Effects Accelerate Charge Recombination but Boost the Stability of Inorganic Perovskites in Mild Humidity
Experiments have demonstrated that
mild humidity can enhance the
stability of the CsPbBr3 perovskite, though the underlying
mechanism remains unclear. Utilizing ab initio molecular dynamics,
ring polymer molecular dynamics, and non-adiabatic molecular dynamics,
our study reveals that nuclear quantum effects (NQEs) play a crucial
role in stabilizing the lattice rigidity of the perovskite while simultaneously
shortening the charge carrier lifetime. NQEs reduce the extent of
geometric disorder and the number of atomic fluctuations, diminish
the extent of hole localization, and thereby improve the electron–hole
overlap and non-adiabatic coupling. Concurrently, these effects significantly
suppress phonon modes and slow decoherence. As a result, these factors
collectively accelerate charge recombination by a factor of 1.42 compared
to that in scenarios excluding NQEs. The resulting sub-10 ns recombination
time scales align remarkably well with experimental findings. This
research offers novel insight into how moisture resistance impacts
the stability and charge carrier lifetime in all-inorganic perovskites
An Enzyme Net Coating the Surface of Nanoparticles: A Simple and Efficient Method for the Immobilization of Phospholipase D
Phospholipase
D (PLD) was immobilized in a simple and effective
way by adsorption and precipitation of the enzyme, followed by chemical
cross-linking to form an “enzyme net” covering the surface
of nonporous silicon dioxide nanoparticles. For catalyzing transphosphatidylation
to produce phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), at pH 6.0 and 35 °C
(the optimum operational conditions), the specific activity of immobilized
PLD reached 15872 U/g<sub>protein</sub>, which was approximately 1.15
times higher than the maximum value of specific activity of free PLD
(13813 U/g<sub>protein</sub>). A kinetic study demonstrates immobilized
PLD had increases in catalytic activity and enzyme–substrate
affinity. In addition, the thermostability and pH tolerance were significantly
enhanced compared with free PLD. The half-life of immobilized PLD
was significantly increased from 30 to 70 days at 4 °C (approximately
2.3 times). This novel method has been proven to be suitable for the
production of robust biocatalysts
Exploration of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles as a Multitarget and Multifunctional Anticancer Nanomedicine
Because
of the complexity of cancer, an ideal anticancer strategy is better
to target both cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. In this
study, for the first time, we demonstrated that zinc oxide nanoparticles
(ZnO NPs) were able to target multiple cell types of cancer, including
cancer cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), and macrophages, and simultaneously
perform several key functions, including inhibition of cancer proliferation,
sensitization of drug-resistant cancer, prevention of cancer recurrence
and metastasis, and resuscitation of cancer immunosurveillance. As
a nanocarrier, the chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin (Dox), could be
loaded to ZnO NPs and the Dox-loaded ZnO NPs (ZnO/Dox) possessed excellent
physicochemical and pH-responsive drug release properties. ZnO/Dox
could be effectively internalized by both drug-sensitive and multidrug
resistant (MDR) cancer cells and penetrate more efficiently through
three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell spheroids compared with free Dox.
As a cytotoxic agent, ZnO NPs were more efficient to kill MDR cancer
cells. Interestingly, neither ZnO nor Dox showed high cytotoxicity
in the 3D cancer cell spheroids, whereas ZnO/Dox showed remarkable
synergistic anticancer effects. More importantly, we demonstrated
that ZnO NPs could effectively downregulate CD44, a key CSC surface
marker, and decrease the stemness of CSCs, leading to the sensitization
of the Dox treatment, inhibition of the cancer cell adhesion and migration,
and prevention of the tumor (3D cancer cell spheroid) formation. As
an immunomodulator, ZnO NPs could protect macrophages from the Dox-induced
toxicity and boost the Dox-induced macrophage polarization toward
an M1-like phenotype. The macrophage-conditioned medium could promote
the cancer cell apoptosis in both cancer cell monolayers and 3D spheroids.
The findings in this study indicated that ZnO NPs were a multifunctional
and multitarget nanocarrier and nanomedicine that would have more
profound effects on cancer treatment
“Rigid” Luminescent Soft Materials: Europium-Containing Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Based on Polyoxyethylene Phytosterols and Ionic Liquids
Soft
materials of europium β-diketonate complexes constructed in
lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) mediated by ionic liquids (ILs) are
impressive for their excellent luminescence performance and stability.
For the aim to further improve their mechanical processability and
luminescent tunablility, the polyoxyethylene phytosterols (BPS-<i>n</i>) were introduced here as structure directing agents to
prepare relatively “rigid” lamellar luminescent LLCs
in 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate by doping europium
β-diketonate complexes with different imidazolium counterions.
