Long-Short-Term-Memory-Based Deep Stacked Sequence-to-Sequence Autoencoder for Health Prediction of Industrial Workers in Closed Environments Based on Wearable Devices.

To reduce the risks and challenges faced by frontline workers in confined workspaces, accurate real-time health monitoring of their vital signs is essential for improving safety and productivity and preventing accidents. Machine-learning-based data-driven methods have shown promise in extracting valuable information from complex monitoring data. However, practical industrial settings still struggle with the data collection difficulties and low prediction accuracy of machine learning models due to the complex work environment. To tackle these challenges, a novel approach called a long short-term memory (LSTM)-based deep stacked sequence-to-sequence autoencoder is proposed for predicting the health status of workers in confined spaces. The first step involves implementing a wireless data acquisition system using edge-cloud platforms. Smart wearable devices are used to collect data from multiple sources, like temperature, heart rate, and pressure. These comprehensive data provide insights into the workers' health status within the closed space of a manufacturing factory. Next, a hybrid model combining deep learning and support vector machine (SVM) is constructed for anomaly detection. The LSTM-based deep stacked sequence-to-sequence autoencoder is specifically designed to learn deep discriminative features from the time-series data by reconstructing the input data and thus generating fused deep features. These features are then fed into a one-class SVM, enabling accurate recognition of workers' health status. The effectiveness and superiority of the proposed approach are demonstrated through comparisons with other existing approaches.

Mechanism of Xumingtang in Gu Jin Lu Yan for Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Based on HIF-1α/NLRP3 Pathway-mediated Pyroptosis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Xumingtang in Gu Jin Lu Yan （《古今录验》） in regulating cell pyroptosis through the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 （NLRP3） pathway in ischemic stroke （IS）. MethodSD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， low- and high-dose Xumingtang groups， and a metformin group， with 20 rats in each group. Oral administration was performed for 3 days， and tissue samples were collected. Differential messenger RNA （mRNA） was screened using high-throughput sequencing， and Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway analyses were performed on key differentially expressed genes. The modified neurological severity score （mNSS） and 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining were used to evaluate the effect of brain infarction. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used for pathological morphological observation of brain tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to compare the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and interleukin-18 （IL-18） in the ischemic cortical region. Double staining immunohistochemistry was used to detect the co-localization of HIF-1α and NLRP3. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression of NLRP3， HIF-1α， Caspase-1 （CASP-1）， and gasdermin D （GSDMD）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of HIF-1α， NLRP3， CASP-1， and GSDMD. ResultA total of 5 705 differentially expressed genes （2 733 downregulated and 2 972 upregulated） were obtained by mRNA sequencing. After conversion to homologous genes and intersection with the pyroptosis gene set， 95 key differentially expressed pyroptosis genes were obtained. Compared with the sham operation group， the model group showed significantly increased mNSS scores， larger brain infarction areas （P<0.01）， diverse neuronal morphology， disordered arrangement， widened cell gaps， significantly increased levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the ischemic cortical region （P<0.01）， enhanced co-localization fluorescence intensity， and significantly increased mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， CASP-1， and GSDMD （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose Xumingtang group showed the most significant improvement in neurological function scores and brain infarction areas （P<0.01）. The neuronal integrity and arrangement were more complete， and the cell gaps were narrower in all groups with drug treatment， with significantly reduced co-localization fluorescence intensity. Xumingtang could reduce the levels of IL-1β， IL-18， and the mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1α， NLRP3， CASP-1， and GSDMD （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the high-dose Xumingtang group showing the most significant effect （P<0.01）. ConclusionXumingtang in Gu Jin Lu Yan can inhibit cell pyroptosis and promote neurological function recovery after IS， which may be related to the inhibition of the HIF-1α/NLRP3 pathway.

