Efficacy of IVIG therapy for patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is an overwhelming reaction to infection that comes with high morbidity and mortality. It requires urgent interventions in order to improve outcomes. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) are considered as potential therapy in sepsis patients. Results of trials on IVIG as adjunctive therapy for sepsis have been conflicting due to the variability in population characteristics, country geography and drug dosage form in different studies. METHODS: A systematic article search was performed for eligible studies published up to January, 31, 2023, through the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database. The included articles were screened by using rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to different IVIG types, ages and economic regions. All analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4. Quality of studies and risk of bias were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 31 randomized controlled trials were included with a sample size of 6,276 participants. IVIG could reduce the mortality (RR 0.86, 95% CI: 0.77-0.95, p = 0.005), the hospital stay (MD - 4.46, 95% CI: - 6.35 to - 2.57, p = 0.00001), and the APACHE II scores (MD - 1.65, 95% CI: - 2.89 to - 0.63, p = 0.001). Additionally, the results showed that IgM-enriched IVIG was effective in treating sepsis (RR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.40 - 0.76; p = 0.0003), while standard IVIG failed to be effective (RR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.81-1.02, p = 0.10). And the effect of IVIG in reducing neonatal mortality was inconclusive (RR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.81-1.05, p = 0.24), but it played a large role in reducing sepsis mortality in adults (RR 0.70, 95% CI: 0.57-0.86, p = 0.0006). Besides, from the subgroup of different economic regions, it indicated that IVIG was effective for sepsis in high-income (RR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99, p = 0.03) and middle-income countries (RR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.84, p = 0.01), while no benefit was demonstrated in low-income countries (RR 0.56, 95% CI: 0.27-1.14, p = 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: There is sufficient evidence to support that IVIG reduces sepsis mortality. IgM-enriched IVIG is effective in both adult and neonatal sepsis, while standard IVIG is only effective in adult sepsis. IVIG for sepsis has shown efficacy in high- and middle-income countries, but is still debatable in low-income countries. More RCTs are needed in the future to confirm the true clinical potential of IVIG for sepsis in low-income countries.

Use of real-world evidence to support regulatory decisions on medical devices in China and a unique opportunity to gain accelerated approval in "Boao Lecheng Pilot Zone".

This article aims to summarize the development and challenges of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) in China and introduce a unique opportunity for medical devices to gain accelerated regulatory approval in China by utilizing RWE generated in a free trade pilot zone "Boao Lecheng" in Hainan Province. In 2020, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued a draft guideline on the "Use of real-world data to support clinical evaluation for medical devices", suggesting that RWE derived from RWD could support clinical evaluation throughout the life cycle of a medical device. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has allowed qualified RWD collected in Boao Lecheng to support registration application of innovative medical devices and drugs in China. These medical devices and drugs should have been approved abroad, but not in China yet, and met urgent and unmet medical needs in China. The article also presents the successful story of an innovative Glaucoma drainage tube as the first medical device approved in China using RWE generated in Boao Lecheng in 2020. Although we are witnessing an increased interest in RWE, a few challenges remain, e.g., limited data accessibility and data sharing, concerns on data quality, etc. Collaborations among relevant stakeholders in the RWE research are vital to address the challenges.

Antibody Assay and Anti-Inflammatory Function Evaluation of Therapeutic Potential of Different Intravenous Immunoglobulins for Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that currently has no known cure. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which contains AD-related antibodies and has anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential as a treatment for AD. However, the efficacy of clinical trials involving AD patients treated with IVIG has been inconsistent. Our previous study found that different IVIGs had significantly varied therapeutic effects on 3xTg-AD mice. In order to investigate the relationship between the composition and function of IVIG and its efficacy in treating AD, we selected three IVIGs that showed notable differences in therapeutic effects. Then, the concentrations of specific antibodies against ß-amyloid (Aß)42, tau, and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) in three IVIGs, as well as their effects on systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Balb/c mice, were analyzed and compared in this study. The results indicated that these IVIGs differed greatly in anti-Aß42/tau antibody concentration and anti-p-tau ratio, and improved LPS-stimulated peripheral inflammation, liver and kidney injury, and neuroinflammation in Balb/c mice to varying degrees. Combined with our previous results, the efficacy of IVIG against AD may be positively correlated with its level of AD-related antibodies and anti-inflammatory ability. AD-related antibody analysis and functional evaluation of IVIG should be given sufficient attention before clinical trials, as this may greatly affect the therapeutic effect of AD treatment.

