Search

Comprehensive Summary: Optical controlling of solid‐sate electric properties is emerging as a non‐contact and nondestructive avenue to optimize the physical properties of electronic and optoelectronic devices. In term of strong light‐material coupling, two‐dimensional (2D) double perovskites hold great prospects to create photo‐dielectric activities for high‐performance device applications. Here, we have achieved the photo‐excited switching and enhancement of dielectric properties in the orientational thin films of a 2D double perovskite, (C4H12N)4AgBiI8 (1, where C4H9NH3+ is isobutylammonium). It undergoes a structural phase transition at 384 K (Tc), triggered by the dynamic ordering of organic cations and tilting motion of isometallic perovskite sheets. Most notably, the orientational thin films of 1 are extremely sensitive to light illumination, of which the dielectric constants can be facilely photo‐switched between the low‐ and high‐states. During this photo‐switching process, the dielectric constants are enhanced with a magnitude up to ~350% under 405 nm, far beyond most of the inorganic phase transition counterparts. In addition, this photo‐excited switching and enhancement of dielectric response exhibits an operational stability with superior anti‐fatigue characteristics. Our work opens up a potential avenue for assembling high‐performance optoelectronic devices with the controllable physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective: Linezolid is an alternative first‐line agent for MRSA pneumonia. This study assessed whether dose adjustments of linezolid against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections were needed based on renal function in populations with different body weight. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to evaluate renal function in relation to the probability of target attainment (PTA) in three population groups with different body weight. Area under the concentration time curve (AUC)/ minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio and percentage of time above the MIC (%T > MIC) were regarded as pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets. The PTA and cumulative fractions of response (CFR) were calculated to assess the efficacy. Regarding safety, trough plasma concentration (Cmin) > 8 mg/L was used as target for toxicity. Results and discussion: Using AUC/MIC >100 as the target pharmacodynamic (PD) index, the CFR of linezolid at the standard dose (600 mg every 12 h [q12h]) were 57.01%, 93.22%, and 99.93% in patients with normal renal function, patients with renal dysfunction and low body weight patients with renal dysfunction, respectively. Using 100%T > MIC as the target PD index, all the CFR of three population groups were more than 90% at the standard dose. The percentages of Cmin > 8 mg/L at the standard dose of linezolid were 24.16%, 53.24%, and 90.10% in three population groups on day 7. What is new and conclusion: The risk of thrombocytopenia of linezolid was extremely higher in low body weight patients with renal impairment when receiving standard linezolid dose compared with patients with normal renal function. 450 mg q12h and 300 mg q12h might be effective and safe against MRSA infection in patients with renal dysfunction and low body weight patients with renal dysfunction, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare drug–drug interaction (DDI) between tacrolimus and different formulations of phenobarbital in paediatrics and adults. Physiologically based pharmacokinetics (PBPK) models were used to evaluate DDI between phenobarbital (oral (p.o.) and intravenous (i.v.) formulations) and tacrolimus in paediatrics and adults. All dosing regimens were maintained for 7 days. Compared to i.v. phenobarbital, p.o. phenobarbital could decrease pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of tacrolimus much more in both paediatrics and adults. On day 7, the results showed that the ratio of Cmax for tacrolimus in the presence and absence of phenobarbital were 0.13 (p.o.) and 0.48 (i.v.), respectively, in paediatrics, while 0.54 (p.o.) and 0.73 (i.v.) in adults, respectively. The ratios of the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) were 0.06 (p.o.) and 0.18 (i.v.) in paediatrics, while 0.46 (p.o.) and 0.53 (i.v.) in adults, respectively. PK parameters of tacrolimus decreased more significantly in paediatrics compared to adults. In paediatric, phenobarbital had a greater impact on PK of tacrolimus than that in adults. P.o. phenobarbital reduced PK parameters of tacrolimus even more than i.v. administration. In clinical practice, the concentration monitoring and dosage adjustment of tacrolimus should be emphasised when co-administrated with phenobarbital, especially in paediatric or in p.o. formulation. The results indicated that p.o. and i.v. phenobarbital both had a significant DDI with tacrolimus in paediatrics and adults. Phenobarbital had a greater impact on the PK of tacrolimus over time in paediatrics. P.o. administration of phenobarbital can reduce the PK parameters of tacrolimus more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To understand the current pandemic, levels of anxiety in frontline staff, and whether they have been using medication to prevent COVID-19. Methods: Between January 10 and March 10, 2020, 290 frontline staff completed a questionnaire incorporating the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7) to indicate their psychological behavior in the use of preventive medication. Results: Of those who participated in the study, 77.6% used preventive medication, with 47.5, 40.9, and 11.6% using