Application of partial least squares algorithm to explore bioactive components of crude and stir-baked hawthorn for invigorating spleen and promoting digestion / 中国中药杂志

This study was aimed at identifying the bioactive components of the crude and stir-baked hawthorn for invigorating spleen and promoting digestion, respectively, to clarify the processing mechanism of hawthorn by applying the partial least squares(PLS) algorithm to build the spectrum-effect relationship model. Firstly, different polar fractions of crude and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions were prepared, respectively. Then, the contents of 24 chemical components were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effects of different polar fractions of crude hawthorn and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions were evaluated by measuring the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate. Finally, the PLS algorithm was used to establish the spectrum-effect relationship model. The results showed that there were significant differences in the contents of 24 chemical components for different polar fractions of crude and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions, and the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of model rats were improved by administration of different polar fractions of crude and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions. The bioactive components of crude hawthorn identified by PLS models were vitexin-4″-O-glucoside, vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside, neochlorogenic acid, rutin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, citric acid, malic acid, quinic acid and fumaric acid, while neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, citric acid, quinic acid and fumaric acid were the bioactive components of stir-baked hawthorn. This study provided data support and scientific basis for identifying the bioactive components of crude and stir-baked hawthorn, and clarifying the processing mechanism of hawthorn.

A Density Functional Theory and Microkinetic Study of Acetylene Partial Oxidation on the Perfect and Defective Cu2O (111) Surface Models.

The catalytic removal of C2H2 by Cu2O was studied by investigating the adsorption and partial oxidation mechanism of C2H2 on both perfect (stoichiometric) and CuCUS-defective Cu2O (111) surface models using density functional theory calculations. The chemisorption of C2H2 on perfect and defective surface models needs to overcome the energy barrier of 0.70 and 0.81 eV at 0 K. The direct decomposition of C2H2 on both surface models is energy demanding with the energy barrier of 1.92 and 1.62 eV for the perfect and defective surface models, respectively. The H-abstractions of the chemisorbed C2H2 by a series of radicals including H, OH, HO2, CH3, O, and O2 following the Langmuir−Hinshelwood mechanism have been compared. On the perfect Cu2O (111) surface model, the activity order of the adsorbed radicals toward H-abstraction of C2H2 is: OH > O2 > HO2 > O > CH3 > H, while on the defective Cu2O (111) surface model, the activity follows the sequence: O > OH > O2 > HO2 > H > CH3. The CuCUS defect could remarkably facilitate the H-abstraction of C2H2 by O2. The partial oxidation of C2H2 on the Cu2O (111) surface model tends to proceed with the chemisorption process and the following H-abstraction process rather than the direct decomposition process. The reaction of C2H2 H-abstraction by O2 dictates the C2H2 overall reaction rate on the perfect Cu2O (111) surface model and the chemisorption of C2H2 is the rate-determining step on the defective Cu2O (111) surface model. The results of this work could benefit the understanding of the C2H2 reaction on the Cu2O (111) surface and future heterogeneous modeling.

Influence of Ag Metal Dispersion on the Catalyzed Reduction of CO2 into Chemical Fuels over Ag-ZrO2 Catalysts.

Metal/metal oxide catalysts reveal unique CO2 adsorption and hydrogenation properties in CO2 electroreduction for the synthesis of chemical fuels. The dispersion of active components on the surface of metal oxide has unique quantum effects, significantly affecting the catalytic activity and selectivity. Catalyst models with 25, 50, and 75% Ag covering on ZrO2, denoted as Ag4/(ZrO2)9, Ag8/(ZrO2)9, and Ag12/(ZrO2)9, respectively, were developed and coupled with a detailed investigation of the electronic properties and electroreduction processes from CO2 into different chemical fuels using density functional theory calculations. The dispersion of Ag can obviously tune the hybridization between the active site of the catalyst and the O atom of the intermediate species CH3O* derived from the reduction of CO2, which can be expected as the key intermediate to lead the reduction path to differentiation of generation of CH4 and CH3OH. The weak hybridization between CH3O* and Ag4/(ZrO2)9 and Ag12/(ZrO2)9 favors the further reduction of CH3O* into CH3OH. In stark contrast, the strong hybridization between CH3O* and Ag8/(ZrO2)9 promotes the dissociation of the C-O bond of CH3O*, thus leading to the generation of CH4. Results provide a fundamental understanding of the CO2 reduction mechanism on the metal/metal oxide surface, favoring novel catalyst rational design and chemical fuel production.

