Localization effect in single crystal of RuAs_(2)

We report the magnetotransport and thermal properties of RuAs_(2) single crystal.RuAs_(2) exhibits semiconductor behavior and localization effect.The crossover from normal state to diffusive transport in the weak localization(WL)state and then to variable range hopping(VRH)transport in the strong localization state has been observed.The transitions can be reflected in the measurement of resistivity and Seebeck coefficient.Negative magnetoresistance(NMR)emerges with the appearance of localization effect and is gradually suppressed in high magnetic field.The temperature dependent phase coherence length extracted from the fittings of NMR also indicates the transition from WL to VRH.The measurement of Hall effect reveals an anomaly of temperature dependent carrier concentration caused by localization effect.Our findings show that RuAs_(2) is a suitable platform to study the localized state.

Strong spin frustration and magnetism in kagoméantiferromagnets LnCu_(3)(OH)_(6)Br_(3)(Ln=Nd,Sm,and Eu)

To study the effects of lanthanide ions on the geometrically frustrated antiferromagnets and their magnetic properties,we grew high-quality single crystals of LnCu_(3)(OH)_(6)Br_(3)(Ln=Nd,Sm,and Eu)by hydrothermal method and studied their crystal structures and magnetic properties.The refinements of the crystal structure referred to the powder x-ray diffraction data show that LnCu_(3)(OH)_(6)Br_(3)adopt a Kapellasite-type layer structure,which is isostructural to their chlorine analogue.Magnetic susceptibilities demonstrate that LnCu_(3)(OH)_(6)Br_(3)have strong antiferromagnetic coupling and a pronounced magnetic frustration effect.Magnetization measurements indicate canted antiferromagnetic ordering of Cu^(2+)ions around 16 K within the kagoméplane and weak ferromagnetic coupling.Moreover,shoulder-like anomalies in specific heat around 16 K could be a signature of emergent of magnetic ordering.The low-temperature negative magnetization and specific heat of LnCu_(3)(OH)_(6)Br_(3)(Ln=Nd,Sm,and Eu)indicate that Ln^(3+)ions induce more exotic magnetic ground state properties.

Changes with aging in gastric biomarkers levels and in biochemical factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic Chinese population

AIM To observe changes in gastric biomarker levels with age and effects of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection in a healthy population, and explore factors associated with gastric biomarkers.METHODS Three hundred and ninety-five subjects were selected and underwent physical examinations, biochemical tests, and measurement of serum pepsinogen(PG)Ⅰ and Ⅱ, gastrin-17(G-17) and H. pylori antibody levels. Analyses were made by Student's t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regressions.RESULTS PGII levels were higher in the ≥ 65-years-old age group(P < 0.05) and PGI/PGII were lower in the ≥ 75-years-old age group(P = 0.035) compared to the 35-44-years-old age group. Levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were higher(P = 0.009) in H. pylori-infected subjects that were male. LDL-C levels were higher in 55-74-years-old age group(P < 0.05) for H. pylori-infected subjects and 45-64-yearsold age group(P < 0.05) for non-infected subjects compared to 35-44-years-old age group. Hp-Ig G level positively correlated with PGⅠ, PGⅡ and G-17(P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.006), and negatively correlated with PGI/PGII(P < 0.001). Creatinine positively correlated with PGⅠ, PGⅡ and G-17(P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Fasting blood glucose(FBG) positively correlated with PGⅠ/PGⅡ and G-17(P < 0.001, P = 0.037). Age positively correlated with PGII and G-17(P = 0.005, P = 0.026).CONCLUSION PGII levels increased while PGI/PGII declined with age in a healthy population. H. pylori infection had an effect on raising LDL-C levels to increase the risk of atherosclerosis in males, especially those of elderly age. Age, H. pylori infection, levels of renal function and FBG were associated with levels of pepsinogens and gastrin.

Preoperative prediction of malignant potential of 2-5 cm gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors by computerized tomography-based radiomics

