bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of influenza vaccines in adults with chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Härmälä Suvi , Parisinos Constantinos A , Shallcross Laura , O'Brien Alastair , Hayward Andrew
Published: September 2019

Objectives

Patients with liver disease frequently require hospitalisation with infection often the trigger. Influenza vaccination is an effective infection prevention strategy in healthy and elderly but is often perceived less beneficial in patients with liver disease. We investigated whether influenza vaccination triggered serological response and prevented hospitalisation and death in liver disease.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed and CENTRAL up to January 2019.

Eligibility criteria

Randomised or observational studies of the effects of influenza vaccine in adults with liver disease.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers screened studies, extracted data and assessed risk of bias and quality of evidence. Primary outcomes were all-cause hospitalisation and mortality. Secondary outcomes were cause-specific hospitalisation and mortality, and serological vaccine response. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled effects of vaccination.

Results

We found 10 041 unique records, 286 were eligible for full-text review and 12 were included. Most patients had viral liver disease. All studies were of very low quality. Liver patients both with and without cirrhosis mounted an antibody response to influenza vaccination, and vaccination was associated with a reduction in risk of hospital admission from 205/1000 to 149/1000 (risk difference −0.06, 95% CI −0.07 to 0.04) in patients with viral liver disease. Vaccinated patients were 27% less likely to be admitted to hospital compared with unvaccinated patients (risk ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.80). No effect against all-cause or cause-specific mortality or cause-specific hospitalisation was found.

Conclusions

The low quantity and quality of the evidence means that the protective vaccine effect may be uncertain. Considering the high risk of serious health outcomes from influenza infection in patients with liver disease and the safety and low cost of vaccination, overall, the potential benefits of seasonal vaccination both to patients and the healthcare systems are likely to outweigh the costs and risks associated with vaccination.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017067277.
How improving access times had unforeseen consequences: a case study in a Dutch hospital
Authors: Roemeling Oskar , Ahaus Kees , van Zanten Folkert , Land Martin , Wennekes Patrick
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To investigate the consequences of increasing capacity to reduce access times, and to explore how patient waiting times and use of physical capacity were influenced by variability.

Design

A retrospective case study that combines both primary and secondary data. Secondary data were retrieved from a hospital database to establish inflow and outflow of patients, utilisation of resources and available capacity, realised access times and the weekly number of new patients seen over 1 year. Primary data consisted of field notes, onsite visits and observations, and semistructured interviews.

Setting

A secondary care facility, that is, a rheumatology department, in a large Dutch hospital.

Participants

Analyses are based on secondary patient data from the hospital database, and the responses of the interviews with physicians, nurses and Lean Six Sigma project leaders.

Results

The study shows that artificial variability was increased by managerial decisions to add capacity and to allow an increased inflow of new patients. This, in turn, resulted in undesirable and significant fluctuations in access times. We argue that we witnessed a new multiplier effect that typifies the fluctuations.

Conclusions

Adding capacity resources to reduce access times might appear an obvious and effective solution. However, the outcomes were less straightforward than expected, and even led to new artificial variability. The study reveals a phenomenon that is specific to service environments, and especially healthcare, and has detrimental consequences for access times.
Evidence characterising skills, competencies and policies in advanced practice critical care nursing in Europe: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kaldan Gudrun , Nordentoft Sara , Herling Suzanne Forsyth , Larsen Anders , Thomsen Thordis , Egerod Ingrid
Published: September 2019

Introduction

The management of critically ill patients is challenged by increasing population age and prevalence of comorbid diseases. High-quality intensive care nursing practice is imperative to accommodate these issues. The roles of the nurse practitioner (NP) and the acute care NP have existed for decades in the USA, Canada and Australia but are still evolving in Europe. Some European countries have introduced the advanced practice nurse (APN), but the current standard of the advanced level of nursing is variable and consensus regarding the framework, role and definition is lacking. Literature and evidence are sparse as well. Identification of skills and competencies required for the APN is warranted. Mapping skills and competencies will enable future educational harmonisation and facilitate mobility of the advanced-level intensive care nursing workforce across Europe. The aim of our scoping review is to identify literature describing skills, competencies and policies characterising advanced nursing practice in intensive care across Europe.

Methods and analysis

We will apply a five-stage scoping review methodology with a comprehensive systematic literature search as outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. In collaboration with a research librarian, we will search nine interdisciplinary databases and grey literature for publications originating in European countries in 1992–2018. Using a two-stage screening process with Covidence to remove duplicates, we will first scan the title and abstract and then perform full-text review to determine the eligibility of the papers. Qualitative content analysis will be used to chart the data.

Ethics and dissemination

Our study is a part of the European Union-funded INACTIC project (International Nursing Advanced Competency-based Training for Intensive Care) with the overall aim of developing a common European curriculum for advanced practice critical care nursing. Results from this scoping review mapping the evidence of APNs in Europe will be presented at national and international conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The Garmin-RUNSAFE Running Health Study on the aetiology of running-related injuries: rationale and design of an 18-month prospective cohort study including runners worldwide
Authors: Nielsen Rasmus Østergaard , Bertelsen Michael Lejbach , Ramskov Daniel , Damsted Camma , Brund René Korsgaard , Parner Erik Thorlund , Sørensen Henrik , Rasmussen Sten , Kjærgaard Søren
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Running injuries affect millions of persons every year and have become a substantial public health issue owing to the popularity of running. To ensure adherence to running, it is important to prevent injuries and to have an in-depth understanding of the aetiology of running injuries. The main purpose of the present paper was to describe the design of a future prospective cohort study exploring if a dose–response relationship exists between changes in training load and running injury occurrence, and how this association is modified by other variables.