An EGFP Knock-in Zebrafish Experimental Model Used in Evaluation of the Amantadine Drug Safety During Early Cardiogenesis.

Background: Drug exposure during gestation or in prematurely born children represents a significant risk to congenital heart disease (CHD). Amantadine is an antiviral agent also effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, while its potential side effects associated with tetralogy of fallot (ToF) and birth defects were implicated, its underlying etiologic mechanisms of action remain unknown. Here, we report teratogenic effects of amantadine drug during early cardiogenesis through developing a novel zebrafish (Danio rerio) knock-in (KI) animal model and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Homologous recombination (HR) pathway triggered by CRISPR/Cas9 system was utilized to generate an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) KI zebrafish animal model. Dynamic fluorescence imaging coupled with a whole-mount in-situ hybridization (WISH) assay was employed to compare the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the EGFP reporter in the KI animal model with the KI-targeted endogenous gene. Heart morphology and EGFP expression dynamics in the KI animal models were monitored to assess cardiac side effects of different doses of amantadine hydrochloride. Expression of key genes required for myocardium differentiation and left-right (LR) asymmetry was analyzed using WISH and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Results: A novel EGFP KI line targeted at the ventricular myosin heavy chain (vmhc) gene locus was successfully generated, in which EGFP reporter could faithfully recapitulate the endogenous expression dynamics of the ventricle chamber-specific expression of the vmhc gene. Amantadine drug treatment-induced ectopic expression of vmhc gene in the atrium and caused cardiac-looping or LR asymmetry defects to dose-dependently during early cardiogenesis, concomitant with dramatically reduced expression levels of key genes required for myocardium differentiation and LR asymmetry. Conclusion: We generated a novel zebrafish KI animal model in which EGFP reports the ventricle chamber-specific expression of vmhc gene dynamics that is useful to effectively assess drug safety on the cardiac morphology in vivo. Specifically, this study identified teratogenic effects of amantadine drug during early cardiogenesis dose dependent, which could be likely conveyed by inhibiting expression of key genes required for cardiac myocardium differentiation and LR asymmetry.

Application of virtual implant restoration in oral implantology teaching / 中华医学教育探索杂志

This study uses "virtual implant" technology combined with PBL and CBL teaching methods to carry out oral implantology teaching with "restoration as the goal". By instructing students to collect preoperative data and compare actual postoperative data, the continuous cycle verification between problems, objectives, methods, and results is performed. The continuous cycle verification can improve the enthusiasm and initiative of students to learn oral implantology. At the same time, it can allow students to develop the thinking habit of understanding oral implantology with a holistic and whole-process concept and provide strong educational guidance for clinical medical students.

