Fe3O4 nanostructure films as solar-thermal conversion materials for ammonia synthesis.

Here, we report that black photothermal materials elevate solar heating temperatures across high solar absorption and low infrared radiation. Fe3O4 nanostructure films can be heated to 350 °C under light irradiation, and this system shows effective visible-light-driven ammonia synthesis production of 3677 µg g-1 h-1 under gas-solid phase catalysis without noble metals.

A Sodium Germanosilicide with Unusual Network Topology.

The germanosilicide Na4-xGeySi16-y (0.4 ≤ x ≤ 1.1, 4.7 ≤ y ≤ 9.3) was synthesized under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions. The novel guest-host compound comprises a unique tetrel framework with dual channels housing sodium and smaller, empty (Si,Ge)9 units. The arrangement represents a new structure type with an overall structural topology that is closely related to a hypothetical carbon allotrope. Topological analysis of the structure revealed that the guest environment space cannot be tiled with singular polyhedra as in cage compounds (e.g., clathrates). The analysis of natural tilings provides a convenient method to unambiguously compare related tetrel-rich structures and can help elucidate new possible structural arrangements of intermetallic compounds.

Auricular point acupressure for managing postoperative pain and reducing anxiety in patients with perianal abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of auricular point acupressure in relieving postoperative pain and reducing anxiety among patients with perianal abscesses. METHODS: We included 61 patients with perianal abscesses who were admitted to the Nantong First People's Hospital between July 2019 and June 2020 and were scheduled to undergo one-stage radical surgery. We divided them into the treatment group (n = 31), where patients were administered preoperative auricular acupressure targeting the bilateral Shenmen, subcortical, and other points. They were instructed to apply pressure five to six times per day, each time for about 3-5 min. Patients in the control group (n = 30) received routine preoperative preparation. The treatment duration for both groups was one week. We compared the two groups using the pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores, the use of additional postoperative analgesics, and scores on the Hamilton anxiety and depression scales pre- and post-surgery at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 1 week after surgery, as well as at the time of the first bowel movement. RESULTS: Patients in the treatment group reported lower VAS scores than those of the control group at 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, and at the first defecation post-surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Additional postoperative analgesics were used in seven patients in the treatment group (22.58 %) and in 10 patients in the control group (33.33 %). The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.88, P = 0.35). Postoperative scores for the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that auricular point acupressure was effective in alleviating postoperative pain in patients with perianal abscesses and simultaneously reduced their postoperative psychological stress reactions. This dual effect provided both pain relief and a reduction of anxiety with fewer adverse reactions, making it a safe and effective treatment option.

Optimization of enzyme-assisted microwave extraction, structural characterization, antioxidant activity and in vitro protective effect against H2O2-induced damage in HepG2 cells of polysaccharides from roots of Rubus crataegifolius Bunge.

In this study, an enzyme-assisted microwave extraction process was obtained by response surface method of polysaccharide from roots of Rubus crataegifolius Bunge. The optimized extraction process was as follow: enzyme dosage 2 %, enzymatic time was 3.6 h, enzymatic pH 4.9, and microwave time 4.7 min, with the extraction yield of 9.07 %. Four homogeneous polysaccharides (RCP-1, RCP-3, RCP-4 and RCP-5) were purified through column chromatography. Four polysaccharides have the relative higher molecular weights of 1.70 × 106 Da, 5.56 × 106 Da, 4.97 × 106 Da, and 9.80 × 106 Da and mainly consisted of GluN, GluA, Glu, Gal and Arab. FT-IR and NMR spectral analysis confirmed that the purified polysaccharides were polypyranose containing α- and ß-glycosidic bonds. RCP - 1 has a relative high crystallinity. Four purified polysaccharides contained triple helical conformations, and have good antioxidant activities. Among the purified polysaccharides, RCP - 1 was found to reduce the oxidative cell damage induced by H2O2 through increasing of cell viability, inhibition of AST and ALT levels, ROS production and cell apoptosis, increasing of the activities of antioxidative enzymes, as well as reduction of MDA content. Our findings would provide a foundation for purified polysaccharides efficient extraction and demonstrated that the polysaccharides from R. crataegifolius roots could be a promising hepatoprotective agent.

