Publications by authors named "Ren Xie"

This study aims to explore the pathogenic potential of as a rare pathogen in immunocompetent individuals and to analyze how mental health status may influence susceptibility to infection. We report a case of bacteremia in a 31-year-old immunocompetent female who developed infection during an episode of severe depression. Although the patient exhibited self-harm tendencies, a thorough physical examination did not reveal any external wounds or signs of injury.

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The intricate dependency structure of biological "omics" data, particularly those originating from longitudinal intervention studies with frequently sampled repeated measurements renders the analysis of such data challenging. The high-dimensionality, inter-relatedness of multiple outcomes, and heterogeneity in the studied systems all add to the difficulty in deriving meaningful information. In addition, the subtle differences in dynamics often deemed meaningful in nutritional intervention studies can be particularly challenging to quantify.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on creating flower-like core@shell structure microspheres (NiO/Ni@C) to enhance the electromagnetic wave loss capacities using magnetic loss, polarization loss, and conduction loss.
  • Researchers utilized NiO microflowers as a precursor and found that their method preserved the unique geometrical shape while successfully synthesizing the nanocomposites.
  • By adjusting annealing temperatures, they achieved varying nickel content and graphitization levels, resulting in improved microwave absorption performances compared to the original NiO.
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Interfacial polarization and geometrical morphology play a significant role in the attenuation of electromagnetic (EM) wave. Herein, the two-dimensional (2D)/2D heterojunction with flower-like geometrical morphology is proposed and produced, which may simultaneously provide a large contact area for achieving strong interfacial polarization and activates more sites for the possible multiple EM wave reflection and scattering. By adopting a simple two-step hydrothermal method, MoSe/MoSand MoS/MoSe inner and outer-interchangeable heterojunctions consisting of 2D MoSe and MoS nanosheets with flower-like geometrical morphology were successfully synthesized.

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Nanocomposites with a three-dimensional (3D) flower-like geometrical morphology were considered as excellent microwave absorbers (MAs) because of the numerous effective sites for the multiple reflections of electromagnetic (EM) wave. Herein, for optimizing the EM matching characteristic and taking full advantage of interface polarization, a strategy of magnetic modulation was proposed to further improve the EM wave absorption performances (EMWAPs) of MoS-based nanocomposites. We adopted a simple hydrothermal route and a combined method of hydrothermal treatment/hydrogen reduction to synthesize core@shell CoFeO@MoS and CoFe@MoO/MoS flower-like nanocomposites, respectively.

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Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of allogeneic tendons for functional reconstruction of severe hand injuries.

Methods: From August 2007 to July 2014, we performed functional reconstruction with tendon allografts for severe hand injuries affecting two or more tendons. At the final follow-up, we assessed total active motion (TAM); pincer pinch strength; grip strength; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score; degree of satisfaction; and adhesion.

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It is still a great challenge to develop high-performance microwave absorption materials (MAMs). Herein, we first proved the excellent synergistic effect of FeO/MoS heterostructure based on the theoretical calculations. To effectively utilize the synergistic effect and morphology, core and shell-interchangeable FeO@MoS and MoS@FeO nanocomposites (NCs) were elaborately constructed.

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In this paper, α-FeO nanoparticles (NPs)-reduced graphene oxide (RGO), α-FeOOH nanorods (NRs)-RGO and porous α-FeO NRs-RGO could be selectively synthesized by hydrothermal method. The investigations indicated that the obtained α-FeO NPs, α-FeOOH NRs and porous α-FeO NRs were either attached on the surface of RGO sheets or coated uniformly by the RGO sheets. And the as-prepared nanohybrids exhibited excellent microwave absorption performance, which was proved to be ascribed to the quarter-wavelength matching model.

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By controlling the pyrolysis temperature, core/shell/shell structured Fe/FeC/carbon nanotube bundles (Fe/FeC/CNTBs), Fe/FeC/helical carbon nanotubes (Fe/FeC/HCNTs) and Fe/FeC/chain-like carbon nanospheres (Fe/FeC/CCNSs) with high encapsulation efficiency could be selectively synthesized in large-scale by water-assisted chemical vapor deposition method. Water vapor was proved to play an important role in the growth process. Because of α-Fe nanoparticles tightly wrapped by two layers, the obtained core/shell/shell structured nanohybrids showed high stabilities and good magnetic properties.

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Due to its improved physical and chemical performances, a strongly hydrogenated TiO was designed and produced successfully by using a sealing-transfer reduction method at a relatively low temperature (425 °C). The microstructures, electromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties were investigated in detail. Experimental results revealed that: (1) the minimum reflection loss (RL) value of the hydrogenated TiO up to -53.

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In order to explore high efficiency microwave absorption materials, heteronanostructured Co@carbon nanotubes-graphene (Co@CNTs-G) ternary hybrids were designed and produced through catalytic decomposition of acetylene at the designed temperature (400, 450, 500 and 550 °C) over CoO/reduced graphene oxide (CoO/RGO). By regulating the reaction temperatures, different CNT contents of Co@CNTs-G ternary hybrids could be synthesized. The investigations indicated that the as-prepared heteronanostructured Co@CNTs-G ternary hybrids exhibited excellent microwave absorption properties, and their electromagnetic and microwave absorption properties could be tuned by the CNT content.

