Elimination of Intragrain Defect to Enhance the Performance of FAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells by Ionic Liquid.

Ionic liquids have been widely used to improve the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and are generally believed to passivate defects on the grain boundaries of perovskites. However, few studies have focused on the relevant effects of ionic liquids on intragrain defects in perovskites which have been shown to be critical for the performance of PSCs. In this work, the effect of ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium iodide (HMII) on intragrain defects of formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) perovskite is investigated. Abundant {111}c intragrain planar defects in pure FAPbI3 grains are found to be significantly reduced by the addition of the ionic liquid HMII, shown by using ultra-low-dose selected area electron diffraction. As a result, longer charge carrier lifetimes, higher photoluminescence quantum yield, better charge carrier transport properties, lower Urbach energy, and current-voltage hysteresis are achieved, and the champion power conversion efficiency of 24.09% is demonstrated. These observations suggest that ionic liquids significantly improve device performance resulting from the elimination of {111}c intragrain planar defects.

[Research progress of lower extremity alignment in total knee arthroplasty].

Knee osteoarthritis has become one of the common diseases of the elderly, total knee arthroplasty （TKA） is the most effective treatment for end-stage knee osteoarthritis at present. In TKA, the effective restoration of the lower extremity alignment is one of the key factors for the success of the operation, which greatly affects the postoperative clinical effect and prosthesis survival rate of patients. Mechanical alignment is a TKA alignment method which is first proposed, recognized and widely used in TKA. In recent years, with the in-depth research on the lower limb alignment and the rapid development of computer technology, the alignment technology in TKA has realized the transformation from "unified" to "individualized", two-dimensional to three-dimensional. New alignment methods, such as adjusted mechanical alignment, anatomic alignment, kinematic alignment, inverse kinematic alignment, restricted kinematic alignment and functional alignment have been proposed to provide surgeons with more choices. However, there is no conclusion on which alignment method is the best choice. This paper summarizes the current research status, advantages and disadvantages of various alignment methods in TKA, and aims to provide some reference for the selection of alignment methods in TKA.

Clinical Characteristics of Adipsic Diabetes Insipidus.

OBJECTIVE: Adipsic diabetes insipidus (ADI) is a life-threatening disease. It is characterized by arginine vasopressin deficiency and thirst absence. Data about clinical characteristics of ADI were scarce. This study investigated the clinical features of hospitalized ADI patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of hospitalized ADI patients admitted to the Endocrinology Department of Huashan Hospital between January 2014 and December 2021, and compared with central diabetes insipidus (CDI) patients with normal thirst. RESULTS: During the study period, there were a total of 507 hospitalized CDI patients, among which 50 cases were ADI, accounting for 9.9%. Forty percent of ADI patients were admitted due to hypernatremia, but there were no admissions due to hypernatremia in the control group. The lesions of ADI patients were more likely to be located in the suprasellar area (100% vs 66%, P < .05). Higher prevalence of hypothalamic dysfunction (76% vs 8%, P < .001), central hypothyroidism (100% vs 90%, P = .031), hyperglycemia (66% vs 32%, P < .001), dyslipidemia (92% vs 71%, P = .006), and hyperuricemia (64% vs 37%, P = .003) was found in the ADI group than in the control group. The proportions of hypernatremia were higher in the ADI group both at admission and at discharge (90% vs 8%, 68% vs 8%, respectively, both with P < .001), contributing to higher prevalence of complications, such as renal insufficiency, venous thrombosis, and infection. CONCLUSION: ADI patients were found with higher prevalence of hypernatremia, hypopituitarism, hypothalamic dysfunction, metabolic disorders, and complications, posing a great challenge for comprehensive management.

Assessment of quality of life in patients with craniopharyngioma and identification of risk factors for compromised overall wellness

