Recent advances in bimetallic nanoscale zero-valent iron composite for water decontamination: Synthesis, modification and mechanisms.

The environmental pollution of water is one of the problems that have plagued human society. The bimetallic nanoscale zero-valent iron (BnZVI) technology has increased wide attention owing to its high performance for water treatment and soil remediation. In recent years, the BnZVI technology based on the development of nZVI has been further developed. The material chemistry, synthesis methods, and immobilization or surface stabilization of bimetals are discussed. Further, the data of BnZVI (Fe/Ni, Fe/Cu, Fe/Pd) articles that have been studied more frequently in the last decade are summarized in terms of the types of contaminants and the number of research literatures on the same contaminants. Five contaminants including trichloroethylene (TCE), Decabromodi-phenyl Ether (BDE209), chromium (Cr(VI)), nitrate and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) were selected for in-depth discussion on their influencing factors and removal or degradation mechanisms. Herein, comprehensive views towards mechanisms of BnZVI applications including adsorption, hydrodehalogenation and reduction are provided. Particularly, some ambiguous concepts about formation of micro progenitor cell, production of hydrogen radicals (H·) and H2 and the electron transfer are highlighted. Besides, in-depth discussion of selectivity for N2 from nitrates and co-precipitation of chromium are emphasized. The difference of BnZVI is also discussed.

An attenuated strain of cyprinid herpesvirus 2 as a vaccine candidate against herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis disease in gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio.

Herpesviral hematopoietic necrosis disease causes by cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV-2) infection is a high mortality disease that leads to great economic damage to gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio aquaculture. In this study, an attenuated strain of CyHV-2 G-RP7 was achieved by subculture on RyuF-2 cells derived from the fin of Ryukin-variety goldfish and GiCF cells derived from fin of gibel carp. As the attenuated vaccine candidate, there are no clinical symptoms of gibel carp that immersion or intraperitoneal injection with G-RP7 strain. The protection rates of G-PR7 to gibel carp by immersion and intraperitoneal injection were 92% and 100%, respectively. In the test for virulence reversion, the candidate was propagated through gibel carp six times by intraperitoneal injection with kidney and spleen homogenate of the inoculated fish. During in vivo passages in gibel carp, no abnormality and mortality of the inoculated fish were observed, and the virus DNA copies maintain a low level from the first passage to the sixth passage. The dynamic of virus DNA in each tissue of G-RP7 vaccination fish increased within 1, 3, and 5 days post-immunization, and subsequently decreased and stabilized within 7 and 14 days. In addition, the increase of anti-virus antibody titer was detected both immersion and injection immunization fish 21 days after vaccination by ELISA. These results demonstrated that G-RP7 can be a promising live attenuated vaccine candidate against the disease.

Flexible Mechanoluminescent SrAl2O4:Eu Film with Tracking Performance of CFRP Fracture Phenomena.

Non-destructive testing of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) laminates with bidirectional fiber bundles (twill-weave) using a mechanoluminescence (ML) technique was proposed. The dynamic strain distributions and fracture phenomena of the CFRP laminates in the tensile testing were evaluated by the fabricated ML sensor consisting of SrAl2O4:Eu (SAOE) powder and epoxy resin. The ML images for the ML sensor attached to the CFRP laminates with bidirectional fiber bundles gave a net-like ML intensity distribution similar to the original twill weave pattern. Specifically, it was found that the ML intensity on the longitudinal fiber bundle, which is the same as the tensile direction, is higher than that on the transverse fiber bundle. This indicates that the ML sensor can visualize the load share between fiber bundles in different directions of the CFRP laminate with high spatial resolution. Meanwhile, the ML sensor could also visualize the ultrafast discontinuous fracture process of the CFRP laminates and its stress distribution. The amount of SAOE powder in the ML sensor affects the tracking performance of the crack propagation. A higher SAOE amount leads to a fracture of the ML sensor itself, and a lower SAOE amount leads to poor ML characteristics.

Effective Repeatable Mechanoluminescence in Heterostructured Li1- x Nax NbO3 : Pr3.

Mechanoluminescence (ML) is a striking optical phenomenon that is achieved through mechanical to optical energy conversion. Here, a series of Li1 -x Nax NbO3 : Pr3+ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1.0) ML materials have been developed. In particular, due to the formation of heterostructure, the synthesized Li0.5 Na0.5 NbO3 : Pr3+ effectively couples the trap structures and piezoelectric property to realize the highly repeatable ML performance without traditional preirradiation process. Furthermore, the ML performances measured under sunlight irradiation and preheating confirm that the ML properties of Li0.5 Na0.5 NbO3 : Pr3+ can be ascribed to the dual modes of luminescence mechanism, including both trap-controllable and self-recoverable modes. In addition, DFT calculations further confirm that the doping of Na+ ions in LiNbO3 leads to electronic modulations by the formation of the heterostructures, which optimizes the trap distributions and concentrations. These modulations improve the electron transfer efficiency to promote ML performances. This work has supplied significant references for future design and synthesis of efficient ML materials for broad applications.

Changing trajectories of serum uric acid and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear the role of longitudinal trajectory of serum uric acid (SUA) on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to determine whether longitudinal SUA trajectories are associated with the risk of new-onset NAFLD. METHODS: We explored the relationship between SUA trajectories and NAFLD in a cohort including 3822 participants. Individual's SUA trajectories from 2012 to 2014 were defined using group-based trajectory modeling analysis in four distinct patterns: trajectory 1 (n = 991, 25.93%), trajectory 2 (n = 1421, 37.18%), trajectory 3 (n = 1156, 30.22%), and trajectory 4 (n = 254, 6.67%). The logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between SUA changing trajectories and subsequent NAFLD until 2016. Dose-response relationship between SUA changing trajectories and NAFLD risk was evaluated through the testing of trajectory groups as a continuous variable. RESULTS: The 2-year incidence of NAFLD was 13.27%. Compared with trajectory 1, the adjusted odds risk for NAFLD development was in a dose-response relationship as follows: 1.27 (95% CI 0.91-1.78) for trajectory 2, 1.89 (95% CI 1.29-2.75) for trajectory 3, and 2.34 (95% CI 1.43-3.83) for trajectory 4. And this dose-response relationship was not affected by age, sex, and abdominal obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Higher SUA changing trajectory is a risk factor for NAFLD. This finding highlights the importance of paying attention to SUA changing trajectory on the detection and prevention of NAFLD.

Visceral adiposity index as a predictor of NAFLD: A prospective study with 4-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although evidence indicates that visceral adipose tissue is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), it is unclear whether the visceral adiposity index (VAI) can predict the onset of NAFLD. This study aimed to determine whether the VAI is an independent risk factor of NAFLD and whether there is a dose-response relationship. METHODS: We explored the relationship between VAI levels and NAFLD in a health check-up cohort established in 2012. There were 4809 subjects with baseline data and results from 4 follow-up examinations. The diagnosis of NAFLD was established by demonstration of increased hepatic echogenicity with ultrasound and exclusion of alcohol overconsumption with questionnaires. We divided the subjects into 4 groups according to baseline VAI levels and used the Cox hazard regression model to estimate NAFLD risk by VAI quartile at baseline by adjusting for potential confounding factors. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the risk of NAFLD incidence among individuals in each VAI quartile. RESULTS: The 4-year cumulative incidence of NAFLD in this cohort was 13.9%. The hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals, 95% CI) for NAFLD in the second, third and fourth VAI quartiles compared with the first quartile were 1.42 (95% CI: 1.24-1.64), 1.73 (95% CI: 1.51-1.99) and 2.13(95% CI: 1.86-2.45) respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that higher VAI levels predict higher incidences of NAFLD in a dose-dependent relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the VAI level is an independent risk factor of NAFLD and there is a dose-response relationship between VAI level and NAFLD risk.

Risk prediction model of dyslipidaemia over a 5-year period based on the Taiwan MJ health check-up longitudinal database.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to provide an epidemiological model to evaluate the risk of developing dyslipidaemia within 5 years in the Taiwanese population. METHODS: A cohort of 11,345 subjects aged 35-74 years and was non-dyslipidaemia in the initial year 1996 and followed in 1997-2006 to derive a risk score that could predict the occurrence of dyslipidaemia. Multivariate logistic regression was used to derive the risk functions using the check-up centre of the overall cohort. Rules based on these risk functions were evaluated in the remaining three centres as the testing cohort. We evaluated the predictability of the model using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) to confirm its diagnostic property on the testing sample. We also established the degrees of risk based on the cut-off points of these probabilities after transforming them into a normal distribution by log transformation. RESULTS: The incidence of dyslipidaemia over the 5-year period was 19.1%. The final multivariable logistic regression model includes the following six risk factors: gender, history of diabetes, triglyceride level, HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and BMI (body mass index). The ROC AUC was 0.709 (95% CI: 0.693-0.725), which could predict the development of dyslipidaemia within 5 years. CONCLUSION: This model can help individuals assess the risk of dyslipidaemia and guide group surveillance in the community.