these as part of routine preventive treatment, to fight infection after it was contracted, and after occupational exposure, respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between the anxiety scale scores and the frequency of medication use (P < 0.05). Comparative analyses revealed that the scores of those in the group taking medication after occupational exposure (to respiratory and blood-borne pathogens) were significantly different from other groups. The proportion of participants choosing Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and integrated Chinese and Western medicine was 24.4, 28.0, and 47.6%, respectively. Additionally, the relationship between the anxiety scale scores and the three types of medication was statistically significant (P < 0.05), as was the difference between Western medicine and other groups. According to Multinomial logistic regression based on the adjustment to gender, age, educational level, marital status, current workplace, and profession, participants with moderate to severe anxiety, had higher odds (OR = 10.331, 95%CI:1.453–73.429) of using Western medicine than participants with no anxiety. Participants with moderate anxiety were 6.399 times more likely to use an integrated combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine compared to those with no anxiety (OR = 6.399, 95%CI:1.007–40.658). Furthermore, those with mild anxiety were 2.656 times more likely to use integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine than those with no anxiety (OR = 2.657, 95%CI:1.075–6.570). The probability that frontline medical staff with moderate anxiety took preventive medication after occupational exposure to COVID-19 was 8.066 times (OR = 8.066, 95%CI:1.043–62.353) higher than that of staff without anxiety. Discussion: This study revealed that there was more anxiety among frontline medical staff who took medication after unexpected occupational exposure. There was less anxiety among those using an integrated course of Chinese and Western medicine than Western medicine alone. It was also observed that anxiety affects the types and frequency of the preventive medication taken. Frontline medical staff who suffer from anxiety are also more likely to use medication to prevent COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-state photochromic materials have attracted much more attention due to their actual potential applications in photoactive devices. Here, three new compounds (1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(3-fluoro/chloro/bromobenzal)-5-hydroxypyrazole 4-phenylthiosemicarbazones) were synthesized, which exhibited reversible solid state photochromic properties upon UV/Vis light irradiation. Their photochromic properties, first-order kinetics and fatigue resistance were investigated by time-dependent UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that their fatigue resistance and addressability were enhanced with the increase in the electron-withdrawing ability of the substituents on the phenyl group at the 4-position of the pyrazolone ring. Thus, 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(3-fluorobenzal)-5-hydroxypyrazole 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone exhibited good photochromic properties and high fatigue resistance. Based on single crystal X-ray diffraction and FT-IR analyses, the photochromic mechanism involved intra/intermolecular proton transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of the study is to describe the blood lipid levels of patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to analyze the correlation between blood lipid levels and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Methods: In the clinical retrospective analysis, a total of 228 adults infected with COVID-19 were enrolled between January 17, 2020 and March 14, 2020, in Changsha, China. One thousand one hundred and forty healthy participants with matched age and gender were used as control. Median with interquartile range and Mann-Whitney test were adopted to describe and analyze clinical data. The Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve and Cox regression analysis were used to analyze the correlation between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the severity of COVID-19. Results: Compared with control, COVID-19 patients showed significantly lower levels of total cholesterol (TC) [median, 3.76 vs 4.65 mmol/L, P = 0.031], triglyceride [median, 1.08 vs 1.21 mmol/L, P < 0.001], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [median, 2.63 vs 2.83 mmol/L, P < 0.001], and HDL-C [median, 0.78 vs 1.37 mmol/L, P < 0.001], while compared with non-severe patients, severe COVID-19 patients only presented lower levels of HDL-C [median, 0.69 vs 0.79 mmol/L, P = 0.032]. In comparison with patients with high HDL-C, patients with low HDL-C showed a higher proportion of male (69.57% vs 45.60%, P = 0.004), higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (median, 27.83 vs 12.56 mg/L, P < 0.001) and higher proportion of severe events (36.96% vs 14.84%, P = 0.001). Moreover, patients with low HDL-C at admission showed a higher risk of developing severe events compared with those with high HDL-C (Log Rank P = 0.009). After adjusting for age, gender and underlying diseases, they still had elevated possibility of developing severe cases than those with high HDL-C (HR 2.827, 95% CI 1.190–6.714, P = 0.019). Conclusions: HDL-C level was lower in COVID-19 adult patients, and low HDL-C in COVID-19 patients was correlated with a higher risk of developing severe events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]