Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Polyester Fabrics with Photothermal Conversion and Oil-Water Separation Performance through Deposition of Natural Polyphenols.

Superhydrophobic polyester (PET) fabrics were created by increasing fabric surface roughness and decreasing surface energy through interactions between natural polyphenols, ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, and hexadecyltrimethoxysilane. The superhydrophobic fabric can be obtained with different natural polyphenols, including tannic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid, guaiacol, and caffeic acid. Durability tests were carried out on the superhydrophobic PET fabric, investigating resistance to washing, rubbing, UV aging, acids, alkalis, and organic reagents. The results demonstrate the stability and versatility of modified PET in complex environments. The modified superhydrophobic PET fabric exhibited exceptional oil-water separation and self-cleaning properties, exhibiting a water contact angle of 161.3° and a sliding angle of 4°. In addition, the modified fabric demonstrated a remarkable photothermal conversion efficiency, with the surface temperature increasing from 29.1 to 72 °C in 300 s, and it maintained a degree of photothermal conversion capability even upon completion of four cycles. This study offers novel perspectives on extending the utilization of natural polyphenols for constructing durable, robust, and multifunctional superhydrophobic fabrics.

Fabrication of Superhydrophobic and Light-Absorbing Polyester Fabric Based on Caffeic Acid.

Caffeic acid (CA) was treated on the surface of polyester fabric (PET), and Fe2+ was used as an intermediate to form chelates with CA to increase the roughness of the polyester surface. With the addition of n-octadecyl mercaptan (SH), the mercapto group reacted with the carbon-carbon double bond of CA on the PET surface through enol click chemical reaction. Meanwhile, CA was polymerized under UV radiation, and thus CA-Fe-SH-PET was prepared. The introduction of SH with a long carbon chain reduced the surface energy of the PET, in order to endow the polyester fabric with a superhydrophobic/lipophilic function. Combined with XPS and FTIR tests, the new carbon-carbon double bond's binding energy and vibration peak were found on the fabric surface, indicating that CA was adsorbed on the PET fabric's surface. After adding SH, the double bond disappeared, demonstrating that SH and CA occurred a click chemical reaction and were grafted onto the PET fabric's surface. The water contact angle (WCA) of CA-Fe-SH-PET was about 156 ± 0.6°, and the scrolling angle (SA) was about 3.298°. The results showed that the modified polyester had a robust superhydrophobic stability in washing, mechanical friction, sun aging, seawater immersion, organic reagent, and acid-base erosion derived from the good adhesion of polymerized CA (PCA). At the same time, the modified polyester fabric had good self-cleaning, antifouling, and oil-water separation performance. It was found that the CA-Fe-SH-PET fabric had unique photothermal conversion characteristics, which can convert the absorbed ultraviolet light into thermal energy, providing a local warming effect due to rapid heating and improving the transmission speed of heavy oil (engine oil and diesel). The CA-Fe-SH-PET fabric can further prevent the transmission of ultraviolet rays, and the UV resistance of CA-Fe-SH-PET fabric is far higher than the UV resistance standard. The preparation method is simple, fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly, and it has better a potential application value in the oil-water separation field.

Chicken Heat Shock Protein 70 Is an Essential Host Protein for Infectious Bursal Disease Virus Infection In Vitro.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection causes pathogenicity and mortality in chickens, leading to huge economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Studies of host-virus interaction can help us to better understand the viral pathogenicity. As a highly conservative host factor, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is observed to be involved in numerous viral infections. However, there is little information about the role of chicken Hsp70 (cHsp70) in IBDV infection. In the present study, the increased expression of cHsp70 was observed during IBDV-infected DF-1 cells. Further studies revealed that Hsp70 had similar locations with the viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and the result of pull-down assay showed the direct interaction between cHsp70 with dsRNA, viral proteins (vp)2 and 3, indicating that maybe cHsp70 participates in the formation of the replication and transcription complex. Furthermore, overexpression of cHsp70 promoted IBDV production and knockdown of cHsp70 using small interfering RNAs (siRNA) and reducedviral production, implying the necessity of cHsp70 in IBDV infection. These results reveal that cHsp70 is essential for IBDV infection in DF-1 cells, suggesting that targeting cHsp70 may be applied as an antiviral strategy.