Methods and analysis

In this protocol, the design of an 18-month observational prospective cohort study is described that will include a minimum of 20 000 consenting runners who upload their running data to Garmin Connect and volunteer to be a part of the study. The primary outcome is running-related injuries categorised into the following states: (1) no injury; (2) a problem; and (3) injury. The primary exposure is change in training load (eg, running distance and the cumulative training load based on the number of strides, ground contact time, vertical oscillation and body weight). The change in training load is a time-dependent exposure in the sense that progression or regression can change many times during follow-up. Effect-measure modifiers include, but is not limited to, other types of sports activity, activity of daily living and demographics, and are assessed through questionnaires and/or by Garmin devices.

Ethics and dissemination

The study design, procedures and informed consent have been evaluated by the Ethics Committee of the Central Denmark Region (Request number: 227/2016 – Record number: 1-10-72-189-16).
Immunoglobulin for Kawasaki disease: a 3-year retrospective audit
Authors: Pascall Beth , Thakker Arjuna , Foo Ying , Thakker Pradip
Published: September 2019

Aim

To evaluate whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) use in children with suspected Kawasaki disease (KD) was given according to local trust and the newly revised American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.

Methods

In our tertiary hospital, any child with suspected KD given IVIG, over the past 3 years, was identified. Their electronic notes were then reviewed.

Results

Ten patients were identified. Nine patients had a fever lasting 5 days or more. Four patients had either 5/5 or 4/5 of the diagnostic criteria for KD and were diagnosed with complete KD. The remaining six patients were suspected to have incomplete KD. 7/10 patients received IVIG within 10 days of onset of illness. Patients suspected to have incomplete KD experienced a mean delay in administration of IVIG of 5.3 days compared with those with complete KD. In four patients, an alternative diagnosis was established. Three patients had coronary artery abnormalities on first echocardiogram. From these patients, only one had a follow-up echocardiogram recorded in their notes. No patient had more than one follow-up echocardiogram (at both 2 and 6 weeks).

Conclusion

Identifying patients with incomplete KD is more difficult than identifying those with complete KD and any delay in giving IVIG could be due to this reason. This audit suggests that increasing awareness of incomplete KD and a clear guideline will aid prompter diagnosis and administration of IVIG. This audit also suggests that all patients with KD should receive more than one follow-up echocardiogram.
Transversus abdominis and multifidus asymmetry in runners measured by MRI: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mitchell Ulrike H , Johnson A Wayne , Owen Patrick J , Rantalainen Timo , Belavy Daniel
Published: September 2019

Objective

The transversus abdominis muscle (TrA) is active during running as a secondary respiratory muscle and acts, together with the multifidus, as trunk stabiliser. The purpose of this study was to determine size and symmetry of TrA and multifidus muscles at rest and with contraction in endurance runners without low back pain.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

A medical imaging centre in Melbourne, Australia.

Participants

Thirty middle-aged (43years±7) endurance-trained male (n=18) and female (n=12) runners without current or history of low back pain.

Outcome measures

MRI at rest and with the core engaged. The TrA and multifidus muscles were measured for thickness and length (TrA) and anteroposterior and mediolateral thickness (multifidus). Muscle activation was extrapolated from rest to contraction and compared with the same and contralateral side. Paired t-tests were performed to compare sides and contraction status.

Results

Left and right TrA and multifidus demonstrated similar parameters at rest (p>0.05). However, with contraction, the right TrA and multifidus (in mediolateral direction) were 9.2% (p=0.038) and 42% (p<0.001) thicker, respectively, than their counterparts on the left. There was no TrA thickness side difference with contraction in left-handed participants (p=0.985). When stratified by sex, the contracted TrA on the right side remained 8.4% thicker, but it was no longer statistically significant (p=0.134). The side difference with contraction of the TrA became less with increasing training age.

Conclusions

Right-handed long-term runners without low back pain exhibit a greater right side core muscle activation when performing an isometric contraction. This activation preference diminishes with increasing training age.
Taxonomy of the form and function of primary care services in or alongside emergency departments: concepts paper
Authors: Cooper Alison , Edwards Michelle , Brandling Janet , Carson-Stevens Andrew , Cooke Matthew , Davies Freya , Hughes Thomas , Morton Katherine , Siriwardena Aloysius , Voss Sarah , Benger Jonathan , Edwards Adrian
Published: September 2019