ABSTRACT Objective: Quality of Life (QoL) has been a multifactorial concerning issue in oncology. We aimed to inspect the pre-operative QoL among patients with craniopharyngioma and to explore the potential correlations between parameters of QoL and clinical indices. Subjects and methods: We enrolled a total of 109 patients with craniopharyngioma. We utilized Short Form 36 (SF-36), Symptom Check List-90, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire scale (GAD7), Patient Health Questionnaire Depression (PHQ9) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to prospectively evaluated their QoL. Parameters of QoL along with clinical indices were compared among sub-groups divided according to Puget classification. Correlation analyses and regression analyses were performed to detect influential determinants to self-reported wellness. Results: Patients presented impaired QoL compared with general population ( p < 0.001), as assessed by SF-36. Correlation analyses indicated the detrimental influence resulting from central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Multivariate linear regression unveiled the adverse effect of CDI on Mental Component Summary (coefficient = −13.869, p = 0.007), GAD7 total score (coefficient = 2.072, p = 0.049) as well as PHQ9 total score (coefficient = 3.721, p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression verified CDI as a risk factor of developing depressive symptoms (OR = 6.160, p = 0.001). Conclusion: QoL of patients with craniopharyngioma was remarkably compromised before operation. CDI exerted detrimental influences on patients' QoL and it might serve as a marker for early identification of patients at risk of depression.

Assessment of quality of life in patients with craniopharyngioma and identification of risk factors for compromised overall wellness.

Objective: Quality of Life (QoL) has been a multifactorial concerning issue in oncology. We aimed to inspect the pre-operative QoL among patients with craniopharyngioma and to explore the potential correlations between parameters of QoL and clinical indices. Subjects and methods: We enrolled a total of 109 patients with craniopharyngioma. We utilized Short Form 36 (SF-36), Symptom Check List-90, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire scale (GAD7), Patient Health Questionnaire Depression (PHQ9) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to prospectively evaluated their QoL. Parameters of QoL along with clinical indices were compared among sub-groups divided according to Puget classification. Correlation analyses and regression analyses were performed to detect influential determinants to self-reported wellness. Results: Patients presented impaired QoL compared with general population (p < 0.001), as assessed by SF-36. Correlation analyses indicated the detrimental influence resulting from central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Multivariate linear regression unveiled the adverse effect of CDI on Mental Component Summary (coefficient = -13.869, p= 0.007), GAD7 total score (coefficient = 2.072, p = 0.049) as well as PHQ9 total score (coefficient = 3.721, p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression verified CDI as a risk factor of developing depressive symptoms (OR = 6.160, p = 0.001). Conclusion: QoL of patients with craniopharyngioma was remarkably compromised before operation. CDI exerted detrimental influences on patients' QoL and it might serve as a marker for early identification of patients at risk of depression.

Severe hypernatremia during postoperative care in patients with craniopharyngioma.

Purpose: We aimed to describe and predict the risk of severe hypernatremia after surgical resection of craniopharyngioma and to identify the association of water intake, urine output, and sodium level change in the patients. Method: The outcome was postoperative severe hypernatremia. We identified risk factors associated with hypernatremia using multivariable regression. We trained machine learning models to predict the outcome. We compared serum sodium change, intravenous input, oral input, total input, urine output, and net fluid balance according to different nurse shifts. Results: Among 234 included patients, 125 developed severe hypernatremia after surgery. The peak incidence occurred during day 0 and day 6 after surgery. The risk was increased in patients with gross total resection (odds ratio (OR) 2.41, P < 0.001), high Puget classification (OR 4.44, P = 0.026), preoperative adrenal insufficiency (OR 2.01, P = 0.040), and preoperative hypernatremia (OR 5.55, P < 0.001). The random forest algorithm had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.770, 95% CI, 0.727-0.813) in predicting the outcome and was validated in the prospective validation cohort. Overnight shifts were associated with the highest serum sodium increase (P = 0.010), less intravenous input (P < 0.001), and less desmopressin use (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The overall incidence of severe hypernatremia after surgical resection of craniopharyngioma was significant, especially in patients with gross total resection, hypothalamus distortion, preoperative adrenal insufficiency, and preoperative severe hypernatremia. Less intravenous input and less desmopressin use were associated with serum sodium increases, especially during overnight shifts.

Hierarchical zeolites containing embedded Cd0.2Zn0.8S as a photocatalyst for hydrogen production from seawater.

Uncovering an efficient and stable photocatalytic system for seawater splitting is a highly desirable but challenging goal. Herein, Cd0.2Zn0.8S@Silicalite-1 (CZS@S-1) composites, in which CZS is embedded in the hierarchical zeolite S-1, were prepared and show remarkably high activity, stability and salt resistance in seawater.

Carboxybetaine-Based Zwitterionic Polymer Nanogels with Long Blood Circulation for Cancer Therapy.

