抚触干预婴儿睡眠障碍的研究

目的探讨抚触与婴儿睡眠相关关系。方法对 10 0例健康新生儿做睡眠状态调查 ,平均每日睡眠时间为 17± 1.5h。将每日睡眠时间 <17h的 12 4例新生儿随机分为抚触组和对照组。对照组不做任何干预 ,抚触组每天用国际标准法抚触 2次 ,每次 15～ 2 0min。持续 3个月以上。观察 4 2d、3个月、6个月婴儿睡眠状态。结果抚触组 4 2d、3个月平均每日睡眠总时间多于对照组。 4 2d、3个月、6个月夜醒次数及时间、啼哭次数及时间少于对照组。睡眠障碍发生率及程度比对照组低而轻。建立规律睡眠时间早于对照组 ,两组差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论抚触有助于提高婴儿睡眠质量 ,减少睡眠障碍发生率 ,并能较早地建立规律睡眠时间 ,有利于婴儿的生长发育。     

Comparison of the Impact of “Fast Decline” in Residual Renal Function and “Initial Anuria” on Long-Term Outcomes in CAPD Patients

♦ Background: Residual renal function (RRF) is pivotal to long-term outcomes, while rapid RRF decline (RRFD) is associated with mortality risk for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This study was conducted to compare the impact of “initial anuria” and rapid RRFD on the long-term prognosis of CAPD patients.♦ Method: According to the timing of anuria and the slope of RRFD, a total of 255 incident CAPD patients were divided into 3 groups. For the “anuria” group, anuria was detected from CAPD initiation and persisted for > 6 months (n = 27). Based on the median of the RRFD slope, the other 228 non-anuric patients were divided into a “slow decliner” group (n = 114), and a “rapid decliner” group (n = 114). The maximal observation period was 120 months.♦ Results: Logistic regression tests indicated that the “anuria” group was associated with previous hemodialysis > 3 months (odds ratio [OR]: 8.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.12 – 23.28), and female (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09 – 0.90), while the “fast decliner” group with higher Davies co-morbidity scores (DCS) (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.08 – 2.14), body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.04 – 1.21), and male (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.04 – 1.21). After adjusting for DCS, the “fast decliner” group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.17 – 0.80) showed a better outcome than that of the “anuria” group (reference = 1). Both baseline RRF (β = -0.24; p < 0.001) and DCS (β = -3.76; p < 0.001) showed inverse linear correlations to the slope of RRFD. From the Cox proportional analyses, higher baseline RRF (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88 –.97) and higher slope of RRFD (slower decline in RRF) (HR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.85 – 0.96) were independent factors for less mortality risk in patients with DCS = 0. However, only a higher slope of RRFD (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94 – 0.99) was significant for better survival in CAPD patients with DCS > 0.♦ Conclusion: Compared to the baseline RRF, CAPD patients with co-morbidities that rapidly deteriorate RRFD are more crucially associated with long-term mortality risk.     

A survey of how mothers think about and use voice with their hospitalized newborn infant

Short-term family-centered early intervention enhances a mother's capacity for attuned interaction with her hospitalized newborn infant which in turn impacts positively on infant neurodevelopment. This study determined the acceptability of a focus on mothers' own voices to support their hospitalized infant.Sixty mothers of newborn surgical inpatient infants were surveyed about spontaneous vocal behavior in the NICU. Questions included age, education and first experience of parenting, contextualization of voice use relative to other nurturing behaviors, and mother's capacity to imagine or think of a reason for singing to her infant.Sixty percent of mothers sang spontaneously in the NICU. There was strong evidence for an association (p < 0.001) between imagining singing or thinking of a reason for singing, and actually singing. There was no evidence for an association between mothers' spontaneous voice use and their age, education or experience of parenting, and musical heritage. Barriers to singing included being too embarrassed or feeling too obvious in the NICU environment.The snapshot of mothers' beliefs, thoughts and action in using their voices is valuable in creating an efficient family empowerment model.     

Consuming non-alcoholic beer and other beverages during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Question An increasing number of my patients are asking about the safety of consuming non-alcoholic beer and other alcohol-free versions of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as they believe that these drinks might be a “safer” alternative to regular alcoholic beverages. What are Motherisk’s recommendations regarding these products?Answer Such drinks might contain higher ethanol levels than what is indicated on their labels. As there is no known safe level of alcohol intake in pregnancy, abstinence from non-alcoholic beverages would eliminate any risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Although it is likely that moderate intake of non-alcoholic beverages would pose no harm to breastfed infants, briefly delaying breastfeeding after consumption of such drinks would ensure that the infant is not exposed to alcohol.     

