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Herein, a new high entropy material is reported, i.e., a noble metal‐free high entropy glycerate (HEG), synthesized via a simple solvothermal process. The HEG consists of 5 different metals of Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, and Mn. The unique glycerate structure exhibits an excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with a low overpotential of 229 and 278 mV at current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, in 1 m KOH electrolyte, outperforming its subsystems of binary‐, ternary‐, and quaternary‐metal glycerates. The HEG also shows outstanding stability and durability in the alkaline electrolyte. The result demonstrates the significance of synergistic effect that gives additional freedoms to modify the electronic structure and coordination environment. Moreover, HEG@HEG electrolyzer shows a good overall water splitting performance and durability, requiring a cell voltage of 1.63 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Noble metal‐free high entropy glycerate (HEG) shows robust electrolytic activity and excellent electrochemical stability for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The OER performance of the HEG is better than its subsystems of quaternary‐, ternary‐, and binary‐metal glycerates. The excellent catalytic activity is attributed to the synergistic effects; while the excellent electrochemical stability is ascribed to the high entropy configuration.

Layer-by-layer gold nanoparticles are used to generate photocurrent in an environmentally-friendly plasmon-sensitized solar cell towing to surface plasmon resonance. The efficiency of the photoelectric conversion of gold nanoparticle layers is increased as the intensity of surface plasmon resonance increases. We also explain the experimental results by modeling the phenomenon of charge separation and photocurrent formation, and the relationship between surface plasmon resonance and photocurrent formation, which has potential application in plasmon-sensitized solar cells and plasmonic solar cells in the future. Plasmonic solar cells: increasing efficiency The efficiency of a plasmon-sensitized solar cell can be improved by depositing gold nanoparticles on the cell’s surface. Achieving a high energy-conversion efficiency—the percentage of incident solar energy converted into electrical energy—is the primary goal for any solar cell technology. Yen-Hsun Su and colleagues at National Dong Hwa University in Hualien have now demonstrated that depositing multiple layers of gold nanoparticles on the surface of a plasmon-sensitized solar cell increases the amount of light scattered across its surface, boosting the amount of light absorbed and thus improving its efficiency. Once optimized, such gold-covered plasmonic solar cells have the potential to replace the more popular dye-sensitized solar cells.

Background Dry eye is one of the most common ophthalmic conditions and can significantly impact quality of life. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a major cause of evaporative dry eye. We sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence and incidence of dry eye and MGD in Central and South America and to identify factors associated with disease burden. Methods Data sources Ovid MEDLINE and Embase. Study selection A search conducted on August 16, 2021, identified studies published between January 1, 2010, and August 16, 2021, with no restrictions regarding participant age or language of publication. Case reports, case series, case–control studies, and interventional studies were excluded. Data extraction and synthesis The review was based on a protocol registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021256934). Risk of bias was assessed in duplicate using a risk of bias tool designed for the purposes of descriptive epidemiological studies. Data were extracted by one investigator and verified by another for accuracy. Prevalence of dry eye and MGD were grouped based on study participant characteristics. Main outcomes and measures Prevalence and incidence of dry eye and MGD in Central and South America. Summary estimates from meta-analysis with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Fourteen studies (11,594 total participants) were included. The population prevalence of dry eye was 13% (95% CI, 12%-14%) in Brazil and 41% (95% CI, 39%-44%) in Mexico based on one study each. Meta-analyses suggested that dry eye prevalence was 70% among indoor workers (95% CI, 56%-80%; I 2 , 82%; 3 studies), 71% among students (95% CI, 65%-77%; I 2 , 92%; 3 studies), and 83% in general ophthalmology clinics (95% CI, 77%-88%; I 2 , 88%; 2 studies). MGD prevalence ranged from 23% among indoor workers (95% CI, 16%-31%; 1 study) to 68% in general ophthalmology clinics (95% CI, 62%-72%; 1 study). No studies reported incidence of dry eye or MGD. Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated considerable variation in the published prevalence of dry eye and MGD among the general population and subpopulations in Central and South America. Local and subpopulation estimates of dry eye disease burden may be valuable to assist needs assessments and implementation of measures to mitigate the condition.

