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The ‘imbalance’ of the coordination ability of the two Oamide affects the extraction performance by experimental and theoretical study.

In this paper, pertraction of Nd(III) and U(VI) from nitric acid media through a flat-sheet supported liquid membrane (FSSLM) was studied by using a self-made liquid membrane device, respectively, ...

The extraction behavior of several lanthanide ions (La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Yb(III)) from the nitric acid medium using ionic liquid [C4mim][NTf2] solvent containing N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-dioctyl-3-oxadiglycolamide (DMDODGA) was studied. The effects of the concentration of HNO3, H+ and NO3− in aqueous phase, as well as the DMDODGA concentration and temperature on the distribution ratio of Ln(III) were analyzed. The distribution ratio of lanthanide ions into [C4mim][NTf2] is much higher than that reported for aliphatic hydrocarbon diluents. The extraction mechanism was demonstrated to agree with the cation-exchange mechanism. The stoichiometric ratio of Ln (III)/DMDODGA complex is 1:3 or 1:4.

Carbon dots (CDs) have received increasing attention as fluorescence sensors for the detection of different metal ions and organic small molecules. In this work, κ-carrageenan (κ-Carr)-derived carbon dots (C-CDs) were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal treatment with κ-Carr as a carbon source. The produced C-CDs exhibited a high fluorescence with fluorescent quantum yield up to 20.6% and excellent fluorescent stability under diverse conditions (UV radiation, pH value and ionic strength). Then, the C-CDs were utilized as dual functional sensing probe to detect both Fe3+ and oxytetracycline (Otc). The fluorescence intensity of C-CDs was selectively quenched by Fe3+, in sharp contrast to dozens of other metal ions like Al3+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Mg2+, Pb2+, Na+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+. Coincidentally, this fluorescence could also be selectively quenched by Otc, entirely distinct from related physiological molecules like glycine, ammonium hydroxide, glucose, urea. The prepared C-CDs could be used for label-free sensitive and selective fluorescent detector for Fe3+ in a wide concentration range of 0–500 μM with a detection limit of 0.21 μM and for Otc as well in the range of 0–100 µM with a detection limit of 0.05 µM. Moreover, the fluorescent C-CDs were successfully used for Fe3+ and Otc detection in some real samples, suggesting great application potential in fluorescence sensing of trace metal elements and antibiotics.

N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-dioctyl diglycolamide (DMDODGA) in 40/60 (V/V)% 1-octanol/kerosene was used to extract 14 lanthanides from nitric acid solution. The effects of the aqueous acidity, the DMDODGA concentration, and the temperature on the distribution ratio of Ln(III) were investigated. The extraction equilibrium constants K and the thermodynamic parameters were determined by the slope analysis method combined with Pitzer model. The IR spectra of the extracted species and pure extractant were recorded and analyzed. Moreover, 0.001 mol/L nitric acid is the suitable stripping agent, and the stripping efficiency of all lanthanides can reach up 90% by three times of stripping.

Background Postoperative hypoxemia in acute type A aortic dissection (AADA) is a common complication and is associated with negative outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of low-dose (5–10 ppm) inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in the management of hypoxemia after AADA surgery. Methods In this retrospective observational study, Medical records of patients who underwent AADA surgery at two institutions between January 2015 and January 2018 were collected. Patients with postoperative hypoxemia were classified as iNO and control groups. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared using a propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. Results Among 436 patients who underwent surgical repair, 187 (42.9%) had hypoxemia and 43 were treated with low-dose iNO. After PSM, patients were included in the iNO treatment (n = 40) and PSM control (n = 94) groups in a 1:3 ratio. iNO ameliorated hypoxemia at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after initiation, and shortened the durations of ventilator support (39.0 h (31.3–47.8) vs. 69.0 h (47.8–110.3), p p Conclusions In this study, we found that low-dose iNO improved oxygenation in patients with hypoxemia after AADA surgery and shortened the durations of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. No significant side effects or increase in postoperative mortality or morbidities were observed with iNO treatment. These findings warrant a randomized multicenter controlled trial to assess the exact efficiency of iNO for hypoxemia after AADA.

