From Supramolecular Organic Cages to Porous Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhancing Iodine Adsorption Capability by Fully Exposed Nitrogen-Rich Sites.

In order to overcome the limitations of supramolecular organic cages for their incomplete accessibility of active sites in the solid state and uneasy recyclability in liquid solution, herein a nitrogen-rich organic cage is rationally linked into framework systems and four isoreticular covalent organic frameworks (COFs), that is, Cage-TFB-COF, Cage-NTBA-COF, Cage-TFPB-COF, and Cage-TFPT-COF, are successfully synthesized. Structure determination reveals that they are all high-quality crystalline materials derived from the eclipsed packing of related isoreticular two-dimensional frameworks. Since the nitrogen-rich sites usually have a high affinity toward iodine species, iodine adsorption investigations are carried out and the results show that all of them display an enhancement in iodine adsorption capacities. Especially, Cage-NTBA-COF exhibits an iodine adsorption capacity of 304 wt%, 14-fold higher than the solid sample packed from the cage itself. The strong interactions between the nitrogen-rich sites and the adsorbed iodine species are revealed by spectral analyses. This work demonstrates that, utilizing the reticular chemistry strategy to extend the close-packed supramolecular organic cages into crystalline porous framework solids, their inherent properties can be greatly exploited for targeted applications.

Highly Enhancing CO2 Photoreduction by Metallization of an Imidazole-linked Robust Covalent Organic Framework.

Converting CO2 into value-added chemicals to solve the issues caused by carbon emission is promising but challenging. Herein, by embedding metal ions (Co2+ , Ni2+ , Cu2+ , and Zn2+ ) into an imidazole-linked robust photosensitive covalent organic framework (PyPor-COF), effective photocatalysts for CO2 conversion are rationally designed and constructed. Characterizations display that all of the metallized PyPor-COFs (M-PyPor-COFs) display remarkably high enhancement in their photochemical properties. Photocatalysis reactions reveal that the Co-metallized PyPor-COF (Co-PyPor-COF) achieves a CO production rate as high as up to 9645 µmol g-1 h-1 with a selectivity of 96.7% under light irradiation, which is more than 45 times higher than that of the metal-free PyPor-COF, while Ni-metallized PyPor-COF (Ni-PyPor-COF) can further tandem catalyze the generated CO to CH4 with a production rate of 463.2 µmol g-1 h-1 . Experimental analyses and theory calculations reveal that their remarkable performance enhancement on CO2 photoreduction should be attributed to the incorporated metal sites in the COF skeleton, which promotes the adsorption and activation of CO2 and the desorption of generated CO and even reduces the reaction energy barrier for the formation of different intermediates. This work demonstrates that by metallizing photoactive COFs, effective photocatalysts for CO2 conversion can be achieved.

Effects of Systematic Pregnancy Management on Labor, Maternal, and Infant Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

Objective: To investigate the effects of systematic pregnancy management on labor and maternal and infant outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus patients (GDM). Methods: From February 2020 to December 2021, 116 patients who were diagnosed with GDM at the first hospital of Hebei medical university were enrolled in this prospective study. According to the random number table, patients were divided into the control group (n = 58, routine nursing) and the intervention group (n = 58, systematic pregnancy management). Results: After treatment, the blood glucose levels of both groups decreased compared to that measured before treatment, and the blood glucose levels in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (P < .05). After treatment, the lipid profile cholesterol levels of both groups decreased compared to those measured before treatment. However, the lipid profile cholesterol levels were lower in the intervention group than those in the control group (P < .05). The first, second, and third stages of labor and total labor time in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The rate of natural delivery in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group, while the rate of cesarean section was lower than that in the control group (P < .05). Conclusion: Systematic pregnancy management can reduce the level of blood glucose and improve lipid metabolism in patients with GDM.

