In this work microcavity-capped colour-tuneable SMOSCs are evaluated. By adopting a microcavity-structured cathode with optical spacer layers of different thicknesses fabricated in Ag/NPB/Ag structure, the transmission spectra complete devices can be tuned over entire visible-light region (400–750 nm). The semitransparent solar cells show an average efficiency 4.78% under 1-sun illumination.

Abstract Kallistatin, an endogenous plasma protein, exhibits pleiotropic properties in inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis, as evidenced various animal models cultured cells. Here, we demonstrate that kallistatin levels were positively correlated with the concentration of total protein bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) from patients sepsis-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), indicating a compensatory mechanism. Lower ratio to BALF showed significant...

Objective: Ineffective triggering (IT) is the most common manifestation of patient–ventilator asynchrony in mechanically ventilated patients. IT expiratory phase (ITE) accounts for majority and associated with characteristic features flow airway pressure deflection, caused by ineffective effort from patient. The purpose this study was to quantify characteristics deflections ITE and, using a computerized algorithm, evaluate their usefulness detection ITEs. Design: Prospective, clinical study....

Tracheostomy is recommended for patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) 14 days or more in the intensive care unit (ICU). Nevertheless, many undergoing prolonged MV remain intubated via translaryngeal route. The aim of this study was to examine influence tracheostomy and persistent intubation on short-term outcomes mechanically ventilated ≥14 days. A retrospective conducted using admissions database a 75-bed ICU from January 1, 2012, December 31, 2012. Patients who required without at...

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by overwhelming lung inflammation. This study explored the inflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for prognostic relevance patients with infection-induced ARDS. Thirty-nine ARDS (28 pneumonia and 11 extrapulmonary sepsis) two cardiogenic edema as control were included. The expression profiles of BALF compared between edema. A group that showed higher was analyzed their relationships clinical features outcome....

<h3>Objectives</h3> Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of developing coronary atherosclerosis. However, the impact RA SLE on outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention (PCI) remains largely underdetermined. <h3>Methods</h3> Using National Health Insurance Research Database Taiwan, we identified 171 547 adult who underwent first-time PCI between 2000 2010. Among these patients, 525 had established RA, 211 SLE....

Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by inflammation and diffuse infiltration of neutrophils into the alveolar space. The inhibition neutrophil apoptosis has been implicated in pathogenesis ALI. Although sphingolipids may regulate cell apoptosis, role activated during ALI not clear. In this study, we test hypothesis that would attenuate contributes to development Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human neutrophils, with or without inhibitor treatment, were analyzed for apoptosis. We...

Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection may cause severe life-threatening diseases, including necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Despite the availability of effective antimicrobial agents, there has been a worldwide increase in incidence invasive GAS infection. Kallistatin (KS), originally found to be tissue kallikrein-binding protein, recently shown possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, its efficacy microbial not explored. In this study, we transiently...

Background Opportunistic infection has been documented in systemic lupus erythematosus with special attention paid to Pneumocystis jirovecii because of the significant morbidity and high mortality. Objectives The limited large-scale investigations covering P. pneumonia (PCP) following biologics or immunosuppressants therapy prompted us perform this study southern Taiwan. Methods A retrospective was completed 858 hospitalized patients from January 2000 December 2011. definite diagnosis PCP...

Kallistatin, an endogenous serine proteinase inhibitor, is protective against sepsis in animal models. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma concentration kallistatin intensive care unit (ICU) patients with severe and septic shock their potential correlation disease severity outcomes. We enrolled 86 ICU shock. Their concentrations kallistatin, kallikrein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. association...

This study delineated the characteristics of 24 (11.2%) culture-positive, influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) patients out 215 with severe influenza during 2016–2019 in a medical center southern Taiwan. Twenty (83.3%) did not have EORTC/MSG-defined host factors. The mean time from diagnosis to Aspergillus growth was 4.4 days, and 20 developed IAPA within seven days after diagnosis. All were treated intensive care units all but one (95.8%) received mechanical ventilation....

Abstract Background and objective Previous studies have demonstrated that positive blood culture could contribute to poorer outcomes in patients with pneumonia. However, the impact of on sepsis‐induced acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ARDS ) has not been evaluated. Methods An observational study prospectively screened 4861 admitted medical or surgical intensive care units ICU s) a tertiary referral centre was performed. Results Among patients, 146 diagnosed were enrolled (mean age: 66.1...

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a noninvasive and radiation-free medical imaging technique, has been used for continuous real-time regional lung aeration. However, adhesive electrodes could cause discomfort increase the risk of skin injury during prolonged measurement. Additionally, conductive gel between evaporate in long-term usage deteriorate signal quality. To address these issues, this work, textile integrated with clothing belt are proposed to achieve EIT along custom portable...

The association between recent hospitalized COPD exacerbations and adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention: a nationwide cohort study Wei-Chieh Lin,1 Chang-Wen Chen,1 Chin-Li Lu,2,3 Wu-Wei Lai,4 Min-Hsin Huang,4 Liang-Miin Tsai,1 Chung-Yi Li,2,5,* Chao-Han Lai4,* 1Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College University, Tainan, Taiwan; 2Department Public Health, 3Graduate Institute Food Safety, Agriculture Nature Resources, Chung Hsing...

Abstract Calcium carbide residue (CCR) was investigated in transesterification reaction of triglycerides to determine its viability as a solid catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. Literature survey showed that CCR has never been studied the triglyceride. The scope study includes effects calcination temperature, time, alcohol/oil molar ratio, amount (wt % oil) and time. relationship between chemical composition catalytic activity waste cement also investigated. These catalysts, thermally...

Apoptosis regulation is essential for neutrophil homeostasis. We previously demonstrated that a process involving glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β determines apoptosis. As this apoptotic process, an overdose of propofol (2,6-Diisopropylphenol; 25 μg/ml or 140 μM) also causes GSK-3β-mediated macrophage apoptosis; however, the early deactivation GSK-3β with low-dose has been shown. Therefore, we hypothesize may induce survival via inactivation. Following in vitro culture, therapeutic...

If the proportional assist ventilation (PAV) level is known, muscular effort can be estimated from difference between peak airway pressure and positive end-expiratory (PEEP) (ΔP) during PAV. We conjectured that deducing muscle ΔP may an interesting method to set PAV, tested this hypothesis using oesophageal time product calculation.Eleven mechanically ventilated patients with monitoring under PAV were enrolled. Patients randomly assigned seven levels (20-80%, PAV20 means 20% gain) for 15...

Abstract A nano‐crystalline In 2 O 3 was synthesized using calcinations methods and used as a photocatalyst to degrade sulfan blue (SB) dye. addition, this study addresses the conditions of degradation factors that influenced catalysis. prepared by calcining In(OH) at heat ranges 100–700 °C for 24 h. The characterized field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), an X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), high‐resolution photoelectron spectroscopy (HR‐XPS)....

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are predisposed to respiratory failure ventilator dependency. This study aims determine the risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV), defined as 22 days or more dependency after first day hospital admission (index date) in patients diagnosed COPD. A retrospective cohort was conducted using medical claim data Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Eligible subjects were those who had a diagnosis COPD made between...