Ultrastable Covalent Triazine Organic Framework Based on Anthracene Moiety as Platform for High-Performance Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Supercapacitors.

Conductive and porous nitrogen-rich materials have great potential as supercapacitor electrode materials. The exceptional efficiency of such compounds, however, is dependent on their larger surface area and the level of nitrogen doping. To address these issues, we synthesized a porous covalent triazine framework (An-CTFs) based on 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (An-CN) units through an ionothermal reaction in the presence of different molar ratios of molten zinc chloride (ZnCl2) at 400 and 500 °C, yielding An-CTF-10-400, An-CTF-20-400, An-CTF-10-500, and An-CTF-20-500 microporous materials. According to N2 adsorption-desorption analyses (BET), these An-CTFs produced exceptionally high specific surface areas ranging from 406-751 m2·g-1. Furthermore, An-CTF-10-500 had a capacitance of 589 F·g-1, remarkable cycle stability up to 5000 cycles, up to 95% capacity retention, and strong CO2 adsorption capacity up to 5.65 mmol·g-1 at 273 K. As a result, our An-CTFs are a good alternative for both electrochemical energy storage and CO2 uptake.

High Induction of IL-6 Secretion From hUCMSCs Optimize the Potential of hUCMSCs and TCZ as Therapy for COVID-19-Related ARDS.

Biological and cellular interleukin-6 (IL-6)-related therapies have been used to treat severe COVID-19 pneumonia with hyperinflammatory syndrome and acute respiratory failure, which prompted further exploration of the role of IL-6 in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) therapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were responders cocultured with hUCMSCs or exogenous IL-6. A PBMC suppression assay was used to analyze the anti-inflammatory effects via MTT assay. The IL-6 concentration in the supernatant was measured using ELISA. The correlation between the anti-inflammatory effect of hUCMSCs and IL-6 levels and the relevant roles of IL-6 and IL-6 mRNA expression was analyzed using the MetaCore functional network constructed from gene microarray data. The location of IL-6 and IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) expression was further evaluated. We reported that hUCMSCs did not initially exert any inhibitory effect on PHA-stimulated proliferation; however, a potent inhibitory effect on PHA-stimulated proliferation was observed, and the IL-6 concentration reached approximately 1000 ng/mL after 72 hours. Exogenous 1000 ng/mL IL-6 inhibited PHA-stimulated inflammation but less so than hUCMSCs. The inhibitory effects of hUCMSCs on PHA-stimulated PBMCs disappeared after adding an IL-6 neutralizing antibody or pretreatment with tocilizumab (TCZ), an IL-6R antagonist. hUCMSCs exert excellent anti-inflammatory effects by inducing higher IL-6 levels, which is different from TCZ. High concentration of IL-6 cytokine secretion plays an important role in the anti-inflammatory effect of hUCMSC therapy. Initial hUCMSC therapy, followed by TCZ, seems to optimize the therapeutic potential to treat COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Cytoprotective Effect of Liposomal Puerarin on High Glucose-Induced Injury in Rat Mesangial Cells.

In diabetic patients, high glucose and high oxidative states activate gene expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) and further translocate Smad proteins into the nucleus of renal cells. This signal pathway is characterized as the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Puerarin is an active ingredient extracted from Pueraria lobata as an anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidative agent. However, the poor oral availability and aqueous solubility limit its pharmaceutical applications. The present paper reports the liposomal puerarin and its protective effect on high glucose-injured rat mesangial cells (RMCs). The purity of puerarin extracted from the root of plant Pueraria lobata was 83.4% as determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The liposomal puerarin was fabricated by membrane hydration followed by ultrasound dispersion and membrane extrusion (pore size of 200 nm). The fabricated liposomes were examined for the loading efficiency and contents of puerarin, the particle characterizations, the radical scavenge and the protective effect in rat mesangial cells, respectively. When the liposomes were subjected to 20 times of membrane extrusion, the particle size of liposomal puerarin can be reduced to less than 200 nm. When liposomal puerarin in RMCs in high glucose concentration (33 mM) was administered, the over-expression of TGF-ß and the nuclear translocation of Smad 2/3 proteins was both inhibited. Therefore, this study successfully prepared the liposomal puerarin and showed the cytoprotective effect in RMCs under high glucose condition.

