Highly reflective Ni/Pt/Al p-electrode for improving the efficiency of an AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet light-emitting diode.

In this work, we propose a highly reflective Ni/Pt/Al p-electrode for AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with a wavelength of 276 nm. AlGaN-based DUV LEDs with traditional Al-based reflectivity electrodes suffer from device degradation and wall-plug efficiency (WPE) droop due to the Al diffusion during electrode annealing. By inserting a Pt layer between the Ni contact layer and the Al reflective layer, the contact characteristics of the p-electrode can be optimized by blocking the diffusion of the O and Al atoms, maintaining a high reflectivity of over 80% near 280 nm. Compared to the AlGaN-based DUV LEDs with Ni/Au traditional p-electrodes and Ni/Al traditional reflective p-electrodes, the WPE of the LED with a highly reflective Ni/Pt/Al p-electrode is improved by 10.3% and 30.5%, respectively. Besides, compared to the other novel reflective p-electrodes using multiple annealing or evaporation processes reported for the AlGaN-based DUV LEDs, we provide a new, to the best of our knowledge, optimization method for single evaporation and annealing p-type reflective electrodes, featured with a simpler and more convenient process flow.

Heterojunction polarization enhancement and shielding for AlGaN-based solar-blind ultraviolet avalanche detectors.

AlGaN-based solar-blind ultraviolet avalanche detectors have huge potentials in the fields of corona discharge monitoring, biological imaging, etc. Here, we study the impact of the heterojunction polarization-related effects on the AlGaN-based solar-blind ultraviolet avalanche detectors. Our work confirms that the polarization heterojunction is beneficial to reducing avalanche bias and lifting avalanche gain by improving the electric field in the depletion region, while the polarization-induced fixed charges will lead to a redistribution of the electrons, in turn shielding the charges and weakening the electric field enhancement effect. This shielding effect will need external bias to eliminate, and that is why the polarization heterojunction cannot work at relatively low bias but has an enhancement effect at high bias. Controlling the doping level between the hetero-interface can affect the shielding effect. An unintentionally doped polarization heterojunction can effectively reduce the shielding effect, thus reducing the avalanche bias. The conclusions also hold true for the negative polarization regime. We believe our findings can provide some useful insights for the design of the AlGaN-based solar-blind ultraviolet detectors.

PPARγ inhibition promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and fracture healing.

This study aimed to explore the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) inhibition on fracture healing of nonunion and the underlying mechanisms. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were treated with PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (5 µM, 10 µM). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin Red S was used to assess early stage of osteogenesis and osteogenic differentiation. GW9662 (1 mg/kg/day) were administered intraperitoneally into the rats with bone fracture. Bone healing processes in the rat femur fracture model were recorded and assessed by radiographic methods on Weeks 8, 14, and 20 postoperation. Osteogenesis and angiogenesis at the fracture sites were evaluated by radiographic and histological methods on postoperative Week 20. GW9662 treatment increased ALP activity and Alp mRNA expression in rat BMSCs. Moreover, GW9662 administration increased matrix mineralization and mRNA and protein levels of Bmp2 and Runx2 in the BMSCs. In addition, GW9662 treatment improved radiographic score in the fracture rats and increased osteogenesis-related proteins, including type I collagen, osteopontin, and osteoglycin, in the bone tissues of the fracture sites. In conclusion, PPARγ inhibition promotes osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs, as well as improves the fracture healing of rats through Bmp2/Runx2 signaling pathway in the rat model of bone fracture.

[Analysis of the positive rate of anal swab nucleic acid test and clinical characteristics in patients with different severity of coronavirus disease 2019].

OBJECTIVE: To compared the positive rate of anal swab nucleic acid test and clinical characteristics of critical and general coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. METHODS: Clinical data of 18 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang City from February to March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into general group (n = 11) and critical ill group (n = 7) according to the severity of the disease. The differences of gender, age, epidemiological characteristics, fever duration after admission, underlaying disease, positive rate of anal swab nucleic acid test at admission and two times of negative pharyngeal swab test were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in gender, age, fever duration after admission or underlaying disease between the two groups. The number of anorectal swab positive cases in critically ill group was significantly higher than that in general group (cases: 4 vs. 1, P = 0.047). After two negative pharyngeal swab nucleic acid test, the number of anal swab positive cases in critical illness group was still higher than that in general group (cases: 2 vs. 0), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.137). The number of non-local infection in critical ill group was significantly higher than that in general group (cases: 4 vs. 0, P = 0.047). All of the 4 non-local infected patients had a history of living in Wuhan. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with anorectal swab nucleic acid positive may have a more serious condition. It may be a risk to transfer ill patients out of the isolation ward by the criteria of only two times of negative pharyngeal swab nucleic acid test. Patients returning to our city after infection in Wuhan may be more serious.

