Sichuan University

About: Sichuan University is a education organization based out in Chengdu, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Population. The organization has 107623 authors who have published 102844 publications receiving 1612131 citations. The organization is also known as: Sìchuān Dàxué.

Surface-engineered magnetic nanoparticle platforms for cancer imaging and therapy.

Abstract: Enormous efforts have been made toward the translation of nanotechnology into medical practice, including cancer management. Generally the applications have fallen into two categories: diagnosis and therapy. Because the targets are often the same, the development of separate approaches can miss opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.The unique physical properties of nanomaterials enable them to serve as the basis for superior imaging probes to locate and report cancerous lesions and as vehicles to deliver therapeutics preferentially to those lesions. These technologies for probes and vehicles have converged in the current efforts to develop nanotheranostics, nanoplatforms with both imaging and therapeutic functionalities. These new multimodal platforms are highly versatile and valuable components of the emerging trend toward personalized medicine, which emphasizes tailoring treatments to the biology of individual patients to optimize outcomes. The close coupling of imaging and treatment wit...

Probiotics for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections

Abstract: Background Probiotics may improve a person's health by regulating their immune function. Some studies show that probiotic strains can prevent respiratory infections. However, no evidence of the benefits of probiotics for acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and related potential adverse effects has been published. Objectives To assess the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for preventing acute URTIs. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 2), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (Ovid) (1950 to May week 1, 2011), EMBASE (1974 to May 2011), Web of Science which includes Science Citation Index (from 1900 to May 2011) and Conference Proceedings Citation Index (from 1991 to May 2011), the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, which includes the China Biological Medicine Database (from 1978 to May 2011), the Chinese Medicine Popular Science Literature Database (from 2000 to May 2011) and the Masters Degree Dissertation of Beijing Union Medical College Database (from 1981 to May 2011). Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing probiotics with placebo to prevent acute URTIs. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed eligibility, quality of trials and extracted data. Main results We included 14 RCTs, although we could only extract available data to meta-analyse in 10 trials which involved 3451 participants. We found that probiotics were better than placebo when measuring the number of participants experiencing episodes of acute URTI: at least one episode: odds ratio (OR) 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36 to 0.92; at least three episodes: OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.80; rate ratio of episodes of acute URTI: rate ratio 0.88; 95% CI 0.81 to 0.96; and reduced antibiotic prescription rates for acute URTIs: OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.98. Probiotics and placebo were similar when measuring the mean duration (MD) of an episode of acute URTI: MD -0.29; 95% CI -3.71 to 3.13 and adverse events: OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.37 to 2.28. Side effects of probiotics were minor and gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common. We found that some subgroups had a high level of heterogeneity when conducting pooled analyses. Authors' conclusions Probiotics were better than placebo in reducing the number of participants experiencing episodes of acute URTIs, the rate ratio of episodes of acute URTI and reducing antibiotic use. This indicates that probiotics may be more beneficial than placebo for preventing acute URTIs. However, the results have some limitations and there were no data for older people.

Enhanced Electrocatalysis for Energy‐Efficient Hydrogen Production over CoP Catalyst with Nonelectroactive Zn as a Promoter

Abstract: As a non-toxic species, Zn fulfills a multitude of biological roles, but its promoting effect on electrocatalysis has been rarely explored. Herein, the theoretic predications and experimental investigations that nonelectroactive Zn behaves as an effective promoter for CoP-catalyzed hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and alkaline media is reported. Density function theory calculations reveal that Zn doing leads to more thermal-neutral hydrogen adsorption free energy and thus enhanced HER activity for CoP catalyst. Electrochemical tests show that a Zn0.08Co0.92P nanowall array on titanium mesh (Zn0.08Co0.92P/TM) needs overpotentials of only 39 and 67 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current of 10 mA cm-2 in 0.5 m H2SO4 and 1.0 m KOH, respectively. This Zn0.08Co0.92P/TM is also superior in activity over CoP/TM for urea oxidation reaction (UOR), driving 115 mA cm-2 at 0.6 V in 1.0 m KOH with 0.5 m urea. The high HER and UOR activity of this bifunctional electrode enables a Zn0.08Co0.92P/TM-based two-electrode electrolyzer for energy-saving hydrogen production, offering 10 mA cm-2 at a low voltage of 1.38 V with strong long-term electrochemical stability.

The COVID-19 Outbreak and Affected Countries Stock Markets Response.

Abstract: This paper evaluates the short-term impact of the coronavirus outbreak on 21 leading stock market indices in major affected countries including Japan, Korea, Singapore, the USA, Germany, Italy, and the UK etc. The consequences of infectious disease are considerable and have been directly affecting stock markets worldwide. Using an event study method, our results indicate that the stock markets in major affected countries and areas fell quickly after the virus outbreak. Countries in Asia experienced more negative abnormal returns as compared to other countries. Further panel fixed effect regressions also support the adverse effect of COVID-19 confirmed cases on stock indices abnormal returns through an effective channel by adding up investors' pessimistic sentiment on future returns and fears of uncertainties.

Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Abstract: In this study, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with a size range of 8-20 nm were prepared by the modified controlled chemical coprecipitation method from the solution of ferrous/ferric mixed salt-solution in alkaline medium. In the process, two kinds of surfactant (sodium oleate and polyethylene glycol) were studied; then, sodium oleate was chosen as the apt surfactant to attain ultrafine, nearly spherical and well-dispersed (water-base) Fe3O4 nanoparticles, which had well magnetic properties. The size and size distribution of nanoparticles were determined by particle size analyzer. And the magnetite nanoparticles was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED) photography, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Also the effect of many parameters on the Fe3O4 nanoparticles was studied, such as reaction temperature, pH of the solution, stirring rate and concentration of sodium oleate. And the 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate the biocompatibility of magnetite nanoparticles. The results showed that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated by sodium oleate had a better biocompatibility, better magnetic properties, easier washing, lower cost, and better dispersion than the magnetite nanoparticles coated by PEG.