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1.
Opt Express ; 32(8): 14755-14769, 2024 Apr 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38859412

We design and construct a broadband integrated multi-channel imaging spectrometer (MCIS) from visible light to near-infrared. This system can directly obtain spectral images that conform to the consistent visual habits of the human eyes through a single exposure of the detector. The genetic algorithm is used to calculate system parameters to minimize pixel waste between spectral channels, achieving nearly 100% utilization of detector pixels. The field stop suppresses stray light in the system. This device is used for imaging an optical-resolution target, an object, and a furnace to verify the basic principles of the system. The results indicate that the system can effectively utilize detectors to monitor high-temperature objects in the visible to near-infrared wavelength range.

2.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int ; 31(24): 35908-35926, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38743327

This study is to understand and analyze the development history, research hotspots, and research trends in the study of microbial diseases of cultural heritage through bibliometric analyses in order to fill the current gap of no literature review in this research field and to make certain contributions to the research in this field and the protection of cultural heritage. Bibliometric and visual analyses of the literature on cultural heritage microbial diseases in the Web of Science (WoS) core collection were carried out using VOSviewer and R-bibliometrix, choosing the two main literature types of papers and reviews. The emphasis was placed on analyzing and summarizing core research strengths, hotspots, and trends. Six hundred sixty-seven documents (573 articles and 94 reviews) were retrieved. αIn the WoS core collection, the first literature on cultural heritage microbial disease research was published in January 2000, and the annual number of publications from 2000 to 2009 did not exceed one; the annual number of publications from 2010 onwards increased rapidly, and after 2018, the number of publications per year exceeded 60, reaching 94 in 2020, which indicates that cultural heritage microbial disease research is booming. Our research showed that Italy, the USA, and China were the leading research countries, and Univ Milan was the institution with the most publications. International Biodeterioration &Biodegradation was the most published and co-cited journal, and Gu JD was the most prolific author. The research hotspots in the study of microbial diseases of cultural heritage mainly include biological degradation of cultural heritage; identification of diseased microorganisms and disease mechanisms; cultural heritage microbial disease prevention and control methods; monitoring, prevention, and control of diseased microorganisms in indoor air; antibacterial agents, especially essential oils, nanoparticles, and other safe and efficient antibacterial products research and development; and exploration of the mechanisms of biofilm protection of cultural heritage on cultural heritage surfaces. Monitoring and identifying cultural heritage microbial communities, identifying disease mechanisms, and researching safe and efficient bacteriostatic products such as essential oils and nanoparticles will be the main research directions in the field of cultural heritage microbial disease prevention and control in the future.


Bibliometrics , Humans
3.
Biosens Bioelectron ; 259: 116412, 2024 Sep 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38795498

While there is significant potential for DNA machine-built enzyme-free fluorescence biosensors in the imaging analysis of live biological samples, they persist certain shortcomings. These encompass a deficiency of signal enrichment within a singular interface, uncontrolled premature activation during bio-delivery, and a slow reaction rate due to free nucleic acid collisions. In this contribution, we are committed to resolving the above challenges. Firstly, a single-interface-integrated domino-like driving amplification is constructed. In this conception, a specific target acts as the domino promotor (namely the energy source), initiating a cascading chain reaction that grafts onto a singular interface. Next, an 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) light-excited up-converting luminescence-induced light-activatable biosensing technique is introduced. By locking the target-specific identification segment with a photo-cleavage connector, the up-converted ultraviolet emission can activate target binding in a completely controlled manner. Moreover, a fast reaction rate is achieved by confining nucleic acid collisions within the surface of a DNA wire nano-scaffold, leading to a substantial enhancement in local contact concentration (30.8-fold increase, alongside a 15 times elevation in rate). When a non-coding microRNA (miRNA-221) is positioned as the model low-abundance target for proof-of-concept validation, our intelligent DNA machine demonstrates ultra-high sensitivity (with a limit of detection down to 62.65 fM) and good specificity for this hepatic malignant tumor-associated biomarker in solution detection. Going further, it is worth highlighting that the biosensing system can be employed to carry out high-performance imaging analysis in live bio-samples (ranging from the cellular level to the nude mouse body), thereby propelling the field of DNA machines in disease diagnosis.


Biosensing Techniques , DNA , Infrared Rays , MicroRNAs , Biosensing Techniques/methods , Humans , DNA/chemistry , DNA/genetics , MicroRNAs/analysis , MicroRNAs/genetics , Animals , Mice , Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques/methods , Optical Imaging/methods , Nanostructures/chemistry
4.
Nature ; 629(8014): 1041-1046, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38720078

Electrocaloric1,2 and electrostrictive3,4 effects concurrently exist in dielectric materials. Combining these two effects could achieve the lightweight, compact localized thermal management that is promised by electrocaloric refrigeration5. Despite a handful of numerical models and schematic presentations6,7, current electrocaloric refrigerators still rely on external accessories to drive the working bodies8-10 and hence result in a low device-level cooling power density and coefficient of performance (COP). Here we report an electrocaloric thin-film device that uses the electro-thermomechanical synergy provided by polymeric ferroelectrics. Under one-time a.c. electric stimulation, the device is thermally and mechanically cycled by the working body itself, resulting in an external-driver-free, self-cycling, soft refrigerator. The prototype offers a directly measured cooling power density of 6.5 W g-1 and a peak COP exceeding 58 under a zero temperature span. Being merely a 30-µm-thick polymer film, the device achieved a COP close to 24 under a 4 K temperature span in an open ambient environment (32% thermodynamic efficiency). Compared with passive cooling, the thin-film refrigerator could immediately induce an additional 17.5 K temperature drop against an electronic chip. The soft, polymeric refrigerator can sense, actuate and pump heat to provide automatic localized thermal management.


Polymers , Refrigeration , Thermodynamics , Refrigeration/instrumentation , Polymers/chemistry , Cold Temperature , Electricity , Equipment Design , Electric Stimulation , Temperature
5.
Chemistry ; : e202400882, 2024 May 12.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38736029

The triboelectric material is the key factor affecting the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Inorganic materials have higher heat resistance and stability than widely used organic materials. However, the weaker triboelectric property limits the application of TENGs. Modulating surface roughness by changing particle shape and size is a simple way to increase performance for TENGs. Polyoxometalates (POMs) have unrivalled structural diversity and can self-assemble to form different nanostructures. In this study, we propose [{(NH4)42[Mo72VIMo60VO372(CH3COO)30(H2O)7.ca.300H2O.ca.CH3COONH4)]}-Mo132] and [{Na8K14(VO)2[{(MoVI)(Mo5VIO21)(H2O)3]}10{(MoVI)Mo5VIO21(H2O)3(SO4)}2{VIVO(H2O)20}{VIVO}10({KSO4}5)2]·150H2O)}-Mo72V30] with blackberry structure which are cured and prepared into film by spin-coating technique, are used as triboelectric positive materials for the first time in the field of TENGs. Keplerate-type polyoxometalates can form blackberry structures with higher dispersibility and flexibility, which can be used to control surface roughness by regulating the size of particles. The discovery proves that the particle size influences the surface roughness, which adjusts the output of TENGs. According to our findings, Mo132-h-TENG generates an output voltage of 29.3 V, an output charge of 8 nC 2-3 folds higher than Mo132-TENG, and a maximum power density of 6.25 mW·m-2 at 300 MΩ. Our research provides that altering the dimensional size can be an available way to raise the output of TENGs.