BACKGROUND The use of endoscopic surgery for treating gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)between 2 and 5 cm remains controversial considering the potential risk of metastasis and recurrence.Also,surgeons are facing great difficulties and challenges in assessing the malignant potential of 2-5 cm gastric GISTs.AIM To develop and evaluate computerized tomography(CT)-based radiomics for predicting the malignant potential of primary 2-5 cm gastric GISTs.METHODS A total of 103 patients with pathologically confirmed gastric GISTs between 2 and 5 cm were enrolled.The malignant potential was categorized into low grade and high grade according to postoperative pathology results.Preoperative CT images were reviewed by two radiologists.A radiological model was constructed by CT findings and clinical characteristics using logistic regression.Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative contrast-enhanced CT images in the arterial phase.The XGboost method was used to construct a radiomics model for the prediction of malignant potential.Nomogram was established by combing the radiomics score with CT findings.All of the models were developed in a training group(n=69)and evaluated in a test group(n=34).RESULTS The area under the curve(AUC)value of the radiological,radiomics,and nomogram models was 0.753(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.597-0.909),0.919(95%CI:0.828-1.000),and 0.916(95%CI:0.801-1.000)in the training group vs 0.642(95%CI:0.379-0.870),0.881(95%CI:0.772-0.990),and 0.894(95%CI:0.773-1.000)in the test group,respectively.The AUC of the nomogram model was significantly larger than that of the radiological model in both the training group(Z=2.795,P=0.0052)and test group(Z=2.785,P=0.0054).The decision curve of analysis showed that the nomogram model produced increased benefit across the entire risk threshold range.CONCLUSION Radiomics may be an effective tool to predict the malignant potential of 2-5 cm gastric GISTs and assist preoperative clinical decision making.

Association between ventricular repolarization variables and cardiac diastolic function: A cross-sectional study of a healthy Chinese population

BACKGROUND Diastolic electromechanical couple, a well-described phenomenon in symptomatic heart failure, has not been well studied in healthy people. We hypothesized that ventricular repolarization variables, such as the QT interval,Tpeak-to-Tend(Tpe) interval and Tpe/QT ratio, are associated with cardiac diastolic function in the healthy Chinese population.AIM To assess the relationship between ventricular repolarization variables and cardiac diastolic function in apparently healthy Chinese individuals.METHODS This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Shenyang,China. A total of 414 healthy subjects aged 35-91 years were enrolled. All subjects underwent standard 12-lead electrocardiography(ECG) and comprehensive echocardiography. ECG enabled the measurement of QT and Tpe intervals and Tpe/QT ratio. echocardiographic parameters, such as the ratio of mitral early diastolic inflow velocity(E) and late diastolic inflow velocity(A), E-wave deceleration time, left atrial volume(LAV) and LAV index, were measured to assess diastolic function. E/A < 0.75 was considered to indicate reduced diastolic function. ECG and echocardiography results were analyzed separately and in a blinded fashion. Correlation and regression analyses were applied to determine associations.RESULTS Ventricular repolarization variables, such as the QTc interval(393.59 ± 26.74 vs403.86 ± 33.56; P < 0.001), Tpe interval(72.68 ± 12.41 vs 77.26 ± 17.86; P < 0.01),Tpec interval(76.36 ± 13.53 vs 83.32 ± 21.25; P < 0.001) and Tpe/QT ratio(0.19 ±0.03 vs 0.20 ± 0.04; P < 0.01), were significantly different between the normal diastolic function group and the reduced diastolic function group. Significant associations were found between repolarization variables and diastolic function.After adjusting for all other possible confounders, the QTc and Tpe_c intervals were significantly associated with the E/A ratio(P = 0.008; P = 0.010). In men, the QTc interval was associated with abnormal diastolic function, and compared to the third QTc tertile, in the second QTc tertile, the odds ratio was 0.257(95%CI:0.102–0.649; P = 0.004).CONCLUSION Repolarization variables are associated with cardiac diastolic function even in healthy people. Moderate levels of the QTc interval exert a protective effect on diastolic dysfunction in men.

Magnetism and giant magnetocaloric effect in rare-earth-based compounds R_(3)BWO_9(R=Gd,Dy,Ho)

The magnetism and magnetocaloric effect(MCE)of rare-earth-based tungstate compounds R_(3)BWO_9(R=Gd,Dy,Ho)have been studied by magnetic susceptibility,isothermal magnetization,and specific heat measurements.No obvious long-range magnetic ordering can be found down to 2 K.The Curie-Weiss fitting and magnetic susceptibilities under different applied fields reveal the existence of weak short-range antiferromagnetic couplings at low temperature in these systems.The calculations of isothermal magnetization exhibit a giant MCE with the maximum changes of magnetic entropy being 54.80 J/kg-K at 2 K for Gd_(3)BWO_9,28.5 J/kg-K at 6 K for Dy_(3)BWO_(9),and 29.76 J/kg-K at 4 K for Ho_(3)BWO_9,respectively,under a field change of 0-7 T.Especially for Gd_(3)BWO_9,the maximum value of magnetic entropy change(-ΔS_M^(max))and adiabatic temperature change(-ΔT_(ad)^(max))are 36.75 J/kg·K and 5.56 K for a low field change of 0-3 T,indicating a promising application for low temperature magnetic refrigeration.