Background Despite potential benefit, outpatient use of topical ophthalmic anesthetics can result in poor healing, infection, scar, and blindness. An unbiased analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is needed to examine their effectiveness and safety compared with placebo or other treatments for corneal abrasions. Methods Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase.com, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched on February 10, 2023, without restriction on language or publication date. The published review protocol served as registration. Results Systematic review and meta-analysis of nine RCTs describing 314 participants with post-traumatic abrasions and 242 participants with post-surgical abrasions, with a median study length of 7 days (interquartile range, 7–14), show no evidence of a difference in pain control between anesthetics and placebo at 24 h in post-trauma cases. Self-reported pain at 24 h is reduced with anesthetics plus topical nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug in post-surgical participants (mean difference [MD], −5.72 on a 10-point scale; 95% CI, −7.35 to −4.09; 1 RCT; 30 participants) and at 48 h with anesthetics alone in post-trauma participants (MD, −5.68; 95% CI, −6.38 to −4.98; 1 RCT; 111 participants). Anesthetics are associated with 37% increased risk of non-healing defects (risk ratio, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.78 to 2.42; 3 RCTs; 221 post-trauma participants). All evidence is of very low certainty. Over 50% of trials have an overall high risk of bias. Conclusions Available evidence is insufficient to support outpatient use of topical anesthetics for corneal abrasions with respect to pain, re-epithelialization, and complication risk. Plain language summary The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped structure within the eye that covers the colored part of the eye. It is one of the most pain-sensitive tissues in the body and damage to the top layer of the cornea is the cause of over 10% of all eye-related visits to emergency rooms in the USA. This layer is also removed in some eye surgeries. Topical anesthetic drops can be used as a treatment however, they can be habit-forming and can cause corneal scar or blindness. We analyzed 9 randomized controlled trials and found that topical anesthetics were not shown to reduce pain, improve healing, or decrease the chance of complication compared with placebo. We thus do not recommend their use to treat corneal damage. Leslie et al. assessed the evidence available in randomized controlled trials on outpatient treatment of corneal abrasions using topical anesthetic agents. They found the evidence regarding the effects of topical anesthetics on pain, re-epithelialization, or complication risk is insufficient to recommend its outpatient use.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are difficult to treat and associated with poor healing outcomes. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and exercise have shown individual benefits, but evidence on their combined effects is limited. Objective: To evaluate whether PBMT combined with resistance exercise improves wound healing and walking ability in patients with DFU and PAD. Methods: In this pilot randomized trial, 11 patients with DFU and PAD were allocated to either PBMT plus supervised exercise or exercise alone for 4 weeks. Outcome measures included wound size, skin temperature, and 6-min walking distance. Results: PBMT combined with exercise improved wound healing and walking capacity compared with baseline; however, no significant between-group differences were observed. A positive correlation was observed between post-PBMT plantar skin temperature and percentage of wound reduction. Conclusions: PBMT combined with resistance exercise may enhance wound healing and functional mobility in patients with DFU and PAD.

Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonosis. Chronic human infection and asymptomatic colonization have been reported. However, renal involvement in those with leptospira chronic exposure remains undetermined. In 2007, a multistage sampling survey for chronic kidney disease (CKD) was conducted in a southern county of Taiwan, an area with a high prevalence of dialysis. Additionally, an independent cohort of 88 participants from a leptospira-endemic town was followed for two years after a flooding in 2009. Risks of CKD, stages of CKD, associated risk factors as well as kidney injury markers were compared among adults with anti-leptospira antibody as defined by titers of microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Of 3045 survey participants, the individuals with previous leptospira exposure disclosed a lower level of eGFR (98.3 ± 0.4 vs 100.8 ± 0.6 ml/min per 1.73 m2, P < 0.001) and a higher percentage of CKD, particularly at stage 3a-5 (14.4% vs 8.5%), than those without leptospira exposure. Multivariable linear regression analyses indicated the association of leptospiral infection and lower eGFR (95% CI -4.15 to -1.93, P < 0.001). In a leptospiral endemic town, subjects with a MAT titer ≥ 400 showed a decreased eGFR and higher urinary kidney injury molecule-1 creatinine ratio (KIM1/Cr) level as compared with those having lower titers of MAT (P < 0.05). Furthermore, two participants with persistently high MAT titers had positive urine leptospira DNA and deteriorating renal function. Our data are the first to show that chronic human exposure of leptospirosis is associated significantly with prevalence and severity of CKD and may lead to deterioration of renal function. This study also shed light on the search of underlying factors in areas experiencing CKD of unknown aetiology (CKDu) such as Mesoamerican Nephropathy.

Background Pan-cancer studies have disclosed many commonalities and differences in mutations, copy number variations, and gene expression alterations among cancers. Some of these features are significantly associated with clinical outcomes, and many prognosis-predictive biomarkers or biosignatures have been proposed for specific cancer types. Here, we systematically explored the biological functions and the distribution of survival-related genes (SRGs) across cancers. Results We carried out two different statistical survival models on the mRNA expression profiles in 33 cancer types from TCGA. We identified SRGs in each cancer type based on the Cox proportional hazards model and the log-rank test. We found a large difference in the number of SRGs among different cancer types, and most of the identified SRGs were specific to a particular cancer type. While these SRGs were unique to each cancer type, they were found mostly enriched in cancer hallmark pathways, e.g., cell proliferation, cell differentiation, DNA metabolism, and RNA metabolism. We also analyzed the association between cancer driver genes and SRGs and did not find significant over-representation amongst most cancers. Conclusions In summary, our work identified all the SRGs for 33 cancer types from TCGA. In addition, the pan-cancer analysis revealed the similarities and the differences in the biological functions of SRGs across cancers. Given the potential of SRGs in clinical utility, our results can serve as a resource for basic research and biotech applications.