In Situ Unveiling of the Resistive Switching Mechanism of Halide Perovskite-Based Memristors.

The organic-inorganic halide perovskite has become one of the most promising candidates for next-generation memory devices, i.e. memristors, with excellent performance and solution-processable preparation. Yet, the mechanism of resistive switching in perovskite-based memristors remains ambiguous due to a lack of in situ visualized characterization methods. Here, we directly observe the switching process of perovskite memristors with in situ photoluminescence (PL) imaging microscopy under an external electric field. Furthermore, the corresponding element composition of conductive filaments (CFs) is studied, indicating that the metallic CFs with respect to the activity of the top electrode are essential for device performance. Finally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is conducted to reveal that the transition of ion states is associated with the formation of metallic CFs. This study provides in-depth insights into the switching mechanism of perovskite memristors, paving a pathway to develop and optimize high-performance perovskite memristors for large-scale applications.

Phase-Engineering of Layered Nickel Hydroxide for Synthesizing High-Quality NiOx Nanocrystals for Efficient Inverted Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells.

Nickel oxide (NiOx) nanocrystals have been widely used in inverted (p-i-n) flexible perovskite solar cells (fPSCs) due to their remarkable advantages of low cost and outstanding stability. However, anion and cation impurities such as NO3- widely exist in the NiOx nanocrystals obtained from calcinated nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2). The impurities impair the photovoltaic performance of fPSCs. In this work, we report a facile but effective way to reduce the impurities within the NiOx nanocrystals by regulating the Ni(OH)2 crystal phase. We add different alkalis, such as organic ammonium hydroxide and alkali metal hydroxides, to nickel nitrate solutions to precipitate layered Ni(OH)2 with different crystalline phase compositions (α and ß mixtures). Especially, Ni(OH)2 with a high ß-phase content (such as from KOH) has a narrower crystal plane spacing, resulting in fewer residual impurity ions. Thus, the NiOx nanocrystals, by calcinating the Ni(OH)x with excess ß phase from KOH, show improved performance in inverted fPSCs. A champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.42% has been achieved, which is among the state-of-art inverted fPSCs based on the NiOx hole transport material. Moreover, the reduced impurities are beneficial for enhancing the fPSCs' stability. This work provides an essential but facile strategy for developing high-performance inverted fPSCs.

Analysis of genetic test results in 378 patients suspected of thalassaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the genetic test results of 378 patients suspected of thalassemia. METHODS: 378 suspected thalassemia patients in Shaoxing People's Hospital from 2014 to 2020 were selected and venous blood was tested using Gap-PCR and PCR-reversed dot blottin. The distribution of genotypes and other information of gene-positive patients was observed. RESULTS: Thalassemia genes were detected in 222 cases, with an overall detection rate of 58.7%, of which 41.4% were α deletion type, 1.35% were α dot, 52.7% were α thalassemia, and 4.5% were αß complex type. Among the 86 people with provincial household registration, the α-thalassemia gene accounted for 65.1% and the ß-thalassemia gene accounted for 25.6%. Follow-up found that Shaoxing nationality accounted for 53.1% of positive patients, of which ß-thalassemia gene accounted for 72.9% and α-thalassemia gene accounted for 25.4%; other cities in the province accounted for 8.1% of the total. Other provinces and cities accounted for 38.7%, most of which were from Guangxi and Guizhou. Among all positive patients, the most common α-thalassemia genotypes were --sea / αα, --α / αα,--α 3.7 4.2 / αα , --α3.7 / --sea. The most common mutations in ß-thalassemia were IVS-II-654, CD41-42, CD17 and CD14-15. CONCLUSION: The thalassemia gene carrier status was sporadically distributed outside the traditional thalassemia high prevalence areas. The local population in Shaoxing has a high detection rate of thalassemia genes, and the genetic composition is different from the traditional high prevalence area of thalassemia in the south.

First reported case of splenic diffuse red pulp small B-cell lymphoma with novel mutations in CXCR4 and TRAF3 genes.

Splenic diffuse red pulp small B-cell lymphoma (SDRPL) is a rare B-cell tumor whose genetic characteristics are poorly understood. Here, we introduce the case of a 62-year-old patient with SDRPL who showed progressive elevation of lymphocytes and progressive spleen enlargement. Immunohistochemistry showed that CD20 and CD79a were positive, and the Ki-67 labelling index was approximately 5%, consistent with the pathological features of splenic B-cell lymphoma. Spleen tissue and peripheral blood samples from the patient were sequenced using a next-generation sequencing platform, and mutations possibly were detected in the CXCR4 and TRAF3 genes that may be related to the pathogenesis of the disease. This finding may provide insights into the molecular pathogenesis of SDRPL and assist in molecular diagnosis and targeted therapy for SDRPL.

Mercury chalcogenide colloidal quantum dots for infrared photodetection: from synthesis to device applications.

