High quantum efficiency of hydrogen production from methanol aqueous solution with PtCu-TiO2 photocatalysts.

Methanol with 12.5 wt% H2 content is widely considered a liquid hydrogen medium. Taking into account water with 11.1 wt% H2 content, H2 synthesis from the mixture of water and methanol is a promising method for on-demand hydrogen production. We demonstrate an atomic-level catalyst design strategy using the synergy between single atoms and nanodots for H2 production. The PtCu-TiO2 sandwich photocatalyst achieves a remarkable H2 formation rate (2,383.9 µmol h-1) with a high apparent quantum efficiency (99.2%). Furthermore, the oxidation product is a high-value chemical formaldehyde with 98.6% selectivity instead of CO2, leading to a nearly zero-carbon-emission process. Detailed investigations indicate a dual role of the copper atoms: an electron acceptor to facilitate photoelectron transfer to Pt, and a hole acceptor for the selective oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde, thus avoiding over-oxidation to CO2. The synergy between Pt nanodots and Cu single atoms together reduces the activation energy of this process to 13.2 kJ mol-1.

Effect of extracorporeal shock wave combined with autologous platelet-rich plasma injection on rotator cuff calcific tendinitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (RCCT) is a common shoulder disease whose main symptoms include shoulder pain, limited mobility, and calcification deposits in the shoulder. Traditional treatment methods have certain limitations, so finding new treatment methods has become the focus of research. Extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments have attracted much attention due to their non-invasive and tissue repair-promoting properties; however, the efficacy of their combined treatment in RCCT remains unclear. METHODS: This study is designed as a single-center, assessment-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial with three parallel groups. Sixty subjects will be recruited and randomly divided into the ESW group, PRP group, and ESW combined with PRP group, in a 1:1:1 ratio. The entire intervention period is 4 weeks, and the follow-up period is 4 weeks. Outcomes will be measured at baseline (T0), after 1 week of intervention (T1), after 2 weeks of intervention (T2), after 4 weeks of intervention (T3), and after an additional 4 weeks of follow-up period (T4). The primary endpoint is the VAS score. Secondary endpoints are ASES, CMS, UCLA, and the location and size of calcified areas. DISCUSSION: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ESW therapy combined with PRP in treating RCCT. We compare the effects of single and combined treatments to explore their impact on disease symptoms, functional improvement, and calcification regression. This provides a scientific basis for identifying more effective treatment options. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06372600. Registered on April 17, 2024; version 1.

Portal vein computed tomography imaging characteristics and their relationship with bleeding risk in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing interventional therapy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the predictive value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. A total of 62 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension and 28 healthy individuals were included. The results showed that multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging had a significant predictive value for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension. The vascular area, number of vascular cross-sections, and gastric coronary vein diameter (GCVD) showed high predictive values, with the vascular area having the best predictive value. AIM: To investigate the predictive accuracy of multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging for upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. METHODS: This study included 62 patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension (disease group) and 28 healthy individuals (control group). The disease group was further divided into two subgroups: Group A (n = 27, bleeding) and group B (n = 35, no bleeding). All patients underwent multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging at our hospital, and we compared various parameters such as liver blood flow, vein size, number of blood vessels, and blood vessel area between the two groups. We employed statistical analysis to identify factors associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and created a graph comparing the predictive value of different factors for bleeding. RESULTS: We found no difference in hepatic artery (HAP) levels among the three groups (all P > 0.05). The portal vein levels in groups A and B were much lower than in the control group; group A was much lower than group B (all P < 0.05). The HAP perfusion index levels in groups A and B were much higher than in the control group; group A was much higher than group B (all P < 0.05). The portal vein diameter, splenic vein diameter, and GCVD levels in groups A and B were much higher than in the control group; those in group A were much higher than those in group B (all P < 0.05). The number of blood vessels and blood vessel area in groups A and B were much higher than in the control group; those in group A were much higher than those in group B (all P < 0.05). The statistical method showed a strong link between GCVD, number of blood vessels, blood vessel area, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (odds ratio = 1.275, 1.346, 1.397, P < 0.05). The graph showed that GCVD, number of blood vessels, and blood vessel area could predict bleeding well, with blood vessel area having the best prediction power. CONCLUSION: That multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging can predict upper gastrointestinal bleeding well in patients with cirrhosis and high blood pressure in the portal vein. GCVD, number of blood vessels, and blood vessel area had high prediction power. The blood vessel area had the best prediction power, with an area under the curve of 0.831.

Characterization of the immune responses elicited by baculovirus-based vector vaccines against influenza virus hemagglutinin.

AIM: To compare the specific immune responses elicited by different baculovirus vectors in immunized mice. METHODS: We constructed and characterized two recombinant baculoviruses carrying the expression cassette for the H5N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) gene driven by either an insect cell promoter (vAc-HA) or a dual-promoter active both in insect and mammalian cells (vAc-HA-DUAL). Virus without the HA gene (vAc-EGFP) was used as a control. These viruses were used to immunize mice subcutaneously and intraperitoneally. The production of total and specific antibodies was determined by ELISA and competitive ELISA. Cytokine production by the spleen cells of immunized mice was studied using the ELISPOT assay. RESULTS: Both the vAc-HA and vAc-HA-DUAL vectors expressed HA proteins in insect Sf9 cells, and HA antigen was present in progeny virions. The vAc-HA-DUAL vector also mediated HA expression in virus-transduced mammalian cell lines (BHK and A547). Both vAc-HA and vAc-HA-DUAL exhibited higher transduction efficiencies than vAc-EGFP in mammalian cells, as shown by the expression of the reporter gene egfp. Additionally, both vAc-HA and vAc-HA-DUAL induced high levels of HA-specific antibody production in immunized mice; vAc-HA-DUAL was more efficient in inducing IFN-γ and IL-2 upon stimulation with specific antigen, whereas vAc-HA was more efficient in inducing IL-4 and IL-6. CONCLUSION: Baculovirus vectors elicited efficient, specific immune responses in immunized mice. The vector displaying the HA antigen on the virion surface (vAc-HA) elicited a Th2-biased immune response, whereas the vector displaying HA and mediating HA expression in the cell (vAc-HA-DUAL) elicited a Th1-biased immune response.

[Glutathione S-transferase M1, T1 genotypes and the risk of mountain sickness].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, T1 and susceptibility to mountain sickness. METHODS: Forty-three soldiers with acute mountain sickness and 80 healthy soldiers matching with sex/age and training under the same condition were divided into case group and control group. A multiple polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood cells from both cases and controls. RESULTS: The frequency of the GSTT1 positive genotype was significantly higher in cases (69.8%) than in controls (42.5%) (P = 0.004, OR = 3.12, 95% CI 1.42 approximately 6.86). The frequency of GSTM1 negative genotype was also higher in cases (72.1%) than in controls (52.5%) (P = 0.03, OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.05 approximately 5.02). Persons with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 negative genotypes had 5-fold more risk than those with GSTT1 negative and GSTM1 positive genotypes in developing mountain sickness (OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 1.00 approximately 25.3). CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase M1, T1 may be the risk factors in the development of mountain sickness.