Prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index in critically ill elderly patients with hip fracture: evidence from MIMIC (2008-2019).

Background: The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) showed an extensive link between immunological dysfunction and the activation of systemic inflammation. Several studies have confirmed the application of SII to orthopedic diseases. However, the significance of SII in critically ill elderly individuals with hip fracture who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission is not yet known. This study centered on exploring the relationship between SII and clinical outcomes among critically ill elderly hip fracture individuals. Methods: The study centered around elderly patients experiencing severe illness following hip fractures and requiring admission to the ICU. These patients from the MIMIC-IV database formed the basis of this study's cohort. We stratified them into quartiles according to their SII levels. The results involved the mortality at 30 days and 1 year post-admission. Then we employ Cox proportional hazards regression analysis as well as restricted cubic splines to explore the association between the SII and clinical results in critically ill elderly patients with hip fracture. Results: The study encompassed 991 participants, among whom 63.98% identified as females. Notably, the mortality rates attributed to any cause within 30 days and 1 year after hospitalization stood at 19.68 and 33.40%, respectively. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model disclosed a significant correlation between an elevated SII and all-cause mortality. Following adjustments for confounding variables, individuals with a high SII showed a notable correlation with 30-day mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.065; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.044-1.087; p < 0.001] and 1-year mortality (adjusted HR, 1.051; 95% CI, 1.029-1.074; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis of restricted cubic splines demonstrated a progressive increase in the risk of all-cause death as the SII value rose. Conclusion: Among critically ill elderly patients with hip fracture, the SII exhibits a non-linear association that positively correlates with both 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality rates. The revelation indicates that the SII may play a vital role in identifying patients with hip fractures who face an escalated risk of mortality due to any cause.

Cyclodextrin-induced phase transformation of cesium copper bromide perovskite.

Phase transformation represents a fascinating way to tune the structural and optical properties of metal halide perovskites. Macrocyclic cyclodextrin could trigger transformation of cesium copper bromide, driven by strong interactions of the macrocyclic hydroxyl groups with the perovskite cesium and bromide ions.

Machine-learning-assisted SERS nanosensor platform toward chemical fingerprinting of Baijiu flavors.

A novel fingerprinting platform for multiplex detection of flavor molecules in Baijiu was developed by using a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensor array in combination with machine learning. The SERS sensors were constructed by core-shell Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles modified with molecules carrying end-groups of hydroxyl, pyridyl, methyl, and amino, respectively, which interacted with flavors and led to changes in the sensors' spectra. All the Raman spectra acquired from the nanosensor array contacting with the sample were concatenated into a single SERS super-spectrum, representing the flavor fingerprint which was recognized through machine learning. Principal component analysis, support vector machine, and partial least squares were utilized to build classification and quantitation models for predictive analyses. The SERS nanosensor array was successfully used for fingerprinting ten typical flavors in Baijiu including four esters, three alcohols, and three acids, with an accuracy of 100%, linear detection ranges over two orders of magnitude, and limits of detection ranging from 3.45 × 10-3 mg/L of phenylethyl acetate to 1.21 × 10-2 mg/L of ethyl hexanoate. It was also demonstrated that satisfactory accuracies (recoveries) ranging from 96.2 to 104% and relative standard deviations ranging from 0.65 to 2.78% were obtained for the simultaneous quantification of 3-methylbutyl acetate and phenylethyl acetate in eighteen Baijiu samples of three flavor types including sauce flavor, strong flavor, and light flavor. Compared with the existing detection techniques, this chemical fingerprinting platform is easy to use, highly sensitive, and can perform multiplex detection, which has great potential for practical applications.

Novel Sb-SnO2 Electrode with Ti3+ Self-Doped Urchin-Like Rutile TiO2 Nanoclusters as the Interlayer for the Effective Degradation of Dye Pollutants.

Stable and efficient SnO2 electrodes are very promising for effectively degrading refractory organic pollutants in wastewater treatment. In this regard, we firstly prepared Ti3+ self-doped urchin-like rutile TiO2 nanoclusters (TiO2-x NCs) on a Ti mesh substrate by hydrothermal and electroreduction to serve as an interlayer for the deposition of Sb-SnO2 . The TiO2-x NCs/Sb-SnO2 anode exhibited a high oxygen evolution potential (2.63 V vs. SCE) and strong ⋅OH generation ability for the enhanced amount of absorbed oxygen species. Thus, the degradation results demonstrated its good rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue (MB), alizarin yellow R (AYR), and methyl orange (MO) removal performance, with the rate constant increased 5.0, 1.9, 1.9, and 4.7 times, respectively, compared to the control Sb-SnO2 electrode. RhB and AYR degradation mechanisms are also proposed based on the results of high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and quenching experiments. More importantly, this unique rutile interlayer prolonged the anode lifetime sixfold, given its good lattice match with SnO2 and the three-dimensional concave-convex structure. Consequently, this work paves a new way for designing the crystal form and structure of the interlayers to obtain efficient and stable SnO2 electrodes for addressing dye wastewater problems.