Clinical characteristics of asymptomatic carriers of novel coronavirus disease 2019: A multi-center study in Jiangsu Province.

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals are thought to play major roles in virus transmission. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of asymptomatic carriers with COVID-19 to control the spread of the virus. We retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics of 648 consecutive subjects who were enrolled in the study and were divided into asymptomatic carriers, mild cases, ordinary cases, severe or critical cases, and evaluated their impact on disease severity by means of Spearman correlation and multiple regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine the optimum cutoff levels of laboratory findings for diagnostic predictors of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19. In our study, a total of 648 subjects on admission with a mean age of 45.61 y including 345 males and 303 females were enrolled in our study. The leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil, platelet, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8 + T lymphocyte levels, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate differed significantly among the groups (all p ≤ 0.05). Disease severity was negatively associated with the CD3+ (r = -0.340; p < 0.001), CD4+ (r = -0.290; p = 0.001) and CD8+ (r = -0.322; p < 0.001) T lymphocyte levels. The significant diagnostic predictors of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 included the blood cell, cytokine, and T lymphocyte subset levels. Inflammation and immune response may play important roles in disease progression. Hence, the laboratory parameters identified should be considered in clinical practice, which provide new insights into the identification of asymptomatic individuals and the prevention of virus transmission.

Mechanical stretch and LPS affect the proliferation, extracellular matrix remodeling and viscoelasticity of lung fibroblasts.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of mechanical stretch and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and collagen and viscoelasticity in human embryonic MRC-5 lung fibroblasts cultured in vitro and to assess the mechanisms of ARDS-associated ventilator-induced lung injury using an in vitro model. Human embryonic MRC-5 lung fibroblasts were treated with different concentrations of LPS to establish an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) cell injury model, followed by further culture under different mechanical stretch amplitudes using the Flexcell system to establish a cellular mechanical damage model. The proliferation of MRC-5 cells and the protein and gene expression levels of TGF-ß1 and collagen were detected by flow cytometry, ELISA and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. As the concentration of LPS increased, the proliferation activity of MRC-5 cells gradually decreased. Low concentrations of LPS led to upregulation of the secretion levels of TGF-ß1 and collagen I and the expression of their mRNA, TGF-ß1 mRNA and collagen type 1, α1. Conversely, high concentrations of LPS reduced TGF-ß1 and collagen I levels and their gene expression. Mechanical stimulation with a stretch of 5% increased the cell proliferation activity; however, it had no significant effect on the expression levels of TGF-ß1 and collagen. Mechanical stimulation with a stretching force of 10% inhibited the cell proliferation but increased the expression levels of TGF-ß1 and collagen I. A higher mechanical stimulation (15 and 20%) had a significantly greater effect. Mechanical stretch and LPS stimulation led to changes in the structure and viscoelastic behavior of human embryonic MRC-5 lung fibroblasts. In terms of cell function, mechanical stretch may cause an increase in the expression of TGF-ß1 in MRC-5 cells, in turn affecting the transcription and translation of collagen genes. This present study provides provides cell-level evidence for understand the mechanisms of action behind the ARDS ventilator-induced lung injury and lung structural remodeling.

Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of Disease Progression in Severe Patients with COVID-19 Infection in Jiangsu Province, China: A Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: We studied patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, a virus that originated in Wuhan, China, and is spreading over the country including Jiangsu Province. We studied the clinical characteristics and therapies of severe cases in Jiangsu Province. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze clinical, laboratory data and treatment of 60 severe cases with COVID-19 infection in Jiangsu Province between January 24, 2020 and April 20, 2020. The improvement and deterioration subgroups were compared to identify predictors of disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 653 infected cases with COVID-19 were reported in Jiangsu Province, of which 60 severe cases were included in this study. Up until April 20, 2020, the mortality of severe patients was 0%. The median age was 57 years. The average body mass index of these patients was 25 kg/m². White blood cell counts decreased in 45.0% of patients, lymphopenia in 63.3%, thrombocytopenia in 13.3% and procalcitonin levels in 88.3% of the patients were less than 0.5 ng/mL. There were no statistically significant differences in immunoglobulin therapy and GCs therapy between the improvement and deterioration subgroups. Logistic regression analysis identified higher levels of troponin T (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.08; P = 0.04), antiviral therapy with aerosol inhalation of interferon (OR: 6.33; 95% CI: 1.18-33.98; P = 0.03), and the application of non-invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.99; 95%CI: 1.17-3.41; P = 0.01) as predictors of disease progression, whereas higher lymphocyte count (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.02-0.57; P = 0.01) and early prone ventilation were associated with improvement (OR: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01-0.98; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 infection had a low mortality rate in Jiangsu Province, China. The higher levels of troponin T and lower lymphocyte count were predictors of disease progression. Early prone ventilation may be an effective treatment for severe cases.