Effectiveness of multidisciplinary intervention for gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of multidisciplinary intervention for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: A total of 126 patients diagnosed with GDM from January 2020 to December 2021 in our hospital were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into the control group (conventional treatment) and the study group (adding multidisciplinary intervention). Glucose index, self-management ability, psychological status, and delivery outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Fasting plasma glucose (4.32 ± 0.81 mmol/L), glycosylated hemoglobin (5.47 ± 1.09%), and postprandial blood glucose (6.02 ± 1.47 mmol/L) after intervention in study group were significantly lower than those in control group (p < 0.05), as well as those before intervention (p < 0.05). The score of GDM knowledge (38.03 ± 2.76), self-management (38.93 ± 2.32), social support (17.84 ± 1.23), and belief (17.93 ± 1.09) were all significantly higher than those of control group (p < 0.05), as well as those before intervention (p < 0.05). Besides, anxiety (7.83 ± 1.59) and depression (10.29 ± 1.82) evaluation scores showed that emotional relief were significantly achieved after intervention in study group compared with control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, premature delivery, macrosomia, and neonatal hypoglycemia was also significantly improved after intervention in study group compared with control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary intervention can effectively control blood glucose levels, adjust self-management behavior, relieve psychological disorder, reduce complications, and improve delivery outcomes of GDM patients.

Facile construction of a highly proton-conductive matrix-mixed membrane based on a -SO3H functionalized polyamide.

Developing a facile strategy to construct low-cost and efficient proton-conductive electrolytes is pivotal in the practical application of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Herein, a polyamide with in-built -SO3H moieties, PA(PhSO3H)2, was synthesized via a simple one-pot polymeric acylation process. Investigations via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements revealed that the fabricated PA(PhSO3H)2 displays a proton conductivity of up to 5.54 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 353 K under 98% relative humidity (RH), which is more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of its -SO3H-free analogue PA(Ph)2 (2.38 × 10-4 S cm-1) under the same conditions. Therefore, after mixing with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) at different ratios, PA(PhSO3H)2-based matrix-mixed membranes were subsequently made and the analysis results revealed that the proton conductivity can reach up to 5.82 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 353 K and 98% RH when the weight ratio of PA(PhSO3H)2 : PAN is in 3 : 1 (labeled as PA(PhSO3H)2-PAN(3 : 1)), the value of which is comparable even to those of commercially available electrolytes that are used in PEM fuel cells. In addition, continuous testing shows that PA(PhSO3H)2-PAN(3 : 1) possesses long-life reusability. This work demonstrates that, utilizing the simple reaction of polymeric acylation with a sulfonated module as a precursor, highly effective proton-conductive membranes for PEM fuel cells can be achieved in a facile manner.

Endobiliary Ablation Combined with Immune Nutrition Improves Quality of Life: A Preliminary Clinical Study in Patients with Advanced Malignant Obstructive Jaundice.

BACKGROUND In patients with advanced malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ), it remains an intractable problem to maintain biliary patency, because repeated stent occlusion and poor immune condition can lead to serious infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endobiliary ablation combined with immune nutrition (IN) on advanced MOJ. MATERIAL AND METHODS A prospective randomized pilot study of patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for advanced MOJ was conducted. From January 2018 to December 2020, patients fulfilling eligibility criteria were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups: patients who received only PTBD and standard early enteral nutrition were defined as the control group, and those who underwent additional endobiliary ablation and early IN on basis of the standard therapy were defined as the study group. Primary outcome was assessment of the quality of life based on time to resuming normal daily activities, duration of stent patency, and the overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included time before relief of jaundice, hospital stay, inflammation responses, and related complications. RESULTS We included 59 patients: 28 in the study group and 31 in the study group. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the 2 groups. No statistically significant difference was found in time to resuming normal daily activities between the 2 groups. However, the study group presented statistically longer median duration of stent patency and survival time compared to the control group (stent patency 10.2 months vs 6.8 months, survival 9.6 months vs 7.1 months). The median time for relief of jaundice and the incidence of infection were similar between the 2 groups, but values of inflammatory response markers 3 days after the operation were significantly lower in the study group. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in overall incidence of complications. CONCLUSIONS For patients at the advanced stage of MOJ, endobiliary ablation combined with postoperative IN therapy can significantly improve the quality of life.

