Background： Klebsiellapneumoniae （KP） is a pathogen commonly causing nosocomial infection. Carbapenem-resistant KP （CRKP） is more resistant to multiple antimicrobial drugs than carbapenem-susceptible ...KP （CSKP） isolates. The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors for CRKP infection and the predictors of mortality among KP-infected adult patients. Methods： Patients with CRKP and CSKP infection were categorized as the case group and control group, respectively, and we conducted a 1：1 ratio case-control study on these groups. The CRKP isolates collected were tested tbr antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of KP carbapenemase （KPC） gene. Clinical data were collected to identity risk factors for CRKP infection and mortality of KP infection. Risk factors were analyzed under univariable and multivariable logistic regression model. Results： The independent risk factors for CRKP infection were admission to Intensive Care Unit （odds ratio OR： 15.486, 95% confidence interval CI： 3.175-75.541, P 〈 0.001）; use of I3-1actams and 3-1actamase inhibitor combination （OR： 4.765, 95% CI： 1.508-15.055, P = 0.008）： use of cephalosporins （OR： 8.033, 95% CI： 1.623-39.763, P = P= 0.019）： and indwelling of urethral catheter （OR： 6.164, 95% CI： 1.847 0.011 ）; fluoroquinolones （OR： 6.090, 95% CI： 1.343-27.613, -20.578, P = 0.003）. However, older age （OR： 1.079, 95% CI： 1.005-1.158, P= 0.036）, Charlson comorbidity index （OR： 4.690, 95% CI：2.094-10.504, P= 0.000）, and aminoglycoside use （OR： 670.252, 95% CI： 6.577-68,307.730, P = 0.006） were identified as independent risk factors for patient deaths with KP infection. The mortality of CRKP group was higher than that of the CSKP group. KPC gene did not play a role in the CRKP group. CRKP mortality was high. Conclusion： Implementation of infection control measures and protection of the immunefunction are crucial.
The flexibility in structural design of organic semiconductors endows organic solar cells (OSCs) not only great function-tunabilities, but also high potential toward practical application. In this ...work, simple non-fused-ring electron acceptors are developed through two-step synthesis from single aromatic units for constructing efficient OSCs. With the assistance of non-covalent interactions, these rotatable non-fused acceptors (in solution) allow transiting into planar and stackable conformation in condensed solid, promoting acceptors not only feasible solution-processability, but also excellent film characteristics. As results, decent power conversion efficiencies of 10.27% and 13.97% can be achieved in single and tandem OSCs consisting of simple solution-cast blends, in which the fully unfused acceptors exhibit exceptionally low synthetic complexity index. In addition, the unfused acceptor and its based OSCs exhibit promising stabilities under continuous illumination. Overall, this work reveals valuable insights on the structural design of simple and effective electron acceptors with great practical perspectives.
It has been reported that SARS-CoV-2 may use ACE2 as a receptor to gain entry into human cells, in a way similar to that of SARS-CoV. Analyzing the distribution and expression level of ACE2 may ...therefore help reveal underlying mechanisms of viral susceptibility and post-infection modulation. In this study, we utilized previously uploaded information on ACE2 expression in various conditions including SARS-CoA to evaluate the role of ACE2 in SARS-CoV and extrapolate that to COVID-19. We found that the expression of ACE2 in healthy populations and patients with underlying diseases was not significantly different. However, based on the elevated expression of ACE2 in cigarette smokers, we speculate that long-term smoking may be a risk factor for COVID-19. Analysis of ACE2 in SARS-CoV infected cells suggests that ACE2 is not only a receptor but is also involved in post-infection regulation, including immune response, cytokine secretion, and viral genome replication. Moreover, we constructed Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and identified hub genes in viral activity and cytokine secretion. Our findings may help clinicians and researchers gain more insight into the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and design therapeutic strategies for COVID-19.
