Medication adherence is critical in Tuberculosis (TB) treatment success, but existing tools are inadequate in identifying non-adherents, reasons for non-adherence or interventions to improve ...adherence. This study intended to fill the gap by developing and validating a TB medication adherence scale (TBMAS).
An initial 41-item TBMAS was designed through review of literature, consultation from an 8-member clinical expert panel and a 15-patient focus group, and pilot-testing in 25 TB patients. The questionnaire was validated in 438 patients who visited 23 community health centers for TB treatment in Wuhan from September 1, 2010, to August 31, 2011, using pharmacy refill records in a 15-week period as external criteria for medication adherence. After removing redundant and cross-loading items, the internal consistency, reliability and validity of TBMAS in identifying non-adherents were examined.
The final TBMAS included 30 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale, and these items were loaded in nine distinct factors that explained 65% of cumulative variance among respondents. Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability and split-half reliability were 0.87, 0.83, and 0.85, respectively. Convergent validity was supported by statistically significant associations between TBMAS scores and adherence measured by pharmacy refill records. Receiver Operating Characteristics curve analysis suggested a cut-off point at 113, with which TBMAS showed a positive predictive value of 65.5% and sensitivity of 82.9% in identifying non-adherents.
TBMAS demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, reliability and validity in identifying TB patients with poor adherence and potential causes for non-adherence.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The bulk expansion effect of gallium-based thermal interface materials (GBTIMs) was experimentally disclosed and clarified for the first time. GBTIMs were prepared under low (26 %) and high (96 %) ...relative humidity for a short (2 h) and long (5 h) time periods. An evident volume expansion phenomenon was observed with adequate humidity. Higher humidity resulted in bigger expansion rate and expansion coefficient. The expansion coefficient could reach surprisingly large value of 1.5 for GBTIMs under 96% relative humidity. Assuming that the volume change was related to chemical reactions in the mixture, SEM and XRD were adopted to determine the structure and phase components of the samples. The gases produced in the expansion process were detected with gas chromatography and a large amount of hydrogen was found. The results indicated that the hydrogen produced by the reaction between gallium oxide
Ga
2
O
and water in GBTIMs caused the expansion effect. The corroded GBTIMs were mainly composed of gallium oxide
Ga
2
O
3
and became loose and porous solids after expansion. Thermal conductivity decreased dramatically after the expansion process due to the composition and structure changes. From the view point of application, the ambient humidity and oxidation degree must be controlled during preparation of such thermal interface material to avoid its bulk expansion effect.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Mutations of EGFR and K-ras are biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of targeting agents in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Data on the gene mutation status of EGFR ...and K-ras in Chinese patients with CRC are limited.
EGFR mutations in exon 18-21 and K-ras mutations in exon 1 and 2 were detected in tumor samples from 101 Chinese patients with CRC by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. corrected The relationship between patients' characteristics and survival time and gene mutation status were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.
Only two samples (2.0%) had EGFR mutations in exon 18 or 21, and 33 of 101 samples (32.7%) had K-ras mutations in codon 12, 13, 45, 69, or 80. Univariate analysis suggested that differentiation might be correlated with K-ras mutations (p = 0.05), which was confirmed by a logistic regression model (p = 0.04). The median overall survival (OS) and median survival after metastasis were 44.0 and 18.0 months, respectively, in the mutant K-ras group, and 53.3 and 19.0 months, respectively, in the wild K-ras group. K-ras mutation was not an independent prognostic factor for OS or survival after metastasis (p = 0.79 and 0.78, respectively).
In Chinese patients with CRC, EGFR mutations were rare, and K-ras mutations were similar to those of Europeans. New mutations in codons 45, 69, and 80 were found in the Chinese population. Poor differentiation was an independent factor related to K-ras mutations.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
A novel adsorbent is described for magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of the aflatoxins AFB.sub.1 and AFB.sub.2 (AFBs). Magnetic agarose microspheres (MAMs) were functionalized with an aptamer to ...bind the AFBs which then were quantified by HPLC and on-line post-column photochemical derivatization with fluorescence detection. Streptavidin-conjugated MAMs were synthesized first by a highly reproducible strategy. They possess strong magnetism and high surface area. The MAMs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, laser diffraction particle size analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. Then, the AFB-aptamers were immobilized on MAMs through biotin-streptavidin interaction. Finally, the MSPE is performed by suspending the aptamer-modified MAMs in the sample. They are then collected by an external magnetic field and the AFBs are eluted with methanol/buffer (20:80). Several parameters affecting the coupling, capturing and eluting efficiency were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the method is fast, has good linearity, high selectivity, and sensitivity. The LODs are 25 pg·mL.sup.-1 for AFB.sub.1 and 10 pg·mL.sup.-1 for AFB.sub.2. The binding capacity is 350 ± 8 ng·g.sup.-1 for AFB.sub.1 and 384 ± 8 ng·g.sup.-1 for AFB.sub.2, and the precision of the assay is <8%. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of AFBs in spiked maize samples.