Proteomics profiles of blood glucose-related proteins involved in a Chinese longevity cohort.

BACKGROUND: High blood glucose level is one of the main characteristics of diabetes mellitus. Based on previous studies, it is speculated longevity families may have certain advantages in blood glucose regulation. However, limited information on these items has been reported. The purpose of this study was to profile differences of plasma proteomics between longevity subjects (with normal fructosamine (FUN) level) and non-longevity area participants (with exceeding standard FUN level). METHODS: In this study, a TMT-based proteomics analysis was used to profile differences of plasma proteomics between longevity subjects (with normal FUN level) and non-longevity area participants (with exceeding standard FUN level). Results were validated by Luminex detection. RESULTS: A total of 155 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between these two groups. The DEPs related to blood glucose regulation were mainly involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism and propanoate metabolism, and most of the DEPs were contained in carbohydrate metabolism, PI3K-Akt pathway, glucagon signaling pathway and inflammatory response. Validation by Luminex detection confirmed that CD163 was down-regulated, and SPARC, PARK 7 and IGFBP-1 were up-regulated in longevity participants. CONCLUSIONS: This study not only highlighted carbohydrate metabolism, PI3K-Akt pathway, glucagon signaling pathway and inflammatory response may play important roles in blood glucose regulation, but also indicated that YWHAZ, YWHAB, YWHAG, YWHAE, CALM3, CRP, SAA2, PARK 7, IGFBP1 and VNN1 may serve as potential biomarkers for predicting abnormal blood glucose levels.

Efficacy and Safety of Blood Derivative Therapy for Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in more than 200 million infections and 4 million deaths. The blood derivative therapy represented by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and convalescent plasma (CP) therapy may be the promising therapeutics for COVID-19. Methods: A systematic article search was performed for eligible studies published up to August 3, 2021, through the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library. The included articles were screened by using rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. All analyses were conducted using Review Manager 5.4. Quality of studies and risk of bias were evaluated. Results: A total of 5 IVIG therapy and 13 CP therapy randomized controlled trials were included with a sample size of 13,696 subjects diagnosed with COVID-19. IVIG could reduce the mortality compared with the control group (RR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46-0.93, p = 0.02). The use of CP did not effectively reduce the mortality (RR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.91-1.03, p = 0.38), the length of hospital stay (MD -0.47, 95% CI: -4.13 to 3.20, p = 0.80), and the mechanical ventilation use (RR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.89-1.07, p = 0.62) of the patients with COVID-19. Treatment with IVIG or CP was not significantly associated with an increase in reported adverse events (RR 1.07, 95% CI: 0.94-1.22, p = 0.28). Conclusions: Treatment with IVIG could be effective and safe to improve survival for patients with COVID-19. But the benefit of CP in the treatment of COVID-19 is limited. The certainty of the evidence was moderate for all outcomes.

GDF11 Regulates PC12 Neural Stem Cells via ALK5-Dependent PI3K-Akt Signaling Pathway.

Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11), belonging to the transforming factor-ß superfamily, regulates anterior-posterior patterning and inhibits neurogenesis during embryonic development. However, recent studies recognized GDF11 as a rejuvenating (or anti-ageing) factor to reverse age-related cardiac hypertrophy, repair injured skeletal muscle, promote cognitive function, etc. The effects of GDF11 are contradictory and the mechanism of action is still not well clarified. The objective of the present study was to investigate effects of GDF11 on PC12 neural stem cells in vitro and to reveal the underlying mechanism. We systematically assessed the effects of GDF11 on the life activities of PC12 cells. GDF11 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration, promoted differentiation and apoptosis, and arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase. Both TMT-based proteomic analysis and phospho-antibody microarray revealed PI3K-Akt pathway was enriched when treated with GDF11. Inhibition of ALK5 or PI3K obviously attenuated the effects of GDF11 on PC12 neural stem cells, which exerted that GDF11 regulated neural stem cells through ALK5-dependent PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In summary, these results demonstrated GDF11 could be a negative regulator for neurogenesis via ALK5 activating PI3K-Akt pathway when it directly acted on neural stem cells.

A Remote Raman System and Its Applications for Planetary Material Studies.

A remote Raman prototype with a function of excitation energy adjusting for the purpose of obtaining a Raman signal with good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), saving power consumption, and possibly avoiding destroying a target by high energy pulses, which may have applications for Chinese planetary explorations, has been setup and demonstrated for detecting different minerals. The system consists of a spectrograph equipped with a thermoelectrically cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) detector, a telescope with 150 mm diameter and 1500 mm focus length, and a compact 1064 nm Nd:YAG Q-switched laser with an electrical adjusted pulse energy from 0 to 200 mJ/pulse. A KTP crystal was used for second harmonic generation in a 1064 nm laser to generate a 532 nm laser, which is the source of Raman scatting. Different laser pulse energies and integration time were used to obtain distinguishable remote Raman spectra of various samples. Results show that observed remote Raman spectra at a distance of 4 m enable us to identify silicates, carbonates, sulfates, perchlorates, water/water ice, and organics that have been found or may exist on extraterrestrial planets. Detailed Raman spectral assignments of the measured planetary materials and the feasible applications of remote Raman system for planetary explorations are discussed.

Content of anti-ß-amyloid42 oligomers antibodies in multiple batches from different immunoglobulin preparations.

Immunoglobulin preparations are one of the promising drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Anti-ß-amyloid (Aß) oligomers antibodies in immunoglobulin preparations are considered to be critical for the therapeutic effect against Alzheimer's disease. However, the antibodies content in immunoglobulin preparations varies greatly. In order to determine which factor contributes to the difference of the antibodies content, the content of anti-Aß oligomers antibodies in multiple batches of immunoglobulin preparations from two manufacturers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that no significant difference was found in the antibodies content among different bathes of normal immunoglobulin preparations prepared by the same process from the same manufacturer, whereas significant difference was found in the antibodies content between normal immunoglobulin preparations prepared by ethanol fractionation and those by chromatography process from the same manufacturer. In addition, significant variation existed in the antibodies content between normal immunoglobulin preparations and specific immunoglobulin preparations that are produced by plasma pool of immunized donors. Based on analysis of these results, the preparation process and raw plasma could be the main contributing factors affecting the content of anti-Aß oligomers antibodies in immunoglobulin preparations. This finding might help to develop AD-specific immunoglobulin preparation containing higher content of anti-Aß oligomers antibodies.

Migraine treatment and healthcare costs: retrospective analysis of the China Health Insurance Research Association (CHIRA) database.