When MXene (Ti3C2Tx) meet Ti/PbO2: An improved electrocatalytic activity and stability.

Stable electrode materials with high catalytic activity are urgently required for electrochemical degradation of refractory organic pollutants in wastewater treatment. Herein, high conductive MXene (Ti3C2Tx) was firstly fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) as an interlayer for preparing a novel PbO2 electrode. The well-conducted Ti3C2Tx interlayer significantly improved the electrochemical performance of the EPD-2.0/PbO2 (EPD time was 2.0 min) electrode with the charge transfer resistance decreased by 9.51 times, the inner active sites increased by 5.21 times and the ∙OH radicals generation ability enhanced by 4.07 times than the control EPD-0/PbO2 anode. Consequently, the EPD-2.0/PbO2 electrode achieved nearly 100% basic fuchsin (BF) and 86.78% COD removal efficiency after 3.0 h electrolysis. Therefore, this new PbO2 electrode presented a promising potential for electrochemical degradation of BF and the new Ti3C2Tx middle layer could also be used to fabricate other efficient and stable anodes, such as SnO2, MnO2, TiO2, etc.

Higher quantum efficiency and moisture resistance of all-inorganic halide perovskite nanocrystal films in situ fabricated with cyclodextrin.

Supermolecule ß-cyclodextrin was used to assist CsPbBr3 film fabrication. In situ growth of nanocrystals was effectively confined through strong interactions between perovskite Pb2+ ions and ß-CD hydroxyl groups, producing a compact and smooth film. The quantum efficiency achieved was 85.3% with a moisture resistance over months, exceeding the record of perovskite films.

Exploration of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites for surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy of small molecules.

The organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites efficiently enhance the infrared absorption of small molecules. It is suggested that the quantum wells of perovskites enable the electrons of the perovskites to be excited by light in the infrared region. The exploration has opened a new path for chemical sensing through infrared spectroscopy.

Implementation of an automatic and miniature on-line multi-parameter water quality monitoring system and experimental determination of chemical oxygen demand and ammonia-nitrogen.

An automatic, miniature and multi-parameter on-line water quality monitoring system based on a micro-spectrometer is designed and implemented. The system is integrated with the flow-batch analysis and spectrophotometric detection method. The effectiveness of the system is tested by measuring chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia-nitrogen in water. The results show that the modified system provides a cost-effective, sensitive, reproducible and reliable way to measure COD and ammonia-nitrogen in water samples with automatic operation and low toxic chemical consumption. In addition, the experiment results show that the relative error of the system is less than 10%, the limit of detection is 2 mg/L COD and 0.032 mg/L ammonia-nitrogen, respectively, and the relative standard deviation was 6.6% at 15.0 mg/L COD (n = 7) and 5.0% at 0.300 mg/L ammonia-nitrogen (n = 7). Results from the newly designed system are consistent with the data collected through the Chinese national standard analysis methods.

Plasmonic swings during the Fenton reaction: catalytic sensing of organics in water via fullerene-decorated gold nanoparticles.

Fullerene-decorated gold nanoparticles were used to catalyse the Fenton reaction and the electron transfer cycle of the catalyst shifts the gold surface plasmon resonance back and forth. The plasmonic swing frequency is in accord with the redox reaction rate and could be applied for detection of organics in water.

[Rapid determination of total phosphorus by ultrasonic assisted sample digestion-spectrum analysis].

Aiming at the technological shortage of national standard method for the determination of total phosphorus, a rapid determination method of total phosphorus based on ultrasonic assisted sample digestion-spectrum analysis was put forward, and the on-line analysis experiment system was designed. Relying on the experiment system, the experimental method and technology was studied. In view of the actual environmental water samples, contrast test experiment with the national standard method for determination method of total phosphorus was carried on. The experimental results showed that the digestion rate of ultrasonic assisted sample digestion using fenton reagents could reach 97%-100% in 13.5 minutes, and the determination method could complete one copy of sample analysis within 16 minutes. This determination method can solve national standard method's technical problems. All of this research work provides the important experimental basis and technical support for the development of the rapid on-line monitoring instrument for determination of total phosphorus.

[Simultaneous detection of phenol and anionic surfactant in water based on continuous spectrum].