Frequency of Premature Infant Engagement and Disengagement Behaviors During Two Maternally Administered Interventions

Although sensitive maternal behaviors improve later quality of mother-infant interaction and subsequently infant development, little is known regarding how an intervention might promote early premature infant social interactive behavior. This study compared the frequency of premature infant engagement and disengagement behaviors during two maternally administered interventions, the multisensory auditory, tactile, visual, and vestibular intervention (ATVV) and kangaroo care for 26 infants between 31 and 46 weeks postmenstrual age. The ATVV intervention elicited more disengagement (M = 24 vs 12, P = .0003), trended toward more engagement (M = 21 vs 15.7, P = .06) and more potent engagement (M = 24 vs 12, P = .0003), subtle disengagement (M = 25 vs 11.9, P < .0001), and potent disengagement (M = 22.9 vs 14, P = .006) behaviors than did kangaroo care. The ATVV intervention may be an intervention to promote the infant's learning how to regulate engagement and disengagement behaviors.     

Feeding readiness behaviors and feeding efficiency in response to ATVV intervention

A prospective clinical random design was used to assess the effects of prefeeding auditory, tactile, visual and vestibular (ATVV) intervention on the behavioral state, frequency of feeding readiness behaviors, and oral feeding efficiency in 22 stable, premature infants. Experimental infants (group E) received 15 minutes of ATVV intervention immediately prior to their first 3 oral feedings, while the controls received normal nursery care. FRBs and behavioral states were recorded and later scored via videotape. Feeding efficiency was determined by feeding volume and feeding duration. Group E infants were more alert after the intervention (P < .0001) and showed more FRBS during the intervention for 5 of the 8 behaviors (P < .05). A trend toward decreased feeding time was noted for group E infants. The present findings support the use of ATVV intervention prior to feeding as a means of modulating behavioral states and increasing the frequency of FRBs. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.     

Influence of molecular weight on molecular dynamics and dynamic rheology of polypropylene glycol filled with silica

Molecular weight strongly influences the molecular dynamics and rheological responses of nanocomposites, which is far from being well understood. Herein molecular dynamics and rheological behaviors of hydrophilic fumed silica filled unentangled polypropylene glycol (PPG) were investigated as a function of weight averaged molecular weight (M_w) of PPG and volume fraction (∅) of silica. It is shown that M_w does not affect the glassy layers surrounding the nanoparticles and the segmental dynamics of the mobile PPG phase. On the other hand, the mobile PPG phase in the highly filled nanocomposites exhibits an abnormal “more fragile” to “stronger” transition with increasing M_w. The reinforcement and thinning behaviors are stronger in lower-M_w nanocomposites with the “more fragile” mobile PPG phase. The results suggest that reinforcement of nanocomposites affects the dynamic fragility of the mobile phase of the matrix.

The mobile phase exhibits an abnormal “more fragile” to “stronger” transition with increasing molecular weight of polypropylene glycol in nanocomposites at high silica loadings, which significantly lowers the degrees of reinforcement and thinning.     

Improving day and night sleep problems in infants by changing day time sleep rhythm: a single group before and after study

This study explores the duration and timing of day time waking periods required for sleep disturbed infants to improve day and night sleep. Seventy-nine sleep disturbed outpatients with day and night sleep problems were investigated before and two weeks after a brief sleep intervention. Data were collected by interviewing parents on their infants’ day and night sleep patterns. Besides instructing the parents on night sleep regulation, they were advised to regulate day sleep. After the intervention, duration of day and night sleep increased and frequency of night waking decreased. The mean duration of the first waking period in the morning did not change, but the range decreased. The mean duration of the last waking period in the evening increased. The frequency of short and irregular day naps and the need for assistance in falling asleep decreased after the intervention. It is recommended that the last waking before night sleep is lengthened to reduce day and night sleep problems.     