6.
Neural Netw ; 176: 106336, 2024 Apr 29.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38703421

Estimating long-term causal effects based on short-term surrogates is a significant but challenging problem in many real-world applications such as marketing and medicine. Most existing methods estimate causal effects in an idealistic and simplistic manner - disregarding unobserved surrogates and treating all short-term outcomes as surrogates. However, such methods are not well-suited to real-world scenarios where the partially observed surrogates are mixed with the proxies of unobserved surrogates among short-term outcomes. To address this issue, we develop our flexible method called LASER to estimate long-term causal effects in a more realistic situation where the surrogates are either observed or have observed proxies. In LASER, we employ an identifiable variational autoencoder to learn the latent surrogate representation by using all the surrogate candidates without the need to distinguish observed surrogates or proxies of unobserved surrogates. With the learned representation, we further devise a theoretically guaranteed and unbiased estimation of long-term causal effects. Extensive experimental results on the real-world and semi-synthetic datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.

7.
BMC Bioinformatics ; 25(1): 141, 2024 Apr 02.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38566002

Accurate and efficient prediction of drug-target interaction (DTI) is critical to advance drug development and reduce the cost of drug discovery. Recently, the employment of deep learning methods has enhanced DTI prediction precision and efficacy, but it still encounters several challenges. The first challenge lies in the efficient learning of drug and protein feature representations alongside their interaction features to enhance DTI prediction. Another important challenge is to improve the generalization capability of the DTI model within real-world scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose CAT-DTI, a model based on cross-attention and Transformer, possessing domain adaptation capability. CAT-DTI effectively captures the drug-target interactions while adapting to out-of-distribution data. Specifically, we use a convolution neural network combined with a Transformer to encode the distance relationship between amino acids within protein sequences and employ a cross-attention module to capture the drug-target interaction features. Generalization to new DTI prediction scenarios is achieved by leveraging a conditional domain adversarial network, aligning DTI representations under diverse distributions. Experimental results within in-domain and cross-domain scenarios demonstrate that CAT-DTI model overall improves DTI prediction performance compared with previous methods.


Drug Development , Drug Discovery , Drug Interactions , Amino Acid Sequence , Amino Acids
8.
Photochem Photobiol Sci ; 23(5): 987-996, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38662174

Pycnoporus sanguineus is a fungus of the phylum Basidiomycota that has many applications in traditional medicine, modern pharmaceuticals, and agricultural industries. Light plays an essential role in the metabolism, growth, and development of fungi. This study evaluated the mycelial growth and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in P. sanguineus fermentation broth (PFB) cultured under different wavelengths of LED irradiation or in the dark. Compared to the dark cultures, the dry weight of mycelia in red- and yellow-light cultures decreased by 37 and 35% and the yields of pigments increased by 30.92 ± 2.18 mg and 31.75 ± 3.06 mg, respectively. Compared with the dark culture, the DPPH free radical scavenging ability, ABTS+ free radical scavenging capacity, and reducing power of yellow-light cultures increased significantly, and their total phenolic content peaked at 180.0 ± 8.34 µg/mL. However, the reducing power in blue-light cultures was significantly reduced, though the total phenol content did not vary with that of dark cultures. In LPS- and IFN-γ-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, nitrite release was significantly reduced in the red and yellow light-irradiated PFB compared with the dark culture. In the dark, yellow-, and green-light cultures, TNF-α production in the inflamed RAW 264.7 cells was inhibited by 62, 46, and 14%, respectively. With red-, blue-, and white-light irradiation, TNF-α production was significantly enhanced. Based on these results, we propose that by adjusting the wavelength of the light source during culture, one can effectively modulate the growth, development, and metabolism of P. sanguineus.


