•The experimental and computational techniques for proton-conductive MOFs are summarized.•Representative studies are reviewed on the tuning of proton conductivity of MOFs.•Perspectives toward the ...modulation on the proton conductivity of MOFs are presented.
Over the past decades, research on proton-conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has rapidly accelerated due to the importance of energy for modern society. This review mainly focuses on some representative proton-conductive MOFs reported recently, with related discussions on the underlying proton transportation mechanisms. In the first section, we give a brief introduction to the background of proton-conductive MOFs. In the following second section, a summarization on the widely used experimental characterization techniques as well as the well-established computational methods for exploring the proton transportation mechanism is given. In the third section, some representative studies in this field are reviewed from the aspect that how to tune the proton conductivity of MOFs, with emphasis on the following factors: the impact of framework and guest molecules/ions; the modification with functionalized groups and the tuning of Brønsted acidity; the influence of phase transition, defects, and amorphization. Finally, the conclusion and perspective are presented regarding the modulation on the proton conductivity of MOFs and the rational design of novel proton-conductive MOFs.
Recently, heterogeneous photocatalysts have achieved much interest on account of their great potential applications in resolving many tough energy and environmental troubles around the world through ...an ecologically sustainable way. Heterogeneous nanocomposites composed of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) and carbon dots (CDs) possess broad spectrum absorption, appropriate electronic band structures, rapid carrier mobility, abundant reserves, excellent chemical stability, and facile synthesis methods, which make them promising composite photocatalysts for suitable applications such as photocatalytic solar fuels production and contaminant decomposition. With the rapid development in photocatalysis by hybridization of g‐C3N4 and CDs, a systematic summary and prospection of performance improvement are urgent and meaningful. This review first focuses on various kinds of effectively synthetic methods of composites. Following, the strategies available for enhanced performance, including morphology optimization, spectral absorption improvement, ternary or quaternary composition hybrid, lateral or vertical heterostructures construction, heteroatom doping, and so forth, are fully discussed. Then, the applications mainly in efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation, photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, and organic pollutants degradation are systematically demonstrated. Finally, the remaining issues and prospect of further development are proposed as some kind of guidance for powerful combination of g‐C3N4 and CDs with high efficiency to photocatalysis.
This review summarizes the recent progress of heterogeneous photocatalysts of g‐C3N4/carbon dot (CD)‐based nanocomposites and their applications mainly in efficient catalytic hydrogen generation, photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction, and organic pollutants degradation. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for g‐C3N4/CD‐based photocatalysts are critically discussed to offer insight of this field.
The origin of the peroxidase‐like activity of gold nanoparticles and the impact of surface modification are studied. Furthermore, some influencing factors, such as fabrication process, redox property ...of the modifier, and charge property of the substrate, are investigated. Compared to amino‐modified or citrate‐capped gold nanoparticles, unmodified gold nanoparticles show significantly higher catalytic activity toward peroxidase substrates, that is, the superficial gold atoms are a contributing factor to the observed peroxidase‐like activity. The different catalytic activities of amino‐modified and citrate‐capped gold nanoparticles toward 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) show that the charge characteristics of the nanoparticles and the substrate also play an important role in the catalytic reactions.
Nanoparticle enzyme mimics: The higher peroxidase‐like activity of unmodified Au nanoparticles (NPs) compared to amino‐modified or citrate‐capped Au nanoparticles (see picture) reveals a role of superficial Au atoms. Different catalytic activities of amino‐modified and citrate‐capped Au NPs toward peroxidase substrates TMB and ABTS show that charge characteristics also play an important part.
Background and Aim
Remimazolam tosilate (RT) is a new short‐acting GABA(A) receptor agonist, having potential to be an effective option for procedural sedation. Here, we aimed to compare the efficacy ...and safety of RT with propofol in patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Methods
This positive‐controlled, non‐inferiority, phase III trial recruited patients at 17 centers, between September 2017 and November 2017. A total of 384 patients scheduled to undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomly assigned to receive RT or propofol. Primary endpoint was the success rate of sedation. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded to evaluate safety.