The Influence of “wuqinxi” exercises on the Lumbosacral Multifidus

[Purpose] To investigate the effect of the five animals (wuqinxi) exercises on the lumbosacral multifidus. [Subjects and Methods] This study enrolled two groups of volunteers, 15 volunteers who did the five animals exercises, the experimental group, and 15 volunteers who did aerobic exercise (walking), the control group. Both before and after the 1 year exercise intervention, the average surface electromyography (ASEMG) of the two groups in the process of flexion and extension was recorded and analyzed using DASYLab10.0 software, and the flexion extension ratio (FER) was calculated. [Results] The ASEMG in the process of flexion was lower than the ASEMG in the process of extension both before and after the 1 year exercise intervention on both sides of all volunteers. There was no significant difference in FER between the experimental group and control group before the 1 year exercise intervention; however, the FER of experimental group was lower than that of the control group after the 1 year exercise intervention. There was no significant difference between the two sides in any individual both before and after the 1 year exercise intervention in both groups. [Conclusion] The “wuqinxi” exercises improved the function of the lumbosacral multifidus, and might be an alternative method of reducing low back pain.Key words: Wuqinxi exercises, Flexion extension ratio (FER), Low back pain     

Predicting 12-Month Mortality for Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Using the “Surprise” Question

♦ Background: Studies in hemodialysis patients suggest that the “surprise” question can help to identify a group of patients with a high mortality risk who should receive priority for palliative care interventions. However, the same instrument has not been tested in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.♦ Method: We studied 367 prevalent PD patients from a single dialysis center. Three clinicians independently answered the “surprise” question (Would I be surprised if this patient died within the next 12 months?) according to their clinical impression of the individual patient. Patients are then classified into “yes” (yes, surprised) and “no” (no, not surprised) groups. All patients were followed for 12 months.♦ Results: In this cohort, 109 patients (29.7%) were allocated to the “no” group, and 258 (70.3%), to the “yes” group. Patients in the “no” group were older and had high prevalences of pre-existing ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The “no” group had a higher score on the Charlson comorbidity index and a higher malnutrition-inflammation score. At 12 months, 44 patients had died. Mortality was 24.8% in the “no” group and 6.6% in the “yes” group. Multivariate analysis showed that an opinion of “Not surprised if dies in the next 12 months” was an independent predictor of 12-month mortality, with an associated 3.594 excess mortality risk (95% confidence interval: 1.411 to 9.151; p = 0.007). The positive predictive value of this opinion was 24.8%, and its negative predictive value was 93.4%.♦ Conclusions: The “surprise” question has the potential to help identify a group of PD patients with high short-term mortality. Its use may contribute to a decision to refer PD patients for early palliative care assessment.Key words: Survival, renal failure, uremiaLong-term dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, in a small number of those patients, clinical conditions and the individual’s level of self-sufficiency raise questions about whether dialysis may actually be futile—worsening the person’s quality of life or simply prolonging the dying process (1). In fact, for elderly patients with advanced chronic kidney disease, the risk of death or functional decline within a relatively short time is substantial (2), favoring a conservative approach to the management of those patients.Given the evolving epidemiologic scenario in ESRD, there is a growing need to rely on solid data to decide whether to recommend conservative therapy rather than long-term dialysis (3). Unfortunately, little evidence has been published on how to select patients with advanced chronic kidney disease for conservative treatment (1,4,5). Although dialysis is generally associated with longer survival in patients more than 75 years of age, patients with multiple comorbidities— ischemic heart disease in particular—do not survive longer than those treated conservatively (6,7). However, the relevant studies have not touched on the cardinal problem: How to identify ESRD patients who should be treated conservatively?In nonrenal patients, the “surprise” question (Would I be surprised if this patient died in the next 12 months?) has been recognized as a valid tool for the identification of patients with a poor prognosis who are appropriately offered palliative care (8,9). The “surprise” question has been tested and found to be effective in a primary care population in the Franciscan Health System in Tacoma, Washington, USA (8). Application of the “surprise” question has been well-tested in hemodialysis patients. For example, in a prospective cohort study of 147 patients in 3 hemodialysis dialysis units, Moss et al. (10) found that the “surprise” question was effective in identifying sicker dialysis patients with a high risk for early mortality who should receive priority for palliative care interventions. In another cohort of 512 patients who were receiving long-term hemodialysis at 5 dialysis clinics, Cohen et al. (11) also found that the “surprise” question stood out as an independent predictor of mortality within 6 months, which contributed to an improvement in end-of-life care by providing more accurate prognostic information. However, the applicability of the “surprise” question has not been tested in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of PD patients who were classified into a “no, I would not be surprised” group in response to the “surprise” question, and to determine the prognostic value of the “surprise” question in identifying PD patients with a high risk for early death.     

