Elevated Efficiency and Stability of Hole-Transport-Layer-Free Perovskite Solar Cells Triggered by Surface Engineering.

Surface engineering is one of the important strategies to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, 2-chloro-1,3-dimethylimidazolidinium hexafluorophosphate (CIP) was introduced into PSCs to passivate the defects of the perovskite films. There are many F atoms in CIP molecules that have strong electronegativity and hydrophobicity. F groups can interact with Pb2+ defects, inhibit interface recombination, improve the interaction between the CIP ionic liquid and perovskite film, and reduce the defect density of perovskites, thus improving the stability of perovskite devices. Density functional theory calculation reveals that CIP can interact with uncoordinated Pb2+ in perovskites through coordination, reduce the defects of perovskite films, and inhibit nonradiation recombination. The ITO/SnO2/MAPbI3/CIP/carbon devices without hole transport layers possessed the highest PCE of 17.06%. Moreover, the unencapsulated device remains at 98.18% of the initial efficiency stored in 30-40% relative humidity for 850 h. This strategy provides an effective reference for enhancing the performance of PSCs.

Prediction of fractional flow reserve with enhanced ant lion optimized support vector machine.

The evaluation of coronary morphology provides important guidance for the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). A chaotic Gaussian mutation antlion optimizer algorithm (CGALO) is proposed in the paper, and it is combined with SVM to construct a classification prediction model for Fractional flow reserve (FFR). To overcome the limitations of the original antlion optimizer (ALO) algorithm, the chaotic Gaussian mutation strategy is introduced, which leads to an improvement in its convergence speed and accuracy. To evaluate the proposed algorithm's performance, comparative experiments were conducted on 23 benchmark functions alongside 12 other cutting-edge optimization algorithms. The experimental outcomes demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves superior convergence accuracy and speed compared to the alternative comparison algorithms. Additionally, it is combined with SVM and FS to construct a hierarchical FFR classification model, which is utilized to make effective predictions for 84 patients at the affiliated hospital of medical school, Ningbo university. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model achieves an average accuracy of 92%. Moreover, it concludes that smoking history, number of lesion vessels, lesion location, diffuse lesions and ST segment changes, and other factors are the most critical indicators for FFR. Therefore, the model that has been established is a new FFR intelligent classification prediction technology that can effectively assist doctors in making corresponding decisions and evaluation plans.

Application of Nanoliposome Alprostadil in the Perioperative Period of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention to Reduce In-Stent Restenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: In-stent restenosis (ISR) is a common complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) surgery for patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD). Reports indicate alprostadil may reduce ISR, and this study aimed at reviewing and summarizing the effect of nanoliposome alprostadil on ISR by meta-analysis. Methods: Articles were searched from databases, and meta-analysis was performed in Review Manager software. Funnel plots were performed to evaluate the publication bias, and sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the robustness of the overall treatment effects. Results: Initially, 113 articles were identified, and 5 studies of 463 subjects were included for analysis eventually. The primary endpoint, i.e., the occurrence of ISR after PCI, occurred in 11.91% of the alprostadil treatment group (28 from 235 patients) vs. 21.49% of the conventional treatment group (49 from 228 patients) and showed a statistical significance in our pooled data (χ2 = 7.654, P=0.006), while there was no statistically significant difference in all of the separate studies. We observed no statistical methodological heterogeneity among the studies (P=0.64, I2 ≈ 0%). The pooled odds ratio (OR) of the occurrence of ISR was 49% in a fixed-effect model, and the 95% confidence boundary (95% CI) was 29% to 81%. The funnel plot did not show serious publication bias, and sensitivity analysis showed well robustness of the overall treatment effect. Discussion. In conclusion, the early application of nanoliposome alprostadil after PCI could effectively reduce the occurrence of ISR, and the overall effect of alprostadil treatment in reducing ISR after PCI was relatively stable.

Long non-coding RNA ATB expedites non-small cell lung cancer progression by the miR-200b/fibronectin 1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ATB belongs to an active modulator in multiple cancers, but its expression along with potential underlying non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is obscure. Our study aimed to investigate the role and potential mechanism of LncRNA ATB in NSCLC. METHODS: LncRNA ATB expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines was detected by qRT-PCR. Effects of LncRNA ATB on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed by MTS, colony formation and transwell assays. The connection among LncRNA ATB, miR-200b and fibronectin 1 (FN1) was determined by bioformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: In this research, upregulation of LncRNA ATB was discovered in NSCLC tissue samples and cell lines. LncRNA ATB was positively related to advanced tumor phase as well as lymph node metastasis. Cell function assays reflected LncRNA ATB expedited NSCLC cells proliferation, migration and invasion. LncRNA ATB promoted fibronectin 1 (FN1) expression via inhibiting miR-200b. Furthermore, LncRNA ATB depletion suppressed NSCLC cells proliferation, migration and invasion, while miR-200b inhibitor or pcDNA-FN1 rescued these effects. CONCLUSION: In summary, our outcomes elucidated that LncRNA ATB/miR-200b axis expedited NSCLC cells proliferation, migration and invasion by up-regulating FN1.

