Binary Structured Polypropylene/Polyethylene Glycol Micronanofibrous Membranes with Enhanced Water and Air Permeability

Heng Zhang,Qi Zhen,Jing-Qiang Cui,Huan-Wei Sun,Rang-Tong Liu,Yi-Feng Zhang,Yong Liu 한국섬유공학회 2021 Fibers and polymers Vol.22 No.1

As a stable chemical material, polypropylene (PP) micro-nanofibrous membranes are widely used in medical andhealth care. However, PP fibrous membranes with single nano scale diameter are conducive to high packing density, whichresults in large flow resistance across the membrane. Therefore, to improve the material’s water and air permeability,polyethylene glycol (PEG), an incompatible polymer with PP, was introduced by blending in a modified method using a meltblowing process. This proposed approach allows large 10 μm diameter fibers to be entangled with fine 300 nm diameterfibers to produce highly porous binary structured fibrous membranes with small pore size. Because of its binary structure, theair permeability in the material reached 569.56 mm/s and the water vertical velocity was 70.15 mm/s. Additionally, the threedimensionalnumerical calculations suggested that the high porosity and binary structure were key to enhancing waterpermeability in the fibrous membranes. These binary structured micro-nanofibrous membranes are expected to be used forfiltration, separation, health care, oil/water separation, medical wound dressings, and other applications.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Psychological Effects of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis in Chinese Young Adults

Hui Jie Hu,Zhen Wei Zhang,Yu Liang,Yan Yan Luo,Qi Feng Dou,Cui Ping Song,Hui Min Zhang,Ying Zhao,Guang Run Tian,Ke Zhang,Qiu Fang Mao,Jing Gui Song,Soren Rittig,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2021 International Neurourology Journal Vol.25 No.1

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and effects of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) on physical and mental health in young adults in mainland China. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect information including the sociodemographic characteristics, history of PNE, family history, daytime voiding symptoms, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, Self-Esteem Scale (SES), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 22,500 university students from 23 provinces and 368 cities in mainland China were included. Results: In total, 21,082 questionnaires were collected, and 20,345 of them qualified for statistical analysis. The PNE prevalence was 1.17%, and the distribution of monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) and nonmonosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (NMNE) was 66.1% and 33.9%, respectively. In total, 28% of respondents with PNE reported bedwetting daily, 31.6% between 1 and 7 times weekly, and 40.4% between 1 and 4 times monthly; 80% of PNE cases had no history of treatment. The prevalence of PNE in patients with a family history, frequency, urgency, urinary incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infections was significantly higher than in those without these conditions (P<0.001). PNE was significantly correlated with the PSQI total score (sleep quality) (P=0.011). The SES score was lower and the SDS was higher (P<0.001) in the PNE group than in those without PNE. Conclusions: In mainland China, the PNE prevalence among young adults was found to be high, and PNE had significant effects on physical and mental health. Risk factors included a family history, daytime voiding symptoms, and lack of treatment.

Differentiating Benign from Malignant Bone Tumors Using Fluid-Fluid Level Features on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Hong Yu,Jian-Ling Cui,Sheng-Jie Cui,Ying-Cai Sun,Feng-Zhen Cui 대한영상의학회 2014 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.15 No.6

Objective: To analyze different fluid-fluid level features between benign and malignant bone tumors on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the hospital ethics committee. We retrospectively analyzed 47 patients diagnosed with benign (n = 29) or malignant (n = 18) bone tumors demonstrated by biopsy/surgical resection and who showed the intratumoral fluid-fluid level on pre-surgical MRI. The maximum length of the largest fluid-fluid level and the ratio of the maximum length of the largest fluid-fluid level to the maximum length of a bone tumor in the sagittal plane were investigated for use in distinguishing benign from malignant tumors using the Mann-Whitney U-test and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Fluid-fluid level was categorized by quantity (multiple vs. single fluid-fluid level) and by T1-weighted image signal pattern (high/low, low/high, and undifferentiated), and the findings were compared between the benign and malignant groups using the χ2 test. Results: The ratio of the maximum length of the largest fluid-fluid level to the maximum length of bone tumors in the sagittal plane that allowed statistically significant differentiation between benign and malignant bone tumors had an area under the ROC curve of 0.758 (95% confidence interval, 0.616–0.899). A cutoff value of 41.5% (higher value suggests a benign tumor) had sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 83%. Conclusion: The ratio of the maximum length of the largest fluid-fluid level to the maximum length of a bone tumor in the sagittal plane may be useful to differentiate benign from malignant bone tumors.

Flexible Cu2O/Cu film self-powered photodetector for high visible light selection and fast response

Liu Yonghao,Zhao Dawei,Sun Ximing,Cui Feng,Zhang Shan,Shang Xue,Xuan Zhen,Xiao Juqing,Wang Jiapeng,Ren Yandong 한국물리학회 2024 Current Applied Physics Vol.58 No.-

Spectral selection is one of the key performance parameters for visible light photodetectors (VLPD). However, as the absorbing layer of the VLPD, the semiconductor has strong ultraviolet light absorption, leading to poor visible light selectivity of the VLPD. This work fabricated a flexible photovoltaic VLPD based on Cu2O/Cu Schottky junction by annealing Cu foil. Under zero bias, the Cu2O/Cu VLPD showed the responsivity of 14 mA/W, the response time of 1 ms, and the detectivity of 8.8 × 1011 Jones to 620 nm light. Moreover, the detection band of the device is in the range of 500–640 nm, indicating excellent visible light selectivity. Optical and electrical characterization shows that the high visible selectivity of the device is mainly attributed to the fact that the penetration depth of visible light in Cu2O film matches the position of the Cu2O/Cu Schottky junction. This, in turn, induces the effective separation of the photogenerated carriers excited by the visible light. In addition, the bend detection performance of the device is demonstrated. This work provides a reference for improving the spectral selectivity of visible photodetectors.