Procedural Pain in Hospitalized Children in a Chinese Children's Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Pain prevalence in pediatric hospitals has been investigated in many developed countries, but little is known about this topic in China. AIMS: This study sought to describe the frequency and pain intensity of procedures for medical care in hospitalized children in a Chinese children's hospital. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was designed to include interviews with children, their parents and the nurses. SETTINGS: This survey was administered in a teaching hospital in southeast China. PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS: Infants and children up to 16 years old who were admitted to the study units for more than 6 days were eligible for inclusion. METHODS: Information regarding patient demographics, painful procedures and pain management strategies was obtained during the day shifts of the children's hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 3886 procedures were performed on 342 children during the data collection period. The reuse of intravenous indwelling needles ( n = 577), removal of tape from the skin (n = 420) and venipuncture on the back of the hand ( n = 401) were the most frequently performed procedures on children. A total of 1941 procedures, accounting for 49.9% (1941/3886) of painful procedures caused moderate to severe pain (pain score ≥4.0). However, only 25.3% (984/3886) received a valid pain assessment, and only 14.4% (560/3886) received pain interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Most children, especially those who are younger (<4 years old), experienced moderate or severe pain during their hospitalization, but did not receive appropriate interventions.

Facile fabrication of superhydrophobic polyester fabric based on rapid oxidation polymerization of dopamine for oil-water separation.

Through the special chemical structure of dopamine (DA), superhydrophobic polyester (PET) fabric was fabricated by introducing the low surface energy substance hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDS) into the PET fabric and chelating Fe ions with phenolic hydroxyl groups of polydopamine (PDA) to form a rough surface. The water contact angle (WCA) of the prepared PDA/Fe/HDS PET fabric was higher than 160° and the scrolling angle (SA) was lower than 2.09°. The excellent adhesion property of polydopamine (PDA) on the substrate is helpful to improve the stability of superhydrophobic PDA/Fe/HDS PET fabric. The tests results showed that the modified PET fabric maintains excellent mechanical properties. Its superhydrophobic property had good stability and durability in the harsh environment of washing, mechanical friction, UV irradiation, seawater immersion, acid-base and organic reagents erosion. The PDA/Fe/HDS PET fabric also had good self-cleaning and oil-water separation properties. It still had good oil-water separation performance after repeated use for 25 times, and the separation efficiency was more than 95%. The preparation method was facile, the treatment time can be shortened, the cost of the modified substrate was low, and fluorine-free substances were used in the process. This work provides a new way to expand the added value of PET fabrics and develop durable superhydrophobic fabrics in practical application.

Frequency-specific alteration of functional connectivity density in bipolar disorder depression.

Functional dysconnectivity has been widely reported in bipolar disorder during depressive episodes (BDD). However, the frequency-specific alterations of functional connectivity (FC) in BDD remain poorly understood. To address this issue, the FC patterns across slow-5 (0.01-0.027 Hz) and slow-4 (0.027-0.073 Hz) bands were computed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 37 BDD patients and 56 healthy controls (HCs). Short-range (local) FC density (lfcd) and long-range FC density (lrfcd) were calculated, and two-way analysis of variance was performed to ascertain the main effect of diagnosis and interaction effects between diagnosis and frequency. The BDD patients showed increased lfcd in the midline cerebelum. Meanwhile, the BDD patients showed increased lrfcd in the left supplementary motor cortex and right striatum and decreased lrfcd in the bilateral inferior temporal gyrus and left angular gyrus (AG) compared with the HCs. A significant frequency-by-diagnosis interaction was observed. In the slow-4 band, the BDD patients showed increased lfcd in the left pre-/postcentral gyrus and left fusiform gyrus (FG) and increased lrfcd in the left lingual gyrus (LG). In the slow-5 band, the BDD patients showed decreased lrfcd in the left LG. Moreover, the increased lfcd in the left FG in the slow-4 band was correlated with clinical progression and decreased lrfcd in the left AG was correlated with depressive severity. These results suggest that the presence of aberrant communication in the default mode network, sensory network, and subcortical and limbic modulating regions (striatum and midline cerebelum), which may offer a new framework for the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of BDD.

Abnormal functional connectivity as neural biological substrate of trait and state characteristics in major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with functional dysconnectivity in emotion regulation system. State characteristics which measure the current presence of depressive symptoms, and trait characteristics which indicate the long-term vulnerability to depression are two important features of MDD. However, the relationships between trait and state characteristics of MDD and functional connectivity (FC) within the emotion regulation system still remain unclear. METHODS: This study aims to examine the neural biological mechanisms of trait characteristics measured by the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scale (ANPS) and state anhedonia measured by the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) in MDD. Sixty-three patients with MDD and 63 well-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. A spatial pairwise clustering and the network-based analysis approaches were adopted to identify the abnormal FC networks. Support vector regression was utilized to predict the trait and state characteristics based on abnormal FCs. RESULTS: Four disrupted subnetworks mainly involving the prefrontal-limbic-striatum system were observed in MDD. Importantly, the abnormal FC between the left amygdala (AMYG)/hippocampus (HIP) and right AMYG/HIP could predict the SADNESS scores of ANPS (trait characteristics) in MDD. While the aberrant FC between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)/anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC) and AMYG/parahippocampal gyrus could predict the state anhedonia scores (state characteristics). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings give first insights into the neural biological basis underlying the trait and state characteristics associated with functional dysconnectivity within the emotion regulation system in MDD.