Clinical analysis of 176 cases of fungal keratitis in Jingzhou / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To analyze the infection characteristics and clinical treatment outcome of patients with fungal keratitis(FK)in Jingzhou area, so as to provide basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment of FK. METHODS: The data of 176 patients with FK diagnosed by etiology in Jingzhou Central Hospital from January 2015 to July 2020 were collected, and the epidemiological characteristics, identification results of fungal strains, drug sensitivity and clinical treatment outcome of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS:Among the 176 patients with FK, 118 were male and 58 were female, and the ratio of male to female is 2.03:1. The age of onset was the largest number of patients in 50-59 years old and 60-69 years old. The peak seasons of onset were April to June and October to December. Risk factors include trauma and possible history of trauma, ocular surface diseases, post ophthalmic surgery, wearing corneal contact lenses and long-term local drug use. The main pathogens were Fusarium(39.8%), aspergillus(30.7%), alternaria(15.9%)and candida(5.1%). The results of drug sensitivity showed that voriconazole and amphotericin B were sensitive, while the drug resistance rate of fluconazole was very high. There were 125 eyes improved or cured after conservative treatment, 12 eyes were injected into corneal stroma, 15 eyes were covered with conjunctival flap or amniotic membrane transplantation, and 21 eyes were treated with corneal transplantation. Enucleation of ocular contents was performed in 8 eyes, including 5 eyes with severe endophthalmitis after conjunctival flap covering. CONCLUSION:The incidence of FK in Jingzhou area is mostly middle-aged and elderly men, mostly caused by corneal trauma in the process of agricultural labor. The main pathogens were fusarium and aspergillus. It is very important to select reasonable antifungal drugs and treatment methods according to the drug sensitivity results.

Exercise preconditioning attenuates the lipid metabolic disorder induced by chronic high fat diet feeding in mice / 生理学报

Mounting evidence has shown that exercise exerts extensive beneficial effects, including preventing and protecting against chronic diseases, through improving metabolism and other mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that exercise preconditioning affords significant cardioprotective effects. However, whether exercise preconditioning improves high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and lipid metabolic disorder remains unknown. The study was aimed to explore the effects of exercise preconditioning on HFD-induced obesity and lipid metabolic disorder in mice. 4-week-old C57BL/6 mice were subjected to swimming or sedentary control for 3 months, and then were fed with normal diet (ND) or HFD for 4 more months. The results showed that the blood glucose was decreased, and the glucose tolerance and grip strength were increased in exercised mice after training. Exercise preconditioning failed to improve HFD-induced body weight gain, but improved HFD-induced glucose intolerance. Exercise preconditioning showed no significant effects on both exercise capacity and physical activity in ND- and HFD-fed mice. HFD feeding increased total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in circulation, promoted subcutaneous fat and epididymal fat accumulation in mice. Exercise preconditioning increased circulating high density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreased circulating LDL, without affecting the subcutaneous fat and epididymal fat in HFD-fed mice. HFD feeding increased liver weight and hepatic total cholesterol contents, and dysregulated the expressions of several mitochondria function-related proteins in mice. These abnormalities were partially reversed by exercise preconditioning. Together, these results suggest that exercise preconditioning can partially reverse the HFD-induced lipid metabolic disorder and hepatic dysfunction, and these beneficial effects of exercise sustain for a period of time, even after exercise is discontinued.

Study on the cross-linking degree of PVPP by NMR technology and its powder compressibility / 药学学报

In this paper, the low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology CPMG (Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill) echo method was used to determine the cross-linking degree and cross-linking density of crospovidone (PVPP) from different manufacturers. Based on the seven physical properties of PVPP, a fingerprint spectrum (radar chart) of twenty secondary quality indicators were obtained, and three compressibility evaluation indicators, index of the parameter (IP), index of parametric profile (IPP), index of good compression (IGC) were calculated by the fingerprint spectrum. It was found that the cross-linking degree and compressibility index IP of PVPP showed a strong correlation (r = 0.816) by the correlation analysis, indicating that the cross-linking degree is one of the key quality attributes for evaluating the compressibility of PVPP.

Supramolecular hydrogel-infiltrated ceramics composite coating with combined antibacterial and self-lubricating performance.

