Background
While the clinical characteristics and outcomes of asthma‐chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO) have been frequently compared with those of COPD or asthma, the ...prevalence and features of ACO in patients with severe asthma are unclear.
Objectives
Evaluation of the prevalence and clinical features of ACO using the Korean severe asthma registry.
Methods
At the time of registration, ACO was determined in patients with severe asthma by attending specialists. Patients were classified into ACO and non‐ACO groups, and the demographic and clinical characteristics of these two groups were compared.
Results
Of 482 patients with severe asthma, 23.7% had ACO. Patients in the ACO group were more likely to be male (P < .001), older (P < .001), and ex‐ or current smokers (P < .001) compared with those in the non‐ACO group. Patients in the ACO group had lower mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (P < .001) and blood eosinophil percentage (P = .006), but higher blood neutrophil percentage (P = .027) than those in the non‐ACO group. The ACO group used more inhaled long‐acting muscarinic antagonist (P < .001), methylxanthine (P = .001), or sustained systemic corticosteroid (P = .002). In addition, unscheduled emergency department visits due to exacerbation were more frequent in the ACO group (P = .006).
Conclusion
Among patients with severe asthma, those with ACO were older, predominantly male, and were more likely to have a smoking history than those with asthma only. Patients with ACO used more systemic corticosteroid and had more frequent exacerbations related to emergency department visits than those with severe asthma only.
We found that about one‐fourth of patients with severe asthma was diagnosed with ACO by specialists. The most common reason for ACO diagnosis was smoking history. ACO patients were predominantly male, older, and had more smoking history compared with non‐ACO patients. ACO patients had higher blood neutrophil count, but lower lung function. ACO patients used more LAMA, methylxanthine, and systemic corticosteroid and had more frequent exacerbations related to ER visits compared with those with severe asthma only. Abbreviations: ACO, asthma‐COPD overlap; ER, emergency room; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one second.
Inhibition and eradication of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms with conventional antibiotic is difficult, and the treatment is further complicated by the rise of antibiotic resistance among ...staphylococci. Consequently, there is a need for novel antimicrobials that can treat biofilm-related infections and decrease antibiotics burden. Natural compounds such as eugenol with anti-microbial properties are attractive agents that could reduce the use of conventional antibiotics. In this study we evaluated the effect of eugenol on MRSA and MSSA biofilms in vitro and bacterial colonization in vivo.
Effect of eugenol on in vitro biofilm and in vivo colonization were studied using microtiter plate assay and otitis media-rat model respectively. The architecture of in vitro biofilms and in vivo colonization of bacteria was viewed with SEM. Real-time RT-PCR was used to study gene expression. Check board method was used to study the synergistic effects of eugenol and carvacrol on established biofilms. Eugenol significantly inhibited biofilms growth of MRSA and MSSA in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. Eugenol at MIC or 2×MIC effectively eradicated the pre-established biofilms of MRSA and MSSA clinical strains. In vivo, sub-MIC of eugenol significantly decreased 88% S. aureus colonization in rat middle ear. Eugenol was observed to damage the cell-membrane and cause a leakage of the cell contents. At sub-inhibitory concentration, it decreases the expression of biofilm-and enterotoxin-related genes. Eugenol showed a synergistic effect with carvacrol on the eradication of pre-established biofilms.
This study demonstrated that eugenol exhibits notable activity against MRSA and MSSA clinical strains biofilms. Eugenol inhibited biofilm formation, disrupted the cell-to-cell connections, detached the existing biofilms, and killed the bacteria in biofilms of both MRSA and MSSA with equal effectiveness. Therefore, eugenol may be used to control or eradicate S. aureus biofilm-related infections.
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•Hydroxyapatite/biochar nanocomposites (HAP/BC-NCs) were hydrothermally synthesized.•HAP/BC-NCs were used for Cu(II) removal and exhibited high adsorption affinity.•The adsorption ...rate of Cu(II) was mainly controlled by film diffusion mechanism.•The maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 99.01 mg/g at 298 K.•Adsorption mechanism involved cation exchange and inner-sphere surface complexation.
