Facilely Prepared Carbon Dots as Effective Anode Modifier for Enhanced Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for obtaining energy in wastewater. Effective extracellular electron transfer is one of the key factors for its practical application. In this work, carbon dots (CDs) enriched with oxygen-containing groups on the surface were synthesized as an efficient anode modifier using a simple hydrothermal method and common reactants. The experimental findings indicated that anodes modified with CDs exhibited increased electrical conductivity and greater hydrophilicity. These modifications facilitated increased microorganism loading and contributed to enhancing electrochemical processes within the anode biofilm. The CD-modified MFCs exhibited higher maximum power density (661.1 ± 42.6 mW·m-2) and open-circuit voltage (534.50 ± 6.4 mV), which were significantly better than those of the blank group MFCs (484.1 ± 14.1 mW·m-2 and 447.50 ± 12.1 mV). The use of simple carbon materials to improve the microbial loading on the MFCs anode and the electron transfer between the microbial-electrode may provide a new idea for the design of efficient MFCs.

Regulating the Electronic Structure of Cu-Nx Active Sites for Efficient and Durable Oxygen Reduction Catalysis to Improve Microbial Fuel Cell Performance.

The efficient and durable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst is of great significance to boost power generation and pollutant degradation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Although transition metal-nitrogen-codoped carbon materials are an important class of ORR catalysts, copper-nitrogen-codoped carbon is not considered a suitable MFC cathode catalyst due to the insufficient performance and especially instability. Herein, we report a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous copper, nitrogen, and boron codoped carbon (3DHP Cu-N/B-C) catalyst synthesized by the dual template method. The introduced B atom as an electron donor increases the electron density around the Cu-Nx active site, which significantly promotes the efficiency of the ORR process and stabilizes the active site by preventing demetallization. Thus, the 3DHP Cu-N/B-C catalyst exhibited excellent ORR performance with the half-wave potential of 0.83 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)) in a 0.1 M KOH electrolyte and 0.68 V (vs RHE) in a 50 mM PBS electrolyte. Meanwhile, 3DHP Cu-N/B-C had satisfactory stability with 94.16% current retention after 24 h of chronoamperometry test, which is better than that of 20% Pt/C. The MFCs using 3DHP Cu-N/B-C not only showed a maximum power density of up to 760.14 ± 19.03 mW m-2 but also operating durability of more than 50 days. Moreover, the 16S rDNA sequencing results presented that the 3DHP Cu-N/B-C catalyst had a positive effect on the microbial community of the MFC with more anaerobic electroactive bacteria in the anode biofilm and fewer aerobic bacteria in the cathode biofilm. This study provides a new approach for the development of Cu-based ORR electrocatalysts as well as guidance for the rational design of high-performance MFCs.

[Retrospective Analysis of Serological Characteristics and Distribution of Patients with Mimicking Antibodies].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the characteristics of patients with mimicking specificity autoantibodies through the analysis of the causes of autoantibodies, specificity of antibodies, strategy of blood transfusion, effect of transfusion and distribution of antibodies in China and abroad. METHODS: A total of 23 patients who applied for blood in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2019 were identified as mimicking specificity autoantibodies by antibody identification or absorption-elution test. The causes of mimicking specificity autoantibodies, antibody specificity, blood transfusion strategy and blood transfusion effect were analyzed. The relevant articles on antibodies published in China and abroad were summarized and sorted out, and the distribution of antibodies was analyzed. RESULTS: All the 23 patients with mimicking specificity autoantibodies were Rh blood group system antibodies, of which mimicking anti-Ce autoantibodies were the most common (34.8%), followed by mimicking anti-e autoantibodies (26.1%), mimicking anti-D autoantibodies (21.7%), mimicking anti-C autoantibodies (8.7%) and mimicking anti-E autoantibodies (8.7%). Except for 2 cases with suspected history of blood transfusion, the other 21 cases had a history of blood transfusion / pregnancy. The most common cause of mimicking autoantibodies was drug, followed by infection and autoimmune diseases. The hemoglobin (Hb) of pretransfusion in the blood transfusion group was (48.4±23.9) g/L, which was significantly lower than (86.0±38.9) g/L in the non-transfusion group (P<0.01). Except for 2 cases who could not evaluate the effect of blood transfusion, the effective rate of transfusion was 100%. According to the retrospective statistics of 32 related articles published in China and abroad, the most type of mimicking antibodies were in Rh blood group system, accounting for 79.28%, among which anti-E was the main part of all mimicking autoantibodies, accounting for 21.95%. The following ones were in Kidd system MNSs system, and Kell system. CONCLUSION: Combined with the clinical symptoms and the degree of difficulty of blood matching, the best strategy of blood transfusion should be selected to ensure the safety of blood transfusion.

