Ruthenium Nanoclusters and Single Atoms on α-MoC/N-Doped Carbon Achieves Low-Input/Input-Free Hydrogen Evolution via Decoupled/Coupled Hydrazine Oxidation.

The hydrazine oxidation-assisted H2 evolution method promises low-input and input-free hydrogen production. However, developing high-performance catalysts for hydrazine oxidation (HzOR) and hydrogen evolution (HER) is challenging. Here, we introduce a bifunctional electrocatalyst α-MoC/N-C/RuNSA, merging ruthenium (Ru) nanoclusters (NCs) and single atoms (SA) into cubic α-MoC nanoparticles-decorated N-doped carbon (α-MoC/N-C) nanowires, through electrodeposition. The composite showcases exceptional activity for both HzOR and HER, requiring -80 mV and -9 mV respectively to reach 10 mA cm-2. Theoretical and experimental insights confirm the importance of two Ru species for bifunctionality: NCs enhance the conductivity, and its coexistence with SA balances the H ad/desorption for HER and facilitates the initial dehydrogenation during the HzOR. In the overall hydrazine splitting (OHzS) system, α-MoC/N-C/RuNSA excels as both anode and cathode materials, achieving 10 mA cm-2 at just 64 mV. The zinc hydrazine (Zn-Hz) battery assembled with α-MoC/N-C/RuNSA cathode and Zn foil anode can exhibit 97.3 % energy efficiency, as well as temporary separation of hydrogen gas during the discharge process. Therefore, integrating Zn-Hz with OHzS system enables self-powered H2 evolution, even in hydrazine sewage. Overall, the amalgamation of NCs with SA achieves diverse catalytic activities for yielding multifold hydrogen gas through advanced cell-integrated-electrolyzer system.

Development and validation of a urinary microRNA biomarker panel as a tool for early detection of prostate cancer in a Chinese population.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) may serve as promising biomarkers for non-invasive early detection of prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to identify multi-miRNA urinary biomarker panel for early detection of PCa. METHODS: Urine samples from 83 PCa patients and 88 healthy control subjects in a Chinese population were collected for miRNA profiling. The absolute expression of 360 unique miRNAs were measured in each sample using a highly sensitive and robust RT-qPCR workflow. Candidate urinary miRNA biomarkers were identified based on differential expression between PCa patients and healthy controls. Multi-miRNA biomarker panels were optimised for detection of PCa using three regression algorithms (Lasso, Stepwise, Exhaustive) to identify an optimal biomarker panel with best detection performance and least number of miRNAs. RESULTS: A total of 312 miRNAs were detected in urine samples, 10 candidate urinary miRNA biomarkers differentially expressed between PCa and healthy samples were identified. A panel comprising these 10 miRNAs detected PCa with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.738. Optimization of multi-miRNA panels resulted in a 6-miRNA biomarker panel (hsa-miR-375, hsa-miR-520d-5p, hsa-miR-199b-5p, hsa-miR-518e-5p, hsa-miR-31-3p and hsa-miR-4306) that had an AUC of 0.750. CONCLUSION: We identified a urinary miRNA biomarker panel for early detection of PCa in a Chinese population.

Epigenetic clock analysis of blood samples in drug-naive first-episode schizophrenia patients.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe and chronic psychiatric disorder with premature age-related physiological changes. However, numerous previous studies examined the epigenetic age acceleration in SCZ patients and yielded inconclusive results. In this study, we propose to explore the epigenetic age acceleration in drug-naive first-episode SCZ (FSCZ) patients and investigate whether epigenetic age acceleration is associated with antipsychotic treatment, psychotic symptoms, cognition, and subcortical volumes. METHODS: We assessed the epigenetic age in 38 drug-naive FSCZ patients and 38 healthy controls by using three independent clocks, including Horvath, Hannum and Levine algorithms. The epigenetic age measurements in SCZ patients were repeated after receiving 8 weeks risperidone monotherapy. RESULTS: Our findings showed significantly positive correlations between epigenetic ages assessed by three clocks and chronological age in both FSCZ patients and healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, drug-naive FSCZ patients have a significant epigenetic age deceleration in Horvath clock (p = 0.01), but not in Hannum clock (p = 0.07) and Levine clock (p = 0.43). The epigenetic ages of Hannum clock (p = 0.002) and Levine clock (p = 0.01) were significantly accelerated in SCZ patients after 8-week risperidone treatment. However, no significant associations between epigenetic age acceleration and psychotic symptoms, cognitive function, as well as subcortical volumes were observed in FSCZ patients. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that distinct epigenetic clocks are sensitive to different aspects of aging process. Further investigations with comprehensive epigenetic clock analyses and large samples are required to confirm our findings.

