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The exploitation of cost-effective, highly active, and robust non-precious metal bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen revolution reaction (OER) is the key to promoting the application of regenerative fuel cells and metal–air batteries. Co9S8 is considered a promising non-precious metal bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst. However, the electrocatalytic performance of cobalt sulfide-based nanocatalysts is still far from satisfactory because of their poor conductivity, insufficient exposed active sites, and aggregation-prone during continuous work. Herein, based on the inspiration from honeycombs in nature, we synthesized Co9S8/N, S-codoped honeycomb-structured porous carbon (Co9S8/NSC) in situ composites via a simple method. Benefiting from the unique honeycomb composite structure composed of monodisperse Co9S8 nanoparticles in situ embedded within the three-dimensional interconnected network carbon matrix with high conductivity, which facilitates not only the electron transport and charge transfer across the interface but also the exposure of active sites and rapid transport of ORR/OER-related species, the obtained Co9S8/NSC in situ composites exhibit high stability and activity in both the ORR in terms of more a positive half-wave potential (0.88 V vs. RHE) than that (0.86 V vs. RHE) of commercial 20% Pt/C and the OER in terms of a small overpotential (0.41 V vs. RHE) approaching that of commercial IrO2 (0.39 V vs. RHE) in alkaline electrolytes at 10 mA cm−2. Thus, as expected, the assembled rechargeable Zn–air batteries based on the bifunctional electrocatalysts exhibit a small discharge/charge overpotential (0.96 V) with a high voltaic efficiency of 55.1% at 10 mA cm−2 and a long-term cycling stability of over 4000 min.

Background Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a more frequent subtype of lung cancer and most cases are discovered in the late stages. The proliferation and metastasis of LUAD are pivotal for disease progression. Despite unremitting deeper understanding of LUAD biology, the mechanisms involved in the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD remain unclear. The objective of our article was to inquiry the expression and the function of keratin 6C (KRT6C) in LUAD cells. Methods First, the expression level and prognostic value of KRT6C in LUAD tissues were analyzed on the basis of the data acquired from TCGA database. Through qRT-PCR, the expression level of KRT6C on LUAD cell lines (A549, H1299, PC-9) and human normal lung cell line MRC-5 was tested. After that, CCK8 and colony formation assays was utilized to detect cell proliferation. In addition, to explore the influence of KRT6C on LUAD migration and invasion ability, scratch wound healing and transwell assays were utilized. Through western blotting, the protein expression levels of KRT6C, PCNA, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail and Vimentin were detected. Results The outcomes revealed that KRT6C was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cell lines. Besides, elevated level of KRT6C was related to worse prognosis in LUAD patients. Ablation of KRT6C restrained proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 cells. KRT6C deficiency augmented the expression of E-cadherin as well as reduced the expression of N-cadherin, Snail and Vimentin. Conclusion Above all, these consequences indicated that depletion of KRT6C suppressed A549 cell proliferation, migration and invasion, which might be achieved by regulating EMT. In general, KRT6C is identified as a potential therapeutic target for LUAD.

Nitinol-containing devices are widely used in clinical practice. However, there are concerns about nickel release after nitinol-containing device implantation. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a parylene-coated occluder vs. a traditional nitinol-containing device for atrial septal defect (ASD). One-hundred-and-eight patients with ASD were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to either the trial group to receive a parylene-coated occluder (n = 54) or the control group to receive a traditional occluder (n = 54). The plugging success rate at 6 months after device implantation and the pre- and post-implantation serum nickel levels were compared between the two groups. A non-inferiority design was used to prove that the therapeutic effect of the parylene-coated device was non-inferior to that of the traditional device. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared test with adjustment for central effects was used for the comparison between groups. At 6 months after implantation, successful ASD closure was achieved in 52 of 53 patients (98.11%) in both the trial and control groups (95% confidence interval (CI): [-4.90, 5.16]) based on per-protocol set analysis. The absolute value of the lower limit of the 95% CI was 4.90%, which was less than the specified non-inferiority margin of 8%. No deaths or severe complications occurred during 6 months of follow-up. The serum nickel levels were significantly increased at 2 weeks and reached the maximum value at 1 month after implantation in the control group (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). In the trial group, there was no significant difference in the serum nickel level before vs. after device implantation (P > 0.05). The efficacy of a parylene-coated ASD occluder is non-inferior to that of a traditional uncoated ASD occluder. The parylene-coated occluder prevents nickel release after device implantation and may be an alternative for ASD, especially in patients with a nickel allergy.