Silicosis is a devastating disease that, without effective treatment, endangers the health of miners. Therefore, studies exploring the pathogenesis of SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis are necessary to develop treatments for silicosis. Although macrophages are known to play a pivotal role in SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we explored whether ferroptosis was involved in SiO2-induced pulmonary fibrosis. To this end, C57BL/6 mice and mouse macrophage (RAW264.7) cells and mouse lung fibroblast (MLF) cells were subjected to iron content, cell viability, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence staining, histological, western blotting, quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation analysis. In vivo, SiO2 was found to damage the lung alveolar structure, cause infiltration of inflammatory cells, and facilitate fibrosis. Additionally, it increased the iron concentration and lipid peroxidation as well as altered the expression of ferroptosis-related genes and the mitochondrial morphology in macrophages. In vitro, ferroptosis occurred in SiO2-treated RAW264.7 cells, which showed iron overload, lipid peroxidation, and gene alterations. Furthermore, ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) attenuated ferroptosis in SiO2-treated RAW264.7 cells by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and cell death and regulating ferroptosis-related genes expression, in addition to attenuating the secretion of pro-fibrotic cytokines and fibrosis. Collectively, SiO2 induces ferroptosis in macrophages, which leads to the secretion of pro-fibrotic cytokines and fibrosis.

A novel asymmetric diglycolamide N,N-dimethyl-N′,N′-dioctyl diglycolamide (LII) was synthesized. The Nd(III) extraction behavior from HNO3 and loading capability of the solution of LII in 40/60 (v/v)% n-octanol/kerosene were studied. Analyses by the slope method, ESI-MS, and FT-IR indicated that, similar to the previously studied isomer ligand N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dioctyl diglycolamide (LI), 1 : 3 Nd(III)/LII complexes formed. Under the same experimental conditions, the distribution ratio and limiting organic concentration of LII towards Nd(III) were smaller than those of LI, but the critical aqueous concentration of LII was larger, which implies that LII exhibited poorer extraction and loading capabilities towards Nd(III) than LI, and LII has a tendency to be less likely to form the third phase. The quasi-relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculation was performed to provide some explanations for the differences in their extraction behaviors. The electrostatic potential of the ligands indicated that the electron-donating ability of the amide O atoms in LII displayed certain differences compared with LI. This inhomogeneity in LII affected the interaction between LII and Nd(III), as supported by QTAIM and bonding nature analysis, and it seemed to reflect in the extraction performance towards Nd(III).

Excessive self-reactive and inadequate affinity-matured antigen-specific antibody responses have been reported to coexist in lupus, with elusive cellular and molecular mechanisms. Here, we report that the antigen-specific germinal center (GC) response―a process critical for antibody affinity maturation―is compromised in murine lupus models. Importantly, this defect can be triggered by excessive autoimmunity-relevant CD11c + Tbet + age-associated B cells (ABCs). In B cell-intrinsic Ship-deficient (ShipΔB) lupus mice, excessive CD11c + Tbet + ABCs induce deregulated follicular T-helper (T FH ) cell differentiation through their potent antigen-presenting function and consequently compromise affinity-based GC selection. Excessive CD11c + Tbet + ABCs and deregulated T FH cell are also present in other lupus models and patients. Further, over-activated Toll-like receptor signaling in Ship-deficient B cells is critical for CD11c + Tbet + ABC differentiation, and blocking CD11c + Tbet + ABC differentiation in ShipΔB mice by ablating MyD88 normalizes T FH cell differentiation and rescues antigen-specific GC responses, as well as prevents autoantibody production. Our study suggests that excessive CD11c + Tbet + ABCs not only contribute significantly to autoantibody production but also compromise antigen-specific GC B-cell responses and antibody-affinity maturation, providing a cellular link between the coexisting autoantibodies and inadequate affinity-matured antigen-specific antibodies in lupus models and a potential target for treating lupus.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hepatic dysfunction (HD) increases the morbidity and mortality risk after cardiac surgery; however, only a few studies have specifically focused on acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) surgery. We explored the possible risk factors and outcomes of early postoperative HD in patients with AAAD undergoing surgery. METHODS: All patients who underwent AAAD surgery at our institution from April 2015 to April 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was used to define HD. Independent risk factors for HD were determined by multivariate logistic analysis. RESULTS: Two hundred fifteen patients with AAAD met the inclusion criteria. The incidence rate of early postoperative HD was 60.9%, and the rate of in-hospital mortality was 16.8%. Patients with a high postoperative MELD score had longer mechanical ventilation time, longer durations of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and higher in-hospital mortality. During the postoperative period, patients with AAAD complicated by HD needed continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), reintubation, tracheostomy, and blood transfusion more frequently. Aortic cross clamp (ACC) time [per 10 min higher; odds ratio (OR): 1.216, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.017–1.454, P=0.032], postoperative leucocytes (per 2×10(9)/L higher; OR: 1.161, 95% CI: 1.018–1.324, P=0.026), postoperative respiratory dysfunction (OR: 3.176, 95% CI: 1.293–7.803, P=0.012), and postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) (OR: 12.663, 95% CI: 1.432–111.998, P=0.022) were independent risk factors associated with HD in patients undergoing AAAD surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative HD prolongs mechanical ventilation time and ICU stay, and is associated with increased in-hospital mortality among patients who undergo AAAD surgery. Several factors are associated with a high postoperative MELD score.

