•g-C3N4 coupling with TiO2 and α-Fe2O3 magnetic nanocomposite was fabricated•Superior degradation of g-C3N4/TiO2/α-Fe2O3 photocatalysts is 95.7% in 50 min•Good efficiency was recognized by synergetic ...interface and Z-scheme charge transfer•Photocatalyst was simply recovered by an applied magnet after the degradation tests
A novel ternary g-C3N4 coupling with TiO2 and α-Fe2O3 composed magnetic nanocomposite was fabricated by facile calcination and hydrothermal process. The chemical, surface and magnetic characterizations of as-obtained g-C3N4/TiO2/α-Fe2O3 magnetic nanocomposite was explored by various analytical systems. The superior degradation efficiency of magnetic g-C3N4/TiO2/α-Fe2O3 ternary nanocomposite is about 95.7% of Rhodamine B (RhB) in 50 min under visible-light exposure. The photocatalytic upgrading performance was recognized to the synergetic interface among TiO2, g-C3N4 and α-Fe2O3, with effective separation of electron/hole (e-/h+) pair’s, increases in the redox species and great visible-light exploitation owing to less bandgap. The scavenging species presented in superoxide (.O2-) radicals and photo-holes (h+) were played a substantial part and hence establish the Z-scheme RhB dye photo-degradation mechanism. The magnetic g-C3N4/TiO2/α-Fe2O3 ternary PCs still maintain the excellent photo-degradation rate (95.7–88.4%) for the RhB dye aqueous solution after five consecutive recycles, which signifies that the great photocatalyst durability, and is more beneficial for wastewater treatment.
ZnO thin films were made to grow on soda lime glass substrate through a two-step technique. The successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method (SILAR) at room temperature was employed by ...varying the number of SILAR cycles from 50 to 125 in steps of 25 on a ZnO seed layer deposited through nebulizer assisted spray pyrolysis technique (NSP). The characteristics of the two-step deposited films were studied with a quest for improvement when compared to ZnO thin films prepared through single step chemical processing techniques. All the prepared films are observed to be polycrystalline, with hexagonal crystal structure and preferential orientation of grains along (002) direction as per XRD analysis. The size of the crystallites grown along the (002) plane seems to increase with the number of dip cycles, reaching a maximum at 100 dip cycles. Furthermore increase in the film thickness causes the crystallite size to decrease. The 940 nm thick film had the lowest strain and dislocation density values, affirmed through structural characteristics. The surface morphology of the two-step processed ZnO thin films is observed to change with the film thickness as evidenced from HRSEM observations. The average elemental percentage ratio of Zn and O atoms in the deposited ZnO films was estimated using EDAX. Optical tests show a decrement in the band gap energy from 3.30 to 2.80 eV as the dip cycle is varied. The film with better characteristic properties is used to detect the presence of ammonia gas. This study shows that there is a definite variation in the ammonia detecting capability of the gas sensor when the active layer is produced through suggested two-step process. According to the impedance spectroscopy investigation, the grain boundary resistance reduces as ammonia concentration rises up to 250 ppm, with a maximum response observed for the film deposited with 100 dip cycles.