Efficacy of Personalized Postoperative Epilepsy Management in Patients with Glioblastoma Utilizing IDH1 Gene Assessment.

Objective: We explored the correlation between the presence of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 (IDH1) mutations and the incidence of postoperative epilepsy in patients with glioblastoma, as well as assessed the efficacy of preemptive administration of antiepileptic medications in mitigating the occurrence of postoperative epilepsy. Methods: Fifty-three patients who received a postoperative pathological diagnosis of glioblastoma, were enrolled in this study. Tumor specimens were subjected to IDH1 gene analysis. The patient cohort was stratified based on their IDH1 mutation status and the administration of prophylactic antiepileptic drugs during the postoperative phase. We subsequently conducted a comparative analysis of postoperative epileptic complications within each patient subgroup. Results: In the cohort of 53 patients under study, the occurrence of epilepsy was observed in 10 out of 21 patients carrying IDH1 mutations, while 5 out of 32 patients with wild-type IDH1 also experienced epilepsy, revealing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Among the 27 patients who received prophylactic antiepileptic drugs, 6 of them developed epilepsy, whereas 9 out of 26 patients who did not receive prophylactic antiepileptic drugs exhibited concurrent epilepsy, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). However, when performing a subgroup analysis, it was found that 3 out of 12 patients with IDH1 mutations who received prophylactic antiepileptic drugs experienced epilepsy, whereas 7 out of 9 patients who did not receive prophylactic antiepileptic drugs developed epilepsy, demonstrating a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Furthermore, within the group of 15 patients with wild-type IDH1, 3 patients who received prophylactic antiepileptic drugs developed epilepsy, while 2 cases of epilepsy occurred among the 17 patients who did not receive prophylactic antiepileptic drugs, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusion: In individuals with IDH1 mutant glioblastoma who have undergone surgical resection, the implementation of preventive antiepileptic therapy demonstrates a potential to diminish the occurrence of postoperative epilepsy.

Accelerating Structural Optimization through Fingerprinting Space Integration on the Potential Energy Surface.

Structural optimization has been a crucial component in computational materials research, and structure predictions have relied heavily on this technique, in particular. In this study, we introduce a novel method that enhances the efficiency of local optimization by integrating extra fingerprint space into the optimization process. Our approach utilizes a mixed energy concept in the hyper potential energy surface (PES), combining real energy and a newly introduced fingerprint energy derived from the symmetry of the local atomic environment. This method strategically guides the optimization process toward high-symmetry, low-energy structures by leveraging the intrinsic symmetry of the atomic configurations. The effectiveness of our approach was demonstrated through structural optimizations of silicon, silicon carbide, and Lennard-Jones cluster systems. Our results show that the fingerprint space biasing technique significantly enhances the performance and probability of discovering energetically favorable, high-symmetry structures as compared to conventional optimizations. The proposed method is anticipated to streamline the search for new materials and facilitate the discovery of novel energetically favorable configurations.

Effect of the red uniform on the judgment of position or movement used in Wushu Routine, evaluated by practitioners of the modality.

In the artistic sports program, the referee' scores directly determine the final results of the athletes. Wushu is a artistic sport that has a Chinese characteristic and has the potential to become an official competition at the Summer Olympic. In this study we tested whether a red uniform color affects Wushu Routine practitioners' ratings of athletes' position or movement of Wushu Routine. We also tested whether the effect varied depending on the gender of the athlete and the practitioner, and depending on whether female practitioners were in the ovulation phase of their menstrual cycle. Male (Experiment 1: N = 72) and female (Experiment 1: N = 72; Experiment 2: N = 52) participants who major in Wushu Routine were recruited to take a referee's perspective and rate the movement quality of male and female athletes wearing red or blue uniforms. The results of Experiment 1 showed that both male and female athletes wearing red uniform (compared to blue uniform) received higher ratings (p = .002, η2 = .066; p = .014, η2 = .043), and the red effect was especially strong when male practitioners rated female athletes (p = .002, η2 = .069). The results of Experiment 2, in an all-female sample, showed that in most cases there was no difference in ratings made by women in the ovulation and non-ovulation phases of their menstrual cycle, with the exception of their ratings of male athletes wearing red; in this condition, women gave higher ratings when they were in the ovulation phase of their cycle (p = .026). The results suggest that there is a red effect in an artistic sport like Wushu Routine, in which gender and the female menstrual cycle play an important role.