Inspired by the structure and dynamic weeping lubricating mechanism of articular cartilage, a novel composite coating composed of a textured Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) ceramics reservoir and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) hybrid supramolecular hydrogel was developed on the basis of a soft/hard combination strategy. The precursor solution including the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified AgNPs and α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs) could be infiltrated deep into (50-60 µm) the pores of a textured YSZ ceramics substrate by a vacuum infiltration method, in situ forming a supramolecular hydrogel within the pores through host-guest inclusion between α-CDs and PEG chains distributed onto the surface of AgNPs. The AgNPs hybrid hydrogel showed thixotropic and thermoresponsive gel-sol transition behavior, low cytotoxicity, and excellent drug-loading capacity, as well as significant antibacterial properties. The textured YSZ ceramics not only provided a hard supporting skeleton and stable reservoir to protect the supramolecular hydrogel from destruction under load-bearing or shear condition, but also allowed retaining the stimuli-responsive gel-sol transition property and drug-release capability of the infiltrated hydrogel, endowing the composite coating with excellent antibacterial properties, and self-lubrication and wear-resistance performance. The composite coating in this work brings a new insight into the design of antibacterial and self-lubricating ceramic coatings for artificial joint applications.

Ab Initio Calculation of Surface Thermochemistry for Popular Solid Transition Metal-Based Species.

This work reports the thermochemistry calculations for solid-phase periodic models of ten popular transition metal-based species. These model structures were refined to stable geometry by geometric optimization along with calculating the thermodynamic properties including enthalpy, entropy, heat capacity at constant pressure, and Gibbs free energy by DMol3 package via first-principles ab initio calculations. The temperature-dependent thermochemistry values were converted to a NASA seven-polynomial format. The behavior of different thermodynamic parameters based on temperature was investigated and their comparative analysis was done. A higher number of atoms tends to show higher thermodynamic values. Moreover, these thermodynamic values agree reasonably well with previously reported experimental and computational values. Metal copper shows higher thermodynamic values as compared to its oxide. The thermodynamic properties of lanthanum-based oxides have been newly calculated through the ab initio method. Amorphous structures reveal higher thermodynamic values compared to their crystalline counterparts. A comparison between different transition metal-based species gives a better understanding of the different crystalline structures and their surface sites. These calculated thermodynamic data and polynomials can be used for a variety of thermodynamic calculations and kinetic modeling.

Black liquor increases methane production from excess pulp and paper industry sludge.

The aim of the study was to use black liquor produced during the soda pulping process in a pulp and paper mill to increase methane production during pulp and paper industry sludge treatment and decrease the treatment cost. The effects of black liquor on sludge solubilization and methane production were assessed and the economic feasibility of the process was evaluated. Black liquor and NaOH were found to be equivalent in the thermochemical pretreatment process to solubilize sludge and disintegrate flocs. However, adding black liquor increased the background chemical oxygen demand and volatile fatty acid concentration and increased the amount of methane produced by approximately 7-30%. A start-up delay was emphasized by first-order kinetics model due to black liquor addition while methane production remained stable. Economic assessments of five scenarios were performed. It was found to be economically feasible to use black liquor to replace NaOH for the thermal pretreatment process. The surplus methane generated suggested that co-digestion of sludge and black liquor allows surplus bioenergy to be produced during the thermochemical pretreatment anaerobic digestion process.

Paraventricular Nucleus P2X7 Receptors Aggravate Acute Myocardial Infarction Injury via ROS-Induced Vasopressin-V1b Activation in Rats / 神经科学通报·英文版

The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms by which P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) mediate the activation of vasopressinergic neurons thereby increasing sympathetic hyperactivity in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus of rats with acute myocardial ischemia (AMI). The left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery was ligated to induce AMI in rats. The rats were pretreated with BBG (brilliant blue G, a P2X7R antagonist), nelivaptan (a vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist), or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) [an nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor]. Hemodynamic parameters of the heart were monitored. Myocardial injury and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were assessed. In the PVN of AMI rats, P2X7R mediated microglial activation, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) were higher than in the sham group. Intraperitoneal injection of BBG effectively reduced ROS production and vasopressin expression in the PVN of AMI rats. Moreover, both BBG and DPI pretreatment effectively reduced sympathetic hyperactivity and ameliorated AMI injury, as represented by reduced inflammation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, microinjection of nelivaptan into the PVN improved cardiac function and reduced the norepinephrine (AE) levels in AMI rats. Collectively, the results suggest that, within the PVN of AMI rats, P2X7R upregulation mediates microglial activation and the overproduction of ROS, which in turn activates vasopressinergic neuron-V1b receptors and sympathetic hyperactivity, hence aggravating myocardial injury in the AMI setting.