Antioxidants , Light , Pycnoporus , Mice , Animals , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/metabolism , RAW 264.7 Cells , Pycnoporus/metabolism , Immunologic Factors/pharmacology , Immunologic Factors/chemistry , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Lipopolysaccharides/antagonists & inhibitors , Picrates/antagonists & inhibitors , Picrates/chemistry , Immunomodulating Agents/pharmacology , Immunomodulating Agents/chemistry , Biphenyl Compounds/antagonists & inhibitors , Biphenyl Compounds/chemistry , Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology
9.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces ; 16(17): 22303-22311, 2024 May 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38626428

The advancement of artificial intelligent vision systems heavily relies on the development of fast and accurate optical imaging detection, identification, and tracking. Framed by restricted response speeds and low computational efficiency, traditional optoelectronic information devices are facing challenges in real-time optical imaging tasks and their ability to efficiently process complex visual data. To address the limitations of current optoelectronic information devices, this study introduces a novel photomemristor utilizing halide perovskite thin films. The fabrication process involves adjusting the iodide proportion to enhance the quality of the halide perovskite films and minimize the dark current. The photomemristor exhibits a high external quantum efficiency of over 85%, which leads to a low energy consumption of 0.6 nJ. The spike timing-dependent plasticity characteristics of the device are leveraged to construct a spiking neural network and achieve a 99.1% accuracy rate of directional perception for moving objects. The notable results offer a promising hardware solution for efficient optoneuromorphic and edge computing applications.

10.
Dalton Trans ; 53(12): 5407-5415, 2024 Mar 19.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38440944

The crystalline quality of perovskite films is a key factor that affects the performance of perovskite photovoltaic devices. Polyoxometalates can better match the energy levels of each layer in the devices through their own suitable energy level and band gap, and the good light absorption of POMs can also increase the mobility of photogenerated carriers in the devices. Moreover, POMs with Keggin-type structures can also improve the crystalline quality of perovskite films by eliminating defect sites, which can lead to better crystallization of perovskites with larger grains. In this study, we optimized the crystalline quality of a perovskite layer using the SiW9Co3@rGO composite prepared using POMs and graphene derivatives. XRD and SEM tests show that the crystallization degree of the perovskite layer was improved, the average grain size of which can reach up to 1222.92 nm, which is nearly four times higher than that of a blank perovskite. The photoresponse current of a SiW9Co3@rGO-doped photodetector can reach to 43.94 µA, which is about 226% higher than that of an undoped device. At the same time, the addition of the composite can improve the stability of photodetectors because of the special network structure of graphene. Photodetectors doped with SiW9Co3@rGO can still maintain more than 90% of their high performance for a month. This study proves that POM-based composites have good application prospects in the field of photovoltaic devices.

11.
PLoS One ; 19(3): e0297176, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38457451

The innovative cutting mechanism of multi-dimensional teeth presents a groundbreaking approach to drill bit design, particularly optimizing drilling efficiency in challenging geological formations such as interlayers and gravel-rich layers within the Changqing Oilfield. Nevertheless, compared to conventional flat-tooth PDC drill bits, several aspects of the cutting mechanism and design parameters for multi-dimensional teeth require further elucidation. This article employs a linear cutting finite element model to establish cutting models for traditional flat teeth and two distinct types of multi-dimensional teeth, designated as Ridge and Benz. It systematically investigates the influence of varying cutting parameters on the effectiveness of rock-crushing within the multi-dimensional tooth-cutting mechanism. This study conducts laboratory-based single-tooth rock-crushing experiments to validate the numerical simulation results. Furthermore, applying principles derived from soil plastic mechanics contrasts the stress states experienced by rocks during the rock-crushing process between multi-dimensional teeth and conventional flat teeth, shedding light on the rock-crushing mechanism employed by multi-dimensional teeth. This research categorizes PDC cutting teeth on the drill bit into two groups: those near the center and those near the outer shoulder. A linear cutting model for teeth positioned near the outer shoulder is developed to analyze the impacts of different rake angles, side clearance angles, and welding errors on the tooth helix angle and the rock-crushing efficiency of the Benz tooth. This comprehensive study is a valuable reference for tailored drill bit design and holds potential for publication in a prestigious scientific journal.


