Superior chemical sensing performance of black phosphorus (BP) is demonstrated by comparison with MoS2 and graphene. Dynamic sensing measurements of multichannel detection show that BP displays highly sensitive, selective, and fast-responsive NO2 sensing performance compared to the other representative 2D sensing materials.

After the ARM, a sufficient level of PEEP is required as an antiderecruitment strategy. Pulmonary ARDS and extrapulmonary ARDS may be different pathophysiologic entities. An effective ARM may obviate the need for the prone position in ARDS at least in terms of oxygenation.

The development of photocatalysts of CO 2 reduction based on stable and Earth-abundant materials is essential for utilizing solar energy and storing it in chemical forms. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a composite material consisting of a few layers of MoS 2 on a hierarchical porous structure of mesoporous TiO 2 and macroporous 3D graphene aerogel (TGM) as a highperformance, robust, noble-metal-free photocatalyst of CO 2 reduction. The hierarchical structure contributed to the high photocatalytic catalyst performance, which was investigated by controlling the morphologies of the mesopores and macropores. By optimizing the relative amounts of each component and the configuration of the composite, a TGM system was fabricated. The resulting TGM showed a lower extent of charge recombination and a higher photocurrent density, and hence a higher CO photoconversion rate (92.33 μmol CO/g•h) than those of other composite combinations, i.e., bare TiO 2 , TiO 2 -graphene, TiO 2 -MoS 2 , and TiO 2 -graphene multiple-layered MoS 2 . Also, the role of each component and the underlying mechanism in the catalysis of the reaction by TGM were investigated. The long-term stability of the TGM composite was tested and compared with that of a TiO 2 -graphene-Ag composite. Over the course of 15 cycles, the TGM composite retained its original conversion rate, while the activity of the TiO 2graphene-Ag composite decreased. The hierarchical porous structure with mesoporous TiO 2 and a few layers of MoS 2 on macroporous 3D graphene is expected to have great potential as an affordable, robust, high-efficiency CO-selective photocatalyst of CO 2 reduction.

PurposeHand grip strength (HGS) is a simple way of predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in the general population. However, the practical significance of grip strength in patients with COPD is uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare HGS between subjects with and without COPD and to evaluate its clinical relevance in patients with COPD by using a national survey.MethodsData were collected from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study included 421 adults with COPD and 2,542 controls who completed questionnaires, spirometry, and a HGS test. HGS was compared between subjects with and without COPD, and the association between grip strength, lung function, and quality of life (QoL) was evaluated.ResultsThe mean HGS was 33.3±9.1 kg in the COPD group and 29.9±9.5 kg in the non-COPD group; adjusted HGS was 30.9±0.33 kg and 30.9±0.11 kg, respectively (P=0.99). HGS was not related to forced vital capacity (β=0.04, P=0.70) or forced expiratory volume in 1 second (β=0.11, P=0.24) in multivariable analysis. HGS was independently associated with the EQ-5D index, but the relationship was stronger in the COPD group (β=0.30, P<0.001) than in the non-COPD group (β=0.21, P<0.001). The results were similar for each component of the EQ-5D, including mobility (β=−0.25, P<0.001), daily activity (β=−0.19, P=0.01), pain/discomfort (β=−0.32, P<0.001), and anxiety/depression (β=−0.16, P=0.01).ConclusionHGS was not different between subjects with and without COPD, but was associated with QoL – including mobility, daily activity, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression – in patients with COPD. The HGS test could be used as a marker of QoL in patients with COPD and could assist risk stratification in clinical practice.

ABSTRACT:Our objectives were to identify CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms in a Korean population, to compare the allele frequencies with those of other ethnic groups, and to evaluate variant-induced functional variations in dextromethorphan (DM) metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Thirty-eight single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP2D6 were identified by direct DNA sequencing in 51 Koreans. An extended set of 707 subjects were screened for the identified variants. A group of 202 healthy subjects was subjected to phenotypic analysis on DM metabolism. CYP2D6*10 was found to be the most frequent allele (45.6%), followed by CYP2D6*1 (32.3%), *2 (9.9%), *5 (5.6%), *41 (2.2%), *49 (1.4%), and some other rare alleles (<1%). The newly identified E418K and S183Stop were assigned as CYP2D6*52 and CYP2D6*60, respectively, by the Human P450 (CYP) Allele Nomenclature Committee. Individuals having the CYP2D6*10/*49 genotype (n ‫؍‬ 5) exhibited a significant decrease in CYP2D6 metabolic activity compared with those with the CYP2D6*1/*1 genotype (n ‫؍‬ 31) (P < 0.019). Variations in CYP2D6 protein levels in liver tissues (n ‫؍‬ 49) were observed with CYP2D6 genotypes, and correlation between the CYP2D6 protein content and the activity was significant (r 2 ‫؍‬ 0.7). Given the importance of CYP2D6 in drug metabolism, subjects with the CYP2D6*10/*49 genotype may benefit from genotype analysis to achieve optimal drug therapy.Polymorphisms of the gene for cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) influence the rate of elimination of CYP2D6 substrates, which represent approximately 20% of commonly prescribed therapeutic drugs. CYP2D6 substrates include antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol and risperidone), antiarrhythmic agents (flecainide and perphenazine), tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine and amitriptyline), ␤-blockers (metoprolol and carvedilol), and opioids (codeine and tramadol) (Zanger et al., 2004;Ingelman-Sundberg, 2005). The CYP2D6 gene locus is highly polymorphic, and various point mutations, nucleotide deletions or insertions, gene rearrangements, and multiplication/deletion of the entire CYP2D6 gene, resulting in more than 106 different alleles

Introduction In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), adequate positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) may decrease ventilator-induced lung injury by minimising overinflation and cyclic recruitment-derecruitment of the lung. We evaluated whether setting the PEEP using decremental PEEP titration after an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre (ARM) affects the clinical outcome in patients with ARDS.

There is no well-stated practical guideline for mechanically ventilated patients with or without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We generate strong (1) and weak (2) grade of recommendations based on high (A), moderate (B) and low (C) grade in the quality of evidence. In patients with ARDS, we recommend low tidal volume ventilation (1A) and prone position if it is not contraindicated (1B) to reduce their mortality. However, we did not support high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (1B) and inhaled nitric oxide (1A) as a standard treatment. We also suggest high positive end-expiratory pressure (2B), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a rescue therapy (2C), and neuromuscular blockage for 48 hours after starting mechanical ventilation (2B). The application of recruitment maneuver may reduce mortality (2B), however, the use of systemic steroids cannot reduce mortality (2B). In mechanically ventilated patients, we recommend light sedation (1B) and low tidal volume even without ARDS (1B) and suggest lung protective ventilation strategy during the operation to lower the incidence of lung complications including ARDS (2B). Early tracheostomy in mechanically ventilated patients can be performed only in limited patients (2A). In conclusion, of 12 recommendations, nine were in the management of ARDS, and three for mechanically ventilated patients.

ABSTRACT:The breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is a member of the ATP-binding cassette transporters. The aim of the present study was to identify genetic variants of BCRP in Koreans and to assess the functional consequences of BCRP polymorphisms. Twenty single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), including four nonsynonymous SNP, were identified by DNA sequencing of the BCRP gene in 92 Korean subjects. BCRP V12M, Q141K, P269S, and Q126Stop were detected at frequencies of 23, 28, 0.2, and 1.9%, respectively. These four coding variants were also screened in Chinese and Vietnamese subjects; the allelic frequencies among the three populations were compared; and predictions were made as to the potential frequency of each variant.