Gain-Loss-Induced Hybrid Skin-Topological Effect.

Non-Hermitian topological effects are of crucial importance both in fundamental physics and applications. Here we discover the gain-loss-induced hybrid second-order skin-topological effect and the PT phase transition in skin-topological modes. By studying a non-Hermitian Haldane model, we find that the topological edge modes are localized on a special type of corner, while the bulk modes remain extended.

A Universal Fluorescent Immunochromatography Assay Based on Quantum Dot Nanoparticles for the Rapid Detection of Specific Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogenic agent leading to COVID-19. Due to high speed of transmission and mutation rates, universal diagnosis and appropriate prevention are still urgently needed. The nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 is considered more conserved than spike proteins and is abundant during the virus' life cycle, making it suitable for diagnostic applications.

Analysis of virginiamycin M1 in swine feed, muscle and liver samples by quantum dots-based fluorescent immunochromatographic assay.

Based on a highly sensitive and specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) against virginiamycin M1 (VIR M1), a quantum dots-based fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (QDs-ICA) for quick and sensitive analysis of VIR M1 was established for the first time. The mAb showed a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) of 0.5 ng/mL and cross-reactivity (CR) values below 0.

Orally administered titanium carbide nanosheets as anti-inflammatory therapy for colitis.

Oxidative stress, resulting from excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays an important role in the initiation and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, developing novel strategies to target the disease location and treat inflammation is urgently needed. Herein, we designed and developed a novel and effective antioxidant orally-administered nanoplatform based on simulated gastric fluid (SGF)-stabilized titanium carbide MXene nanosheets (TiC NSs) with excellent biosafety and multiple ROS-scavenging abilities for IBD therapy.

Construction of MnCoO/Ti electrocatalysts for efficient bifunctional water splitting.

In this work, we report the design and synthesis of non-noble metal-based electrocatalysts for effective overall water splitting in alkaline solutions for the development of hydrogen energy. The electrocatalysts were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method similar to microflower structure electrocatalysts. The synergistic effect between the special nanostructure and the nanowire can greatly improve the conductivity of the nanomaterial due to its high activity quality, fast ion transport, and exposure of more active sites, thus resulting in a better catalytic activity and a longer material stability of the electrocatalyst.

Quantum dot-based fluorescence immunosorbent assay for the rapid detection of bacitracin zinc in feed samples.

Bacitracin zinc (BAC), a polypeptide antibiotic, is utilized as a feed additive due to its ability to promote growth in animals. However, the abuse of BAC can lead to a great threat to food safety. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a rapid and sensitive detection method.

Rapid sequence induction with a "modified timing principle" of rocuronium provides excellent intubating conditions: A randomised trial.

The present study was designed to compare the intubating conditions of rocuronium giving by "a modified timing principle" in rapid induction and intubation (RSII) with that of the gold standard, succinylcholine. One hundred and twenty-four patients were randomly divided into rocuronium group (group R, n = 62) or succinylcholine group (group S, n = 62). In group R, after rocuronium 0.

Integrin α10 regulates adhesion, migration, and osteogenic differentiation of alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in type 2 diabetic patients who underwent dental implant surgery.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a clinically important risk factor for dental implant treatment failure. An imbalance in the microenvironment of the jawbone of diabetic patients can impair the functions of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), thereby interfering with implant osseointegration during the healing phase. This study aims to investigate potential molecular factors associated with abnormal BMSC biological functions in diabetic patients with dental implant failure and identify intervention targets to improve implant osseointegration.

Psychological Impact and Workload of COVID-19 on Healthcare Workers in China During the Early Time of the Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the organization, workload, and psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers from the domestic Medical Aid Teams (MATs) sent to Wuhan in China.

Methods: Leaders and members of MATs involved in the care for COVID-19 patients were invited to participate in a study by completing 2 separate self-report questionnaires from April 1 to 24, 2020.

Results: A total of 9 MAT leaders were involved and 464 valid questionnaires were collected from 140 doctors and 324 nurses.

Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells via CsPF Passivation of Perovskite Film Defects.

Polycrystalline perovskite films have many fatal defects; defect passivation can improve the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, the defects in perovskite films are passivated by introducing the pseudohalide salt CsPF into the films. Because the ionic radii of Cs and PF are close to those of FA and I, respectively, they can be uniformly doped into perovskite films to passivate the bulk, surface, and grain boundary defects.

Manipulation of Band Alignment in Two-Dimensional Vertical WSe/BAPbI Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskite Heterojunctions via Defect Engineering.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), two-dimensional (2D) layered Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite material, and their heterojunctions have attracted a great deal of interest in optoelectronic applications. Although various approaches for modulating their properties and applications have been demonstrated, knowledge of the interface band alignment and defect engineering on the TMD/2D perovskite heterojunction is still lacking. Herein, the optoelectronic properties and defect engineering of the WSe/BAPbI heterojunction have been investigated with density functional theory simulations.

Adhesive Materials Inspired by Barnacle Underwater Adhesion: Biological Principles and Biomimetic Designs.

Wet adhesion technology has potential applications in various fields, especially in the biomedical field, yet it has not been completely mastered by humans. Many aquatic organisms (e.g.