Given the advantages of antifouling capacity and good biocompatibility, zwitterionic polymers have been profoundly applied for drug delivery to improve the pharmacokinetics profile. Here, a zwitterionic polymer (poly (carboxybetaine methacrylate) (PCBMA)) nanogel was fabricated by one-step reflux precipitation polymerization for doxorubicin (DOX) loading. The obtained nanogels display favorable long blood circulation without priming immune responses as a result of the introduction of the zwitterionic group. Meanwhile, the disulfide bonds deriving from the crosslinker endow nanogels with excellent glutathione-responsive degradation and sufficient drug release under a reduction environment. The carboxylate groups originating from carboxybetaine provide modification sites to conjugate with fluorescent dye to achieve labeling and biodistribution tracking. Overall, under the significantly prolonging circulation and enhanced tumor accumulation through passive targeting, DOX-loaded PCBMA nanogels show a noticeable tumor inhibition effect in mouse colorectal cancer models, which may provide a delivery vehicle with great promise in cancer therapy.

Mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowire electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction.

The design of Pt-based nanoarchitectures with controllable compositions and morphologies is necessary to enhance their electrocatalytic activity. Herein, we report a rational design and synthesis of anisotropic mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowires for high-efficient electrocatalysis. The catalyst has a uniform core-shell structure with an ultrathin atomic-jagged Pt nanowire core and a mesoporous Pt-skin Pt3Ni framework shell, possessing high electrocatalytic activity, stability and Pt utilisation efficiency. For the oxygen reduction reaction, the anisotropic mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowires demonstrated exceptional mass and specific activities of 6.69 A/mgpt and 8.42 mA/cm2 (at 0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode), and the catalyst exhibited high stability with negligible activity decay after 50,000 cycles. The mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowire configuration combines the advantages of three-dimensional open mesopore molecular accessibility and compressive Pt-skin surface strains, which results in more catalytically active sites and weakened chemisorption of oxygenated species, thus boosting its catalytic activity and stability towards electrocatalysis.

The status and trends of mitochondrial dynamics research: A global bibliometric and visualized analysis.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondria are remarkably dynamic organelles encapsulated by bilayer membranes. The dynamic properties of mitochondria are critical for energy production. AIMS: The aim of our study is to investigate the global status and trends of mitochondrial dynamics research and predict popular topics and directions in the field. METHODS: Publications related to the studies of mitochondrial dynamics from 2002 to 2021 were retrieved from Web of Science database. A total of 4,576 publications were included. Bibliometric analysis was conducted by visualization of similarities viewer and GraphPadPrism 5 software. RESULTS: There is an increasing trend of mitochondrial dynamics research during the last 20 years. The cumulative number of publications about mitochondrial dynamics research followed the logistic growth model [Formula: see text]. The USA made the highest contributions to the global research. The journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Cell Research had the largest publication numbers. Case Western Reserve University is the most contributive institution. The main research orientation and funding agency were cell biology and HHS. All keywords related studies could be divided into three clusters: "Related disease research", "Mechanism research" and "Cell metabolism research". CONCLUSIONS: Attention should be drawn to the latest popular research and more efforts will be put into mechanistic research, which may inspire new clinical treatments for the associated diseases.

A simple method for restoring the femoral head center in hip arthroplasty: a 3-dimensional analysis in the Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Various authors have successfully demonstrated that the distance from the greater trochanter to the femoral head center (GTFHC) and the distance from the lesser trochanter to the femoral head center (LTFHC) can be used as parameters to determine the recovery of the femoral head center (FHC) during hip arthroplasty. It is necessary to undertake an anatomical study concerning the correlations between the greater trochanter (GT), the lesser trochanter (LT), and the FHC using data obtained from the 3D-CT reconstruction method. METHODS: The study comprised 293 patients (151 males and 142 females), with an average age of 65.06 years. The femoral head diameter(FHD), the linear distance from FHC to GT (GTFHC), and the linear distance from FHC to LT(LTFHC) were all measured and recorded data. The correlation between FHD with LTFHC and GTFHC was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients, and the ratio of LTFHC and GTFHC to FHD was calculated from this ratio. All measured parameters were compared between the left and right sides and the sexes of the participants. RESULTS: The average ratios of GTFHC/FHD and LTFHC/FHD were 0.99 and 0.95, respectively .96% of the LTFHC had absolute lateral differences of < 4 mm . 92% of the GTFHC had absolute lateral differences of < 4 mm. CONCLUSION: LTFHC and GTFHC are reliable reference parameters for preoperative planning and reconstruction of FHC of hip arthroplasty. The ratio displayed in this research may yield insight into a practical and straightforward method for orthopedic surgeons to perform hip arthroplasty in patients with femoral neck fractures. Ratios from studies based on the same race may be desirable for future work.

