All-dielectric absorber based on nano-graphite sheets/ionogels with configurable absorbing band.

With the increasing complexity of the electromagnetic environment, there is a growing demand for the manipulation of electromagnetic waves, leading to the rapid development in configurable microwave absorbers. All-dielectric absorbers offer broadband and high-intensity absorption effects in microwave absorption and shielding. However, they face a significant challenge: their performance is not adjustable once the design is completed. In this study, we propose a solution to this problem by creating all-dielectric absorbers with flexibly configurable absorbing properties. We achieve this by designing a composite material of ionogels/nano-graphite sheets into compressible deformable absorbing units that can be molded into different shapes using 3D printing modes. The plasticity allows us to change the performance of the all-dielectric absorber, including the microwave absorption intensity, absorption peak, frequency bandwidths, and wide-angle absorption performance. With this approach, we can flexibly manipulate electromagnetic waves using all-dielectric absorbers through different plasticity models.

Efficient Calibration of Groundwater Contaminant Transport Models Using Bayesian Optimization.

Numerical modeling is a significant tool to understand the dynamic characteristics of contaminants transport in groundwater. The automatic calibration of highly parametrized and computationally intensive numerical models for the simulation of contaminant transport in the groundwater flow system is a challenging task. While existing methods use general optimization techniques to achieve automatic calibration, the large numbers of numerical model evaluations required in the calibration process lead to high computing overhead and limit the efficiency of model calibration. This paper presents a Bayesian optimization (BO) method for efficient calibration of numerical models of groundwater contaminant transport. A Bayes model is built to fully represent calibration criteria and derive the objective function for model calibration. The efficiency of model calibration is made possible by the probabilistic surrogate model and the expected improvement acquisition function in BO. The probabilistic surrogate model approximates the computationally expensive objective function with a closed-form expression that can be computed efficiently, while the expected improvement acquisition function proposes the most promising model parameters to improve the fitness to the calibration criteria and reduce the uncertainty of the surrogate model. These schemes allow us to find the optimized model parameters effectively by using a small number of numerical model evaluations. Two case studies for the calibration of the Cr(VI) transport model demonstrate that the BO method is effective and efficient in the inversion of hypothetical model parameters, the minimization of the objective function, and the adaptation of different model calibration criteria. Specifically, this promising performance is achieved within 200 numerical model evaluations, which substantially reduces the computing budget for model calibration.

Semiconductor photocatalysts: A critical review highlighting the various strategies to boost the photocatalytic performances for diverse applications.

The photocatalytic technology illustrates an eco-friendly and sustainable route to overcome environmental and energy issues. The successful construction of a photocatalyst depends on four key elements: light absorption ability, the density of active sites, redox capacity, and photoinduced electron-hole recombination rate. Sincemost of intrinsic semiconductor photocatalysts cannot meet all these requirements, they are often modified to boost their photocatalytic properties. Many strategies have been adopted to design novel and efficient photocatalysts for diverse applications. Herein, we review the most efficient of these strategies and methods focused on effectively overcoming the efficiency limitations of photocatalysts to promote their large-scale application. Subsequently, a particular aim is put on the most current studies for photocatalytic applications, including CO2 reduction, N2 fixation, H2 evolution, and pollutants degradation. Finally, key challenges and future perspectives in designing and implementing semiconductor photocatalysts for large-scale applications are discussed. Therefore, it is foreseen that this review will work as a guide for future research and provides a variety of strategies to develop novel and high-performance photocatalysts for various applications.

Impact of Vitamin D on the Occurrence and Development of Intestinal Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

AIM: To determine the impact of vitamin D on the occurrence and progression of intestinal disorders, the authors of this study have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. BACKGROUND: Vitamin D regulates inflammation and immunity in association with reducing the disease symptoms of several gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the exact role of vitamin D in the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases is unclear so far. METHODOLOGY: The relevant studies were searched in PubMed and screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of full-text studies was assessed using National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH) scale. The study was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. The overall estimate was calculated in terms of risk ratio with a 95% confidence interval. The publication bias was assessed qualitatively using a funnel plot, and heterogeneity among studies was calculated using I2 statistics. All analyses were done using RevMan 5.0. RESULTS: The overall risk ratio using random effect model was found to be 0.89 (0.70, 1.12), which indicates the non-significant role of vitamin D in the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases as compared to the non-vitamin D group. However, after exclusion of studies with low and high sample sizes, a significant reduction in intestinal diseases was observed in the vitamin D group as compared to the non-vitamin D group. Further, no heterogeneity among the studies was observed. CONCLUSION: Based on available evidence, vitamin D might play a significant role in the reduction of intestinal diseases; however, more studies with high sample sizes are required to draw a valid conclusion.