The extraction behavior and the third phase formation of Nd(III) with an unsymmetrical diglycolamide (DGA), N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dioctyl-3-oxadiglcolamide (DMDODGA) in n-octanol/kerosene from the nitric acid medium was studied for the first time. The effects of the aqueous acidity, the DMDODGA concentration, and the temperature on the distribution ratio of Nd(III) were investigated. The dependence of the limiting organic concentration and critical aqueous concentration of Nd(III) on the concentrations of DMDODGA, n-octanol, and nitric acid was analyzed. The IR spectra of the loaded organic phase, the third phase of Nd(III), and the free extractant were analyzed.

Fuzzy testing technology has a good effect in discovering web vulnerabilities, which is incomparable with other security testing technologies. Because of the randomness and unpredictability of its test cases, it can dig out the relevant vulnerabilities comprehensively and systematically. Before that, some researchers proposed to use genetic algorithm to generate test cases to solve the problem of single test cases. However, the test cases generated by genetic algorithm are often of high randomness, and the proportion of effective test cases is relatively low. According to this problem, I proposed to generate test cases based on generative countermeasure network. On the basis of ensuring its randomness, the relevant test cases are generated pertinently. Through relevant experiments, it is proved that the generated confrontation network can generate effective test cases. Compared with the test cases generated by genetic algorithm, its effectiveness is better and more web vulnerabilities can be found.

Additional file 1. Primary and secondary outcomes before PSM.

The system mainly aims at smartphone users, realizing the purpose of real-time reading and browsing books. Eclipse is chosen as the development tool. Under the framework of MVC mode, Java language and SQLLite lightweight database are used. It mainly realizes the functions of local bookshelf, collection bookshelf, reading theme change, e-book reading main interface font increase and decrease, bookmark management, etc. It has the advantages of simple interface, cute design style, simple operation, strong basic functions, and provides users with a good reading experience.

Background: The incidence of postoperative complications and the in-hospital mortality rate of infective endocarditis (IE) complicated with renal insufficiency are relatively high. This study aimed to analyze the clinical features, etiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment, and prognosis of IE with renal insufficiency and to explore the risk factors for renal damage. Methods: IE patients undergoing valvular surgery between 2008 and 2017 in two cardiac centers were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into renal insufficiency (RI) [endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) 2 ] and normal renal function (NRF) (Ccr ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) groups. The disease conditions at admission, etiology, treatment, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Multivariate regression analysis was performed for the related factors. Results: A total of 8,055 cases of valvular surgery was performed during the study period. We analyzed 401 IE patients [average age 43.9±15 years; RI, n=56 (14%); NRF, n=345 (86%)], after the exclusion of 2 patients with primary glomerulonephritis. RI patients showed higher perioperative mortality (14.3% vs . 4.5%, P=0.042) and streptococcal infection (71.4% vs . 43.8%, P=0.001) rates. The RI group was also older and had worse heart function, greater decreases in hemoglobin and platelet levels, a higher rate of prosthetic valve involvement, more cases of postoperative dialysis, and worse prognosis (all P Conclusions: IE patients with preoperative renal insufficiency had a high mortality rate and poor prognosis, with streptococcal infection predisposing to a higher risk of renal insufficiency. Moreover, older the age and worse heart function in IE resulted in a greater risk for renal insufficiency.

