Genotypes and Hot Spot Mutations of Hepatitis B Virus in Northwest Chinese Population and Its Correlation with Diseases Progression.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a critical incentive for chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Different genotypes and genome mutations of HBV have been found to be related to the progression of these liver diseases. However, their clinical significance is still under debate.

Low-Iridium-Content IrNiTa Metallic Glass Films as Intrinsically Active Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Although various catalytic materials have emerged for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), it remains crucial to develop intrinsically effective catalysts with minimum uses of expensive and scarce precious metals. Metallic glasses (MGs) or amorphous alloys show up as attractive HER catalysts, but have so far limited to material forms and compositions that result in high precious-metal loadings. Here, an Ir Ni Ta MG nanofilm exhibiting high intrinsic activity and superior stability at an ultralow Ir loading of 8.

Fast surface dynamics enabled cold joining of metallic glasses.

Design of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with excellent properties has been a long-sought goal in materials science and engineering. The grand challenge has been scaling up the size and improving the properties of metallic glasses of technological importance. In this work, we demonstrate a facile, flexible route to synthesize BMGs and metallic glass-glass composites out of metallic-glass ribbons.

Cost-effectiveness of quadrivalent versus trivalent influenza vaccine for elderly population in China.

Background: Influenza-associated excess death occurred most in the elderly. We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) versus trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) for prevention of influenza infection among elderly population in China.

Methods: A decision-analytic model was developed to compare 1-year clinical and economic outcomes of three influenza vaccination options (no vaccination, TIV, and QIV) in a hypothetical cohort of Chinese elderly aged 69 years.

Design and Evaluation of a Novel Multiplex Real-Time PCR Melting Curve Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Nine Sexually Transmitted Disease Pathogens in Genitourinary Secretions.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are a major cause of infertility, long-term disability, ectopic pregnancy, and premature birth. Therefore, the development of fast and low-cost laboratory STD diagnostic screening methods will contribute to reducing STD-induced reproductive tract damage and improve women's health worldwide. In this study, we evaluated a novel multiplex real-time PCR melting curve assay method for the simultaneous detection of 9 STD pathogens, including , and virus.

Tinnitus Correlates with Downregulation of Cortical Glutamate Decarboxylase 65 Expression But Not Auditory Cortical Map Reorganization.

Hearing loss is the biggest risk factor for tinnitus, and hearing-loss-related pathological changes in the auditory pathway have been hypothesized as the mechanism underlying tinnitus. However, due to the comorbidity of tinnitus and hearing loss, it has been difficult to differentiate between neural correlates of tinnitus and consequences of hearing loss. In this study, we dissociated tinnitus and hearing loss in FVB mice, which exhibit robust resistance to tinnitus following monaural noise-induced hearing loss.

Molecularly Thin Electrolyte for All Solid-State Nonvolatile Two-Dimensional Crystal Memory.

A molecularly thin electrolyte is developed to demonstrate a nonvolatile, solid-state, one-transistor (1T) memory based on an electric-double-layer (EDL) gated WSe field-effect transistor (FET). The custom-designed monolayer electrolyte consists of cobalt crown ether phthalocyanine and lithium ions, which are positioned by field-effect at either the surface of the WSe channel or an h-BN capping layer to achieve "1" or "0", respectively. Bistability in the monolayer electrolyte memory is significantly improved by the h-BN cap with density functional theory (DFT) calculations showing enhanced trapping of Li near h-BN due to a ∼1.

Determination of bisphenol analogues in food-contact plastics using diode array detector, charged aerosol detector and evaporative light-scattering detector.

Freshness protection packages and preservative films are widely used food-contact plastic made of polyethylene. Diode array detector (DAD), charged aerosol detector (CAD) and evaporative light-scattering detector (ELSD) were evaluated for determination of 6 bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol S, bisphenol F, bisphenol B, bisphenol AF and tetrabromobisphenol A.) in polyethylene.

Aflatoxin B1 enhances pyroptosis of hepatocytes and activation of Kupffer cells to promote liver inflammatory injury via dephosphorylation of cyclooxygenase-2: an in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo study.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a food contaminant derived from Aspergillus fungi, has been reported to cause hepatic immunotoxicity via inflammatory infiltration and cytokines release. As a pro-inflammatory factor, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is widely involved in liver inflammation induced by xenobiotics. However, the mechanism by which AFB1-induced COX-2 regulates liver inflammatory injury via hepatocytes-Kupffer cells (KCs) crosstalk remains unclear and requires further elucidation.

iTRAQ-based mitochondrial proteome analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying postharvest senescence of Zizania latifolia.

To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying postharvest senescence of Zizania latifolia, the changes in the mitochondrial proteome of plants treated with or without (control) 1-methyleyelopropene and ethylene during storage at room temperature for 0, 3 and 6 days were investigated using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling combined with two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 1,390 proteins with two or more peptides were identified, of which 211 showed a significant (p < .05) change (at least twofold) in relative abundance.

MicroRNA‑195 inhibits epithelial‑mesenchymal transition by targeting G protein‑coupled estrogen receptor 1 in endometrial carcinoma.

Epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to exert promoting effects on the progression of a number of cancer types, including endometrial carcinoma (EC). MicroRNA (miRNA or miR)‑195 has been shown to function as a tumor suppressor. This study aimed to explore the potential role of miR‑195 in the EMT process of EC.

An Adaptive Real-Time Detection Algorithm for Dim and Small Photoelectric GSO Debris.

