Synthesis, modification and application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles: a review.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been heavily investigated owing to its low cost, benign nature and strong photocatalytic ability. Thus, TiO2 has broad applications including photocatalysts, Li-ion batteries, solar cells, medical research and so on. However, the performance of TiO2 is not satisfactory due to many factors such as the broad band gap (3.01 to 3.2 eV) and fast recombination of electron-hole pairs (10-12 to 10-11 s). Plenty of work has been undertaken to improve the properties, such as structural and dopant modifications, which broaden the applications of TiO2. This review mainly discusses the aspects of TiO2-modified nanoparticles including synthetic methods, modifications and applications.

The maximum value of bispectral index predicts outcome in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after resuscitation, better than minimum or mean value.

OBJECTIVE: Although bispectral index (BIS) has been widely used for predicting neurological outcomes in clinical practice, its optimal value concerning maximum (BISmax), minimum (BISmin) and mean (BISmean) on accurately predicting the prognosis of patients with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) after resuscitation has not been clearly determined. METHODS: For a total number of 45 cases, the duration of each BIS measurement was 12 h, with the data collected at a 30 min interval. Outcome was recorded as survival and non-survival count 60 days after the resuscitation. Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to assess the BISmax, BISmin and BISmean for predicting clinical outcome. RESULTS: By the end of observation, 20 cases (44.4%) survived with a significantly higher BISmax. The area under the curve for BISmax of predicting survival was the highest compared to BISmin and BISmean. The optimal cut-off value of BISmax was 71.5 with 100% sensitivity and 60% specificity. Ten patients presented BIS value down to zero at any time point did not survive the observation. CONCLUSION: The BISmax is a better outcome predictor than BISmin or BISmean for patients with HIE after resuscitation. Lower BISmax represents higher risk of mortality. Additionally, BIS value decreases to zero represents a poor outcome.

[N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide value for prediction of mortality among critically ill patients in different age groups in intensive care unit].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) cutoff value for the mortality in different age groups in critically ill patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. 295 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of 401st Hospital of PLA from January 2011 to October 2012 were divided into two groups according to age [group with age<65 years old (n=105) and group with age≥ 65 years old (n=190)]. The concentrations of serum NT-proBNP, hematocrit (HCT), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein(CRP), serum creatinine(SCr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), acute physiology and chronic health evaluationII (APACHEII) score and probability of survival (PS) were recorded within 24 hours. The primary outcome was ICU mortality. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the value of NT-proBNP for predicting the mortality. RESULTS: (1) There were no significant differences in the length of stay in ICU, mechanical ventilation rate, the mortality, the incidence of cardiovascular disease, digestive disease, neurologic disease, and the number of patients having received operation, HCT, PCT and CRP between the two groups (all P>0.05). The percentage of the male, the APACHEII score, the percentage of respiratory disease, and NT-proBNP in group with age≥65 years old were higher than those of the group with age<65 years old [the percentage of the male: 51.6% vs. 33.0%, χ (2)=9.093, P=0.003; APACHEII score: 22.94±8.10 vs. 19.44±8.51, Z=-3.259, P=0.001; the percentage of respiratory disease: 29.47% vs. 17.14%, χ(2)=5.472, P=0.024; NT-proBNP: 5 859.00 (2 050.75, 23 802.75) ng/L vs. 2 882.00 (275.15, 6 236.00) ng/L, Z=-5.514, P=0.000]; PS, the percentage of patients having multiple injuries and other diseases and eGFR in group with age≥65 years old were lower than those of the group with age <65 years old [PS: 59.0 (31.5,79.0)% vs. 70.0 (40.0, 84.0)%, Z=-3.431, P=0.001; the percentage of multiple injuries: 0.53% vs. 17.14%, χ(2)=30.987, P=0.000; the percentage of other disease: 5.79% vs. 13.33%, χ(2)=4.962, P=0.030; eGFR (ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2)): 81.07 (45.77, 131.80) vs. 95.54 (33.64, 165.55), Z=-2.214, P=0.027]. (2) The area under the ROC curve (AUC) [95% confidence interval (95%CI)] of NT-proBNP in patients with age<65 years old was significantly higher than that of group with age≥65 years old and the entire group [0.825 (0.738-0.892) vs. 0.664 (0.592-0.731) and 0.725 (0.670-0.775), Z1=-2.835, P1=0.005; Z2=-1.995, P2=0.046]. (3) The sensitivity (76.10% vs. 64.10%), specificity (82.35% vs. 67.12%), positive predictive value (90.0% vs. 75.8%), and negative predictive value (62.2% vs. 53.8%) with cutoff value of NT-proBNP (2 882 ng/L) in group with age<65 years old were significantly higher than those with NT-proBNP cutoff value (6 062 ng/L) in group with age≥65 years old. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP cutoff value in different age groups for the prediction of mortality in the critically ill patients maybe more objective and accurate.