Development of an Indirect ELISA Kit for Rapid Detection of Varicella-Zoster Virus Antibody by Glycoprotein E.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a highly infectious agent that causes varicella (chickenpox), can also cause zoster (shingles), a disorder that is frequently associated with severe neuralgia. A reliable serological VZV diagnostic assay would be useful for identifying unprotected individuals and for surveilling post-vaccination immunoprotection status. Toward this goal, VZV membrane glycoprotein E (gE), the immunodominant VZV protein, served as target antigen in an indirect ELISA kit developed here to detect anti-VZV antibodies in clinical samples.

Blue LED-pumped intense short-wave infrared luminescence based on Cr-Yb-co-doped phosphors.

The growing demand for spectroscopy applications in the areas of agriculture, retail and healthcare has led to extensive research on infrared light sources. The ability of phosphors to absorb blue light from commercial LED and convert the excitation energy into long-wavelength infrared luminescence is crucial for the design of cost-effective and high-performance phosphor-converted infrared LEDs. However, the lack of ideal blue-pumped short-wave infrared (SWIR) phosphors with an emission peak longer than 900 nm greatly limits the development of SWIR LEDs using light converter technology.

Protective effect of cinnamaldehyde on channel catfish infected by drug-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila.

The protective effect of cinnamaldehyde on channel catfish infected by drug-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila CW strain was explored by observing the clinical signs and histopathology, measuring the cumulative mortality, serum biochemical and non-specific immune indicators, and intestinal microbiota in this study. The cumulative survival rate of the cinnamaldehyde within 14 days was significantly higher than that of the challenge group, which was 70% and 20%, respectively. Compared with the challenge group, the activities of lysozyme, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in the treatment group were increased, while there was no significant difference in catalase activity.

Forecasting stock market volatility with a large number of predictors: New evidence from the MS-MIDAS-LASSO model.

This paper explores the effectiveness of predictors, including nine economic policy uncertainty indicators, four market sentiment indicators and two financial stress indices, in predicting the realized volatility of the S&P 500 index. We employ the MIDAS-RV framework and construct the MIDAS-LASSO model and its regime switching extension (namely, MS-MIDAS-LASSO). First, among all considered predictors, the economic policy uncertainty indices (especially the equity market volatility index) and the CBOE volatility index are the most noteworthy predictors.

Zuogui Wan slowed senescence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Zuogui Wan (ZGW) is a classical prescription for senile disorders and delay aging. Modern studies show that ZGW promotes central nerve cell regeneration, prevents and cures osteoporosis, enhances the body's antioxidant capacity, regulates the body's immune function, and promotes mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) proliferation.

Aim Of The Study: It has been shown that MSCs aging is closely associated with organism's aging and age-related disorders.

Short Peptides Derived from a Block Copolymer-like Barnacle Cement Protein Self-Assembled into Diverse Supramolecular Structures.

Peptides capable of self-assembling into different supramolecular structures have potential applications in a variety of areas. The biomimetic molecular design offers an important avenue to discover novel self-assembling peptides. Despite this, a lot of biomimetic self-assembling peptides have been reported so far; to continually expand the scope of peptide self-assembly, it is necessary to find out more novel self-assembling peptides.

Development of a fluorescent immunochromatographic assay based on quantum dots for the detection of fleroxacin.

Fleroxacin (FLE) is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic widely used in animal husbandry, veterinary medicine and aquaculture. Eating animal-derived foods with FLE residues can cause allergies, poisoning or drug resistance. The water-soluble QDs (CdSe/ZnS) and anti-FLE monoclonal antibody (mAb) were used to prepare a fluorescent probe by the method of -(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-'-ethylcarbodimide hydrochloride (EDC) activation.

An osmium-peroxo complex for photoactive therapy of hypoxic tumors.

The limited therapeutic effect on hypoxic and refractory solid tumors has hindered the practical application of photodynamic therapy. Herein, we report our investigation of an osmium-peroxo complex (Os2), which is inactive in the dark, but can release a peroxo ligand O upon light irradiation even in the absence of oxygen, and is transformed into a cytotoxic osmium complex (Os1). Os1 is cytotoxic in the presence or absence of irradiation in hypoxic tumors, behaving as a chemotherapeutic drug.

Effects of Treadmill Exercise on Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Cardiomyocyte Telomerase Activity in Aging Model Rats Based on Classical Apoptosis Signaling Pathway.

In order to explore the effect of treadmill exercise on mitochondrial DNA damage and myocardial telomerase activity in aging model rats based on the classical apoptosis signaling pathway, a total of 36 clean-grade male SD rats are selected. After modeling, the rats are randomly divided into groups, namely, control and 3 times/w and 6 times/w exercise rats, with 12 rats in each group. After the rats of each group are modeled, the myocardial tissue and cells are collected, the apoptosis of myocardial cells is detected by TUNEL method, and the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in myocardial tissue are detected by western blotting.

A study of the antibacterial mechanism of pinocembrin against multidrug-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a common pathogen in fish that has caused severe economic losses in aquaculture worldwide. With the emergence of bacterial resistance, it is necessary to develop new drugs to combat bacterial infection, particularly for multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this study, the antibacterial activity of pinocembrin was investigated by observing bacterial growth and microscopic structure, and its mechanism of action was identified by investigating its effect on protein and DNA.

Predictive value of CTRP3 for the disease recurrence of atrial fibrillation patients after radiofrequency ablation.

Objective: To explore the expression of plasma CTRP3 in patients with non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency ablation and its predictive value for disease recurrence.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the patients in the Heart Center of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from June 2016 to November 2017 were collected. According to the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation 2016, patients diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were selected as the study subjects.