Tin-based metal organic framework catalysts for high-efficiency electrocatalytic CO2 conversion into formate.

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (ERCO2) allows for the conversion of CO2 to value-added low-carbon chemicals. Catalysts are indispensable for an efficient ERCO2 process. In this work, a Sn-based metal-organic framework (Sn-MOF) was synthesized as an electrocatalyst for the conversion of CO2 to formate (HCOO-). Such a Sn-MOF electrocatalyst exhibits an outstanding performance with a formate selectivity up to 92% and a current density of 23.2 mA cm-2 at -1.2 VRHE. Density functional theory calculations were used to probe and analyze the catalytic ERCO2 mechanism. This work shows the possibility to achieve a high efficiency of a pure Sn-MOF in catalyzing ERCO2 directly. In addition, this work provides insights into the design and synthesis of highly efficient ERCO2 electrocatalysts for practical applications.

Sustained transdermal delivery of human growth hormone from niosomal gel: in vitro and in vivo studies.

Human growth hormone (hGH) is widely used to treat several diseases for decades. However, the current treatment regime requires frequent injections via subcutaneous route due to short in vivo half-life, which leads to pain and poor patient compliance. In this study, a novel transdermal (non-invasive) hGH loaded niosomes gel was prepared to reduce the frequency of subcutaneous injections and to improve the patient compliance. Niosomes were prepared by film hydration technique at three levels of cholesterol. The particle size and entrapment efficiency increases with an increase in the level of cholesterol. Transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the spherical shape of niosomes without aggregation. Texture profiles analysis indicates that the niosomal gel has the required mechanical properties for transdermal application. The ex vivo permeation profile showed sustain hGH release for 4 days from the niosomal gel compared to 24 h from the control gel without niosomes. A rabbit skin irritation study showed no sign of irritation after application of niosomal gel. The pharmacokinetic parameters in the rat model showed 7.22-fold higher bioavailability with niosomal gel compared to control gel. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the potential of niosomal gel as an effective long-term sustained release strategy for hGH delivery to replace traditional subcutaneous injections.

Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol may predict the cardio-cerebrovascular risk in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) may be an independent risk factor for cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CVD); however, the cutoff level in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) is unknown. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study of MHD patients treated at 10 dialysis centers in Guangdong Province from July 1, 2016, to April 1, 2017. Laboratory test data were collected and CVD complications and outcomes recorded. RESULTS: In total, 1288 eligible patients were included in this study; the non-HDL-C interquartile range was 2.76 (2.24-3.45) mmol/L. Over a median follow-up time of 24 months, 141 patients developed CVD. The non-HDL-C level was a principal risk factor for such events (P < 0.05; 95% confidence interval 0.800-0.842). The maximum Youden index was 0.549 and the best cutoff > 3.39 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: Higher baseline non-HDL-C levels may increase the CVD risk in MHD patients. Thus, non-HDL-C effectively predicts CVD.

Integration of zirconium-based metal-organic framework with CdS for enhanced photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CO.

It is a promising strategy to prepare composite photocatalysts based on MOFs and semiconductors for enhancing photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2). A family of binary composite photocatalysts (CdS@UiO-66-NH2) with different CdS contents have been designed and synthesized, which have been explored for photocatalytic reduction of CO2. CdS@UiO-66-NH2 can efficiently convert CO2 into CO under visible light irradiation via the solid-gas mode in the absence of sacrificial agents and photosensitizers. The generation rate of CO can reach up to 280.5 µmol g-1 h-1, which is 2.13-fold and 2.9-fold improvements over the pristine CdS and UiO-66-NH2, respectively, and the selectivity for CO is very high. Furthermore, this kind of photocatalysts can still maintain great photocatalytic activity in CO2/N2 mixed atmosphere with different CO2 concentrations. The outstanding performances of CdS@UiO-66-NH2 may be attributed to the existence of the direct Z-scheme heterojunction, which possesses the enhanced separation and migration of photo-generated charge carriers between UiO-66-NH2 and CdS, available specific surface areas and improved visible light absorption ability as well as abundant reaction active sites. This case reveals that MOF-based composite photocatalysts exhibit promising potential applications in the field of CO2 conversion.

