Effects of gamma-ray irradiation on material and electrical properties of AlN gate dielectric on 4H-SiC.

This article investigates the radiation effects on as-deposited and annealed AlN films on 4H-SiC substrates under gamma-rays. The AlN films are prepared using plasma-enhanced-atomic-layer-deposition on an n-type 4H-SiC substrate. The AlN/4H-SiC MIS structure is subjected to gamma-ray irradiation with total doses of 0, 300, and 600 krad(Si). Physical, chemical, and electrical methods were employed to study the variations in surface morphology, charge transport, and interfacial trapping characteristics induced by irradiation. After 300 krad(Si) irradiation, the as-deposited and annealed samples exhibit their highest root mean square values of 0.917 nm and 1.190 nm, respectively, which is attributed to N vacancy defects induced by irradiation. Under irradiation, the flatband voltage (Vfb) of the as-deposited sample shifts from 2.24 to 0.78 V, while the annealed sample shifts from 1.18 to 2.16 V. X-ray photoelectron spectrum analysis reveals the decomposition of O-related defects in the as-deposited AlN and the formation of Al(NOx)ycompounds in the annealed sample. Furthermore, the space-charge-limits-conduction (SCLC) in the as-deposited sample is enhanced after radiation, while the barrier height of the annealed sample decreases from 1.12 to 0.84 eV, accompanied by the occurrence of the SCLC. The physical mechanism of the degradation of electrical performance in irradiated devices is the introduction of defects like N vacancies and O-related defects like Al(NOx)y. These findings provide valuable insights for SiC power devices in space applications.

Cancer mortality in 2020 and its trend analysis in Inner Mongolia during four time periods from 1973 to 2020.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in China and is responsible for placing a major burden on its economic system. Inner Mongolia is located close to the northern border of China and spans more than 2,400 km from east to west. It has a total area of 1,183,000 km2, which accounts for about one-third of the total area of the country. Its ethnic demographics are complex and unique. We were interested in understanding whether these situations lead to a higher mortality rate for certain types of cancer, which was the motivation behind our research. This study aims to estimate cancer mortality in Inner Mongolia, its burden, and its trend over a 60-year time span. We compiled data pertaining to cancer in Inner Mongolia, obtained from the three national causes of death sample surveys. In addition, we obtained data pertaining to cancer mortality rates from the cause of death surveillance system in Inner Mongolia in the year 2020. The proportion of deaths from various cancers, crude mortality rates, and standardized mortality rates were calculated. The Joinpoint Regression Program was used to calculate mortality trends and the periodic percentage change (PPC) in these rates. We found that the mortality rate of cancer was 142.15/105; the age-standardized mortality rate using the Chinese standard population in 2000 (ASMRC) and Segi's world population (ASMRW) were 86.49/105 and 85.73/105 in 2020, respectively. From 1973 to 2020, during the four time periods, the leading five cancer types contributing to the mortality rate among Inner Mongolia residents in 2020 were stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, cervix/uterine cancer, and lung cancer. The four periods of time PYLL ‰ were 9.05‰, 10.79‰, 12.1‰, and 10.38‰ from 1973 to 2020. The overall trend of the crude mortality rate of cancer in Inner Mongolia from 1973 to 2020 increased (PPC =1.77%, P<0.05). Also, the crude mortality rate and ASMRC were higher in men than in women (P<0.05). The mortality rates of cancer in Inner Mongolia increased with age ie first time period and in 2020 for ages 10 to 84. The same trend was observed for ages 0 and 74 in the second and the third time periods. Overall, in 2020, the CMR and the ASMRW in Inner Mongolia were lower than the national level and significantly lower than those in other domestic Chinese provinces. Lung cancer was the most reported cancer. Cancers from the first to seventh place ranking were consistent with the national ranking in 2020. The overall crude mortality rate of cancer in Inner Mongolia during the four periods revealed an increasing trend, and liver cancer-related mortality also showed an upward trend during the four periods. The findings may provide baseline data for cancer research.

Association of urinary arsenic with the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified arsenic as a class I carcinogen. Oxidative DNA damage is a typical early precursor to recognized malignancies. The most sensitive early independent marker of oxidative DNA damage is believed to be 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). To date, research on the link between urinary arsenic and 8-OHdG has not been consistent. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at exploring the effects of urinary arsenic on 8-OHdG in human urine. METHODS: A literature search until January 2023 was performed on the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases through a combination of computer and manual retrieval. Stata 12.0 was used to examine the degree of heterogeneity among included studies. The percentage change and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) of 8-OHdG were calculated between populations exposed to different doses. We used a random effect model because the degree of heterogeneity exceeded 50 %. Sensitivity analysis and testing for publication bias were performed. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included nine studies, most of which were performed in China. After exposure to arsenic, urinary arsenic (per 10 µg/g creatinine increase) was associated with the increased 8-OHdG (% change = 41.49 %, 95 % CI: 19.73 %, 63.25 %). Subgroup analysis indicated that the percentage change in 8-OHdG in urine was more pronounced in people exposed to arsenic <50 µg/L (% change = 24.60 %, 95 % CI: 17.35 %, 37.85 %). In studies using total urinary arsenic content as an indicator, the percentage change in 8-OHdG in urine was more significant (% change = 60.38 %, 95 % CI: 15.08 %, 105.68 %). CONCLUSION: The 8-OHdG levels in human urine significantly increased after exposure to environmental arsenic, thus suggesting that arsenic exposure is correlated with oxidative DNA damage.

Epidemic Characteristics of Human Rabies - China, 2016-2020.

INTRODUCTION: The epidemiological characteristics of human rabies in China in 2016-2020 were analyzed in order to provide the scientific basis for the formulation of the prevention and control policy of rabies at next stage. METHODS: The data of China's National Notifiable Disease Reporting System (NNDRS) from 2016 to 2020 were collected and analyzed by using a descriptive epidemiology method. RESULTS: A total of 2,074 cases of human rabies were reported from 2016-2020 in China, there were year over year decreases in total number of cases. Human rabies appeared throughout the year, among which the highest in incidence happened from August to October, while March and December months were months in which the epidemic was weakest. CONCLUSION: Though decreases were observed for human rabies in China, further steps should be taken to maintain these results. Management should be strengthened and the immunity of dogs should be prioritized to control this situation from the source. In addition, all reported cases should be monitored and reported to achieve the accurate prevention and control.

[Effect of congrong powder preparation on erythrocyte parameter and index of blood rheology in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Congrong powder preparation on erythrocyte parameter and the index of blood rheology in healthy rats. METHOD: The 50 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups ( physiological saline group, testosterone propionate group, large-dose administered group, moderate-dose administered group, small-dose administered group). Blood were taken to determine erythrocyte parameter and the index of blood rheology. RESULT: Congrong powder preparation had no effect on erythrocyte parameter. There was an increase in whole blood viscosity, whole blood reduction viscosity, and in the erythrocyte rigidity index in the large-dose administered group. CONCLUSION: Congrong powder can influence deformability and some related characters of erythrocytes.

[Changes of proteomic spectra of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides on myocardial protection].

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanisms of the anti-myocardial ischemia of total flavones of Hippophae rhamnoides (TFH) at the level of proteome. METHOD: Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI) mass spectrometry with protein chip IMAC3, SAX2 and NP20 was performed to compare the differentially expressed protein in myocardial ischemia in the TFH-treated groups with the 0.9% sodium chloride groups. Protein chips were examined in PBS II - C protein chip reader (ciphergen ciosystem inc) and the protein profiling was analyzed by Proteinchip Software 3. 0. 2. RESULT: The revealed six peaks had significant difference between the TFH-treated groups and the control groups, one of which were up-regulated in the TFH-treated groups, and the other were down-regulated. And in these six distinct proteins, there were four proteins on the IMAC3 chips and one protein on the SAX2 chips. CONCLUSION: The TFH could prevent the myocardium from ischemia via regulating expression of different proteins.