Lanthanum aluminate (LaAlO3) crystal has emerged as one of the most valuable functional-materials, and its physical, electronic and optical properties strongly depend on the crystal structure, which can be easily altered in an irradiation environment and therefore affect the performance of LaAlO3-based devices. On the other hand, the preparation of LaAlO3 waveguide is also a scientific challenge for its potential application prospects in optoelectronics field. In this work, the damage evolution behavior of LaAlO3 crystal under Si-ion irradiation has been discussed in detail utilizing complementary characterization techniques, and then, single-mode waveguide of LaAlO3 crystal in the visible band can be obtained based on ion-irradiation-induced lattice damage behavior. Waveguide optical-coupling techniques are used to show its competitive features. Thus, novel optical waveguides with optimized features in LaAlO3 crystals can be tailored by a proper selection of ion mass, energy and fluence using the modification of the target material during ion irradiation process.

Using l -cysteine as the precursor, carbon dots with nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms co-doped (N, S-CDs) were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method. The doped N and S atoms enhance the fluorescence intensity, and the modified functional group on N, S-CDs facilitate the coordination interaction between N, S-CDs and Co2+. Thus, the prepared N, S-CDs can be used as fluorescence probe to detect Co2+ with excellent selectivity and sensitivity. Moreover, various interferences displayed unobvious effect on the sensing of N, S-CDs to Co2+. This probe provided a rapid, visual method to monitor Co2+ with a wide monitoring range to Co2+ (1–50 μM) and a low detection limit of 26 nM. More interestingly, the quenched fluorescence (turn-off) of N, S-CDs induced by Co2+ could be recovered (turn-on) with the addition of H2O2 or EDTA. The fluorescence quenching mechanism is a static quenching, accompanied with electron transfer by forming the complex between Co2+ and functional groups of N, S-CDs.

In this article we obtain the Coulombian potential of spinor and scalar particle with the quantum field theory, there is no difference between the spinor and scalar particle. Similarly the Newtonian potential of spinor particle and scalar particle are also obtained with the quantum field theory, however it is found that the Newtonian potential of scalar particle is half of the Newtonian potential of spinor particle with same mass, it contradicts with the equality of gravitational and inertial mass. The Newtionian potential of the spinor particle can be used to obtain the Newtonian potentials of the sun,the earth and so on, therefore we suggest that it should be considered to be the experimental test of the gravitational theory of Einstein.

The neodymium doped Yttrium Fluoride (Nd: YLF) has emerged as one of the most valuable functional-materials, and thus attracted plenty of research and promising applications in recent years. In this work, the Nd: YLF crystal was irradiated by 80 keV Ga ion with a fluence of 1.0 × 1015 cm−2. The lattice structure and mechanical properties before and after Ga ion irradiated were studied by X-ray diffraction pattern and nano-indentation test. The damage effect of 80 keV Ga ion irradiation were investigated by Rutherford backscattering/channeling technique. This work is mainly focused on the lattice dynamics which studied by the Raman spectra in Ga ion irradiated Nd: YLF. After Ga ion irradiation, the peak intensity increased 84% for the rotational mode B g at 325 cm−1, which shows unique potential in application of highly sensitive sensors.

Background The effect of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) after cardiac surgery is controversial. This study identified the feasibility of NIV and assessed the risk factors of NIV failure in patients with ARF after cardiac surgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from 112 patients with ARF requiring NIV and categorized them into the NIV failure and success groups. Patient data were extracted for further analysis, the primary outcomes were the need for endotracheal intubation and NIV-related in-hospital mortality. The risk factors for NIV failure in patients with post-extubation ARF was analyzed. Results The median time from extubation to NIV was 11 hours. No difference in the EuroSCORE existed between the two groups. NIV failed in 38.4% of the patients. The NIV failure group had a higher in-hospital mortality and stay at the longer intensive care unit (ICU). Most cases of NIV failure occurred within 1-48 hours of the treatment. The main causes of early NIV failure were a weak cough reflex and/or excessive secretions and hemodynamic instability. A Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥10.5, vasoactive-inotropic score ≥6, and pneumonia were predictors of NIV failure, whereas a body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 kg/m2 predicted NIV success. Conclusions NIV was effective in the study population. Multiple organ dysfunction, pneumonia, and significant inotropic drug support before NIV were associated with NIV failure, whereas a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 was a predictor of NIV success.