Origami-based microwave absorber with a reconfigurable bandwidth.

Reconfigurability is critical for the research fields in electromagnetics, mechanics, and acoustics, due to the controllability of functionalities. This Letter numerically and experimentally demonstrates an origami-based absorber with a reconfigurable bandwidth. The proposed structure provides four transformable models: flat sheet, single-arch-folded, double-arch-folded, and U-shaped strips filled, corresponding to the performance of nearly no absorption, one-peak absorption, two-peak absorption, and ultra-broadband absorption (3.4-18 GHz), which clearly demonstrates the bandwidth-enhancement effect. In contrast with the traditional structural absorbers, the transformable flat sheet and U-shaped strips are obtained by three-dimensional printing, which exhibits an obvious superiority in prototype fabrication. These results provide a feasible strategy for energy dissipation and origami transformation.

SNHG15 knockdown inhibits diabetic nephropathy progression in pediatric patients by regulating the miR-141/ICAM-1 axis in vitro.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are confirmed to be involved in modulating diabetic nephropathy (DN). The present study is aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) on pediatric DN. Human glomerular mesangial cells (HGMCs) were exposed to high glucose (HG) to produce an in vitro model. The results showed that SNHG15 was remarkably up-regulated in pediatric DN tissues and HG-induced HGMCs. Functional experiments indicated that both silencing of SNHG15 and overexpression of miR-141 elevated the cell viability, and suppressed the inflammation in HG-induced HGMCs. SNHG15 was identified to be a lncRNA that could bind to miR-141, and ICAM-1 was a downstream target gene of miR-141. Both the low expression of miR-141 and high expression of ICAM-1 reversed the inhibiting effect of SNHG15 knockdown on inflammatory response, and the promoting effect on cell viability. To conclude, our study revealed that silencing of SNHG15 ameliorated the malignant behaviors of pediatric DN via modulating the miR-141/ICAM-1 axis in vitro.

Self-assembly of TiO2/ZIF-8 nanocomposites for varied photocatalytic CO2 reduction with H2O vapor induced by different synthetic methods.

Photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) provides an effective perspective for solving the energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, two types of composite photocatalysts (TiO2/ZIF-8) based on ZIF-8 and TiO2 have been designed and synthesized with the help of the grinding method and the solid-synthesis method. Both composite photocatalysts are employed for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. In composite photocatalysts prepared by the grinding method, ZIF-8 particles are distributed on the surface of TiO2, and provide extra available spaces for storing CO2, which is beneficial for improving their photoreduction performances. As a result, an enhanced CO formation rate of 21.74 µmol g-1 h-1 with a high selectivity of 99% is obtained for this family of composite photocatalysts via the solid-gas mode without photosensitizers and sacrificial agents. For comparison, the other family of composite photocatalysts synthesized via the solid-synthesis method possesses structures similar to ZIF-8, where TiO2 is encapsulated inside the framework of ZIF-8. This structural feature obstructs the contact between the active sites of TiO2 and CO2, and leads to lower activities. The best CO formation rate of this family is only 10.67 µmol g-1 h-1 with 90% selectivity. Both the structural features of the two families of photocatalysts are described to explain their differences in photoreduction performances. The experimental finding reveals that different synthetic approaches indeed result in diversified structures and varied photocatalytic performances. This work affords a new scalable and efficient approach for the rational design of efficient photocatalysts in the area of artificial photosynthesis.

MicroRNA-223 decreases cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and enhances cell apoptosis in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia via targeting Forkhead box O 1.

OBJECTIVE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a frequent malignancy in childhood. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of miR-223 in ALL and its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The mRNA expression of miR-223 and FOXO1 was detected by qRT-RCR in ALL children. The correlation between miR-223 and clinical indexes of ALL was determined. CCRF-CEM and NALM-6 cells were transfected with miR-223 mimic and miR-223 inhibitor, respectively. The proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration of CCRF-CEM and NALM-6 cells were measured by MTT, flow cytometry and transwell assay. The protein expression of FOXO1 was detected by Western blot. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assay were performed to investigate the target gene of miR-223 and validate their targeting relationship. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of miR-223 was markedly down-regulated in ALL, but FOXO1 was up-regulated. The protein expression of FOXO1 was highly expressed in CCRF-CEM and NALM-6 cells. The expression of miR-223 was related to WBC, PLT, RBC and risk stratification. Overexpression of miR-223 not only inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but also induced cell apoptosis. Importantly, FOXO1 was a target gene of miR-223 in ALL cells. Silencing of FOXO1 reversed the effects of miR-223 inhibitor on cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis in ALL. CONCLUSIONS: miR-223 could inhibit cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promote apoptosis by targeting FOXO1 in ALL.

