Reversal of hepatorenal syndrome and kidney recovery: When renal has more to offer.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is one of the most severe complications in advanced cirrhosis. Type-1 HRS is relatively uncommon, yet carries considerably higher mortality rate. Effective treatment for HRS, especially therapy towards survival benefits, is still limited. However, the role for dialysis in HRS has been questioned over the years. The initiation of dialysis remains controversial for those who aren't transplant candidates. Meanwhile, there's a growing attention towards the successful use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in cirrhotic patients. Herein, we report a case of HRS-1 in a 76-year-old male patient with decompensated cirrhosis. Through a series of adjustments of hemodialysis regimens and pharmacological prescriptions, patient stabilized and the opportunity for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) insertion was gained. PD was initiated after TIPS placement. With a gradual decrease of dialysis dose, patient successfully weaned off PD and achieved both reversal of HRS and kidney recovery. Markedly improved nutritional status and quality of life were reported. The potential role of dialysis and TIPS in HRS may be worth revisiting. Further studies regarding the optimal timing of dialysis initiation, choices of dialysis modality, and efficacy of dialysis therapy in combination with TIPS in HRS patients are warranted.

Infection Control Precautions and Care Delivery in Hemodialysis Unit during Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: With an estimated basic reproductive number of 3.77, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread. It is urgent to exert adequate efforts for the management of dialysis patients, caregivers, and healthcare personnel (HCP). This study aimed at reporting practical workflow, identification of high-risk or suspected cases of CO-VID-19, and subsequent response measures. METHODS: At the time of the COVID-19 outbreak, precautions and practice protocols were applied in our dialysis units (DUs). This single-center study retrospectively reviewed all high-risk/suspected cases from January 23, 2020, to February 10, 2020. Epidemiological, clinical feature, and detailed data on all cases were recorded. RESULTS: Practical workflow for the clinical management of dialysis patients, caregivers, and HCP was initiated. A total of 6 high-risk/suspected cases were identified. Female gender, older age, presence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, anuresis, immunocompromised status, hypoalbuminemia, and underweight were noticeable features in these cases. Direct evidence of infection or epidemiological risk was detected in five cases. Close monitoring for temperature and oxygen saturation during hemodialysis sessions may be reasonable. No confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in our DU, but certain cases showed rapid deterioration due to other critically severe condition needing hospitalization. Portable dialysis machines are of great need to ensure dialysis care provision. CONCLUSIONS: Our study described a practical workflow for patient-centered management during COVID-19 outbreak. Potential risk factors and underlying clinical patterns were reported. Further studies regarding the efficacy of infection control precautions and practice protocols tailored for dialysis settings are warranted.

A predictive model for astringency based on in vitro interactions between salivary proteins and (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate.

Astringency is an important quality attribute of green tea infusion, and (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main contributor to astringency. Turbidity was used to predict the intensity of astringency for EGCG. The interactions between the selected proteins and EGCG, and the impacts of temperature, pH, protein structure, and EGCG concentration were studied. Mucin was selected as the protein in study for the prediction of EGCG astringency intensity. A predictive model (R2 = 0.994) was developed based on the relationship between the astringency of EGCG and the turbidity of EGCG/mucin mixtures at pH 5.0 and 37 °C. The fluorescence quenching analyses showed the interactions between EGCG and the selected proteins, which induced the reversible protein molecule conformational changes. The interactions were considered as the main reason that causes the astringency of tea infusions. The results provided a biochemical approach to explore the sensory qualities of green tea.

UV-Stable and Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells by Employing Wide Band gap NaTaO3 as an Electron-Transporting Layer.

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) still suffer from stability issues which are caused by possible erosions from moisture, ultraviolet (UV) light, heat, and so forth. An electron-transporting layer (ETL), that is, TiO2, is a key component for state-of-the-art PSCs. However, UV-caused desorption of O2- in TiO2 would accelerate the degradation of PSCs. Herein, we explored perovskite oxide, NaTaO3, for the first time as an alternative ETL in PSCs. NaTaO3 as an ETL can effectively avoid the damage from UV irradiation, inhibit the degradation of the perovskite layer, and improve the overall stability of the PSC. PSCs fabricated with NaTaO3 yielded a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.07% with a retention of more than 80% of this initial PCE after 240 min UV irradiation in air while the reference device with a PCE of 20.16% can only retain about 53% of its initial PCE after the same testing condition. The developed stable perovskite oxide material of NaTaO3 provides the diversification of electron-selective contact for highly efficient and stable PSCs.

Development of antibacterial ε-polylysine/chitosan hybrid films and the effect on citrus.