Feasibility of electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV20) and Zusanli (ST36) on survival with a favorable neurological outcome in patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome after in-hospital cardiac arrest: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: At present, even the first-line medication epinephrine still shows no evidence of a favourable neurological outcome in patients with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The high mortality of patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) can be attributed to brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, systemic ischaemia/reperfusion response, and persistent precipitating pathology. Targeted temperature management, the only clinically proven method in the treatment of PCAS, is still associated with a series of problems that have not been completely resolved. Acupuncture is a crucial therapy in traditional Chinese medicine. On the basis of the results of previous studies, we hypothesize that electroacupuncture (EA) might provide therapeutic benefits in the treatment of PCAS. This study will explore the feasibility of EA on SCA patients. METHODS: This is a prospective pilot, randomized controlled clinical trial. Eligible patients with PCAS after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) admitted to our department will be randomly allocated to the control group or the EA group. Both groups will receive standard therapy according to American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, the EA group will also receive acupuncture at the Baihui acupoint (GV20) and Zusanli acupoint (ST36) with EA stimulation for 30 min using a dense-dispersed wave at frequencies of 20 and 100 Hz, a current intensity of less than 10 mA, and a pulse width of 0.5 ms. EA treatment will be administered for up to 14 days (until either discharge or death). The primary endpoint is survival with a favourable neurological outcome. The secondary endpoints are neurological scores, cardiac function parameters, and other clinical parameters, including Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, on days 0 to 28. DISCUSSION: This study will provide crucial clinical evidence on the efficacy of EA in PCAS when used as an adjunctive treatment with AHA standard therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: chictr.org.cn : ChiCTR2000040040. Registered on 19 November 2020. Retrospectively registered. http://www.chictr.org.cn/ .

Novel n-i CeO2/a-Al2O3 Heterostructure Electrolyte Derived from the Insulator a-Al2O3 for Fuel Cells.

Heterostructure technologies have been regarded as promising methods in the development of electrolytes with high ionic conductivity for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs). Here, a novel semiconductor/insulator (n-i) heterostructure strategy has been proposed to develop composite electrolytes for LT-SOFCs based on CeO2 and the insulator amorphous alumina (a-Al2O3). The constructed CeO2/a-Al2O3 electrolyte exhibits an ionic conductivity of up to 0.127 S cm-1, and its fuel cell achieves a maximum power density (MPD) of 1017 mW cm-2 with an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.14 V at 550 °C without the short-circuiting problem, suggesting that the introduction of a-Al2O3 can effectively suppress the electron conduction of CeO2. It is found that the potential energy barrier at the heterointerfaces caused by the ultrawide band gap of the insulator a-Al2O3 plays an important role in restraining electron conduction. Simultaneously, the thermoelectric effect of the insulator induces more oxygen vacancies because of interface charge compensation, which further promotes ionic transport and results in high ionic conductivity and fuel cell performance. This study presents a practical n-i heterostructure electrolyte design, and further research confirmed the advanced functionality of the CeO2/a-Al2O3 electrolyte. Our study may open frontiers in the field of developing high-efficiency electrolytes of LT-SOFCs using insulating materials such as amorphous alumina.

Rhabdomyolysis-associated acute kidney injury: clinical characteristics and intensive care unit transfer analysis.

BACKGROUND: Information on rhabdomyolysis-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) in the emergency department or general ward is limited. AIM: To assess the risk factors, outcomes and clinical correlates with intensive care unit (ICU) transfer of patients with rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI. METHODS: Patients with rhabdomyolysis were divided into the rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI group and the rhabdomyolysis without AKI group. Inhospital outcomes, including ICU transfer, mortality, length of stay, daily cost and renal recovery were analysed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the association between rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI and ICU transfer. RESULTS: Among 149 patients with rhabdomyolysis, 68 (45.6%) developed AKI. Age and urine protein were important risk factors for incidence of rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI. Patients with rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI had higher levels of undergoing dialysis (19.1% vs 2.5%; P < 0.01), all-cause mortality (13.2% vs 1.2%; P < 0.01), cost of hospitalisation (10.8 1000 yuan, IQR (5.5, 3.5) vs 5.9 1000 yuan, IQR 5.9 (3.6, 9.9); P = 0.03), as well as longer length of hospital stay (8.0 days (5.0, 14.0)) versus (6.0 days (4.0, 11.0); P = 0.02). Additionally, the percentage of patients with AKI who transferred to ICU was higher than patients without AKI (33.8% vs 12.3%; P < 0.002) and rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI was an independent risk factor for ICU transfer (adjusted odds ratio = 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.8, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI was common in the emergency department or general ward and led to more severe outcomes. It was also associated with an increased risk of ICU transfer.

