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Porous carbon is considered as one of the most promising electrode materials for supercapacitors. In this work, we report a simple two-step preparation of porous carbon materials based on MnO2-coated and N-doped pinecone, which was synthesized by carbonization and hydrothermal process. After electrochemical analysis, the prepared 3-N-PC@MnO2 electrode exhibited optimal electrochemical performance. At a current density of 1 A/g, the specific capacitance of 3-N-PC@MnO2 was as high as 167.8 F/g in a voltage window of 0–1 V. After being assembled into an asymmetric supercapacitor with the PVA/Na2SO4 quasi-solid electrolyte under the current density of 1 A/g, the energy density could reach 20.42 Wh/kg, the power density could achieve 799.9 W/kg, and its capacitance remained 84.5% after 3000 cycles, showing remarkable electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, as a flexible electrode material, melamine foam has attracted more and more attention from researchers in the field of wearable energy storage devices. In addition, certain components are loaded on it to improve electrochemical performance and further promote its advantages. Here, we first carbonized commercial melamine foam in N2 atmosphere to form in situ doping and then used a simple hydro-thermal reaction to uniformly load MnO2 nanosheet arrays on its three-dimensional framework. For the resulting electrode material, the specific capacitance was as high as 230.3 F/g under the current density of 1 A/g. With the voltage window of 0–2.2 V, the energy density of the assembled quasi-solid supercapacitor reached 29.73 Wh/kg with the power density of 1636.9 W/kg, showing great electrochemistry performance and application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elderly people represent the age group most frequently affected by acute kidney injury (AKI). The potential of Antithrombin III (ATIII) level for predicting AKI among elderly patients with sepsis is yet to be elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ability of ATIII to predict AKI nondevelopment and prognosis in elderly patients with sepsis, in an intensive care unit (ICU). The present study was retrospective and included 107 elderly patients with sepsis who had been admitted to ICUs between October 2015 and March 2018. An assessment of renal function was performed daily by measuring serum creatinine (Cr) level and urine output, and ATIII level was obtained within 48 h of sepsis diagnosis. Among all enrolled patients, 29 (27.1%) developed AKI. ATIII expression was a predictor of AKI nondevelopment [Area under the curve (AUC)-Receiving operator characteristic (ROC)=0.729; sensitivity, 0.700; specificity, 0.714], and the ATIII/Creatine ratio was also a predictor of AKI nondevelopment (AUC-ROC=0.971; sensitivity, 0.900; specificity, 1). The accuracy of ATIII (AUC-ROC=0.681; sensitivity, 0.802; specificity, 0.542) and ATIII/Cr (AUC-ROC=0.804; sensitivity, 0.596; specificity, 0.875) in predicting survival was intermediate. However, the ATIII serum level was able to accurately predict AKI nondevelopment in elderly patients with sepsis, who were admitted to ICUs. Patients were divided into low- and high-ATIII groups using either 66.95% or 55.7% as cut-off values, both of which were used for further analysis. By comparison, the ICU stay was significantly lower in the high-ATIII group [P=0.020 (69.95%) and 0.049 (55.7%)] and off mechanical ventilation time, off continuous renal replacement therapy time and survival time were significantly higher in the high ATIII group [P=0.049, 0.048, and 0.014, respectively (66.95%); and P=0.041, 0.036, and 0.021, respectively (55.7%)]. The current study indicated that ATIII serum level predicts AKI in elderly patients with sepsis, and that low ATIII levels predicted a poorer prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is one of the most prevalent causes of death following paraquat (PQ) poisoning. As demonstrated in previous studies by the present authors, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with PQ‑induced PF. In addition, hypoxia‑inducible factor‑1α (HIF‑1α) and lysyl oxidase (LOX) promote EMT following PQ poisoning. However, the association between HIF‑1α‑ and LOX‑mediated regulation of EMT remains unclear. The present study investigated the association between HIF‑1α and LOX with regard to PQ‑induced EMT. A549 and RLE‑6TN cells were treated with PQ, and HIF‑1α and LOX expression was silenced with short interfering RNAs. Changes in the expression of HIF‑1α, LOX, β‑catenin and EMT‑related makers were detected using real‑time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. HIF‑1α and LOX were associated with PQ‑induced EMT, and their expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). LOX expression was significantly decreased following PQ poisoning when HIF‑1α expression was inhibited (P<0.05). However, the level of HIF‑1α did not change significantly when LOX was silenced. The expression level of β‑catenin and the degree of EMT were significantly decreased following HIF‑1α and LOX silencing in both cell lines (P<0.05). The association between HIF‑1α and LOX in regulating EMT during PQ‑induced PF may be unidirectional. HIF‑1α may regulate PQ‑induced EMT through the LOX/β‑catenin pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Severe and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a high mortality. Since COPD is an airway inflammatory disease, and heparin has shown anti-inflammatory effects in previous studies, we evaluated the clinical effect of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH; nadroparin) in COPD patients admitted into the hospital due to acute exacerbations. Methods: Sixty-six patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were randomly divided into control group (n = 33) and LMWH group (n = 33). The control group received conventional treatment, including oxygen therapy (non-invasive or conventional mechanical ventilation), anti-infection, atomization expectorant, spasmolysis, anti-asthmatics, and nutritional support. The LMWH group received the same treatment plus LMWH for 1 week. The levels of plasma C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen were measured. The main outcomes were duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and hospital stay. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to demographics, severity of illness, and gas exchange variables. The levels of plasma C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and fibrinogen were significantly decreased in the LMWH group. LMWH significantly reduced the mean duration of mechanical ventilation (6.6 days vs. 3.8 days; p < 0.01), the length of ICU stay (8.5 days vs. 5.6 days; p < 0.01) and hospital stay (14.3 days vs. 11.3 days; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The addition of LMWH to standard therapy benefits COPD patients with acute exacerbation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Takayasu arteritis is a relatively rare type of large-vessel arteritis that primarily affects the aorta and its major branches, the coronary arteries, and the pulmonary arteries. Depending on the different groups of blood vessels involved in the disease process, the clinical presentation of Takayasu arteritis varies. Here we report a case of a woman presenting with a debilitating massive cerebral ischemic infarct that turned out to be a relatively rare first presentation of Takayasu arteritis.Case Presentation: A 35-year-old Chinese woman presented to the Emergency Department with left hemiparesis, pain and numbness of her arms and weak radial pulses. Her laboratory results showed an elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and subsequent digital subtraction angiography demonstrated narrowing and occlusion of the major branches of her aortic arch. We report the case of a patient with Takayasu arteritis presenting with a massive cerebral ischemic infarct and review the current literature on this topic.Conclusion: Takayasu arteritis is a relatively rare disease with various and sometimes devastating clinical manifestations, such as massive cerebral ischemic infarction as in our case. Currently, there are multiple diagnostic tools and treatment options available, and more under investigation. Early, appropriate diagnosis and initiation of proper therapy could avoid further progression and reduce complications of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary fibrosis involves destruction of the lung parenchyma and extracellular matrix deposition. Effective treatments for pulmonary fibrosis are lacking and its pathogenesis is still unclear. Studies have found that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) plays an important role in progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, an in-depth exploration of its mechanism might identify new therapeutic targets. In this study, we revealed that a novel circular RNA, MKLN1 (circMKLN1), was significantly elevated in two pulmonary fibrosis models (intraperitoneally with PQ, 50 mg/kg for 7 days, and intratracheally with BLM, 5 mg/kg for 28 days). Additionally, circMKLN1 was positively correlated with the severity of pulmonary fibrosis. Inhibition of circMKLN1 expression significantly reduced collagen deposition and inhibited EMT in AECs. EMT was aggravated after circMKLN1 overexpression in AECs. MiR-26a-5p/miR-26b-5p (miR-26a/b), the targets of circMKLN1, were confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. CircMKLN1 inhibition elevated miR-26a/b expression. Significantly decreased expression of CDK8 (one of the miR-26a/b targets) was observed after inhibition of circMKLN1. EMT was exacerbated again, and CDK8 expression was significantly increased after circMKLN1 inhibition and cotransfection of miR-26a/b inhibitors in AECs. Our research indicated that circMKLN1 promoted CDK8 expression through sponge adsorption of miR-26a/b, which regulates EMT and pulmonary fibrosis. This study provides a theoretical basis for finding new targets or biomarkers in pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enteral nutrition (EN) is important for critically ill patients. This study investigated the current situation of EN treatment in SHANGHAI intensive care units (ICUs). We hypothesized that improving EN practice in SHANGHAI may benefit the prognosis of ICU patients. Clinical information on EN use was collected using clinic information forms in 2019. The collected data included the patient's general clinical information, EN prescription status, EN tolerance status, and clinical outcomes. The observation time points were days 1, 3, and 7 after starting EN. A total of 491 patients were included. The proportion of EN intolerance (defined as < 20 kcal/kg/day) decreased, with rates of intolerance of 100%, 82.07%, 70.61%, and 52.23% at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days, respectively. Age, mNutric score, and protein intake < 0.5 g/kg/day on day 7 were risk factors for 28-day mortality.The EN tolerance on day 7 and protein intake > 0.5 g/kg/day on day 3 or day 7 might affect the 28-day mortality. Risk factors with EN tolerance on day 7 by logistic regression showed that the AGI grade on day 1 was a major factor against EN tolerance. The proportion of EN tolerance in SHANGHAI ICU patients was low. Achieving tolerance on day 7 after the start of EN is a protective factor for 28-day survival. Improving EN tolerance and protein intake maybe beneficial for ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]