Effect of Deep Sedation on Mechanical Power in Moderate to Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Prospective Self-Control Study.

Mechanical power (MP) is a parameter for assessing ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Deep sedation inhibits the respiratory center and reduces the excessive spontaneous breathing in ARDS patients, thereby reducing transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) and lung injury. However, the effect of sedation on MP in ARDS patients is not yet clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of deep sedation on MP in ARDS patients. Patients with moderate to severe ARDS who required mechanical ventilation were considered. Different degrees of sedation were performed on patients in three stages after 24 hours of mechanical ventilation. The three stages are as follows: stage 1 (H+3): 0 to 3 hours of sedation; patients' Ramsay score was 2-3 to obtain mild sedation; stage 2 (H+6): 4 to 6 hours of sedation; the sedation depth was adjusted to 5-6 points; and stage 3 (H+9): 7 to 9 hours of sedation; the sedation depth was adjusted to 2-3 points. Under deep sedation (H+6), MP, respiratory rate (RR), and Ptp were significantly lower than the ones in the patients under mild sedation (H+3) (all P < 0.01) although PaO2 /FiO2 (P/F) and static lung compliance (Cst) were significantly higher (both P < 0.01). However, no significant difference in the above parameters was observed between H+3 and H+9. Correlation analysis showed that ΔMP was significantly and positively correlated with ΔRR and ΔPtp (both P < 0.001), while no correlation was observed neither between ΔMP and ΔCst nor between ΔMP and ΔP/F. The 28-day Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed the occurrence of 19 deaths, and the overall survival rate was 63.46%. The survival rate was 53.12% in the high-MP (HMP) group and 80.95 in the low-MP (LMP) group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, deep sedation significantly reduced MP in patients with moderate to severe ARDS, thereby reducing the occurrence of VILI. In addition, MP monitoring in deep sedation predicted the 28-day survival of patients with moderate to severe ARDS.

