Psychometric properties of the perceived stress scale (PSS-10) among pregnant women in China.

Background: Pregnancy, a transformative phase, is often fraught with considerable psychological stress. Within the context of Chinese culture, characterized by intricate family dynamics, societal expectations, and deeply rooted traditional beliefs, the manifestation of stress during pregnancy may present with distinct nuances. The adaptation and validation of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for the Chinese context are pivotal for a nuanced understanding and effective intervention for the stressors encountered by pregnant women in China.

Screening of lipase TiL from Tilletia indica for chemo-enzymatic epoxidation of alkenes.

Lipase can mediate the chemo-enzymatic epoxidation of alkenes with the presence of free carboxylic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Four novel lipases with the abilities of chemo-enzymatic epoxidation were mined from the gene database. Lipase TiL originated from Tilletia indica was identified with significant activity on formation of methyl epoxystearate from methyl oleate.

An electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer biosensor based on CDs/PAMAM/rGO nanocomposites and Au@AgS nanoparticles for PML/RARα fusion gene detection.

In recent years, electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) with low background signal and high specificity has attracted much attention among researchers. Herein, we established a novel ECL-RET biosensor for PML/RARα fusion gene detection. In this ECL-RET system, carbon dots (CDs) with low toxicity and prominent electrochemical activity were used as donor and Au@AgS core-shell nanoparticles (Au@AgS NPs) were employed as ECL acceptor.

A Y-shape-structured electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on carbon quantum dots and locked nucleic acid probe for microRNA determination with single-base resolution.

Since microRNAs (miRNAs) are predictors of tumorigenesis, accurate identification and quantification of miRNAs with highly similar sequences are expected to reflect tumor diagnosis and treatment. In this study, a highly selective and sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor was constructed for miRNAs determination based on Y-shaped junction structure equipped with locked nucleic acids (LNA), graphene oxide-based nanocomposite to enrich luminophores, and conductive matrix. Specifically, two LNA-modified probes were designed for specific miRNA recognition, that is, a dual-amine functionalized hairpin capture probe and a signal probe.

TRIM11 protects against tauopathies and is down-regulated in Alzheimer's disease.

Aggregation of tau into filamentous inclusions underlies Alzheimer's disease (AD) and numerous other neurodegenerative tauopathies. The pathogenesis of tauopathies remains unclear, which impedes the development of disease-modifying treatments. Here, by systematically analyzing human tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins, we identified a few TRIMs that could potently inhibit tau aggregation.

Corrosion Engineering towards NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxide Macroporous Arrays with Enhanced Activity and Stability for Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) is the benchmark catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline medium, however, it is still challenging to improve its activity and stability. Herein, NiFe-LDH macroporous array electrodes are demonstrated to significantly enhance the activity and stability for oxygen evolution reaction. The electrodes are fabricated by the chemical and electrochemical corrosion process of Ni foam induced by ferric nitrate, hydrochloric acid and oxygen.

Ultrafine NiFe-Based (Oxy)Hydroxide Nanosheet Arrays with Rich Edge Planes and Superhydrophilic-Superaerophobic Characteristics for Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

NiFe-based (oxy)hydroxides are the benchmark catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline medium, however, it is still challenging to control their structures and compositions. Herein, molybdates (NiFe(MoO ) ) are applied as unique precursors to synthesize ultrafine Mo modified NiFeO H (oxy)hydroxide nanosheet arrays. The electrochemical activation process enables the molybdate ions (MoO ) in the precursors gradually dissolve, and at the same time, hydroxide ions (OH ) in the electrolyte diffuse into the precursor and react with Ni and Fe ions in confined space to produce ultrafine NiFeO H (oxy)hydroxides nanosheets (<10 nm), which are densely arranged into microporous arrays and maintain the rod-like morphology of the precursor.

Flower-like molybdenum disulfide/cobalt ferrite composite for the extraction of benzotriazole UV stabilizers in environmental samples.

Benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BUVSs) are a class of emerging contaminants of concern; the development of rapid and convenient monitoring method for these trace-level pollutants in waters is of crucial significance in environmental science. Here, a novel magnetic flower-like molybdenum disulfide/cobalt ferrite nanocomposite (MoS/CoFeO) was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. Compared with the conventional FeO-based magnetic composites, the proposed material just required a minimum consumption of Co/Fe towards the equivalent of MoS while providing superior magnetization performance.