Role of calcium sensing receptors in proliferation and migration of renal artery smooth muscle cells under insulin resistance / 中国药理学通报

To investigate the role and mechanism of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the proliferation and migration of renal artery smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) under insulin resistance. Methods RAMSCs in the logarithmic growth stage were randomly divided into control, pure model, model + GdCl

Annual progress in critical care medicine in 2020 / 中华危重病急救医学

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) puts higher demands on critical care medicine. Lots of studies have been conducted to solve COVID-19-related problems. Therefore, we reviewed the annual progress for COVID-19-related issues including antivirals threapies, respiratory support and immunomodulatory therapies and other critical issues, including the effect of antibiotic on mitochondrial damage and its relationship with sepsis, the goal and direction of antimicrobial de-escalation, drug prophylaxis of constipation, bleeding in gastrointestinal disorders and management of critical illness in the informalization era and so on. We hope to provide reference for clinical and scientific research work of the intensivists.

microRNA-1 gene delivery mediated by exosomes suppresses CAL-27 cell proliferation / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aims to construct endogenous exosomes abundantly loaded with miR-1 and investigate the role of exosome-mediated microRNA-1 (miR-1) delivery on CAL-27 cell proliferation.@*METHODS@#Exosomes secreted by miR-1-overexpressing HEK293 cells (miR1-EXO) were purified via ultracentrifugation and subjected to transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle analysis, Western blot analysis, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). CAL-27 cells were cocultured with exosomes secreted by HEK293 cells (CON-EXO) and miR1-EXO and equivalent phosphate buffer saline. The intracellular transport of exosomes was measured by using immunofluorescence, the expression of miR-1 and its target gene MET were investigated via qPCR, CAL-27 cell proliferation was measured through MTT assay, and cell cycle state was determined by applying flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#Electron microscopy revealed that miR1-EXO and CON-EXO were spherical or cup-shaped with an average diameter of approximately 110 nm. The well-known exosome markers CD9, Tsg101, and Alix were enriched. The expression of miR-1 in miR1-EXO was higher than that in CON-EXO (285.80±14.33 vs 1.00±0.06, @*CONCLUSIONS@#Exosomes secreted from miR1-EXO cells could load abundant miR-1. Exosomal miR-1 delivered into CAL-27 cells by using miR1-EXO suppressed the expression of MET mRNA and inhibited cell proliferation.

Follow-up and further intervention for postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:Postoperative venous obstruction (PVO) is the most severe complication of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC), and facing challenging re-intervention with high mortality. We aimed to review and analyze the follow-up and management of postoperative PVO in our center.Methods:We conducted a retrospective study of the patients with isolated TAPVC admitted in our center from October 2013 to October 2019. All available data and images of PVO patients were reviewed, such as the initial perioperative medical records, patients’ follow-up records, results of patients’ echo and CT angiography. Re-intervention including hybrid technique, sutureless technique, and patch augmentation, were carried out for postoperative PVO patients. The results were reviewed and analyzed to find the risk factors for adverse prognosis.Results:A series of 174 isolated TAPVC patients were admitted in our center and 169 received surgical treatment and 26 (26/169, 15.4%) had postoperative PVO. The diagnosis was made at a median time of 11.5 (0-77) weeks after initial operation and within 6 months of surgery in 22 (22/26, 84.6%) of the 26 patients. The subtype of TAPVC patients with postoperative PVO were: supracardiac 11 cases (11/26, 42.3%), cardiac 7 cases (7/26, 26.9%), infracardiac 5 cases (5/26, 19.2%), and mixed 3 cases (3/26, 11.5%). Bilateral obstruction and stenosis with diffusely small pulmonary veins were in 12 (12/26, 46.2%) and 3 cases (3/26, 11.5%) respectively. PVO progressed to worse condition in all the 26 cases during follow-up period. 8 (8/26, 30.8%) postoperative PVO patients underwent 10 re-interventions: one cases had 3 re-interventions. Five-year survival for patients with postoperative PVO was worse than those without postoperative PVO ( HR=6.46, 95% CI: 2.34-17.85, P<0.01). Risk factors for death or re-intervention in postoperative PVO patients were earlier presentation after TAPVC repair ( HR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.73-0.99, P=0.04) and an increased number of lung segments affected by obstruction ( HR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.01-2.99, P=0.04). Conclusion:Risk factors for death or re-intervention in postoperative PVO patients were earlier presentation after TAPVC repair and an increased number of lung segments affected, which should be focused on during strict follow-up period. Early re-intervention should be taken before irreversible secondary changes occur in these patients.