BACKGROUND: Adult migraine remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, despite significant negative effects on physical and emotional functioning. Information on prescribing patterns and treatment costs of migraine in China is limited. METHODS: This retrospective analysis of the China Health Insurance Research Association (CHIRA) medical insurance claims database in 2016 to 2017 evaluated treatment patterns, direct medical costs, and healthcare resource utilization among adults with migraine in mainland China. RESULTS: Of 108,375 patients with headache-related outpatient visits, 10,652 were adults with migraine (mean age 51.4 years, 55.4% female). Common comorbidities were major depressive disorder (4.1%), insomnia (3.8%), and anxiety (2.3%). Migraine patients were prescribed acute medication (26.4%), preventive medication (15.0%), and Chinese patent and herbal medicines (24.5% and 11.7%, respectively). Of patients prescribed acute medication, 68.8% received non-aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 7.1% received opioids, while only 3.3% received triptans. Mean annual outpatient costs per patient were 46.5 United States dollars (USD), with mean (standard deviation) 1.8 (2.0) outpatient visits per year. Medication costs for traditional Chinese medicine (22.4 USD per patient) were higher than for Western medicine (13.5 USD). CONCLUSION: Among migraine patients in China, NSAIDs were commonly prescribed as acute medication, while utilization of migraine-specific triptans and preventive medications was low.

Alterations of Human Plasma Proteome Profile on Adaptation to High-Altitude Hypobaric Hypoxia.

For individuals migrating to or residing permanently in high-altitude regions, environmental hypobaric hypoxia is a primary challenge that induces several physiological or pathological responses. It is well documented that human beings adapt to hypobaric hypoxia via some protective mechanisms, such as erythropoiesis and overproduction of hemoglobin; however, little is known on the alterations of plasma proteome profiles in accommodation to high-altitude hypobaric hypoxia. In the present study, we investigated differential plasma proteomes of high altitude natives and lowland normal controls by a TMT-based proteomic approach. A total of 818 proteins were identified, of which 137 were differentially altered. Bioinformatics (including GO, KEGG, protein-protein interactions, etc.) analysis showed that the differentially altered proteins were basically involved in complement and coagulation cascades, antioxidative stress, and glycolysis. Validation results demonstrated that CCL18, C9, PF4, MPO, and S100A9 were notably up-regulated, and HRG and F11 were down-regulated in high altitude natives, which were consistent with TMT-based proteomic results. Our findings highlight the contributions of complement and coagulation cascades, antioxidative stress, and glycolysis in acclimatization to hypobaric hypoxia and provide a foundation for developing potential diagnostic or/and therapeutic biomarkers for high altitude hypobaric hypoxia-induced diseases.

Plasma proteomic and autoantibody profiles reveal the proteomic characteristics involved in longevity families in Bama, China.

BACKGROUND: Chinese Bama Yao Autonomous County is a well-known longevity region in the world. In the past 30 years, population and genome studies were undertaken to investigate the secret of longevity and showed that longevity is the result of a combination of multiple factors, such as genetic, environmental and other causes. In this study, characteristics of the blood plasma proteomic and autoantibody profiles of people from Bama longevity family were investigated. METHODS: Sixty-six plasma donors from Chinese Bama longevity area were recruited in this study. Thirty-three offsprings of longevous families were selected as case studies (Longevous group) and 33 ABO (blood type), age, and gender-matched subjects from non-longevous families were selected as controls (Normal group). Each group contains 3 biological replicates. Tandem mass tag-based proteomic technique was used to investigate the differentially expressed plasma proteins between the two groups. The auto-reactive IgG antibody profiles of the 3 pooled samples in each group were revealed by human proteome microarrays with 17,000 recombinant human proteins. RESULTS: Firstly, 525 plasma proteins were quantified and 12 proteins were discovered differentially expressed between the two groups. Secondly, more than 500 proteins were recognized by plasma antibodies, 14 proteins ware differentially reacted with the autoantibodies in the two groups. Bioinformatics analysis showed some of the differential proteins and targeted autoantigens were involved in cancer, cardiovascular disease and immunity. CONCLUSIONS: Proteomic and autoantibody profiles varied between the offspring of longevous and normal families which are from the same area and shared the same environmental factors. The identified differences were reported to be involved in several physiological and pathological pathways. The identified proteins will contribute to a better understanding of the proteomic characteristics of people from Bama longevous area and a revelation of the molecular mechanisms of longevity.