Primary care services in or alongside emergency departments look and function differently and are described using inconsistent terminology. Research to determine effectiveness of these models is hampered by outdated classification systems, limiting the opportunity for data synthesis to draw conclusions and inform decision-making and policy. We used findings from a literature review, a national survey of Type 1 emergency departments in England and Wales, staff interviews, other routine data sources and discussions from two stakeholder events to inform the taxonomy. We categorised the forms inside or outside the emergency department: inside primary care services may be integrated with emergency department patient flow or may run parallel to that activity; outside services may be offered on site or off site. We then describe a conceptual spectrum of integration: identifying constructs that influence how the services function—from being closer to an emergency medicine service or to usual primary care. This taxonomy provides a basis for future evaluation of service models that will comprise the evidence base to inform policy-making in this domain. Commissioners and service providers can consider these constructs in characterising and designing services depending on local circumstances and context.
Enrichment of damaging missense variants in genes related with axonal guidance signalling in sporadic Meniere’s disease
Authors: Gallego-Martinez Alvaro , Requena Teresa , Roman-Naranjo Pablo , May Patrick , Lopez-Escamez Jose A
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Meniere’s disease (MD) is a rare inner ear disorder with a significant genetic contribution defined by a core phenotype: episodic vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. It has been mostly described in sporadic cases, familial cases being around 10% of the observed individuals. It is associated with an accumulation of endolymph in the inner ear, but the molecular underpinnings remain largely unknown. The main molecular pathways showing higher differentially expressed genes in the supporting cells of the inner ear are related to cochlea-vestibular innervation, cell adhesion and leucocyte extravasation. In this study, our objective is to find a burden of rare variants in genes that interact with the main signalling pathways in supporting cells of the inner ear in patients with sporadic MD.

Methods

We designed a targeted-sequencing panel including genes related with the main molecular pathways in supporting cells and sequenced 860 Spanish patients with sporadic MD. Variants with minor allele frequencies <0.1 in the gene panel were compared with three independent reference datasets. Variants were classified as loss of function, missense and synonymous. Missense variants with a combined annotation-dependent depletion score of >20 were classified as damaging missense variants.

Results

We have observed a significant burden of damaging missense variants in few key genes, including the NTN4 gene, associated with axon guidance signalling pathways in patients with sporadic MD. We have also identified active subnetworks having an enrichment of rare variants in sporadic MD.

Conclusion

The burden of missense variants in the NTN4 gene suggests that axonal guidance signalling could be a novel pathway involved in sporadic MD.
High-sensitivity microsatellite instability assessment for the detection of mismatch repair defects in normal tissue of biallelic germline mismatch repair mutation carriers
Authors: González-Acosta Maribel , Marín Fátima , Puliafito Benjamin , Bonifaci Nuria , Fernández Anna , Navarro Matilde , Salvador Hector , Balaguer Francesc , Iglesias Silvia , Velasco Angela , Grau Garces Elia , Moreno Victor , Gonzalez-Granado Luis Ignacio , Guerra-García Pilar , Ayala Rosa , Florkin Benoît , Kratz Christian , Ripperger Tim , Rosenbaum Thorsten , Januszkiewicz-Lewandowska Danuta , Azizi Amedeo A , Ragab Iman , Nathrath Michaela , Pander Hans-Jürgen , Lobitz Stephan , Suerink Manon , Dahan Karin , Imschweiler Thomas , Demirsoy Ugur , Brunet Joan , Lázaro Conxi , Rueda Daniel , Wimmer Katharina , Capellá Gabriel , Pineda Marta
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Lynch syndrome (LS) and constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) are hereditary cancer syndromes associated with mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency. Tumours show microsatellite instability (MSI), also reported at low levels in non-neoplastic tissues. Our aim was to evaluate the performance of high-sensitivity MSI (hs-MSI) assessment for the identification of LS and CMMRD in non-neoplastic tissues.

Materials and methods

Blood DNA samples from 131 individuals were grouped into three cohorts: baseline (22 controls), training (11 CMMRD, 48 LS and 15 controls) and validation (18 CMMRD and 18 controls). Custom next generation sequencing panel and bioinformatics pipeline were used to detect insertions and deletions in microsatellite markers. An hs-MSI score was calculated representing the percentage of unstable markers.

Results

The hs-MSI score was significantly higher in CMMRD blood samples when compared with controls in the training cohort (p<0.001). This finding was confirmed in the validation set, reaching 100% specificity and sensitivity. Higher hs-MSI scores were detected in biallelic MSH2 carriers (n=5) compared with MSH6 carriers (n=15). The hs-MSI analysis did not detect a difference between LS and control blood samples (p=0.564).

Conclusions

The hs-MSI approach is a valuable tool for CMMRD diagnosis, especially in suspected patients harbouring MMR variants of unknown significance or non-detected biallelic germline mutations.
Homozygous damaging SOD2 variant causes lethal neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Almomani Rowida , Herkert Johanna C , Posafalvi Anna , Post Jan G , Boven Ludolf G , van der Zwaag Paul A , Willems Peter H G M , van Veen-Hof Ingrid H , Verhagen Judith M A , Wessels Marja W , Nikkels Peter G J , Wintjes Liesbeth T , van den Berg Maarten P , Sinke Richard J , Rodenburg Richard J , Niezen-Koning Klary E , van Tintelen J Peter , Jongbloed Jan D H
Published: September 2019

Background

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is recognised to be a heritable disorder, yet clinical genetic testing does not produce a diagnosis in >50% of paediatric patients. Identifying a genetic cause is crucial because this knowledge can affect management options, cardiac surveillance in relatives and reproductive decision-making. In this study, we sought to identify the underlying genetic defect in a patient born to consanguineous parents with rapidly progressive DCM that led to death in early infancy.

