Lattice-guided growth of dense arrays of aligned transition metal dichalcogenide nanoribbons with high catalytic reactivity.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exhibit unique properties and potential applications when reduced to one-dimensional (1D) nanoribbons (NRs), owing to quantum confinement and high edge densities. However, effective growth methods for self-aligned TMD NRs are still lacking. We demonstrate a versatile approach for lattice-guided growth of dense, aligned MoS NR arrays via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on anisotropic sapphire substrates, without tailored surface steps.

Effects of Baseline Blood Zinc Levels on the Humoral Immune Response After COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination: A Prospective Study in a Japanese Population.

Background/objectives: Although the protective effects of zinc against COVID-19 are documented, its impact on COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity remains unknown.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study involving a cohort of 79 Japanese individuals (aged 21-56 years; comprising three subcohorts) and measured their serum zinc levels pre-vaccination and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG levels pre- and post-vaccination over 4 months.

Results: Serum zinc concentrations ranged between 74-140 and 64-113 μg/dL in male and female individuals, respectively, with one male and 11 female participants exhibiting subclinical zinc deficiency (60-80 μg/dL).

Glasgow Prognostic Score and Outcomes in Elderly Head and Neck Cancer Surgery With Free-Flap Reconstruction: A Retrospective Study.

Background Determining good candidates for head and neck cancer surgery in elderly patients requires consideration of various factors, such as overall health and social background, yet specific evaluation guidelines are lacking. The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) is a marker used to assess nutritional status and prognosis in cancer patients. Objective This study aims to evaluate the association between the GPS and both the prognosis and postoperative complications in reconstructive surgery cases for head and neck cancer in patients aged 80 and over.

Heat-sterilizable antibody mimics designed on the cold shock protein scaffold from hyperthermophile Thermotoga maritima.

Antibodies and antibody mimics are extensively used in the pharmaceutical industry, where stringent safety standards are required. Implementing heat sterilization during or after the manufacturing process could help prevent contamination by viruses and bacteria. However, conventional antibodies and antibody mimics are not suitable for heat sterilization because they irreversibly denature at high temperatures.

Number of medical facilities within driving distance of residence and influenza vaccination status in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

Vaccine hesitancy primarily consists of confidence, complacency, and convenience, including geographical accessibility. However, few studies in developed countries have focused on the association between geographical accessibility to vaccination services and vaccination status and previous studies have shown conflicting results. This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the association between the number of medical facilities within a 15-minute driving distance from the place of residence and influenza vaccination status, using a large nationwide internet survey in Japan ( = 27,440).