Utility of Plasma GDF-15 for Diagnosis and Prognosis Assessment of ICU-Acquired Weakness in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: Prospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the clinical correlations between plasma growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), skeletal muscle function, and acute muscle wasting in ICU patients with mechanical ventilation. In addition, to investigate its diagnostic value for ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) and its predictive value for 90-day survival in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: 95 patients with acute respiratory failure, who required mechanical ventilation therapy, were randomly selected among hospitalized patients from June 2017 to January 2019. The plasma GDF-15 level was detected by ELISA, the rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFcsa) was measured by ultrasound, and the patient's muscle strength was assessed using the British Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle strength score on day 1, day 4, and day 7. Patients were divided into an ICU-AW group and a non-ICU-AW group according to their MRC-score on the 7th day. The differences in plasma GDF-15 level, MRC-score, and RFcsa between the two groups were compared on the 1st, 4th, and 7th day after being admitted to the ICU. Then, the correlations between plasma GDF-15 level, RFcsa loss, and MRC-score on day 7 were investigated. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the plasma GDF-15 level, RFcsa loss, and % decrease in RFcsa on the 7th day to the diagnosis of ICU-AW in mechanically ventilated patients. Moreover, the predictive value of GDF-15 on the 90-day survival status of patients was assessed using patient survival curves. RESULTS: Based on whether the 7th day MRC-score was <48, 50 cases were included in the ICU-AW group and 45 cases in the non-ICU-AW group. The length of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and hospital length of stay were significantly longer in the ICU-AW group than in the non-ICU-AW group (all P < 0.05), while the other baseline indicators were not statistically significant between the two groups. As the treatment time increased, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly increased, the ICU-AW group demonstrated a significant decreasing trend in the MRC-score and RFcsa, while no significant changes were found in the non-ICU-AW group. In the ICU-AW group, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly higher than that in the non-ICU-AW group, while the RFcsa and the MRC-score were significantly lower than those in the non-ICU-AW group (GDF-15 (pg/ml): 2542.44 ± 629.38 vs. 1542.86 ± 502.86; RFcsa (cm2): 2.04 ± 0.64 vs. 2.34 ± 0.61; MRC-score: 41.22 ± 3.42 vs. 51.42 ± 2.72, all P < 0.05), while the other baseline indicators were not statistically significant between the two groups. As the treatment time increased, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly increased, the ICU-AW group demonstrated a significant decreasing trend in the MRC-score and RFcsa, while no significant changes were found in the non-ICU-AW group. In the ICU-AW group, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly higher than that in the non-ICU-AW group, while the RFcsa and the MRC-score were significantly lower than those in the non-ICU-AW group (GDF-15 (pg/ml): 2542.44 ± 629.38 vs. 1542.86 ± 502.86; RFcsa (cm2): 2.04 ± 0.64 vs. 2.34 ± 0.61; MRC-score: 41.22 ± 3.42 vs. 51.42 ± 2.72, all r = -0.60), while it was significantly positively correlated with the RFcsa loss (r = -0.60), while it was significantly positively correlated with the RFcsa loss (r = -0.60), while it was significantly positively correlated with the RFcsa loss (r = -0.60), while it was significantly positively correlated with the RFcsa loss (P < 0.05), while the other baseline indicators were not statistically significant between the two groups. As the treatment time increased, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly increased, the ICU-AW group demonstrated a significant decreasing trend in the MRC-score and RFcsa, while no significant changes were found in the non-ICU-AW group. In the ICU-AW group, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly higher than that in the non-ICU-AW group, while the RFcsa and the MRC-score were significantly lower than those in the non-ICU-AW group (GDF-15 (pg/ml): 2542.44 ± 629.38 vs. 1542.86 ± 502.86; RFcsa (cm2): 2.04 ± 0.64 vs. 2.34 ± 0.61; MRC-score: 41.22 ± 3.42 vs. 51.42 ± 2.72, all P < 0.05), while the other baseline indicators were not statistically significant between the two groups. As the treatment time increased, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly increased, the ICU-AW group demonstrated a significant decreasing trend in the MRC-score and RFcsa, while no significant changes were found in the non-ICU-AW group. In the ICU-AW group, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly higher than that in the non-ICU-AW group, while the RFcsa and the MRC-score were significantly lower than those in the non-ICU-AW group (GDF-15 (pg/ml): 2542.44 ± 629.38 vs. 1542.86 ± 502.86; RFcsa (cm2): 2.04 ± 0.64 vs. 2.34 ± 0.61; MRC-score: 41.22 ± 3.42 vs. 51.42 ± 2.72, all P < 0.05), while the other baseline indicators were not statistically significant between the two groups. As the treatment time increased, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly increased, the ICU-AW group demonstrated a significant decreasing trend in the MRC-score and RFcsa, while no significant changes were found in the non-ICU-AW group. In the ICU-AW group, the plasma GDF-15 level was significantly higher than that in the non-ICU-AW group, while the RFcsa and the MRC-score were significantly lower than those in the non-ICU-AW group (GDF-15 (pg/ml): 2542.44 ± 629.38 vs. 1542.86 ± 502.86; RFcsa (cm2): 2.04 ± 0.64 vs. 2.34 ± 0.61; MRC-score: 41.22 ± 3.42 vs. 51.42 ± 2.72, all. CONCLUSION: The plasma GDF-15 concentration level was significantly associated with skeletal muscle function and muscle wasting on day 7 in ICU patients with mechanical ventilation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the plasma GDF-15 level on the 7th day has a high diagnostic yield for ICU-acquired muscle weakness, and it can predict the 90-day survival status of ICU mechanically ventilated patients.