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species promote mitochondrial damage in high glucose-induced dysfunction and apoptosis of human dental pulp cells.

Background/purpose: High glucose (HG)-induced aberrant proliferation, apoptosis and odontoblastic differentiation of dental pulp cells (DPCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of impaired diabetic pulp healing; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) and mitochondria in HG-induced dysfunction and apoptosis of DPCs. Materials and methods: Human DPCs (hDPCs) were cultured in a low-glucose, high-glucose, mannitol, and MitoTEMPO medium in vitro. Methylthiazol tetrazolium assay, Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and scratch-wound assay were used to analyze cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red S staining were used to evaluate cell differentiation. DCF-DA staining, MitoSOX staining, MitoTracker Red staining, JC-1 staining, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) kit assay were performed to investigate total ROS and mtROS generation, mitochondrial density, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and ATP synthesis, respectively. Quantitative PCR assay was performed to detect the mRNA expression of mitochondrial biogenesis- and dynamics-related markers. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure. Results: HG augmented the production of total ROS and mtROS, and triggered mitochondrial damage in hDPCs, as reflected by decreased mitochondrial density, depolarized MMP, reduced ATP synthesis, altered mRNA expression of mitochondrial biogenesis- and dynamics-related markers, and abnormal mitochondrial ultrastructure. Supplementation of MitoTEMPO alleviated the mitochondrial damage and reversed the aberrant proliferation, apoptosis, migration and odontoblastic differentiation of HG-stimulated hDPCs. Conclusion: HG triggers mitochondrial damage via augmenting mtROS generation, resulting in the inhibited proliferation, migration, and odontoblastic differentiation of hDPCs and enhanced their apoptosis.

Impaired pulp healing associated with underlying disorders in the dental pulp of rats with type 2 diabetes.

Background/purpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), characterized by hyperglycemia, is a systematic disease affecting structure and healing ability in various tissues. This study aimed to investigate whether T2DM could impair the dental pulp healing and cause underlying pathological changes in the dental pulp before an injury occurred. Materials and methods: Goto-Kakizaki rats were used as T2DM model animals and performed with direct pulp capping procedures on the first maxillary molars. The molars at 1, 2, 4 weeks after operation and non-injured molars were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescence staining, and Masson's trichrome staining. The fresh dental pulp of maxillary incisors was collected for transmission electron microscopy and glucose content evaluation. Results: The T2DM rats showed deficient reparative dentin formation compared with the healthy rats. Before the occurrence of an injury, underlying pathological changes of major components in the pulp tissue were observed in T2DM rats, including vasculopathy; collagen abnormalities; decreased proliferation, decreased odontogenetic differentiation and damaged ultrastructure of dental pulp cells. High glucose content and advanced glycation end products accumulation were further found in the pulp tissue in T2DM rats. Conclusion: T2DM can impede pulp healing process in rats, which is associated with underlying pathological changes in the non-injured pulp caused by the advanced glycation end products accumulation under high-glucose conditions.

One-step construction of hexagonal WO3 nano-shuttles with enhanced lithium storage performance.

In this work, WO3 nanorod-based aggregates and WO3 nano-shuttles were constructed by a facile hydrothermal route. The structure, morphology, element composition and valence state of the formed WO3 samples were characterized using different testing instruments. As the active anode for lithium-ion batteries, the WO3 nano-shuttle electrode can deliver a reversible specific capacity of 614.7 mA h g-1 after 300 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g-1. The excellent electrochemical properties indicate that WO3 nano-shuttles are a prospective anode candidate for high performance lithium-ion batteries.