Converting a Non-Porous Rare-Earth Metal-Organic Framework into a Porous Yttrium-Based NH2UiO-66 Network via a Linker Exchange Approach.

The solvent-assisted linker exchange (SALE) method was used to produce amino-functionalized yttrium-based UiO-66 [NH2UiO-66(Y)], which is not obtainable via a direct synthetic method. Remarkably, SALE not only produced relatively highly porous NH2UiO-66(Y) from completely non-porous 3,3-bpdc-Y but also changed the network topology from 8-connected bcu in 3,3-bpdc-Y to 12-connected fcu in NH2UiO-66(Y). Based on our knowledge, this is one of the rare cases where SALE changes the whole network topology of the resulting metal-organic framework. NH2UiO-66(Y) also showed promising ability for selective detection of Cu2+ at a low concentration.

In Situ Transformation of Metal-Organic Frameworks into Hollow Nickel-Cobalt Double Hydroxide Arrays for Efficient Water Oxidation.

Developing earth-abundant electrocatalysts for efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of paramount significance for electrochemical water splitting. Herein, an efficient in situ etching-deposition growth strategy is employed to transform pristine two-dimensional (2D) Co-metal-organic frameworks into hollow Ni/Co double hydroxide arrays (denoted as Ni/Co-DH), which not only yields a larger surface area and exposes more active sites but also decreases the activation energy to the OER. With structural and compositional benefits, the Ni/Co-DH exhibits high performance with an overpotential of 229 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and exceptional long-term stability of over 90 h in 1 M KOH medium for OER, comparable to most non-noble oxygen evolution catalysts reported so far. In addition, a two-electrode Ni/Co-DH∥Pt/C electrolyzer also requires a considerably low voltage of 1.58 V at 10 mA cm-2 for overall water splitting. This study affords a rational strategy to develop water-alkali electrolyzers with great complexity for large-scale water-splitting systems.

Drug Delivery Using Hydrophilic Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs): Effect of Structure Properties of MOFs on Biological Behavior of Carriers.

To study the influence of pore structural properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on drug adsorption and delivery, we synthesized two MOF termed TMU-6(RL1) {[Zn(oba)(RL1)0.5]n·(DMF)1.5} and TMU-21(RL2) {[Zn(oba)(RL2)0.5]n·(DMF)1.5} with amine basic N-donor pillars containing phenyl or naphthyl cores with various hydrophilic properties around the main center of the reaction. TG, IR, XPS, and PXRD analyses were used to extensively characterize the MOFs. The synthesized carriers showed high adsorption efficiency, stability, and controlled release. As an anticancer drug, Nimesulide (Nim) was adsorbed to MOFs using multiple adsorption mechanisms, such as Hostπ-πGuest interaction and HostN-H···OGuest hydrogen bonds. Moreover, Hirshfeld surface analysis showed when the benzene core was replaced with the naphthalene core, the percentage of intermolecular interactions of π···π and N···H by amine sites in TMU-21(RL2) decreased compared with TMU-6(RL1), while the percentage of these interactions with guest molecules increased. The results showed that changes in the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity properties of MOFs would alter their ability to adsorb Nim in the pore of the frameworks. In vitro anticancer studies also showed that the cytotoxicity of Nim in MOFs@Nim composites against human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cells) and human colon cancer cell line (HT-29 cells) is much higher than that of free Nim. Generally, based on the results, it can be said that the biological behavior of carriers can be regulated by adjusting the structure properties of MOFs.

Highly Sensitive Colorimetric Naked-Eye Detection of HgII Using a Sacrificial Metal-Organic Framework.