[Effect of preoxygenation and apnoeic oxygenation during intubation in the critically ill patients: a network Meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To systematic review the effect of preoxygenation (PreOx) and apnoeic oxygenation (ApOx) during intubation in the critically ill patients by network Meta-analysis. METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI and Wanfang Data were searched by computer to collect randomized controlled trials (RCT) of PreOx and ApOx techniques in the intensive care unit (ICU) from inception to January 30th, 2019. PreOx techniques (p) included nasal cannula (NC), high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), bag valve mask (BVM), bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), non-rebreather mask (NRM) and non-invasive ventilation (NIV), etc.; ApOx technique (a) referred to HFNC. Experimental group strategy was PreOx combined with ApOx, and control group strategy was PreOx alone. The outcomes were as follows: the lowest value of pulse oximetry (SpO2) during the intubation procedure, the incidence of severe desaturations (SpO2< 0.80), and severe intubation-related complications [including SpO2< 0.80, systolic blood pressure < 80 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), vasopressor 30% dose increment, cardiac arrest and death]. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Statistic analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software, Stata 15.1 software and WinBUGS 1.4.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 7 RCTs involving 796 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the lowest SpO2 in the experimental group was significantly increased [mean difference (MD) = 1.42, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.60 to 2.25, P = 0.000 7], the incidence of severe complications was significantly decreased [odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95%CI was 0.32 to 0.92, P = 0.02], but the incidence of SpO2 < 0.80 did not improve significantly (OR = 0.65, 95%CI was 0.40 to 1.05, P = 0.08). The network Meta-analysis showed that, compared with non-pressure mask (NPM)p, (HFNC+NIV)p+HFNCa (OR = 51.20, 95%CI was 2.06 to 3 518.68) and NIVp (OR = 5.80, 95%CI was 1.25 to 34.70) had a significant reduction in the incidence of SpO2 < 0.80 (both P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of severe complications during intubation among (HFNC+NIV)p+HFNCa, HFNCp+HFNCa, NIVp and NPMp. The occurrence rate of SpO2 < 0.80 and severe complications using different oxygenation techniques decreased sequentially in NPMp, HFNCp+HFNCa, NIVp and (HFNC+NIV)p+HFNCa. CONCLUSIONS: (HFNC+NIV)p+HFNCa should be of a priority choice for critically ill patients during intubation.

Surface Defect Dynamics in Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskites: From Mechanism to Interfacial Properties.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites (OHPs) have garnered much attention among the photovoltaic and light-emitting diode research community due to their excellent optoelectronic properties and low-cost fabrication. Defects in perovskites have been proposed to affect device efficiency and stability and to have a potential role in enabling ion migration. In this study, the dynamic behavior and electronic properties of intrinsic defects in CH3NH3PbBr3 (MAPbBr3) were explored at the atomic scale. We use scanning tunneling microscopy to show unambiguously the occurrence of vacancy-assisted transport of individual ions as well as the existence of vacancy defect clusters at the OHP surface. We combine these observations with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to identify the mechanisms for this ion motion and show that ion transport energy barriers, as well as transport mechanisms, at the surface depend on crystal direction. DFT calculations also reveal that vacancy defect clusters can significantly modify the local work function of the perovskite surface, which is then expected to alter interfacial charge transport in a device. Our work provides a microscopic insight into the mechanism of ion migration in OHPs and also delivers the useful information for device improvement from the perspective of interface engineering.

Identification of DDX58 and CXCL10 as Potential Biomarkers in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating condition of acute inflammatory lung injury and causes high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, investigations on the effective biomarkers will be significant for the understanding of ARDS. In our research, the gene expression profiles of 27 samples from ARDS patients (n = 18) and healthy controls (n = 9) were analyzed and eight gene co-expression modules were identified by constructing weighted gene co-expression network. The correlation analysis of modules with phenotypes showed that genes in the yellow and black modules, which were significantly enriched in the ARDS-related pathways, such as TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and NF-kappa B signaling pathway, were associated with the phenotype "time postinfection." Genes DDX58 and CXCL10, which were highly expressed after infection and significantly enriched in ARDS-related pathways, presented high score in protein-protein interaction analysis, indicating that they may be associated with ARDS and providing novel biomarkers for its diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance.

Survival after cardiac arrest secondary to high-risk pulmonary embolism without reperfusion therapies: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) needs reperfusion therapies. However, it is difficult to make medical decisions when thrombolysis is contraindicated, though pulmonary embolectomy and percutaneous catheter-directed treatment (CTD) are recommended for these patients. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported here a case of high-risk PE patient with cardiac arrest (CA), vertebral compression fracture, as well as scalp and frontal hematoma. DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis of PE was based on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) which demonstrated filling defects in the right and left pulmonary arteries. INTERVENTIONS: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed until the patient returned to idioventricular rhythm 3 minutes after admitted. She suffered another half-hour of hemodynamic disturbance after her shock improved 3 days later. The diagnosis of PE was confirmed by CTPA at that time. The patient did not receive any reperfusion therapies because hemoglobin decreased significantly. Moreover, anticoagulation was postponed for 2 weeks when bleeding appeared to be stopped. She received overlapping treatment with low molecular weight heparin and warfarin for 5 days then warfarin alone and discharged. OUTCOMES: She was discharged with normal vital signs and neurologically intact. She received anticoagulant therapy with warfarin and international normalized ratio regularly monitored after she was discharged, moreover, the pulmonary artery pressure turned normal, as determined by transthoracic echocardiography 1 month later. The warfarin treatment was discontinued after 12 months and no evidence of recurrence was seen until recently. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case report of PE combined with CA that did not receive reperfusion therapy. We hypothesized that there was a spontaneous resolution in pulmonary emboli.