Development of behaviors in preterm infants: relation to sleeping and waking

BACKGROUND: Although nurse clinicians and researchers use infant behaviors to indicate the responses of preterm infant to stimulation, little is known about how the biological factors of development, sleeping and waking states, infant characteristics, and infant illness severity affect preterm infant behaviors. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the development of eight infant behaviors over the preterm period and determined the relation of these behaviors to sleeping and waking and to infant characteristics and illness severity. METHODS: Seventy-one preterm infants were observed once per week from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. from the time they were no longer critical until term or discharge. The occurrence of four sleep-wake states and eight behaviors were recorded every 10 seconds during the observations. RESULTS: Negative facial expressions increased over the preterm period; sighs, startle/jerks, jitters, and the likelihood of having hiccups decreased. Infant characteristics had only minor effects: boys had more negative facial expressions, and longer mechanical ventilation was associated with more sighs and jitters. All behaviors showed state-related differences in frequency. In addition, only startle/jerks and jitters showed the same developmental patterns within each state. CONCLUSIONS: Significant development of infant behaviors occurs over the preterm period but involves changes not only in the absolute percentage of each behavior but also in the percentages within each sleeping and waking state. Thus, preterm infant behaviors cannot be used clinically for assessment without consideration of the state in which they occur.     

Health-related risky behaviors and their risk factors in adolescents with high-functioning autism

BACKGROUNDHealth-related risky behaviors generally refer to behaviors that have a negative impact on health and quality of life. Health-related risky behaviors in adolescents with high-functioning autism (HFA) have not been well understood so far. Adolescents with HFA may have more health-related risky behaviors than neurotypical adolescents.AIMTo investigate health-related risky behaviors and their risk factors with HFA.METHODSThis is an observational study. Our study enrolled 110 adolescents aged 12-19-years-old meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4^th edition criteria for HFA. They were recruited from Peking University Sixth Hospital. There were also 110 age, sex and nationality matched controls enrolled who came from a public school in Beijing, China. Both groups completed the Adolescents Health-related Risky Behavior Inventory. Nonparametric tests were carried out for comparison of the Adolescents Health-related Risky Behavior Inventory scores between the two groups. Expression recognition, the Inventory of Subjective Life Quality for Child and Adolescent, Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adult-Chinese Revised, Theory of Mind test and Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire were assessed in the autism group to explore factors associated with health-related risky behaviors. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to explore the risk factors of health-related risky behaviors in the HFA group.RESULTSThe results showed that the total score of the Adolescents Health-related Risky Behavior Inventory and scores of “aggression and violence,” “suicide and self-injury,” “health compromising behavior” and “unprotected sex” subscales in the HFA group were significantly higher than those in the control group (Z range -4.197 to -2.213, P < 0.05). Among the associated factors, poor emotional experience (B = -0.268, P < 0.001), depression (B = -0.321, P < 0.001), low score of intelligence (B = -0.032, P = 0.042), low score of Theory of Mind test (B = -1.321, P = 0.003) and poor adaptation to school life (B = -0.152, P = 0.006) were risk factors. These risky behaviors may promote the occurrence of health-related risky behaviors in adolescents with HFA.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that adolescents with HFA were more likely to be involved in health-related risky behaviors. Different health-related risky behaviors have different reasons.     

From Genes to Community: Exploring Translational Science in Adolescent Health Research: Proceedings from a Research Symposium

Addressing complex adolescent health problems such as youth violence and teen pregnancy requires innovative strategies to promote protective social environments, increase healthier behaviors, and reduce the impact of health risk behaviors into adulthood. Multilevel, interdisciplinary, and translational approaches are needed to address these challenges in adolescent health. In May 2012, a group of adolescent health researchers participated in a 1‐day research symposium titled “From Genes to Community: Exploring Translational Science in Adolescent Health Research,” sponsored by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) of the University of Pittsburgh and the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Children''s Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The research symposium offered opportunities for adolescent health researchers to share examples of translational research as well as to identify potential collaborations to promote translational research. This and subsequent issues of Clinical and Translational Science will include papers from this symposium. The studies and reviews presented range from how basic biobehavioral sciences such as functional neuroimaging and decision science can be made relevant for intervention development as well as improving strategies for community‐partnered knowledge transfer of cutting‐edge research findings to promote adolescent health and well‐being. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 480–481     

Flashback phenomenon and residual neurological deficits after the use of “bath salt” 3, 4- methylenedioxypyrovalerone

BACKGROUND:

The use and abuse of designer drugs has been recognized for decades; however there are many derivatives of compounds that make their way into the community. Abuse of compound(s) known on the street as “bath salt” is on the rise.

METHODS:

We report the case of a 33-year-old man who complained of “flashbacks” and right arm shaking that followed a night of “bath salt” snorting. The active compound methylenedioxypyrovalerone methamphetamine (MDPV) was confirmed; however, analysis of three different “bath salt” products showed difference in their active components.