In this study, hydroxyapatite/biochar nanocomposites (HAP/BC-NCs) were synthesized through a simple one-pot hydrothermal process and utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of copper(II) from aqueous media. Characterization results revealed that rod-shaped HAP nanoparticles were successfully incorporated on the surfaces of synthesized HAP/BC-NCs. A set of systematically designed batch experiments were carried out to determine the influences of adsorbent dosage, solution pH, ionic strength, and temperature on the adsorption behavior of the HAP/BC-NCs. Overall findings from batch experiments and extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis demonstrated that the potential mechanisms responsible for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous media are cation exchange between Cu2+ in solution and Ca2+ in the HAP on the surfaces of the as-synthesized nanocomposites and the formation of inner-sphere surface complexes on the surfaces of the HAP/BC-NCs. Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption process follows the pseudo-second-order model and that the overall adsorption rate is controlled by film diffusion as the dominant mechanism and intraparticle diffusion as a secondary mechanism. Adsorption isotherms were accurately represented by a Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 99.01 mg/g at 298 K, which represents a higher efficiency for Cu(II) adsorption compared to previously reported composite materials. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the process is thermodynamically spontaneous and endothermic process. Overall, the findings presented in this paper suggest that HAP/BC-NCs have promising applicability for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous media as an alternative, low-cost, and eco-friendly adsorbent for environmental remediation.
Development of materials that deliver more energy at high rates is important for high-power applications, including portable electronic devices and hybrid electric vehicles. For lithium-ion (Li⁺) ...batteries, reducing material dimensions can boost Li⁺ ion and electron transfer in nanostructured electrodes. By manipulating two genes, we equipped viruses with peptide groups having affinity for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on one end and peptides capable of nucleating amorphous iron phosphate(a-FePO₄) fused to the viral major coat protein. The virus clone with the greatest affinity toward SWNTs enabled power performance of a-FePO₄ comparable to that of crystalline lithium iron phosphate (c-LiFePO₄) and showed excellent capacity retention upon cycling at 1C. This environmentally benign low-temperature biological scaffold could facilitate fabrication of electrodes from materials previously excluded because of extremely low electronic conductivity.
The development of efficient adsorbents for the practical recovery of precious metals from electronic waste is vital to advanced energy/environment industries. Ti3C2Tx MXene‐based materials are ...promising adsorbents for aqueous environments; however, the highly defective and super hydrophilic nature of the MXene surface hinders its practical applications. Here, we report that nitrogen‐doped MXene (N‐MXene) nanosheet stacks, prepared via high‐energy planetary ball milling under N2 purging, exhibited a long‐term stable and excellent recovery capability for Au and Ag ions via the nitrogenation of defective vacancies. Notably, these microscale nanosheets could facilitate the sustainable production of Au and Ag from secondary sources, exhibiting a high recovery rate and capability (1198 mg g−1 for Au and 1528 mg g−1 for Ag), long‐term stable storability (21 d), and high selectivity (Kd of 1.67 × 106 for Au and 2.07 × 107 for Ag). Furthermore, the reversible redox chemistry of N‐MXene facilitated its repeated use in adsorption/desorption cycles.
We describe an N‐doped MXene nanosheet stack produced by a high‐energy planetary ball milling under N2‐purged conditions. This process effectively stabilizes defective vacancies of MXene nanosheets while forming a macroscale MXene nanosheet stack, making it easy to recover after use in the aqueous environments. MXene nanosheet stack shows its long‐term storability, selective and efficient precious metal recovery capability, and reusability.
Macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC-1), which is overproduced in various human cancers and associated with cachexia, acts on the hypothalamus to suppress appetite and reduce body weight. We ...investigated the mechanisms through which MIC-1 affects bile acid metabolism and gallstone formation, which are poorly understood. Over 6 weeks, male C57BL/6 mice fed either standard chow or a lithogenic diet were intraperitoneally injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or MIC-1 (200 μg/kg/week). Among lithogenic diet-fed mice, MIC-1 treatment resulted in increased gallstone formation compared with PBS treatment. Compared with PBS treatment, MIC-1 treatment decreased hepatic cholesterol and bile acid levels and reduced expression of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the master cholesterol metabolism regulator sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), mitochondrial sterol 27-hydroxylase, and oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase. Compared with PBS treatment, MIC-1 treatment had no effect on small heterodimer partner, farnesoid X receptor, or pregnane X receptor expression, and extracellular signal-related kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation decreased, suggesting that these factors do not contribute to the MIC-1-induced reduction in CYP7A1 expression. Compared with PBS treatment, MIC-1 treatment increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation. Treatment with the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) reduced CYP7A1 and HMGCR expression, whereas the AMPK inhibitor Compound C reversed MIC-1-induced reductions in CYP7A1 and HMGCR expression. Furthermore, in MIC-1-treated mice, total biliary cholesterol levels increased together with increased ATP-binding cassette subfamily G (ABCG)5 and ABCG8 expression. Compared with PBS treatment, MIC-1 treatment did not affect expression of liver X receptors α and β, liver receptor homolog 1, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, or NR1I3 (also known as constitutive androstane receptor), which are upstream of ABCG5/8; however, MIC-1 treatment increased ABCG5/8 expression and promoter activities. Our study indicates that MIC-1 influences gallstone formation by increasing AMPK phosphorylation, reducing CYP7A1 and HMGCR expression, and increasing ABCG5 and ABCG8 expression.
