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Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a public health issue worldwide. Little is known of the optimal treatment of recurrent VVC (RVVC) has not been established.Through the in vitro antifungal susceptibility profiling of VVC isolates, we hope to foster significant improvements in the control and treatment of this disease.Candida isolates from VVC patients were collected from 12 hospitals in 10 cities across China. Species were identified by phenotype analysis and DNA sequencing. Species were identified by phenotype analysis and DNA sequencing. Susceptibilities to 11 drugs were determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution.543 strains were isolated from those VVC patients enrolled in this study, of which, 15.7% were from RVVC. The most commonly identified species was C. albicans (460, 84.71%), and the most commonly non-albicans Candida spp. (NAC) was C. glabrata (47, 8.66%). NAC also included C. Krusei, Meyerozyma Guillermondii, Meyerozyma Caribbica, C. Tropicalis, C. Parapsilosis, and C. Nivariensis. Most C. albicans isolates were susceptible to caspofungin (99.8%), followed by fluconazole (92%) and voriconazole (82.6%). The proportion of C. albicans strains with wild type (WT) MICs that were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin were 98%, followed by posaconazole at 95%, itraconazole at 86%, fluconazole at 74% and voriconazole at 54%. The fluconazole MICs for C. albicans were lower than those for NAC (P 0.05), while the itraconazole MICs showing no significant difference (P 0.05). The susceptible rate of uncomplicated VVC to fluconazole was 92%. The proportion of WT strains to fluconazole in RVVC was much lower than that in other types of VVC (67 vs. 77%, P 0.05). However, the proportions of WT strains to itraconazole in RVVC was over 85%, which was much higher than that to fluconazole (87 vs. 67%, P 0.05).C. albicans was still the predominant pathogen for VVC in China, while C. glabrata was the main species in NAC. Fluconazole could still be used as an empirical treatment for uncomplicated VVC. However, fluconazole may not be the first choice for the therapy of RVVC. In such cases, itraconazole appears to be the more appropriate treatment. As for VVC caused by NAC, nonfluconazole drugs, such as itraconazole, may be a good choice.

Megakaryocytes are common in the bone marrow and appear less often in circulation. Most studies on circulatory megakaryocytes have implicated myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative disorders because of disruption of the bone marrow barrier and extramedullary hematopoiesis that is commonly seen in the spleen. As myeloproliferative disorders progress, particularly in the absence of the spleen, it is very likely that considerable numbers of megakaryocytes are present in the circulation. Myeloproliferation is associated with essential thrombocytosis or leukocytosis and is the leading cause of pseudo-hyperkalemia followed by reactive thrombocytosis due to splenectomy, rheumatoid arthritis, and renal cancer. The simultaneous measurement of plasma potassium is required when the platelet count exceeds 500 × 109/L and the level of serum potassium is > 5.4 mmol/L.

Redox-responsive surfactant based on selenium atom has recently attracted considerable interests. Herein, we have designed and synthesized three selenium-containing cationic surfactants with different headgroups, including N-(benzylselanyl-undecyl)-N,N,N-trimethyl ammonium bromide (BSeTAB)/pyridinium bromide (BSePyB)/methylpyrrolidinium bromide (BSeMPB). Their micellization in dilute solution was investigated by surface tension and conductivity, and was related to redox-induced change in molecular structure. Both 1H NMR and ESI-MS spectra demonstrated that selenide in the reduced form is transformed into selenoxide after oxidation with H2O2, whatever the headgroup is. The formation of selenoxide not only increases the hydrophilicity of surfactant, resulting in a more negative $$ \Delta {G}_{\mathrm{ads}}^o $$ , larger cmc, cmc/C20 ratio, and Gmin, compared to the reduced forms, but also provides a new polar headgroup, making it behave like bola-type structure and enhancing the hydrophilicity. The relatively smaller cmc, larger cmc/C20 ratio, and more negative $$ \Delta {G}_m^o $$ value all revealed that the pyridinium or pyrrolidinium polar headgroup is more favorable for the micelle formation than the trimethylammonium group. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the micellization is transformed from entropy-driven mode to enthalpy-driven mode with increasing temperature and the transition temperature at which $$ \Delta {H}_m^o $$ equals to $$ -\mathrm{T}\Delta {S}_m^o $$ is lowest for BSeMPB, and highest for BSePyB.

