Q fever is an important zoonotic disease caused by the pathogen Coxiella burnetii, which is inhaled into the body through the respiratory tract leading to acute symptoms. Severe acute Q fever may ...result in complications, such as pneumonia, hepatitis, or myocarditis, and some patients may develop chronic Q fever after incomplete treatment. Local persistent C. burnetii infection may lead to chronic Q fever that often requires surgery and anti-infection treatment for several years, seriously endangering patient health and increasing the economic burden for families. The clinicians’ lack of awareness of the disease may be one reason leading to a delay in treatment. Here, a case of Q fever in a 53-year-old male patient, which was diagnosed by next generation sequencing and exhibited a distinct computed tomographic feature, is reported, with the aim of improving clinical knowledge of this disease. Following diagnosis, the patient was treated with 0.1 g doxycycline, orally, twice daily, and 0.5 g chloramphenicol, orally, three times daily, leading to improvement of symptoms and discharge from hospital.
The innovation of international trade methods is the business of e-commerce and network trade as the transaction method. In this paper, based on the historical data of China’s foreign trade import ...and export, combined with the data characteristics of its information, the predictive analysis of the effect of China’s international trade methods after innovation is proposed using the support vector regression model. In the prediction analysis, the support vector regression model is mainly used to model the prediction of China’s foreign trade import and export information in time series. Finally, the model was tested using real data from the foreign trade import and export information system, and examples of different types of support vector machines, kernel functions, and the selection of their parameters were discussed. The results show that the total import and export of China’s goods trade reached RMB 30.65 trillion in 2018, and the global share of goods import and export reached 11.9%. The share of cross-border e-commerce transactions in total imports and exports increased from 7.76% in 2011 to 27.2% in 2016. The study shows that cross-border e-commerce among new trade modes has become a driving force for China’s foreign trade growth and a new growth point and engine for developing China’s foreign trade.
The nonaqueous lithium oxygen battery is a promising candidate as a next‐generation energy storage system because of its potentially high energy density (up to 2–3 kW kg−1), exceeding that of any ...other existing energy storage system for storing sustainable and clean energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the consumption of nonrenewable fossil fuels. To achieve high energy density, long cycling stability, and low cost, the air electrode structure and the electrocatalysts play important roles. Here, a metal‐free, free‐standing macroporous graphene@graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) composite air cathode is first reported, in which the g‐C3N4 nanosheets can act as efficient electrocatalysts, and the macroporous graphene nanosheets can provide space for Li2O2 to deposit and also promote the electron transfer. The electrochemical results on the graphene@g‐C3N4 composite air electrode show a 0.48 V lower charging plateau and a 0.13 V higher discharging plateau than those of pure graphene air electrode, with a discharge capacity of nearly 17300 mA h g−1
(composite). Excellent cycling performance, with terminal voltage higher than 2.4 V after 105 cycles at 1000 mA h g−1
(composite) capacity, can also be achieved. Therefore, this hybrid material is a promising candidate for use as a high energy, long‐cycle‐life, and low‐cost cathode material for lithium oxygen batteries.
A binder‐free G@CN electrocatalyst electrode with a free‐standing macroporous structure exhibits excellent capacity because of the enormous density of deposition sites for reaction products. The macroporous structured graphene framework is used as an electrocatalyst support with high electronic conductivity. The g‐C3N4 nanosheets are successfully integrated into a composite to catalyze the chemical reaction with high energy.
Instead of carbon, Mo2C is used to modify the MoO2 material for the first time. The presence of highly conductive and electrochemical inactive Mo2C decreases the resistance of the charge transport ...and enhances the structural stability of MoO2 nanoparticles upon lithiation and delithiation, ensuring the superior cycling stability and high rate capability of the heteronanotubes. Cycled at 200 and 1000 mA g−1 for 140 cycles, the discharge capacities of the MoO2/Mo2C heteronanotubes remain to be 790 and 510 mAh g−1, respectively. This work demonstrates the potential of the novel heteronanotubes for application as an electrode material for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries.