Commercial infrared (IR) photodetectors based on epitaxial growth inorganic semiconductors, e.g. InGaAs and HgCdTe, suffer from high fabrication cost, poor compatibility with silicon integrated circuits, rigid substrates and bulky cooling systems, which leaves a large development window for the emerging solution-processable semiconductor-based photo-sensing devices. Among the solution-processable semiconductors, mercury (Hg) chalcogenide colloidal quantum dots (QDs) exhibit unique ultra-broad and tuneable photo-responses in the short-wave infrared to far-wave infrared range, and have demonstrated photo-sensing abilities comparable to the commercial products, especially with advances in high operation temperature. Here, we provide a focused review on photodetectors employing Hg chalcogenide colloidal QDs, with a comprehensive summary of the essential progress in the areas of synthesis methods of QDs, property control, device engineering, focus plane array integration, etc. Besides imaging demonstrations, a series of Hg chalcogenide QD photodetector based flexible, integrated, multi-functional applications are also summarized. This review shows prospects for the next-generation low-cost highly-sensitive and compact IR photodetectors based on solution-processable Hg chalcogenide colloidal QDs.

A meta-analysis of neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

AIM: Thrombocytopenia is an autoimmune disorder characterized by reduced platelet counts. Neonatal thrombocytopenia incidence has been linked with immune thrombocytopenic purpura in mothers during pregnancy, possibly because antiplatelet antibodies can cross the placental barrier. To date, no study has attempted to evaluate the actual prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia in infants born to mothers with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. In this meta-analysis of the available literature, we attempt to fill this gap. We want to evaluate the overall prevalence of neonatal thrombocytopenia, its severity, and the incidence of hemorrhage in infants with thrombocytopenia born from mothers with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we systematically scanned four academic databases including EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE to identify relevant literature. We performed a meta-analysis to summarize thrombocytopenia incidence rate and severity in newborn infants of mothers with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. RESULTS: We identified 21 eligible studies involving 1951 mothers and 1844 neonates. Meta-analysis showed high prevalence for neonatal thrombocytopenia (24%). Within these, severe cases were the most prevalent (41.2%), followed by moderate (37.7%) and mild (17.6%) cases. Hemorrhage was only reported in 4.1% of the observed neonatal thrombocytopenia cases. CONCLUSION: This review provides preliminary evidence that neonatal thrombocytopenia incidence is high in infants born to mothers with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. This study further reports that the largest proportion of these cases are severe.

[Effects of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin on Funtion of T and B Lymphocyte in Prieary ITP Patients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines and B lymphocyte level and their clinical significance in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients treated by recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO). METHODS: The peripheral blood levels of Th1 and Th2 type of cytokines and B lymphocyte were estimated by CBA in 48 patients with ITP, and compared with those in 35 control persons of heath examination. RESULTS: Before treatment, the levels of Th1 type cytokines and B lymphocyte in 48 patients with ITP were higher, and the levels of Th2 type cytokines were lower than those of healthy controls (P＜0.05). The levels of the peripheral blood CD19+ cells, CD5+CD19+ cells, IL-2 expression negatively correlated with Plt counts in ITP patients (P＜0.05), the levels of IL-4 positively correlated with Plt counts (P＜0.05). After treatment with rhTPO, the levels of Th1 type cytokines and B lymphocytes in 48 patients with ITP significantly decreased, and the levels of Th2 type cytokines significantly increased in comparison with those before treatment (P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood Th1 and Th2 type cytokines express abnormally and level of B lymphocytes increases significantly in ITP patinets. The disease severity correlats with the levels of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines and B lymphocytes. Platelets increase after rhTPO treatment, showing that rhTPO can play an important role in regulating Th1 and Th2 immunologic balance and B lymphocyte level in ITP patients.

PI3K-PKB-mTOR hyperactivation in relation to nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression and prognosis.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a unique and complex etiology, which is not completely understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression patterns of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) proteins in patients with NPC and their relationship with NPC progression and prognosis. Between January 2008 and March 2010, PI3K, PKB, and mTOR protein expressions were detected using immunohistochemistry among 119 patients with NPC and 30 healthy people. A 5-year follow-up was conducted for all patients. Correlations of PI3K, PKB, and mTOR proteins with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of NPC were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Kaplan-Meier curve. Cox's regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for the prognosis of NPC. First, PI3K, PKB, and mTOR were highly expressed in patients with NPC. The expressions of PI3K, PKB, and mTOR proteins were associated with T stage, N stage, clinical stage, relapse, and distant metastasis. Meanwhile, PI3K is positively correlated with PKB and PKB is positively correlated with mTOR in NPC. Higher PI3K, PKB, and mTOR protein expressions were related to a shorter survival time and a lower survival rate in NPC. Cox regression analysis revealed that age, T stage, N stage, PI3K, PKB, and mTOR were independent risk factors for NPC patient survival. Altogether, our data suggest that overexpression of PI3K, PKB, and mTOR proteins is an important indicator of poor survival in NPC. In addition, inhibition of PI3K-PKB-mTOR signaling may also contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for NPC.