Tooth , Computer Simulation , Soil
12.
Adv Sci (Weinh) ; 11(21): e2401080, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38520711

Entering the era of AI 2.0, bio-inspired target recognition facilitates life. However, target recognition may suffer from some risks when the target is hijacked. Therefore, it is significantly important to provide an encryption process prior to neuromorphic computing. In this work, enlightened from time-varied synaptic rule, an in-memory asymmetric encryption as pre-authentication is utilized with subsequent convolutional neural network (ConvNet) for target recognition, achieving in-memory two-factor authentication (IM-2FA). The unipolar self-oscillated synaptic behavior is adopted to function as in-memory asymmetric encryption, which can greatly decrease the complexity of the peripheral circuit compared to bipolar stimulation. Results show that without passing the encryption process with suitable weights at the correct time, the ConvNet for target recognition will not work properly with an extremely low accuracy lower than 0.86%, thus effectively blocking out the potential risks of involuntary access. When a set of correct weights is evolved at a suitable time, a recognition rate as high as 99.82% can be implemented for target recognition, which verifies the effectiveness of the IM-2FA strategy.


Neural Networks, Computer , Synapses , Synapses/physiology , Algorithms , Humans
13.
Inorg Chem ; 63(2): 1328-1336, 2024 Jan 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38166367

Designing friction materials with high electron storage capacity, high work function, low cost, and high stability is an important method to improve the output performance of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Here, we report two kinds of friction materials based on Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs)-modified graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4), namely, g-C3N4@PMo12 and g-C3N4@PW12, and form TENG with commercial indium tin oxide/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (ITO/PET) electrodes. The performance test shows that the g-C3N4@PMo12 TENG device exhibits a high output voltage of about 78 V, a current of about 657 nA, and a transfer charge of about 15 nC, which is more than 3 times higher than that of unmodified TENG. This performance improvement is attributed to the fact that POM loaded on the surface of g-C3N4 can be used as a shallow electron trap to increase the electron storage capacity through electron interaction and to increase the charge density on the surface of the material by increasing the work function of the composite. This work not only broadens the choices of TENG friction materials but also offers a practical means of enhancing TENG's output performance.

14.
Inorg Chem ; 63(1): 593-601, 2024 Jan 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38103019

In nature, biological nitrogen fixation is accomplished through the π-back-bonding mechanism of nitrogenase, which poses significant challenges for mimic artificial systems, thanks to the activation barrier associated with the N≡N bond. Consequently, this motivates us to develop efficient and reusable photocatalysts for artificial nitrogen fixation under mild conditions. We employ a charge-assisted self-assembly process toward encapsulating one polyoxometalate (POM) within a dehydrated Zr-based metal-organic framework (d-UiO-66) exhibiting nitrogen photofixation activities, thereby constructing an enzyme-mimicking photocatalyst. The dehydration of d-UiO-66 is favorable for facilitating nitrogen chemisorption and activation via the unpaired d-orbital electron at the [Zr6O6] cluster. The incorporation of POM guests enhanced the charge separation in the composites, thereby facilitating the transfer of photoexcited electrons into the π* antibonding orbital of chemisorbed N2 for efficient nitrogen fixation. Simultaneously, the catalytic efficiency of SiW9Fe3@d-UiO-66 is enhanced by 9.0 times compared to that of d-UiO-66. Moreover, SiW9Fe3@d-UiO-66 exhibits an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 0.254% at 550 nm. The tactics of "working-in-tandem" achieved by POMs and d-UiO-66 are extremely vital for enhancing artificial ammonia synthesis. This study presents a paradigm for the development of an efficient artificial catalyst for nitrogen photofixation, aiming to mimic the process of biological nitrogen fixation.