Modification and application of highly active alkaline pectin lyase.

Alkaline pectate lyase has developmental prospects in the textile, pulp, paper, and food industries. In this study, we selected BacPelA, the pectin lyase with the highest expression activity from Bacillus clausii, modified and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). Through fragment replacement, the catalytic activity of the enzyme was significantly improved.

Efficient Determination of PML/RARα Fusion Gene by the Electrochemical DNA Biosensor Based on Carbon Dots/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites.

Purpose: The PML/RARα fusion gene as a leukemogenesis plays a significant role in clinical diagnosis of the early stage of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Here, we present an electrochemical biosensor for PML/RARα fusion gene detection using carbon dots functionalized graphene oxide (CDs/GO) nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode (CDs/GO/GCE).

Materials And Methods: In this work, the CDs/GO nanocomposites are produced through π-π stacking interaction and could be prepared in large quantities by a facile and economical way.

In-situ fabrication of zeolite imidazole framework@hydroxyapatite composite for dispersive solid-phase extraction of benzodiazepines and their determination with high-performance liquid chromatography-VWD detection.

A novel zeolite imidazole framework@hydroxyapatite composite (ZIF-8@HAP) was constructed via in-situ growth and developed for efficient dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) of three benzodiazepines from urine samples. The prepared composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, zeta potential analyzer, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption experiment. Characterization results showed typical dodecahedron ZIF-8 crystals that were uniformly located on the surface of rod-like HAP.

Ubiquitination and functional modification of GluN2B subunit-containing NMDA receptors by Cbl-b in the spinal cord dorsal horn.

-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors (NMDARs) containing GluN2B subunits are prevalent early after birth in most brain regions in rodents. Upon synapse maturation, GluN2B is progressively removed from synapses, which affects NMDAR function and synaptic plasticity. Aberrant recruitment of GluN2B into mature synapses has been implicated in several neuropathologies that afflict adults.

Effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for endometriosis-related pain: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This study will assess the effectiveness and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for endometriosis-related pain (ERP).

Methods: Seven electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, WANGFANG, VIP, CBM, and CNKI will be searched. We will search all electronic databases related the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness and safety of NMES for ERP up to the March 31, 2020 without restrictions of language.

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Regioselective Functionalization of Monophosphino-o-Carboranes.

A facile approach to the synthesis of diaryl- and dialkyl-substituted monophosphino-o-carboranes by rhodium(I)-catalyzed phosphine-directed B -H activation has been developed for the first time. Upon switching rhodium(I) to palladium(II), C-arylated and B -halogenated products were obtained by using tBuOLi and Li CO as base, respectively. These discoveries provide some simple and efficient approaches to the modification of monophosphino-o-carboranes.

mGluR5/ERK signaling regulated the phosphorylation and function of glycine receptor α1ins subunit in spinal dorsal horn of mice.

Inhibitory glycinergic transmission in adult spinal cord is primarily mediated by glycine receptors (GlyRs) containing the α1 subunit. Here, we found that α1ins, a longer α1 variant with 8 amino acids inserted into the intracellular large loop (IL) between transmembrane (TM)3 and TM4 domains, was expressed in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, distributed at inhibitory synapses, and engaged in negative control over nociceptive signal transduction. Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) specifically suppressed α1ins-mediated glycinergic transmission and evoked pain sensitization.

Near-infrared and mid-infrared semiconductor broadband light emitters.

Semiconductor broadband light emitters have emerged as ideal and vital light sources for a range of biomedical sensing/imaging applications, especially for optical coherence tomography systems. Although near-infrared broadband light emitters have found increasingly wide utilization in these imaging applications, the requirement to simultaneously achieve both a high spectral bandwidth and output power is still challenging for such devices. Owing to the relatively weak amplified spontaneous emission, as a consequence of the very short non-radiative carrier lifetime of the inter-subband transitions in quantum cascade structures, it is even more challenging to obtain desirable mid-infrared broadband light emitters.

Ubiquitination and inhibition of glycine receptor by HUWE1 in spinal cord dorsal horn.

Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are pentameric proteins that consist of α (α1-α4) subunits and/or β subunit. In the spinal cord of adult animals, the majority of inhibitory glycinergic neurotransmission is mediated by α1 subunit-containing GlyRs. The reduced glycinergic inhibition (disinhibition) is proposed to increase the excitabilities and spontaneous activities of spinal nociceptive neurons during pathological pain.

Visible-Light-Promoted Transition-Metal-Free Phosphinylation of Heteroaryl Halides in the Presence of Potassium tert-Butoxide.

A novel visible-light-promoted C-P bond formation reaction in the absence of both transition metal and photoredox catalysts is disclosed. By employing easily available and inexpensive heteroaryl chlorides/bromides as substrates, a variety of heteroaryl phosphine oxides were obtained in moderate to good yields. This strategy provides a simple and efficient route to heteroaryl phosphine oxides.

A High-Throughput Study of the Electronic Structure and Physical Properties of Short-Period (GaAs)(AlAs) (m, n ≤ 10) Superlattices Based on Density Functional Theory Calculations.

As important functional materials, the electronic structure and physical properties of (GaAs)(AlAs) superlattices (SLs) have been extensively studied. However, due to limitations of computational methods and computational resources, it is sometimes difficult to thoroughly understand how and why the modification of their structural parameters affects their electronic structure and physical properties. In this article, a high-throughput study based on density functional theory calculations has been carried out to obtain detailed information and to further provide the underlying intrinsic mechanisms.

InAs/GaAs Quantum Dot Dual-Mode Distributed Feedback Laser Towards Large Tuning Range Continuous-Wave Terahertz Application.

In this paper, a laterally coupled distributed feedback (LC-DFB) laser based on modulation p-doped multiple InAs/GaAs quantum dot (QD) structures has been fabricated. The device exhibits a high side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) of > 47 dB and a high thermal stability of dλ/dT = 0.092 nm/K under continuous-wave (CW) operation, which is mainly attributed to the high material gain prepared by modulation p-doping and rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process, and the significantly reduced waveguide losses by shallow-etched gratings and its close proximity to the laser ridge feature in the LC-DFB laser.

[Particle Size Distribution and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Atmospheric Particles from Beijing and Xinxiang During Summer].

Under a condition of good air quality (AQI:55-90, PM:37-97 μg·m, PM:17-76 μg·m), six groups of 54 samples were collected using an Andersen cascade impactor from both the indoor and outdoor stations in Beijing and Xinxiang from June to August in 2016. The samples were digested by microwave digestion, and nine heavy metal elements (Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Mn, and Co) in the atmospheric particles were determined with an inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results showed that the enrichment index (0-3) of most elements were low in both cities except for Cd[15.

Disruption of SHP1/NMDA receptor signaling in spinal cord dorsal horn alleviated inflammatory pain.

Src-homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1 (SHP1) is one of the non-receptor-like phosphatases that are highly enriched in hematopoietic cells. Although accumulating evidence has implicated the protein tyrosine phosphatases in the regulation of nociceptive transmission and plasticity, it is largely unknown whether SHP1 was expressed in pain-related spinal cord dorsal horn and engaged in the synaptic modification of nociceptive signals. Here we found that SHP1 was present in spinal neurons of rats and functionally coupled to GluN2A subunit-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptors, one of the key players in central sensitization of nociceptive behaviors.

Synthesis of peri-Substituted (Naphthalen-1-yl)phosphine Ligands by Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Phosphine-Directed C-H Arylation.

A novel protocol for effective rhodium(I)-catalyzed C-H arylation of tertiary phosphines has been devised. It is amenable to a wide range of substrates and gives the products in moderate to high yields. This strategy provides a simple and efficient route to peri-substituted (naphthalen-1-yl)phosphines.

Realization of III-V Semiconductor Periodic Nanostructures by Laser Direct Writing Technique.

In this paper, we demonstrated the fabrication of one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) periodic nanostructures on III-V GaAs substrates utilizing laser direct writing (LDW) technique. Metal thin films (Ti) and phase change materials (GeSbTe (GST) and GeSbBiTe (GSBT)) were chosen as photoresists to achieve small feature sizes of semiconductor nanostructures. A minimum feature size of about 50 nm about a quarter of the optical diffraction limit was obtained on the photoresists, and 1D III-V semiconductor nanolines with a minimum width of 150 nm were successfully acquired on the GaAs substrate which was smaller than the best results acquired on Si substrate ever reported.