Characteristics of neutralizing antibody titers of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

AIMS: Hemodialysis patients have high COVID-19 severity and mortality rates. For this high-risk group of hemodialysis patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, early SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is recommended to prevent infection and severe disease. Thus far, few reports have evaluated COVID-19 antibody titers in hemodialysis patients. In this study, we investigated the time course of antibody titers acquired by vaccination in patients on dialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 IgG (anti-SP-IgG) antibody titers were compared between 33 outpatient maintenance hemodialysis patients and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Antibody tests were performed at five time points: 6 months after the 2nd vaccination, immediately before the 3rd vaccination (8 months after the 2nd vaccination), and 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months after the 3rd vaccination. RESULTS: The dialysis patient group had significantly lower values of anti-SP-IgG antibody titers than the control group 6 months after the 2nd vaccination (433.7 ± 36.24 vs. 650.2 (427.2 - 759.4) (AU/mL), p = 0.006) and immediately before the 3rd vaccination (219.3 (129.4 - 423.4) vs. 443.3 (267.1 - 600.4) (AU/mL), p = 0.034), but no significant differences were observed after the 3rd vaccination (19,000.0 (11,000.0 - 3,6000.0) vs. 23,500.0 (20,250.0 - 29,000.0) (AU/mL), p = 0.538). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that patients undergoing hemodialysis were proven to have acquired sufficient antibody titers after the vaccination.

Case report of a Japanese patient with chronic renal failure who developed SARS-CoV-2 in a hospital cluster during treatment for acute respiratory failure: An autopsy report.

This article reports a clinical and histopathological perspective which noted not only COVID-19 pneumonia but also exacerbation of chronic renal failure potentially caused by thrombus in the kidney, possibly COVID-19-related lesions. The accumulation of autopsy cases will elucidate the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and aid in the development of effective therapeutics.

Suppression Mechanisms of the Solid-Electrolyte Interface Formation at the Triple-Phase Interfaces in Thin-Film Li-Ion Batteries.

Side reactions of the charge/discharge in Li-ion batteries (LIBs) generate a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) onto an electrode surface, resulting in the degradation of the lifetime of a cell. The suppression of SEI formations has attracted much attention for achieving longer cyclable LIBs. Our research group has previously reported that few SEI were observed at triple-phase interfaces (TPIs) consisting of BaTiO3, LiCoO2, and electrolyte interfaces in LIBs with excellent cyclability and ultrahigh-speed chargeability. An investigation on the suppression mechanisms of SEI formations at TPIs should yield important information on understanding the undesirable side reactions. Therefore, we have explored the suppression mechanisms of SEI formations by preparing epitaxial thin films and evaluating the surface of the samples after the electrochemical treatment. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis measurements suggested that the decomposition of LiPF6 was suppressed at TPIs, implying that the generation of PF5 via the decomposition of LiPF6 contributed to SEI formation.

Liquid-like dielectric response is an origin of long polaron lifetime exceeding 10 µs in lead bromide perovskites.

Lead halide perovskites are promising materials for optoelectronic applications because of their exceptional performances in carrier lifetime and diffusion length; however, the microscopic origins of their unique characteristics remain elusive. The organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites show unique dielectric functions, i.e., ferroelectric-like phonon responses in the 0.1-10 THz region and liquid-like rotational relaxation in the 1-100 GHz range. To reveal the role of the dielectric responses is of primal importance because the dielectric screening is a key to understanding the optoelectronic properties governed by polarons in the perovskites. Here, we conducted comparative studies of broadband dielectric spectroscopy on both all-inorganic CsPbBr3 and organic-inorganic hybrid (CH3NH3)PbBr3 single crystals to uncover the origin of the liquid-like dielectric relaxation in the 1-100 GHz range. We confirmed the absence of the dielectric response in the range of 106-1010 Hz in CsPbBr3, which was clearly present in the hybrid (CH3NH3)PbBr3. This suggests that the response is almost purely due to the rotational motions of the organic dipoles in the hybrid perovskites. We evaluated the lifetimes of the polarons using surface-free transient photoluminescence. The lifetime in CsPbBr3 was up to 1.6 µs, while the lifetime in (CH3NH3)PbBr3 was 18 µs. The lifetime in the hybrid (CH3NH3)PbBr3 was significantly longer than in CsPbBr3, also confirmed by transient infrared spectroscopy. We concluded that the liquid-like dielectric response inhibits polaron recombination due to the efficient separation of opposite charges by the additional dynamic disorder.