Phenol and anionic surfactant are important indices for water-quality. Based on improvement and optimization of standard methods (spectrophotometry) for the two indices, we integrated the respective two color-extractants into a composited reagent. Using a self-developed microspectrometer with a design of splitting behind and collection of continuous spectrum signal (340-770 nm) in real time, a compound detection system was constructed. This system could simultaneously detect phenol and anionic surfactant in water without chemical and spectral interferences, leading to great decreases in reagent amount and detection time. The detection limits for phenol and anionic surfactant are 0. 003 and 0.016 mg x L(-1), respectively. This method was applied to water-quality monitoring of real samples in comparison with standard methods, and the results indicated that its reproducibility (relative standard deviation, n=5) and accuracy (relative error to results by standard methods) were less than 5%, contenting with the related standard.

Intracellular delivery of a membrane-impermeable enzyme in active form using functionalized gold nanoparticles.

Gold nanoparticles were coated with a short peptide to promote intracellular delivery of membrane-impermeable proteins. Through microscopy and enzyme assays, we demonstrated the particles were able to transport functional enzymes into a variety of cell lines. Significantly, the transported proteins were able to escape from endosomes. Moreover, these particles showed no apparent cytotoxicity.

Determination of myriocin in natural and cultured Cordyceps cicadae using 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-detection.

A simple and sensitive reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method, based on the precolumn derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate, was developed for the determination of myriocin. The derivatization reaction was performed in organic solvents of pyridine and tetrahydrofuran at 40 degrees C. Several factors influencing the derivative yield were investigated and optimized. The formed derivative was stable for more than 24 h at room temperature. The detection wavelength was 262 nm. The system offered the following analytical parameters: the limit of detection was 0.045 microg ml(-1), the linear correlation coefficient was 0.9963 and the linear range response was from 2.0 to 500.0 microg ml(-1). The precision of the method was <2.0%. As a preliminary application, the method has been successfully applied to the determination of myriocin in natural and cultured Cordyceps cicadae.

Catalytic microcapsules assembled from enzyme-nanoparticle conjugates at oil-water interfaces.

Involuntary association: Anionic beta-galactosidase enzymes associate with positively charged Au nanoparticles to produce reduced-charge conjugates, which assemble at oil-water interfaces to result in stable microcapsules (see picture). The microcapsules were formed quickly and showed high enzymatic activity, which makes them promising materials for biotechnology applications.

Disruption of HepG2 cell adhesion by gold nanoparticle and Paclitaxel disclosed by in situ QCM measurement.

Cell adhesion is a crucial issue for cytotoxicity or anticancer effectiveness for tumor cells. However, how both nanoparticles and drugs affect cell adhesion has not yet been defined. Herein, we report for the first time that gold nanoparticles and Paclitaxel can disrupt adhesion, as well as enhance apoptosis of HepG2 cell individually and synergistically, as observed by in situ measurement using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). It was also found by MTT assay that gold nanoparticles of low cellular cytotoxicity enhance the antiproliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cell induced by Paclitaxel. Those findings would be of great potential for biomedical application of nanoparticles.

[A new real-time method monitoring behaviors of living cells in vitro-PCC].

A method combinating piezoelectric-biochip technique with cell culture technique in vitro has been developed. Piezoelectric cell-based chip (PCC) can continously monitor the behaviors of living cells attached to or spreaded on surfaces. The method measures the resonant frequency (f), the dissipation energy (D) and impedance (Z), in real time. These multi parameters can inflect information of cells qualitively and quantitively. This paper covers principle, materials and methods, results and discussion of the new technique, simultaniously indicates its application and trends.

[Current reviews in aptamers].

Aptamers are oligo-nucleotides which are selected by SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) in vitro, it can bind protein or other small molecules with high specificity and affinity. Researches on aptamers have achieved much progress in biosensor, drug development and nano technology. This article has reviewed the researches and applications of aptamers in the past two years.

Highly reproducible hybridization assay of zeptomole DNA based on adsorption of nanoparticle-bioconjugate.

A nanoparticle-bioconjugate was formed by homogeneous hybridization of one polynucleotide target with two oligonucleotide probes labelled by thiol and a nanoparticle, respectively. Deposition of the nanoparticle-bioconjugate on a gold surface by thiol-gold reaction was monitored in situ by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and applied for flow analysis of zeptomole amounts of polynucleotide. The formation in solution and adsorption of thiolated conjugates on gold could be fast, uniform and effective, and has been successfully exploited to construct a highly reproducible and sensitive platform for detection of target sequences. Being more rapid, reproducible, sensitive and amenable to automation than previously reported microgravimetric hybridization assays, this technology has great promise for practical applications in molecular diagnostics.