This study has developed a specific, easy, and novel approach to designing a sacrificial metal-organic framework (MOF) that can detect and measure the amount of Hg2+ in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions using the naked eye. The functionalized [Zn(oba)(RL3)0.5]n·1.5DMF (TMU-59) provides the ability of simple visual assessment or colorimetric readout without sophisticated analytical equipment. Because of the special interaction with Hg2+, degradation of the structure of this unique MOF causes the solution to change color from colorless to a pink that is easily recognizable to the naked eye. The presence of a methyl group plays a major role in naked-eye detection by a qualitative sensor. Furthermore, this qualitative sensor data for the production of a simple, instant, and portable red, green, and blue (RGB)-based quantitative sensor were used to determine the concentration of Hg2+ in different specimens. As a turn-off fluorescence sensor, this unique structure is also capable of detecting Hg2+ at very low concentrations (the limit of detection is 0.16 ppb). To the best of our knowledge, TMU-59 is the first MOF-based naked-eye sensor that can successfully and specifically display the presence of Hg2+ through a major color change.

New 3D Porous Silver Nanopolycluster as a Highly Effective Supercapacitor Electrode: Synthesis and Study of the Optical and Electrochemical Properties.

A high-nucleus silver nanopolycluster as a new type of silver-based polymer supercapacitor (SSc) by a simple and single-step synthesis process was designed and synthesized. The structural, optical, and electrochemical properties of SSc-2 were determined. This highly stable conductive 3D nanopolycluster shows great cycling stability, large capacity, and high energy density without any modification or doping process and so acts as an excellent SSc (412 F g-1 at 1.5 A g-1). In addition, there was a stable cycling performance (94% capacitance) following 7000 cycles at 3 A g-1 current density. The presence of fluorinated groups, 3D expansion of high-nucleus metallic clusters, and porosity are the advantages of SSc-2 that lead to stability, conductivity, and high capacity, respectively. These results lead to the development of a novel kind of SSc by overcoming the low conductivity and limited capacity challenges without any modification.

All-Carboxylate-Protected Superatomic Silver Nanocluster with an Unprecedented Rhombohedral Ag8 Core.

We report the synthesis and structure of the first all-carboxylate-protected superatomic silver nanocluster. It was prepared by heating a dimethylformamide solution of perfluoroglutaric acid and AgNO3 under alkaline conditions, yielding a single crystal of [(CH3)2NH2]6[Ag8(pfga)6]. The [Ag8(pfga)6]6- cluster has a rhombohedral Ag86+ core, with each of its faces protected by one dianionic perfluoroglutarate (pfga) ligand. Electronic-structure analysis from density functional theory confirms the stability of this two-electron cluster due to the shell closing of the superatomic orbital in the (1S)2 configuration and explains the optical absorption of the cluster in the visible region as the transition from 1S to 1P orbital. The [Ag8(pfga)6]6- cluster emits bright green-yellow light in THF solution and bright orange light in the solid state. This work opens the door to using the widely available carboxylic acids to synthesize atomically precise Ag clusters of attractive properties.

DNA methylation-based classification and identification of bladder cancer prognosis-associated subgroups.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BCA) is the most common urinary tumor, but its pathogenesis is unclear, and the associated treatment strategy has rarely been updated. In recent years, a deeper understanding of tumor epigenetics has been gained, providing new opportunities for cancer detection and treatment. METHODS: We identified prognostic methylation sites based on DNA methylation profiles of BCA in the TCGA database and constructed a specific prognostic subgroup. RESULTS: Based on the consistent clustering of 402 CpGs, we identified seven subgroups that had a significant association with survival. The difference in DNA methylation levels was related to T stage, N stage, M stage, grade, sex, age, stage and prognosis. Finally, the prediction model was constructed using a Cox regression model and verified using the test dataset; the prognosis was consistent with that of the training set. CONCLUSIONS: The classification based on DNA methylation is closely related to the clinicopathological characteristics of BCA and determines the prognostic value of each epigenetic subtype. Therefore, our findings provide a basis for the development of DNA methylation subtype-specific therapeutic strategies for human bladder cancer.

Comparative Study of the Supercapacitive Performance of Three Ferrocene-Based Structures: Targeted Design of a Conductive Ferrocene-Functionalized Coordination Polymer as a Supercapacitor Electrode.