•SARS-CoV-2 may use ACE2 as a receptor to gain entry into human cells, in a way similar to that of SARS-CoV.•PPI networks identified RPS3, RPS8 and RPS9 as hub genes in viral activity and SRC and CASP1 in cytokine secretion.•RPS3 plays a key role in viral replication.•SRC non-receptor protein kinase has a role in macrophage mediated innate immunity and cytokine release.•Blocking the ACE2 receptor may be protective or lead to worse lung injury due to the unmitigated action of angiotensin 2.
Low energy loss and efficient charge separation under small driving forces are the prerequisites for realizing high power conversion efficiency (PCE) in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Here, a new ...molecular design of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) is proposed to address above two issues simultaneously by introducing asymmetric terminals. Two NFAs, BTP‐S1 and BTP‐S2, are constructed by introducing halogenated indandione (A1) and 3‐dicyanomethylene‐1‐indanone (A2) as two different conjugated terminals on the central fused core (D), wherein they share the same backbone as well‐known NFA Y6, but at different terminals. Such asymmetric NFAs with A1‐D‐A2 structure exhibit superior photovoltaic properties when blended with polymer donor PM6. Energy loss analysis reveals that asymmetric molecule BTP‐S2 with six chlorine atoms attached at the terminals enables the corresponding devices to give an outstanding electroluminescence quantum efficiency of 2.3 × 10−2%, one order of magnitude higher than devices based on symmetric Y6 (4.4 × 10−3%), thus significantly lowering the nonradiative loss and energy loss of the corresponding devices. Besides, asymmetric BTP‐S1 and BTP‐S2 with multiple halogen atoms at the terminals exhibit fast hole transfer to the donor PM6. As a result, OPVs based on the PM6:BTP‐S2 blend realize a PCE of 16.37%, higher than that (15.79%) of PM6:Y6‐based OPVs. A further optimization of the ternary blend (PM6:Y6:BTP‐S2) results in a best PCE of 17.43%, which is among the highest efficiencies for single‐junction OPVs. This work provides an effective approach to simultaneously lower the energy loss and promote the charge separation of OPVs by molecular design strategy.
Asymmetric electron acceptors, by combining halogenated indandione and 3‐dicyanomethylene‐1‐indanone as two different conjugated terminals, are designed and synthesized. Such design enables reduced energy loss and boosts charge separation, thus leading to 16.37% binary organic photovoltaics (OPVs) and 17.43% ternary OPVs, which are among the best efficiencies for single‐junction OPVs.
Inspired by the event-driven nature of biological systems and sparse spiking networks, research on event-driven tactile learning has been stimulated by recent advancements in event-driven tactile ...sensors and spiking neural networks (SNNs). However, a major challenge in tactile object recognition research lies in addressing the generalization problem caused by the complex spatiotemporal characteristics of high-dimensional event-driven tactile data. Additionally, sparse connections of SNN models are resulted by difficulties in fully utilizing timing information and structural features of tactile nodes, due to the limited representation of tactile information graphs. To address these issues comprehensively, this article proposes a fusing topological graph and Gaussian prior event-driven tactile object recognition SNNs. First, the incorporation of Gaussian prior effectively integrates prior knowledge to alleviate the generalization problem in event-driven tactile object recognition. Furthermore, both topological sorting and R-tree tactile graph construction methods are employed to enhance the connection structure within the tactile graph and resolve the issue of sparse connections. Finally, various approximate leaky integrate-and-fire neuron activation functions are introduced for comprehensive comparison and evaluation regarding their impact on performance in event-driven tactile object recognition. Experimental results using EvTouch-Containers and EvTouch-Objects datasets demonstrate that topological graph and Gaussian prior tactile object recognition (G2T)-SNN achieves superior recognition performance compared to TactileSGNet methods: 7.50% improvement on EvTouch-Containers dataset and 2.23% improvement on EvTouch-Objects dataset.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, has achieved good results in articular cartilage damage repair, yet regeneration of hyaline cartilage similar to native cartilage and effectively ...performing clinical transformation remain challenging. In this study, we used 3D bioprinting technology to add chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) and fibronectin (FN) to an alginate/gelatin/hyaluronic acid (Alg/Gel/HA) composite hydrogel. We used this hydrogel to prepare an active biofilm with uniform pores using modified autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) technology to effectively repair cartilage defects. The Alg/Gel/HA composite hydrogel combined with FN promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of CPCs by upregulating their gene expression of collagen II, SOX9, and especially PRG4. Adjacent biofilm provided adequate mechanical support and architectural integrity, offering a stable postoperative microenvironment for bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) released from subchondral bone, and ensured that a laminar structure similar to natural hyaline cartilage was regenerated in the rat cartilage defect model. Characteristic cartilage-like lacuna structures and a gradient structure were observed in the AMIC+FN + CPCs group. We developed an effective method to regenerate full-thickness cartilage defects, this biofunctionalized cell-laden biofilm has great potential for application as a supplement to traditional AMIC technology to improve the quality of cartilage regeneration in a relatively feasible way.
