Synthesis of Octapod Cu-Au Bimetallic Nanocrystal with Concave Structure through Galvanic Replacement Reaction

We synthesized octapod Cu-Au bimetallic alloy with a concave structure by employing a replacement reaction between Au PPh3Cl and Cu nanocubes. Using the Cu nanocube as sacrificial templates, we have successfully generated high-active sites on alloy nanocrystals by carefully tuning the replacement reaction and growth. The key is to afford the proper concentration of Au PPh3Cl-TOP to the reaction solution. When the Au precursor with high concentration is injected into the galvanic replacement reaction, the growth dominated the process and hollowed octapod Cu-Au alloy was obtained. In contrast, when the concentration of the Au precursor is low, the replacement reaction can only take place at the nanocrystals, leading to generate Cu-Au nanocages. This work provides an effective strategy for the preparation of hollow bimetallic nanocrystals with high-active sites.

Mortality and Morbidity of Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants in the Mainland of China： A Multi-center Study

Background： With the progress ofperinatal medicine and neonatal technology, more and more extremely low birth weight （ELBW） survived all over the world. This study was designed to investigate the short-term ontcomes of ELBW infants during their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit （NICU） stay in the mainland of China. Methods： All infants admitted to 26 NICUs with a birth weight （BW） 〈1000 g were included between January 1,2011 and December 31,2011. All the data were collected retrospectively from clinical records by a prospectively designed questionnaire. The data collected from each NICU transmitted to the main institution where the results were aggregated and analyzed. Categorical variables were performed with Pearson Chi-square test. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors. Results： A total of 258 ELBW infants were admitted to 26 NICUs, of whom the mean gestational age （GA） was 28.1 ± 2.2 weeks, and the mean BW was 868 ± 97 g. The overall survival rate at discharge was 50.0%. Despite aggressive treatment 60 infants （23.3%） died and another 69 infants （26.7%） died after medical care withdrawal. Furthermore, the survival rate was significantly higher in coastal areas than inland areas （53.6% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.019）. BW 〈750 g and GA 〈28 weeks were the largest risk factors, and being small for gestational age was a protective factor related to mortality. Respiratory distress syndrome was the most common complication. The incidence of patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity was 26.2%, 33.7%, 6.7%, 48.1%, and 41.4%, respectively. Ventilator associated pneumonia was the most common hospital acquired infection during hospitalization. Conclusions： Our study was the first survey that revealed the present status of ELBW infants in the mainland of China. The mortality and morbidity of ELBW infants remained high as compared to other developed countries.

Analysis of In-hospital Neonatal Death in the Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in China： A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Background：Globally,the proportion of child deaths that occur in the neonatal period remains a high level of 37-41%.Differences of cause in neonate death exist in different regions as well as in different economic development countries.The specific aim of this study was to investigate the causes,characteristics,and differences of death in neonates during hospitalization in the tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit （NICU） of China.Methods：All the dead neonates admitted to 26 NICUs were included between January 1,2011,and December 31,2011.All the data were collected retrospectively from clinical records by a designed questionnaire.Data collected from each NICU were delivered to the leading institution where the results were analyzed.Results：A total of 744 newborns died during the l-year survey,accounting for 1.2% of all the neonates admitted to 26 NICUs and 37.6% of all the deaths in children under 5 years of age in these hospitals.Preterm neonate death accounted for 59.3% of all the death.The leading causes of death in preterm and term infants were pulmonary disease and infection,respectively.In early neonate period,pulmonary diseases （56.5%） occupied the largest proportion ofpreterm deaths while infection （27%） and neurologic diseases （22%） were the two main causes of term deaths.In late neonate period,infection was the leading cause of both preterm and term neonate deaths.About two-thirds of neonate death occurred after medical care withdrawal.Of the cases who might survive if receiving continuing treatment,parents＇ concern about the long-term outcomes was the main reason of medical care withdrawal.Conclusions：Neonate death still accounts for a high proportion of all the deaths in children under 5 years of age.Our study showed the majority of neonate death occurred in preterm infants.Cause of death varied with the age of death and gestational age.Accurate and prompt evaluation of the long-term outcomes should be carried out to guide the critical decision.

Co-infection of HIV and parasites in China: Results from an epidemiological survey in rural areas of Fuyang city, Anhui province, China

The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiological characteristics of co-infection of HIV and intestinal parasites in a HIV/AIDS highly endemic area in China.A cross-sectional survey was carried out in two villages where HIV/AIDS prevalence in residents was over 1%.Stool samples of all residents in the two targeted villages were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites.Blood examination was performed for the HIV infection detection and anemia test.A questionnaire survey was carried out in all residents participating in the study.A total of 769 individuals were enrolled in the investigation,720 of whom were involved in stool examination of intestinal parasites.The infection rates of parasites in the residents of the targeted villages were as follows:0.56%for Ascaris lumbricoides,4.03%for Hookworm,0.28%for Trichuris trichiura,0.42%for Clonorchis sinensis,21.39%for Blastocystis hominis,3.89%for Giardia lamblia,1.67%for Entamoeba spp.,4.44%for Cryptosporidium spp.,and no infection for Strongyloides stercoralis.The overall infection rate of intestinal worms was 4.72%,intestinal parasite infection rate was 24.31%,the anemia prevalence rate was 34.68%,the co-infection rate of HIV and intestinal helminthes 2.17%,the co-infection rate of HIV and intestinal protozoa 28.26%,of which the co-infection rates of HIV and Blastocystis hominis,and HIV and Cryptosporidium spp.were 19.57%and 13.04%,respectively.A significant difference of Cryptosporidium spp.infection rate was found between HIV-positive group(13.04%)and HIV-negative group(4.70%)(P<0.05).Higher prevalence of anemia(34.68%)occurred in the study villages,particularly in children(>50%)and women(>39%).It was concluded that the infection rate of intestinal protozoa in the residents was higher than that of intestinal helminthes in the local setting,and a same pattern appeared in the co-infection rate of HIV and parasites.An interestingfinding is that the infection rate of Cryptosporidium spp.among the HIV-positives was significantly higher than that in the HIV-negatives,and children and women had higher anemia prevalence.

Differential diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 from pneumonias caused by other etiologies in a fever clinic in Beijing

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).111 Fever clinics in general hospitals were requested to reinforce surveillance of this highly contagious disease.Patients with body temperatures≥37.3℃ were asked to firstly visit fever clinics,where a triage strategy was implemented,and probable or possible cases were identified by experts or expert panels,and samples were sent for quick viral detection.