Anomalous intrinsic connectivity within and between visual and auditory networks in major depressive disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a ubiquitous mental illness with heterogeneous symptoms, however, the pathophysiology mechanisms are still not fully understood. Clinical and preclinical studies suggested that depression could cause disturbances in sensory perception systems, disruptions in auditory and visual functions may serve as an essential clinical features underlying MDD. METHODS: The current study investigated the abnormal intrinsic connectivity within and between visual and auditory networks in 95 MDD patients and 97 age-, gender-, education level-matched healthy controls (HCs) by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). One auditory network (AN) and three visual components including visual component 1 (VC1), VC2, and VC3 were identified by using independent component analysis method based on the fMRI networks during the resting state with the largest spatial correlations, combining with brain regions and specific network templates. RESULTS: We found that MDD could be characterized by the following disrupted network model relative to HCs: (i) reduced within-network connectivity in the AN, VC2, and VC3; (ii) reduced between-network connectivity between the AN and the VC3. Furthermore, aberrant functional connectivity (FC) within the visual network was linked to the clinical symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results demonstrated that abnormalities of FC in perception systems including intrinsic visual and auditory networks may explain neurobiological mechanisms underlying MDD and could serve as a potential effective biomarker.

Dynamic changes of amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

Previous neuroimaging studies have mainly focused on alterations of static and dynamic functional connectivity in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, the characteristics of local brain activity over time in GAD are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the abnormal time-varying local brain activity of GAD by using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) method combined with sliding-window approach. Group comparison results showed that compared with healthy controls (HCs), patients with GAD exhibited increased dynamic ALFF (dALFF) variability in widespread regions, including the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, striatum; and left orbital frontal gyrus, inferior parietal lobule, temporal pole, inferior temporal gyrus, and fusiform gyrus. The abnormal dALFF could be used to distinguish between patients with GAD and HCs. Increased dALFF variability values in the striatum were positively correlated with GAD symptom severity. These findings suggest that GAD patients are associated with abnormal temporal variability of local brain activity in regions implicated in executive, emotional, and social function. This study provides insight into the brain dysfunction of GAD from the perspective of dynamic local brain activity, highlighting the important role of dALFF variability in understanding neurophysiological mechanisms and potentially informing the diagnosis of GAD.

Abnormal dynamic functional connectivity density in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have revealed the abnormal static functional connectivity (FC) among different brain regions in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, little is known about the dynamic changes of FC in patients with GAD. METHODS: This study investigated the whole-brain dynamic changes of FC in patients with GAD by combining global FC density (FCD) and sliding window correlation analyses. The standard deviation of dynamic FCD (dFCD) was calculated to evaluate its temporal variability along time. Support vector regression was then employed to predict the symptom severity of patients based on abnormal dynamic connectivity patterns. RESULTS: The abnormal dFCD variability between 81 GAD patients and 80 healthy controls showed that the patients had higher dFCD variability in the bilateral dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and left hippocampus while lower dFCD variability in the right postcentral gyrus. The abnormal dFCD variability of the left dmPFC is an important feature for anxiety prediction. LIMITATIONS: The selection of sliding window length remains controversial, and most of our patients have been treated with medications. Future studies are expected to rule out the potential confounding effects from applying different parameters of the sliding window and recruiting large samples of medication-free patients. CONCLUSION: The altered patterns of time-varying brain connectivity in the frontolimbic and sensorimotor areas may reflect abnormal dynamic neural communication between these regions and other regions of the brain, which may deepen our understanding of the disease.

Is discard better than return gastric residual aspirates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of residual gastric volume is common practice in critical care units. However, the effects and safety of discarding or returning gastric aspirates remain uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the role of discarding or returning gastric aspirates on the gastric residual volumes in critically ill patients. METHODS: A comprehensive, systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of discarding or returning gastric aspirates in critical ill patients was performed. Studies were identified by searching Pubmed and other databases (from inception to 31 Sept 2018). Summary odd ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using fixed- or random-effects model for outcome assessment. RESULTS: Four RCTs, with a total number of 314 adult patients, were included in the analysis. No significant differences were found in the 48th hour residual volume (MD = 8.89, 95% CI: 11.97 to 29.74), the average potassium level (MD = 0.00, 95% CI: - 0.16 to 0.16), the episodes of gastric emptying delay (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.35 to 2.80), the incidence of aspiration pneumonia (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.14 to 6.17), the episodes of nausea or vomiting (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.07 to 4.13) and diarrhea (OR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.58 to 1.70). CONCLUSIONS: No evidence confirms that returning residual gastric aspirates provides more benefits than discarding them without increasing potential complications. Rigorously designed, multi-center, large-sample randomized controlled trials must be further conducted to validate the role of discarding or returning residual gastric aspirates.

