Characterizing core-shell nanostructures through photoacoustic response based on theoretical model in the frequency domain.

Core-shell nanostructures are widely used, and their photoacoustic (PA) properties are important for applications. However, the relations between their structural parameters and the properties of the PA spectrum are indirect because most theoretical models have been reported for them in the time domain. In this study, we develop a complete model in the frequency domain to analyze the PA response of core-shell particles. As in the case of solid spheres, the core-shell particles have pronounced resonant modes. The PA mode varies with the thickness of the shell and the radius of the core. Under single-pulse irradiation, PA signals of gold-silica nanospheres obtained by our theory agreed with those of the theory in the time domain and experiments. Under multi-pulse irradiation, the magnitude of the PA signals peaked whether the repeated excitation itself or its harmonic was equal to the PA mode. The structure could thus be monitored by the PA signals. These findings enrich PA theory and may inspire new techniques for the noninvasive characterization of nanoparticles.

[(3aS,5aR,8aR,8bS)-2,2,7,7-Tetra-methyl-tetra-hydro-3aH-bis-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-b:4',5'-d]pyran-3a-yl]methyl (R)-N-(1-phenyl-eth-yl)sulfamate.

In the title compound, C(20)H(29)NO(8)S, the two five-membered rings adopt envelope conformations (with an O atom at the flap in each case), while the six-membered pyran ring displays a twist-boat conformation. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a supra-molecular chain running along the a axis.

Iron chelators reverse organ damage in type 4B hereditary hemochromatosis: Case reports.

RATIONALE: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a hereditary disorder of iron metabolism. It is classified into 4 main types depending on the underlying genetic mutation: human hemochromatosis protein (HFE) (type 1), hemojuvelin (HJV) (type 2A), HAMP (type 2B), transferrin receptor-2 (TFER2) (type 3), and ferroportin (type 4). Type 4 HH is divided into 2 subtypes according to different mutations: type 4A (classical ferroportin disease) and type 4B (non-classical ferroportin disease). Type 4B HH is a rare autosomal dominant disease that results from mutations in the Solute Carrier Family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1) gene, which encodes the iron transport protein ferroportin. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here we report 2 elderly Chinese Han men, who were brothers, presented with liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, skin hyperpigmentation, hyperferritinaemia as well as high transferrin saturation. DIAGNOSIS: Subsequent genetic analyses identified a heterozygous mutation (p. Cys326Tyr) in the SLC40A1 gene in both patients. INTERVENTIONS: We treated the patient with iron chelator and followed up for 3 years. OUTCOMES: Iron chelator helped to reduce the serum ferritin and improve the condition of target organs, including skin, pancreas, liver as well as pituitary. LESSONS: Type 4B HH is rare but usually tends to cause multiple organ dysfunction and even death. For those patients who have difficulty tolerating phlebotomy, iron chelator might be a good alternative.

Graphene oxide and ABA cotreatment regulates root growth of Brassica napus L. by regulating IAA/ABA.

Previous studies have proven that graphene oxide (GO) regulates abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) contents and modulates plant root growth. To better understand the mechanism of plant growth and development regulated by GO and crosstalk between ABA and GO, Zhongshuang No. 9 seedlings were treated with GO and ABA. The results indicated that GO and ABA significantly affected the morphological properties and endogenous phytohormone contents in seedlings, and there was significant crosstalk between GO and ABA. ABA treatments combined with GO led to a rapid decrease in triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) reduction intensity, and the inhibitory effect was enhanced with increasing ABA concentration. The treatments significantly affected the transcriptional levels of some key genes involved in the ABA, IAA, cytokinin (CTK), salicylic acid (SA), and ethane (ETH) pathways and increased the ABA and gibberellin (GA) contents in rapeseed seedlings. The effects of the treatments on the IAA and CTK contents were complex, but, importantly, the treatments suppressed root elongation. Correlation analysis also indicated that the relationship between root length and IAA/ABA could be described by a polynomial function: y = 88.11x2 - 25.15x + 4.813(R²â€¯= 0.912). The treatments increased the ACS2 transcript abundance for ETH biosynthesis and the ICS1 transcriptional level of the key genes involved in salicylic acid (SA) biosynthesis, as well as the downstream signaling genes CBP60 and SARD1. This finding indicated that ABA is an important factor regulating the effects of GO on the growth and development of Brassica napus L., and that ETH and SA pathways may be potential pathways involved in the response of rape seedlings to GO treatment.

Endoscopic therapy for patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction: a follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Data on the experience of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the management of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is limited. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with PBM who underwent therapeutic ERCP at our endoscopy center between January 2008 and January 2016 was performed. Demographic, clinical, radiological and endoscopic data was documented. Patients who underwent sphincterotomy were divided into dilated group and undilated group based on their common channel diameter. RESULTS: Sixty-three PBM patients underwent 74 ERCP procedures. The technical success rate was 97.3%. ERCP therapy significantly decreased the levels of elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. After an average of 27 months follow-up, 7 patients (11.1%) were lost. The overall effective rate of ERCP therapy was 60.7% (34/56). Decline in severity and frequency of abdominal pain was significant. Procedure-related complications were observed in 5 (6.8%) cases. Between the dilated group and undilated group, no significant difference was observed in effective rate, adverse events and follow-up results. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP can serve as a transitional step to stabilize PBM patients before definitive surgery. PBM patients with undilated common channel could benefit from sphincterotomy as well as those with dilated common channel.

Validation study of REM sleep behavior disorder questionnaire-Hong Kong (RBDQ-HK) in east China.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) Questionnaire-Hong Kong (RBDQ-HK) in polysomnography (PSG)-confirmed RBD and non-RBD subjects, and to evaluate its usefulness in different clinical populations. METHODS: In total, 325 subjects (115 RBD and 210 controls) from East China were enrolled. After patients had finished the structured interview, and completed the RBDQ-HK and video-PSG test, we evaluated the reliability of RBDQ-HK (areas under the curves (AUC), the best cut-off values, factor 2 of RBDQ-HK, and overall scale) and validated the usefulness of RBDQ-HK between the Parkinson disease (PD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) groups. RESULTS: The best cut-off values for factor 2 of RBDQ-HK were located at 7/8 with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 82% (AUC=0.911), and for RBDQ-HK overall scale were located at 17 with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 81% (AUC=0.892) in all subjects. Both factor 2 and overall scale of RBDQ-HK are valid in all subjects (PD and OSA patients), with a higher accuracy given by factor 2 of RBDQ-HK. CONCLUSIONS: RBDQ-HK and its factor 2 are useful and validated RBD screening instruments, and could be used as a tool for screening RBD in patients with PD and OSA.