Results
The success rate of sedation in the RT group was non‐inferior to that in the propofol group (97.34% vs 100.00%; difference in rate −2.66%, 95% CI −4.96 to −0.36, meeting criteria for non‐inferiority). Patients in the RT group had longer time to adequate sedation (P < 0.0001) but shorter time to fully alert (P < 0.0001) than that in the propofol group. The incidences of hypotension (13.04% vs 42.86%, P < 0.0001), treatment‐related hypotension (0.54% vs 5.82%, P < 0.0001), and respiratory depression (1.09% vs 6.88%, P = 0.0064) were significantly lower in the RT group. AEs were reported in 74 (39.15%) patients in the RT group and 114 (60.32%) patients in the propofol group, with significant difference (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion
This trial established non‐inferior sedation success rate of RT compared with propofol. RT allows faster recovery from sedation compared with propofol. The safety profile is favorable and appears to be superior to propofol, indicating that it was feasible and well tolerated for patients.
To provide a complete toxicity profile, toxicity spectrum, and a safety ranking of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) drugs for treatment of cancer.
Systematic review and network meta-analysis.
...Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were systematically searched to include relevant studies published in English between January 2007 and February 2018.
Only head-to-head phase II and III randomised controlled trials comparing any two or three of the following treatments or different doses of the same ICI drug were included: nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, tremelimumab, atezolizumab, conventional therapy (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and their combinations), two ICI drugs, or one ICI drug with conventional therapy. Eligible studies must have reported site, organ, or system level data on treatment related adverse events. High quality, single arm trials and placebo controlled trials on ICI drugs were selected to establish a validation group.
36 head-to-head phase II and III randomised trials (n=15 370) were included. The general safety of ICI drugs ranked from high to low for all adverse events was as follows: atezolizumab (probability 76%, pooled incidence 66.4%), nivolumab (56%, 71.8%), pembrolizumab (55%, 75.1%), ipilimumab (55%, 86.8%), and tremelimumab (54%, not applicable). The general safety of ICI drugs ranked from high to low for severe or life threatening adverse events was as follows: atezolizumab (49%, 15.1%), nivolumab (46%, 14.1%), pembrolizumab (72%, 19.8%), ipilimumab (51%, 28.6%), and tremelimumab (28%, not applicable). Compared with conventional therapy, treatment-related adverse events for ICI drugs occurred mainly in the skin, endocrine, hepatic, and pulmonary systems. Taking one ICI drug was generally safer than taking two ICI drugs or one ICI drug with conventional therapy. Among the five ICI drugs, atezolizumab had the highest risk of hypothyroidism, nausea, and vomiting. The predominant treatment-related adverse events for pembrolizumab were arthralgia, pneumonitis, and hepatic toxicities. The main treatment-related adverse events for ipilimumab were skin, gastrointestinal, and renal toxicities. Nivolumab had a narrow and mild toxicity spectrum, mainly causing endocrine toxicities. Integrated evidence from the pooled incidences, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses implied that nivolumab is the best option in terms of safety, especially for the treatment of lung cancer.
Compared with other ICI drugs used to treat cancer, atezolizumab had the best safety profile in general, and nivolumab had the best safety profile in lung cancer when taking an integrated approach. The safety ranking of treatments based on ICI drugs is modulated by specific treatment-related adverse events.
PROSPERO CRD42017082553.
This report aims to study the relationship between sarcopenia of elderly in community and inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.
A total of 441 elders who undertook physical examinations were included ...into this study. The age of these subjects were >60, in which 235 subjects were male and 206 subjects were female. According to the diagnostic standards of sarcopenia set by EWGSOP and AWGS, these subjects were divided into two groups: sarcopenia, and non-sarcopenia groups. The living habits, disease status, biochemical indexes, and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α of these subjects were investigated.
The morbidity rate of sarcopenia was 17.02% in male subjects and 18.9% in female subjects. In elderly subjects >80 years old, morbidity rate was 25.3% in male subjects and 35.1% in female subjects. The history of smoking in patients with sarcopenia was long, and their regular exercise history was short (P < 0.01). Furthermore, differences in handgrip strength (HG), fat-free mass (FFM), bone mineral content (BMC), plasma albumin (ALB) and serum creatinine (Cr), and body fat content (FAT) in patients between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Moreover, differences in IL-6 and TNF-α levels between these two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, BMI was positively correlated to TNF-α levels, and ALB was negatively correlated to IL-6; while BMI and VFA were positively correlated to TNF-α levels, and SMM, HDL-C, Hb, HG were negatively correlated to IL-6 level (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis suggested plasma ALB and BMI were the independent risk factors of TNF-α, while VFA was the independent risk factor of IL-6.
