Boosted photocatalytic performance of OVs-rich BiVO4 hollow microsphere self-assembled with the assistance of SDBS.

In this study, monoclinic phase bismuth vanadate (BiOV4) photocatalyst with unique hollow microsphere morphology was successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method in the existence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). Experimental results show that SDBS definitely changes the microstructure of BiVO4, which is allocated to the template role of SDBS in the preparation process. Moreover, the hydrothermal treatment time is also of crucial importance in affecting the structure and morphology of the photocatalysts, and the optimal hydrothermal treatment time for the formation of hollow microsphere is 24 h. Furthermore, the feasible growth mechanism for hollow microsphere was elaborated. Enriched oxygen vacancies (OVs) are introduced into BiOV4 prepared with SDBS, largely elevating the separation efficiency of photo-generated charges. Under visible light irradiation, the photocatalytic activities of BiOV4 for destruction of rhodamine (RhB) were evaluated. The photocatalytic degradation rate constant of RhB on the 3SBVO is 2.23 times of that on the blank BiOV4 as the mass ratio of SDBS/BiOV4 is 3 %. Photocatalytic degradation mechanism of BiVO4 toward detoxification of organic pollutants was presented.

Ag-Incorporated Polydopamine/Tannic Acid Coating on Titanium With Enhanced Cytocompatible and Antibacterial Properties.

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are the most commonly used materials for bone implants. However, implant failure often happens due to bacterial infection. Developing antibacterial coatings on Ti implants is an effective strategy. Dopamine and tannic acid were cross-linked to form coating on Ti through Michael addition and Schiff base reaction. In addition, the Ag ions were grafted on the coating by the redox reaction of phenolic hydroxyl groups. Thus, an Ag-incorporated polydopamine/tannic acid coating was prepared on Ti substrate. SEM, EDS, water contact angle, FTIR, and XRD results demonstrated that the coating was formed on Ti successfully. The antibacterial activity of the coating against Gram-negative E. coli was examined, and the cytotoxicity of the coating was investigated by mouse fibroblast cells. The improvement of hydrophilicity, good cytocompatibility, and antibacterial effectiveness indicates that the coating has potential to surface modification of Ti implants.

One-dose vaccination associated with attenuated disease severity of adolescent and adult varicella cases in Beijing's Fengtai District.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the number of varicella cases in adults has significantly increased in Beijing. However, the effect of the vaccination on varicella-related characteristics among adults has not been studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using data from the Infectious Disease Reporting System and the Immunization Information System, we compared the epidemiology and disease severity in breakthrough and unvaccinated varicella cases in adolescents and adults (≥ 15 year-old) from 2008 to 2011 in Beijing's Fengtai district, China. The results showed that the age (P = 0.003),contact history (90% vs. 73%, P = 0.019) and outbreak cases (10% vs. 1%, P < 0.0001) were significantly differently distributed between the two groups and that both the incidence of moderate-to-severe cases (26% vs. 45%, P = 0.035, OR = 0.446) and varicella-associated fever (49% vs. 66%, P = 0.068, OR = 0.534) were either significantly lower or trended to be lower in the breakthrough group than in the unvaccinated group. Additionally,vaccine effectiveness against moderate-to-severe cases of varicella was 55.4%. CONCLUSION: Altogether, these results indicate that vaccination against varicella among adolescents and adults affected the epidemiology and attenuated the disease severity of the cases. The Results from this study will provide useful information for the prevention of varicella in adolescents and adults.

The epidemiology of varicella cases among children in Beijing's Fengtai District from 2008 to 2012.

In recent years, the number of breakthrough cases of varicella (onset >42 days after vaccination) increased each year, and varicella outbreaks continue to occur in Beijing. Data from the Immunization Information System and the Infectious Disease Reporting System demonstrated that in Beijing's Fengtai District, the varicella breakthrough rate increased from 0.7% in 2008 to 2.5% in 2012 and showed an increased trend (P<0.001). Among the varicella cases in children (age of 3-15 years), the number of breakthrough cases increased from 167 in 2008 to 622 in 2012, which was 45.2% (n=1735) of the total child cases (n=3842). From 2008 to 2012, a total of 62 outbreaks occurred; among the 787 affected child outbreak cases, 61% were vaccinated. Altogether, the results from this study indicated that 1-dose vaccination cannot sufficiently prevent the occurrence of breakthrough cases of varicella or control varicella outbreaks in Beijing's Fengtai District.