Analysis of sialic acid levels in Chinese intravenous immunoglobulins by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is increasingly used for the treatment of autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases with both licensed and off-label indications. Recent studies indicated that IVIg-mediated immunomodulation and anti-inflammation are closely associated with the IgG sialylation, especially with IgG crystallizable fragment (Fc) sialylation. The sialic acid levels of the IgG molecules and Fc fragments in 12 IVIg preparations from six Chinese manufacturers were evaluated. The Fc fragments were derived from the papain digestion of IVIg, followed by affinity and size exclusion chromatography. The sialic acid levels in Fc fragments and IVIg preparations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, after the sialic acid residues were released from the proteins. The results showed that the sialic acid levels in Chinese IVIg preparations ranged from 0.875 (mol/mol IgG) to 1.085 (mol/mol IgG), and the sialic acid levels in Fc fragments were from 0.321 (mol/mol Fc) to 0.361 (mol/mol Fc). Furthermore, the sialic acid levels of IVIg preparations and Fc fragments from different Chinese manufactures were significantly different. These findings will contribute to an increased understanding of Chinese IVIg preparations and the relationship between the sialic acid levels in IVIg preparations and their clinical efficacy in future clinical studies.

Assessment of functional outcomes by Sheehan Disability Scale in patients with major depressive disorder treated with duloxetine versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: We compared functional impairment outcomes assessed with Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) after treatment with duloxetine versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with major depressive disorder. METHODS: Data were pooled from four randomized studies comparing treatment with duloxetine and SSRIs (three double blind and one open label). Analysis of covariance, with last-observation-carried-forward approach for missing data, explored treatment differences between duloxetine and SSRIs on SDS changes during 8 to 12 weeks of acute treatment for the intent-to-treat population. Logistic regression analysis examined the predictive capacity of baseline patient characteristics for remission in functional impairment (SDS total score ≤ 6 and SDS item scores ≤ 2) at endpoint. RESULTS: Included were 2193 patients (duloxetine n = 1029; SSRIs n = 835; placebo n = 329). Treatment with duloxetine and SSRIs resulted in significantly (p < 0.01) greater improvements in the SDS total score versus treatment with placebo. Higher SDS (p < 0.0001) or 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale baseline scores (p < 0.01) predicted lower probability of functional improvement after treatment with duloxetine or SSRIs. Female gender (p ≤ 0.05) predicted higher probability of functional improvement after treatment with duloxetine or SSRIs. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with SSRIs and duloxetine improved functional impairment in patients with major depressive disorder. Higher SDS or 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale baseline scores predicted less probability of SDS improvement; female gender predicted better improvement in functional impairment at endpoint.

Effects of miR-9 and tetramethylpyrazine on activation of hepatic stellate cells.

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are involved in regulation of the incidence and development of several hepatic diseases. Thus manipulating miRNAs may be a promising therapeutic strategy against these entities. In this study hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were transfected with hsa-miR-9 or anti-hsa-miR-9, treated with tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), or subjected to treatment with TMP and hsa-miR-9 transfection (combined treatment group). Then, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to measure mRNA levels of hsa-miR-9. Expression of hsa-miR-9 was highest in the combination treatment group compared with other groups, and significantly higher than TMP-treated and hsa-miR-9-transfected groups (both p<0.05). The anti-hsa-miR-9-transfected group expressed the lowest mRNA level of hsa-miR-9 with marked decrease versus control (p<0.05). Downstream factors that may be affected by miR-9 such as leptin, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and collagen I, as well as phosphorylation levels of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were investigated at the protein level. All these factors were regulated contrariwise to expression trends of hsa-miR-9, showing the lowest level in the combination treatment group and highest level in anti-hsa-miR-9-transfected group. These results suggest that both transfection of hsa-miR-9 and TMP can lead to upregulated endogenous expression of hsa-miR-9, inhibit activation of JAK1/STAT3 signal pathway induced by leptin, and lead to reduction of α-SMA and collagen I-thus impeding activation of HSC.

Biochemical characterization of prothrombin complex concentrates in China.