Libman-Sacks (LS) endocarditis is rarely seen in the prenatal and puerperal periods and is generally reported as a cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. In this report, we present a rare case of congestive heart failure after vaginal delivery. The patient was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and LS endocarditis based on the transesophageal echocardiographic and laboratory findings. After steroid therapy, the vegetations on the mitral valve disappeared and mitral regurgitation reduced dramatically without a cardiac surgery. The patient achieved long-term clinical improvement at 3-year follow-up. Immunosuppressive therapy could be an effective treatment for acute congestive heart failure induced by LS endocarditis.

Hard-type piezoelectric devices usually need to be driven under a high vibration level. However, they exhibit nonlinearity under high stress, which must be taken into account. This study investigates the nonlinear behavior of piezoelectric transducers. The burst-mode method was employed to measure the longitudinal vibration velocity of both hard- and soft-type piezoelectric transducers after excitation by a burst voltage. The vibration velocity decreased rapidly with time. The equivalent mechanical loss and equivalent spring constant were determined using the velocity decay rate and resonance frequency. We found that both could be expressed as quadratic functions of velocity, pointing to nonlinearity in the transducers. Admittance curves of the transducers under high voltage were also measured via a frequency response analyzer. These admittance curves also exhibited nonlinearity, as indicated by the deformation in the curves. Particularly in the case of the hard-type transducer, a jumping phenomenon and an admittance hysteresis between the different sweep directions were observed. A model that incorporated the observed nonlinearity was proposed and used to fit the measured admittance curves. Nonlinear coefficients and force factor were yielded by the curve fitting, which confirmed that the proposed model was effective in describing the nonlinear behavior and in estimating the degree of nonlinearity.

Resonant piezoelectric devices are driven under high power condition. In such condition, a nonlinear piezoelectric vibration becomes apparent and this nonlinearity should be taken into account in the design procedure using the finite elemental method (FEM). The purpose of this study is to introduce the nonlinear parameter to the FEM and to establish the method for measuring the nonlinear parameter through evaluating a nonlinear model for a piezoelectric vibration. In a previous study about the nonlinear piezoelectric vibration, the third term was mainly focused on because the third mode vibration affects the fundamental vibration in the case of a simple bar-type transducer. On the other hand, we considered the second nonlinear parameter of the compliance to the piezoelectric constitutive equation. We observed that this parameter affects the vibration amplitude with each position and the velocity at the tip of the transducer with a double frequency at resonant. It was confirmed that two measured nonlinear parameters based on these two relationships were almost same. From these values, we concluded that the proposed model is reasonable.

Co and Nd co-substituted Bi 5 Ti 3 FeO 15 thin films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si substrates via metal organic decomposition method. The structural and multiferroic properties of the films were investigated. It was found that Co ions enter into the lattice and occupy the Fe site. The Bi 4.15 Nd 0.85 Ti 3 Fe 0.5 Co 0.5 O 15 films simultaneously exhibit ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature, and its 2 P r and 2 M r are 38 μC/cm 2 and 3 kA/m, respectively. Moreover, substitutions create local ferromagnetic order and antiferromagnetic order depending on whether the local bonding is Fe O Co or Fe O Fe/Co O Co, respectively. The competing interaction of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases results in an interesting magnetic behavior of the films.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic disabling autoimmune disease that significantly impacts the quality of life of patients, and can associate with several complications including end-stage renal disease and shortened lifespan. A central component in the pathogenesis of SLE is the B-cell production of autoantibodies to multiple self-antigens. Since, B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) plays a key role in the selection, differentiation and survival of most B cells, it has been studied as a therapeutic target in SLE. After a gap of more than fifty years without new drugs being approved for this disease, the human neutralizing anti-BLyS monoclonal antibody belimumab has recently been approved by the FDA for SLE therapy. This review provides an overview on the targeting of BLyS in lupus animal models, the use of belimumab in human SLE, and relevant patents.