Methods and results

Exome sequencing revealed a potentially pathogenic, homozygous missense variant, c.542G>T, p.(Gly181Val), inSOD2. This gene encodes superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) or manganese-superoxide dismutase, a mitochondrial matrix protein that scavenges oxygen radicals produced by oxidation-reduction and electron transport reactions occurring in mitochondria via conversion of superoxide anion (O2–·) into H2O2. Measurement of hydroethidine oxidation showed a significant increase in O2−·levels in the patient’s skin fibroblasts, as compared with controls, and this was paralleled by reduced catalytic activity of SOD2 in patient fibroblasts and muscle. Lentiviral complementation experiments demonstrated that mitochondrial SOD2 activity could be completely restored on transduction with wild type SOD2.

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence that defective SOD2 may lead to toxic increases in the levels of damaging oxygen radicals in the neonatal heart, which can result in rapidly developing heart failure and death. We propose SOD2 as a novel nuclear-encoded mitochondrial protein involved in severe human neonatal cardiomyopathy, thus expanding the wide range of genetic factors involved in paediatric cardiomyopathies.
Association between outdoor PM2.5 and prevalence of COPD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Han Feng , Yang Xiaoyan , Xu Donggang , Wang Qin , Xu Dongqun
Published: September 2019

There were conflictions and differences among the results of cross-sectional studies association between PM2.5 and COPD prevalence. We aimed to explore the real association between outdoor PM2.5 and COPD prevalence, analyze the possible cause to the differences and conflictions in previous cross-sectional studies. Cross-sectional literatures about the association between outdoor PM2.5 and COPD prevalence were selected up to 12 September 2018. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore the source of the heterogeneity. Publication bias was tested via funnel plot. Leave-one-out method was used to conduct influential analysis. Variance analysis was used to analyze the influence of concentration, literature quality and age (over 60 or not) on the ln (aOR) values. The initial search revealed 230 studies, of which 8 were selected. The heterogeneity in this study was significant (I2=62, P<0.01), and random effects model was used. The pooled OR for the association between PM2.5 and COPD prevalence is 2.32(95%CI, 1.91-2.82). There was no evidence of publication bias. Subgroup analysis showed the subgroup of age seemed to be the source of heterogeneity (P=0.0143, residual I2=0%). Variance analysis showed that the differences of ln (aOR) among each concentration group(p=0.0075) were statistically significant, the same as age groups(P=0.0234). This meta-analysis study demonstrated a conclusive association between PM2.5 and prevalence of COPD (OR: 2.32, 95%CI 1.91–2.82). The significant heterogeneity among selected studies was mainly caused by age (over 60 or not). High PM2.5 concentration should be needed in further research of the relationship between PM2.5 and chronic diseases.
Decreased expression of long non-coding LOC285194 predicts tumour progression and poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative hepatectomy
Authors: Qiu Jianguo , Pan Gang , Li Ming
Published: September 2019

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been recently implicated as having oncogenic and tumour suppressor roles. LncRNA LOC285194 (LOC285194) expression was significantly reduced in a variety of tumour tissues and cell lines, which promotes cell proliferation and migration. The aim of the present study is to examine the expression pattern of LOC285194 and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after curative liver resection.

Materials and methods

We examined the expression of LOC285194 in 120 HCC samples and controls from adjacent non-tumour tissues using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and analysed its correlation with clinical parameters and prognosis in these patients who have undergone curative hepatic resection with a median follow-up of 3.5 years.

Results

The expression level of LOC285194 was significantly lower in tumour tissues and four liver cancer cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissues and normal liver cell line. Furthermore, a low expression of LOC285194 was significantly correlated with advanced tumour stage, microvascular invasion, tumour number and differentiation. Additionally, survival analysis showed that patients with low LOC285194 expression had a significantly worse overall and disease-free survival. Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses showed that decreased expression of LOC285194 was an independent predictor of long-term survival.

Conclusions

The low expression level of LOC285194 might be a novel candidate biomarker for predicting tumour progression and poor prognosis in HCC patients who have undergone hepatectomy and might be a potential target for gene therapy.
Settled science or unwarranted variation in local anesthetic dosing? An analysis from an International Registry of Regional Anesthesiology
Authors: Taenzer Andreas H , Sites Brian D , Kluger Roman , Barrington Michael
Published: September 2019

Background

Variation in clinical practice is often considered unwarranted when it does not reflect patient preference or evidence-based medicine. Complications from regional anesthesia such as nerve injury and systemic toxicity are dose dependent. It is currently unclear if there is significant variation with the dosing of local anesthetics (LA) in the context of the modern practice of peripheral regional anesthesia.

Methods

We analyzed data from the International Registry of Regional Anesthesia that include prospective data on peripheral regional anesthesia procedures from 21 centers located around the world. Using data from years 2011 to 2017, our primary aim was to characterize the degree of variation in dosing of LA for the top 10 most commonly performed single injection peripheral nerve blocks. Our secondary aim was to identify potential drivers of this variation.