Hierarchical porous MoO2/Mo2C heteronanotubes are obtained by using a mesoporous carbon CMK‐3 as both the template and the reactant. Taking advantage of the incorporation of high electronic conductive Mo2C and the hierarchical porous structure, the cycling and rate performance of the heteronanotubes is markedly enhanced.
Purpose
To compare the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs).
Methods
PubMed, Embase and Cochrane ...databases were searched up to September 11, 2020. Volume reduction rate (VRR), symptomatic and cosmetic scores analysed by standardized mean difference (SMD), and complications analysed by risk difference (RD) were performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RFA and MWA for treating BTNs.
Results
Five eligible studies were included. 899 patients with 956 BTNs and 869 patients with 938 BTNs received RFA and MWA, respectively. RFA and MWA have the similar pooled 3‐month (56.0% vs. 53.9%, p = .668) and 6‐month (80.8% vs. 74.9%, p = .080) VRRs. But RFA showed a significantly higher VRR than MWA after 12 months (86.2% vs. 80.0%, p = .036). The pooled symptomatic and cosmetic scores decreased significantly after 6 and 12 months in both RFA and MWA. The improvements of symptoms were equivalent between two groups at 6 (SMD: 1.17 vs. 1.12, p = .930) and 12 (SMD: 1.46 vs. 1.45, p = .930) months. No significant differences in cosmetic scores were found between two groups at 6 (SMD: 0.87 vs. 0.94, p = 0. 334) and 12 (SMD: 1.21 vs. 1.15, p = 0. 872) months. Major (RD = −0.02, P = .107) and minor (RD = 0.00, p = .661) complications did not significantly differ between RFA and MWA.
Conclusions
RFA and MWA are effective and safe treatment modalities for BTNs. But RFA showed a superior 12‐month VRR. RFA may have a better long‐term effect on volume reduction of nodules compared with MWA.
Abstract
Accurate and imperceptible monitoring of electrophysiological signals is of primary importance for wearable healthcare. Stiff and bulky pregelled electrodes are now commonly used in clinical ...diagnosis, causing severe discomfort to users for long-time using as well as artifact signals in motion. Here, we report a ~100 nm ultra-thin dry epidermal electrode that is able to conformably adhere to skin and accurately measure electrophysiological signals. It showed low sheet resistance (~24 Ω/sq, 4142 S/cm), high transparency, and mechano-electrical stability. The enhanced optoelectronic performance was due to the synergistic effect between graphene and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), which induced a high degree of molecular ordering on PEDOT and charge transfer on graphene by strong π-π interaction. Together with ultra-thin nature, this dry epidermal electrode is able to accurately monitor electrophysiological signals such as facial skin and brain activity with low-motion artifact, enabling human-machine interfacing and long-time mental/physical health monitoring.
The first enantioselective α‐allylation of aldehydes with terminal alkenes has been realized by combining asymmetric counteranion catalysis and palladium‐catalyzed allylic CH activation. This method ...can tolerate a wide scope of α‐branched aromatic aldehydes and terminal alkenes, thus affording allylation products in high yields and with good to excellent levels of enantioselectivity. Importantly, the findings suggest a new strategy for the future creation of enantioselective CH/CH coupling reactions.
Go with the combo: The title reaction is realized by combining asymmetric counteranion catalysis and palladium‐catalyzed allylic CH activation. This method tolerates a wide scope of α‐branched aromatic aldehydes and terminal alkenes, thus affording allylation products in high yields and with good to excellent levels of enantioselectivity.
Scope
Dietary advanced glycation products (dAGEs) have been reported to induce cognitive impairment while quercetin possesses potential neuroprotective effects. The aim is to explore whether dAGEs ...would induce similar cognitive impairment from both young and aged ICR mice, and the protective effects of quercetin.