Background The Wallstent has remained the industry standard for biliary self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs). Recently, stents of differing designs, compositions, and diameters have been developed. ...Objective To compare the new nitinol 6-mm and 10-mm Zilver stents with the 10-mm stainless steel Wallstent and determine the mechanism of obstruction. Design Randomized, prospective, controlled study. Setting Nine centers experienced in SEMS placement during ERCP. Patients A total of 241 patients presenting between September 2003 and December 2005 with unresectable malignant biliary strictures at least 2 cm distal to the bifurcation. Main Outcome Measurement Stent occlusions requiring reintervention and death. Results At interim analysis, a significant increase in occlusions was noted in the 6-mm Zilver group at the P = .04 level, resulting in arm closure but continued follow-up. Final study arms were 64, 88, and 89 patients receiving a 6-mm Zilver, 10-mm Zilver, and 10-mm Wallstent, respectively. Stent occlusions occurred in 25 (39.1%) of the patients in the 6-mm Zilver arm, 21 (23.9%) of the patients in the 10-mm Zilver arm, and 19 (21.4%) of the patients in the 10-mm Wallstent arm ( P = .02). The mean number of days of stent patency were 142.9, 185.8, and 186.7, respectively ( P = .057). No differences were noted in secondary endpoints, and the study was ended at the 95% censored study endpoints. Biopsy specimens of ingrowth occlusive tissue revealed that 56% were caused by benign epithelial hyperplasia. Conclusions SEMS occlusions were much more frequent with a 6-mm diameter SEMS and equivalent in the two 10-mm arms despite major differences in stent design, material, and expansion, suggesting that diameter is the critical feature. Malignant tumor ingrowth produced only a minority of the documented occlusions.
Purpose
There is a large body of evidence supporting the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT), more recently termed photobiomodulation (PBM), for the management of oral mucositis (OM) in ...patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC). Recent advances in PBM technology, together with a better understanding of mechanisms involved, may expand the applications for PBM in the management of other complications associated with HNC treatment. This article (part 1) describes PBM mechanisms of action, dosimetry, and safety aspects and, in doing so, provides a basis for a companion paper (part 2) which describes the potential breadth of potential applications of PBM in the management of side-effects of (chemo)radiation therapy in patients being treated for HNC and proposes PBM parameters.
Methods
This study is a narrative non-systematic review.
Results
We review PBM mechanisms of action and dosimetric considerations. Virtually, all conditions modulated by PBM (e.g., ulceration, inflammation, lymphedema, pain, fibrosis, neurological and muscular injury) are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of (chemo)radiation therapy-induced complications in patients treated for HNC. The impact of PBM on tumor behavior and tumor response to treatment has been insufficiently studied. In vitro studies assessing the effect of PBM on tumor cells report conflicting results, perhaps attributable to inconsistencies of PBM power and dose. Nonetheless, the biological bases for the broad clinical activities ascribed to PBM have also been noted to be similar to those activities and pathways associated with negative tumor behaviors and impeded response to treatment. While there are no anecdotal descriptions of poor tumor outcomes in patients treated with PBM, confirming its neutrality with respect to cancer responsiveness is a critical priority.
Conclusion
Based on its therapeutic effects, PBM may have utility in a broad range of oral, oropharyngeal, facial, and neck complications of HNC treatment. Although evidence suggests that PBM using LLLT is safe in HNC patients, more research is imperative and vigilance remains warranted to detect any potential adverse effects of PBM on cancer treatment outcomes and survival.
In a randomized trial involving patients with acute pancreatitis, early aggressive fluid resuscitation resulted in increased fluid overload without improvement in clinical outcomes.
Phenylpropanoid sucrose esters (PSEs) are plant-derived metabolites that exist widely in medicinal plants and possess important bioactivities. Their precise synthesis is challenging due to the ...distinct and diverse substitution patterns at the sugar framework, and it is scarcely reported. Orthogonal protection/deprotection strategies for disaccharides are more complex and less developed than those for monosaccharides. We disclose a precise synthesis of PSEs starting from 2,1′:4,6-di-
O
-diisopropylidene sucrose
7
via
an orthogonal protection/deprotection and selective cinnamoylation strategy. We demonstrate the strategy for the synthesis of several PSEs cinnamoylated at the
O
-3 and
O
-4′ positions of diisopropylidene sucrose
7
. The strategy is enabled by a carefully selected and synergistic set of protecting groups and deprotecting agents under the optimized conditions. It potentially gives access to the ∼150 reported PSEs and opens the door for the custom synthesis of unnatural PSEs for industrial applications. The reported work also presents a viable strategy for the general orthogonal protection/deprotection of disaccharides for the precise synthesis of other classes of phenylpropanoid esters and related compounds.
