Characteristics of laboratory indexes in COVID-19 patients with non-severe symptoms in Hefei City, China: diagnostic value in organ injuries.

This study compared the laboratory indexes in 40 non-severe COVID-19 patients with those in 57 healthy controls. In the peripheral blood system of non-severe symptom COVID-19 patients, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, total procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, osteocalcin N-terminal, thyroid-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 significantly decreased, and total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, fibrinogen, D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products, human epididymal protein 4, serum ferritin, and C-reactive protein were elevated. SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect hematopoiesis, hemostasis, coagulation, fibrinolysis, bone metabolism, thyroid, parathyroid glands, the liver, and the reproductive system.

Microstructure Characteristics of Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries.

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) that use pure Mg or Mg alloy as anode and materials allowing Mg ions to insert/extract as cathode have many advantages such as high energy density, environmental friendliness, low cost, and safety of handling. RMBs are regarded as a promising candidate for portable power sources and heavy load energy devices. However, there are still some technological issues impeding their commercial application. The most important issue is the absence of applicable cathode materials because of the high charge density, strong polarization effect, and very slow insertion/extraction speed of Mg2+ ions. In recent years, the research reports on the cathode materials of RMBs have increased significantly. Here, an extensive number of research papers are reviewed in terms of the microstructure characteristics of cathode materials for RMBs. The status and issues of cathode materials are analyzed and discussed in detail. The future development directions and perspectives are prospected for providing an understanding of the related research activities on RMBs.

Patterns of brain structural alteration in COPD with different levels of pulmonary function impairment and its association with cognitive deficits.

BACKGROUND: To explore patterns of brain structural alteration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with different levels of lung function impairment and the associations of those patterns with cognitive functional deficits using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyses based on high-resolution structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). METHODS: A total of 115 right-handed participants (26 severe, 29 moderate, and 29 mild COPD patients and a comparison group of 31 individuals without COPD) completed tests of cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]) and pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]) and underwent MRI scanning. VBM and TBSS analyses were used to identify changes in grey matter density (GMD) and white matter (WM) integrity in COPD patients. In addition, correlation analyses between these imaging parameter changes and cognitive and pulmonary functional impairments were performed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in brain structure between the comparison groups and the mild COPD patients. Patients with moderate COPD had atrophy of the left middle frontal gyrus and right opercular part/triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, and WM changes were present mainly in the superior and posterior corona radiata, corpus callosum and cingulum. Patients with severe COPD exhibited the most extensive changes in GMD and WM. Some grey matter (GM) and WM changes were correlated with MoCA scores and FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that patients with COPD exhibit progressive structural impairments in both the GM and the WM, along with impaired levels of lung function, highlighting the importance of early clinical interventions.

Abatement of tetrafluoromethane by chemical absorption with molten aluminum.

Chemical absorption with molten aluminum to abate tetrafluoromethane (CF4) was investigated in this paper. The experiments were conducted at a series of different temperatures of 973 K, 1003 K, 1103 K, and 1188 K and the abatement rate of CF4 was calculated. It was found that CF4 can be adsorbed firstly and then react with molten aluminum automatically. The initial abatement rate of CF4 in molten aluminum was 3.10 × 10-2 mol·m-3·s-1 at 973 K, while it reached its maximum value of 1.08 × 10-1 mol·m-3·s-1 at the temperature of 1103 K. The highest abatement efficiency was 48.4%, reached at 1003 K. Higher temperatures up to 1188 K did not affect the abatement efficiency, however, they accelerated slightly the initial reaction rate. The products of the chemical absorption are white solid AlF3 and black graphite powder identified by XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. Due to density differences, solid AlF3 and graphite powder in the product tend to accumulate on the top of molten aluminum where they form two separate layers. This makes them recover more easily. The gas-liquid reaction process between CF4 and molten aluminum is accorded with the two-film theory model, diffusion process is considered to be the control step of the whole process.