The onset of sarcopenia was associated with poor exercise habits, disease history, and nutritional status. The emergence of sarcopenia was accompanied by increased levels of inflammation factors TNF-α and IL-6. Plasma albumin, BMI, and VFA were inflammatory factor predictors of TNF and IL-6.
The pathophysiological mechanism of sarcopenia in the elderly has not yet been fully understood. Here, we aim to explore the relationship between sarcopenia and the inflammatory cytokine ...interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) in an elderly population.
Our study comprised 118 males and 46 females aged between 61 and 90 who had received a general medical examination in Tianjin First Central Hospital. Subjects were divided into a sarcopenia group and a non-sarcopenia group, defined according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). We compared body composition, handgrip strength (HS), gait speed (GS), biochemical indexes, levels of IL-6 and IL-10, living habits, and disease status between these groups.
Non-sarcopenia subjects undertook more regular physical exercise than sarcopenia patients. Sarcopenia subjects had higher nutrition risk but lower body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TG), and creatinine (Cr) levels compared to non-sarcopenia subjects. Sarcopenia subjects were older and had higher visceral fat tissue (VFA) than non-sarcopenia subjects (P < 0.05), along with higher IL-6 and IL-10 levels. Furthermore, IL-6/IL-10 ratios were higher in subjects with sarcopenia (P < 0.05). Age, BMI, levels of physical activity, nutritional risk, VFA, IL-6, IL-10, IL-6/IL-10 ratio were independently associated with the presence of sarcopenia in univariate regression analyses. Following adjustment for confounding factors, the presence of sarcopenia was positively correlated with IL-6, IL-10, IL-6/IL-10 ratio and inversely correlated with BMI. Age is associated with increased presence of sarcopenia.
The levels of inflammation cytokine IL-6, anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio were increased in elderly sarcopenia subjects. Sarcopenia was associated with increased levels of inflammatory cytokine IL-6, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and IL-6/IL-10 ratios.
An easily prepared platinum nanoparticle (PtNP) probe for the sensitive and selective detection of Hg(2+) ions is developed here. The PtNPs with an average size of approximately 2.5 nm were prepared ...by a reduction method with sodium borohydride and trisodium citrate serving as reductant and stabilizer, respectively. The resulting PtNPs could catalyze the reduction of Hg(2+) by surface-capping citrate. The effect of Hg(2+) uptake implies amalgam formation, which leads to remarkable inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of citrate-capped PtNPs. On the basis of this effect, a colorimetric mercury sensor was established through the use of citrate-capped PtNPs to catalyze the colorimetric system of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2. The high specificity of the Hg-Pt interaction provides the excellent selectivity for Hg(2+) over interfering metal ions. The sensitivity of this smart probe to Hg(2+) is extremely excellent with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 8.5 pM. In view of these advantages, as well as the cost-effectiveness, minimized working steps, and naked-eye observation, we expect that this colorimetric sensor will be a promising candidate for the field detection of toxic Hg(2+) ions in environmental, biological, and food samples.
Herein, we reported for the first time that gold nanoparticles-catalyzed 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine-H2O2 system can serve as an ultrasensitive colorimetric pH indicator. Gold nanoparticles acted ...as a catalyst and imitated the function of horseradish peroxidase. The absorbance at 450 nm of the yellow-color product in the catalytic reaction exhibited a linear fashion over the pH range of 6.40–6.60. On the basis of this property, we constructed a novel sensing platform for the determination of urea, urease, and urease inhibitor. The limit of detection for urea and urease was 5 μM and 1.8 U/L, respectively. The half-maximal inhibition value IC50 of acetohydroxamic acid was found to be 0.05 mM. Urea in human urine and urease in soil were detected with satisfied results.
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•GNPs-catalyzed TMB-H2O2 reporting system is used as an ultrasensitive pH indicator.•A450 exhibits a linear fashion over the pH range of 6.40–6.60.•A platform is established for the detection of urea, urease, and urease inhibitor.