Downregulation of mGluR1-mediated signaling underlying autistic-like core symptoms in Shank1 P1812L-knock-in mice.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core symptoms that consist of social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Unfortunately, no effective medication is available thus far to target the core symptoms of ASD, since the pathogenesis remains largely unknown. To investigate the pathogenesis of the core symptoms in ASD, we constructed Shank1 P1812L-knock-in (KI) mice corresponding to a recurrent ASD-related mutation, SHANK1 P1806L, to achieve construct validity and face validity. Shank1 P1812L-KI heterozygous (HET) mice presented with social deficits and repetitive behaviors without the presence of confounding comorbidities. HET mice also exhibited downregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR1) and associated signals, along with structural abnormalities in the dendritic spines and postsynaptic densities. Combined with findings from Shank1 R882H-KI mice, our study confirms that mGluR1-mediated signaling dysfunction is a pivotal mechanism underlying the core symptoms of ASD. Interestingly, Shank1 P1812L-KI homozygous (HOM) mice manifested behavioral signs of impaired long-term memory rather than autistic-like core traits; thus, their phenotype was markedly different from that of Shank1 P1812L-KI HET mice. Correspondingly, at the molecular level, Shank1 P1812L-KI HOM displayed upregulation of AMPA receptor (GluA2)-related signals. The different patterns of protein changes in HOM and HET mice may explain the differences in behaviors. Our study emphasizes the universality of mGluR1-signaling hypofunction in the pathogenesis of the core symptoms in ASD, providing a potential target for therapeutic drugs. The precise correspondence between genotype and phenotype, as shown in HOM and HET mice, indicates the importance of reproducing disease-related genotypes in mouse models.

Solid-State Synthesis of Aluminophosphate Zeotypes by Calcination of Amorphous Precursors.

Because of the growing interest in the applications of zeolitic materials and the various challenges associated with traditional synthesis methods, the development of novel synthesis approaches remains of fundamental importance. Herein, we report a general route for the synthesis of aluminophosphate (AlPO) zeotypes by simple calcination of amorphous precursors at moderate temperatures (250-450 °C) for short reaction times (3-60 min). Accordingly, highly crystalline AlPO zeotypes with various topologies of AST, SOD, LTA, AEL, AFI, and -CLO, ranging from ultra-small to extra-large pores, have been successfully synthesized. Multinuclear multidimensional solid-state NMR techniques combined with complementary operando mass spectrometry (MS), powder X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman characterizations reveal that covalently bonded fluoride in the intermediates catalyze the bond breaking and remaking processes. The confined organic structure-directing agents with high thermal stability direct the ordered rearrangement. This novel synthesis strategy not only shows excellent synthesis efficiency in terms of a simple synthesis procedure, a fast crystallization rate, and a high product yield, but also sheds new light on the crystallization mechanism of zeolitic materials.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a New RTH-Type Precursor and Its Interlayer Expanded Zeolite.

Two dimensional zeolites have drawn a lot of attention due to their structural diversity and chemical composition, which can be used to obtain 3D zeolites, for which there is no direct synthesis. Here, a new layer silicate zeolite L was synthesized using the N, N-dimethyl-(2-methyl)-benzimidazolium as the organic structure-directing agent (OSDA) in the presence of fluoride. Structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the pure silica precursor with five-ring pores in the crystalline sheets is composed of the rth layer stacking along the (001) direction in an …AAAA… sequence with SDA+ cations and F- residing within the interlayer spaces. Variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) results showed that the new layer could transform into a 3D RTH topology structure at 350 °C via 2D-3D topotactic transformation. Furthermore, a new 3D zeolite material is obtained by treating the original layer with a diethoxydimethylsilane agent under hydrochloric acid condition (HCl-DEDMS). Based on the PXRD results and the original layer structure, the new 3D zeolite structure expanding the rth layer with another Si atom is constructed, which possesses a 10×8×6 channel system. It displays a high BET surface area of 188 cm3 /g with an external surface area of 130 cm3 /g. The structure and textural properties pave a way for potential catalytic applications. The research not only provides a new layered zeolite, broadening the 2D zeolite framework types, but also allows for the discovery of a new stable 3D zeolite expanding the RTH structure with Si atom, which hasn't been reported yet.