Methods and results
A total of 32 aged ICR mice (15‐month‐old) and 16 young ICR mice (3‐month‐old) are randomly assigned into the following six groups: Young mice control group, young mice fed with AGEs diet group, old mice control group, old mice fed with AGEs diet group, old mice with quercetin supplemented diet group, old mice fed with AGE diet supplemented with quercetin group. Dietary AGEs induced cognitive impairment only in aged, but not in young, ICR mice, while quercetin intervention is capable of reversing dAGEs‐induced cognitive dysfunction. This may be since quercetin 1) increased miR‐219, miR‐15a, and miR‐132 expression, inhibited p‐ERK1/2, and tau phosphorylation; and 2) improved gut microbiota richness and diversity, inhibited phylum Tenericutes and Proteobacteria, and elevated butyric acid from cecum.
Conclusion
Prolonged application of quercetin may be beneficial in the elderly, especially for those with high consumption of dAGEs.
Dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) induces cognitive impairment only in aged ICR mice, while quercetin intervention reverses dAGEs‐induced cognitive dysfunction. This might be due to increased miR‐219, miR‐15a, and miR‐132 expression along with inhibited p‐ERK1/2 and tau phosphorylation; or improved gut microbiota richness and diversity, inhibited phylum Tenericutes and Proteobacteria, and elevated butyric acid from cecum.
Reproductive tract infection is an important factor leading to male and female infertility. Among female infertility factors, microbial and viral infections are the main factors affecting female ...reproductive health and causing tubal infertility, ectopic tubal pregnancy and premature delivery. Among male infertility factors, 13-15% of male infertility is related to infection. Defensins are cationic antibacterial and antiviral peptides, classified into α-defensins, β-defensins and θ-defensins. Humans only have α-defensins and β-defensins. Apart from their direct antimicrobial functions, defensins have an immunomodulatory function and are involved in many physiological processes. Studies have shown that defensins are widely distributed in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and male reproductive tract (MRT), playing a dual role of host defence and fertility protection. However, to our knowledge, the distribution, regulation and function of defensins in the reproductive tract and their relation to reproduction have not been reviewed.
This review summarizes the expression, distribution and regulation of defensins in the reproductive tracts to reveal the updated research on the dual role of defensins in host defence and the protection of fertility.
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed using the related keywords through April 2022. Related data from original researches and reviews were integrated to comprehensively review the current findings and understanding of defensins in the human reproductive system. Meanwhile, female and male transcriptome data in the GEO database were screened to analyze defensins in the human reproductive tracts.
Two transcriptome databases from the GEO database (GSE7307 and GSE150852) combined with existing researches reveal the expression levels and role of the defensins in the reproductive tracts. In the FRT, a high expression level of α-defensin is found, and the expression levels of defensins in the vulva and vagina are higher than those in other organs. The expression of defensins in the endometrium varies with menstrual cycle stages and with microbial invasion. Defensins also participate in the local immune response to regulate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In the MRT, a high expression level of β-defensins is also found. It is mainly highly expressed in the epididymal caput and corpus, indicating that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation. The expression of defensins in the MRT varies with androgen levels, age and the status of microbial invasion. They protect the male reproductive system from bacterial infections by neutralizing lipopolysaccharide and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, animal and clinical studies have shown that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation, motility and fertilization.
As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide without drug resistance, defensin has great potential for developing new natural antimicrobial treatments for reproductive tract infections. However, increasing evidence has shown that defensins can not only inhibit microbial invasion but can also promote the invasion and adhesion of some microorganisms in certain biological environments, such as human immunodeficiency virus. Therefore, the safety of defensins as reproductive tract anti-infective drugs needs more in-depth research. In addition, the modulatory role of defensins in fertility requires more in-depth research since the current conclusions are based on small-size samples. At present, scientists have made many attempts at the clinical transformation of defensins. However, defensins have problems such as poor stability, low bioavailability and difficulties in their synthesis. Therefore, the production of safe, effective and low-cost drugs remains a challenge.
Using a survey of 324 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the Yangtze River Delta in China, this study discusses the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation, absorptive capacity, ...environmental dynamism, and corporate technological innovation performance. The results based on a moderated moderation model show that the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and innovation performance is significantly positive. The absorptive capacity can positively moderate this relationship. When the external environment is in high dynamism, the moderating effect of absorptive capacity will be stronger than when the environment is in low dynamism.
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