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•Modified autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis to repair cartilage defects.•3D printed biofilms combined chondrogenic progenitor cells.•Fibronectin was added to improve the biological function of composite hydrogel.•A stable postoperative microenvironment for bone mesenchymal stem cells.•Reproducing layered structure similar to natural cartilage.
The structure and dynamics of an active polymer on a smooth cylindrical surface are studied by Brownian dynamics simulations. The effect of an active force on the polymer adsorption behavior and the ...combined effect of chain mobility, length
N
, rigidity
κ
, and cylinder radius,
R
, on the phase diagrams are systemically investigated. We find that complete adsorption is replaced by the irregular alternative adsorption/desorption process at a large driving force. Three typical (spiral, helix-like, and rod-like) conformations of the active polymer are observed, dependent on
N
,
κ
, and
R
. Dynamically, the polymer shows rotational motion in the spiral state, snake-like motion in the intermediate state, and straight translational motion without turning back in the rod-like state. In the spiral state, we find that the rotation velocity
ω
and the chain length follow a power-law relation
ω
∼
N
−0.42
, consistent with the torque-balance theory of general Archimedean spirals. And the polymer shows super-diffusive behavior along the cylinder for a long time in the helix-like and rod-like states. Our results highlight that the mobility, rigidity, and curvature of surface can be used to regulate the polymer behavior.
Three states of an active polymer adsorbed on a cylinder were found: spiral state, helix-like state, and rod-like state. In the spiral state, the rotation velocity and chain length follow a power-law relation
ω
∼
N
−0.42
.
In this study, 3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-propionitrile (FEON), a fluorinated nitrile compound with high oxidative stability, low volatility and non-flammability, is introduced as an electrolyte ...solvent for high-energy density Li|NCM batteries. After optimization of the electrolyte as (0.8 M LiTFSI + 0.2 M LiODFB)/FEC : FEON (1 : 3, by vol., abbreviated as FF13), the FEON-based electrolyte exhibits better cycling performance for both the lithium metal anode and 4.4 V high-voltage NCM cathode, compared with those of a commercial carbonate electrolyte of 1 M LiPF
6
/EC : EMC : DMC (1 : 1 : 1, by vol.). As for the FF13 electrolyte, the maximum coordination number of 3 for FEON molecules in the solvation structure is disclosed through molecular dynamics simulation combined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements. Furthermore, the solid electrolyte interphase on the lithium metal anode is enriched with organic components and LiF, which is proposed from FEON decomposition based on density functional theory calculations and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. All the above results demonstrate that fluorinated nitrile electrolytes constitute a promising platform for high energy density Li|NCM batteries.
A high-safety and high-voltage 3-(2,2,2-trifluoro)ethoxypropionitrile based electrolyte displayed excellent compatibility with lithium metal anode and 4.4 V NCM cathode, exhibiting potential application in high energy density lithium batteries.