RESULTS:

The patient''s symptoms remained stable and he was discharged home after observation in the emergency department with instructions to return for any symptom progression.

CONCLUSION:

Practitioners should be aware of the abuse of the compounds and that not all “bath salt” products contain MDPV.KEYWORDS: Residual neurological deficits, Methylenedioxypyrovalerone methamphetamine, Emergency Department     

Reducing parenting stress in families with irritable infants

BACKGROUND: Caring for an infant with unexplained, persistent crying is one of the most stressful events for new parents. Infant irritability, also referred to as infantile colic, occurs in 10-25% of all infants and is the most common parental concern reported in the first year of life. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based nursing intervention in reducing parenting stress in three groups of families with irritable infants, using data from a larger evaluation study. METHODS: A two-site, randomized clinical trial was conducted with 121 infants and their parents. Infants were randomized to a treatment or a control group. A third group of infants (n = 43) was added as a posttest-only comparison. The level of parenting stress was measured by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and at the 8-week follow-up visit. RESULTS: A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the two groups across the three time points (baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and at the 8-week follow-up visit). The results revealed a reduction in total parenting stress over time for both the treatment and control groups. Mothers in the treatment group reported reduced parenting stress on the parent-child dysfunctional interaction subscale (p = .04). Total parenting stress scores were found to be significantly higher for mothers in the posttest-only group (p = .009). CONCLUSION: Initial parenting stress levels were high in all participants. Parent feedback at the exit interview indicated that the nurse visits for data collection were also viewed as helpful in reducing the stress level associated with parenting these irritable infants. This home-based program was perceived as helpful in improving the interactions between parents and their irritable infants.     

Unattended compared to traditional blood pressure measurement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised cross-over study

BackgroundHypertension is characterised by a high prevalence, low awareness and poor control among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Correct blood pressure (BP) measurement is highly important in these subjects. The “unattended” BP measurement aims to reduce the “white-coat effect,” a phenomenon associated with cardiovascular risk. Data on “unattended” BP measurement in RA and its impact on hypertensive organ damage are very limited.MethodsBP was measured in the same patient both traditionally (“attended” BP) and by the “unattended” protocol (3 automated office BP measurements, at 1-min intervals, after 5 min of rest, with patient left alone) by a randomised cross-over design. Patients underwent clinical examination, 12-lead electrocardiography and trans-thoracic echocardiography to evaluate cardiac damage.ResultsSixty-two RA patients (mean age 67 ± 9 years, 87% women) were enrolled. Hypertension was diagnosed in 79% and 66% of patients according to ACC/AHA and ESC/ESH criteria, respectively. Concordance correlation coefficients between the two techniques were 0.55 (95%, CI 0.38–0.68) for systolic BP and 0.73 (95%, CI 0.60–0.82) for diastolic BP. “Unattended” (121.7/68.6 mmHg) was lower than “attended” BP (130.5/72.8 mmHg) for systolic and diastolic BP (both p < .0001). Among the two techniques, only “unattended” systolic BP showed a significant association with left ventricular mass (r = 0.11; p = .40 for “attended” BP; r = 0.27; p = .036 for unattended BP; difference between slopes: z = 3.92; p = .0001).ConclusionsIn RA patients, “unattended” BP is lower than traditional (“attended”) BP and more closely associated with LV mass. In these patients, the “unattended” automated BP measurement is a promising tool which requires further evaluation.

KEY MESSAGES

• “Unattended” automated blood pressure registration, aimed to reduce the “white-coat effect” is lower than “attended” value in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
• “Unattended” blood pressure is more closely associated with left ventricular mass than “attende” registration.

     

Correction: Rubia tinctorum root extracts: chemical profile and management of type II diabetes mellitus

Correction for ‘Rubia tinctorum root extracts: chemical profile and management of type II diabetes mellitus’ by Enas E. Eltamany et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 24159–24168, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA03442H.

