Search

[Display omitted] • A novel dual-molecular engineering of carbon nitride was designed. • The dual molecules engineered carbon nitride revealed outstanding photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production. • Due to the synergistic effect of the dual grafted molecules, 2e- oxygen reduction reaction was strengthened. • Caused by the positive valence band potential, H 2 O oxidation reaction played an indispensable role. Molecular engineering of carbon nitride (CN) was considered as a suitable and compelling strategy to overcome the intrinsic imperfections and enhance photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production. However, the photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production of conventional single molecular engineering is still unsatisfactory, and the comprehension of photogenerated carrier migration and separation is still indistinct. Herein, dual molecules were engineered on CN molecular skeleton for achieving an outstanding photocatalytic rate of H 2 O 2 production. The photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production rate of the dual molecules engineered CN was up to 3320 μmol g−1 h−1, which was approximately 25 times than that of the pristine CN. After the dual-molecular engineering, pyrimidine and cyano group were co-grafted. Synchronously, K ion and Na ion were co-embedded near the interlamination of CN layers. The synergistic effect of the dual molecules in CN not only restrained photogenerated carrier recombination and broadened visible light response by modulating the intrinsic energy band structure, but also enhanced the capture of the photogenerated electrons and accelerated the migration of proton. Hence, the photocatalytic 2e- oxygen reduction reaction, the rate-determining step, was significantly strengthened. Additionally, caused by the positive valence band potential, the H 2 O oxidation reaction became an indispensable role in photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production. This work provided a viable route to modulate the molecular skeleton of organic semiconductors and presented a promising strategy to obtain high-efficient photocatalytic H 2 O 2 production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been proposed as a valuable tool for detecting disease activity in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, previous studies have utilized different parameters, leading to variation in clinical assessment of this technique. Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of peak enhancement (PE) in CEUS for evaluating endoscopic disease activity in patients with CD. Material and Methods: Articles were obtained by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI databases. Only studies that investigated the effectiveness of PE in CEUS to discriminate endoscopic disease activity in patients with CD were considered. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were then calculated using a random effects model. Results: Overall, seven studies were included. The endoscopic disease activity of CD was determined based on the simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease and Crohn's Disease Endoscopic Index of Severity scores. Pooled results showed that a high PE was associated with increased detection efficacy for endoscopic disease activity in CD. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.71–0.96), 0.88 (95% CI = 0.81–0.93), 7.60 (95% CI = 4.61–12.53), and 0.14 (95% CI = 0.05–0.35), respectively. The pooled receiver operating characteristic was 0.90 (95% CI = 0.87–0.92), suggesting a good discriminating efficacy of PE in CEUS for endoscopic disease activity of patients with CD. Conclusions: A high PE in CEUS displayed substantial distinguishing accuracy for assessing endoscopic disease activity of patients with CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To analyze the changes of refraction and metabolism of the retinal cones under monochromatic lights in guinea pigs. Methods. Sixty guinea pigs were randomly divided into a short-wavelength light (SL) group, a middle-wavelength light (ML) group, and a white light (WL) group. Refraction and axial length were measured before and after 10-week illumination. The densities of S-cones and M-cones were determined by retinal cone immunocytochemistry, and the expressions of S-opsins and M-opsins were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot. Results. After 10-week illumination, the guinea pigs developed relative hyperopia in the SL group and relative myopia in the ML group. Compared with the WL group, the density of S-cones and S-opsins increased while M-cones and M-opsins decreased in the SL group (all, p<0.05); conversely, the density of S-cones and S-opsins decreased while M-cones and M-opsins increased in the ML group (all, p<0.05). Increased S-cones/opsins and decreased M-cones/opsins were induced by short-wavelength lights. Decreased S-cones/opsins and increased M-cones/opsins were induced by middle-wavelength lights. Conclusions. Altered retinal cones/opsins induced by monochromatic lights might be involved in the refractive development in guinea pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the 1-year outcome of visual quality after laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and femtosecond laser-assisted small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for high myopia correction. Materials and methods: This prospective, comparative study included 24 eyes of 24 patients in the LASEK group, with a mean spherical equivalent (SE) of -7.59 ± 1.32 diopters, and 26 eyes of 26 patients in the SMILE group, with a mean SE of -7.91 ± 1.08 diopters. Visual acuity, corneal topography, contrast sensitivity (CS), and wavefront aberrations were recorded preoperatively and compared with postoperative measurements. Objective scatter index (OSI) and modulation transfer function (MTF) cut-off frequency were measured 1 year postoperatively. Results: One year postoperatively, the two