Boosting ammonia production in electrocatalytic NO_(x)reduction on a robust Fe/FeMoO_(4)catalyst

Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate(NO_(3)^(−))and nitride(NO_(2)^(−))to ammonia(NH3)is of wide interest as a promising alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch route for mitigating the vast energy consumption and the accompanied carbon dioxide emission,as well as benefiting for the relevant sewage treatment.However,exploring an efficient and low-cost catalyst with high atomic utilization that can effectively facilitate the slow multi-electron transfer process remains a grand challenge.Herein,we present an efficient hydrogenation of NO_(3)^(−)/NO_(2)^(−)species to NH3 in both alkaline and neutral environments over the Fe_(2)(MoO_(4))_(3)derived hybrid electrocatalyst with the metallic Fe site on FeMoO_(4)(Fe/FeMoO_(4)).The Mo ingredient can play a synergistically positive role in further promoting the NH_(3) production on Fe.As a result,Fe/FeMoO_(4)behaves well in the electrochemical NH_(3) generation from NO_(2)^(−)with a maximum NH_(3) Faradaic efficiency(FE)of 96.53%and 87.68%in alkaline and neutral electrolyte,corresponding to the NH_(3) yield rate of 640.68 and 302.56 mg·h^(−1)·mg_(cat.)^(−1),respectively,which outperforms the Fe and Mo counterpart and other similar catalyst,showing the robust catalytic capacity of each active site.

A Retrospective Study of Pulmonary Actinomycosis in a Single Institution in China

Background：Actinomycosis is a rare indolent infectious disease caused by Actinomyces.Although pulmonary actinomycosis is thought to be more prevalent in developing countries,data from developing countries are scanty.This study was to reveal the current situation of pulmonary actinomycosis in developing countries and the difference from that in developed countries.Methods：Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria for pulmonary actinomycosis from Peking Union Medical College Hospital in China between January 2003 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.Baseline characteristics,clinical symptoms,underlying diseases,diagnostic methods,pulmonary function test results,chest computed tomography （CT） tests,fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography （FDG-PET） tests,initial diagnosis,treatment and prognosis were retrieved from medical records and analyzed.Results：Twenty-six patients were included in this study （mean age 52.0 ＋ 13.1 years）.The ratio of male to female was 1.17：1.Most common clinical symptoms were cough （15/26）,sputum （12/26） and hemoptysis （12/26）.Chest CT findings presented as masses （13/26）,nodules （10/26） and infiltrates （3/26）.FDG-PET had an increased standardized uptake value and 4/6 patients were misdiagnosed as malignancy.Many kinds of antibiotics were used in the treatment of pulmonary actonomycosis and all got favorable results.Five patients receiving complete resection of the lesion were cured without postoperative use of antibiotic.Conclusions：Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare disease even in developing countries,and both misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis are common.FDG-PET seems useless in the differential diagnosis,and complete resection of the pulmonary lesion without postoperative antibiotic therapy might be enough to achieve cure.

Efficacy of Leflunomide, Telmisartan, and Clopidogrel for Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy： A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background： The efficacy and safety of telmisartan combined with clopidogrel, leflunomide, or both drugs for immunoglobulin A nephropathy （IgAN） are unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telmisartan combined with clopidogrel, leflunomide, or both drugs for IgAN. Methods： It is a multicenter, prospective, double-dummy randomized controlled trial. Primary IgAN patients were recruited in 13 renal units across Beijing, China, from July 2010 to June 2012. After a 4-week telmisartan （80 mg/d） wash-in, 400 patients continuing on 80 mg/d telmisartan were randomly assigned to additionally receive placebo （Group A）, 50 mg/d clopidogrel （Group B）, 20 mg/d leflunomide （Group C）, or 50 mg/d clopidogrel and 20 mg/d leflunomide （Group D）. The 24-week intervention was completed by 360 patients. The primary endpoint was change in 24-h proteinuria at 24 weeks. A linear mixed-effect model was used to analyze the changes at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate changes in hematuria grade. This trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Results： The effects oftelmisartan combined with leflunomide on changes in proteinuria （0.36 [95% confidence interval （CI） 0.18 0.55] g/d, P 〈 0.001）, in serum uric acid （76.96 [95% CI 57.44-96.49] μmol/L, P 〈 0.001）, in serum creatinine （9.49 [95% CI 6.54-12.44]μmol/L, P 〈 0.001）, and in estimated glomerular filtration rate （-6.72 [95% CI-9.46 to -3.98] ml.min -1. 1.73 m -2, p 〈 0.001） were statistically significant, whereas they were not statistically significant on changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and weight （P 〉 0.05）.Telmisartan combined with clopidogrel had no statistical effect on any outcome, and there was no interaction between the interventions. No obvious adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions： Telmisartan combined with leflunomide, not clopidogrel, is safe and effective for decreasing proteinuria in certain IgAN patients.