As redox-active based supercapacitors are known as highly desirable next-generation supercapacitor electrodes, the targeted design of two ferrocene-functionalized (Fc(COOH)2 ) clusters based on coinage metals, [(PPh3 )2 AgO2 CFcCO2 Ag(PPh3 )2 ]2 ⋅7 CH3 OH (SC1 : super capacitor) and [(PPh3 )3 CuO2 CFcCO2 Cu(PPh3 )3 ]⋅3 CH3 OH (SC2 ), is reported. Both structures are fully characterized by various techniques. The structures are utilized as energy storage electrode materials, giving 130 F g-1 and 210 F g-1 specific capacitance at 1.5 A g-1 in Na2 SO4 electrolyte, respectively. The obtained results show that the presence of CuI instead of AgI improves the supercapacitive performance of the cluster. Further, to improve the conductivity, the PSC2 ([(PPh3 )2 CuO2 CFcCO2 ]∞ ), a polymeric structure of SC2 , was synthesized and used as an energy storage electrode. PSC2 displays high conductivity and gives 455 F g-1 capacitance at 3 A g-1 . The PSC2 as a supercapacitor electrode presents a high power density (2416 W kg-1 ), high energy density (161 Wh kg-1 ), and long cycle life over 4000 cycles (93 %). These results could lead to the amplification of high-performance supercapacitors in new areas to develop real applications and stimulate the use of the targeted design of coordination polymers without hybridization or compositions with additive materials.

Young age increases the risk of lymph-node metastasis in patients with muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The risk of positive lymph nodes in patients with muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma (MIBC) can be used to guide treatment recommendations. However, little is known about the effect of age on lymph node positivity (LN+). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of age on LN+ in MIBC. METHODS: We analyzed patients with stage T2-T4 bladder urothelial carcinoma who had not received preoperative radiotherapy, had at least one lymph node examined, and underwent cystectomy between 1998 and 2015. The Cochran-Armitage trend test and logistic univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the effect of age on LN+ in all T stages. RESULTS: In total, 15,624 patients with MIBC were identified, including 747 patients aged ≤50 years (4.78%), 2614 patients aged 50-59 years (16.73%), 4914 patients aged 60-69 years (31.45%), 5225 patients aged 70-79 years old (33.44%), and 2124 patients aged > 80 years (13.59%). In T2-T4 staging, LN+ was negatively correlated with age. After adjustment for several covariates, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age was an independent risk factor for LN+. CONCLUSIONS: In this large SEER analysis, Young patients with MIBC have a higher risk of lymph node metastasis. This finding is worthy of further study and may eventually affect the treatment decisions of young patients.

Sexual Functions in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence After Mid-Urethral Sling Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Randomized and Non-Randomized Studies.

BACKGROUND: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common, distressing health issue which affects many women. Mid-urethral sling (MUS) surgeries are recommended as gold standard interventions, although evidence regarding their impact on female sexual function remains controversial. AIM: To provide high-quality evidence of the impact of MUS surgeries on sexual functions in women with SUI. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted to identify studies assessing the effect of MUS treatments on sexual functions in women with SUI. The included studies were prospective randomized or non-randomized trials which assessed patients using 2 validated questionnaires, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ-12). Pre- and postoperative data regarding sexual function were extracted. Meta-analysis of comparable data was performed using Review Manager (version 5.3) software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relationship between MUS interventions and sexual functions was analyzed by pooling weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% CI from studies which used either the FSFI or PISQ-12 questionnaires, before and after receiving surgical interventions. RESULTS: Of the 22 eligible studies, 13 utilized FSFI and 9 adopted the PISQ-12. Pooled analysis indicates that 6-month postoperative PISQ-12 scores were significantly higher than preoperative scores (WMD -3.31 points; 95% CI -5.32 to -1.30; P = .001). Similar results were found at the 12-month juncture (WMD -3.30 points; 95% CI -6.01 to -0.58; P = .02) and at 24 months (WMD -4.44 points; 95% CI -5.45 to -3.44; P < .00001). Likewise, pooled postoperative FSFI total scores were significantly higher than preoperative scores at 6 months (WMD -2.22 points; 95% CI -3.36 to -1.08; P = .00001) and 12 months (WMD -3.49 points; 95% CI -5.96 to -1.02; P = .006). Postoperative FSFI sub-scores also suggest that desire, arousal, orgasm, lubrication, satisfaction, and pain during sexual intercourse significantly improved postoperatively (all P < .05). Moreover, combined evidence highlighted a significant reduction in coital incontinence postoperatively (risk ratio 5.78; 95% CI 3.16-10.58; P < .00001). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These assessment tools might be more appropriately used to create opportunities for counseling. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: We encountered substantial heterogeneity and insufficient long term follow-up data. There is also a distinct lack of standards, in terms of data recording and reporting across this evidence base which adds to the problems with the PISQ-12 and FSFI which, even though validated, appear unsophisticated and not necessarily fit-for-purpose. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis confirms that sexual functions do improve after MUS surgeries for women with SUI. Lai S, Diao T, Zhang W, et al. Sexual Functions in Women With Stress Urinary Incontinence After Mid-Urethral Sling Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Randomized and Non-Randomized Studies. J Sex Med 2020;17:1956-1970.