As a result of the solvophobic sterol ring structure of BPS-<i>n</i>, the more effective isolation and confinement effects
of europium complexes could be achieved. The longest fluorescence
lifetime and the highest quantum efficiency reported so far for europium
containing lyotropic organized soft materials were thus obtained.
Changing the molecular structures of BPS-<i>n</i> with different
oxyethylene chains or doped complexes with imidazolium counterions
of different alkyl chain lengths, the spacings of lamellar LLC matrixes
and position of dispersed complexes became tunable. The measured luminescent
and rheological properties for such composite LLCs showed a dependence
on the rigidity and isolation capability afforded by sterol molecules.
It was also found that the increase of counterion alkyl chain length
would weaken the LLC matrix’s confinement and isolation effects
and therefore exhibit the deteriorated luminescence performance. The
enhanced luminescence efficiency and stability of doped BPS-<i>n</i> LLCs reflected the excellent segregation of europium complexes
from each other and therefore the reduced self-quenching process.
The obtained results here present the designability of LLC matrixes
and their great potential to promote achieving the luminescence tunability
of soft materials
DataSheet1_Predicting mortality in acute kidney injury patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy using a visualization model: A retrospective study.PDF
Background: Patients with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) require continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) when hemodynamically unstable. We aimed to identify prognostic factors and develop a nomogram that could predict mortality in patients with AKI undergoing CRRT.Methods: Data were extracted from the Dryad Digital Repository. We enrolled 1,002 participants and grouped them randomly into training (n = 670) and verification (n = 332) datasets based on a 2:1 proportion. Based on Cox proportional modeling of the training set, we created a web-based dynamic nomogram to estimate all-cause mortality.Results: The model incorporated phosphate, Charlson comorbidity index, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, levels of creatinine and albumin, and sequential organ failure assessment scores as independent predictive indicators. Model calibration and discrimination were satisfactory. In the training dataset, the area under the curves (AUCs) for estimating the 28-, 56-, and 84-day all-cause mortality were 0.779, 0.780, and 0.787, respectively. The model exhibited excellent calibration and discrimination in the validation dataset, with AUC values of 0.791, 0.778, and 0.806 for estimating 28-, 56-, and 84-day all-cause mortality, respectively. The calibration curves exhibited the consistency of the model between the two cohorts. To visualize the results, we created a web-based calculator.Conclusion: We created a web-based calculator for assessing fatality risk in patients with AKI receiving CRRT, which may help rationalize clinical decision-making and personalized therapy.</p
Data_Sheet_1_Correlations between circulating methylmalonic acid levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among patients with diabetes.PDF
AimsEvidence regarding serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels and mortality in individuals with diabetes is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between MMA and all-cause and cause-specific deaths in patients with diabetes.Materials and methodsThis is a population-based cohort study based on data from both the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and National Death Index from 1999 to 2014. We assessed the association of serum MMA concentrations with mortality using Cox proportional hazard models after adjusting for lifestyle, demographic factors, and comorbidities.ResultsAmong the 3,097 participants, 843 mortalities occurred during a median follow-up of 4.42 years. There were 242 deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 131 cancer-associated deaths. After multivariate adjustment, elevated serum MMA levels were markedly correlated with a high risk of all-cause, CVD-, and cancer-related deaths. Each one-unit increase in the natural log-transformed MMA level correlated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (2.652 times), CVD mortality risk (3.153 times), and cancer-related mortality risk (4.514). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) after comparing participants with MMA ConclusionHigher serum MMA levels were significantly associated with higher all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. These findings suggest that maintaining lower MMA status may lower mortality risk in individuals with diabetes.</p
Basic information of experts.