Results

Among the 26 457 peripheral blocks performed, mean (±SD) LA dose per block in ropivacaine equivalents was 125.1±51.2 mg and 1.6±0.7 for mg/kg. There was large variation across all block types, with the highest variation (measured by interdecile range) in axillary blocks (143.8 mg) and lowest in interscalene blocks (83.3 mg). In a regression analysis, dose was primarily associated with the hospital (Cohen’s f=0.37) where the block was administered and block type (f=0.38), less so with age (f=0.02), weight (f=0.12), gender (f=0.05) or LA (f=0.17) used. Hospital site had strong impact on variation in LA dose (f=0.88). Variation was not significantly associated with number of blocks performed by hospital site.

Conclusions

Large variation in dosing for regional blocks exists within and among hospitals, which is unlikely to be warranted. For many blocks, the variation of dosing is larger than the mean dose. Hospital site had strong impact on variation in LA dose and moderate impact on mean LA dose.
Measurement properties of the minimal disease activity criteria for psoriatic arthritis
Authors: Coates Laura C , Strand Vibeke , Wilson Hilary , Revicki Dennis , Stolshek Brad , Samad Ahmed , Chung James B , Gladman Dafna , Mease Philip J
Published: September 2019

Objective

To comprehensively assess evidence on the measurement properties of the minimal disease activity (MDA) criteria, a composite measure of the state of disease activity in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

A targeted literature review was conducted to identify studies that informed the validity and/or ability of the MDA to detect change among patients known to have experienced a change in clinical status. The search was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase databases (published as of October 2017). Pertinent articles provided by investigators and identified from select conference proceedings were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 20 publications met the inclusion criteria. The MDA criteria were consistently associated with other indicators of disease activity/severity. The ability of the MDA criteria to detect change was supported in randomised controlled trials (n=10), with a greater percentage of patients randomised to active treatments achieving MDA relative to patients in comparator arms. Long-term observational studies (n=2) provided additional support for the ability of the MDA to detect within-subject change in the real-world settings.

Conclusion

Evidence supports the MDA as a valid measure of disease activity in PsA that can detect between-group and within-subject change. The MDA is a comprehensive measure and clinically meaningful endpoint to assess the impact of interventions on PsA disease activity.
Extracellular Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles from Alkaliphilic Pseudomonas sp.
Authors: Beeler Erik , Choy Nicholas , Franks Jonathan , Mulcahy Francis , Singh Om V.
Published: September 2019

Bio-nanotechnology offers eco-friendly processes for the synthesis of stable nanoparticles (NPs). We hypothesized that microorganisms isolated from the root nodules of leguminous plants would biosynthesize silver (Ag) bio-nanoparticles. Clover root nodules enriched with nutrient broth
(NB) produced four distinct colonies on NA plates. Microbial colonies were purified by repeated streaking and designated as SS6, SS7, SS8, and SS9 for identification using 16S rRNA sequencing. Four species of Pseudomonas were identified with a similarity score of over 99% using the
EZ Taxon search engine, and tested for extracellular biosynthesis of AgNPs. Microorganism Pseudomonas taiwanensis-SS8 with alkaliphilic growth characteristics reduced the AgNO3 solution into AgNPs in the shortest time period. AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry and
electron and transmission electron microscopy. A number of physical (i.e., temperature and time) and chemical (i.e., pH and growth media) parameters were optimized. An efficient polydispersal biosynthesis of AgNPs at pH 8–9 after 48 hrs in NB growth medium was observed. In addition,
the AgNPs showed antimicrobial properties against 16 commonly occurring pathogenic microorganisms.
Light-Mediated Green Synthesis of DNA-Capped Silver Nanoparticles and Their Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Chumpol Jiraporn , Siri Sineenat
Published: September 2019

Green synthesis offers an eco-friendly and low-cost approach for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Many studies have reported on the use of biomolecules, especially plant extracts, as reducing and/or stabilizing agents in place of toxic chemicals. This study reports on
the use of bacterial genomic DNA as an alternative stabilizing agent for the green synthesis of AgNPs under light activation. With both increased DNA quantities and reaction times under light exposure, more stabilized AgNPs formed as indicated by the surface plasmon resonance intensities.
The synthesized AgNPs were spherical with an average size of 61.36±10.15 nm as calculated using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique. The X-ray diffraction, selected area electron diffraction, and high resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses confirmed the
formation of face-centered cubic (fcc) structured AgNPs. The produced AgNPs exhibited antibacterial activities against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, suggesting its potential application as an antibacterial agent.
Framework Fe-Doped Mobil Five (MFI) Zeolites as Highly Active and Stable Fenton-Like Catalysts for Basic Dyes Degradation
Authors: Deng Senlin , Lv Guojun , Zhai Yi , Yang Zebin , Zhu Yongqiang , Li Haichao , Wang Fumin , Zhang Xubin
Published: September 2019