Effectiveness and safety of macrolides in bronchiectasis patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

PURPOSE: Macrolides has been studied as a potential therapeutic anti-inflammatory agent for bronchiectasis patients, which has used as an immunoregulation agent. However, the efficacy and safety results of macrolides across available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are controversial. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of macrolides in bronchiectasis. METHODS: RCTs of macrolides treatment for the patients of bronchiectasis published in PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched. Two authors independently extracted data and assessment the methodological quality. The primary efficacy outcome was the impact on the number of pulmonary exacerbation. Safety outcomes included adverse events and mortality. RESULTS: Seven RCTs were found in the systematic review and six studies were included in the present meta-analysis. Macrolides treatment showed a significant reduced rate of pulmonary exacerbation (RR = 0.55, 95%CI = 0.43-0.70) compared with control groups. However, subgroup analysis failed to find any significant changes in total 46 patients (RR = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.03-1.58) for treatment not more than 3 months. The incidence rates of total adverse events showed no significant difference among the macrolides group and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment of bronchiectasis with macrolides can reduce incidence of pulmonary exacerbation, especially in the subgroup treatment 6 months or more. There was no evidence of increased adverse events with macrolides. However, to verify the best macrolides regimen, more studies based on larger sample size and stratified by ethnicity are still needed. CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS STUDIED IN THIS ARTICLE: Erythromycin (PubChem CID 12560); Azithromycin (PubChem CID: 447043); Clarithromycin (PubChem CID: 84029); Roxithromycin (PubChem CID: 5480431).

Repair of soft magnetic properties of wasted silicon steel and Co7Fe3 alloy deposition mechanism.

In order to repair the soft magnetic properties of wasted silicon steel, a theoretical process of co-depositing Co-Fe soft magnetic alloy on the surface of wasted silicon steel is proposed. The results show that the co-deposited Co-Fe alloy coatings can serve to repair the soft magnetic properties of wasted silicon as detected by the vibrating sample magnetometer, and the alloy coatings with Co7Fe3 as the main phase structure can provide surface protection for silicon steel. Subsequently, the mechanism of co-deposited Co-Fe alloys was investigated, and it was concluded that Co2+ and Fe2+ undergo a one-step two-electron co-deposition reaction, as studied using cyclic voltammetry. The chronoamperometric analysis and its fitting results indicated that the deposition of Co2+ and Fe2+ was a diffusion-controlled transient nucleation process, and the AC impedance indicated that higher voltages were favorable for the deposition of Co-Fe alloys but were accompanied by hydrogen precipitation reactions.

Leaching valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries using the reducing agent methanol.

When considering resource shortages and environmental pressures, salvaging valuable metals from the cathode materials of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a very promising strategy to realize the green and sustainable development of batteries. The reductive acid leaching of valuable metals from cathode materials using methanol as a reducing agent was studied. The results show that the leaching efficiencies of Co and Li are 99% under optimal leaching conditions. The leaching kinetics of cathode materials in a H2SO4-methanol system indicate that the leaching of Co and Li is controlled by diffusion, with activation energies of 69.98 and 10.78 kJ/mol, respectively. Detailed analysis of the leaching reaction mechanism indicates that methanol is ultimately transformed into formic acid through a two-step process to further enhance leaching. No side reactions occur during leaching. Methanol can be a sustainable alternative for the reductive acid leaching of valuable metals from spent LIBs due to its high efficiency, application maturity, environmental friendliness, and low cost.

[Mechanism of impaired attention network in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influences of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on attention functions. METHODS: The research objects came from the Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from February to September in 2011. Attention network test (ANT) was employed to compare stable COPD patients (n = 38) with healthy controls (n = 36) in the efficiencies of anatomically defined attentional networks: alertness, orientation and executive attention. RESULTS: Significant group differences were found in orientation ((27 ± 8) ms vs (57 ± 4) ms, P = 0.001), but not in alertness ((19 ± 7) ms vs (32 ± 4) ms, P = 0.115) or executive attention network ((94 ± 15) ms vs (119 ± 11) ms, P = 0.196). The accuracy of attention network test was significantly slower in the COPD group than in the healthy controls (90.2% ± 1.6% vs 96.3% ± 1.7%, P = 0.011). The score of verbal fluency test was significantly lower in COPD patients than in healthy controls (18.2 ± 0.5 vs 21.4 ± 0.6, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The attention functions of COPD patients are impaired, especially oriental network efficiency. It is probably due to chronic hypoxia, hypoxia-related low blood flow of temporal or parietal lobe or long-term anticholinergic drug use.

Porous ZnO Nanosphere Inherently Encapsulated in Carbon Framework as a High-Performance Anode For Ni-Zn Secondary Batteries.

Nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) secondary battery that is environmentally friendly and inexpensive has been regarded as a promising rechargeable battery system. However, the generation of deformation and dendrites of the traditional zinc anode during the cycling can cause capacity degradation and impede its practical application. Herein, we design a hierarchical ZnO nanosphere coated with an inherently derived ZIF-8 porous carbon shell (ZnO@CZIF-8) using a simple controllable method. The conductive carbon shell and porous ZnO core can provide more active sites, allow the fast transfer of electrons, and buffer the volume expansion of the electrode effectively. Benefiting from the synergistic effect amid the inherently ZIF-8-derived carbon shell and ZnO core, ZnO@CZIF-8 nanospheres exhibit a satisfying capacity of 316 mAh g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1 after 50 cycles and an outstanding rate capacity when acting as the anode for a Ni-Zn secondary battery with merchant agglomerative Ni(OH)2 as the cathode. These results imply that the ZnO@CZIF-8 nanosphere is a hopeful anode for a high-energy Ni-Zn secondary battery.

Thiolated eggshell membranes sorb and speciate inorganic selenium.

Eggshell membranes (ESMs) provide a unique, disulfide bond-rich surface. Thioglycolate reduction was used to generate thiol (-SH) groups on the ESM surface by S-S bond cleavage. The thiol-bearing ESMs (TESMs) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The fibrous network structure of the ESM is retained in the TESMs. TESMs adsorb both Se(IV) and Se(VI) but by different mechanisms: Se(VI) is retained reversibly, possibly via ionic interactions, while Se(IV) is reduced to Se(0) and deposited. We thus demonstrate speciation of selenium species, by using samples (a) as such and after prior oxidation to Se(VI), (b) preconcentration on a TESM microcolumn, (c) elution by 0.5 M HNO(3) that only elutes Se(VI) and (d) detection by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The Se(IV) amount is determined by difference. For a 1.0 mL sample, the enrichment factor was 17.2, the S/N = 3 detection limit was 0.06 µg L(-1) and the precision was 3.3% at 0.50 µg L(-1). The linear range was 0.25-2.50 µg L(-1). The procedure was validated by analyzing selenium in certified reference materials of human hair (GBW 09101) and rice (GBW 10010). We further demonstrate utility by speciation of inorganic selenium in a series of water samples.

Age-related changes in expression of lysine48 and lysine63 ubiquitin linkages in dopamine neurons of midbrain in mice.

Ubiquitination of target proteins is mediated via different ubiquitin lysine (K) linkages and determines the protein fates. In particular, K48 ubiquitin linkage targets proteins for degradation, whereas K63 ubiquitin linkage plays a nondegradative role. Parkinson's disease is an age-onset neurodegenerative disorder, which shows selective loss of dopamine neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) and ubiquitinated protein aggregates. However, age-related expression of K48 and K63 ubiquitin linkages in SNC dopamine neurons remains elusive. We thus sought to explore the expression of K48 and K63 ubiquitin linkages in dopamine neurons in SNCs of mice at different ages with morphological and biochemical assays. Here our results indicated that in 5-week-old mice, dopamine neurons presented higher levels of K48 and K63 ubiquitin linkages than nondopamine neural cells. Aging promoted the formation of protein aggregates that are positive for both K48 and K63 ubiquitin linkages, together with tyrosine hydroxylase, a dopamine neuron marker. Moreover, 21-month-old mice showed fewer neural cells and tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons in the SNCs than younger mice. Through biochemical analysis, the 21-month-old mice were shown to express more K48 ubiquitin linkages and less tyrosine hydroxylase and NeuN than the 5-week-old mice. These results suggest the first time that expression of K48 and K63 ubiquitin lysine linkages in midbrain dopamine neurons is age-related and may be involved in the loss of dopamine neurons.

An Artificial Polyacrylonitrile Coating Layer Confining Zinc Dendrite Growth for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc-Based Batteries.

Aqueous rechargeable zinc-metal-based batteries are an attractive alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale energy-storage systems because of their high specific capacity, low cost, eco-friendliness, and nonflammability. However, uncontrollable zinc dendrite growth limits the cycle life by piercing the separator, resulting in low zinc utilization in both alkaline and mild/neutral electrolytes. Herein, a polyacrylonitrile coating layer on a zinc anode produced by a simple drop coating approach to address the dendrite issue is reported. The coating layer not only improves the hydrophilicity of the zinc anode but also regulates zinc-ion transport, consequently facilitating the uniform deposition of zinc ions to avoid dendrite formation. A symmetrical cell with the polymer-coating-layer-modified Zn anode displays dendrite-free plating/stripping with a long cycle lifespan (>1100 h), much better than that of the bare Zn anode. The modified zinc anode coupled with a Mn-doped V2 O5 cathode forms a stable rechargeable full battery. This method is a facile and feasible way to solve the zinc dendrite problem for rechargeable aqueous zinc-metal batteries, providing a solid basis for application of aqueous rechargeable Zn batteries.

A Low Viral Dose in COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report.

SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has attracted global attention. Verifying the presence of viral RNA is the gold standard for the diagnosis of COVID-19. However, RT-qPCR diagnosis often fails to catch infected patients, because of inconsistent swab sample collection. Here we report a case that showed 5 consecutive negative and 1 low-viral- dose RT-qPCR results during illness spanning over 20 days. Clinical symptoms suggest SARS-CoV-2 infection with typical ground glass like a lung in computed tomography. SARS-CoV-2 infection was serologically confirmed by the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in patients' serum. Finally, a high level of protective IgG was produced after the patient recovered. Surprisingly, as a barber and a housewife staying at home for the first 2 weeks after the onset of illness, none of the close contacts were infected, showing a case of low viral load and low infectivity in this patient.

[Clinical analysis of 76 patients with upper airway obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of upper airway obstruction (UAO). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 76 UAO patients who had been treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to April 2007. RESULTS: Among these 76 UAO patients, the clinical diagnoses included pulmonary amyloidosis (n = 19, 25.0%), relapsing polychondritis (n = 23, 30.3%), tumor (n = 25, 32.9%), and tuberculosis (n = 10, 13.0%). Clinical manifestations included chronic persistent cough (n = 46), dyspnea (n = 36), hoarseness (n = 43), and productive cough (n = 29). Among 56 patients who underwent pulmonary function test, 27 patients had obstructive ventilatory disturbance pattern and 14 had mixed disturbance pattern. Among 70 patients who underwent bronchoscopy, 67 patients had pathological abnormalities from severe airway mucosal inflammation, tracheobronchial cartilage destruction, and tracheobronchial wall collapse (n = 35) to neoplasms (n = 32). Among 60 patients who underwent pathological examinations, the pathological changes were consistent with amyloidosis (n = 16), relapsing polychondritis (n = 5), tuberculosis (n =4), tumors (n = 25), or chronic granulomatous inflammation of mucosa (n = 10). CONCLUSION: Careful and prompt pulmonary function test and bronchoscopy are helpful for early diagnosis and treatment of UAO.

Alterations of the default mode network and cognitive impairments in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background and objectives: Cognitive impairment is a common extrapulmonary comorbidity in COPD patients. The default mode network (DMN) plays a critical role in maintaining the normal activities of humans, and its function can be evaluated by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between cognition and function changes of the DMN in COPD patients. Methods: One hundred and thirteen eligible participants including 30 control subjects and 83 COPD patients matched for demographic characteristics were recruited. All participants performed cognitive function tests and underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The total cognitive function scores of COPD patients were significantly different from those of control subjects (P<0.05) and worsened with the degree of airflow obstruction. The activated brain regions in the DMN of COPD patients were less than those of normal controls. Six activated brain regions in the DMN were found to develop significantly different functional connectivity (FC) values among the subjects. Meanwhile, the FC values of the left posterior cingulate cortex and left hippocampus correlated well with cognitive functions and pulmonary function. Conclusion: COPD patients have cognitive impairments that correlate well with disease severity. FC changes in activated brain regions in the DMN may predict cognitive impairment, and the left posterior cingulate cortex and left hippocampus may be important brain regions related to cognitive impairment in COPD patients.

Advanced Fuel Cell Based on Perovskite La-SrTiO3 Semiconductor as the Electrolyte with Superoxide-Ion Conduction.

A solid oxide fuel cell's performance is largely determined by the ionic-conducting electrolyte. A novel approach is presented for using the semiconductor perovskite La0.25Sr0.75TiO3 (LST) as the electrolyte by creating surface superionic conduction, and the authors show that the LST electrolyte can deliver superior power density, 908.2 mW cm-2 at just 550 °C. The prepared LST materials formed a heterostructure, including an insulating core and a superionic conducting surface layer. The rapid ion transport along the surfaces or grain boundaries was identified as the primary means of oxygen ion conduction. The fuel cell-induced phase transition was observed from the insulating LST to a super O2- conductivity of 0.221 S cm-1 at 550 °C, leading to excellent current and power outputs.

A study on the effect of IL-6 gene polymorphism on the prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed clinical diseases. IL-6 is a multifunctional cytokine that is related to chemotactic factors and tumor biological regulation. -174G/C polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL-6 gene single-nucleotide polymorphism is the -174 position change from G to C. However, the relationship between the IL-6 gene polymorphism and prognosis of lung cancer is elusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of -174G/C polymorphism on the prognosis of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 434 cases diagnosed with NSCLC by cytologic or histologic examination. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (NlaIII) was used to detect the genotype of -174G/C. Based on the functional activity of the IL-6 gene polymorphism, genotypes were divided into G vector (CG/GG) (high yield) and CC genotype (low yield). Prognosis of patients was analyzed and independent risk factors evaluated. A quantitative analysis of the degree of pain after diagnosis was performed to evaluate the correlations between gene polymorphisms and the degree of pain and use of analgesics. RESULTS: Survival analysis showed that survival of the patients carrying the G allele (CG/GG) was significantly lower than that of patients with CC genotype (42.31 versus 62.79 months; P=0.032). The IL-6 gene promoter region revealed the presence of polymorphic variants, which may be associated with changes in the gene transcription process that affect the level of serum cytokines. IL-6 -174G/C gene polymorphism is associated with a significant morphine equivalent daily dose (IL-6 GG, 69.61; GC, 73.17; CC, 181.67; P=0.004). Homozygous IL-6 -174C/C genotype carriers required higher doses of opioids than GG or GC carriers. CONCLUSION: Polymorphism of -174G/C in IL-6 is closely related to cancer pain in NSCLC patients, the use of analgesics, and survival prognosis. It is necessary to further confirm the related results and determine the underlying pathogenic mechanisms.

Expression variations of connective tissue growth factor in pulmonary arteries from smokers with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cigarette smoking contributes to the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) complicated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and the pulmonary vascular remodeling, the structural basis of PH, could be attributed to abnormal proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).In this study, morphometrical analysis showed that the pulmonary vessel wall thickness in smoker group and COPD group was significantly greater than in nonsmokers. In addition, we determined the expression patterns of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and cyclin D1 in PASMCs harvested from smokers with normal lung function or mild to moderate COPD, finding that the expression levels of CTGF and cyclin D1 were significantly increased in smoker group and COPD group. In vitro experiment showed that the expression of CTGF, cyclin D1 and E2F were significantly increased in human PASMCs (HPASMCs) treated with 2% cigarette smoke extract (CSE), and two CTGF siRNAs with different mRNA hits successfully attenuated the upregulated cyclin D1 and E2F, and significantly restored the CSE-induced proliferation of HPASMCs by causing cell cycle arrest in G0. These findings suggest that CTGF may contribute to the pathogenesis of abnormal proliferation of HPASMCs by promoting the expression of its downstream effectors in smokers with or without COPD.