To predict and analyze the municipal solid waste (MSW) pyrolysis and gasification process in an updraft fixed bed more veritably and appropriately, numerical modeling based on Gibbs energy minimization was executed using the Aspen plus software. The RYield module was combined with the RGibbs module to describe the pyrolysis section, while the RGibbs module was used for the gasification section individually. The proposed model was used to forecast and analyze the target performance parameters including syngas composition, lower heating value (LHV) and carbon conversion rate under different conditions of the gasification temperatures, and ratios and types of gasifying agents. The results indicate that there is a good agreement between the experimental data and the simulated data obtained using this model. The predicted optimum gasification temperature is approximately 750°C, and the best ratio of water vapor as gasifying agent is around 0.4. The mixture of flue gas and water vapor has an economical and recycled prospect among four commonly used gasifying agents.

In the current study, the evolutions of channel segregations in several alloy systems, such as the typically used model alloys (e.g., Ga-In, Sn-Pb, Sn-Bi, Al-Cu, and Ni-based superalloy) and some special steels, are numerically simulated in a cavity solidified unidirectionally. The simulations are based on a modified continuum macrosegregation model with an extension to the multicomponent systems. The results of model alloys and steels indicate that when the thermosolutal convection is strong enough, flow instability occurs, which in turn destabilizes the mushy zone. Subsequently, the channel segregation forms with the continuous interaction between solidification and flow. The formation behavior and severity of channel segregations in various systems are different owing to their distinct melt convection strengths and solidification natures. In the current simulations, channels are apparent for model alloys with high content of solutes, whereas they are slight in some special steels, such as 27SiMn steel, and totally disappear in carbon steels. These occurrence features of channel segregation in simulations of steels are consistent with the analyses by a modified Rayleigh number associated with alloying elements, and both outcomes are well supported by the fully sectioned steel ingots in experiments.

Objective: To identify the specific microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers of preeclampsia (PE), the miRNA profiles analysis were performed. Study Design: The blood samples were obtained from five PE patients and five normal healthy pregnant women. The small RNA profiles were analyzed to identify miRNA expression levels and find out miRNAs that may associate with PE. The quantitative reverse transcriptase–PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was used to validate differentially expressed peripheral leucocyte miRNAs in a new cohort. Result: The data analysis showed that 10 peripheral leucocyte miRNAs were significantly differently expressed in severe PE patients. Four differently expressed miRNAs were successfully validated using qRT-PCR method. Conclusion: We successfully constructed a model with high accuracy to predict PE. A combination of four peripheral leucocyte miRNAs has great potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers of PE.

The design and synthesis of highly active non-noble metal oxide catalysts, such as transition- and rare-earth-metal oxides, have attracted significant attention because of their high efficiency and low cost and the resultant potential applications for the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The structure-activity relationships have been well-studied and used to facilitate design of the structure and composition of highly active catalysts. Recently, non-noble metal oxides with porous structures have been used as catalysts for deep oxidation of VOCs, such as aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic compounds, aldehydes, and alcohols, with comparable activities to their noble metal counterparts. This review summarizes the growing literature regarding the use of porous metal oxides for the catalytic removal of VOCs, with emphasis on design of the composition and structure and typical synthetic technologies.