Recent Advances on Polymeric Beads or Hydrogels as Embolization Agents for Improved Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE).

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), aiming to block the hepatic artery for inhibiting tumor blood supply, became a popular therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Traditional TACE formulation of anticancer drug emulsion in ethiodized oil (i.e., Lipiodol®) and gelatin sponge (i.e., Gelfoam®) had drawbacks on patient tolerance and resulted in undesired systemic toxicity, which were both significantly improved by polymeric beads, microparticles, or hydrogels by taking advantage of the elegant design of biocompatible or biodegradable polymers, especially amphiphilic polymers or polymers with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains, which could self-assemble into proposed microspheres or hydrogels. In this review, we aimed to summarize recent advances on polymeric embolization beads or hydrogels as TACE agents, with emphasis on their material basis of polymer architectures, which are important but have not yet been comprehensively summarized.

Polyoxometalate-based metallogels as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

A series of polyoxometalate (POM)-based metallogels have been synthesized, which combine both the advantages of POMs and metallogels. Notably, POM-based metallogels are employed as anode materials for the first time, and the optimized sample exhibits high reversible capacity (658 mA h g-1), high rate capability, and good cycling stability.

[Determination of nicotine in wild edible fungi by QuEChERS-ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry].

Yunnan Province has many wild edible fungi resources, and of these, endogenous nicotine has received extensive attention in recent years. In this study, wild edible fungus was used as the research object, and the QuEChERS method was improved, including optimization of solvent extraction and purification conditions and optimization of the chromatographic behavior of nicotine under different mobile phase conditions for ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Combined with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, a high-efficiency, rapid, and sensitive method for the determination of nicotine in wild edible fungi was established. The results showed that an ammonia:acetonitrile (6:94, v/v) mixed solution can completely extract nicotine from wild edible fungi, and the extraction solution was purified by graphitized carbon black (GCB) and N-propylethylenediamine (PSA) mixed filler. Then, a 0.1% (volume percentage) ammonia solution and acetonitrile were used as the mobile phases. The nicotine peak obtained in the positive ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode had a better peak shape and better response. The linear relationship of nicotine mass concentration with peak area in the range of 0.05-50.0 µg/L was good. The correlation coefficient (r2) was 0.9999. The limit of quantification was 0.2 µg/kg, and the limit of detection was 0.05 µg/kg. The average recovery rates at three spiked concentrations were in the range of 86.34%-96.4%, and the relative standard deviations varied from 4.44% to 6.3%. The sensitivity and recovery of this method are consistent with the rapid determination of nicotine in the edible fungus industry.

[Determination of bisultap residue in tropical fruits by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

A method for the determination of bisultap in tropical fruits was developed by modified QuEChERS method and ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The tropical fruit samples were twice extracted with acetonitrile containing 1% (v/v) acetic acid, and purified by 200 mg of primary secondary amine (PSA), 100 mg of C18, 300 mg of MgSO4 and 500 mg of disodium hydrogen citrate. The analyte was separated on a CAPCELL CORE PC hydrophilic column, detected in the negative ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, and quantified by external standard method. A good linear relationship in the range of 0.1-10.0 µg/L was obtained with the correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.9993. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.015 µg/kg and 0.05 µg/kg, respectively. The spiked recoveries were in the range of 81.0%-88.3% with the relative standard deviations from 3.9% to 6.2%. The method has good purification effect and high sensitivity, and is suitable for the rapid analysis of the bisultap residues in tropical fruits.