Direct or indirect emissions of phosphate from point or non-point sources into aquatic ecosystem may pose serious adverse risks to human life and environmental sustainability. Owing to their ...environmental and economic benefits, biochar-based adsorption processes have recently emerged as an ideal approach. However, the surface of biochar is normally negatively charged, thus limiting its binding affinity toward anionic contaminants. Herein, in order to address this weakness and further improve adsorption performance, we developed rice husk (RH)-derived biochar functionalized with Mg/Al-calcined layered double hydroxides (RHB/MgAl-CLDHs) via the co-pyrolysis of MgAl-LDH preloaded RH, and we examined its phosphate adsorption properties in aqueous environments. Multiple analyses and phosphate adsorption experiments revealed that the Mg:Al molar ratio (2:1–5:1) and co-pyrolysis temperature (300–700 °C) control the physicochemical properties of synthesized samples and their phosphate adsorption affinities. The molar ratio affects the charge density, whereas the co-pyrolysis temperature determines the surface functionality and porosity. Specifically, RHB/MgAl-CLDHs(2:1/500) (molar ratio = 2:1, co-pyrolysis temperature = 500 °C) exhibited the highest phosphate removal of 97.6% due to the conversion of RH into biochar, decomposition of interlayer water/nitrate, transformation of LDH structures to mixed metal oxides (layered double oxides), and improved porosity, favoring stronger adsorption and intercalation of phosphate. Spectroscopic solid-phase analyses demonstrated that the adsorption mechanism involves the “memory effect” and the formation of both outer- and inner-sphere surface complexes via attractive electrostatic interactions and monodentate/bidentate complexations. In conclusion, considering its high selectivity and excellent recyclability, RHB/MgAl-CLDHs(2:1/500) is a promising material for mitigating eutrophication.
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•Rice husk-derived biochar functionalized with MgAl-calcined LDHs were synthesized.•Lower Mg:Al molar ratio increased charge density and phosphate adsorption.•Phosphate adsorption affinity was highly dependent on the co-pyrolysis temperature.•The selectivity was followed the partial negative charge on oxygen atoms of anions.•Mechanism involves memory effect and both outer-sphere and inner-sphere complexes.
Background
The determinants linked to the short- and long-term improvement in lung function in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA) on biological treatment (BioT) remain elusive.
Objective
...We sought to identify the predictors of early and late lung function improvement in patients with SEA after BioT.
Methods
140 adult patients with SEA who received mepolizumab, dupilumab, or reslizumab were followed up for 6 months to evaluate improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV
1
). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between potential prognostic factors and improved lung function at 1 and 6 months of treatment.
Results
More than a third of patients with SEA using BioT showed early and sustained improvements in FEV
1
after 1 month. A significant association was found between low baseline FEV
1
and high blood eosinophil count and sustained FEV
1
improvement after 1 month (0.54 0.37–0.79 and 1.88 1.28–2.97 odds ratios and 95% confidence interval, respectively). Meanwhile, among patients who did not experience FEV
1
improvement after 1 month, 39% exhibited improvement at 6 months follow-up. A high ACT score measured at this visit was the most reliable predictor of late response after 6 months of treatment (OR and 95% CI 1.75 1.09–2.98).
Conclusion
Factors predicting the efficacy of biological agents that improve lung function in SEA vary according to the stage of response.
Finite-difference time domain (FDTD) has been widely used to analyze electromagnetic wave interaction with dispersive media. It is of great necessity to incorporate a dispersion model into FDTD ...formulation for electromagnetic wave analysis of dispersive media. Recently, it was reported that the modified Lorentz model can cover Debye, Drude, Lorentz, critical point, and quadratic complex rational function models. In this work, it is illustrated that the modified Lorentz model can also cover the complex-conjugate pole-residue model which is one of the most popular dispersion models. Modified Lorentz-based dispersive FDTD has not been thoroughly studied, especially for numerical aspects. In this work, we investigate auxiliary differential equation (ADE)-FDTD formulations for the modified Lorentz model based on electric flux density (D), current (J), or polarization (P). We perform a comprehensive study on memory requirement, the number of arithmetic operations, numerical stability, and numerical permittivity for the above three ADE-FDTD formulations. In addition, the bilinear transformation (BT) is incorporated into modified Lorentz-based FDTD formulations and it will be shown that the utilization of the BT can lead to better performance in terms of numerical stability and numerical accuracy. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate our work.
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