The effectiveness of motivation-guided PDCA cycle nursing for self-management ability and outcomes of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

AIM: To explore the effectiveness of motivation-guided 'plan, do, check and action' cycle nursing for self-management ability and outcomes of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). DESIGN: A pre- and post- comparison quasi experimental study. METHODS: Totally 108 pregnant women with GDM diagnosed and delivered in our hospital from January 2020 to April 2021 were included in this study. They were divided into study group (54 cases) and control group (54 cases). RESULTS: The score of self-management ability were significantly higher than those of control group (t-test, all p < 0.05), as well as themselves before interventions in both groups (t-test, all p < 0.05). Besides, scores of anxiety, depression, extraverted stimulus and intraverted stimulus all achieved significant reduction after interventions in study group compared with control one (t-test, all p < 0.05), as well as themselves before interventions in both groups (t-test, all p < 0.05). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Effects of preventive nursing based on quantitative evaluation on psychological state and maternal-infant outcome in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of preventive nursing based on quantitative evaluation on psychological state and maternal-infant outcome in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), further, to provide a theoretical basis for the effective management of GDM patients in clinical work. METHODS: From 1 February 2020 to 1 January 2021, 118 patients with GDM presenting to our hospital were included in this retrospective cohort study. According to the type of nursing care, patients were divided into study group and control groups. The study group consisted of 59 GDM patients who were given quantitative evaluation-based preventive nursing care. The control group included 59 GDM patients who were given routine nursing care. Outcome indicators included blood glucose level, degree of social support, resilience, coping style, and maternal-infant outcomes. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in other baseline clinical characteristics (p > .05). After the intervention, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and 2 h postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) levels were significantly lower in the study group than that in the control group (p < .05). The scores of objective support, subjective support, and social support utilization in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group after intervention (p < .05). The scores of optimisms, self-strengthening and tenacity in the study group were significantly less than those in the control group (p < .05). The study group confrontation score was significantly higher, and the avoidance and acceptance scores were significantly lower, compared with the control group (p < .05). The maternal-infant outcome showed that the proportions of cesarean delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, polyhydramnios, premature delivery, hyperbilirubinemia, and neonatal hypoglycemia in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < .05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage and neonatal 5-min Apgar score between the two groups (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, preventive nursing based on quantitative assessment can effectively control the blood glucose level of GDM patients, improve their degree of social support, resilience, coping style, and maternal-infant outcomes, which is worthy of clinical application.

Influence of Ultraviolet and Oxygen Coupling Aging on Rheological Properties and Functional Group Index of Warm Mix Asphalt Binder.

Warm-mixed asphalt (WMA) has the characteristics of low mixing temperature and energy consumption, which makes it more suitable than hot-mixed asphalt for plateau regions (the altitude is above 500 m, and the terrain is relatively flat or has a wide area with certain undulations). However, WMA is subject to severe ultraviolet (UV) aging because the UV radiation in plateau areas is more intense. The asphalt's aging changes its rheological properties inevitably, and thus degrades the asphalt pavement's performance. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of UV and oxygen coupling aging on WMA's rheological properties and functional group index. Temperature and frequency sweep tests were performed with a dynamic shear rheometer. At the same time, the functional group index was used as an indicator to compare the changes in the WMA's infrared spectrum before and after UV aging. The results showed that WMA's elasticity increased and its viscosity decreased after aging with UV. Under the condition of UV-oxygen isolation, as the aging period increased, the WMA's rutting factor increased gradually. The degree of improvement was greater than that under the condition of oxygen isolation. In contrast, the time required for the WMA's complex shear modulus to recover under the condition of UV-oxygen coupling was delayed. An increase in the peak value of infrared spectrum indicates that the WMA has undergone oxygen aging. The presence and change in the carbonyl group reflects the degree of the WMA's UV aging, and the UV aging condition had a greater effect on the peak values of the carbonyl and sulfoxide groups.