The antimicrobial efficacy of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) modified material was generally governed by the dose of the particles or their capability to release silver ions. Here, it was found that ...Ag NPs acted against microbes by cooperating with tantalum oxide (TAO) in a Schottky barrier dependent manner. Size tunable Ag NPs were in situ fabricated and immobilized on TAO coating by a silver plasma immersion ion implantation process (Ag PIII). The antibacterial efficacy of these Ag NPs was reversely dependent on their size, that is large particles (~20nm) were more efficiency than small ones (~10nm) in defeating the invasion by bacteria. The result is consistent with the prediction of Schottky-Mott theory, which rectified the electron transfer nature across the interfaces between Ag NPs and the TAO substrate.
•Size tunable Ag NPs were in situ fabricated and immobilized on tantalum oxide.•The disinfection action of the Ag NPs was not governed by release of silver ions.•These Ag NPs acted against bacteria in a Schottky barrier dependent manner.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Abstract Background PiRNA pathway factors, including evolutionarily conserved Tudor domain‐containing proteins, play crucial roles in suppressing transposons and regulating post‐meiotic gene ...expression. TDRD5 is essential for retrotransposon silencing and pachytene piRNA biogenesis; however, a causal link between TDRD5 variants and human infertility has not yet been established. Objective To identify the likely pathogenic variants of TDRD5 in infertile men, characterised by azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. Material and methods Potential candidate variants were identified and confirmed using whole‐exome and Sanger sequencing. Haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunofluorescence, and ultrastructural analyses were performed to investigate the structural and functional abnormalities of spermatozoa. The pathogenicity of the identified TDRD5 variants was verified using in vitro experiments. Functional effects of the C‐terminal nonsense variant were assessed via histology, immunofluorescence staining, and small‐RNA sequencing. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was also performed to evaluate the efficacy of the clinical treatment. Results We identified a homozygous missense variant (c.3043G > A, p.A1015T) and a homozygous nonsense variant (c.2293G > T, p.E765*) of TDRD5 in two unrelated infertile men. Both patients exhibited severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, characterised by the presence of spermatozoa with multiple heads and/or flagella, as well as acrosomal hypoplasia. In vitro experiments revealed that the p.A1015T variant caused a diffuse distribution of TDRD5 granules, whereas the p.E765* variant led to the production of a C‐terminal truncated protein with nuclear localisation, instead of the typical cytoplasmic localisation observed for the wild‐type protein. Functional investigations also revealed that truncation of the C‐terminal region of TDRD5 could potentially lead to a decline in the expression levels of intermitochondrial cement and chromatoid body components, such as MIWI (PIWIL1) and UPF1, and a slight decrease in the abundance of pachytene piRNA, ultimately resulting in compromised spermiogenesis. ICSI may be an effective treatment for these deficiencies. Discussion and conclusion This study implicates TDRD5 as a novel candidate gene in the pathogenesis of human male infertility, emphasising the contribution of piRNA pathway genes to male infertility. In addition, our data suggest that ICSI could be a promising treatment for infertile men harbouring TDRD5 variants.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
A facile one‐step hydrothermal templating method has been developed for the effective synthesis of mesoporous tin oxide hollow spheres (SnO2 HSs) and their functionalized Pd@SnO2 nanoreactor ...variants. Hollow sphere formation is accompanied by self‐dissolution of silica templates under basic conditions. The Pd@SnO2 nanoreactors exhibit superior catalytic properties in gas‐ and solution‐phase reactions.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose
To retrospectively analyze the MR imaging presentation of renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML).