15.
Nano Lett ; 23(23): 10821-10831, 2023 Dec 13.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38050812

Anisotropic optoelectronics based on low-symmetry two-dimensional (2D) materials hold immense potential for enabling multidimensional visual perception with improved miniaturization and integration capabilities, which has attracted extensive interest in optical communication, high-gain photoswitching circuits, and polarization imaging fields. However, the reported in-plane anisotropic photocurrent and polarized dichroic ratios are limited, hindering the achievement of high-performance anisotropic optoelectronics. In this study, we introduce novel low-symmetry violet phosphorus (VP) with a unique tubular cross-linked structure into this realm, and the corresponding anisotropic optical and optoelectronic properties are investigated both experimentally and theoretically for the first time. Remarkably, our prepared VP-based van der Waals phototransistor exhibits significant optoelectronic anisotropies with a giant in-plane anisotropic photocurrent ratio exceeding 10 and a comparable polarized dichroic ratio of 2.16, which is superior to those of most reported 2D counterparts. Our findings establish VP as an exceptional candidate for anisotropic optoelectronics, paving the way for future multifunctional applications.

16.
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi ; 48(19): 5162-5171, 2023 Oct.
Article Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38114106

This study aims to investigate the impact of the invasive pest Corythucha marmorata on the growth and quality of Artemi-sia argyi. The signs of insect damage at the cultivation base of A. argyi in Huanggang, Hubei were observed. The pests were identified based on morphological and molecular evidence. The pest occurrence pattern and damage mechanism were investigated. Electron microscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS), and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) were employed to analyze the microstructure, volatile oils, and flavonoid content of the pest-infested leaves. C. marmorata can cause destructive damage to A. argyi. Small decoloring spots appeared on the leaf surface at the initial stage of infestation. As the damage progressed, the spots spread along the leaf veins and aggregated into patches, causing yellowish leaves and even brownish yellow in the severely affected areas. The insect frequently appeared in summer because it thrives in hot dry conditions. After occurrence on the leaves, microscopic examination revealed that the front of the leaves gradually developed decoloring spots, with black oily stains formed by the black excrement attaching to the glandular hairs. The leaf flesh was also severely damaged, and the non-glandular hairs were broken, disor-ganized, and sticky. The content of neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acids A and B, hispidulin, jaceosidin, and eupatilin at the early stage of infestation was significantly higher than that at the middle stage, and the content decreased at the last stage of infestation. The content of eucalyptol, borneol, terpinyl, and caryophyllin decreased in the moderately damaged leaves and increased in the severely damaged leaves. C. marmorata was discovered for the first time on A. argyi leaves in this study, and its prevention and control deserves special attention. The germplasm materials resistant to this pest can be used to breed C. marmorata-resis-tant A. argyi varieties.


Artemisia , Oils, Volatile , Artemisia/chemistry , Plant Breeding , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Oils, Volatile/analysis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Plant Leaves/chemistry
17.
Small Methods ; : e2301231, 2023 Dec 21.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38126694

Despite significant breakthroughs in immunotherapy, the limitations of inadequate immune stimulation and stubborn immune resistance continue to present opportunities and challenges. Therefore, a two-pronged approach, encompassing the activation of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and blocking the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-mediated pathway, is devised to elicit systemic anti-tumor immunity and alleviate immunosuppression. Herein, a tumor microenvironment (TME)-specific driven nanoagent is composed of a tetrasulfide bond-bridged mesoporous silica layer (MON) coated up-conversion nanoparticles as a nano-carrier, combines Fe2+ , curcumin, and indoximod for operating chemodynamic therapy/chemotherapy/immunotherapy. The consumption of glutathione (GSH) caused by MON degradation, the Fenton reaction of Fe2+ , and curcumin triggering mitochondrial damage collectively exacerbate the oxidative stress, leading to a violent immunoreaction and reversal of the immunosuppressive TME through a combination of IDO-inhibitors. Meanwhile, upconversion luminescence (UCL) imaging serves as a significant guiding tool for drug delivery and the treatment of nanoagents. In vivo and in vitro experiment results demonstrate that the nanosystem not only effectively inhibits the growth of primary tumors but also induces immune priming and memory effects to reject re-challenged tumors. The strategy as a complementary approach displays great potential for future immunotherapy along with other multimodal treatment modes.