Efficient Ce-Co composite oxide decorated Au nanoparticles for catalytic oxidation of CO in the simulated atmosphere of a CO2 laser.

Gold nanoparticles have a high activity for CO oxidation, making them suitable to be used in a CO2 laser which maintains its efficiency and stability via the recombination of CO and O2 produced by the CO2 decomposition. However, the high concentration of CO2 in the working environment greatly reduces the activity of the catalyst and makes the already unstable gold nanoparticles even more so. A novel Au/Ce-Co-O x /Al2O3 gold catalyst, prepared by a deposition precipitation method in this study, displays high activity and good stability for CO oxidation in a simulated atmosphere of a CO2 laser with the feed gases containing a high concentration of CO2 up to 60 vol% but a low concentration of O2 for the stoichiometric reaction with CO. An excellent performance for CO oxidation under CO2-rich conditions could be achieved by decorating the surface of the Al2O3 support with Ce-Co composite oxides. The strong interaction between gold and the composite support, accompanied by the increase of labile lattice oxygen species and the decrease of surface basicity, led to a high CO oxidation rate and resistance towards CO2 poisoning.

Research on Design and Simulation of Biaxial Tensile-Bending Complex Mechanical Performance Test Apparatus.

In order to realize a micro-mechanic performance test of biaxial tensile-bending-combined loading and solve the problem of incompatibility of test apparatus and observation apparatus, novel biaxial-combined tensile-bending micro-mechanical performance test apparatus was designed. The working principle and major functions of key constituent parts of test apparatus, including the servo drive unit, clamping unit and test system, were introduced. Based on the finite element method, biaxial tensile and tension-bending-combined mechanical performances of the test-piece were studied as guidance to learn the distribution of elastic deformation and plastic deformation of all sites of the test-piece and to better plan test regions. Finally, this test apparatus was used to conduct a biaxial tensile test under different pre-bending loading and a tensile test at different rates; the image of the fracture of the test-piece was acquired by a scanning electron microscope and analyzed. It was indicated that as the pre-bending force rises, the elastic deformation phase would gradually shorten and the slope of the elastic deformation phase curve would slightly rise so that a yield limit would appear ahead of time. Bending speed could exert a positive and beneficial influence on tensile strength but weaken fracture elongation. If bending speed is appropriately raised, more ideal anti-tensile strength could be obtained, but fracture elongation would decline.

Correction: Li, H. et al. Research on Design and Simulation of Biaxial Tensile-Bending Complex Mechanical Performance Test Apparatus. Micromachines, 2017, 8, 286.

In the published paper [1], there is an error in Figure 8. The labels in Figure 8 was incorrect, it should be corrected as follows [...].

Effect of BRCA1 on proliferation, migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer H1650 cells via Wnt/β-catenin pathway / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the effect of breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H1650 cells through Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Methods: WB and qPCR were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of BRCA1 in NSCLC A549, H1299, H1650 cells and normal lung epithelial BEAS-2B cell. A stable BRCA1 over-expression cell line (LV-BRCA1) was constructed in H1650 cells, and blank control group (NC), negative control group (LV-BRCA1-NC), experimental group (LV-BRCA1) and inhibitor group (LV-BRCA1+XAV-939) were set up. The proliferative activity of cells in each group was detected by MTT assay, the migration ability of cells was detected by scratch test, the invasive ability of cells was detected by Transwell method, and the protein expression levels of BRCA1, cyclin D1, β-catenin, c-Myc and Cox2 were detected by WB. Results: The mRNA and protein expression levels of BRCA1 in NSCLC cells were significantly higher than those in BEAS-2B cells (all P<0.01). Up-regulation of BRCA1 expression in H1650 cells could significantly enhance cell proliferation, migration and invasion (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and increase the protein expressions of cyclin D1, β-catenin, c-Myc, Cox2 and c-Jun (P<0.05 or P<0.01). β-catenin inhibitor XAV-939 significantly down-regulated the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of H1650 cells over-expressing BRCA1, and decreased the protein expressions of cyclin D1, β-catenin, c-Myc, Cox2 and c-Jun (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: BRCA1 can promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC H1650 cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and it is expected to be a potential diagnostic biomarker and treatment target for NSCLC.