Despite increasing use of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), there is little knowledge about the biochemical characterization of Chinese PCCs. Six Chinese PCCs were investigated and compared with PCCs (Octaplex®) from Europe. The levels of coagulation factors and inhibitors were detected. The presence of activated coagulation factors was assessed. Furthermore, their thrombin inhibitory capacities, specific activity and purity were assayed. All above parameters of biochemical properties were statistically analyzed. Chinese PCCs contained FⅡ, Ⅶ, Ⅸ and Ⅹ, protein C, S and Z, heparin and extremely low level antithrombin, as well as Octaplex®. The measured FⅨ activities were similar to those declared, however the measured potency of FⅡ, Ⅶ and Ⅹ greatly exceeded the labeled. Though all preparations were negative for activated coagulation factors in non-activated partial thromboplastin time test, the activated coagulation factor Ⅶ (FⅦa) remained in all PCCs and its content differed greatly. Overall, FⅦa content of Chinese PCCs was higher than that of Octaplex®. Further, Chinese PCCs were inferior to Octaplex® in the thrombin inhibitory capacities, specific activity and purity. In summary, compared with Octaplex®, Chinese PCCs' errors about the labeled activity of coagulation factors and probably high risks of thrombosis should be considered.

Coagulation factors and inhibitors in thawed plasma stored at 1-6 °C for 5 days in China.

INTRODUCTION: Many transfusion services are keeping thawed plasma (TP) ready for trauma patients. According to Chinese guidelines, once thawed, fresh frozen plasma (FFP) should be used within 24h. This may increase plasma wastage and delay plasma administration to critical patients. However, it can be avoided by being relabeled as TP. In this study we evaluated coagulation-related proteins in thawed apheresis FFP during 5 days of storage at 1-6 °C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty apheresis fresh plasma units were aliquot and stored at -70 °C. Aliquots were thawed at 37 °C and stored at 1-6 °C for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days, respectively. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fbg), factor (F) II, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI, FXII, protein C (PC), protein S (PS), antithrombin III (ATIII) and ADAMTS13 levels were assessed at Days 0-5, respectively. RESULTS: For 5 days of refrigerated storage, no significant differences were observed in Fbg, PC, PS, ATIII and ADAMTS13. FII, FV, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI and FXII declined significantly over time. The storage presented major decrease for FVIII, with a drop of 40%. However, at least 60% levels of all measured proteins were remained on Day 5, when compared to Day 0. CONCLUSION: All measured proteins in TP for 5 days of refrigerated storage were adequate. These could provide evidence that thawed FFP could be relabeled as TP, which is a potential to ensure rapid plasma availability in emergency situations in China.

Purification and analysis of human alpha1-antitrypsin concentrate by a new immunoaffinity chromatography.

Alpha1-antitrypsin is a kind of plasma protein that requires a sequence of different fractionation steps to get generally. To report an effective process for isolating and purifying alpha1-antitrypsin from Cohn Fraction IV based upon a new immunoaffinity chromatography medium, named "Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Select," characterization of alpha1-antitrypsin (α1-AT) was performed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western blot, and tandem mass spectroscopy. Total protein content was determined by the method of Bradford under visible light absorption at 595 nm. Pretreatment process and the immunoaffinity chromatography step achieved a 60.35 ± 1.39% yield. Thus, an overall 71.68 ± 1.32 fold increase in purity and a 41.88 ± 6.98% yield were obtained from plasma. The α1-AT had a specific activity of about 1.00-1.05 PU/mg. This technique will develop an effective process for isolating and purifying, with high purity and specific activity, alpha1-antitrypsin from Cohn Fraction IV or human whole plasma, which could be an efficient and scaled-up method for alpha1-antitrypsin products purification.

Influence of washing conditions on effective components of prothrombin complex concentrates.