Phenylpropanoid sucrose esters (PSEs) are plant-derived metabolites that exist widely in medicinal plants and possess important bioactivities.
•In 2012 a novel coronavirus emerged in the Middle East region.•MERS-CoV causes a severe lower respiratory tract infection in humans.•Dromedary camels were found to be positive for MERS-CoV.•MERS-CoV ...chains of transmission in humans do not seem to be self-sustaining.•Isolation of MERS patients combined with limiting the zoonotic events may be crucial in controlling the outbreak.
A novel coronavirus (CoV) that causes a severe lower respiratory tract infection in humans, emerged in the Middle East region in 2012. This virus, named Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, is phylogenetically related to bat CoVs, but other animal species like dromedary camels may potentially act as intermediate hosts by spreading the virus to humans. Although human to human transmission has been demonstrated, analysis of human MERS clusters indicated that chains of transmission were not self-sustaining, especially when infection control was implemented. Thus, timely identification of new MERS cases followed by their quarantine, combined with measures to limit spread of the virus from the (intermediate) host to humans, may be crucial in controlling the outbreak of this emerging CoV.
We present MeerKAT neutral hydrogen (H
I
) observations of the Fornax A group, which is likely falling into the Fornax cluster for the first time. Our H
I
image is sensitive to 1.4 × 10
19
atoms cm
...−2
over 44.1 km s
−1
, where we detect H
I
in 10 galaxies and a total of (1.12 ± 0.02) × 10
9
M
⊙
of H
I
in the intra-group medium (IGM). We search for signs of pre-processing in the 12 group galaxies with confirmed optical redshifts that reside within the sensitivity limit of our H
I
image. There are 9 galaxies that show evidence of pre-processing and we classify each galaxy into their respective pre-processing category, according to their H
I
morphology and gas (atomic and molecular) scaling relations. Galaxies that have not yet experienced pre-processing have extended H
I
discs and a high H
I
content with a H
2
-to-H
I
ratio that is an order of magnitude lower than the median for their stellar mass. Galaxies that are currently being pre-processed display H
I
tails, truncated H
I
discs with typical gas fractions, and H
2
-to-H
I
ratios. Galaxies in the advanced stages of pre-processing are the most H
I
deficient. If there is any H
I
, they have lost their outer H
I
disc and efficiently converted their H
I
to H
2
, resulting in H
2
-to-H
I
ratios that are an order of magnitude higher than the median for their stellar mass. The central, massive galaxy in our group (NGC 1316) underwent a 10:1 merger ∼2 Gyr ago and ejected 6.6−11.2 × 10
8
M
⊙
of H
I
, which we detect as clouds and streams in the IGM, some of which form coherent structures up to ∼220 kpc in length. We also detect giant (∼100 kpc) ionised hydrogen (H
α
) filaments in the IGM, likely from cool gas being removed (and subsequently ionised) from an in-falling satellite. The H
α
filaments are situated within the hot halo of NGC 1316 and there are localised regions that contain H
I
. We speculate that the H
α
and multiphase gas is supported by magnetic pressure (possibly assisted by the NGC 1316 AGN), such that the hot gas can condense and form H
I
that survives in the hot halo for cosmological timescales.
Summary
Background
Filaggrin is central to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). The cheeks are a common initiation site of infantile AD. Regional and temporal expression of levels of filaggrin ...degradation products natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), activities of filaggrin‐processing enzymes bleomycin hydrolase (BH) and calpain‐1 (C‐1) and plasmin, and corneocyte envelope (CE) maturity in early life are largely unknown.
Objectives
We conducted a cross‐sectional, observational study investigating regional and age‐dependent variations in NMF levels, activity of proteases and CE maturity in stratum corneum (SC) from infants to determine whether these factors could explain the observed predilection sites for AD in early life.
Methods
We measured NMF using a tape‐stripping method at seven sites in the SC of 129 children (aged < 12 months to 72 months) and in three sites in 56 neonates and infants (< 48 h to 3 months). In 37 of these neonates and infants, corneocyte size, maturity, BH, C‐1 and plasmin activities were determined.