Intelligent prediction of RBC demand in trauma patients using decision tree methods.

BACKGROUND: The vital signs of trauma patients are complex and changeable, and the prediction of blood transfusion demand mainly depends on doctors' experience and trauma scoring system; therefore, it cannot be accurately predicted. In this study, a machine learning decision tree algorithm [classification and regression tree (CRT) and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)] was proposed for the demand prediction of traumatic blood transfusion to provide technical support for doctors. METHODS: A total of 1371 trauma patients who were diverted to the Emergency Department of the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2014 to January 2018 were collected from an emergency trauma database. The vital signs, laboratory examination parameters and blood transfusion volume were used as variables, and the non-invasive parameters and all (non-invasive + invasive) parameters were used to construct an intelligent prediction model for red blood cell (RBC) demand by logistic regression (LR), CRT and XGBoost. The prediction accuracy of the model was compared with the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: For non-invasive parameters, the LR method was the best, with an AUC of 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.657-0.775], which was higher than the CRT (AUC 0.69, 95% CI 0.633-0.751) and the XGBoost (AUC 0.71, 95% CI 0.654-0.756, P < 0.05). The trauma location and shock index are important prediction parameters. For all the prediction parameters, XGBoost was the best, with an AUC of 0.94 (95% CI 0.893-0.981), which was higher than the LR (AUC 0.80, 95% CI 0.744-0.850) and the CRT (AUC 0.82, 95% CI 0.779-0.853, P < 0.05). Haematocrit (Hct) is an important prediction parameter. CONCLUSIONS: The classification performance of the intelligent prediction model of red blood cell transfusion in trauma patients constructed by the decision tree algorithm is not inferior to that of the traditional LR method. It can be used as a technical support to assist doctors to make rapid and accurate blood transfusion decisions in emergency rescue environment, so as to improve the success rate of patient treatment.

[Detection of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Induced by Salvianolate and Evaluation of Blood Transfusion Efficacy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of autoimmune hemolytic anemia caused by salvianolate by antibody detection and clinical index monitoring. METHODS: Micro-column gel anti-human globulin method was used for irregular antibody screening and antibody identification. Salvianolate, sodium creatine phosphate and levocarnitine were used to sensitize red blood cells that were compatible with the patient's plasma, and the RBCs were used to test drug antibody in patient plasma respectively. The patient's clinical examination of hemolysis index and blood transfusion effect were analyed retrospectively. RESULTS: The patients were positive for irregular antibody screening, and there were antoanti-Ce antibodies in serum. The erythrocytes sensitized with salvianolate in the patient's serum were positive, while those sensitized with sodium creatine phosphate and levocarnitine were negative. CONCLUSION: Salvianolate causes drug-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia in this patient.

A novel recycling system for nano-magnetic molecular imprinting immobilised cellulases: Synergistic recovery of anthocyanin from fruit and vegetable waste.

Fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) is become a serious problem in developing countries. Enzymolysis is a potentially useful method for the treatment of FVW. In the present study, novel recycled magnetic molecular imprinting immobilised cellulases were prepared based on magnetic modified chitosan (MCTS) and Fe3O4. The properties of obtained were characterised by IR and grain-size measurements. Evaluation of a single factor affecting the loading efficiency of supports and the mixed immobilised enzymes showed better capacity than single immobilised, or free, enzymes. The immobilisation process could improve cellulase stability and repeatability of the method. Meanwhile, the kinetic parameters were also verified. The immobilised enzymes retained most of their capacity after 60days' storage while free enzymes lost it within 30days. Tests showed that the immobilised enzymes developed excellent capacity and five anthocyanins were collected.

[Effect of 25 Gy (60)Co Irradiation on the Physico-chemical Property and Functions of the Platelets During Storage].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the 25 Gy 6°Co irradiation on the physiological and biochemical properties and the functions of the platelets during storage. METHODS: A total of 15 bags of platelets were apheresis-collected from 15 healthy donors, and each bag of platelets were divided into 2 parts, then the platelets were divided into the control group (without 25 Gy 6°Co irradiation) and the irradiated group (with 25 Gy 6°Co irradiation) groups. The two groups of platelets were kept under the condition of (22 ± 2) °C and shaken. The Platelet count and pH value were detected on the d 1, d 2, d 3, d 4 and d 5. The variables such as R, K values, α angle and maximal amplitude (MA) were measured by thrombelastography on the same days. Hypotonic shock response (HSR), morphological score were devised. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant difference in Plt counts, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribute width (PDW) and pH between the two groups (P > 0.05), and Plt count decreased on the end of storage. There were no marked changes in HSR level and morphological score between the two groups during storage, and there were no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the TEG analysis there were no significant difference of the R, K, α angle and MA values between the two groups (P > 0.05). R value showed upward trend increased along with prolongation of preserved time (P < 0.01), no significant changes in α angle (P > 0.05), K value was slightly higher and MA value was lower in the last day of storage than the days 1-4 (P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: 25 Gy 6°Co gamma-ray irradiation can not damage the physiological, biochemical properties and the functions of the platelets during storage. In order to ensure the best curative effect, it is suggested that no matter the platelets were irradiated or not, the platelets should be used as soon as possible.