Elastico-mechanoluminescence in CaZr(PO4)2:Eu2+ with multiple trap levels.

We report on a novel elastico-mechanoluminescence (EML) phosphor of CaZr(PO4)2:Eu2+ for simultaneous luminescent sensing and imaging to mechanical load by the light-emitting of Eu2+ ions. The EML properties of CaZr(PO4)2:Eu2+ show an intense luminance (above 15 mcd m(-2)), a low load threshold (below 5 N), a broad measurement range for the dynamic load (up to 2000 N), and an accurate linear relationship of EML intensity against the applied load. The excellent EML characteristics are considered to originate from the piezoelectric crystal structure and the multiple trap levels with appropriate depths. An EML mechanism based on the electrons as the main charge carriers is proposed.

An intense elastico-mechanoluminescence material CaZnOS:Mn2+ for sensing and imaging multiple mechanical stresses.

The elastico-mechanoluminescence (EML) properties of CaZnOS:Mn2+ are investigated. The CaZnOS:Mn2+/epoxy resin composite can simultaneously "feel" (sense) and "see" (image) various types of mechanical stress over a wide energy and frequency range (ultrasonic vibration, impact, friction and compression) as an intense red emission (610 nm) from Mn2+ ions. Further, the accurate linear relation between emission intensity and different stress parameters (intensity, energy and deformation rate) are confirmed. The EML mechanism is explained using a piezoelectrically induced trapped carrier excitation mode. All the results imply that CaZnOS:Mn2+ has potential as a stress probe to sense and image multiple mechanical stresses and decipher the stress intensity distribution.

Hyperuricemia precedes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with abdominal obesity moderating this unidirectional relationship: Three longitudinal analyses.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The temporal relationship between hyperuricemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is debatable. This study aimed to explore whether there exists a bidirectional or temporal relationship between them. METHODS: A total of 11,585 participants were recruited from the Beijing Health Management Cohort during the period 2012-2016. We evaluated whether hyperuricemia was associated with NAFLD development (part I) and whether NAFLD was associated with hyperuricemia incidence (part II) using a logistic regression model. Further, the cross-lagged panel analysis model was used to simultaneously examine the bidirectional relationship between hepatic steatosis and serum uric acid (SUA) (part III). Subgroup and interaction analyses were also performed to assess whether other variables moderated those relationships. RESULTS: In part I, multiple logistic regression indicated that baseline hyperuricemia was associated with the development of NAFLD (OR = 1.5970, p < 0.0001). In part II, multiple logistic regression showed that baseline NAFLD was not correlated with hyperuricemia incidence (OR = 0.8600, p = 0.1976). In part III, cross-lagged panel analyses indicated that the standard regression coefficient of baseline SUA to follow-up hepatic steatosis (0.1516) was significantly greater than the coefficient from the baseline hepatic steatosis to follow-up SUA (-0.0044) with p < 0.0001 for the difference. This indicated a unidirectional relationship from baseline SUA to follow-up hepatic steatosis, suggesting hyperuricemia may precede NAFLD; and this relationship was not affected by age, sex, dyslipidemia, metabolism syndrome, diabetes but was moderated by abdominal obesity. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a unidirectional relationship from hyperuricemia to NAFLD incidence, and suggested that lowering SUA levels in hyperuricemia patients may prevent subsequent NAFLD.

Ferroelectric Sr3 Sn2 O7 :Nd3+ : A New Multipiezo Material with Ultrasensitive and Sustainable Near-Infrared Piezoluminescence.

Ultrasensitive and sustainable near-infrared (NIR)-emitting piezoluminescence is observed from noncentrosymmetric and ferroelectric-phase Sr3 Sn2 O7 doped with rare earth Nd3+ ions. Sr3 Sn2 O7 :Nd3+ (SSN) with polar A21 am structure is demonstrated to emit piezoluminescence of wavelength of 800-1500 nm at microstrain levels, which is enhanced by the ferroelectrically polarized charges in the multipiezo material. These discoveries provide new research opportunities to study luminescence properties of multipiezo and piezo-photonic materials, and to explore their potential as novel ultrasensitive probes for deep-imaging of stress distributions in diverse materials and structures including artificial bone and other implanted structures (in vivo, in situ, etc).