One-pot synthesis of poly(ionic liquid)s with 1,2,3-triazolium-based backbones via clickable ionic liquid monomers.

Clickable α-azide-ω-alkyne ionic liquid monomers were developed and subsequently applied to the one-pot synthesis of ionically conducting poly(ionic liquid)s with 1,2,3-triazolium-based backbones through a click chemistry strategy. This approach does not require the use of solvents, polymerisation mediators, or catalysts. The obtained poly(ionic liquid)s were characterized by NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and impedance spectroscopy analysis. Moreover, these poly(ionic liquid)s were cross-linked via N-alkylation with a dianion quarternizing agent to achieve enhanced ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. The resulting free-standing films showed a Young's modulus up to 4.8 MPa and ionic conductivities up to 4.60 × 10-8 S cm-1 at 30 °C. This facile synthetic strategy has the potential to expand the availability of poly(ionic liquid)s and promote the development of functional materials.

Enhancement of Ultrahigh Rate Chargeability by Interfacial Nanodot BaTiO3 Treatment on LiCoO2 Cathode Thin Film Batteries.

Nanodot BaTiO3 supported LiCoO2 cathode thin films can dramatically improve high-rate chargeability and cyclability. The prepared BaTiO3 nanodot is <3 nm in height and 35 nm in diameter, and its coverage is <5%. Supported by high dielectric constant materials on the surface of cathode materials, Li ion (Li+) can intercalate through robust Li paths around the triple-phase interface consisting of the dielectric, cathode, and electrolyte. The current concentration around the triple-phase interface is observed by the finite element method and is in good agreement with the experimental data. The interfacial resistance between the cathode and electrolyte with nanodot BaTiO3 is smaller than that without nanodot BaTiO3. The decomposition of the organic solvent electrolyte can prevent the fabrication of a solid electrolyte interface around the triple-phase interface. Li+ paths may be created at non solid electrolyte interface covered regions by the strong current concentration originating from high dielectric constant materials on the cathode. Robust Li+ paths lead to excellent chargeability and cyclability.

Effectiveness of azithromycin in aspiration pneumonia: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Aspiration pneumonia is an urgent health concern with high mortality and long hospitalization in industrialized and aging countries. However, there is no information about the effectiveness of azithromycin (AZM) for the treatment of aspiration pneumonia. This study investigated if AZM is effective for the treatment of aspiration pneumonia. METHODS: Patients with aspiration pneumonia with no risk of multidrug-resistant pathogens were included in this prospective study at Kishiwada City Hospital from December 2011 to June 2013. Patients were divided into the ampicillin/sulbactam (ABPC/SBT) and AZM (intravenous injection) groups. The success rates of 1(st)-line antibiotic therapy, mortality, length of hospital stay, and total antibiotic costs were compared. RESULTS: There were 81 and 36 patients in the ABPC/SBT and AZM groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the success rate of 1(st)-line antibiotics between the groups (74.1% vs. 75.0%, respectively, P = 1.000). Mortality and hospitalization periods did not differ between the 2 groups (11.1% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.753, and 22.3 ± 7.3 days vs. 20.5 ± 8.1 days, P = 0.654, respectively). However, the total antibiotic costs were significantly lower in the AZM group than the ABPC/SBT group (2.19 ± 1.65 × 10,000 yen vs. 2.94 ± 1.67 × 10,000 yen, respectively, P = 0.034). The febrile period of the ABPC/SBT group was significantly shorter than that of the AZM group (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: In this small prospective non-randomized observational study, we found no statistically significant differences in mortality or antibiotic failure in patients receiving AZM compared to ABPC/SBT for the treatment of patients with aspiration pneumonia who require hospital admission and have no risk of drug-resistant pathogens. Therefore, AZM may be another first choice of antibiotic treatment for patients with aspiration pneumonia when they have no risk of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy induced by ureteral carcinoma: a necropsy case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a fatal cancer-related pulmonary complication with rapidly progressing dyspnea and pulmonary hypertension that occasionally induces sudden death. We report the first case of PTTM induced by ureter carcinoma. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was an 80-year-old Japanese female with chief complaints of dry cough and dyspnea. An echocardiogram revealed severe pulmonary hypertension. A chest radiograph showed ground glass opacity of bilateral lower lung field predominance, and an abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a left ureter mass suggestive of ureter carcinoma. The patient died of respiratory failure on the eighth day of hospitalization. Postmortem examination indicated that the primary lesion was a left ureter cancer with tumor microemboli extending to both lungs through the right side of the heart. The final diagnosis of this case was PTTM induced by ureter carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of PTTM remains obscure with no effective management available. In cases of rapidly progressing respiratory failure with pulmonary hypertension, it is necessary to consider PTTM in the differential diagnosis.