Therapeutic effects of a single injection of human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells on acute and chronic colitis in mice.

Multiple injections of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) have been used for treatment of chronic colitis in mice. We aimed to report the therapeutic effects of a single injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on acute and chronic colitis. Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were divided into control, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and hUCMSCs treated groups, respectively. Acute and chronic colitis were induced in the mice (except controls) using 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The mice in the hUCMSCs group underwent a single injection of hUCMSCs. The disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histology, colon inflammation score, in vivo stem cells images, and blood cytokine levels were recorded. The DAI was significantly higher in the hUCMSCs group than in the control group and lower than in the PBS group on all days. The colon length was significantly longer and the colon inflammation score was significantly lower in the hUCMSCs group than in the PBS group on days 8 and 25. IL17A, Gro-α, MIP-1α, MIP-2, and eotaxin were significantly lower in the hUCMSCs group than in the PBS group on days 8 and 25. Single-injection hUCMSCs improved DSS-induced acute colitis and decreased progression of acute colitis to chronic colitis.

The climate impact on female acute pyelonephritis in Taiwan: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the main reason of community-acquired infection which causes large losses in social economy. The individual as well as climate factors make changes on the incidence. Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is one of the most serious UTI in female. The object of our study is to analyze whether climate factors will have effect on the incidence of female APN in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 14,568 female patients with APN from 2001 to 2013 in Taiwan and patients with repeated APN were excluded. The monthly climate data was collected from the Central Weather Bureau. The available monthly climate data included highest, lowest, and average level of temperatures, humidity, rainfall, total rain days, and sunshine hours. RESULTS: The total incidence of female APN was 23.44 each 10,000 populations. The incidence of APN was positively correlated with temperature (r = 0.66), sunshine hours (r = 0.45), rainfall (r = 0.42), rain days (r = 0.29), and humidity (r = 0.23) per month. There is the strongest correlation between the average monthly temperature and the incidence of APN (ß = 0.54). The correlation with the incidence of APN was also followed by rain days (ß = 0.28) and humidity (ß = 0.27). CONCLUSION: There is a significant expression on the incidence of female APN affected by seasonality and climate parameters. The monthly average temperature has the strongest correlation with female APN. The results of this research may facilitate the potential preventive strategies on female APN.

Large-Scale Production of Large-Size Atomically Thin Semiconducting Molybdenum Dichalcogenide Sheets in Water and Its Application for Supercapacitor.

To progress from laboratory research to commercial applications, it is necessary to develop an effective method to prepare large quantities and high-quality of the large-size atomically thin molybdenum dichalcogenides (MoS2). Aqueous-phase processes provide a viable method for producing thin MoS2 sheets using organolithium-assisted exfoliation; unfortunately, this method is hindered by changing pristine semiconducting 2H phase to distorted metallic 1T phase. Recovery of the intrinsic 2H phase typically involves heating of the 1T MoS2 sheets on solid substrates at high temperature. This has restricted and hindered the utilization of 2H phase MoS2 sheets suspensions. Here, we demonstrate that the synergistic effect of the rigid planar structure and charged nature of organic salt such as imidazole (ImH) can be successfully used to produce atomically thin 2H-MoS2 sheets suspension in water. Moreover, lateral size and area of the exfoliated sheet can be up to 50 µm and 1000 µm(2), respectively. According to the XPS measurements, nearly 100% of the 2H-MoS2 sheets was successfully prepared. A composite paper supercapacitor using the exfoliated 2H-MoS2 and carbon nanotubes delivered a superior volumetric capacitance of ~410 F/cm(3). Therefore, the organic salts-assisted liquid-phase exfoliation has great potential for large-scale production of 2H-MoS2 suspensions for supercapacitor application.

Selective isolation of trypsin inhibitor and lectin from soybean whey by chitosan/tripolyphosphate/genipin co-crosslinked beads.