Bowel symptoms and self-care strategies of survivors in the process of restoration after low anterior resection of rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research is to identify the bowel symptoms and self-care strategies for rectal cancer survivors during the recovery process following low anterior resection surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 participants were investigated under the structured interview guide based on the dimensions of "symptom management theory". RESULTS: 92% of participants reported changes in bowel habits, the most common being the frequent bowel movements and narrower stools, which we named it finger-shaped consistency stools. The 6 most frequently reported bowel symptoms were excessive flatus (93%), clustering (86%), urgency (77%), straining (62%), bowel frequency (57%) and anal pendant expansion (53%). Periodic bowel movements occurred in 19% participants. For a group of 79 participants at 6 to 24 months post-operation, 86.1% reported a significant improvement of bowel symptoms. Among 68 participants of this subgroup with significant improvements, 70.5% participants reported the length of time it took was at least 6 months. Self-care strategies adopted by participants included diet, bowel medications, practice management and exercise. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to educate patients on the symptoms experienced following low anterior resection surgery. Through the process of trial and error, participants have acquired self-care strategies. Healthcare professionals should learn knowledge of such strategies and help them build effective interventions.

Predictors for attending annual eye screening for diabetic retinopathy amongst patients with diabetes in an urban community of Beijing.

AIM: To gain a better understanding of possible factors that may influence the decision of diabetes persons to participate in annual eye screening in an urban community setting of China. METHODS: A structured interview including questions on attendance of eye screening, knowledge and awareness of diabetic retinopathy was conducted. The presence and degree of retinopathy were assessed using two field non-mydriatic retinal photography. RESULTS: Totally 720 diabetes persons were recruited and 519 were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. In this urban setting of Beijing, among diabetes patients of average of 10y duration, 77% confirmed having undergone at least one eye examination and 61% reported having at least one eye examination with dilated pupil. As for the last 12mo, the number decreased to 210 (47%) and 131 (30%) separately. Most of the participants (95%) were aware that diabetes could affect their vision and that regular eye examination was necessary. Very few of them (12%) however were aware that the early stages of diabetic retinopathy presented without symptoms of vision loss. Having attended patient education on diabetes was effective in building awareness about diabetic eye disease and was a significant positive predictor for attending eye screening [education in a year, Adj. OR=0.47 (0.29-0.74), P<0.001, education years ago, Adj. OR=0.56 (0.33-0.96), P=0.036]. The duration of disease also increased the likelihood of having undergone eye screening (Adj. OR=0.96, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Being exposed to education about the complications of diabetes increases the probability of attending diabetic eye screening. An appropriate patient knowledge building strategy should be made available to patients from the time of diagnosis.

Physical mechanisms for tuning the nonlinear effects in photonic crystals.

By simultaneously taking field localization and slow light effects into account, in this paper we make use of a field averaging method to calculate the effective nonlinear refractive index coefficient (n2) of Kerr photonic crystals (PhCs) in the first band. Although the nonlinear PhC is beyond the traditional long-wavelength limit, interestingly, the theoretically calculated effective n2 agrees well with one numerically measured via the self-phase-modulation induced spectral broadening. Moreover, due to the cooperative influence of field localization and slow light effects, the effective n2 of the PhC decreases slowly at first and then goes up quickly with increasing frequency. This kind of dispersive nonlinearity is purely induced by the periodic nanostructures because the optical parameters of both components of the PhC we took are frequency-independent. Our results may pave the way for enhancing or limiting nonlinear effects and provide a method for producing the dispersive nonlinearity.

Use of cataract surgery in urban Beijing: a post screening follow-up of the elderly with visual impairment due to age-related cataract.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the perception for the use of cataract surgical services in a population of acceptors and non-acceptors of cataract surgery in urban Beijing. METHODS: From a community-based screening program a total of 158 patients with presenting visual acuity of less than 6/18 on either eye due to age-related cataract were informed about the possibility of surgical treatment. These patients were interviewed and re-examined 36 to 46 months after initial screening. The main reasons for not accepting surgery were obtained using a questionnaire. Vision function and vision-related quality of life scores were assessed in those who received and did not receive surgery. RESULTS: At the follow-up examination 116 of the 158 patients were available and 36 (31.0%) had undergone cataract surgery. Cases who chose surgery had higher education level than those who did not seek surgery (OR=2.64, 95% CI: 1.08-6.63, P=0.02). There were no significant differences in vision function (P=0.11) or quality of life scores (P=0.16) between the surgery group and the non-surgery group. Main reasons for not having surgery included no perceived need (50.0%), feeling of being "too old" (19.2%), and worry about the quality of surgery (9.6%). Cost was cited by 1 (1.9%) subject as the main reason for not seeking surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that in China's capital urban center for patients with moderate visual impairment there is a relative low acceptance rate of cataract surgery, mainly due to people's perception of marginal benefits of surgery. Cost is not a determining factor as barrier to undergo surgery and patients with poorer education are less likely to undertake surgery.