CaO-Assisted Alkaline Liquid Waste Drives Corn Stalk Chemical Looping Gasification for Hydrogen Production.

The chemical looping gasification (CLG) process is a promising pathway to produce hydrogen-enriched syngas with biomass. It is urgent to enhance the reactivity and thermal stability of oxygen carriers (OC) and capture the inherently separated CO2. This work presents the strategy of simultaneous modification of a Fe2O3/Al2O3 oxygen carrier and the supplement of an oxidant for corn stalk chemical looping gasification by introducing KNO3-containing ethanol liquid waste. CaO is employed to capture the generated CO2 and promote the reaction balance toward hydrogen production in a fuel reactor (FR). The highest carbon conversion reaction rate of 1.1 × 10-4 mol/g could be obtained at the ratio of CaO to fuel carbon and the reaction temperature of 1.5 and 600 °C, respectively. The kinetics and thermodynamics analyses under the optimized condition are further discussed to verify the possibility and high efficiency of using alkaline organic liquid waste to boost solid fuel gasification for hydrogen production. This CLG strategy shows multifunctional merits, including organic liquid waste treatment, biomass CLG promotion, and hydrogen production enhancement.

Critical Care for Patients with Severe Covid-2019 in Sichuan Province, China: Provincial Cohort Study

BackgroundData regarding critical care for patients with severe COVID-19 are limited. We aimed to describe the clinical course, multi-strategy management, and respiratory support usage for the severe COVID-19 at the provincial level. MethodsUsing data from Sichuan Provincial Department of Health and the multicentre cohort study, all microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 patients in Sichuan who met the national severe criteria were included and followed-up from the day of inclusion (D1), until discharge, death, or the end of the study. FindingsOut of 539 COVID-19 patients, 81 severe cases (15.0%) were identified. The median (IQR) age was 50 (39-65) years, 37% were female, and 53.1% had chronic comorbidities. All severe cases were identified before requiring mechanical ventilation and treated in the intensive care units (ICUs), among whom 51 (63.0%) were treated in provisional ICUs and 77 patients (95.1%) were admitted by D1. On D1, 76 (93.8%) were administered by respiratory support, including 55 (67.9%) by conventional oxygen therapy (COT), 8 (9.9%) by high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and 13 (16.0%) by non-invasive ventilation (NIV). By D28, 53 (65.4%) were discharged, three (3.7%) were deceased, and 25 (30.9%) were still hospitalized. COT, administered to 95.1% of the patients, was the most commonly used respiratory support and met 62.7% of the respiratory support needed, followed by HFNC (19.3%), NIV ventilation (9.4%) and IV 8.5%. InterpretationThe multi-strategy management for severe COVID-19 patients including early identification and timely critical care may contribute to the low case-fatailty. Preparation of sufficient conventional oxygen equipment should be prioritized. Trial registration numberChiCTR2000029758.