Size-Selective Urea-Containing Metal-Organic Frameworks as Receptors for Anions.

Anion recognition by neutral hosts that function in aqueous solution is an emerging area of interest in supramolecular chemistry. The design of neutral architectures for anion recognition still remains a challenge. Among neutral anion receptor systems, urea and its derivatives are considered as "privileged groups" in supramolecular anion recognition, since they have two proximate polarized N-H bonds exploitable for anion recognition. Despite promising advancements in urea-based structures, the strong hydrogen bond drives detrimental self-association. Therefore, immobilizing urea fragments onto the rigid structures of a metal-organic framework (MOF) would prevent this self-association and promote hydrogen-bond-accepting substrate recognition. With this aim, we have synthesized two new urea-containing metal-organic frameworks, namely [Zn(bpdc)(L2)]n·nDMF (TMU-67) and [Zn2(bdc)2(L2)2]n·2nDMF (TMU-68) (bpdc = biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate; bdc = terephthalate; L2 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-4-yl)urea), and we have assessed their recognition ability toward different anions in water. The two MOFs show good water stability and anion affinity, with a particular selectivity toward dihydrogen arsenate for TMU-67 and toward fluoride for TMU-68. Crystal structure characterizations reveal 3-fold and 2-fold interpenetrated 3D networks for TMU-67 and TMU-68, respectively, where all single interpenetrated networks are hydrogen bonded to each other in both cases. Despite the absence of self-quenching, the N-H urea bonds are tightly hydrogen bonded to the oxygen atoms of the dicarboxylate ligands and cannot be directly involved in the recognition process. The good performance in anion sensing and selectivity of the two MOFs can be ascribed to the network interpenetration that, shaping the void, creates monodimensional channels, decorated by exposed oxygen atom sites selective for arsenate sensing in TMU-67 and isolated cavities, covered by phenyl groups selective for fluoride recognition in TMU-68.

Hexavalent Octahedral Template: A Neutral High-Nucleus Silver Alkynyl Nanocluster Emitting Infrared Light.

The first silver nanocluster with an octahedral template of TeO66- was synthesized as a neutral 36-nucleus nanocluster, and its structure was demonstrated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The peripheral ligands of the cagelike skeleton of the nanocluster are CF3COO- and tBuC≡C-. During the synthesis, the TeO66- template arranged the nanocluster, and a 36-nucleus nanocluster was formed. The effect of the template nature was displayed on the structural features of the nanocluster in comparison with an 8-nucleus cluster, with the same synthesis conditions. The photoluminescence and UV-vis absorption analyses of the nanocluster were also investigated. The nanocluster displayed near-infrared luminescence emission at 690 nm.

Investigation of the Effect of a Mixed-Ligand on the Accommodation of a Templating Molecule into the Structure of High-Nucleus Silver Clusters.

Advancement of the synthesis and control of the self-assembly process of new high-nucleus silver clusters with desired structures is important for both the material sciences and the many applications. Herein, three new silver clusters, 20-, 22-, and 8-nucleus, based on alkynyl ligands were constructed and their structures were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). For the first time, the trivalent tetrahedron anion of AsO43-, as a template, and the surface ligand of Ph2PO2H, with new coordination modes, were employed in preparation of the silver clusters. The role of surface ligands and template anions in the size and structure of the clusters was investigated. The presence of the template in the structure of the clusters led to the formation of the high-nucleus clusters. Also, in this report, it was shown that the participation of the template in the assembly of a cluster can be controlled by the surface ligands. UV-vis absorption and luminescent properties of the clusters and the thermal stability of the 8-nucleus cluster were also studied.