Correlation analysis between mechanical power, transforming growth factor-ß1, and connective tissue growth factor levels in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients and their clinical significance in pulmonary structural remodeling.

BACKGROUND: To identify the clinical correlations between mechanical power and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients, their clinical significance in pulmonary structural remodeling in ARDS patients was investigated. METHODS: Ninety-five patients with moderate or severe ARDS, who required mechanical ventilation therapy, were randomly selected among hospitalized patients from January 2017 to February 2019. Their mechanical power was monitored and recorded, the TGF-ß1 and CTGF levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), their relevance was analyzed, and the relationship between mechanical power and 28-day survival rate was investigated. According to the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examination, the patients were divided into an ARDS group and an ARDS pulmonary fibrosis (ARDS-PF) group. The differences in mechanical power, TGF-ß1, and CTGF between the 2 groups were compared, and the significance of TGF-ß1 and CTGF in the diagnosis of ARDS pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were evaluated. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation between mechanical power and serum TGF-ß1 and CTGF in patients with ARDS was found and the correlation coefficients were 0.424 and 0.581, respectively. The difference between mechanical power and 28-day survival rate was statistically significant (P < .05), while the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of TGF-ß1 and CTGF for the diagnosis of ARDS pulmonary fibrosis was 0.838 and 0.884, respectively (P < .05). CONCLUSION: A significant correlation between mechanical power and serum fibrosis biomarkers TGF-ß1 and CTGF in ARDS patients was found, and its level was related to the survival prognosis of patients. Mechanical power, TGF-ß1, and CTGF were clinically evaluated for the assessment of lung structural remodeling, such as ARDS pulmonary fibrosis. This study has particular significance to the early prevention of ventilator-induced lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis in patients with ARDS receiving mechanical ventilation.

[Correlation analysis between mechanical power and lung ultrasound score and their evaluation of prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical correlations between mechanical power (MP) and lung ultrasound score (LUS), and analyze their evaluation value of prognosis in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe ARDS, who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the Lianyungang Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2017 to March 2019 were enrolled. The MP and LUS were recorded 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours after ICU admission. The patients were divided into death group and survival group according to the 28-day prognosis. The trends of MP and LUS in the two groups and their differences between groups were analyzed. Then the MP and LUS were analyzed by bivariate correlation analysis, and their correlations with acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2), and blood lactate (Lac) were also analyzed. The predictive value of MP and LUS 0 hour and 72 hours in ICU for 28-day mortality in patients with moderate to severe ARDS was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: At the end, 83 patients were enrolled, with 32 died and 51 survived in 28-day. The Lac level, APACHE II and SOFA in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group, while PaO2/FiO2 was significantly lower than the survival group, and the other baseline indicators were not statistically significant between the two groups. As the treatment time increased, the MP and LUS of the survival group showed a significant decrease trend, while the death group showed a significant upward trend. The MP and LUS of the death group 0, 24, 48, 72 hours after ICU admission were significantly higher than those of the survival group [MP (J/min): 20.97±3.34 vs. 17.20±4.71, 21.56±3.48 vs. 16.87±3.85, 22.72±2.97 vs. 16.13±3.52, 25.81±3.46 vs. 15.24±3.78; LUS: 19.17±3.31 vs. 16.27±4.28, 20.28±3.65 vs. 15.27±3.23, 21.53±4.32 vs. 13.63±3.71, 23.94±3.82 vs. 12.53±2.94, all P < 0.05]. There was a significant positive correlation between MP and LUS 0, 24, 48, 72 hours after ICU admission (r value was 0.547, 0.577, 0.754, and 0.783, respectively, all P < 0.01). The MP and LUS at 0 hour of ICU admission were significantly positively correlated with SOFA and PaO2/FiO2 (r value was 0.421, 0.450, and 0.409, 0.536, respectively, all P < 0.01), but no correlation with Lac and APACHE II was found. The ROC curve analysis showed that the MP and LUS at 0 hour and 72 hours had predictive value for the 28-day mortality [the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of MP was 0.836, 0.867; and the AUC of LUS was 0.820, 0.891, all P < 0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between MP and LUS in patients with moderate to severe ARDS. The MP and LUS could be used early to evaluate the 28-day prognosis of patients with moderate to severe ARDS.

