Ruddlesden–Popper phases of lithium-hydroxide-halide antiperovskites: two dimensional Li-ion conductors

Lithium-oxide-halide and lithium-hydroxide-halide antiperovskites were explored for potential electrolytes in all-solid Li-ion batteries. A single-phase sample of the Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) series of compounds, LiBr(Li₂OHBr)₂ with double antiperovskite Li₂OHBr layers and rigid rock-salt type LiBr layers, was obtained. Li⁺-ion vacancies are introduced in the double antiperovskite Li₂OHBr layers but not in the LiBr layers and induce two-dimensional Li-ion conduction with low activation energy by mediating Li-ion hopping. In contrast to the Br-containing RP phase, Cl-containing Li-oxide-halide and Li-hydroxide-halide RP phases cannot be crystallized due to the structural mismatch between the antiperovskite layers and rigid LiCl layers.

The n = 2 Ruddlesden–Popper antiperovskite LiBr(Li₂OHBr)₂ was successfully obtained and the two-dimensional Li-ion conduction was discussed.     

Fever of unknown origin in patients with HIV infection in Thailand: an observational study and review of the literature

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a common presentation for patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We prospectively followed 72 patients, consecutively admitted to a Thai regional hospital with FUO and HIV infection to identify aetiologies and mortality in the era of available antiretroviral therapy (ART). Aetiologies of FUO were identified in 67 patients (93%), of whom 61(85%) had an infectious aetiology. The most common infectious aetiologies were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (n=30; 42%), Cryptococcus neoformans (n=17; 24%), Pneumocystis jiroveci (n=9; 13%), Toxoplasma gondii (n=5; 7%), and salmonella bacteraemia (n=5; 7%). Nineteen patients (26%) had co-infection with two or more pathogens. The median CD4 count was 120 cells/mm(3) (range, 1-581 cells/mm(3)), and the all-cause mortality was 22% (n=16). By multivariate analysis, inadequate antimicrobial treatment was the sole predictor of mortality (aOR=4.9; 95% CI=1.2-21.9; P=0.02). Overall, 58 of 72 patients (81%) had an opportunistic infection suggesting that guideline use of ART and prophylactic strategies remain unmet needs that will benefit individuals and populations with HIV/AIDS in Thailand.     

Increased activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is associated with cholangiocarcinoma metastasis and PI3K/mTOR inhibition presents a possible therapeutic strategy

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling plays a critical role in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), as well as anti-cancer drug resistance and autophagy, the type II program cell death regulation. In this work, we aimed to: (1) determine the expression levels of several key components of PI3K signaling and (2) evaluate whether NVP-BEZ235, a novel dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, could inhibit CCA cell growth. Immunohistochemistry for p85α, p110α, AKT, p-AKT (T308), mTOR, p-mTOR (S2448), GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β (S9), PTEN, and p-PTEN (S380, T382/383) was performed in 30 CCA patients. Western blotting was used to analyze PTEN and p-PTEN expression in the cell lines (KKU-OCA17, KKU-100, KKU-M055, KKU-M139, KKU-M156, KKU-M213, and KKU-M214). The effects of NVP-BEZ235 on CCA cells were evaluated using a growth inhibition assay, flow cytometer and migration assay. Increased activation of PI3K/AKT signaling was reproducibly observed in the CCA tissues. The expression of p85α, mTOR, and GSK-3β was significantly correlated with metastasis. Interestingly, PTEN suppression by loss of expression or inactivation by phosphorylation was observed in the majority of patients. Furthermore, NVP-BEZ235 effectively inhibited CCA cell growth and migration through reduced AKT and mTOR phosphorylation and significantly induced G1 arrest without apoptosis induction, although increase autophagy response was observed. In conclusion, the constitutive activation of PI3K/AKT pathway in CCA is mainly due to PTEN inactivation by either loss of expression or phosphorylation along with an increased expression in its pathway components heralding a poor prognosis for CCA patients. This work also indicates that inhibition of PI3K and mTOR activity by the inhibitor NVP-BEZ235 has anti-cancer activity against CCA cells which might be further tested for CCA treatment.     

Risk factors for and outcomes of healthcare-associated infection due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae in Thailand.

A matched case-control study was performed to evaluate the risk factors for and outcomes of healthcare-associated infection due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Thailand. By multivariable analysis, prior exposure to third-generation cephalosporins and transfer from another hospital were risk factors associated with infection. Receipt of inadequate antimicrobial therapy was a predictor of mortality.