Highly active and stable framework Fe-doped ZSM-5 (f-Fe-ZSM-5) zeolites with different Fe contents, which were synthesized using a facile one-pot hydrothermal method, could effectively resolve the loss of iron element during the catalytic degradation of basic dyes. The successful introduction
of Fe species into the framework of ZSM-5 was confirmed by elemental mappings, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis spectra). The operational parameters, such as Fe content, H2O2 concentration, reaction temperature,
types of dyes as well as the stability of the synthesized samples were extensively evaluated. It was demonstrated that the f-Fe(0.10)-ZSM-5 exhibited an efficient catalytic ability and excellent stability even after seven consecutive runs. The degradation efficiency of f-Fe-ZSM-5 for basic
dyes was higher than that for acid dye. Therefore, f-Fe-ZSM-5 zeolites may present major potential for the treatment of basic dyes waste water without adjusting the initial pH value.
Targeted Fluorescence Imaging and Biological Effects of Peptide Conjugated Quantum Dots on Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Shi Xiudong , Shi Chunzi , Ye Wen , Wang Lin , Zhan Yi , Song Fengxiang , Liu Fengjun , Shi Yuxin
Published: September 2019

Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide sequences exist in a variety of biological extracellular matrices and can specifically bind the cell-surface integrin αvβ3, which is overexpressed in cancer cells and plays important roles in tumor growth and invasion.
Quantum dots (QDs) have been applied in the field of cell biology and can be physically conjugated to the surface of cancer cells for imaging. In this research, we developed QDs-RGD nanoparticles and investigated its application in pancreatic cancer cell imaging and its influence on the biological
behavior of pancreatic cancer cells. The results of flow cytometric analysis showed that the αvβ3 receptor was markedly overexpressed on pancreatic cancer cells. In cellular uptake studies, the fluorescence signal of QDs-RGD nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer cells
was higher than that of QDs without RGD conjugation, as determined by an inverted fluorescence microscope. Furthermore, the biological behavior of pancreatic cancer cells was affected by QDs-RGD nanoparticles, which inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion and induced G2-phase cell
cycle arrest. With integrin αvβ3 as a target, QDs-RGD nanoparticles can generate high-quality images of pancreatic cancer cells and have immense potential for use in the targeted diagnosis and therapy of pancreatic cancer.
Electrochemical Behaviors of Sulfurized-Polyacrylonitrile with Synthesized Polyacrylonitrile Precursors Based on the Radical Polymerization Through Monomer Acrylonitrile
Authors: Peng Si-Huang , Yao Shan-Shan , Xue Si-Kang , Qian Xin-Ye , Shen Xiang-Qian , Li Tian-Bao , Tan Jin-Li
Published: September 2019

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursors have been polymerized at different radical polymerization temperatures for preparing sulfurized-polyacrylonitrile (S-PAN) composite cathodes in rechargeable lithium sulfur battery. The physical properties of these composites have been investigated
using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, Brunner-Emmet-Teller measurement and Gel permeation chromatography analysis. The electrochemical performance of the S-PAN composite cathodes made from the PAN precursor was investigated. The results showed
that the molecular weight distribution of the PAN precursors affected the electrochemical performance of the S-PAN made from the PAN precursor. S-PAN composites derived from PAN with a narrower molecular weight distribution at 65 °C were exhibit the best electrochemical performance in
lithium-sulfur battery.
Nd@TiO2 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Inactivation of Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhen De-Shuai , Luo Xiao-Hu , Yang De , Zou Hong-Tao , Xiong Er-Hu , Liu Yu
Published: September 2019

In present work, a novel Nd@TiO2 Nanocomposite, synthesized successfully by a facile sol–gel method, reveals significant light-activated antibacterial activity. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show the anatase
phase and globular shape of Nd@TiO2. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and low temperature N2 adsorption (BET) indicate Nd0.02@TiO2 has the narrow band gap (3.0 eV) and a high specific surface area (121.1 m2·g-1).
Furthermore, the prepared Nd@TiO2 exhibits unprecedented higher photocatalytic activity than P25 TiO2. In water, Nd@TiO2 has higher inactivation against Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria under simulated solar light irradiation 70 min than TiO2,
and the highest antibacterial efficiency (91.5%) of E. coli was achieved on Nd0.02@TiO2.
A Wearable Biosensor Based on Bienzyme Gel-Membrane for Sweat Lactate Monitoring by Mounting on Eyeglasses
Authors: Zhang Lili , Liu Jian , Fu Zhenling , Qi Liguo
Published: September 2019

A new enzymatic biosensor worn on eyeglasses has been developed for low-noise and noninvasive determination of lactate in human sweat during physical exercise. The Os (osmium)-complex, the electron mediator between the enzyme and the electrode, was first immobilized on a flexibly printed
carbon electrode. Then, a gel membrane with the stereoscopic reticular structure of lactate oxidase and horseradish peroxidase was casted on the electrode to form the biosensor. Linearity of the biosensor was observed for up to 25 mM lactate in a phosphate buffered solution of pH 7.0. Chemical
selectivity was evaluated by adding common interferent species such as ascorbic acid, glucose and uric acid to the lactate. The negligible current interference indicated excellent discriminatory selectivity of the biosensor. Applied to an analysis of the real sweat lactate dynamics of healthy
subjects during cycling exercise, the amperometric profiles of the biosensors reflected changes in sweat lactate that depended on physical exercise intensity. Compared with other reported epidermal biosensors attached to the arm or leg, our biosensor not only exhibited a similar current change
tendency but also rarely suffered from deformational interference due to their forehead measurement position. Such a successful application of real-time monitoring of sweat lactate means that eyeglass-bound biosensors hold considerable promise in the physical exercise and biomedical fields.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Ru/PC/SiO2/Carbon Nanofiber Composites as Anode Materials in Lithium Secondary Batteries
Authors: Hwang Eunjeong , Hyun Yura , Lee Chang-Seop
Published: September 2019