Morphology Regulation of Zeolite MWW via Classical/Nonclassical Crystallization Pathways.

The morphology and porosity of zeolites have an important effect on adsorption and catalytic performance. In the work, simple inorganic salts, i.e., Na salts were used to synthesize MWW zeolite using the organic compound 1-Butyl-2,3-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium hydroxide as a structure-directing agent and the morphology was regulated by the alkali metals. The sample synthesized without Na salts shows a dense hexagon morphology, while different morphologies like ellipsoid, wool ball, and uniform hexagon appear when using NaOH, Na2CO3, and NaHCO3, respectively. Moreover, the impact of Na salts on the induction, nucleation, and the evolution of crystal growth was studied. Different kinds of Na salts have a different impact on the crystalline induction time in the order of NaHCO3 (36 h) < Na2CO3 (72 h) = NaOH (72 h). Meanwhile, the crystalline mechanism with the cooperation of inorganic salts and the organic SDAs is proposed. NaOH- and Na2CO3-MWW zeolite crystallized with a network of hydrogel via the nonclassical pathway in the system; however, the product is synthesized via a classical route in the NaHCO3 environment. This work provides information about MWW zeolite crystallization and modulating diverse morphologies by adjusting the process.

[Effects of human periodontal ligament fibroblast-derived exosomes on reducing rat root resorption after delayed tooth replantation].

PURPOSE: To explore the effect of healthy human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) -derived exosomes on tooth resorption after delayed tooth replantation in rats and its possible mechanism. METHODS: The exosomes derived from hPDLFs were isolated and identified in thirty six-week-old SD rats and randomly divided into control group and exosome group. The right maxillary first molar was extracted to establish a delayed tooth replantation model. The dislocated teeth were implanted back into the alveolar fossa after 30 minutes. 40 µL Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) were injected into the periodontal tissue, and the experimental group was injected with 40 µL HBSS containing exosomes. The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) staining was used to observe tooth resorption. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) staining was used to observe the number of osteoclasts. The expression of osteoprotegerin(OPG) in periodontal ligament was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The differences in distribution of each genotype were analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: The identification experiment showed that extracellular vesicles were exosomes. hPDLFs-derived exosomes inhibited root resorption after delayed tooth replantation, reduced the expression of TRAP-positive osteoclasts (P＜0.05), and promoted expression of OPG in periodontal ligament (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: After delayed tooth replantation, PDLFs-derived exosomes reduce the number of osteoclasts, promote OPG expression in the periodontal ligament, and reduce tooth root resorption after replantation.

Bioinformatics analysis of BIRC5 in human cancers.

Background: An inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family member, baculoviral IAP repeat containing five (BIRC5) plays an important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. However, the underlying mechanism in human cancers remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we investigated BIRC5 expression and explored the prognostic value of BIRC5 in different human cancers via bioinformatics analysis, including the databases of Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), UALCAN, GEPIA, DriverDBv3, GeneMANIA, WEB-based Gene Set Analysis Tool (WebGestalt) and TIMER. Results: In most human cancers, BIRC5 usually had higher expression compared to normal human tissues. High expression of BIRC5 could increase the mortality of patients with adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), low-grade glioma (LGG), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC), and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) (P<0.05). Cox analysis demonstrated that high BIRC5 expression was an independent factor for poor overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio, (HR) >1, P<0.05]. There were differences in BIRC5 expression in the case of TP53 mutation, different tumor grades, and stages. Interactive genes for BIRC5 mainly participated in apoptosis, cell division, cell cycle, and cancer pathways, strongly suggesting its oncogenic role in promoting cancer cell proliferation and cancer development. In addition, BIRC5 expression exhibited a close correlation with immune infiltration, which was related to the cumulative survival rate, especially in LGG. The elevated expression of BIRC5 could be regulated through TP53 mutation, tumor stage, and tumor grade (P<0.05). Conclusions: As a result of our findings, BIRC5 appears to be an independent unfavourable prognostic biomarker in human cancers. BIRC5 may become a potential clinical target in the future for the treatment of cancers.