High Performance Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Based on Nanostructured Ceria-Based Electrolyte.

Ceria based electrolyte materials have shown potential application in low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs). In this paper, Sm3+ and Nd3+ co-doped CeO2 (SNDC) and pure CeO2 are synthesized via glycine-nitrate process (GNP) and the electro-chemical properties of the nanocrystalline structure electrolyte are investigated using complementary techniques. The result shows that Sm3+ and Nd3+ have been successfully doped into CeO2 lattice, and has the same cubic fluorite structure before, and after, doping. Sm3+ and Nd3+ co-doped causes the lattice distortion of CeO2 and generates more oxygen vacancies, which results in high ionic conductivity. The fuel cells with the nanocrystalline structure SNDC and CeO2 electrolytes have exhibited excellent electrochemical performances. At 450, 500 and 550 °C, the fuel cell for SNDC can achieve an extraordinary peak power densities of 406.25, 634.38, and 1070.31 mW·cm-2, which is, on average, about 1.26 times higher than those (309.38, 562.50 and 804.69 mW·cm-2) for pure CeO2 electrolyte. The outstanding performance of SNDC cell is closely related to the high ionic conductivity of SNDC electrolyte. Moreover, the encouraging findings suggest that the SNDC can be as potential candidate in LT-SOFCs application.

[Prognostic value of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein combined with sequential organ failure assessment score in elderly patients with sepsis induced by pulmonary infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) combined with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score in elderly patients with sepsis induced by pulmonary infection. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. The elderly patients aged over 60 years old with sepsis induced by pulmonary infection admitted to Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2015 to December 2018 were enrolled. The PCT, CRP and SOFA scores of patients within 24 hours after admission and 28-day prognosis were recorded. The patients were divided into groups according to the severity of the disease and 28-day prognosis. The differences in above parameters among all the groups were compared. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the prognostic value of the above indicators in elderly patients with sepsis induced by pulmonary infection alone or in combination. RESULTS: A total of 265 patients were enrolled in the study. According to the severity of the disease, the patients were divided into sepsis group (n = 194) and septic shock group (n = 71). According to the 28-day prognosis, the patients were divided into survival group (n = 186) and non-survival group (n = 79). Compared with the sepsis group, the PCT, CRP and SOFA scores of patients in the septic shock group were significantly increased [PCT (µg/L): 6.16 (1.94, 19.60) vs. 1.56 (0.34, 7.32), CRP (mg/L): 128.90 (54.93, 198.70) vs. 91.45 (30.15, 175.30), SOFA score: 9.0 (7.0, 12.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0, 5.0)] with significant differences (all P < 0.05). Compared with the survival group, the PCT, CRP and SOFA scores of sepsis patients in the non-survival group were significantly increased [PCT (µg/L): 4.80 (1.06, 19.60) vs. 1.82 (0.34, 7.24), CRP (mg/L): 135.20 (58.10, 225.50) vs. 91.45 (31.50, 172.53), SOFA score: 7.0 (4.0, 11.0) vs. 4.0 (3.0, 6.0)] with significant differences (all P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of PCT, CRP, SOFA score and CRP+PCT+SOFA score was 0.641, 0.607, 0.697, and 0.712, indicating that above parameters had certain predictive value for 28-day prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis induced by pulmonary infection, and the combined predictive value of them was the greatest with the sensitivity of 55.1% and the specificity of 80.1%. CONCLUSIONS: PCT, CRP and SOFA score are commonly used to evaluate the prognosis of the elderly patients with sepsis induced by pulmonary infection, and the combination of them has higher evaluation value.

Sulforaphane, a Natural Isothiocyanate Compound, Improves Cardiac Function and Remodeling by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in a Rabbit Model of Chronic Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sulforaphane (SFN), a natural isothiocyanate compound, in a rabbit ascending aortic cerclage model of chronic heart failure (CHF). MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty New Zealand White rabbits were divided into the sham operation group (n=10), the CHF group (n=10), and the CHF + SFN group (n=10) treated with subcutaneous SFN (0.5 mg/kg) for five days per week for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, echocardiography and biometric analysis were performed, followed by the examination of the rabbit hearts. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot were used to detect levels of inflammatory cytokines, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). RESULTS In the CHF group, compared with the sham operation group, there was an increase in the heart weight to body weight ratio (HW/BW), the left ventricular weight to body weight ratio (LVW/BW), the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), the left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels, the cardiac collagen volume fraction (CVF), apoptotic index, expression levels of collagen I, collagen III, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the myocardial tissue, and a decrease in the left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and cardiac superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. These changes were corrected in the SFN-treated group. CONCLUSIONS In a rabbit model of CHF, treatment with SFN improved cardiac function and remodeling by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.