Acute cerebral arterial embolism following pemetrexed and carboplatin treatment in non-small-cell lung cancer: A case report.

Thromboembolism is a known vascular toxicity associated with tumor chemotherapy. The combination of pemetrexed and carboplatin has exhibited significant antitumor activity, with mild manageable toxicity in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), whereas cerebral arterial embolism has not been recognized as a side effect associated with this regimen. This is the case report of an unusual case of NSCLC, in which the patient suffered a left middle cerebral arterial embolism following chemotherapy. A 62-year-old non-smoking woman, diagnosed with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, was administered pemetrexed and carboplatin as second-line therapy. On the day of the completion of the first regime cycle, the patient was readmitted to the emergency department with complaints of sudden-onset right hemiplegia and agitation. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography revealed an occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) and no further chemotherapy was administered due to the deterioration in the performance status of the patient associated with right hemiplegia. Pemetrexed plus carboplatin is routinely used for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. The present case highlights the potential risk for development of embolism following pemetrexed-based chemotherapy. Further investigations are required to elucidate the mechanism through which these drugs may eventually cause neurovascular adverse events. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk for development of cerebral arterial embolism following pemetrexed-based chemotherapy.

Analysis of polarization behavior in relaxation of BaTiO3-based ferroelectrics using wideband dielectric spectroscopy.

Wideband dielectric spectra from the kilohertz to terahertz range are discussed for BaTiO3-based ferroelectrics. Ceramics of BaTiO3 (BT), Ba(0.6)Sr(0.4)TiO3 (BST-0.6), and BaZr(0.25)Ti(0.75)O3 (BZT-0.25) were selected as normal ferroelectrics, ferroelectrics with diffuse phase transition (DPT ferroelectrics), and relaxor ferroelectrics, respectively. The variation of ionic polarization in both BT and BST-0.6 ceramics with temperature could be explained by the softening of the soft phonon mode. In BZT-0.25, a permittivity anomaly at the dielectric maximum temperature (T(m)) at low frequencies is not attributed to the softening of the soft phonon mode, but originates from the permittivity derived from the dipole polarization (ϵ(dipole)). Relaxor behavior in BZT-0.25 is derived from the increase in the depression of ϵ(dipole) on cooling across the T(m) with increasing frequency. In dipole polarization, BT, BST- 0.6, and BZT-0.25 all exhibited a similar tendency of ϵ(dipole) above the Curie temperature (T(c)) and T(m). However, behavior of ϵ(dipole) below the T(c) can be explained by the ferroelectric domains in BT, whereas the variation of ϵ(dipole) below the Tm could be explained by growth process of polar nanoregions (PNRs) in BST-0.6 and BZT-0.25. Regarding this, BT can be distinguished from BST-0.6 and BZT-0.25. Relaxation in BT could be interpreted as successive change in polarization mechanism from normal ferroelectrics to relaxor ferroelectrics via DPT ferroelectrics.