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were grown by chemical vapor deposition method on C-fiber textiles that Ni and Cu catalysts were pre-deposited via electrophoretic deposition. Carbon nanofibers were oxidized by nitric acid to create hydroxyl group and then coated with silica layer via
hydrolysis of TEOS (Tetraethyl orthosilicate). Pyrolytic carbon was coated on the SiO2/CNFs composite by flowing ethylene gas at 900 °C, and then Ru was dip-coated to prepare Ru/PC/SiO2/CNFs composite. The morphologies, compositions, and crystal qualities of CNFs
and the various carbon nanofiber composites were characterized by SEM, TEM, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties and the capacitance of the carbon nanofibers and its composites as anode materials of Li secondary batteries were investigated by galvanostatic charge-discharge
and cyclic voltammetry. The galvanostatic charge/discharge results of the CNFs, SiO2/CNFs composite, (PC)SiO2/CNFs composite, and Ru/(PC)SiO2/CNFs composite exhibited maximum capacities of 809 mAh/g, 1,289 mAh/g, 2,469 mAh/g, and 2,451 mAh/g, respectively.
Indentation Deformation of a Cu47.5Zr19Hf28.5Al5 Bulk-Metallic Glass-Matrix Nanocomposite
Authors: Sun Yuan , Zhang Dong , Xin Shaojie , Yang Fuqian
Published: September 2019

In this work, we study the indentation deformation of a Cu47.5Zr19Hf28.5Al5 bulk-metallic glass-matrix composite and characterize the effects of the indentation-loading rate and the holding time at the peak-indentation load. For the same peak-indentation
load, increasing the holding time and/or decreasing the indentation-loading rate cause the increase of the indentation depth. There exists the “bulge” of the unloading curve at the onset of the unloading for small indentation-loading rates. The Vickers hardness is a monotonically
increasing function of the indentation-loading rate for the same peak-indentation load. For the indentations with the same loading and unloading time of 30 s and without an intermediate stage at the peak-indentation load, the Vickers hardness of the Cu47.5Zr19Hf28.5Al5
bulk-metallic glass-matrix composite decreases with the increase of the indentation load. The strain energy dissipated through plastic deformation during the indentation is a power-law function of the indentation load with a power index of 3/2, and the energy ratio (total energy/plastic energy)
linearly increases with the depth ratio (residual indentation depth/maximum indentation depth).
Exposure to Maghemite Nanoparticles Induces Epigenetic Alterations in Human Submandibular Gland Cells
Authors: Bonadio Raphael S. , Cunha Mariana ColaÇo Pereira Carneiro da , Longo João Paulo F. , Azevedo Ricardo B. , PoÇas-Fonseca Marcio J.
Published: September 2019

Even though nanotechnology has revolutionized the biomedical research, a plethora of studies debate the nanoparticles safety. In order to contribute to these studies, we evaluated the cytotoxic and epigenetic effects of maghemite nanoparticles covered with citric acid on human submandibular
gland cells. Objective: This work objective was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects and epigenetic alterations induced in human salivary gland cells after treatment with maghemite nanoparticles covered with citric acid. Methods: For that, human submandibular gland cells were cultured
and treated with nanoparticles for 24 or 48 hours. To assess cytotoxicity we used lactate dehydrogenase, a general oxidative stress indicator assay and microscopy. Epigenetic status was detected by colorimetric assays and the results were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
Results: No cytotoxic effects were detected on cells exposed to up 3.0 mgFemL-1 for 48 hours, although cytoplasmic vacuoles formation was detected by light microscopy analyses. An increased generation of reactive oxygen species in cells exposed to nanoparticles was evidenced
and iron clusters accumulated in the cytoplasm of treated cells. Global DNA methylation and histones H3 and H4 acetylation were also altered in response to nanoparticles exposure, thus suggesting a reprogramming of the epigenome. Transcripts accumulation analyses showed that genes related
to iron metabolism and oxidative stress were upregulated, while the gene related to epigenetic reprogramming presented reduced transcript accumulation after treatment. Conclusion: We concluded that maghemite nanoparticles covered with citric acid exposure provoked several biological
responses without impairment of human submandibular gland cells viability. This is the first report on the epigenetic effects of maghemite nanoparticles on this cell lineage.
TiO2 Nanosheet-Redox Graphene Oxide/Sulphur Cathode for High-Performance Lithium-Sulphur Batteries
Authors: Hong Shu , Han Yunzhao , Zhang Kun , Wang Mingbo , Cui Nana , Du Xiaoqinq , Li Qingyu , Huang Youguo , Jiang Feng , Xie Keyu
Published: September 2019