Selective isolation of Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) and lectin from soybean whey solutions by different types of chitosan beads was investigated. The chitosan beads were co-crosslinked with tripolyphosphate/genipin in solutions at pH 5, 7 or 9 (CB5, CB7, CB9). The maximum adsorption ratios of chitosan beads to KTI and lectin were observed at pH 4.4 and 5.4, respectively; highly selective separation was also demonstrated at these pHs. The adsorption ratios increased with temperature, rising between 5 and 25 °C. CB9 produced the best adsorption ratio, followed by CB7 then CB5. The critical interaction governing absorption of chitosan beads to KTI and lectin could be hydrogen bonding. At pH 9, KTI and lectin desorbed efficiently from CB7 with desorption ratios of 80.9% and 81.4%, respectively. The desorption was most likely caused predominantly by electrostatic repulsion. KTI and lectin can effectively be selectively isolated from soybean whey using this novel separation technique.

Simultaneous Treatment of Female Urethral Diverticulum and Stress Urinary Incontinence with Urethral Diverticulectomy and Suburethral Synthetic Mesh Sling.

OBJECTIVES: Pubovaginal fascial sling along with urethral diverticulectomy has been advised as the most appropriate anti-incontinence procedure for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with concomitant urethral diverticula (UD). We believe that suburethral synthetic mesh tape sling can also be safely used in some patients with concomitant SUI and UD. Herein, we present our experience for simultaneous treatment of UD and SUI with urethral diverticulectomy and suburethral synthetic mesh tape sling. METHODS: From 2003 to 2008, there are three patients with UD and SUI in our institution. They received transvaginal urethral diverticulectomy and suburethral synthetic mesh tape sling simultaneously. Videourodynamics was done before and three months after the surgery. RESULTS: Preoperative pelvis magnetic resonance imaging and videourodynamic study showed UD over distal urethra and SUI in all three patients. Urinalysis disclosed mild pyuria in two of the patients, and they both received intravenous antibiotics treatment to eradicate the infection prior to the surgery. They all underwent urethral diverticulectomy with suburethral synthetic mesh tape sling. The postoperative videourodynamic study showed no recurrence of UD and SUI. With a mean follow up of 33.3 months, there was no infection or exposure of synthetic mesh tape. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with UD and SUI, suburethral sling using synthetic mesh can be as effective and safe as facial sling in selected patients.

Presentation of female urethral diverticulum is usually not typical.

INTRODUCTION: Symptoms or signs of female urethral diverticulum are usually not typical, thereby resulting in delayed or wrong diagnosis. This paper relates to our experience on the diversity of presenting symptoms and signs of female urethral diverticula. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and conducted telephone interviews of 14 patients with the diagnosis of female urethral diverticulum in our institution. RESULTS: The mean patient age at diagnosis was 47.5 years (range 22-65 years) and the mean duration between symptom presentation and diagnosis was 6.46 years (range 1 month to 30 years). Their presenting symptoms were so diverse that many were initially treated under the diagnosis other than urethral diverticulum. Most patients were treated as uncomplicated urinary tract infection for a long time. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) was so dominant in 2 patients with big diverticula that they were falsely treated with anti-incontinence surgery. Total incontinence happened in 1 patient with genuine SUI and a big urethral diverticulum. One patient with a huge diverticulum, which had a fistula opening into the vagina, presented with day- and night-time incontinence. Some patients even did not have incontinence, but only had dysuria or a painful anterior vaginal wall nodule. Nevertheless, detailed analysis on symptoms and signs usually may suggest urethral diverticulum. We found that recurrent urinary tract infection, urinary incontinence, palpable suburethral mass, vaginal tenderness, and dysuria are the five major presenting symptoms and signs. The diagnostic rate of voiding cystourethrography during video-urodynamics, double-balloon urethrography and MRI were 10/10 (100%), 6/6 (100%) and 10/11 (90.9%) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The presenting symptoms and signs of female urethral diverticula are often diverse and easily overlooked. High suspicion of this disorder, detailed history-taking and physical examination are essential for detecting urethral diverticulum in females.