Tandem addition/cyclization for synthesis of 2-aroyl benzofurans and 2-aroyl indoles by carbopalladation of nitriles.

The first example of the palladium-catalyzed tandem addition/cyclization of 2-(2-acylphenoxy)acetonitriles with arylboronic acids has been developed, providing a new strategy for the synthesis of 2-aroyl benzofurans with excellent chemoselectivity and wide functional group compatibility. Preliminary mechanistic experiments indicate that this tandem process involves sequential nucleophilic addition generating 2-(2-acylphenoxy)-1-phenylethan-1-one followed by an intramolecular cyclization. This methodology has also been applied to the synthesis of 2-aroyl indoles and the potent CYP19 inhibitor 1-(benzofuran-2-yl(phenyl)methyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole.

Prognostic significance of preoperative plasma fibrinogen levels in primary gastrointestinal stromal tumours: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Improved prediction of prognosis for gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) has become increasingly important since the introduction of targeted therapy. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative plasma fibrinogen (Fib) levels in patients with primary GISTs and to analyse their correlations with clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: A total of 201 previously untreated patients with primary GISTs who had undergone radical surgery at our institution between October 2004 and July 2018 were enrolled. The optimal cut-off value for Fib levels was calculated using time-dependent receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. RFS, the primary endpoint, was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were calculated. RESULTS: High preoperative plasma Fib levels were detected as an independent adverse prognostic factor (p = 0.008, hazard ratio 3.136, 95% CI 1.356‒7.256). Furthermore, high preoperative plasma Fib levels also indicated a poor prognosis within the modified National Institutes of Health (mNIH) high-risk subgroup (p = 0.041). In addition, preoperative plasma Fib levels showed a positive correlation with several prognostic factors and even a linear relationship with tumour size (Spearman correlation coefficient [r] = 0.411, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that high preoperative plasma Fib levels may indicate a poor prognosis in patients with primary GISTs. As a cost-effective biomarker, preoperative assessment of plasma Fib levels may help to further risk stratify patients with mNIH high-risk GISTs and instruct the application of targeted therapy.

Trivalent Tetrahedral Anion Template: A 26-Nucleus Silver Alkynyl Cluster Encapsulating Vanadate.

In order to study the charge effect on the formation of an anion-templated silver cluster, a trivalent tetrahedral anion was incorporated into the silver assembly. A 26-nuclear silver cluster was prepared, and its structure was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Also, the resulting structure was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction data. Its light absorption and photoluminescent properties were studied by solid-state UV diffuse-reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy. Compared with the other reported silver clusters with tetrahedral anion templates, the more negative VO43- anion led to the formation of a bigger silver cluster. Also, the supramolecular motif O-H(CH3OH)···O(trifluoroacetate) was confirmed on the cluster surface for the first time.

Sacral Neuromodulation for Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intervention effect of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction after spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: We selected relevant studies published between January 1, 1971 and November 15, 2018 by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane databases. The outcome was assessed as follows: patients who had at least 50% improvement in bladder diary variables (number of leakages, pad use, number of voids, number of catheterizations, and so on). All analyses were performed with R software (version 3.5.1). We used Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics to evaluate the heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 8 articles met all inclusion criteria for the systematic review. According to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine hierarchy, the evidence levels ranged from 2b to 4. During the test phase of SNM, we considered 108 patients. During the test phase, the merged success rate was 45% (95% CI 36-55%, p = 0.23, I2 = 31%). Overall, 99 patients were considered during the permanent implantation phase of SNM; the mean follow-up time ranged from 8.4 to 61.3 months, and the merged success rate of the permanent SNM phase was 75% (95% CI 64-83%, p = 0.46, I2 = 0%). All the reported adverse events were resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidence, the success rate of the test phase of SNM for LTUD in SCI patients was low, but in the permanent phase, the success rate of SNM was optimistic. In the future, well-designed randomized controlled trial with adequate sample sizes and power are necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of SNM.