Analysis of Factors Associated with Death in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients： A Multicenter Study in China

Background： Patients on hemodialysis have a high-mortality risk. Tiffs study analyzed factors associated with death in patients on maintenance hemodialysis （MHD）. While some studies used baseline data of MHD patients, this study used the most recent data obtained from patients just prior to either a primary endpoint or the end of the study period to iliad the characteristics of patients preceding death.Methods： Participants were selected from 16 blood purification centers in China from January 2012 to December 2014, Patients＇ data were collected retrospectively. Based on survival status, the participants were divided into two groups： survival group and the death group. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine/＇actors associated with all-cause mortality.

Clinical features of acute kidney injury in patients with nephrotic syndrome and minimal change disease:a retrospective,cross-sectional study

Background:Minimal change nephropathy(MCD)is a common pathological type of nephrotic syndrome and is often associated with acute kidney injury(AKI).This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and related factors of AKI in patients with MCD and nephrotic syndrome.Methods:Patients from Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital who were diagnosed with pathological renal MCD with clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome were included from January 1,2013 to December 31,2017.Patients diagnosed with membranous nephropathy(MN)by renal biopsy from January 1,2013 to December 31,2017 are included as a control population.We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients as well as the percentages and clinical characteristics of AKI in different age groups.We assessed the correlation of pathological characteristics with serum creatinine using multivariate linear regression analysis.Results:A total of 367 patients with MCD were included in the analysis,with a sex ratio of 1.46:1(male:female)and an age range of 6 to 77 years.Among all the patients,109 developed AKI(29.7%),and of these patients,85 were male(78.0%).In the 586 patients with MN,27(4.6%)patients developed AKI.The percentage of AKI in MCD patients was significantly higher than that in MN patients(χ^(2)=41.063,P<0.001).The percentage of AKI increased with age in the MCD patients.The percentage of AKI in patients aged 50 years or older was 52.9%(46/87),which was significantly higher than that[22.5%(63/280)]in patients under 50 years(χ^(2)=6.347,P=0.013).We observed statistically significant differences in age(43[27,59]years vs.28[20,44]years,Z=5.487,P<0.001),male(78.0%vs.51.4%,χ^(2)=22.470,P<0.001),serum albumin(19.9±6.1 g/L vs.21.5±5.7 g/L,t=2.376,P=0.018),serum creatinine(129.5[105.7,171.1]μmol/L vs.69.7[57.7,81.9]μmol/L,Z=14.190,P<0.001),serum urea(10.1[6.2,15.8]mmol/L vs.4.7[3.6,6.4]mmol/L,Z=10.545,P<0.001),IgE(266.0[86.7,963.0]IU/ml vs.142.0[35.3,516.5]IU/ml,Z=2.742,P=0.007),history of diabetes(6.4%vs.1.2%,P=0.009),and history of hypertension(23.9%vs.5.1%,χ^(2)=28.238,P<0.001)between the AKI group and the non-AKI group.According to multivariate linear regression analysis,among the renal pathological features analyzed,renal tubular epithelial cell damage(β=178.010,95%CI:147.888-208.132,P<0.001)and renal interstitial edema(β=28.833,95%CI:11.966-45.700,P=0.001)correlated with serum creatinine values.Conclusions:The percentage of AKI in MCD patients is significantly higher than that in MN patients.Patients over 50 years old are more likely to develop AKI.Renal tubular epithelial cell injury and renal interstitial edema may be the main pathological lesions that are associated with elevated serum creatinine in patients with MCD.

Association between age-related kidney function and vascular subclinical state in a healthy Chinese population

To the Editor:Aging is associated with kidney dysfunction and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.The connection between the cardiovascular system and kidney function is apparent,even in the early stage of renal insufficiency.Cystatin C(CYSC),one of the cystatin superfamily that is expressed in all the nucleated cells,was considered to be one of the best indicators for evaluating renal function.[1]CYSC is a potent inhibitor of cathepsin B(CTSB),which is strictly regulated by CYSC in extracellular matrix remodeling.Imbalances between CYSC and CTSB are connected with atherosclerosis(AS),coronary heart disease,and chronic kidney disease with aging-related phenotypes.Our previous study confirmed that serum CTSB levels were associated with age and decreased cardiovascular-renal functions in healthy adults,[2]suggesting that CTSB exhibits heightened sensitivity to changes in cardiovascular and glomerular function.The present investigation,underlining the role of synthetic and degradative pathways in the aging process,emphasizes that cardio-renal interaction with aging could depend partly on differential expression of some genes leading to an imbalance of functional proteins.In this study,we analyzed the association between renal function,measured by CYSC and estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),and vascular parameters in a healthy Chinese population.