Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography-based renal blood perfusion in brain-dead donors predicts early graft function

Weiming He,Yuguang Xu,Chaoyang Gong,Xiaozhen Liu,Yuqiang Wu,Xi Xie,Jiazhen Chen,Yi Yu,Zhiyong Guo,Qiang Sun 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.4

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantify renal microcirculatory perfusion in braindead donors using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), and to establish an accurate, noninvasive, and convenient index for predicting delayed graft function (DGF) post-transplantation. Methods: In total, 90 brain-dead donor kidneys (training group, n=60; validation group, n=30) examined between August 2020 and November 2022 were recruited in this prospective study. CEUS was performed on the kidneys of brain-dead donors 24 hours before organ procurement and time-intensity curves were constructed. The main measures were arrival time, time to peak, and peak intensity of the kidney segmental arteries, cortex, and medulla. Recipients were divided into DGF and non-DGF groups according to early post-transplant graft function. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess diagnostic performance. Results: The arrival time of the kidney segmental artery and cortex and the time interval between the time to peak of the segmental artery and cortex were identified as independent factors associated with DGF by multivariate stepwise regression analysis. A new index for the joint prediction model of three variables, the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography/Kidney Donor Profile index (CEUS-KDPI), was developed. CEUS-KDPI showed high accuracy for predicting DGF (training group: AUC, 0.91; sensitivity, 90.5%; specificity, 92.3%; validation group: AUC, 0.84; sensitivity, 75.0%; specificity, 92.3%). Conclusion: CEUS-KDPI accurately predicted DGF after kidney transplantation. CEUS may be a potential noninvasive tool for bedside examinations before organ procurement and may be used to predict early renal function after kidney transplants kidneys from donors after brain death.

Enzymatic Desymmetrization of 3-(4-Fluorophenyl)glutaric Anhydride through Enantioselective Alcoholysis in Organic Solvents

Weiming Liu,Yi Hu,Yang Zhang,Yan Ma,He Huang 한국생물공학회 2014 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.19 No.3

The enzymatic desymmetrization of 3-(4-fluorophenyl)glutaric anhydride (3-FGA) was investigatedthrough lipase-catalyzed enantioselective alcoholysis inorganic solvents. An immobilized Lipase B from CandidaAntarctica (Novozym 435) was found to be an efficientbiocatalyst for the enantioselective alcoholysis of 3-FGA. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and methanol were chosenas the suitable reaction medium and acyl acceptor,respectively. The optimum reaction temperature, molarratio of methanol to 3-FGA and 3-FGA concentration were25oC, 2:1 and 100 mM, respectively. Under these conditions,complete conversion was achieved and methyl (S)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)glutarate ((S)-MFG) was obtained in a moderateee value of 80%. Furthermore, the reaction was performedon a gram scale and the ee value of (S)-MFG was enrichedto 96% after treatment with a toluene/hexane (2/1, v/v)mixture.

Theoretical and experimental study on damage detection for beam string structure

He, Haoxiang,Yan, Weiming,Zhang, Ailin Techno-Press 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.12 No.3

Beam string structure (BSS) is introduced as a new type of hybrid prestressed string structures. The composition and mechanics features of BSS are discussed. The main principles of wavelet packet transform (WPT), principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine (SVM) have been reviewed. WPT is applied to the structural response signals, and feature vectors are obtained by feature extraction and PCA. The feature vectors are used for training and classification as the inputs of the support vector machine. The method is used to a single one-way arched beam string structure for damage detection. The cable prestress loss and web members damage experiment for a beam string structure is carried through. Different prestressing forces are applied on the cable to simulate cable prestress loss, the prestressing forces are calculated by the frequencies which are solved by Fourier transform or wavelet transform under impulse excitation. Test results verify this method is accurate and convenient. The damage cases of web members on the beam are tested to validate the efficiency of the method presented in this study. Wavelet packet decomposition is applied to the structural response signals under ambient vibration, feature vectors are obtained by feature extraction method. The feature vectors are used for training and classification as the inputs of the support vector machine. The structural damage position and degree can be identified and classified, and the test result is highly accurate especially combined with principle component analysis.