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Psychological Effects of Overactive Bladder in Chinese University Students

Yu Liang,Guo Wei Si,Hui Jie Hu,Zhen Wei Zhang,Cui Ping Song,Qi Feng Dou,Jian Guo Wen 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2022 International Neurourology Journal Vol.26 No.4

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of overactive bladder (OAB) in young adults and to explore the influence of OAB on mental health. Methods: Between October 2019 and January 2020, 14,010 anonymous questionnaires were distributed to freshmen at 2 universities in Henan, China. The students came from all over the country. The questionnaire included general items and information necessary to calculate the overactive bladder symptom score, the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Self-Esteem Scale (SES) score, and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) score. The relationships between the prevalence of OAB and its risk factors were evaluated. Results: The overall prevalence of OAB was 6.0%, with 4.3% of participants characterized as having dry OAB and 1.7% as having wet OAB. The prevalence of mild OAB was 5.5%, and that of moderate OAB was 0.5%; no severe OAB was observed. Higher prevalence rates of OAB were found among women, respondents with constipation, and respondents with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) (P <0.05). Compared to healthy controls, the OAB group exhibited a higher mean SDS score (52.12±8.986 vs. 47.71±9.399, P<0.001) and mean PSQI score (5.28±2.486 vs. 4.27±2.431, P<0.001), but a lower mean SES score (27.78±3.599 vs. 29.57±4.109, P<0.001). Conclusions: OAB significantly affects the mental health of young adults. Female sex, constipation, and PNE are risk factors for OAB.

Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 (FABP5) Promotes Aggressiveness of Gastric Cancer Through Modulation of Tumor Immunity

Shu Zhang,Mei-qing Qiu,Hui-jun Wang,Ya-fei Ju,Zhen Liu,Tao Wang,Shi-feng Kan,Zhen Yang,Ya-yun Cui,You-qiang Ke,Hong-min He,Li Sun 대한위암학회 2023 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.23 No.2

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most lethal cancer globally and is associated with poor prognosis. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) can regulate biological properties of carcinoma cells. FABP5 is overexpressed in many types of cancers; however, the role and mechanisms of action of FABP5 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and biological functions of FABP5 in GC. Materials and Methods: We assessed FABP5 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 79 patients with GC and evaluated its biological functions following in vitro and in vivo ectopic expression. FABP5 targets relevant to GC progression were determined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Elevated FABP5 expression was closely associated with poor outcomes, and ectopic expression of FABP5 promoted proliferation, invasion, migration, and carcinogenicity of GC cells, thus suggesting its potential tumor-promoting role in GC. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that FABP5 activates immune-related pathways, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways, interleukin-17 signaling, and tumor necrosis factor signaling, suggesting an important rationale for the possible development of therapies that combine FABP5-targeted drugs with immunotherapeutics. Conclusions: These findings highlight the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of FABP5 in GC and suggest its potential as an adverse prognostic factor and/or therapeutic target.

Synergistic Effects of Leflunomide and Benazepril in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy

Jin, Hua,Piao, Shang Guo,Jin, Ji Zhe,Jin, Ying Shun,Cui, Zhen Hua,Jin, Hai Feng,Zheng, Hai Lan,Li, Jin Ji,Jiang, Yu Ji,Yang, Chul Woo,Li, Can S.Karger 2014 The Nephron Journals Vol.126 No.3

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Background:</I></B> Leflunomide (LEF) and benazepril have renoprotective effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) through their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities. This study investigated whether combined treatment using LEF and benazepril affords superior protection compared with the respective monotherapies. <B><I>Methods:</I></B> Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection in male Wistar rats. Two weeks after STZ injection, diabetic rats were treated daily for 12 weeks with LEF (10 mg/kg), benazepril (10 mg/kg), or a combination of both. Basic parameters (body weight, fasting blood glucose level, and 24 h urinary protein excretion), histopathology, inflammatory [inflammatory cell infiltration (ED-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2)] and glomerulosclerotic factors [transforming growth factor-β<SUB>1</SUB> (TGF-β<SUB>1</SUB>) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)], and oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) were studied. <B><I>Results:</I></B> Benazepril or LEF treatment significantly prevented body weight loss and 24 h urinary protein excretion induced by diabetes; combined treatment with LEF and benazepril further improved these parameters compared with giving each drug alone (all p < 0.01). Increased expression of inflammatory (MCP-1 and TLR-2) and glomerulosclerotic (TGF-β<SUB>1</SUB> and CTGF) factors in diabetic rat kidney was reduced by treatment with either LEF or benazepril and was further reduced by the combined administration of the two drugs (p < 0.01). These effects were accompanied by suppression of urinary 8-OHdG excretion. There was no significant between-group difference in blood glucose level. <B><I>Conclusions:</I></B> LEF treatment lessens DN, and combined treatment with LEF and benazepril provides synergistic effects in preventing DN.</P><P>© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>