[Clinical Significance of the Balanceshift of Th1 and Th2 Type Cytokines in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Detected by Cytometric Bead Array].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines in peripheral blood of patients with primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura(ITP) before and after treatment and their clinical significance. METHODS: Ninety-eight cases of ITP were treated with glucocorticoid(GC), then were divided into 2 groups: effectively treated group and uneffectively treated group according to efficacy of treatment, 40 healthy persons confirmed by health examination were selected and enrolled in control group. The levels of Th1 cytokines(IFN-γ,TNFα,IL-2) and Th2 cytokines(IL-4,IL-5,IL-10) were detected by cytometric bead array before and at 4 weeks, 3 and 6 months after treatment and the relationship among detected indexes was analyzed. RESULTS: Before treatment with glucocorticoid, the levels of Th1 type cytokines were in 98 patients with ITP were higher and the levels of Th2 type cytokines were lower, compared with the healthy controls(P<0.05). The IL-2/IL-4 ratio was significantly higher than that of healthy controls(P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of Th1 type cytokines in effectively treated group were significantly decreased and the levels of Th2 type cytokines were significantly increased, compared with level before treatment(P<0.05). The IL-2/IL-4 ratio was significantly decreased after treatment for 6 months, compared with that before treatment(1.05±0.43 vs 2.53±0.72)(P<0.05), but the level of Th1 or Th2 type cytokines did not obviously changed. CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood Th1 and Th2 cells express abnormally in ITP patients, ITP is a Th1 dominated disease; the change of IL-2/IL-4 ratio before and after treatment correlated with the prognosis of ITP patients, displaying clinical significance for ITP individual therapy.

[A case report of surgical resection of giant pharyngeal pleomorphic adenoma and literature review].

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a rare benign tumor in the pharynx. We presented a case with a huge PA in the pharynx. MRI displayed oropharyngeal mass, considering benign tumor. Preoperative fine-needle aspiration and cytology biopsy were important to confirm the diagnosis of PA preliminary. Extracapsular complete dissection for PA was performed under general anesthesia with tracheotomy subsequently. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of PA. The patient was discharged a week after operation and no recurrence was found in the following 8 months.

[Fas-FasL and caspase-3 signal transduction pathway and apoptosis of peripheral T lymphocytes in ITP patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between Fas-FasL-mediated signal transduction pathway and apoptosis of T lymphocyte subset in ITP patients. METHODS: The expression rates of membrane Fas, FasL and intracellular activated caspase-3 in peripheral T lymphocyte subset were determined by flow cytometry. T cell subsets with caspase-3 protein expression were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: As compared with that in healthy control group [(29.4 +/- 8.2)%], the expression rate of membrane Fas on CD4+ T cells was significantly increased in ITP patients [(42.1 +/- 9.5)%] (P < 0.05), however, that on CD8+ T cells was only slightly increased [(9.3 +/- 6.0)% vs (13.4 +/- 5.8)%] with no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The expression rate of FasL on T cell subset in ITP patients was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and that of intracellular activated caspase-3 in T cell subset in ITP patients was notably higher than that in healthy control group (P < 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression of pro-caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-3 in CD4+ T cells in patients with ITP after treatment were significantly reduced compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Apoptosis of T lymphocyte subset in ITP patients is accelerated. It is possible that Fas-FasL signal transduction pathway plays an important role in the induction of the apoptosis. The degree of apoptosis of T lymphocytes closely correlates with the disease's activity in ITP patients. Hormone therapy may interfere with Fas-FasL signal transduction pathway of apoptosis.

[Round window area temporal bone section versus CT].

OBJECTIVE: To locate round window area and its related structure on auris transection and CT for anatomical evidence of image diagnosis and clinical operation. METHODS: Fifteen normal head specimen fixed with 10% dehyde were scanned by high-resolution computed tomography on canthomeatal line. CT image (depth 1.00 mm, thick 1.00 mm) was obtained. Temporal bone-centered tissues were taken, decalcified, desiccated and socked with collodion, then embedded and made into sequential transactions (thick 1.00 mm). Lower surface of section was observed by both naked eyes and microscope, then scanned and photographed. Versus CT image, auditory ossicle, osseous semicircular canals, vestibule, round window, niche, cochlea, pyramidal eminence, internal acoustic meatus and cochlear aqueduct were identified respectively. RESULTS: There were 18-22 layers of temporal transection on CT image. Round window and round window niche always appeared on the 10th layer (R) and the 11th layer (L). The mean of the depth of anterior wall was 0.92 mm (R) and 0.90 mm (L), and depth 1.89 mm (R) and 2.04 mm (L). The average distance from niche to jugular fossa wall was 2.10 mm (R) and 2.39 mm (L). No significant difference among of thickness, depth and distance from niche to jugular fossa wall. CONCLUSIONS: Temporal bone transection specimen had a clear picture of anatomical position between round window area and its related structure. Versus CT, the result contributed to image diagnosis and operation on auris diseases.