The effects of allophane (ALL) as a synergistic agent on the flame retardancy and thermal stability of intumescent flame-retardant (IFR) polypropylene composites were studied by limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL-94 test, cone calorimeter test (CONE) and thermogravimetric analysis. The incorporation of ALL led to enhanced thermal stability, LOI value and UL-94 ratings. CONE tests indicated that heat release rate, peak rate of heat release, smoke production rate, total smoke production and mass loss values of PP/IFR/ALL sample were much lower than those of PP/IFR and pure PP samples. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry result proved the presence of silicoaluminophosphate which can act as a catalytic agent to enhance the oxidative dehydration crosslinking charring process. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectra observation demonstrated that ALL could promote forming homogenous and compact char layer. The mechanical properties of PP composites were also improved by the loading of ALL.

Background In Shaanxi province, China, the aqueous extract of Rubia cordifolia’s aerial part (AERCAP) is traditionally used to manage diarrhea. However, there is no scientific evidence to verify the safety and efficacy of its use. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory effects of AERCAP by using a rodent model. Methods The anti-diarrheal effects were studied by senna leaf-induced diarrheal and intestinal transit experiments in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colonic inflammation in rats. Results The results indicated that AERCAP delayed the onset of semi-solid feces, reduced the evacuation index (EI) in senna leaf-induced diarrheal in mice, and inhibited the propulsive movement in castor oil-induced intestinal transit but not in the normal intestinal transit test. The results were compared with the standard anti-diarrheal drug loperamide. Additionally, oral treatment with AERCAP significantly decreased the macroscopic damage area, improved the microscopic structure, and reduced the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, IL-1β and TNF-α levels in colonic tissue compared with the TNBS control group in rats. Conclusions AERCAP exhibited anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory activities in a rodent model. The study validated the traditional use of the plant in Chinese herbal medicine as a valuable natural remedy for the treatment of diarrhea.

A series of Mn–Co mixed oxide nanorods with homogeneous worm-like pores were facilely prepared by a sol–gel chelating method. With incorporating Mnn+ into Co3O4, the formation of solid solution with spinel structure inhibits the growth of nanoparticles which is benefit to keep smaller crystal size and higher surface area. XPS and H2-TPR results indicate that there are more high manganese valence (Mn3+ and Mn4+) and adsorbed oxygen species as well as low-temperature reducibility for the mixed oxide catalysts, as a result of the strong synergistic effect between Mn and Co species in solid solution, which will play a key role in catalytic activity. The as-prepared catalysts were used for catalytic deep oxidation of benzene which is a typical carcinogenic VOC. The catalytic activities over the mixed oxides with varied mole ratio are much higher than that on the single MnOx or Co3O4. The Mn5Co5 sample showed the best activity with T90% for benzene conversions into CO2 were low to 237 °C at a high space velocity of 120,000 mL g−1 h−1.

Let ? and s be real numbers satisfying 0

ZnO and Sn-, Ga- and Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by a coprecipitation method, and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectra (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra. The gas sensing properties were studied using formaldehyde, relative humidity, NH3, toluene and CO as the probes. The results show that all particles have wurtzite ZnO phase, though Sn–ZnO has a relatively smaller particle (and crystallite) size than the other three samples. Gas sensing property tests reveal that the temperature where the gas sensing maximum is gained (TM) is changed by different dopants: Sn–ZnO and Mn–ZnO have relatively lower TM (∼100°C lower) compared with that of pure ZnO, while Ga–ZnO has the same TM as pure ZnO except in CO sensing. Thermoluminescence (TL) spectra were used to investigate the mechanism of TM change. The peak positions of Ga–ZnO and ZnO are the same at 300–350°C, while that of Sn–ZnO shifts to 250–300°C, which might contribute to the same TM of Ga–ZnO and pure ZnO and relatively lower TM of Sn–ZnO. In the case of Mn–ZnO, the luminescence emission is evidently limited by its black color.

Solubility of heavy metals in soils is one of the main parameters causing their transfer into the hydrosphere and into the biosphere. It is thus important to understand its mechanisms in order to improve the current methodologies of risk assessment. Leaching tests were performed to investigate the solubility of Cd, Pb and Zn in 458 contaminated agricultural soils sampled around two smelters in Northern France. Distilled water and acetic acid were used consecutively to characterize two strengths of heavy metal extractability.