Deformation behavior of micro-indentation defects under uniaxial and biaxial loads.

The microdefects of structure frequently act as the source to generate initial cracks and lead to the fracture failure. Study on the deformation behaviors of embedded defects would be conducive to better understand the failure mechanisms of structural materials. Micro-indentation technique was applied to prepare the initial indentations as embedded surface defects at the gauge length section and central section of a cross-shaped AZ31B magnesium alloy specimen. A novel in situ biaxial tensile device was developed to apply the synchronous biaxial loads. Via the observation by an optical microscope with three-dimensional imaging and measurement functions, the changing laws of the indentation topographies under uniaxial and biaxial tensile loads were discussed. Compared with the gauge length section, the increasing trend of the indentation length of the central section was relatively flat, and the decreasing trend of the indentation depth was more significant. The changes of indentation topographies were explained by the Poisson effect, and the significant plastic tensile stress has led to the releasing of the residual stress around the indentation location and also promoted the planarization of the pileup.

An Open-Framework Germanate with Polycubane-Like Topology.

Body-centered Ge9 parallelepiped building blocks form the basis of the structure of [Ge9 O18 (OH)4 ]⋅2 (H2 ppz)⋅0.5 (H2 O) (ASU-14, ppz=piperazine). In this new structure type for an open-framework germanate (see picture for a section of the structure) the building blocks are linked together at each of their eight vertices to give the rare polycubane topology with an intersecting channel system of ten- and eight-membered rings (pore sizes 5×6 and 4×4 Å2 , respectively) in which the piperazinium cations and water molecules reside.

Synthesis and characterization of zirconogermanates.

Six new zirconogermanates have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions using amines as bases. There are four new structure types (ASU-n) with a common motif of ZrGe(5). ASU-23 is a layered structure: ZrGe(3)O(8)(OH)F.[C(10)H(26)N(4)].H(2)O, space group P2(1)/n, a = 6.7957(8) A, b = 12.700(1) A, c = 24.293(3) A, beta = 97.936(2) degrees, V = 2076.4(4) A(3). ASU-24 is a pillared layered structure: Zr(3)Ge(6)O(18)(OH(2),F)(4)F(2).[C(6)H(18)N(2)].[C(6)H(17)N(2)](2).2H(2)O, space group P2(1)/n, a = 7.4249(3) A, b = 25.198(1) A, c = 11.3483(5) A, beta = 90.995(1) degrees, V = 2122.9(2) A(3). This material has the lowest framework density (FD) of any oxide material that we are aware of (FD = 8.48 metal atoms/nm(3)). Two other materials form three-dimensional open-frameworks, ASU-25: ZrGe(3)O(9).[C(3)H(12)N(2)], space group P112(1)/a, a = 13.1994(4) A, b = 7.6828(2) A, c = 11.2373(3) A, gamma = 91.233(3) degrees, V = 1139.29(5) A(3). The other is ASU-26: ZrGe(3)O(9).[C(2)H(10)N(2)], space group Pn, a = 13.7611(3) A, b = 7.7294(2) A, c = 11.2331(3) A, beta = 104.793(1) degrees, V = 1155.21(4) A(3). ASU-25 is related to the mineral umbite K(2)ZrSi(3)O(9).H(2)O. The germanium equivalent has been prepared through the inorganic route: K(2)ZrGe(3)O(9).H(2)O, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 13.6432(6) A, b = 7.4256(3) A, c = 10.3973(4) A, V = 1053.33(8) A(3). The structural relationships between ASU-25 and its inorganic counterpart are described. The thermal decomposition of the germanium umbite generated the cyclic trigermanate K(2)ZrGe(3)O(9), analogue of the mineral wadeite, crystallizing in the orthorhombic system, a = 7.076 A, b = 12.123 A, c = 10.451 A, V = 904.5 A(3).