Bispectral index predicts deaths within 2 weeks in coma patients, a better predictor than serum neuron-specific enolase or S100 protein.

PURPOSE: We assessed the ability of bispectral index (BIS) to predict clinical outcome (dead or alive within 2 weeks). METHODS: In total, 90 coma patients with severe brain injuries underwent BIS monitoring, and serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 protein levels were assayed within the first 3 days of admission. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the performance of BIS values for predicting death within 2 weeks. A cutoff value was calculated using the Youden index. RESULTS: A significant negative correlation was found between BIS value and serum NSE and S100 levels. The area under the curve for BIS value was 0.841 (p < 0.001, 95 % CI = 0.751-0.931), and higher than for NSE (0.713) (p = 0.002, 95 % CI = 0.582-0.844) or S100 (0.790) (p < 0.001, 95 % CI = 0.680-0.899). The optimal cutoff of BIS was 32.5. Serum NSE and S100 protein levels and the mortality rate were significantly lower in patients with a BIS value >32.5 than in patients with a BIS value ≤32.5. CONCLUSIONS: Bispectral index values may reflect degree of brain injury, and BIS is an objective and noninvasive monitoring method for helping clinicians to predict death in patients with a BIS value ≤32.5.

[The value of bispectral index in the unconscious patients with acute brain injury due to different pathogenic factors].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the differences in bispectral index (BIS) in unconscious patients with acute brain injury due to different pathogenic factors, and approach its clinical significance. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. One hundred and twenty-two unconscious patients with acute brain injured admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from March 2009 to August 2012 were involved. According to the pathogenic factors, all patients were divided into direct injury group (n=66) and indirect injury group (n=56). Based on BIS value, all patients were divided into the BIS<60 group (n=80) and the BIS≥60 group (n=42). The BIS was continuously measured for 12 hours during the first 3 days, or 24 hours after stoppage of sedative after admission to ICU. The mean value of BIS (BISmean) was evaluated. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluationII (APACHEII) score, probability of survival (PS) and Glasgow coma score (GCS) were recorded. On the same day, the serum protein S100 and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were determined. The mortality and the rate of the poor neurological outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) There were no significant differences in the age, sex, APACHEII score, PS and days of stay in ICU between the direct and indirect injury groups. (2) BISmean and GCS in direct injury group were significantly lower than those of the indirect injury group [BISmean: 39.0 (2.5, 58.0) vs. 59.0 (42.0, 71.0), GCS score: 3 (3, 5) vs. 4 (3, 6), both P<0.01], while serum S100 levels was significantly higher [2.30 (0.75, 6.66) mg/L vs. 0.84 (0.40, 3.62) mg/L, P<0.01]. There was no significant difference in the NSE level between the direct and indirect injury groups. (3) The mortality rate and poor neurological outcome rate in BIS<60 group were significantly higher than the BIS≥60 group (mortality rate: 67.50% vs. 40.48%, poor neurological outcome rate: 86.25% vs. 66.67%, P<0.01 and P<0.05). In the BIS<60 group, there were no significant differences in the mortality and poor neurological outcome rate between direct and indirect injury group. CONCLUSIONS: There are differences in pathogenic factors, the injury mechanism, and the degree of the brain injury between the direct and indirect injury groups. BIS monitoring could help judge the degree of different kinds of brain injury. BIS<60 indicates poor prognosis and neurological outcome in spite of the inducing factor of brain injury.