Lithium-sulphur batteries are considered as some of the most potent secondary-battery systems. These batteries are expected to have extensive applications in fields requiring high-energy density. However, such applications are hindered by some serious intrinsic obstacles. Herein, TiO2
nanosheets-rGO/sulphur (TiO2 NS-rGO/S) composites were fabricated through a two-process hydrothermal method. TiO2 nanosheets served as active sites for polysulphide absorption, whereas rGO offered space for sulphur improvement and TiO2 NS-rGO/S composites.
The TiO2 NS-rGO/S composite exhibited high discharge capacity of 1099 mAh·g-1 at 0.2 C rate and retained a capacity of 690 mAh·g-1 after 100 cycles, with high sulphur loading of 3 mg·cm-2. The high initial specific discharge
capacity and improved cyclic stability were attributed to the synergistic effects of TiO2 nanosheets and rGO. These results indicated that the simple, low-cost and scalable method provides a novel perspective on practical utilisation of lithium-sulphur batteries.
Mechanism and Kinetics of Dehydroxylation and Decarbonation of Mg–Fe Hydrotalcite
Authors: Jin Li , Ding Pengxuan , Du Jinze , Zeng Hongyan , Zhu Peihan , Xu Sheng , Shi Xiaokun , Zhou Enguo
Published: September 2019

Thermal behavior of hydrotalcites, which is a calcination process, is critical to prepare the metal oxide catalysts with high performances in the practical applications. In this paper, the MgFe-LDH with Mg/Fe molar ratio of 3.0 was prepared by urea method and the calcined products are
obtained by calcining at different temperatures (473 K, 573 K, 673 K, 773 K, 873 K and 973 K) under a N2 atmosphere for 4 h. The structure, morphology, texture, pyrolysis kinetics and mechanism of the MgFe-LDH were studied in detail. On one hand, based on the TG/DSC curves, Starink, Kissinger
and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) methods were used to calculate the activation energy, on the other hand, the Šatava-Šesták, Achar and Málek methods were used to define the most probable reaction mechanisms of pyrolysis behavior. The results suggested that the thermal
decomposition of the LDH experienced two steps, i.e., removal of the interlayer water, followed by dehydroxylation and decarbonation. Moreover the Mákel method was used to define the most probable reaction mechanisms of the pyrolysis behavior.
Controlled Morphology of Single-Crystal Molybdenum Trioxide Nanobelts for Photocatalysis
Authors: Liao Min , Wu Lifen , Zhang Qunbin , Dai Jinyan , Yao Weitang
Published: September 2019

Uniform MoO3 nanobelts and nanomaterials with various morphology are successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method with nitric acid as additive. The obtained MoO3 nanomaterials were characterized by means of XRD, SEM, SAED and TEM. In addition, the
photocatalytic property of MoO3 nanomaterials have been studied, showing the excellent photocatalytic property for degradation of rhodamine-B (RhB) under simulated sunlight irradiation (visible light).
Oxidation of 1,2-Propanediol to Carboxylic Acid Over Hydroxyapatite Nanorod-Supported Metallic Cu0 Nanoparticles
Authors: Qiu Lang , Yin Hengbo , Wang Aili , Shen Lingqin , Tao Wei
Published: September 2019

Hydroxyapatite nanorod-supported metallic Cu0 nanoparticle catalysts (Cux/HAP) were prepared by the wetness chemical reduction method. The metallic Cu0 nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surfaces of the HAP nanorods. The alkaline HAP nanorods inhibited
the crystal growth of the metallic Cu0 nanoparticles. The HAP nanorods also retarded the oxidation of the metallic Cu0 nanoparticles. The Cux/HAP catalyst exhibited a higher catalytic activity for the oxidation of 1,2-propanediol with gaseous oxygen to lactic, acetic,
and formic acids with the total selectivity of 70.3% even at a lower reaction temperature of 140 °C. The total selectivity of lactic, acetic, and formic acids reached 93.1% at a mild reaction temperature of 180 °C. However, the sole monometallic Cu0 nanoparticles or HAP
nanorods had no catalytic activity for the oxidation of 1,2-propanediol. The metallic Cu0 nanoparticles and alkaline HAP nanorods in the Cux/HAP catalyst synergistically catalyzed the oxidation of 1,2-propanediol to carboxylic acid.
Preparation of SnO Nanoshells with Enhanced Lithium-Storage Properties
Authors: Wu Han , Song Haizeng , Lin Zixia , Yan Shancheng , Shi Yi
Published: September 2019

Tin monoxide is a kind of IV–VI metal monoxides that has attracted great deal of attention due to its wide optical band gap and high field effect mobility in the past decade. On the other hand, nanoshell is a unique porous structure. Its curved shell provides a shelter for the
hollow core, as well as a much bigger special surface area. We in this study systematically prepared SnO nanoshells through a facile self-assembly method under different annealing conditions. The lithium ion batteries were fabricated immediately based on the as prepared nanoshells. The capacity
of as fabricated lithium ion batteries was 559.3 mAhg-1 at rate performance of 0.1 Ag-1 and 497.5 mAhg-1 at 1 Ag-1 in 30th cycle. This work exhibited high application performance of SnO nanoshells. We hope this work will help study similar structure
and applications of IV–VI metal monoxides.