Bilateral renal cell carcinoma in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is very rare. Only 11 cases of bilateral RCC in ADPKD have been reported since 1954. Herein, we present a 58-year-old male who received laparoscopic bilateral radical nephrectomy for bilateral RCC with different cell variants in ADPKD and end-stage renal disease under regular hemodialysis.

A missing silk strip during laparoscopic radical cystectomy and bilateral nephroureterectomy.

Many accidents and complications may occur intraoperatively and postoperatively. Herein, we present an intraoperative accident of a missing yellowish silk strip, which was sucked out by a hook cautery and suction probe during laparoscopic radical cystectomy and bilateral nephroureterectomy.

Short-term effects of desmopressin on water and electrolyte excretion in adults with nocturnal polyuria.

PURPOSE: Increased calcium excretion due to desmopressin has been reported in children with nocturnal enuresis. Desmopressin is often used to treat adult patients with nocturnal polyuria. However, data on the effect of desmopressin on water/electrolyte excretion in adults are scarce. We present the short-term effects of desmopressin on water and electrolyte excretion in adult patients with nocturnal polyuria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 16 male patients with nocturnal polyuria, mean age 76.3 years, received 0.1 or 0.2 mg desmopressin before sleep. Frequency volume chart was recorded, and daytime and nighttime urine samples were collected separately before and after desmopressin administration. Urinary excretions of sodium, potassium and calcium were determined, and compared before and after treatment with desmopressin. RESULTS: Desmopressin significantly increased urine osmolality, decreased nocturnal total urine volume, reduced the ratio of nocturnal urine volume-to-whole day urine volume and decreased nocturnal voiding frequency. Nocturnal urinary excretion of calcium (mean 0.137 vs 0.169 mg/kg body weight per hour, p = 0.004) and whole day excretion of calcium (mean 165.9 vs 200.0 mg per day, p = 0.012) were increased after desmopressin treatment. Nocturnal urinary potassium excretion (mean 0.030 vs 0.025 mEq/kg body weight per hour, p = 0.030) and whole day potassium excretion (mean 40.7 vs 36.1 mEq per day, p = 0.017) were decreased by desmopressin treatment. However, desmopressin treatment did not significantly change urinary secretion of sodium and chloride at nighttime or for the whole day. CONCLUSIONS: Desmopressin reduces nocturnal urine volume and nocturnal voiding frequency in male patients with nocturnal polyuria. However, increased calcium and decreased potassium excretion following desmopressin treatment deserve attention particularly when it is used on a long-term basis.

Correlation between serum prostate specific antigen and prostate volume in Taiwanese men with biopsy proven benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: We studied the correlation between serum prostate specific antigen and the volume of different zones of the prostate in Taiwanese men with biopsy proven benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 233 patients with a mean age of 71.4 years (range 42 to 89), serum prostate specific antigen less than 10 ng/ml and pathologically confirmed benign prostatic hyperplasia were enrolled in this study. Total prostate and transitional zone volumes were measured with transrectal ultrasonography. Peripheral zone volume was determined by subtracting transitional zone volume from total prostate volume. Correlations between patient age, total serum prostate specific antigen and the volume of each prostate zone were analyzed with the Pearson correlation coefficient. A linear regression model was used to determine the relationship between prostate specific antigen and prostate volume. The prostate specific antigen-prostate volume relationship in our patients was compared with published data on white and Japanese men. RESULTS: Age did not significantly correlate with serum prostate specific antigen and prostate volume. Serum prostate specific antigen significantly correlated with the volume of each prostate zone. After log transformation the Pearson correlation coefficient between total prostate specific antigen and the volume of the whole prostate gland, the transitional zone and the peripheral zone were 0.369, 0.377 and 0.272, respectively (p <0.001). Taiwanese men had lower prostate volume per unit prostate specific antigen comparing with white men, while the prostate specific antigen-total prostate volume relationship between Taiwanese and Japanese men was similar. CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwanese men with biopsy proven benign prostatic hyperplasia the volume of each prostate zone has significantly correlates with serum prostate specific antigen. The prostate specific antigen-total prostate volume relationship in Taiwanese men is different from that in white men. However, the prostate specific antigen-total prostate volume relationship between Taiwanese and Japanese men is similar.