[Effects of interposed abdominal pulling-pressing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in patients with cardiac arrest].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of interposed abdominal pulling-pressing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (IAPP-CPR) and standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (S-CPR) on hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism in patients with cardiac arrest, and to evaluate the treatment effect of IAPP-CPR. METHODS: The patients with cardiac arrest, cardiac arrest time less than 30 minutes, and with S-CPR indications admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang from January 2017 to January 2019 were enrolled. The patients were divided into IAPP-CPR group and S-CPR group according to whether the patients had IAPP-CPR indication or not. The patients in the S-CPR group were operated according to the 2015 American Heart Association (AHA) CPR guidelines; and the patients in the IAPP-CPR group received the IAPP-CPR on the basis of the S-CRP. During the relaxation period, the patients were subjected to abdominal lifting and compressing with amplitude of 4-5 cm, frequency of 100-120 times/min, and the time ratio of lifting to compressing was 1:1. Hemodynamic changes during resuscitation were recorded in the two groups. Hemodynamics, oxygen metabolism, arterial blood gas analysis and prognostic indicators were recorded at 30 minutes after successful resuscitation. RESULTS: During the study period, 77 patients were selected, 24 patients were excluded from giving up treatment and quitting, 53 patients were enrolled in the analysis finally, with 28 patients in the S-CPR group and 25 in the IAPP-CPR group. (1) The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) showed an upward trend during resuscitation, and a more significant increase was shown in the IAPP-CPR group. (2) Hemodynamics after successful resuscitation: there were 16 patients with successful resuscitation in the IAPP-CPR group and 13 in the S-CPR group. The MAP, CPP, global ejection fraction (GEF) and stroke volume (SV) of patients with successful resuscitation at 30 minutes after resuscitation in the IAPP-CPR group were significantly higher than those in the S-CPR group [MAP mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 52.88±3.11 vs. 39.39±4.62, CPP (mmHg): 36.56±6.89 vs. 29.61±6.92, GEF: 0.217±0.036 vs. 0.178±0.027, SV (mL): 38.43±5.25 vs. 32.92±8.28, all P < 0.05], but there was no significant difference in central venous pressure (CVP) or HR between the two groups. (3) Oxygen metabolism after successful resuscitation: the cardiac output (CO), arterial oxygen content (CaO2), oxygen transport (DO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) of patients with successful resuscitation at 30 minutes after resuscitation in the IAPP-CPR group were significantly higher than those in the S-CPR group [CO (L/min): 2.23±0.38 vs. 1.99±0.29, CaO2 (mL/L): 158.0±11.8 vs. 141.4±8.2, DO2 (mL/L): 245.8±29.9 vs. 209.1±28.0, VO2 (mL/L): 138.2±24.9 vs. 112.8±18.1, all P < 0.05]. (4) Arterial blood gas after successful resuscitation: the values of the pH, arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) of patients with successful resuscitation at 30 minutes after resuscitation in the IAPP-CPR were significantly higher than those in the S-CPR group [pH value: 7.13±0.22 vs. 7.00±0.23, PaO2 (mmHg): 73.68±13.80 vs. 65.32±15.32, PaCO2 (mmHg): 36.24±11.77 vs. 29.12±7.82, PaO2/FiO2 (mmHg): 73.68±13.80 vs. 65.32±15.32, ScvO2: 0.628±0.074 vs. 0.589±0.066, all P < 0.05], and the blood lactic acid (Lac) level was significantly lower than that in the S-CPR group (mmoL/L: 9.80±4.28 vs. 12.18±3.63, P < 0.05). (5) The patients in the IAPP-CPR group had a shorter time for cardiac arrest to restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) than that in the S-CPR group (minutes: 10.63±2.94 vs. 14.54±3.84, P < 0.01), and the rate of ROSC, CPR successful rate and 28-day survival rate were significantly higher than those in the S-CPR group [64.0% (16/25) vs. 46.4% (13/28), 60.0% (15/25) vs. 28.6% (8/28), 52.0% (13/25) vs. 21.4% (6/28), all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in incidence of rib fracture between the IAPP-CPR and S-CPR groups [92.0% (23/25) vs. 89.3% (25/28), P > 0.05], and no abdominal bleeding was found in both group. CONCLUSIONS: IAPP-CPR can produce better hemodynamic effect during and after resuscitation than S-CPR, and oxygen metabolism and arterial blood gas analysis parameters at 30 minutes after resuscitation were better than S-CPR, with higher ROSC rate, CPR successful rate and 28-day survival rate, and no significant difference in complications between the two resuscitation methods.