In order to increase the yield of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) and to reduce their associated thrombotic risks, the influence of washing conditions on the yield, purity, and balance of coagulation factors (FII, FVII, FIX, and FX), and inhibitor proteins (PC, PS, PZ, and AT [antithrombin]) in PCCs was investigated by orthogonal testing, in which three variables (sodium citrate, NaCl, and pH) and their three levels were selected. It was found that AT yield and purity were extraordinarily low, and at lower NaCl content, the general yield, purity, and balance were higher, lower, and better, respectively; however, the results became contrary at higher NaCl. Moreover, within the investigated levels, NaCl was the first determinant for the yield except AT and the purity except FVII, PC, PS, and AT. Sodium citrate was the first determinant for AT yield and FVII, PS, and AT purity. The yield except FII, PS, and AT decreased and the purity except PC increased with increase of sodium citrate content. Just for PC purity, pH was the first determinant. The effect with pH fluctuation on the yield and purity was characteristically unobvious. The outcome undoubtedly supplies the guidance to further improve PCCs.

Enhancing Kinetics in Sodium Super Ion Conductor Na3MnTi(PO4)3 through Microbe-Assisted and Structural Optimization.

Sodium (Na) super ion conductor (NASICON) structure Na3MnTi(PO4)3 (NMTP) is considered a promising cathode for sodium-ion batteries due to its reversible three-electron reaction. However, the inferior electronic conductivity and sluggish reaction kinetics limit its practical applications. Herein, we successfully constructed a three-dimensional cross-linked porous architecture NMTP material (AsN@NMTP/C) by a natural microbe of Aspergillus niger (AsN), and the structure of different NMTP cathodes was optimized by adjusting different transition metal Mn/Ti ratios. Both approaches effectively altered the three-dimensional NMTP structure, not only improving electronic conductivity and controlling Na+ diffusion pathways but also enhancing the electrochemical kinetics of the material. The resultant AsN@NMTP/C-650, sintered at 650 °C, exhibits better electrochemical performance with higher reversible three-electron reactions corresponding to the voltage platforms of Ti4+/3+, Mn3+/2+, and Mn4+/3+ around 2.1, 3.6, and 4.1 V (vs Na+/Na), respectively. The capacity retention rate is up to 89.3% after 1000 cycles at a 2C rate. Moreover, a series of results confirms that the Na3.4Mn1.2Ti0.8(PO4)3 cathode has the most excellent electrochemical performance when the Mn/Ti ratio is 1.2/0.8, with a high capacity of 96.59 mAh g-1 and 97.1% capacity retention after 500 cycles.

Non-destructive and simultaneous development and enhancement of latent fingerprints on stainless steel based on the electrochromic effect of electrodeposited manganese oxides.

Latent fingerprints, as one of the most frequently encountered traces in crime scene investigation and also one of the largest sources of forensic evidence, can play a critical role in determining the identity of a person who may be involved in a crime. Due to the invisible characteristic of latent fingerprints, exploring efficient techniques to visualize them (especially the ones resided on metallic surfaces) while retain the biological and chemical information (e.g., touch DNA) has become a multidisciplinary research focus. Herein we reported a new and highly sensitive electrochemical interfacial strategy of simultaneously developing and enhancing latent fingerprints on stainless steel based on synchronous electrodeposition and electrochromism of manganese oxides in a neutral aqueous electrolyte. By utilizing a specially designed device for electrochemical testing and image capture, a series of electrochemical measurements, physical characterization and image analysis have been applied to evaluate the feasibility, development accuracy and enhancement efficacy of the proposed electrochemical system. The qualitative and quantitative analysis on the in situ and ex situ fingerprint images indicates that the three levels of fingerprint features can be precisely developed and effectively enhanced. Forensic DNA typing has also been performed to reveal actual impact of the proposed electrochemical system on subsequent analysis of touch DNA in fingerprint residues. The ratio of detected loci after electrochemical treatment reaches up to 98.5 %, showing non-destructive nature of this fingerprint development and enhancement technique.