Background
Exercise rehabilitation is demonstrated to improve the prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Statins, as the key medicine to lower cholesterol in CHD, result in skeletal ...muscle injury and impair exercise training adaptation. Energy metabolism dysfunction is identified as the potential mechanism underlying statin‐induced skeletal muscle injury. In this study, we investigated the effects of the metabolic modulator trimetazidine on skeletal muscle energy metabolism and statin‐associated exercise intolerance.
Methods
High‐fat fed apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE−/−) mice were given aerobic exercise and administrated simvastatin, trimetazidine, or simvastatin plus trimetazidine by gavage. Exercise capacity was evaluated at the end of the treatment by hanging grid test, forelimb grip strength, and running tolerance test. Plasma glucose, lipid, and creatine kinase concentrations were measured at the end of the treatment. After sacrifice, gastrocnemii were stored for assessment of muscle morphology and fibre type. Energy metabolism was estimated by plasma lactic acid concentration, ragged red fibres, and glycogen stores. Activities of mitochondrial complex III, citrate synthase activity, and membrane potential were measured to assess mitochondrial function. Oxidative stress was also evaluated by superoxide in mitochondria, superoxide dismutase activity, and glutathione redox state.
Results
In high‐fat fed ApoE−/− mice, exercise training had no effect on lipid concentrations. Lower lipid concentrations with increased creatine kinase were observed with additional simvastatin treatment. Exercise capacity increased significantly in response to exercise training alone but was blunted by the addition of simvastatin. Similarly, cross‐sectional area of muscle fibres and the proportion of slow‐twitch fibres increased in the exercise group but decreased in the simvastatin plus exercise group. Additionally, simvastatin increased centronucleated fibres and induced energy metabolism dysfunction by inhibiting complex III activity and thus promoted oxidative stress in gastrocnemius. We demonstrated that trimetazidine could reverse simvastatin‐induced exercise intolerance and muscle damages. We also found the ability of trimetazidine in restoration of muscle fibre hypertrophy and facilitating fast‐to‐slow type shift. The energy metabolism dysfunction and oxidative stress in gastrocnemii were rescued by trimetazidine.
Conclusions
Trimetazidine alleviated statin‐related skeletal muscle injury by restoration of oxidative phenotype and increasing fibre cross‐sectional areas in response to exercise training. Correspondingly, the exercise training adaptation were improved in high‐fat fed ApoE−/− mice. Moreover, trimetazidine is able to exert its positive effects without affecting the beneficial lipid‐lowering properties of the statins. Thus, trimetazidine could be prescribed to remedy the undesirable statins‐induced exercise intolerance during cardiac rehabilitation in patients with CHD.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-associated neurodegenerative disease, which is developed by oxidative stress and acetylcholine contraction in the synaptic cleft of the neurons. This leads to ...dementia, memory loss, and decrease in learning ability and orientation. In this research work, we aimed to explore the neuroprotective effect of neferine on AlCl
-induced AD in rats. The results of our study revealed that the increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide in the hippocampus leads to the development of AD in the rats. The oral treatment of neferine done the following occurrences such as; it potentially inhibited the ROS formation and acts as a scavenging molecule by preventing the neurodegeneration. It also improved the memory and learning ability to complete the maze activity in the AD rats and significantly increased the antioxidants superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione in neferine treated AD rats. It aggressively declined the activity of acetylcholine esterase and Na
K
ATPase in the neurodegenerative rat models. The gene expression pattern of neuroinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were decreased in the neferine-treated rats. The neuroinflammatory proteins such as inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and nuclear factor kappa β (Nf-κβ) were decreased and Nf-κβ inhibitor IKBα was increased in the neferine-treated AD rats. Finally, the histology study proved that the neferine treatment possibly prevents neurodegeneration in the hippocampus tissue of the AD models. Hence, these all findings concluded that the neferine could be a potential neuropreventive as well as neurodegenerative therapeutic compound in neurological and cognitive dysfunction.
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