[Significance of peripheral perfusion index in early diagnosis and goal-directed therapy of septic shock patients: a prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of peripheral perfusion index (PPI) in early diagnosis and goal-directed therapy of septic shock, and to provide reference for the early clinical diagnosis and treatment of septic shock. METHODS: A prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. Adult patients with sepsis admitted to emergency medical department and intensive care unit (ICU) of the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang City in Jiangsu Province from January 2013 to December 2016 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 46). The PPI group was defined using PPI < 1.4 as diagnosis of septic shock standard, and PPI > 2 as treatment guide target. Control group was defined according to the traditional diagnostic criteria of shock which systolic blood pressure was less than 90 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) or systolic blood pressure value decrease > 40 mmHg baseline and bundle treatment was performed. The volume of fluid resuscitation, organ dysfunction, the sequential organ failure score (SOFA), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) time, mechanical ventilation (MV) time, the length of ICU stay and 28-day mortality were observed. RESULTS: There were 39 and 27 septic shock patients in PPI group and control group respectively. The diagnostic criteria of traditional septic shock with blood pressure as "gold standard", the sensitivity of PPI < 1.4 for septic shock was 94.3%, the specificity was 28.2%, the authenticity was 66.3%, the positive predictive value was 64.1%, the negative predictive value was 78.6%, the positive likelihood ratio was 1.31, the negative likelihood ratio was 0.18. The per capita fluid replacement within 24 hours in the PPI group was significantly higher than that in the control group (mL: 4 601±1 250 vs. 3 458±1 006, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference in the per capita volume of the patients diagnosed as septic shock (mL: 4 596±1 320 vs. 4 205±1 058, P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the PPI group treated patients within 48 hours with less vascular active drugs (cases: 6 vs. 15), APACHE II and SOFA score were lower (48 hours: APACHE II was 10.2±2.1 vs. 12.0±3.2; 72 hours: SOFA was 5.1±1.8 vs. 6.0±2.1, APACHE II was 8.9±1.8 vs. 9.8±2.2), the period of CRRT and the length of ICU stay were shorter [the period of CRRT (days): 3.0±0.9 vs. 3.6±1.4, the length of ICU stay (days): 5.2±2.1 vs. 6.3±2.9), the difference was statistically significant (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the liver and kidney function index, arterial blood lactic acid (Lac), MV time (days: 3.3±1.4 vs. 3.5±1.2) and 28-day mortality (15.22% vs. 19.57%) between two groups (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The inadequacy of microcirculatory perfusion by oximetry-derived PPI is more sensitive to the diagnosis of septic shock than hypotension of systemic circulation. With PPI guiding the fluid resuscitation of septic shock patients, vasopressors can be withdrawn earlier and the duration of the CRRT and ICU can be decreased.

Optimized electrospinning synthesis of iron-nitrogen-carbon nanofibers for high electrocatalysis of oxygen reduction in alkaline medium.

To achieve iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) nanofibers with excellent electrocatalysis for replacing high-cost Pt-based catalysts in the cathodes of fuel cells and metal-air batteries, we have investigated and evaluated the effects of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) concentration and the proportion of iron to PAN, along with voltage and flow rate during the electrospinning process, and thus proposed three criteria to optimize these parameters for ideal nanofiber catalysts. The best half-wave potential of an optimized catalysts is 0.82 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in an alkaline medium, which reaches the best range of the non-precious-metal catalysts reported and is very close to that of commercial Pt/C catalysts. Furthermore, the electron-transfer number of our catalysts is superior to that of the Pt/C, indicating the catalysts undergo a four-electron process. The durability of the optimized Fe-N-C nanofibers is also better than that of the Pt/C, which is attributed to the homogeneous distribution of the active sites in our catalysts.

Correlation between oxygen adsorption energy and electronic structure of transition metal macrocyclic complexes.

Oxygen adsorption energy is directly relevant to the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, we established the correlation between the O2 adsorption energy and the electronic structure of transition metal macrocyclic complexes which exhibit activity for ORR. To this end, we have predicted the molecular and electronic structures of a series of transition metal macrocyclic complexes with planar N4 chelation, as well as the molecular and electronic structures for the O2 adsorption on these macrocyclic molecules, using the density functional theory calculation method. We found that the calculated adsorption energy of O2 on the transition metal macrocyclic complexes was linearly related to the average position (relative to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the macrocyclic complexes) of the non-bonding d orbitals (d(z(2)), d(xy), d(xz), and d(yz)) which belong to the central transition metal atom. Importantly, our results suggest that varying the energy level of the non-bonding d orbitals through changing the central transition metal atom and/or peripheral ligand groups could be an effective way to tuning their O2 adsorption energy for enhancing the ORR activity of transition metal macrocyclic complex catalysts.