In this study, a series of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests was conducted on calcareous sand, quartz sand, and glass bead with a wide range of grain sizes, to understand the effect of grain size on the micro-pore structure and fractal characteristics of the carbonate-based sand and silicate-based sand. The pore size distribution (PSD) of the tested materials were obtained from the NMR T2 spectra, and fractal theory was introduced to describe the fractal properties of PSD. Results demonstrate that grain size has a significant effect on the PSD of carbonate-based sand and silicate-based sand. As grain size increases, the PSD of sands evolves from a binary structure with two peaks to a ternary structure with three peaks. The increase in the grain size can cause a remarkable increase in the maximum pore size. It is also found that the more irregular the particle shape, the better the continuity between the large and medium pores. In addition, grain size has a considerable effect on the fractal dimension of the micro-pore structure. The increase of grain size can lead to a significant increase in the heterogeneity and fractal dimension in PSD for calcareous sand, quartz sand and glass bead.

Background. To evaluate the feasibility of using a single device to close multiple atrial septal defects (ASDs) under the guidance of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and with the aid of three-dimensional (3D) printing models. Methods. Sixty-two patients with multiple ASDs were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty of these patients underwent TTE-guided closure (3D printing and TTE group) after a simulation of occlusion in 3D printing models. The remaining 32 patients underwent ASD closure under fluoroscopic guidance (conventional group). Closure status was assessed immediately and at 6 months after device closure. Results. Successful transcatheter closure with a single device was achieved in 26 patients in the 3D printing and TTE group and 27 patients in the conventional group. Gender, age [18.8 ± 15.9 (3–51) years in the 3D printing and TTE group; 14.0 ± 11.6 (3–50) years in the conventional group], mean maximum distance between defects, prevalence of 3 atrial defects and large defect distance (defined as distance ≥7 mm), and occluder size used were similarly distributed between groups. However, the 3D printing and TTE group had lower frequency of occluder replacement (3.8% vs 59.3%, p<0.0001), prevalence of mild residual shunts (defined as <5 mm) immediately (19.2% vs 44.4%, p<0.05) and at 6 months (7.7% vs 29.6%, p<0.05) after the procedure, and cost (32960.8 ± 2018.7 CNY vs 41019.9 ± 13758.2 CNY, p<0.01). Conclusion. The combination of the 3D printing technology and ultrasound-guided interventional procedure provides a reliable new therapeutic approach for multiple ASDs, especially for challenging cases with large defect distance.

Associations between Arg399Gln single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the XRCC1 gene and leukemia susceptibility have been studied extensively, however, the results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine these associations using meta-analytical methods. A meta-analysis was performed to examine the associations between XRCC1 Arg399-Gln SNP and leukemia risk. A literature search of PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to March 10, 2015. The references of the retrieved articles were also screened. All the statistical analyses were conducted using Review Manager software. The XRCC1 Arg399Gln SNP was found to be associated with increased childhood risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia among Asians under the dominant (odds ratio [OR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50-2.97, P<0.0001), allele contrast (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.33-2.23, P<0.0001), and homozygote contrast (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.25-4.36, P=0.008) models. However, no association was found in Caucasians between the SNP and risk of either chronic myeloid leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia under any contrast model. The findings of the current meta-analysis indicate that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln SNP is a risk factor for childhood lymphoblastic leukemia in Asians.

Edge trimming is commonly used to bring the CFRP components to right dimension and shape in aerospace industries. However, various forms of undesirable machining damage occur frequently which will significantly decrease the material performance of CFRP. The damage is difficult to predict and control due to the complicated changing laws, causing unsatisfactory machining quality of CFRP components. Since the most of damage has the same essence: the fiber-matrix interface cracks, this study aims to calculate the distribution of them in edge trimming of CFRP, thereby to obtain the effects of the machining parameters, which could be helpful to guide the optimal selection of the machining parameters in engineering. Through the orthogonal cutting experiments, the quantitative relation between the fiber-matrix interface crack depth and the fiber cutting angle, cutting depth as well as cutting speed is established. According to the analysis on material removal process on any location of the workpiece in edge trimming, the instantaneous cutting parameters are calculated, and the formation process of the fiber-matrix interface crack is revealed. Finally, the computational method for the fiber-matrix interface cracks in edge trimming of CFRP is proposed. Upon the computational results, it is found that the fiber orientations of CFRP workpieces is the most significant factor on the fiber-matrix interface cracks, which can not only change the depth of them from micrometers to millimeters, but control the distribution image of them. Other machining parameters, only influence the fiber-matrix interface cracks depth but have little effect on the distribution image.