18.
PLoS One ; 18(12): e0296342, 2023.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38150444

BACKGROUND: Perspectives of key stakeholders should be fully considered to enhance culturally appropriate strategies in end-of-life communication and strengthen healthcare service delivery. So far, little research evidence is available on Chinese patients', families', and healthcare professionals' experiences with and perspectives of end-of-life communication in hospital settings. AIM: The current study aims to explore experiences, perceptions and suggestions of end-of-life communication among Chinese terminally ill patients, their families and healthcare providers. METHODS: The phenomenology qualitative approach will be adopted. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions will be used to collect relevant data. Eligible terminally ill patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers will be recruited in two hospitals in Mainland China via purposive sampling. Thematic analysis will be performed to analyse data. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklist will be followed for reporting. This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05734781). DISCUSSION: This qualitative study is, as far as we are aware, the first to specifically address patient/family-provider end-of-life communication in the Chinese social-cultural context. The results hold the potential to enrich current knowledge of end-of-life communication, navigate culturally appropriate communication strategies, and inform the development of related training programs for healthcare providers in hospital settings.


Communication , Health Personnel , Humans , Qualitative Research , Hospitals , Death
19.
Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi ; 39(11): 1044-1048, 2023.
Article Zh | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37980557

Invasive fungal diseases are increasing in incidence and mortality. A variety of immune cells are required to fight against fungal infections. The four subpopulations of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), namely natural killer cell (NK cell), ILC1, ILC2 and ILC3, have different roles in the immune response to fungal infection. NK cells and ILC3 play the main role in killing fungi and protecting the host, while ILC2 itself does not have significant resistance to fungal infection, but because of its cell plasticity, inflammatory ILC2 can be transformed into ILC3 under certain conditions. The main function of ILCs is to produce cytokines which either directly kill fungi or indirectly regulate the immune response, promoting the body to complete the antifungal immune process.


Lymphocytes , Mycoses , Humans , Immunity, Innate , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Killer Cells, Natural , Cytokines
20.
Eur J Med Res ; 28(1): 511, 2023 Nov 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37964339

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the three deadliest malignant tumors in the world, posing a severe hazard to human health. Nonetheless, the 5-year survival rate for advanced CRC remains unsatisfactory. Grid2 interacting protein (GRID2IP) is a Purkinje fiber postsynaptic scaffold protein implicated in a number of signal transduction pathways in the nervous system. Previous studies have shown that Grid2 is closely related to the occurrence and prognosis of gastric cancer and many other diseases. Therefore, we aim to identify the relationship between GRID2IP and the occurrence and prognosis of CRC. METHODS: Transcriptome data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to analyze the differential expression of GRID2IP in a variety of malignant tumors and then validate it by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(Q-PCR) and Western Blot in HT29 and SW480 cells. "DESeq2" package was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the high- and low-GRID2IP subgroups. In relation to DEGs, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) were employed to examine DEGs-associated signaling pathways and GRID2IP-associated immune cell infiltration levels. Besides, overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI) were compared between the two subgroups using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. In addition, a prognostic model for GRID2IP and clinical characteristics was developed using the univariate Cox regression method. The "pRRophetic" package was applied to predict the drug sensitivity of different subgroups. Moreover, we also performed single-cell analysis of GRID2IP using the TISCH database. RESULTS: GRID2IP is upregulated in CRC patients. The rise of GRID2IP inhibits the invasion of tumor-associated immune cells resulting in a lower immune score. In addition, high GRID2IP expression was associated with poor prognosis in different clinical subgroups. Analysis of single cells revealed that GRID2IP was predominantly expressed in immune cells, myofibroblasts, and cancerous cells. In terms of chemotherapy drug sensitivity, the subgroup with high GRID2IP expression was less sensitive to gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that rising GRID2IP promotes tumor-associated immune cell infiltration and suggests adverse outcomes in CRC patients, which may be a useful biomarker for determining the prognosis of CRC and a potential target molecule for CRC therapy.


Colorectal Neoplasms , Stomach Neoplasms , Humans , Biomarkers , Blotting, Western , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Prognosis
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