Results
NMF levels are low at birth and increase with age. Cheek SC, compared with elbow flexure and nasal tip, has the lowest NMF in the first year of life and is the slowest to reach stable levels. Cheek corneocytes remain immature. Plasmin, BH and C‐1 activities are all elevated by 1 month of age in exposed cheek skin, but not in elbow skin.
Conclusions
Regional and temporal differences in NMF levels, CE maturity and protease activities may explain the predilection for AD to affect the cheeks initially and are supportive of this site as key for allergen priming in early childhood. These observations will help design early intervention and treatment strategies for AD.
What's already known about this topic?
Atopic dermatitis (AD) frequently starts in early infancy, and the first eczematous lesions emerge on the cheeks.
Filaggrin is a major structural protein in the stratum corneum (SC).
Filaggrin deficiency is associated with the development of AD and, in the context of AD, food allergies and asthma.
Filaggrin is metabolized into natural moisturizing factors (NMFs), which can be measured in the SC.
What does this study add?
Regional differences in NMF levels, corneocyte envelope immaturity and protease activities may help explain why infantile AD most often initially affects the cheeks.
Filaggrin processing, corneocyte maturity, and protease activities show regional and temporal differences in infant skin.
These findings may explain disease patterns in early‐life AD.
What is the translational message?
Cheek skin may be highly relevant for allergen priming.
Emollient therapy at the vulnerable cheek site might help to prevent AD and/or food sensitization.
Linked Editorial: Thyssen. Br J Dermatol 2018; 179:235–236.
Plain language summary available online
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Abstract Background & Aims Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have high rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) following 12 weeks of treatment with the nucleotide polymerase ...inhibitor sofosbuvir combined with the NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir. We assessed the efficacy of 8 weeks of treatment with sofosbuvir and velpatasvir plus the pangenotypic NS3/4A protease inhibitor voxilaprevir (sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir). Methods In 2 phase 3, open-label trials, patients with HCV infection who had not previously been treated with a direct-acting antiviral agent were randomly assigned to groups given sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir for 8 weeks or sofosbuvir-velpatasvir for 12 weeks. POLARIS-2, which enrolled patients infected with all HCV genotypes with or without cirrhosis, except patients with genotype 3 and cirrhosis, was designed to test the non-inferiority of 8 weeks of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir to 12 weeks of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir using a non-inferiority margin of 5%. POLARIS-3, which enrolled patients infected with HCV genotype 3 who had cirrhosis, compared rates of SVR in both groups to a performance goal of 83%. Results In POLARIS-2, 95% (95% CI, 93%–97%) of patients had an SVR to 8 weeks of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir; this did not meet the criterion to establish non-inferiority to 12 weeks of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir, which produced an SVR in 98% of patients (95% CI, 96%–99%; difference in the stratum-adjusted Mantel-Haenszel proportions of 3.4%; 95% CI, –6.2% to –0.6%). The difference in the efficacy was primarily due to a lower rate of SVR (92%) among patients with HCV genotype 1a infection receiving 8 weeks of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir. In POLARIS-3, 96% of patients (95% CI, 91%–99%) achieved an SVR in both treatment groups, which was significantly superior to the performance goal. Overall, the most common adverse events were headache, fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea; diarrhea and nausea were reported more frequently by patients receiving voxilaprevir. In both trials, the proportions of patients who discontinued treatment owing to adverse events were low (0–1%). Conclusions In phase 3 trials of patients with HCV infection, we did not establish that sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir for 8 weeks was non-inferior to sofosbuvir-velpatasvir for 12 weeks, but the 2 regimens had similar rates of SVR in patients with HCV genotype 3 and cirrhosis. Mild gastrointestinal adverse events were associated with treatment regimens that included voxilaprevir. ClinicalTrials.gov numbers: POLARIS-2, NCT02607800 and POLARIS-3, NCT02639338
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