[Analysis of Factors Influencing Posttransfusion Effectiveness in 26045 Cases of Platelet Transfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the factors influencing platelet transfusion results so as to improve the platelet transfusion efficiency. METHODS: According to the clinical symptoms (bleeding condition is stopped or improved)and the corrected count of increment (CCI), the patients were divided into efficient transfusion and inefficient transfusion groups. A total of 20 671 patients' clinical data and main platelet transfusion parameters in 26 045 tranfusions including platelet count of per- and post- transfusion, platelet component sorts, storage time and transfusion number were analysed. RESULTS: The comparison of platelet transfusion efficiency in age and sex between two groups did not showed statistical difference (P > 0.05), the platelet count before transfusion between two groups showed statistical difference (t = -5.59, P < 0.001) after converting to log, a significant linear correlation did not exist between storage time of the platelet and CCI (corrected count of increment), but there was statistical difference in transfusion efficiency of patients with different diseases. The patients with hematologic diseases showed lower efficiency of platelet transfusion. According to the results of Wilcocon test detection, there was difference between different times of transfusion and transfusion efficiency, that is to say, the transfusion frequency was higher, the transfusion efficency was lower. The Fisher test indicated that the transfusion efficiency of single platelet transfusion was lower than that of transfussed platelet with other blood components (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Platelet transfusion efficiency associates with many factors, including different diseases, whether being transfused with other blood components, the platelet count before transfusion, transfusion frequency, but the time of storage does not relate to the transfusion efficacy.

[Serological characteristics and transfusion efficacy evaluation in 61 cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia].

This study was aimed to analyze the serological characteristics, efficacy and safety of incompatible RBC transfusion in patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). The patients with idiopathic or secondary AIHA were analyzed retrospectively, then the serological characteristics and the incidence of adverse transfusion reactions were investigated, and the efficacy and safety of incompatible RBC transfusion were evaluated according to the different autoantibody type and infused different RBC components. The results showed that out of 61 cases of AIHA, 21 cases were idiopathic, and 40 cases were secondary. 8 cases (13.1%) had IgM cold autoantibody, 50 cases (82.0%) had IgG warm autoantibody, and 3 cases (4.9%) had IgM and IgG autoantibodies simultaneously. There were 18 cases (29.5%) combined with alloantibodies. After the exclusion of alloantibodies interference, 113 incompatible RBC transfusions were performed for 36 patients with AIHA, total efficiency rate, total partial efficiency rate and total inefficiency rate were 56.6%, 15.1% and 28.3%, respectively. Incompatible RBC transfusions were divided into non-washed RBC group and washed RBC group. The efficiency rate, partial efficiency rate and inefficiency rate in non-washed RBC group were 57.6%, 13.0% and 29.4%, respectively. The efficiency rate, partial efficiency rate and inefficiency rate in washed RBC group were 53.6%, 21.4% and 25.0%, respectively. There was no significant difference of transfusion efficacy (P > 0.05) in two groups. Incompatible RBC transfusions were also divided into IgM cold autoantibody group and IgG warm autoantibody group. The efficiency rate, partial efficiency rate and inefficiency rate in IgM cold autoantibody group were 46.2%, 30.8% and 29.4%, respectively. The efficiency rate, partial efficiency rate and inefficiency rate in IgG warm autoantibody group were 56.7%, 13.4% and 29.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference of transfusion efficacy (P > 0.05 ) in two groups. Hemolytic transfusion reaction was not observed in all incompatible RBC transfusions. It is concluded that the same ABO type of non-washed RBC transfusion and O type washed RBC transfusion are all relatively safe for the AIHA patients with severe anemia after the exclusion of alloantibodies interference. There is no significant difference of transfusion efficacy in two groups. The same ABO type of non-washed RBC transfusion is more convenient and efficient than washed RBC transfusion, and excessive use of type O RBCs can also be avoided.