Enhanced aerobic granular sludge formation by applying Phanerochaete chrysosporium pellets as induced nucleus.

The long start-up period is a major challenging issue for the widespread application of aerobic granular sludge (AGS). In this study, a novel rapid start-up strategy was developed by inoculating Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) pellets as the induced nucleus in a sequencing batch airlift reactor (SBAR) to enhance activated sludge granulation. The results demonstrated that P. chrysosporium pellets could effectively shorten the aerobic granulation time from 32 to 20 days. The AGS promoted by P. chrysosporium pellets had a larger average diameter (2.60-2.74 mm) than that without P. chrysosporium pellets (1.78-1.88 mm) and had better biomass retention capacity and sedimentation properties; its mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) and sludge volume index (SVI30) reached approximately 5.2 g/L and 45 mL/g, respectively. The addition of P. chrysosporium pellets promoted the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), especially protein (PN). The removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in P. chrysosporium pellets reactor were 98.91%, 89.17%, 64.73%, and 94.42%, respectively, which were higher than those in the reactor without P. chrysosporium pellets (88.73%, 82.09%, 55.75%, and 88.92%). High throughput sequencing analysis indicated that several functional genera that were responsible for the formation of aerobic granules and the removal of pollutants, such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Janthinobacterium, and Enterobacter, were found to be predominant in the mature sludge granules promoted by P. chrysosporium pellets.

Quality of Life in Patients with Acromegaly before and after Transsphenoidal Surgical Resection.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the perioperative changes in the quality of life (QoL) in patients with acromegaly and to reveal the relationship between biochemical indicators and quality of life change after tumor resection. METHODS: Patients with acromegaly were enrolled from a tertiary pituitary center. SF-36 scale and AcroQoL scale were used to determine the QoL before and after surgery. We analyzed changes in QoL using a generalized linear model for repeated measurements. We compared the changes in QoL among three groups (remission, active, and discordant group) based on postoperative growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1. RESULTS: 151 patients (75 males and 76 females) diagnosed with acromegaly were included. The average age was 43.9 ± 12.3 years. The median total SF-36 scale was 65.3% (IQR: 63.2%-69.2%). Overall AcroQoL score at baseline was 59.1% (IQR: 51.8%-71.8%). Nadir GH levels (coefficient -0.08, p=0.047), T3 levels (coefficient 2.8, p=0.001), and testosterone levels (coefficient -0.20, p=0.033) in males were independent predictive factors of the total SF-36 score. During the follow-up, the median overall SF-36 score increased to 66.1% at 3 months and 75.3% at 6 months (p < 0.001) after surgery. The median overall AcroQoL score increased to 74.5% at 3 months and 77.3% at 6 months (p < 0.001) after surgery. At 6-month follow-up, median scores were still less than 70% in appearance, vitality, and mental health dimensions. The QoL after surgery were similar among the three groups, although higher GH and more preoperative somatostatin analogs usage were observed in the active group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, acromegalic patients were associated with low QoL, which could be reversed partially by surgery. The improvement was independent of the endocrine remission. Appearance, vitality, and mental health were three major aspects that warrant further attention from physicians and caregivers after surgery.

Single crystal PMN-0.33PT/epoxy 1-3 composites for ultrasonic transducer applications.

Lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate 0.67Pb (Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O3-0.33PbTiO3 (PMN-0.33PT, abbreviated as PMN-PT) single crystals were used to fabricate PMN-PT/epoxy 1-3 composites with different volume fractions of PMN-PT ranging from 0.4 to 0.8. The electromechanical properties of the 1-3 composites were determined by the resonance technique. Theoretical modeling of the 1-3 composites matched quite well with the measured material properties. It was demonstrated that the thickness electromechanical coupling coefficients of the composites could reach as high as 0.8. A 2.4 MHz plane ultrasonic transducer was fabricated using a PMN-PT/epoxy 1-3 composite with 0.37 volume fraction of PMN-PT. It shows a -6 dB bandwidth of approximately 61% and an insertion loss of -14 dB.