The magnetic and dielectric properties were investigated in the hexagonal YMnO 3 ceramics synthesized by sol–gel method. An antiferromagnetic order about 70 K and a weak ferromagnetic order at 5 K have been detected in YMnO 3 ceramics. In addition, we observed also the exchange-bias (EB) effect at low temperatures and it may originate from exchange coupling at the interface between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic orders for the co-existence of these two orders in some temperature region in hexagonal YMnO 3 . Furthermore, the dielectric measurements showed two thermally activated relaxation behaviors following the Arrhenius law in 290–430 K and above 500 K in YMnO 3 ceramics and they can be explained as the dipolar effects associated with the charge carrier hopping between Mn 2+ and Mn 3+ and oxygen vacancy, respectively.

Strontium titanate films with high a -axis orientation [ a ( 100 ) = 94.1 % ] and random orientation were deposited on (111) Pt/Ti/ SiO2/Si substrates by a concentration controlling of the precursor solution during the metal organic deposition process. Topography of samples was investigated by atomic force microscopy after annealing at 800 °C. X-ray diffraction found that the degree of a -axis orientation increased with increasing annealing temperature. The leakage current and the dielectric property were strongly dependent on the film orientation, and the possible causes of orientation dependence were discussed.

The effects of external stress cooperated with temperature, measuring frequency and measuring electric field on the fatigue properties of Bi 3.25 La 0.75 Ti 3 O 12 thin films are investigated. The fatigue properties can be improved by the external stress (both tensile and compressive). The larger the stress is, the more obvious the improvement is. Meanwhile, the stress-induced improvement is more distinct in the films annealed at a higher temperature. In addition, when measured at a higher frequency or at a larger electric field, the films show better fatigue properties, and the improvement caused by stress is more evident. The experimental results can be explained well by the mechanism in which the charged defects pin the domain walls during electric cycling.

Single phase ceramics CaCu3Ti4.0O12 and CaCu3Ti3.9O12 have been prepared using the traditional solid-state reaction method. Compared with the stoichiometric ceramics CaCu3Ti4.0O12, Ti-deficient ceramics CaCu3Ti3.9O12 have the larger lattice parameter, the higher force constant, and smaller dielectric constant and the lower dissipation factor, although their fundamental characters of dielectric response are similar. Their characteristic relaxation frequencies are not well fitted with the Arrhenius Law but a tentatively supposed relation. With the Cole–Cole Law, the fitted broadened factors of dissipation peaks are 0.5433 and 0.8651 for CaCu3Ti3.9O12 and CaCu3Ti4.0O12, respectively. All facts mentioned above imply that mutually correlated motion of Ti ions or defects may be expected to be responsible for the giant dielectric constant and high dissipation factor of CaCu3Ti4.0O12.

KNb0.95Co0.05O3 (KN–Co) ceramic was prepared via a solid-state reaction method, and the effect of cobalt dopant on the structural, electric, and magnetic properties was studied. The KN–Co ceramic with polycrystalline perovskite structure exhibited ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties simultaneously at room temperature, and the coupling of them was confirmed by a large magnetocapacitance effect (about 13%) near the Curie temperature. The possible causes for the magnetism and magnetoelectric properties are discussed.

Rationale: Systemic Scleroderma (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease clinically characterized by cutaneous sclerosis and variable systemic involvement. No drug is currently available to effectively reverse the fibrotic process in SSc. Previous reports have suggested that the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists could be useful for the treatment of fibrotic disorders. However, TNFα has long been considered as an antifibrotic cytokine. Whether TNF antagonist is effective for SSc patients needs to be tested. Patient concerns-Diagnosis: Here we report a case with a 2-year history of SSc who was effectively treated with infliximab in our clinic. Interventions: The patient manifested skin thickening, chest tightness and arthralgia. Before admitted to our clinic, he was treated with methylprednisolone, prostacyclin, D-penicillamine and calcium antagonists but without significant improvement of his signs and symptoms. In our clinic, the patient was treated with infliximab. Outcomes: His signs and symptoms were continued improving during the course of treatment. His skin biopsy showed significant reduction in fibroplasia finally. Lessons: TNF antagonist is an effective treatment for SSc.