groups demonstrated no significant difference in the CS at all spatial frequencies. The increments of higher-order aberrations (HOAs) (HOA = 0.583 ± 0.210 μm), including spherical aberration (SA) (SA = 0.546 ± 0.249 μm), were higher (P < 0.05) in the LASEK group than those in the SMILE group (HOA = 0.451 ± 0.143 μm; SA = 0.450 ± 0.340 μm) after surgery. There were no significant differences in the increments of coma and trefoil aberrations between the two groups. The OSI and MTF cut-off frequency exhibited no significant differences between the two groups postoperatively. No vision-threatening complications were noted at any stage in either group. Conclusions: Both LASEK and SMILE are safe and effective surgical options for the correction of high myopia. SMILE has a lower HOAs and SA induction rate 1 year postoperatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeMethodsResultsConclusionTo investigate the causal association between gut microbiota and allergic conjunctivitis.A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed using the summary statistics of gut microbiota (18,340) from MiBio-Gen consortium and allergic conjunctivitis data (n = 218,792) obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project. F-statistics and sensitivity analyses were used to address potential biases and ensure the reliability of our findings. Reverse MR analysis was conducted to assess the possible of reverse causal relationships.The inverse variance weighted estimates revealed the protective potential of the phylum Euryarchaeota against allergic conjunctivitis (OR = 0.87, p = 6.17 × 10−4). On the other hand, the genus Christensenellaceae R.7 group (OR = 0.75, p = 2.89 × 10−3), family Peptostreptococcaceae (OR = 0.83, p = 6.22 × 10−3), genus Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group (OR = 0.82, p = 0.02) all showed a suggestive protective association with allergic conjunctivitis. Additionally, sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the above associations. In the reverse MR analysis, no significant causal association was found between gut microbiota and allergic conjunctivitis.This study has revealed a potential causal correlation between the phylum Euryarchaeota and allergic conjunctivitis, offering new insights to improve prevention and treatment of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the fixation patterns in severe amblyopia with eccentric or central fixation by the MP-1 microperimeter.Design: Fixation test was performed on 38 patients with severe amblyopia using the MP-1 microperimeter, 20 patients with eccentric fixation (EF group), and 18 patients with central fixation (CF group). Fixation location and fixation stability were quantified by preferred fixation eccentricity and bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA, deg2) respectively. Comparisons of BCEA between amblyopic and fellow eyes (FE) in both groups and between amblyopic eyes (AE) in both groups were analyzed. Linear regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for fixation instability in patients with eccentric fixation.Results: In EF group, the BCEA of AE was 14.68 ± 19.21 deg2, which was significantly larger than that of FE (1.294 ± 1.840, F = 9.243, p = .007). Linear regression analysis showed that only preferred fixation eccentricity (β = 6.536, 95% CI: 2.665 ~ 10.406, p < .005) was correlated with BCEA of AE. The BCEA of AE in the EF group was significantly larger than that of AE in the CF group (4.95 ± 3.44 deg2, t = 2.227,p < .05), although the BCVA was not significantly different between two groups (t = 0.129, p = .898).Conclusions: The fixation ability in amblyopia with eccentric fixation was found to be significantly worse than those with central fixation and preferred fixation eccentricity was the only predictor for the instability. MP-1 is an effective tool to quantify fixation features for diagnosis and follow-up of eccentric amblyopia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance This study introduces a modified loop myopexy technique for severe high myopic strabismus fixus. Background This study aims to evaluate the surgical results of loop myopexy with or without medial rectus recession for the treatment of patients with myopic strabismus fixus. Design This is a retrospective study in a Chinese teaching hospital. Participants Data was collected from 25 myopic strabismus fixus patients (33 eyes) with restriction in both abduction and sursumduction. Methods First, the loop myopexy technique was performed. Following the loop myopexy technique, a medial rectus recession was performed if esotropia remained. If esotropia and/or hypotropia still persisted, second-stage surgery of the contralateral eye was performed. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures were ocular deviations, eye movements and the angles of dislocation of the globe. Results At the last follow-up, mean deviation of esotropia was significantly improved (10 vs. 92 PD; p = 0.000), while mean deviation of hypotropia was improved (6 vs. 32 PD; p = 0.008). Mean abduction limitation was improved (−2.7 vs. −5.0; p = 0.000); mean elevation limitation improved (−3.2 vs. −5.0; p = 0.000). The angle of dislocation of the globe was significantly decreased (103.0 vs. 235.3 D; p = 0.002). Conclusions and Relevance Modified Yokoyama's surgery effectively corrected the restrictive esotropia and hypotropia, restored the dislocated globe back into the muscle cone and improved the eye movement in severe myopic strabismus fixus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate prognostic factors in patients with augmented superior rectus transposition (SRT) for sixth nerve palsy.Methods: Thirteen patients who were diagnosed with sixth nerve palsy and underwent augmented SRT between January 2015 and February 2017 in EENT Hospital of Fudan University were reviewed retrospectively. Data including age, sex, etiology of the abducens nerve palsy, degree of pre- and postoperative deviation in the primary position, pre- and postoperative abduction deficit, any induced vertical or torsional deviations, reoperations, and other complications was collected. Patients with undercorrection of SRT surgeries received additional inferior rectus transposition (IRT) surgery.Results: Mean esodeviation in primary position improved from 81.92△ to 30.54△ (p < 0.001) with a 1.54-unit improvement in abduction (p = 0.001). Six patients achieved alignment defined as esodeviation in primary position within 10△ of orthotropia and seven patients were undercorrected after the first SRT surgery. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that among factors (disease duration, preoperative esodeviation, preoperative abduction deficit), only the degree of preoperative abduction deficit (β = − 13.68) was the prognostic factor for success of SRT surgery. After IRT procedures, the mean esodeviation in primary position improved from 40△ to 8△ (p < 0.01).Conclusion: The degree of preoperative abduction deficit is the prognostic factor for augmented SRT for sixth nerve palsy. Patients with worse abduction deficit have a greater likelihood of needing a secondary operation, and IRT could be a good choice for reoperation after SRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuna resources are an important part of China's pelagic fishery production. However, for China's tuna fishery, tuna species caught at sea are still manually classified, which is a time-consuming and inefficient process; so China's tuna fishery needs to develop toward automation. This study uses gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and VGG16 to visualize phenotypic texture through local images of three Thunnus species. At the same time, texture feature index data (TFD), deep feature data (DFD), and their combined feature data (CFD) are obtained from texture images. Support vector machine (SVM) with different kernel functions is used to classify phenotypic texture of tuna automatically. The study shows that visualized texture images of different tuna using GLCM and VGG16 have biological characteristics. In the classification results without cross-validation, the average classification accuracy of TFD in polynomial was 83%, the average classification accuracy of DFD in RBF (Radial basis function) was 93%, and the average classification accuracy of CFD in RBF was 95%. It is concluded that tuna phenotype texture can be efficiently classified by using SVM with different kernel functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuna are economically important fish species. The automated identification of tuna species is of importance in fishery production and resource assessment in that it would facilitate the informed monitoring of tuna fishing vessels and the establishment of electronic observer systems. As morphological characteristics are important for tuna identification, this study aims to verify the performance of the automated identification of three Thunnus species through morphological characteristics based on different machine learning algorithms. Firstly, morphological outlines were visually analyzed using EFT (elliptic Fourier transform) and CNN (convolutional neural network). Then, the EFT feature data and deep feature data of the tuna outline images were extracted, and principal component analysis of the two different morphological characteristics was performed. Finally, different machine learning algorithms were used to analyze the identification performance of tuna of the same genus and different species. The experimental results showed that EFT features had the highest identification accuracy in KNN (K-nearest neighbor), with 90% for T. obesus, 90% for T. albacores, and 85% for T. alalunga. Deep features had the best identification performance in SVM (support vector machine), with 80% for T. obesus, 90% for T. albacores, and 100% for T. alalunga. Deep features were better than EFT features in identification performance. The biodiversity and intergeneric differences among tuna species can be well analyzed using these two different morphological characteristics. Machine learning algorithms open up the way for rapid near-real-time electronic observer systems in these important international fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Zn-Ti LDH could effectively photocatalytic eliminate Aspergillus fumigatus spores under visible light irradiation. • The valid disinfection activities were ascribed to the efficient synergistic effect of zinc ions (Zn2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). • Zn-Ti LDH released Zn2+ and ROS only under visible light irradiation, which endows the material light-triggered bactericidal property. • The photocatalytic inactivation of fungal spores was analyzed in detail. Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is a representative significant pathogenic fungus and its spores are arduous to inactivate. Herein, an efficient and environmental-friendly photocatalytic method to eliminate A. fumigatus spores was demonstrated. Zn-Ti layered double hydroxide (Zn-Ti LDH), showed the admirable activity with above 99.34% disinfection rate under visible light illumination for 6 h. The compelling sterilization activities were ascribed to the potent synergistic effect of zinc ions (Zn2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The attack of these species caused the eradication of fungal cell structure, and resulting in the leakage of cytoplasmic as demonstrated by scanning electron microscope, confocal laser scanning microscope and potassium ions (K+) leakage test. In addition, Zn-Ti LDH released Zn2+ and ROS only under visible light irradiation, which endows the material light-triggered bactericidal property. Overall, these findings not only provide a green and sustainable way to control A. fumigatus contaminations, but also can be as an example to control other toxic fungi in future study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eliminating dormant spores of Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) with