Clinical Features and Computed Tomography Characteristics of Non-Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscesses in Elderly (>65 Years) and Nonelderly Patients

Chih-Weim Hsiang,Wei-Chou Chang,Chang-Hsien Liu,Hsiu-Lung Fan,Kai-Hsiung Ko,Chih-Yung Yu,Hong-Hau Wang,Wen-I Liao,Hsian-He Hsu 연세대학교의과대학 2015 Yonsei medical journal Vol.56 No.2

Purpose: To compare the clinical and computed tomography (CT) appearances of liver abscesses caused by non-Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial pathogens in elderly and nonelderly patients. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients with confirmed non-Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscesses (non-KPLAs) were enrolled and dividedinto two age groups: elderly (age ≥65 years, n=42) and nonelderly (age <65 years, n=38). Diagnosis of non-KPLA was established by pus and/or blood culture. We compared clinical presentations, outcomes, and CT characteristics of the two groups, and performed multivariate analysis for significant variables and receiver-operating-characteristic analysis to determine the cutoff value of abscess diameter for predicting non-KPLA. Results: Elderly patients with non-KPLA were associatedwith a longer hospital stay (p<0.01). Regarding etiology, biliary sources had a strong association in the elderly group (p<0.01), and chronic liver diseases were relatedto the nonelderly group (p<0.01). Non-KPLAs (52.5%) tended to show a large, multiloculated appearance in the elderly group and were associated with bile duct dilatation (p<0.01), compared with the nonelderly group. The abscess diameter (cutoff value, 5.2 cm; area under the curve, 0.78) between the two groups was predicted. In multivariate analysis, underlying biliary tract disease [odds ratio (OR), 3.58, p<0.05], abscess diameter (OR, 2.40, p<0.05), and multiloculated abscess (OR, 1.19, p<0.01) independently predicted elderly patients with non-KPLA. Conclusion:In the elderly patients with non-KPLA, a large, multiloculated abscess with a diameter greater than 5.2 cm was the predominant imaging feature.

Design, fabrication and test of a taper-type half-wave superconducting cavity with the optimal beta of 0.15 at IMP

Yue Weiming,Zhang Shengxue,Li Chunlong,Jiang Tiancai,Liu Lubei,Wang Ruoxu,Huang Yulu,Tan Teng,Guo Hao,Zaplatin Evgeny,Xiong Pingran,Wu Andong,Wang Fengfeng,Zhang Shenghu,Huang Shichun,He Yuan,Yao Zeen 한국원자력학회 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.8

As a part of R&D work for the high intensity proton linac of China Accelerator Driven Sub-critical System project, a superconducting half-wave cavity with a frequency of 162.5 MHz and an optimal beta of 0.15 (HWR015) has been developed at Institute of Modern Physics (IMP), Chinese Academy of Sciences. In this paper, the design and test results will be described in detail. We introduced a new stiffening strategy for the HWR cavity, the simulation results show that the cavity has much lower frequency sensitivity coefficient (df/dp), Lorentz force detuning coefficient (KL), and can achieve more stable mechanical properties. The performance of the HWR cavity operated in cryostat will be also reported.

Theoretical and experimental study on damage detection for beam string structure

Haoxiang He,Weiming Yan,Ailin Zhang 국제구조공학회 2013 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.12 No.3

Beam string structure (BSS) is introduced as a new type of hybrid prestressed string structures. The composition and mechanics features of BSS are discussed. The main principles of wavelet packet transform (WPT), principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine (SVM) have been reviewed. WPT is applied to the structural response signals, and feature vectors are obtained by feature extraction and PCA. The feature vectors are used for training and classification as the inputs of the support vector machine. The method is used to a single one-way arched beam string structure for damage detection. The cable prestress loss and web members damage experiment for a beam string structure is carried through. Different prestressing forces are applied on the cable to simulate cable prestress loss, the prestressing forces are calculated by the frequencies which are solved by Fourier transform or wavelet transform under impulse excitation. Test results verify this method is accurate and convenient. The damage cases of web members on the beam are tested to validate the efficiency of the method presented in this study. Wavelet packet decomposition is applied to the structural response signals under ambient vibration, feature vectors are obtained by feature extraction method. The feature vectors are used for training and classification as the inputs of the support vector machine. The structural damage position and degree can be identified and classified, and the test result is highly accurate especially combined with principle component analysis.

Sclareol Protects Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Lung Cell Injury via Inhibiting Alpha-Hemolysin Expression

( Ouyang Ping ),( Sun Mao ),( He Xuewen ),( Wang Kaiyu ),( Yin Zhongqiong ),( Fu Hualin ),( Li Yinglun ),( Geng Yi ),( Shu Gang ),( He Changliang ),( Liang Xiaoxia ),( Lai Weiming ),( Li Lixia ),( Zou 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2017 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.27 No.1

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common gram-positive bacterium that causes serious infections in humans and animals. With the continuous emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains, antibiotics have limited efficacy in treating MRSA infections. Accordingly, novel agents that act on new targets are desperately needed to combat these infections. S. aureus alpha-hemolysin plays an indispensable role in its pathogenicity. In this study, we demonstrate that sclareol, a fragrant chemical compound found in clary sage, can prominently decrease alpha-hemolysin secretion in S. aureus strain USA300 at sub-inhibitory concentrations. Hemolysis assays, western-blotting, and RT-PCR were used to detect the production of alpha-hemolysin in the culture supernatant. When USA300 was co-cultured with A549 epithelial cells, sclareol could protect the A549 cells at a final concentration of 8 μg/ml. The protective capability of sclareol against the USA300-mediated injury of A549 cells was further shown by cytotoxicity assays and live/dead analysis. In conclusion, sclareol was shown to inhibit the production of S. aureus alpha-hemolysin. Sclareol has potential for development as a new agent to treat S. aureus infections.