[Evaluation of continuous monitoring of bispectral index in prognosis in patients with acute brain injury].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the effect of continuous monitoring of bispectral index (BIS) on the prognosis of patients with acute brain injury. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out, 61 patients with acute brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from March 2009 to July 2010 were divided into survival group (n=25) and death group (n=36). The BIS was continuously monitored for 12 hours within the first 3 days or 24 hours after stoppage of sedative after admission to ICU. The mean value of BIS (BISmean), the maximal value of BIS (BISmax), and the minimal value of BIS (BISmin) were evaluated. At the same time, the acute physiology and chronic health evaluationII (APACHEII) score, probability of survival (PS) and Glasgow coma score (GCS) were evaluated. The values of serum S100 protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were determined. The relationship between BISmean and GCS, S100 protein and NSE were respectively analyzed. RESULTS: (1)There was no significant difference in the sex, age, or duration of mechanical ventilation between two groups. APACHEII score in death group was significantly higher than the survival group (27.36±5.99 vs. 23.28±6.69), PS was significantly lower than the survival group (0.31±0.17 vs. 0.49±0.19), and length of stay in ICU (days) was significantly lower than that of the survival group (6.33±4.48 vs. 27.88±54.46), P<0.05 or P<0.01. (2) BISmean, BISmax, BISmin, GCS in death group were significantly lower than those in the survival group (BISmean: 35.45±28.31 vs. 55.91±17.53, BISmax: 51.92±34.24 vs. 74.84±16.58, BISmin: 22.39±24.83 vs. 39.68±15.72, GCS score: 3.64±1.19 vs. 5.60±2.22), P<0.05 or P<0.01, while serum S100 protein and NSE levels were significantly higher than the survival group [S100 protein (µg/L): 7.54±10.49 vs. 1.18±1.57, NSE (µg/L): 120.74±109.01 vs. 49.83±54.94], both P<0.01. (3) By bivariate analysis, BISmean was positively correlated with GCS (r=0.379, P=0.003), whereas it was found to be negatively correlated with S100 protein and NSE levels (r1=-0.418, P1=0.001; r2=-0.290, P2=0.023). CONCLUSION: BIS monitoring can be applied as an early objective indicator to evaluate the prognosis of the acute brain injured patients with the characteristics of being noninvasive, intuitive, easy-to-manipulate, and non-stop monitoring.

[Role of neuron specific enolase and S100 protein in evaluation of brain damage in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100 protein in evaluation of brain damage in patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest (CA). METHODS: According to whether the patients regained consciousness after 6 months or not, 25 patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) were divided into 2 groups, and blood samples were obtained for determination of NSE and S100 protein at 2, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), then the values at each time point were compared between 2 groups and also with that of 7 healthy volunteers. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves of serum NSE and S100 protein were depicted and used area under curve (AUS) to scale the ability in evaluating the state of consciousness in patients after CPR. RESULTS: (1)The levels of serum NSE at 12, 48 and 72 hours and S100 protein at 2, 12, 48 and 72 hours were significantly higher in patients who did not regain consciousness compared with patients who regained consciousness (all P<0.01). (2)Compared with healthy volunteers, the levels of NSE at 12 and 24 hours and S100 protein at 12 hours were higher in patients who regained consciousness (all P<0.05), the levels of NSE at all time points and S100 protein at 12, 48 and 72 hours were significantly higher in patients who did not regain consciousness (P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3)Area under curve AUC(NSE) =0.848 (P=0.000), AUC(S100) =0.896 (P=0.000), therefore both serum NSE and S100 protein had diagnostic value for predicting whether patients resuscitated from CA could regain consciousness or not. Serum S100 protein cut-off was 0.165 microg/L, with a sensitivity of 94.4%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 80% and an accuracy of 95.5% at 2 hours after ROSC. Serum NSE cut-off was 45.6 microg/L, all values reached 100% 48 hours after ROSC. CONCLUSION: Measurement of serum NSE and S100 protein concentrations can help judge the degree of brain damage and whether patients can regain consciousness after CPR. It will be more valuable to prognosticate a serious and continuous brain damage with dynamic observation of the serum NSE together with S100 protein.