Geosynchronous orbit (GSO) is the ideal orbit for communication, navigation, meteorology and other satellites, but the space of GSO is limited, and there are still a large number of space debris threatening the safety of spacecraft. Therefore, real-time detection of GSO debris is necessary to avoid collision accidents. Because radar is limited by transmitting power and operating distance, it is difficult to detect GSO debris, so photoelectric detection becomes the mainstream way to detect GSO debris.

Photothermal Microfluidic Sensing Platform Using Near-Infrared Laser-Driven Multiplexed Dual-Mode Visual Quantitative Readout.

The application of different sensing principles in microfluidic devices opens up further possibilities for the development of point-of-care testing (POCT). Herein, the photothermal sensing principle is introduced in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) to develop a photothermal microfluidic sensing platform using near-infrared (NIR) laser-driven multiplexed dual-mode visual quantitative readout. Prussian blue (PB) as the analyte-associated photothermal agent was in situ synthesized in thermoresponsive poly(-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels to serve as the on-chip photothermal sensing element.

MicroRNA‑301a‑3p overexpression promotes cell invasion and proliferation by targeting runt‑related transcription factor 3 in prostate cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to serve a role in tumorigenic programs. The dysregulated expression of miR‑301a‑3p may affect the progression of various types of human cancer; however, the expression and the role of miR‑301a‑3p in prostate cancer are still unclear. The present study aimed to clarify the role and molecular mechanism of miR‑301a‑3p in prostate cancer.

Theoretical Insights into the Reaction Mechanism between 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran and Hydrogen Peroxide: A DFT Study.

A detailed knowledge of the reactivity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) at the molecular level is important to better understand the transformation of dioxins analogous to TCDF in the environment. To clarify the reactivity of the organic hydroperoxides toward TCDF, the reaction of the TCDF with hydrogen peroxide (HO) and its anion has been investigated theoretically. For the reaction of the neutral HO, a molecular complex can be formed between TCDF and HO first.

Spatiotemporally Controlled Multiplexed Photothermal Microfluidic Pumping under Monitoring of On-Chip Thermal Imaging.

Intelligent contactless microfluidic pumping strategies have been increasingly desirable for operation of lab-on-a-chip devices. Herein, we present a photothermal microfluidic pumping strategy for on-chip multiplexed cargo transport in a contactless and spatiotemporally controllable fashion based on the application of near-infrared laser-driven photothermal effect in microfluidic paper-based devices (μPDs). Graphene oxide (GO)-doped thermoresponsive poly(-isopropylacrylamide)-acrylamide hydrogels served as the photothermally responsive cargo reservoirs on the μPDs.

Berberine exhibits antioxidative effects and reduces apoptosis of the vaginal epithelium in bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common type of vaginitis. Berberine is a natural alkaline product that reduces oxidative stress and apoptosis in cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of berberine on oxidative stress and apoptotic rates of BV.

Association between CIRP expression and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats.

The role of cold inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) in mediating ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats under chronic hypobaric hypoxia was investigated. The neonatal rat model of chronic hypobaric hypoxia and the cell culture model of SH-SY5Y cells exposed to hypoxia (1% O) were constructed. The expression of CIRP and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was detected after hypoxic exposure, and the apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and western blot analysis to detect neuronal apoptosis.

A Retrospective Analysis of Crayfish-Related Rhabdomyolysis (Haff Disease).

Objective: To investigate the epidemiologic and etiologic factors, clinical features, therapeutic regimen, and prognosis of crayfish-related rhabdomyolysis (Haff disease).

Methods: Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 29 patients with crayfish-related rhabdomyolysis (Haff disease) from July to August 2016, summarized the clinical characteristics, and evaluated the prognosis.

Results: Clinical data of a total of 29 cases of Haff disease were retrospectively analyzed.

Structural characteristics in deformation mechanism transformation in nanoscale metallic glasses.

Deformation of metallic glasses is closely related to their microstructures which depend on the composition, processing method, and the size of the materials. This subtle structure-property relation is fairly complex and remains to be explored. Here, we scrutinize the microstructural evolution in relation to the mechanical properties in metallic glass nanowires with the same composition and size but subtle microstructural differences by controlling the preparing process using molecular dynamics simulations.

Emergence and percolation of rigid domains during the colloidal glass transition.

Using video microscopy, we measure local spatial constraints in disordered binary colloidal samples, ranging from dilute fluids to jammed glasses, and probe their spatial and temporal correlations to local dynamics during the glass transition. We observe the emergence of significant correlations between constraints and local dynamics within the Lindemann criterion, which coincides with the onset of glassy dynamics in supercooled liquids. Rigid domains in fluids are identified based on local constraints and demonstrate a percolation transition near the glass transition, accompanied by the emergence of dynamical heterogeneities.

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of TLR7-based compounds for chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Hair loss is a common dermatosis symptom and side-effect in cancer chemotherapeutics. Imiquimod application at mid and late telogen activated the hair follicle stem cells leading to premature hair cycle entry. Based on quinoline structure, a newly synthesized compound 6b displayed proliferation activity in vitro and in vivo through branch chain replacement and triazole ring cyclization.

Spatial variations and controlling factors of ground ice isotopes in permafrost areas of the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Ground ice is a distinctive feature of permafrost, and its thawing under climate change can alter the regional hydrological and biogeochemical cycles. Spatial variations and determinants of ground ice isotopes are critical to understand subsurface water cycling during freeze-thaw process in the context of climate change, while they are not well known in permafrost region due to lack of field investigation. We examined spatial distributions and controlling factors of ground ice isotopes using data of 8 soil profiles surveyed in permafrost areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP).