Chiral molecular intercalation superlattices.

The discovery of chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) opens up the possibility to manipulate spin orientation without external magnetic fields and enables new spintronic device designs1-4. Although many approaches have been explored for introducing CISS into solid-state materials and devices, the resulting systems so far are often plagued by high inhomogeneity, low spin selectivity or limited stability, and have difficulties in forming robust spintronic devices5-8. Here we report a new class of chiral molecular intercalation superlattices (CMIS) as a robust solid-state chiral material platform for exploring CISS. The CMIS were prepared by intercalating layered two-dimensional atomic crystals (2DACs) (such as TaS2 and TiS2) with selected chiral molecules (such as R-α-methylbenzylamine and S-α-methylbenzylamine). The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies demonstrate highly ordered superlattice structures with alternating crystalline atomic layers and self-assembled chiral molecular layers. Circular dichroism studies show clear chirality-dependent signals between right-handed (R-) and left-handed (S-) CMIS. Furthermore, by using the resulting CMIS as the spin-filtering layer, we create spin-selective tunnelling junctions with a distinct chirality-dependent tunnelling current, achieving a tunnelling magnetoresistance ratio of more than 300 per cent and a spin polarization ratio of more than 60 per cent. With a large family of 2DACs of widely tunable electronic properties and a vast selection of chiral molecules of designable structural motifs, the CMIS define a rich family of artificial chiral materials for investigating the CISS effect and capturing its potential for new spintronic devices.

High-order superlattices by rolling up van der Waals heterostructures.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials1,2 and the associated van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures3-7 have provided great flexibility for integrating distinct atomic layers beyond the traditional limits of lattice-matching requirements, through layer-by-layer mechanical restacking or sequential synthesis. However, the 2D vdW heterostructures explored so far have been usually limited to relatively simple heterostructures with a small number of blocks8-18. The preparation of high-order vdW superlattices with larger number of alternating units is exponentially more difficult, owing to the limited yield and material damage associated with each sequential restacking or synthesis step8-29. Here we report a straightforward approach to realizing high-order vdW superlattices by rolling up vdW heterostructures. We show that a capillary-force-driven rolling-up process can be used to delaminate synthetic SnS2/WSe2 vdW heterostructures from the growth substrate and produce SnS2/WSe2 roll-ups with alternating monolayers of WSe2 and SnS2, thus forming high-order SnS2/WSe2 vdW superlattices. The formation of these superlattices modulates the electronic band structure and the dimensionality, resulting in a transition of the transport characteristics from semiconducting to metallic, from 2D to one-dimensional (1D), with an angle-dependent linear magnetoresistance. This strategy can be extended to create diverse 2D/2D vdW superlattices, more complex 2D/2D/2D vdW superlattices, and beyond-2D materials, including three-dimensional (3D) thin-film materials and 1D nanowires, to generate mixed-dimensional vdW superlattices, such as 3D/2D, 3D/2D/2D, 1D/2D and 1D/3D/2D vdW superlattices. This study demonstrates a general approach to producing high-order vdW superlattices with widely variable material compositions, dimensions, chirality and topology, and defines a rich material platform for both fundamental studies and technological applications.

Highly Robust Room-Temperature Interfacial Ferromagnetism in Ultrathin Co2Si Nanoplates.

The reduced dimensionality and interfacial effects in magnetic nanostructures open the feasibility to tailor magnetic ordering. Here, we report the synthesis of ultrathin metallic Co2Si nanoplates with a total thickness that is tunable to 2.2 nm. The interfacial magnetism coupled with the highly anisotropic nanoplate geometry leads to strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and robust hard ferromagnetism at room temperature, with a Curie temperature (TC) exceeding 950 K and a coercive field (HC) > 4.0 T at 3 K and 8750 Oe at 300 K. Theoretical calculations suggest that ferromagnetism originates from symmetry breaking and undercoordinated Co atoms at the Co2Si and SiO2 interface. With protection by the self-limiting intrinsic oxide, the interfacial ferromagnetism of the Co2Si nanoplates exhibits excellent environmental stability. The controllable growth of ambient stable Co2Si nanoplates as 2D hard ferromagnets could open exciting opportunities for fundamental studies and applications in Si-based spintronic devices.

Synthesis of Two-Dimensional MoO2 Nanoplates with Large Linear Magnetoresistance and Nonlinear Hall Effect.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with large linear magnetoresistance (LMR) are very interesting owing to their potential application in magnetic storage or sensor devices. Here, we report the synthesis of 2D MoO2 nanoplates grown by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and observe large LMR and nonlinear Hall behavior in MoO2 nanoplates. As-obtained MoO2 nanoplates exhibit rhombic shapes and high crystallinity. Electrical studies indicate that MoO2 nanoplates feature a metallic nature with an excellent conductivity of up to 3.7 × 107 S m-1 at 2.5 K. MoO2 nanoplates display a large LMR of up to 455% at 3 K and -9 T. A thickness-dependent LMR analysis suggests that LMR values increase upon increasing the thickness of nanoplates. Besides, nonlinearity has been found in the magnetic-field-dependent Hall resistance, which decreases with increasing temperatures. Our studies highlight that MoO2 nanoplates are promising materials for fundamental studies and potential applications in magnetic storage devices.

Centimeter-Scale PdS2 Ultrathin Films with High Mobility and Broadband Photoresponse.

2D materials with mixed crystal phase will lead to the nonuniformity of performance and go against the practical application. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a valid method to synthesize 2D materials with typical stoichiometry. Here, 2D palladium sulfides with centimeter scale and uniform stoichiometric ratio are synthesized via controlling the sulfurization temperature of palladium thin films. The relationship between sulfurization temperature and products is investigated in depth. Besides, the high-quality 2D PdS2 films are synthesized via sulfurization at the temperature of 450-550 °C, which would be compatible with back-end-of-line processes in semiconductor industry with considering of process temperature. The PdS2 films show an n-type semiconducting behavior with high mobility of 10.4 cm2 V-1 s-1 . The PdS2 photodetector presents a broadband photoresponse from 450 to 1550 nm. These findings provide a reliable way to synthesizing high-quality and large-area 2D materials with uniform crystal phase. The result suggests that 2D PdS2 has significant potential in future nanoelectronics and optoelectronic applications.

13 C NMR quantification of polyamine syntheses in rat prostate.

Currently, many prostate cancer patients, detected through the prostate specific antigen test, harbor organ-confined indolent disease that cannot be differentiated from aggressive cancer according to clinically and pathologically known measures. Spermine has been considered as an endogenous inhibitor for prostate-confined cancer growth and its expression has shown correlation with prostate cancer growth rates. If established clinically, measurements of spermine bio-synthesis rates in prostates may predict prostate cancer growth and patient outcomes. Using rat models, we tested the feasibility of quantifying spermine bio-synthesis rates with 13 C NMR. Male Copenhagen rats (10 weeks, n = 6) were injected with uniformly 13 C-labeled L-ornithine HCl, and were sacrificed in pairs at 10, 30, and 60 min after injection. Another two rats were injected with saline and sacrificed at 30 min as controls. Prostates were harvested and extracted with perchloric acid and the neutralized solutions were examined by 13 C NMR at 600 MHz. 13 C NMR revealed measurable ornithine, as well as putrescine-spermidine-spermine syntheses in rat prostates, allowing polyamine bio-synthetic and ornithine bio-catabolic rates to be calculated. Our study demonstrated the feasibility of 13 C NMR for measuring bio-synthesis rates of ornithine to spermine enzymatic reactions in rat prostates. The current study established a foundation upon which future investigations of protocols that differentiate prostate cancer growth rates according to the measure of ornithine to spermine bio-synthetic rates may be developed.

Comparative study of optical coherence tomograph and histological images of eustachian tube nasopharyngeal region and adjacent structures in vivo and ex-vivo miniature pigs.

OBJECTIVES: Optical Coherence Tomograph (OCT) imaging technology can be used to examine, in vivo, the human ET. At present, it is impossible to achieve the OCT scanning vivo and ex vivo in the same individual human body, or study the consistency between OCT images and histological images of the eustachian tube nasopharyngeal region and adjacent structures. The aim of this study was to determine the consistency between OCT images and histological sections in vivo and ex vivo in miniature pigs. METHODS: OCT imaging was performed on five adult miniature pigs in vivo and ex vivo. The images of the eustachian tube OCT (ET-OCT), nasopharynx OCT (NP-OCT) and histological cross sections were further studied. RESULTS: All five miniature pigs achieved the OCT scan successfully, acquiring ET-OCT and NP-OCT images in vivo and ex vivo on both sides. The acquired ET OCT images closely matched the histological images, revealing details of the cartilage, submucosa, glands, and mucosa. The lower segment of the ET wall mucosa had an abundance of glands and submucosal tissues, with more low-signal areas appearing in the ex vivo images. The NP-OCT images of the nasopharynx matched the details of the mucosa and submucosal tissues. The ex-vivo OCT images showed thicker mucosa and more scattered slightly lower signal areas compared to the vivo OCT images. CONCLUSIONS: ET-OCT images and NP-OCT images matched the histological structure of eustachian tube nasopharyngeal region structures in miniature pigs both in vivo and ex vivo. OCT images may be sensitive to changes in edema and ischemia status. There is a great potential for morphological assessment of inflammation, edema, injure, mucus gland status.

Prognostic Value of Systemic Inflammation Response Index in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAD) following open surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: Totally, 410 ATAD patients underwent open surgery from 2019 to 2021 were enrolled in the study. Among the patients, the in-hospital mortality was 14.4%. Cox regression (95%CI 1.033-1.114p < 0.001) and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (AUC = 0.718, p < 0.001) demonstrated the prognostic role of SIRI for in-hospital mortality after surgery. The optimal cut-off value of SIRI for in-hospital mortality was identified as 9.43 by maximally selected Log-Rank statistics. The patients were divided into high SIRI group (SIRI ≥ 9.43) and low SIRI group (SIRI < 9.43)) after the linear inverse relationship between SIRI and hazard ratio for in-hospital mortality was demonstrated by restricted cubic spline analysis (p = 0.0742). The Kaplan-Meier analysis illustrated that in-hospital mortality increased significantly in high SIRI group (p < 0.001). In addition, elevating SIRI was significantly associated with the incidence of coronary sinus tear (95%CI 1.020-4.475p = 0.044). Furthermore, the incidence rate of postoperative complications including renal failure (p < 0.001) and infection (p = 0.019) was higher in high SIRI group. CONCLUSION: The study indicated that preoperative SIRI could provide strong prognostic value for in-hospital mortality in ATAD patients following open surgery. Thus, SIRI was a promising biomarker for risk stratification and management prior to open surgery.

Effect of Defecation Delay in Patients After Tricuspid Valve Replacement: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Defecation delay is a common symptom in patients after tricuspid valve replacement (TVR). Previous studies have demonstrated that defecation delay was associated with worse clinical outcomes of critically ill patients. Our study aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of defecation delay in patients after TVR and its adverse clinical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 206 patients undergoing TVR under cardiopulmonary bypass from May 2005 to July 2021. According to the first postoperative defecation time after surgery, patients were divided into the delayed group (>3 days) and control group (≤3 days). Baseline characteristics and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected to investigate the clinical outcomes of defecation delay. RESULTS: Among the 206 patients, 51.9% (107/206) cases were classified into the defecation delay group. Univariate analysis showed that age (P = 0.043), preoperative platelets (PLT) (P < 0.001), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (P = 0.013), minimum rectal temperature (P = 0.042), and the use of prokinetic drugs (P = 0.015) were significantly different in the two groups. In addition, the perioperative adverse events in the defecation delay group were significantly higher than that of the control group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the mortality of patients was associated with postoperative renal dysfunction (P = 0.047) and postoperative respiratory failure (P = 0.004) but was not associated with defecation delay (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with defecation delay after TVR were more likely to appear adverse events, however, defecation delay was not associated with mortality after TVR.

Phase-Selective Synthesis of Ultrathin FeTe Nanoplates by Controllable Fe/Te Atom Ratio in the Growth Atmosphere.

Phase controllable synthesis of 2D materials is of significance for tuning related electrical, optical, and magnetic properties. Herein, the phase-controllable synthesis of tetragonal and hexagonal FeTe nanoplates has been realized by a rational control of the Fe/Te ratio in a chemical vapor deposition system. Using density functional theory calculations, it has been revealed that with the change of the Fe/Te ratio, the formation energy of active clusters changes, causing the phase-controllable synthesis of FeTe nanoplates. The thickness of the obtained FeTe nanoplates can be tuned down to the 2D limit (2.8 nm for tetragonal and 1.4 nm for hexagonal FeTe). X-ray diffraction pattern, transmission electron microscopy, and high resolution scanning transmission electron microscope analyses exhibit the high crystallinity of the as-grown FeTe nanoplates. The two kinds of FeTe nanoflakes show metallic behavior and good electrical conductivity, featuring 8.44 × 104 S m-1 for 9.8 nm-thick tetragonal FeTe and 5.45 × 104 S m-1 for 7.6 nm-thick hexagonal FeTe. The study provides an efficient and convenient route for tailoring the phases of FeTe nanoplates, which benefits to study phase-sensitive properties, and may pave the way for the synthesis of other multiphase 2D nanosheets with controllable phases.

Anticoagulation Management in Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore special coagulation characteristics and anticoagulation management in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)-assisted patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). DESIGN: Single-center, retrospective observation of a series of patients. PARTICIPANTS: Laboratory-confirmed severe COVID-19 patients who received venovenous ECMO support from January 20-May 20, 2020. INTERVENTIONS: This study analyzed the anticoagulation management and monitoring strategies, bleeding complications, and thrombotic events during ECMO support. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eight of 667 confirmed COVID-19 patients received venovenous ECMO and had an elevated D-dimer level before and during ECMO support. An ECMO circuit pack (oxygenator and tubing) was replaced a total of 13 times in all 8 patients, and coagulation-related complications included oxygenator thrombosis (7/8), tracheal hemorrhage (5/8), oronasal hemorrhage (3/8), thoracic hemorrhage (3/8), bleeding at puncture sites (4/8), and cannulation site hemorrhage (2/8). CONCLUSIONS: Hypercoagulability and secondary hyperfibrinolysis during ECMO support in COVID-19 patients are common and possibly increase the propensity for thrombotic events and failure of the oxygenator. Currently, there is not enough evidence to support a more aggressive anticoagulation strategy.

Clinical Outcome of Reoperation for Mechanical Prosthesis at Aortic Position.

AIM: Redo aortic valve surgery is usually associated with a high risk of mortality and complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the perioperative and long-term outcomes of reoperation after prior mechanical prosthesis implantation at the aortic position. METHOD: The clinical data of 146 consecutive patients who underwent reoperation at the aortic position between 2003 and 2019 were analysed. RESULTS: Mean age was 51.5±12.7 years and 69 (47.3%) were female. The median interval from prior surgery to redo aortic valve surgery was 6 years. The aetiologies were pannus formation with prosthetic aortic stenosis in 62 cases (42.5%), prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) in five (3.4%), PVE with perivalvular leakage (PVL) in 16 (11.0%), PVL in 45 (30.8%), thrombosis in seven (4.8%), and aortic disease in 11 (7.5%). As for surgical procedure, aortic valve replacement was performed in 81 cases (55.5%), Bentall in 34 (23.3%), PVL repair in six (4.1%), and pannus debridement in 25 (17.1%). Fourteen (14) (9.6%) patients expired perioperatively. Prolonged ventilation time and postoperative renal failure were proved to be significant independent predictors of mortality according to multivariate analysis. Overall survival was 87.8%±7.4% and 76.4%±15.1% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Survival was 87.7%±13.7% and 84.2%±15.6% in the pannus group, and 84.5%±12.6% and 74.6%±19.4% in the non-pannus group at 5 and 10 years, respectively (p=0.951). Survival was 87.5%±14.2% and 75.8%±22.7% in the PVL group and 84.7%±11.9% and 81.6%±13.5% in the non-PVL group at 5 and 10 years, respectively (p=0.365). CONCLUSIONS: Pannus formation and PVL are two major indications for reoperation of mechanical prosthesis at the aortic position. Redo aortic valve surgery has a satisfactory outcome but with a high risk of complications. Long-term survival of patients seems not to be related to the aetiology. Final decision-making of redo aortic valve surgery should be based on aetiology.

Response Gene to Complement-32 Promotes the Imbalance of Treg/Th17 in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The imbalance of Treg/Th17 cells plays important role in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Response gene to complement (RGC)-32 is a cell cycle regulator that plays an important role in cell proliferation. We evaluated whether the upregulation of RGC-32 was implicated in the homeostasis of Treg/Th17 cells in DCM. METHODS: The levels of plasma RGC-32, IL-17 and TGF-ß1, and the frequencies of circulating CD4+ RGC-32+ T cells, Th17 and Treg cells in patients with DCM were determined by Cytokine-specific sandwich ELISA and the flow cytometer (FCM), respectively. RESULTS: A significant elevation of plasma RGC-32 in patients with DCM compared with healthy control (HC) subjects was observed. This upregulation was associated with an increase in frequency of Th17 and a decrease in frequency of Treg cells. To further assessed the role of RGC-32, we investigated the effects of RGC-32 up- or down-regulation on frequencies of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from subjects. Importantly, overexpression of RGC-32 was accompanied by an augmentation of Th17 and a reduction of Treg expression. CONCLUSION: In summary, our study demonstrated the up-regulation of RGC-32 contributed to the imbalance of Treg/Th17 cells in patients with DCM.

Spatio-temporal variability of groundwater storage in India.

Groundwater level measurements from 3907 monitoring wells, distributed within 22 major river basins of India, are assessed to characterize their spatial and temporal variability. Groundwater storage (GWS) anomalies (relative to the long-term mean) exhibit strong seasonality, with annual maxima observed during the monsoon season and minima during pre-monsoon season. Spatial variability of GWS anomalies increases with the extent of measurements, following the power law relationship, i.e., log-(spatial variability) is linearly dependent on log-(spatial extent). In addition, the impact of well spacing on spatial variability and the power law relationship is investigated. We found that the mean GWS anomaly sampled at a 0.25 degree grid scale closes to unweighted average over all wells. The absolute error corresponding to each basin grows with increasing scale, i.e., from 0.25 degree to 1 degree. It was observed that small changes in extent could create very large changes in spatial variability at large grid scales. Spatial variability of GWS anomaly has been found to vary with climatic conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the effects of well spacing on groundwater spatial variability. The results may be useful for interpreting large scale groundwater variations from unevenly spaced or sparse groundwater well observations or for siting and prioritizing wells in a network for groundwater management. The output of this study could be used to maintain a cost effective groundwater monitoring network in the study region and the approach can also be used in other parts of the globe.

[Efficacies of fluid resuscitation volume after combined burn-blast injury shock].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacies of resuscitation fluid volume after combined burn-blast injury versus a simple burn. METHODS: A total of 24 beagle dogs were randomly assigned into 3 groups of normal volume (N), decreased volume (D) and increased volume (I). Fluid volume for group N was calculated with the Parkland formula while groups D and I decreased or increased by 20% respectively. Urinary output (UOP), hemoglobin concentration (HB), cardiac output (CO), intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV), extravascular lung water index (ELWI), oxygen delivery (DO(2)) and oxygen consumption (VO(2)) were determined before and 4, 8, 24, 48 h after injury to evaluate the sufficiency of resuscitation in each group and examine the superiority. RESULTS: UOP were [(0.41 ± 0.13), (0.77 ± 0.17), (0.30 ± 0.13)] ml · kg(-1) · h(-1) at 4 h post-injury in groups N, I and D respectively. Group I was significantly higher than groups N and D (P < 0.001).It were [(0.59 ± 0.05), (0.88 ± 0.05), (0.53 ± 0.06)] ml · kg(-1) · h(-1) at 24 h post-injury in groups N, I and D respectively. Group I was significantly higher than groups N and D (P < 0.001). CO in group I was remarkably higher than those in groups N and D at 4 h and 8 h post-injury [(1.57 ± 0.19) vs (1.25 ± 0.17), (1.05 ± 0.17) L/min; (1.87 ± 0.20) vs (1.57 ± 0.24), (1.20 ± 0.19) L/min respectively] (P < 0.05); ITBV also significantly increased in group I than two other groups at 4 h and 8 h post-injury [(169 ± 16) vs (140 ± 12), (121 ± 12) ml; (161 ± 14) vs (135 ± 22), (112 ± 12) ml] (P < 0.05). VO2 in group I was significantly higher than that in group N at 24 h post-injury [(129 ± 10) vs (106 ± 12) ml · min(-1) · m(-2)] (P < 0.05). No differences were detected among 3 group in ELWI (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Larger fluid volume may compensate circulatory volume loss sooner, alleviate declining cardiac output better, maintain adequate organ perfusion, promote tissue oxygenation and improve anti-hypervolemia and anti-hypoxia.