Background: Transcatheter closure of paravalvular leak (PVL) has evolved into an alternative to surgery in high-risk patients. In this study, we introduce a new access for transcatheter closure of PVL and seek to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this access. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing transbrachial access for transcatheter mitral or aortic PVL closure (August 2017–November 2019) at our hospital. All patients underwent puncture of the brachial artery under local anesthesia. Results: The study population included 11 patients, with an average age of 55.91 ± 14.82 years. Ten out of 11 patients were successfully implanted with devices via the brachial artery approach, and one patient was converted to the transseptal approach. The technical success rate of transbrachial access was 90.9%. Mean NYHA functional class improved from 3.1 ± 0.5 before the procedure to 1.9 ± 0.5 after PVL closure. Severe paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) in five patients and moderate PVR in six patients prior to the procedure were significantly reduced to mild in four patients and none in seven patients after the procedure. Complications included one case of pseudoaneurysm and one case of moderate hemolysis aggravation after closure. One patient had an unknown cause of sudden death within 24 h after the procedure. The half-year mortality rate during follow-up was 9.1% (1/11). Conclusions: Transbrachial access for transcatheter closure of PVL may be a feasible and safe treatment and should include well-selected patients. It has several potential advantages of simplifying the procedure process and reducing postprocedural bed rest time.

Background: In this study, we preliminarily investigated the mechanism of Yin-Chai-Xiao-Du decoction for the treatment of COVID-19 by the method of network pharmacology. Methods: The potential targets and pathways of Yin-Chai-Xiao-Du decoction for the treatment of COVID-19 were examined using network pharmacology; the ingredient and active targets of Yin-Chai-Xiao-Du decoction were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and PharmMapper databases; the COVID-19-related targets were obtained from the online Mendelian inheritance in man, GeneCards, and GeneMANIA databases; the STRING database and Cytoscape were used to build a protein-protein interaction network, and a Network Analyzer tool was used to perform topology analysis to screen for the key ingredients and targets; the ClueGO and KOBAS 3.0 databases were for the enrichment analysis of gene function (Gene Oncology) and gene pathway (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes); the herb-ingredient-target-pathway network diagram was constructed by Cytoscape. Results: The core herbs screened by the network pharmacological analysis were Jinyinhua (Lonicerae japonicae flos), Lianqiao (Forsythia suspensa), Chaihu (Bupleuri radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae radix), Yinchen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae), Guanghuoxiang (Pogostemonis herba), Roudoukou (Semen myristicae) and Qinghao (Artemisiae annuae herba). A total of 293 active ingredients were screened by Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, and the key ingredients were quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, and luteolin. Yin-Chai-Xiao-Du decoction has 138 COVID-19-related targets, and the key targets were mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and CC motif ligand 2. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed 120 enriched gene pathways, and the key pathways were signaling by interleukins, immune system, cytokine signaling in the immune system, and the signaling pathways of interleukin-17, tumor necrosis factor, and relaxin. Conclusion: The core herbs of Yin-Chai-Xiao-Du decoction are Jinyinhua (Lonicerae japonicae flos), Lianqiao (Forsythia suspensa), Chaihu (Bupleuri radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae radix), Yinchen (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae), Guanghuoxiang (Pogostemonis herba), Roudoukou (Semen myristicae) and Qinghao (Artemisiae annuae herba). The key ingredients are quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol; the critical targets are luteolin, interleukin-6, mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, tumor necrosis factor, and CC motif ligand 2; and the core signaling pathways are those mediated by interleukin-17, tumor necrosis factor, and relaxin.

Using the CAM3.0 model, we investigated the respective effects of aerosol concentration increasing and decadal variation of global sea surface temperature（SST） around year 1976/77 on the East Asian precipitation in boreal summer. By doubling the concentration of the sulfate aerosol and black carbon aerosol separately and synchronously in East Asia（100-150 °E, 20-50 °N）, the climate effects of these aerosols are specifically investigated. The results show that both the decadal SST changing and aerosol concentration increasing could lead to rainfall decreasing in the center of East Asia, but increasing in the regions along southeast coast areas of China. However, the different patterns of rainfall over ocean and lower wind field over Asian continent between aerosol experiments and SST experiments in CAM3.0 indicate the presence of different mechanisms. In the increased aerosol concentration experiments, scattering effect is the main climate effect for both sulfate and black carbon aerosols in the Eastern Asian summer. Especially in the increased sulfate aerosol concentration experiment, the climate scattering effect of aerosol leads to the most significant temperature decreasing, sinking convection anomalies and decreased rainfall in the troposphere over the central part of East Asia. However, in an increased black carbon aerosol concentration experiment, weakened sinking convection anomalies exist at the southerly position. This weakened sinking and its compensating rising convection anomalies in the south lead to the heavy rainfall over southeast coast areas of China. When concentrations of both sulfate and black carbon aerosols increase synchronously, the anomalous rainfall distribution is somewhat like that in the increased black carbon concentration aerosol experiment but with less intensity.