BackgroundDelirium, a common occurrence in clinical work, can be divided into three subtypes according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5 th Edition (DSM-5). Each subtype has its special significance and focus. As the primary caregivers and observer of delirious patients, nurses should be able to quickly and accurately indentify each subtype. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify nurses’ assessment ability of delirium subtypes. However, there is currently no suitable questionnaire available for investigating nurses’ assessment ability of delirium subtypes.ObjectiveTo develop a scientifically validated questionnaire for assessing nursing assessment ability of delirium subtypes based on Knowledge-Attitude-Practice(KAP) Model.MethodsThe questionnaire was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022 to assess the KAP status of nurses the regarding delirium subtype. A two-round Delphi Method was employed to revise the draft questionnaire, ensuring the importance and rationality of each item. Ten experts specializing in critically ill patients, clinical nursing, and nursing management were invited from seven provinces in China for the Delphi process. Additionally, we validated the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.ResultsThe return rate in the first and second rounds were 83% and 100%, respectively. The individual authority coefficients for the two rounds of correspondence ranged from 0.787 to 0.987, while the overall authority coefficient of experts was 0.866. Kendall’s coefficient of coordination for the importance scores were found to be 0.192 and 0.156, respectively, whereas those for rationality scores were calculated as 0.149 and 0.141, respectively. Notably, all mean values of importance and rationality scores in the two rounds were exceeded a threshold of 4.10 across both rounds of assessment with coefficient variations (CV) ranging from 0.00 to 0.19 for importance ratings and 0.00 to 0.16 for rationality ratings, both of which were ConclusionThe development process is both scientific and theoretical, encompassing reliable expert correspondence results and a diverse range of question formats. As thus, effectively captures the current landscape of delirium subtypes assessment among clinical nurses from multiple perspectives, including knowledge level and source, attitude, assessment behavior, and assessment barriers. It offers comprehensive and detailed insights.</div
Expert comments.
BackgroundDelirium, a common occurrence in clinical work, can be divided into three subtypes according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5 th Edition (DSM-5). Each subtype has its special significance and focus. As the primary caregivers and observer of delirious patients, nurses should be able to quickly and accurately indentify each subtype. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify nurses’ assessment ability of delirium subtypes. However, there is currently no suitable questionnaire available for investigating nurses’ assessment ability of delirium subtypes.ObjectiveTo develop a scientifically validated questionnaire for assessing nursing assessment ability of delirium subtypes based on Knowledge-Attitude-Practice(KAP) Model.MethodsThe questionnaire was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022 to assess the KAP status of nurses the regarding delirium subtype. A two-round Delphi Method was employed to revise the draft questionnaire, ensuring the importance and rationality of each item. Ten experts specializing in critically ill patients, clinical nursing, and nursing management were invited from seven provinces in China for the Delphi process. Additionally, we validated the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.ResultsThe return rate in the first and second rounds were 83% and 100%, respectively. The individual authority coefficients for the two rounds of correspondence ranged from 0.787 to 0.987, while the overall authority coefficient of experts was 0.866. Kendall’s coefficient of coordination for the importance scores were found to be 0.192 and 0.156, respectively, whereas those for rationality scores were calculated as 0.149 and 0.141, respectively. Notably, all mean values of importance and rationality scores in the two rounds were exceeded a threshold of 4.10 across both rounds of assessment with coefficient variations (CV) ranging from 0.00 to 0.19 for importance ratings and 0.00 to 0.16 for rationality ratings, both of which were ConclusionThe development process is both scientific and theoretical, encompassing reliable expert correspondence results and a diverse range of question formats. As thus, effectively captures the current landscape of delirium subtypes assessment among clinical nurses from multiple perspectives, including knowledge level and source, attitude, assessment behavior, and assessment barriers. It offers comprehensive and detailed insights.</div
Copper-Catalyzed Aza-Diels–Alder Reaction and Halogenation: An Approach To Synthesize 7‑Halogenated Chromenoquinolines
A new
halogenation method to construct halogen-substituted quinoline
moieties is described. The Cu-catalyzed intramolecular aza-Diels–Alder
reaction and halogenation reaction proceeded smoothly under mild conditions
to produce the corresponding 7-chloro-6<i>H</i>-chromenoÂ[4,3-<i>b</i>]Âquinolines and 7-chloro-6<i>H</i>-thiochromenoÂ[4,3-<i>b</i>]Âquinolines in satisfactory yields
Table_1_Correlations between circulating methylmalonic acid levels and all-cause and cause-specific mortality among patients with diabetes.DOCX
AimsEvidence regarding serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels and mortality in individuals with diabetes is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between MMA and all-cause and cause-specific deaths in patients with diabetes.Materials and methodsThis is a population-based cohort study based on data from both the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and National Death Index from 1999 to 2014. We assessed the association of serum MMA concentrations with mortality using Cox proportional hazard models after adjusting for lifestyle, demographic factors, and comorbidities.ResultsAmong the 3,097 participants, 843 mortalities occurred during a median follow-up of 4.42 years. There were 242 deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 131 cancer-associated deaths. After multivariate adjustment, elevated serum MMA levels were markedly correlated with a high risk of all-cause, CVD-, and cancer-related deaths. Each one-unit increase in the natural log-transformed MMA level correlated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (2.652 times), CVD mortality risk (3.153 times), and cancer-related mortality risk (4.514). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) after comparing participants with MMA ConclusionHigher serum MMA levels were significantly associated with higher all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality. These findings suggest that maintaining lower MMA status may lower mortality risk in individuals with diabetes.</p
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