Is continuous better than intermittent control of tracheal cuff pressure? A meta-analysis.

AIM: To compare and evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous and intermittent control of cuff pressure. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive and systematic meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the continuous and intermittent control of Pcuff by searching PUBMED, EMBASE and other such databases (from inception to 31 March 2018). Summary odds ratios or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a fixed- or random-effects model. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Seven randomised controlled trials with 970 mechanically ventilated patients were included in this study. The continuous control of cuff pressure significantly reduced the incidence of cuff pressure < 20 cm H2 O (0.03 (OR) (95% CI: 0.01-0.07)), Pcuff > 30 cm H2 O (0.06 (95% CI: 0.03-0.15)) and VAP (0.39 (95% CI: 0.28-0.55)) when compared with intermittent control of cuff pressure. No significant differences in duration of MV (-1.94 (95% CI: -4.06 to -0.17)), length of ICU stay (-3.88 (95% CI: -9.00 to -1.23)) and mortality (0.99 (95% CI: 0.73-1.35)) were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous control of cuff pressure offers more benefits in stabilizing the cuff pressure and reducing the incidence of VAP, and more studies are warranted to further evaluate the role of continuous control of cuff pressure. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE: The continuous control of cuff pressure should be conducted whenever possible as it is the most ideal for the prognosis of MV patients.

The nasal oxygen practice in intensive care units in China: A multi-centered survey.

BACKGROUND: Nurses frequently administer nasal oxygen therapy for patients in intensive care units (ICUs). However, little is known about the current status, nurses' management and perception on the nasal oxygen therapy in China. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the nasal oxygen practice of ICUs in China to provide insights into future direction. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey on 10 hospitals was conducted. A self-designed questionnaire was administered to ICU nurses. Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to analyze the respondents' questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 580 respondents with a response rate of 96.67% were included in this study. The average correct answer rate was 58.28%. The current status of nasal oxygen administration in ICUs in Chinese hospitals lagged behind the recommendations of related guidelines. Nurses in China were eager to learn about the updated knowledge on oxygen therapy. The gender, age, clinical experience, degree, job title, and classification of working hospitals were not related to the oxygen therapy-related knowledge scores (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Many deficiencies are observed regarding the nasal oxygen practice in ICUs of Chinese hospitals. Increased efforts by authorities and medical staff are required to narrow the gap between the current status of oxygen practice and the recommendations from related guidelines.

[Effectiveness of retrograde island neurocutaneous flap pedicled with lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve in treatment of hand defect].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of retrograde island neurocutaneous flap pedicled with lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve in the treatment of soft tissue defect of the hand. METHODS: Between October 2011 and December 2013, 17 cases of skin and soft tissue defects of the hands were treated. There were 8 males and 9 females, aged 23-62 years (mean, 44 years). Of them, defect was caused by trauma in 13 cases, by postoperative wound after degloving injury in 2 cases, and by resection of contracture of the first web in 2 cases; 13 cases of traumas had a disease duration of 2-6 hours (mean, 3.5 hours). The defect sites located at the back of the hand in 5 cases, at the radial side of the palm in 4 cases, at the first web in 2 cases, at the palmar side of the thumb in 4 cases, and at the radial dorsal side of the thumb in 2 cases. The bone, tendons, and other deep tissue were exposed in 15 cases. The defect size varied from 3 cm x 3 cm to 12 cm x 8 cm. The size of the flaps ranged from 3.6 cm x 3.6 cm to 13.2 cm x 8.8 cm. The lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm was anastomosed with the cutaneous nerve of the recipient sites in 9 cases. The donor sites were repaired by free skin graft or were sutured directly. RESULTS: The other flaps survived, and obtained healing by first intention except 2 flaps which had partial necrosis with healing by second intention at 1 month after dressing change. The skin graft at donor site survived, and incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 5-30 months (mean, 12 months). The flaps had good color and texture. Flap sensory recovery, of S2-S3+ was obtained; in 9 cases undergoing cutaneous nerve flap anastomosis, the sensation of the flaps recovered to S3-S3+ and was better than that of 8 cases that the nerves were disconnected (S2-S3). The patients achieved satisfactory recovery of hand function. Only 2 cases had extended limitation of the proximal interphalangeal joint. At last follow-up, according to the Chinese Medical Society of Hand Surgery function evaluation standards, the results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Retrograde island neurocutaneous flap pedicled with lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve is an effective way to repair skin defects of the hand, with the advantages of reliable blood supply and simple surgical procedure.