The authors regret that there was an error in the caption for Table 6 in the original article. The text originally read: “Flavonoids of Rubia tinctorum root extract identified by LC-HRMS analysis (positive mode)”. This caption should read: “Flavonoids of Rubia tinctorum root extract identified by LC-HRMS analysis (negative mode)”.In addition, there was an error in one of the columns of Table 6 in the original article. The column was originally labelled “m/z [M + H]⁺”. This should read “m/z [M − H]⁻”.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Effects of critical interfacial shear strength between a polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes on the interphase strength and Pukanszky's “B” interphase parameter

In this paper, the “B” interphase parameter in the Pukanszky model and interphase strength for polymer carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites are expressed by the critical interfacial shear strength (τ_c) and interfacial shear strength (τ) between a polymer matrix and CNTs. A suggested model and a developed Pukanszky model for tensile strength of nanocomposites are combined to develop the equations for “B” and interphase strength. Many experimental data for various samples confirm the models. The impacts of all parameters on the “B” and interphase strength are explained to approve the developed equations. The contour plots display the same trends for the roles of all parameters in the “B” and interphase strength. Low “τ_c”, high “τ”, thin and large CNTs as well as a dense interphase are ideal to obtain the high levels for “B” and interphase strength. Among the studied parameters, CNT size largely controls the “B” and interphase strength, while the waviness and strength of CNTs play insignificant roles.

In this paper, the “B” interphase parameter in the Pukanszky model and interphase strength for polymer carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites are expressed by the critical interfacial shear strength (τ_c) and interfacial shear strength (τ) between a polymer matrix and CNTs.     

Stimuli-responsive fluorescence switching of cyanostilbene derivatives: ultrasensitive water,acidochromism and mechanochromism

A novel donor–π–acceptor structure stimuli-responsive fluorescent material of (Z)-2-(4′-(diphenylamino)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl)acrylonitrile (oN-TPA) was designed and synthesized, with the cyano-group and pyridine as the acceptors (A) and triphenylamine as the donor (D). oN-TPA exhibits an obvious solvatochromic effect and the excited state is confirmed to be a hybridized local and charge-transfer (HLCT) state that simultaneously possesses the locally-excited (LE) state and charge transfer (CT) state characters. The LE state ensures relatively high fluorescence efficiency while the CT state provides multi-stimuli responsive fluorescence behaviors because it is easily tuned by the surrounding environment. Firstly, oN-TPA exhibits “on–off–on” fluorescence properties in the mixture of water/tetrahydrofuran (THF) with the increasing water content. For the “on–off” part, a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and water fraction is achieved, which is ascribed to the synergistic effect of protons in water and intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) effect depending on solvent polarity. The “off–on” part demonstrates the aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) character of oN-TPA. Secondly, oN-TPA can be used as a protonic acid sensor to detect trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in solvent and HCl vapour in the solid state due to the binding of the proton to the pyridine group. Finally, oN-TPA presents remarkable and reversible mechanochromic fluorescence switching between 552 nm and 642 nm (90 nm red-shift) during the pressurizing–depressurizing process. This work not only comprehensively demonstrates the stimuli-responsive fluorescence behaviors of oN-TPA, but also provides a D–π–A structure fluorescent material possessing potential applications in detection and sensing with remarkable fluorescence changes.

A donor–acceptor dye exhibits high luminescence efficiency and high-contrast piezochromism with HLCT properties. The doped films show the ratiometric photo-luminescence peak shift under high pressure, interestingly, making them piezo-sensors.     

Correction: Quantum curcumin mediated inhibition of gingipains and mixed-biofilm of Porphyromonas gingivalis causing chronic periodontitis

Correction for ‘Quantum curcumin mediated inhibition of gingipains and mixed-biofilm of Porphyromonas gingivalis causing chronic periodontitis’ by Ashish Kumar Singh et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 40426–40445.

The authors regret the incorrect naming of the bacterial species Actinomycetemcomitans viscosus in the published article. It should be correctly shown as Actinomyces viscosus throughout, on pages 40427 (fifth line of last paragraph), 40436 (sixth line of “Individual isolates & mixed” section), 40437 (Table 2) and 40440 (Table 3).Also, the ATCC number of A. viscosus was incorrectly given as 29522 throughout the published article and should be correctly shown as 15987 in the following places: p. 40429 (“Bacterial strains and culture conditions” section and “Minimum inhibitory concentration determination” section), p. 40430 (“Determination of antibiofilm activity using tissue culture plate assay (TCP)” section), p. 40434 (“Antimicrobial assay of quantum curcumin against clinical isolates of Porphyromonas gingivalis and select reference strains” section and “Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration” section), p. 40435 (“Growth rate analysis” section), p. 40437 (Table 2), and on p. 40438 (caption to Fig. 7 (twice), caption to Fig. 8, and sixth line of “Discussion” section).An error was also present in the published article in the co-author name spelling for K. Sharma. The correct spelling of the author names is as shown here.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologises for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.