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In order to clearly understand the intrinsic microwave absorption properties of carbon nanomaterials, we proposed an efficient strategy to synthesize high purity metal-free carbon nanotubes (CNTs) over water-soluble K2CO3 particles through chemical vapor decomposition and water-washing process. The comparison results indicated the leftover catalyst caused negative effects in intrinsic microwave absorption properties of CNTs, while an enhanced microwave absorption performance could be observed over the metal-free CNT sample. Moreover, the results indicated that the microwave absorption properties could be tuned by the CNT content.

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Elevated levels of human lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) are associated with cardiovascular disease and dementia. A fragment screen was conducted against Lp-PLA2 in order to identify novel inhibitors. Multiple fragment hits were observed in different regions of the active site, including some hits that bound in a pocket created by movement of a protein side chain (approximately 13 Å from the catalytic residue Ser273).

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A novel series of potent and selective hexokinase 2 (HK2) inhibitors, 2,6-disubstituted glucosamines, has been identified based on HTS hits, exemplified by compound 1. Inhibitor-bound crystal structures revealed that the HK2 enzyme could adopt an "induced-fit" conformation. The SAR study led to the identification of potent HK2 inhibitors, such as compound 34 with greater than 100-fold selectivity over HK1.

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Purpose: To determine whether distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) contact characteristics were altered in patients with malunited distal radius fractures.

Methods: We obtained computed tomography scans at 5 positions of both wrists of 6 patients who had unilateral malunited distal radius fractures with dorsal angulation from 10° to 20° and ulnar variance less than 3 mm. We reconstructed 3-dimensional images and mapped contact regions of DRUJ by calculating the shortest distance between the 2 opposing bones.

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Tendons are made of compact dense collagen fibers with only sparse cellularity and naturally low immunogenicity. Allogenic tendons may be preserved through deep freezing methods and retain excellent mechanical properties after revitalization. Allogenic tendons were used in 22 patients (30 tendons) for second-stage tendon reconstruction in the hand.

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A novel thiazolopyrimidinone series of PI3K-beta selective inhibitors has been identified. This chemotype has provided an excellent tool compound, 18, that showed potent growth inhibition in the PTEN-deficient breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 under anchorage-independent conditions, and it also demonstrated pharmacodynamic effects and efficacy in a PTEN-deficient prostate cancer PC-3 xenograft mouse model.

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A series of PI3K-beta selective inhibitors, imidazo[1,2-a]-pyrimidin-5(1H)-ones, has been rationally designed based on the docking model of the more potent R enantiomer of TGX-221, identified by a chiral separation, in a PI3K-beta homology model. Synthesis and SAR of this novel chemotype are described. Several compounds in the series demonstrated potent growth inhibition in a PTEN-deficient breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 under anchorage independent conditions.

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Purpose: To investigate the lengths and changes of selected ligaments stabilizing the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint during thumb motion in vivo.

Methods: We obtained serial computed tomography scans of the thumb CMC joints of 6 healthy volunteers during thumb flexion, abduction, and opposition. We reconstructed the 3-dimensional structures of the bones of the thumb CMC joint using customized software and modeled the paths of fibers of 5 principal ligaments--deep anterior oblique (beak), dorsoradial, posterior oblique, intermetacarpal, and dorsal intermetacarpal--at each of the CMC joint positions studied.

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Purpose: We aimed to investigate scaphoid and lunate movement in radial deviation and in slight and moderate ulnar deviation ranges in vivo.

Methods: We obtained computed tomography scans of the right wrists from 20° radial deviation to 40° ulnar deviation in 20° increments in 6 volunteers. The 3-dimensional bony structures of the wrist, including the distal radius and ulna, were reconstructed with customized software.

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The synthesis and evaluation of tetrasubstituted aminopyridines, bearing novel azaindazole hinge binders, as potent AKT inhibitors are described. Compound 14c was identified as a potent AKT inhibitor that demonstrated reduced CYP450 inhibition and an improved developability profile compared to those of previously described trisubstituted pyridines. It also displayed dose-dependent inhibition of both phosphorylation of GSK3beta and tumor growth in a BT474 tumor xenograft model in mice.

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2,3,5-Trisubstituted pyridines have been designed as potent AKT inhibitors that are selective against ROCK1 based on the comparison between AKT and ROCK1 structures. Substitution at the 2-position of the core pyridine is the key element to provide selectivity against ROCK1. An X-ray co-crystal structure of 9p in PKA supports the proposed rationale of ROCK1 selectivity.

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A novel series of AKT inhibitors containing 2,3,5-trisubstituted pyridines with novel azaindazoles as hinge binding elements are described. Among these, the 4,7-diazaindazole compound 2c has improved drug-like properties and kinase selectivity than those of indazole 1, and displays greater than 80% inhibition of GSK3beta phosphorylation in a BT474 tumor xenograft model in mice.

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