Methods
Retrospective analysis revealed 12 subjects with histologically proven renal EAML ...who underwent preoperative MRI at our institution between January 2009 and June 2016. Two radiologists reviewed the images in consensus, describing MR imaging features including size, location, growth pattern, signal intensity of tumor, and dynamic enhancement pattern.
Results
Nine women and three men were included. The average maximum tumor diameter was 7.1 cm. Exophytic growth was present in 9/12 cases, mesophytic growth in 2/12, and endophytic growth in 1/12. On T1-weighted images, 2/12 displayed homogeneous isointensity, 1/12 homogeneous hyperintensity, 5/12 heterogeneous hypointensity, and 4/12 heterogeneous hyperintensity. Macroscopic fat was detected in 5/12 cases and microscopic fat in 6/12 cases. On T2-weighted images, 5/12 showed heterogeneous hypointensity, 4/12 heterogeneous hyperintensity, and 3/12 homogeneous hypointensity. On dynamic contrast-enhanced MR images, 7/12 showed a slow washout enhancement pattern, 2/12 a rapid washout pattern, 2/12 progressive enhancement, and 1/12 persistent enhancement. Imaging findings were suggestive of hemorrhage (50%), necrosis (25%), or cystic change (50%) within the tumors. Enlarged vessels were detected in 5/12 cases. One tumor extended into the renal sinus. No metastases were found on the preoperative MR imaging.
Conclusion
Although MRI appearances of renal EAML were various, some MRI characteristics may contribute to suggest the possibility of renal EAML.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
In this work, vertically aligned anatase TiO
2
single crystal nanosheets with laterally exposed {001} facets onto a conducting FTO substrate (VATN) were successfully synthesised using hydrofluoric ...acid (40 wt%) as a crystal facet controlling agent by a simple hydrothermal method. The as-synthesised VATN without calcination exhibited a good crystalline structure, and was used as a photoanode showing superior photoelectrocatalytic activity toward water oxidation under UV irradiation. After thermal treatment at 550 °C for 2 h, the photoelectrocatalytic activity of the VATN photoanode was almost 2.6 times that for unsintered VATN under the same experimental conditions, which could be mainly due to the surface passivation role of surface fluorine in unsintered VATN to decrease the photoelectrocatalytic activity. A photoelectrochemical method was used to manifest the photoelectron transport properties inside VATN photoanodes and concurrently quantify the inherent resistances (
R
0
) of UV illuminated photoanodes before and after calcination. The results demonstrated that the determined
R
0
values were respectively 155 Ω and 66 Ω for VATN photoanodes before and after calcination, inversely proportional to their photoelectrocatalytic activities. Compared to VATN before calcination, a significantly decreased
R
0
value of VATN after calcination further confirmed the presence of surface fluorine in VATN unfavorable for photoelectron transport inside a photocatalyst film. This work provided direct evidence to prove the intrinsic photoelectron transport properties of {001} faceted anatase TiO
2
nanosheet array film photoanodes in the presence and absence of surface fluorine.
{001} faceted anatase TiO
2
nanosheet array films after calcination exhibited high photoelectrocatalytic activity toward water oxidation owing to superiorly intrinsic photoelectron transport properties of {001} faceted single crystal nanosheets.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK
Shenlin Fuzheng Capsule (SLFZC) is a herbal preparation used for HIV/AIDS in Guangxi, China. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of SLFZC on the pharmacokinetics of highly active ...antiretroviral therapy (HAART) drugs, zidovudine (3'-azido-3'-deoythymidine, AZT), 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC) and efavirenz (EFV). Thirty-six male SD rats were divided into three groups. Group A was given a combination of AZT, 3TC and EFV (AZT/3TC/EFV). Group B rats were given AZT/3TC/EFV simultaneously with SLFZC. Group C rats were given AZT/3TC/EFV 2h prior to SLFZC. Blood samples were collected at fixed time intervals. Plasma concentration of each antiretroviral drug was tested for calculation of pharmacokinetic parameters. There was significant difference among groups with respect to t1/2 for AZT (F=3.371, P<0.05), but the Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) pairwise multiple comparison procedure showed no statistical differences in all pairwise comparisons (P>0.05). There were no significant differences among groups in terms of C
, T
, AUC
and CL for AZT, and t
, C
, T
, AUC
and CL for 3TC and EFV, respectively. The results indicate that SLFZC has little impact on pharmacokinetic properties of AZT, 3TC and EFV.
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