Laparoscopic surgery contributes to a decrease in short-term complications in surgical ulcerative colitis patients during 2008–2017: a multicenter retrospective study in China

Zerong Cai,Xiaosheng He,Jianfeng Gong,Peng Du,Wenjian Meng,Wei Zhou,Jinbo Jiang,Bin Wu,Weitang Yuan,Qi Xue,Lianwen Yuan,Jinhai Wang,Jiandong Tai,Jie Liang,Weiming Zhu,Ping Lan,Xiaojian Wu 대한장연구학회 2023 Intestinal Research Vol.21 No.2

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the chronological changes in postoperative complications in surgical ulcerative colitis patients over the past decade in China and to investigate the potential parameters that contributed to the changes. Methods: Ulcerative colitis patients who underwent surgery during 2008–2017 were retrospectively enrolled from 13 hospitals in China. Postoperative complications were compared among different operation years. Risk factors for complications were identified by logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 446 surgical ulcerative colitis patients were analyzed. Fewer short-term complications (24.8% vs. 41.0%, P=0.001) and more laparoscopic surgeries (66.4% vs. 25.0%, P<0.001) were found among patients who received surgery during 2014–2017 than 2008–2013. Logistic regression suggested that independent protective factors against short-term complications were a higher preoperative body mass index (odds ratio [OR], 0.870; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.785–0.964; P=0.008), laparoscopic surgery (OR, 0.391; 95% CI, 0.217–0.705; P=0.002) and elective surgery (OR, 0.213; 95% CI, 0.067–0.675; P=0.009). The chronological decrease in short-term complications was associated with an increase in laparoscopic surgery. Conclusions: Our data revealed a downward trend of short-term postoperative complications among surgical ulcerative colitis patients in China during the past decade, which may be due to the promotion of minimally invasive techniques among Chinese surgeons.

Local Joule heating targets catalyst surface for hydrocarbon combustion

Qian Xiong,Xingbao Zhu,Ri He,Xueyi Mei,Yexin Zhang,Zhicheng Zhong,Wei Zhao,Weiming Nie,Jian Zhang 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.117 No.-

Most industrial catalytic reactions are achieved by external heating and catalysts are entirely heated tooffer enough thermal energy to surface active sites. However, there is an inherent drawback that mostinput energy is dissipated into the bulk while minor is donated to the surface, leading to high energywaste. Here, we proposed a so-called local Joule heating method via passing an electric current throughpacked catalyst nanoparticles with a large contact resistance, which can generate sufficient heat to targetat the surface region. We selected hydrocarbon combustion, a common way to eliminate unburned pollutants,as a probe reaction and used the conductive antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) as a model catalyst. Compared with traditional external heating, this method consumed one order lower energy input,reduced the macroscopically average temperature for same conversion by 100 C, improved the durabilitywith smaller activity loss within 100 h operation, and suppressed water poisoning effect by 60 %. Also, the combustion was sparked in seconds by pulsing electric current into the catalyst bed, allowing anapplication in prompt treatment of leaked hydrocarbons. The local Joule heating between contactednanoparticles, which could focus thermal energy on catalyst surface, is prospective to improve catalysisefficiency.

Design and Test Result of a Superconducting Double-Spoke Cavity

Tiancai Jiang,Yulu Huang,Shengxue Zhang,Lubei Liu,Pingran Xiong,Chunlong Li,Hao Guo,Weiming Yue,Shenghu Zhang,Yuan He 한국원자력학회 2019 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.51 No.3

Superconducting multi-spoke cavities are outstanding alternative choice for acceleration of heavy ions inmedium velocity regimes. Based on the scheme of China ADS, several researches on the superconductingdouble-spoke cavities were done and two prototype cavities have been developed. In this paper, the RFdesign, the mechanical design and fabrication considerations of the bare cavity will be described indetail. After Buffered Chemical Polishing and High Pressure Rinsing, one of the prototype cavities wasinstalled into the Vertical Test Stand for high gradient RF testing at 4.2 K. The measurement results of thequality factor as a function of the accelerating field and the maximum surface field will be presented. Anaccelerating gradient of more than 15 MV/m is achieved during the test, with maximum surface electricfield of 58 MV/m, and maximum surface magnetic field of 117 mT