Direct Synthesis of An Aluminosilicate POS Zeolite with Intersecting 12×11×11-Member-Ring Pore Channels by Using a Designed Organic Structure-Directing Agent.

Large and extra-large pore zeolites have been widely applied in industrial areas as catalysts, adsorbents, etc. Among them, silica and/or aluminosilicate zeolites have been attracted great attention due to their excellent hydrothermal stability and strong acidity. However, a great deal of zeolite structures are still not available in the form of silica and/or aluminosilicate. Herein, we report the synthesis of pure silica and aluminosilicate large-pore zeolites, denoted as NUD-14 and Al-NUD-14, respectively, by using a designed cation 1-ethyl-4-phenylpyridinium as an organic structure-directing agent (OSDA). NUD-14 has an intersecting 12×11×11-member ring pore system, which is isostructural to the germanosilicate PUK-16 zeolite with a POS topology. The OSDAs can be completely removed from the framework by calcination. NUD-14 and Al-NUD-14 possess excellent acid and hydrothermal stabilities, superior to the germanosilicate POS zeolite. The incorporation of Al into the zeolite framework makes the Al-NUD-14 zeolite possess medium and strong acidities. The successful synthesis of NUD-14 consisting of a rare odd-member ring pore structure may provide a platform for interesting size- and shape-selective catalytic applications.

Route to a direct-gap silicon allotrope Si32.

Using swarm-intelligence-based structure prediction methods, we predict a novel direct bandgap silicon allotrope with open channels at ambient conditions. This silicon phase, termed Si32, can be produced by removing Sr atoms from a newCmcm-SrSi8clathrate-like compound, which is calculated to be thermodynamically stable under epitaxial strain at high pressures. Si32is predicted to have a direct bandgap of ∼1.15 eV and exceptional optical properties. The prediction of novel silicon clathrate-like structure paves the way for the exploration of novel silicon phases with extensive application possibilities.

Ir nanoclusters/porous N-doped carbon as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution and hydrazine oxidation reactions.

One common iridium(III) complex was employed to facilely prepare ultrafine Ir nanoclusters embedded in porous N-doped carbon, which displayed significant bifunctional activity for both hydrogen evolution and hydrazine oxidation under alkaline conditions, enabling energy-efficient hydrogen production.

Risk factors for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-associated infections in patients receiving chemotherapy and the preventive effect of a self-efficacy intervention program: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) effectively reduces frequent vein punctures in cancer patients. With increasing clinical applications, PICC-associated infections are attracting increasing attention. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed PICC-associated infections in chemotherapy patients treated at our hospital in recent years to identify risk factors for PICC-associated infections and the preventive effect of a self-efficacy intervention program. METHODS: Using a convenience sampling method, we selected 159 cancer patients who received chemotherapy through a PICC at our hospital between July 2017 and December 2018, and the patients were randomly divided to an observation group (n=79) and a control group (n=80) using a random number table. The control group received conventional intervention, and the observation group received a self-efficacy intervention. We analyzed self-efficacy scores before and after the intervention, the complication rate, the infection rate, pathogens identified, and risk factors for PICC-associated infections. RESULTS: Among the 159 chemotherapy patients, 26 (16.35%) experienced PICC-associated infections in this finished trial. Univariate analysis showed that sex, puncture site, and steroid use were unrelated to PICC-associated infections (P>0.05), whereas PICC indwelling time, white blood cell (WBC) count, a history of diabetes, and immunity were significantly related to PICC-associated infections (P<0.05). The self-efficacy score improved after the intervention in both groups, especially in the observation group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications such as catheter infection, catheter blockage, and catheter displacement was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (16. 67% vs. 88.10%; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The self-efficacy intervention improves self-management and reduces complications in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy through a PICC. PICC indwelling time, WBC count, a history of diabetes, and immunity are independent risk factors for PICC-associated infections; thus, measures should be implemented to prevent infections. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100050651.