robust cell wall and super hydrophobicity is a formidable challenge and has attracted great attention. Herein, we found that NiTi-layered double hydroxide (NiTi-LDH) exhibited remarkable photocatalytic inactivation against A. fumigatus dormant spores (∼104 ​CFU/mL), the killing rate could reach to 91.6% after 6 ​h visible light irradiation, which was reusable. Zeta potential test showed that NiTi-LDH possessed positively charged while spores presented negatively charged, which promoted their interaction through electrostatic adsorption, and this was also confirmed by SEM. It not only overcame the problems of low affinity caused by hydrophobicity, and short action distance of photo-generated active species because of their extremely short lifetime, but also weakened spore via interfering with its normal metabolism. In addition, NiTi-LDH exhibited wonderful visible light absorption and excellent photogenerated carrier's separation. Therefore, under the synergy of positive charge disruption and active species oxidation, the dormant spores were severely damaged and died. This work might provide enlightenment for selection and design of recyclable photocatalyst to efficiently and greenly remove pathogenic microorganisms under visible light. Super-hydrophobicity and strong defense system of A. fumigatus dormant spores seriously suppressed the killing activity of traditional photocatalysts. Benefitting from good adsorption, positively charged layer disruption, nice visible light absorption, and favorable carriers' separation, NiTi-LDH exhibited remarkable photocatalytic inactivation against A. fumigatus dormant spores, and killing rate could reach to 91.6% after 6 ​h visible light irradiation. [Display omitted] • NiTi-LDH exhibits remarkable photocatalytic inactivation against dormant spores of A. fumigatus under visible light. • Positively charged NiTi-LDH can promote the adsorption of negatively charged spores, maximizing the ROS availability. • The positive charge of NiTI-LDH may weaken the dormant spores by disrupting the physiological activity. • Benefiting from good adsorption and disruption, the killing rate can reach 91.6% under visible light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim was to describe the characteristics of the paediatric population attending the low vision clinic of the Eye and ENT Hospital, located in Shanghai, China.Methods: The clinical records of all the children attending the low vision clinic of Eye and ENT Hospital affiliated to Fudan University between January 1, 2009 and May 31, 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The main data analysed were age, gender, education, visual demand, diagnosis, visual acuity and prescription of low vision aids.Results: Of the 162 patients, 104 (64.20 per cent) were male. The age range of the study population was three to 20 years, with a mean of 10.73 ± 5.08 years. There were 43.21 per cent with moderate visual impairment, 26.54 per cent had severe visual impairment and 19.75 per cent were blind. The leading causes of visual impairment were congenital cataract (21.61 per cent), optic atrophy (14.20 per cent), macular dystrophy (11.73 per cent), nystagmus (9.88 per cent) and congenital glaucoma (9.26 per cent). The most frequently prescribed low vision devices for distant and near vision were binocular telescopes (23.57 per cent) and stand magnifiers (22.93 per cent), respectively. Young age (up to six years, 37.93 per cent), high cost (24.14 per cent), cosmetic reasons (17.24 per cent) and inconvenience (13.79 per cent) were the main reasons that children or parents refused to accept useful low vision aids.Conclusions: Congenital and hereditary diseases constituted the major causes of low vision in the study population. Strategies that make good-quality rehabilitation services available, affordable and accessible, especially in developing countries, will have the greatest impact on visual impairment. In China, both urban and rural, the coverage of low vision services should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A metal-free 0D/1D heterostructure was assembled. • The 0D/1D heterostructure was conducive to separating the photogenerated carriers. • Polydopamine on hexagonal carbon nitride tubes could regard as "electron acceptor". • The Cr(VI) interfacial attraction was promoted by the introduced polydopamine. • Owing to the outside/inside polydopamine, the photoreduction of Cr(VI) was boosted. The low efficient transfer/separation of photogenerated carriers and the inferior interfacial attraction between Cr(VI) and carbon nitride are the dominant limiting factors in the photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction. Herein, a metal-free 0D/1D heterostructure of polydopamine (PDA) modified hexagonal carbon nitride tubes (HCN) was constructed for improving the photoreduced efficiency of Cr(VI). In the 0D/1D heterostructure, HCN exhibited a one-dimensional hexagonal tubular structure, and the zero-dimensional PDA nanoparticles were widely distributed on the outside and inside of HCN. After verified, the introduced PDA modified on the double surfaces of HCN played multiple roles in boosting the photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction. Firstly, the 0D/1D heterostructure was conducive to accelerating the transfer/separation and spatially separating the photogenerated carriers. Secondly, PDA could regard as an "electron acceptor", and enhance visible light absorption. Thirdly, PDA could promote the adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) which was attributed to the plentiful amino and catechol groups in the constitutional unit of PDA, and then improve the interfacial attraction between photocatalyst and Cr(VI). As expected, the photoreduced efficiency of Cr(VI) was markedly enhanced by the 0D/1D heterostructure. The photocatalytic reaction rate constant of Cr(VI) by the optimal PDA modified HCN was about 6.6 times than HCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]