[Effects of exogenous pulmonary surfactant on acute lung injury in rats with severe burn-blast combined injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of exogenous pulmonary surfactant (PS) on acute lung injury induced by severe burn-blast combined injury in a rat model. METHODS: A total of 180 adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of sham, treatment and control (n=60 each). Severe burn-blast combined injury was induced by inflicting rats with a moderate blast injury and a full-thickness burn injury of 25% total body surface area. The treatment and control groups received exogenous PS (2 ml/kg) and saline (2 ml/kg) by trachea respectively. At the time points of 0, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h, 12 rats per timepoint in each group underwent PaO2, PaCO2 and pulmonary function tests respectively. And they were then sacrificed for other analyses. Lung tissues were harvested for histological studies. Their arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis. All data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed with SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The differences were considered to be statistically significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: After removing death drain during the experiment, 8 rats were put equally into five phase points of the last three groups, the results were analyzed statistically. PaO2: At each timepoint of 6, 24, 48, 72 h, the control group PaO2 were obviously lower than the sham group ((69.55 ± 5.11), (62.05 ± 6.54), (53.24 ± 7.65), (50.00 ± 7.45) vs (93.75 ± 3.41), (94.25 ± 2.19), (93.63 ± 2.33), (93.25 ± 1.83) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), all P < 0.01); at 6 h treatment group was close to sham group ((92.63 ± 3.74) vs (93.75 ± 3.41) mmHg, P=0.594); at 6 h control group PaO2 decreased to 70 mmHg and then gradually declined. And at each timepoint the treatment group PaO2 was significantly higher than the control group ((92.63 ± 3.74), (87.50 ± 3.34), (78.75 ± 3.11), (71.38 ± 3.74) vs (69.55 ± 5.11), (62.05 ± 6.54), (53.24 ± 7.65), (50.00 ± 7.45) mmHg, all P < 0.01); PaCO2: treatment group PaCO2 was lower than that of control group at 6, 24, 48 h ((45.50 ± 6.79), (49.38 ± 7.52), (54.13 ± 4.82) vs (53.25 ± 2.76), (59.50 ± 6.61), (63.60 ± 7.33) mmHg, all P < 0.01), both treatment and control groups were significantly higher than those in the sham group ((59.63 ± 6.87), (68.88 ± 6.85) vs (36.38 ± 1.85) mmHg, all P < 0.01). No difference existed between the control and treatment groups (P = 0.051). Deep inspiratory capacity, central airway resistance, lung compliance and tissue elasticity, treatment group was significantly better than control group at 24 h (P < 0.05). And it was close to sham group (P > 0.05). The treatment group alveolar structural damage and pulmonary hemorrhage and edema were better than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: Exogenous pulmonary surfactant (PS) can improve oxygenation and alleviate pulmonary edema and pulmonary capillary membrane permeability of rats with severe burn blast combined injury.