In this study, the ε-polylysine (PL)/chitosan (CS) composite films with the PL concentration of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5% and 7% were prepared via casting method. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), mechanical and antibacterial properties of PL/CS composite films, as well as the effect of PL/CS coatings on citrus were observed. FTIR spectra suggested that there was no strong hydrogen bond between CS and PL. SEM images indicated that the film surface was smooth and the addition of PL to chitosan lead to more holes. The tensile strength was deceasing and the elongation at break of the films was elevating with the increase of PL content. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli of PL/CS composite films was enhanced with increasing of PL content. Furthermore, it was found that the PL/CS coatings inhibited efficiently the decline of total soluble solids (TSS), ascorbic acid content and reduced the disease incidence of citrus, compared with the control. Also the disease incidence of citrus was decreasing with the increase of PL content. However, the weight loss did not show significant differences between the coated citrus and control during the whole storage period.

Pb-Sn-Cu Ternary Organometallic Halide Perovskite Solar Cells.

Exploiting organic/inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with reduced Pb content is very important for developing environment-friendly photovoltaics. Utilizing of Pb-Sn alloying perovskite is considered as an efficient route to reduce the risk of ecosystem pollution. However, the trade-off between device performance and Sn substitution ratio due to the instability of Sn2+ is a current dilemma. Here, for the first time, the highly efficient Pb-Sn-Cu ternary PSCs are reported by partial replacing of PbI2 with SnI2 and CuBr2 . Sn2+ substitution results in a redshift of the absorption onset, whereas worsens the film quality. Interestingly, Cu2+ introduction can passivate the trap sites at the crystal boundaries of Pb-Sn perovskites effectively. Consequently, a power conversion efficiency as high as 21.08% in inverted planar Pb-Sn-Cu ternary PSCs is approached. The finding opens a new route toward the fabrication of high efficiency Pb-Sn alloying perovskite solar cells by Cu2+ passivation.

A newly designed molecule J2326 for Alzheimer's disease disaggregates amyloid fibrils and induces neurite outgrowth.

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by deposition of ß-amyloid (Aß) fibrils accompanied with progressive neurite loss. None of the clinically approved anti-Alzheimer's agents target both pathological processes. We hypothesized that conjugation of a metal chelator to destabilize Aß fibrils (fAßs) and a long-chain fatty alcohol to induce neurite outgrowth may generate a novel molecular scaffold that targets both pathologies. The hydroxyalkylquinoline J2326 was designed and synthesized by joining an 11-carbon alcohol to 5-chloro-8-methoxyquinoline at the 2-position and its anti-neurodegenerative potentials in vitro and in vivo were characterized. It attenuated fAß formation and disaggregated the existing fAß zinc-dependently as well as zinc-independently. It also triggered extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent neurite outgrowth and increased synaptic activity in neuronal cells. In fAß-driven neurodegeneration in vitro, J2326 reversed neurite collapse and neurotoxicity. These roles of J2326 were also demonstrated in vivo and were pivotal to the observed improvement in memory of mice with hippocampal fAß lesions. These results show that the effectiveness of J2326 on fAß-driven neurodegeneration is ascribed to its novel scaffold. This might give clues to evolving attractive therapy for future clinical trials.

[Phosphorus pollution of the sediment from Hangzhou urban river and hydraulic simulation of phosphorus release].

The phosphorus pollution of the sediment from Dongxin River, an urban river in Hangzhou, was surveyed. Phosphorus release under various flow velocity (0.002-0.02 m x s(-1)), quality of overlying water (the total phosphorus concentration: 0.18, 0.072 and 0.007 mg x L(-1)), depth of overlying water (5, 10 cm) were carefully studied in a hydraulic simulation setup. The results indicate that phosphorus was feasible to release from the sediment with high ratio of water content (40.09%-68.57%) under alkali condition (pH 7.2-8.3). The phosphorus release was also influenced by high content of phosphorus (1.04-2.51 g x kg(-1)) in the sediment. Phosphorus release was mainly in the form of suspended solid under dynamic hydraulic condition, and depended definitely on flow velocity. The release rate reached 147.36 g x (m2 x h)(-1), which approached the maximum value, at flow velocity 0.008 m x s(-1) (i.e. 0.05 m x s(-1) in archetype). Phosphorus release, especially the initial release rate, was obviously affected by the quality of overlying water. Phosphorus tended to release under river water than tap water. However, the depth of overlying water had little influence on phosphorus release in shallow water. Therefore, it is possible to restrain or enhance phosphorus release by adjusting the hydraulic conditions and the quality of overlying water.