MicroRNA-30b/c inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation by targeting Rab18.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that post-transcriptional regulate gene expression in a variety of cancers. Increasing evidences indicate that miR-30 expression is down-regulated in numerous human cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which hypothesizes that miR-30 may play an important role in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the target gene of miR-30 and its roles in tumor growth of NSCLC. METHODS: Luciferase reporter assays were employed to validate regulation of a putative target of miR-30. The effect of miR-30 on endogenous levels of this target were subsequently confirmed via Western blot (WB). Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to determine the expression level of miR-30 in NSCLC specimens and adjacent non-tumor tissues. MTT assays were conducted to explore the impact of miR-30 overexpression on the proliferation of human NSCLC cells. RESULTS: Both miR-30b and miR-30c (miR-30b/c) were found having target site in same region of Rab18 mRNA. Luciferase assays using a reporter carrying a putative miR-30b/c target site in the coding DNA sequence (CDS) region of Rab18 revealed that miR-30b/c directly targeted Rab18. Overexpression of miR-30b/c led to down-regulation of Rab18 in A549 and H23 cells at protein levels but not mRNA levels. Down-regulation of miR-30b/c and up-regulation of Rab18 protein levels were detected in NSCLC specimens compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues. Overexpression of miR-30b/c suppressed NSCLC cells growth. Knockdown of Rab18 by siRNA significantly inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that miR-30b/c was down-regulated in NSCLC specimens compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues. miR-30b/c directly targeted and down-regulated Rab18 expression and inhibited NSCLC cells proliferation. These data indicated that miR-30b/c could serve as a tumor suppressor gene involved in NSCLC pathogenesis.

Intake of vegetables and fruit and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVES: To study the association between the intake of fruit and vegetables and risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), we summarized the evidence from observational studies in categorical and linear dose-response meta-analyses. METHODS: Eligible studies published up to June 2013 were retrieved via computerized searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary relative risks (SRRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran's Q and I (2) statistics. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies involving 1,572 cases of EAC were included in this meta-analysis. Based on the highest versus lowest analysis, inverse associations were observed between intakes of vegetable (SRRs = 0.76, 95% CIs 0.59-0.96; P heterogeneity = 0.098, I (2) 40.4%; n = 9 studies), intakes of fruit (SRRs = 0.73, 95% CIs, 0.55-0.98; P heterogeneity = 0.03, I (2) = 52.9%; n = 9 studies), and intakes of total vegetables and fruit combined (SRRs = 0.68, 95% CI 0.49-0.93; P heterogeneity = 0.162, I (2) = 38.9%; n = 5 studies). Similar results were also observed in a linear dose-response analysis. CONCLUSION: These data support the hypothesis that intakes of vegetables and fruit may significantly reduce the risk of EAC. Further investigation with prospective designs, validated questionnaires, and good control of important confounders is warranted.

Effects of sildenafil on prognosis in patients with pulmonary hypertension after left-sided valvular surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Sildenafil (Viagra, Pfizer) is being used to treat pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, there are limited data on the effects of sildenafil on patients with PH after left-sided valvular surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal dosage and the effects of sildenafil on prognosis of patients with PH after left-sided valvular surgery. METHODS: This randomised controlled trial, double-blind study enrolled patients with PH undergoing left-sided valvular surgery in our hospital from January to December, 2010. Ninety patients were enrolled. And 0.5 mg/kg sildenafil citrate or placebo was administered through nasogastric tubes, the haemodynamics changes in the 0.5/1/2/4 hours were assessed. The sildenafil citrate/placebo was continued to the discharges and the early prognoses of these patients were compared. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, a 0.5 mg/kg dose of sildenafil significantly reduced the time of mechanical ventilation, stay-in-ICU and hospitalisation duration. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil might be beneficial to the early prognosis of patients with PH after left-sided valvular surgery.

Comparation of the outcomes between ProGlide based post-closure technique and arteriotomy repair for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation decannulation.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes between post-closure technique based on ProGlide and arteriotomy repair for veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) decannulation in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who received VA-ECMO treatment and successfully removed from its support in Changhai Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were included in this study. Patients was divided into post-closure group and surgical repair group according to the artery access closure method used. Clinical data of these patients were retrospectively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 58 patients were eventually enrolled in this study, including 26 (44.83%) patients in post-closure group and 32 (55.17%) patients in surgical repair group. Post-closure group had shorter procedure time, less minor bleeding events, estimated blood loss and packed cells transfused compared with the surgical repair group. The intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay after decannulation and the hospital length of stay after ICU in post-closure group were both shorter than surgical repair group. Nine patients (15.52%) died of multiple system organ failure after decannulation in this cohort and there were no significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed the post-closure technique based on ProGlide for VA-ECMO decannulation is feasible, safe and effective.