Analysis of risk factors of metabolic syndrome using a structural equation model: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to use a structural equation model (SEM) to determine the interrelations between various risk factors, including latent variables, involved in the development of metabolic syndrome(MetS). METHODS: This study used data derived from the MJ Longitudinal Health Check-up Population Database for participants aged 20 to 70 years, who were asymptomatic for MetS at enrollment and were followed up for 5 years. A SEM was applied to investigate the attributions of MetS and the interrelations between different risk factors. RESULTS: Socioeconomic status (SES), living habits, components of metabolic syndrome (COMetS), and blood pressure had a diverse impact on the onset of MetS, directly and (or) indirectly. When investigating the latent risk factors and the interrelations between different risk factors. The standardized total effect (the sum of the direct and indirect effects, ßt) of SES, living habits, blood pressure and COMetS on the onset of MetS was 0.084, -0.179, 0.154, and 0.353, respectively. SES, as a distal risk factor, directly influenced living habits, blood pressure, and COMetS with standardized regression coefficients (ßr) of -0.079 (P < 0.001), 0.200 (P < 0.001), and -0.163 (P < 0.001) respectively. Unfavorable living habits exerted an inverse effect on blood pressure and COMetS (ßr = -0.101, P < 0.001; ßr = -0.463, P < 0.001), which was an important path way for developing MetS. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that individuals with a higher level of SES are susceptible to high blood pressure and are at increased risk for MetS. Additionally, there is a decrease in exercise and an increase in smoking and consumption of alcohol corresponded to an increase in metabolic risk factors.

Obesity-Related Genetic Variants and Hyperuricemia Risk in Chinese Men.

Objective: Obesity/metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia are clinically associated; however, the association of obesity/metabolic syndrome-related genetic variants with hyperuricemia is not clear. Therefore, we assessed this association in Chinese men diagnosed with hyperuricemia in comparison to a non-hyperuricemia group. Methods: We genotyped 47 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified to be associated with obesity or metabolic syndrome in 474 adult males (aged ≥ 18 years) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association between the genetic variations and hyperuricemia. Stratified analyses were applied to further assess the associations. Results: The obesity-related SNP in MSRA rs545854 significantly affected serum uric acid levels. In addition, the G-allele of rs545854 was positively associated with the risk of hyperuricemia [odds ratio (OR) = 2.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19-6.64, P = 0.0188]. After adjusting the model for body mass index and central obesity, rs545854 was shown to be an independent factor increasing the risk of hyperuricemia (OR = 2.81, 95%CI = 1.18-6.70, P = 0.0196). Stratified analyses also showed a significant association between rs545854 and hyperuricemia among meat eaters (OR = 2.62, 95%CI = 1.09-6.26, P = 0.0308). Conclusion: The obesity-related SNP rs545854 was correlated with the serum uric acid level and risk of hyperuricemia in a male Chinese population. Therefore, men carrying this SNP could benefit from limiting their meat consumption to prevent hyperuricemia. These findings suggest an underlying genetic link between obesity and hyperuricemia worthy of further exploration.

Prediction of transfer among multiple states of blood pressure based on Markov model: an 18-year cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the rules of transition between normotension, prehypertension and hypertension states and to establish a prediction model for the incidence of prehypertension and hypertension. METHODS: Data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1991 to 2009 were used as training data to develop the model. Data of the year 2011 were used for model validation. The multistate Markov model was developed using the msm package in R software. RESULTS: A total of 5265 participants were included at baseline, with an average follow-up of 8.05 ±â€Š5.27 years and 17 640 observations. The ratio of men to women was 1 : 1.17, and the mean age was 37.54 ±â€Š13.80 years. Within 10 years, in men, from normotension, the average probability to prehypertension and hypertension are 34.5 and 35.25%, respectively; from prehypertension, the average probability of recovering to normotension and developing to hypertension are 17.78 and 43.85%, respectively. In women, the average probabilities are 27.49, 28.09, 29.11 and 39.05%. Fat consumption increasing was found to be a protective factor, with 4.5% lower rate of transferring from normotension to prehypertension for a quarter percentage increasing. The model showed a very good prediction ability within 10 years and provided good prediction of blood pressure in the 2011 cohort (χ = 0.781, P = 0.676). CONCLUSION: The multistate Markov model can be a useful tool to identify the rules of transition among multiple states of blood pressure and predict well prevalence of the normotension, prehypertension and hypertension in cohort populations.

LiNbO3 :Pr3+ : A Multipiezo Material with Simultaneous Piezoelectricity and Sensitive Piezoluminescence.

Red-emitting piezoluminescence (elasticoluminescence) is achieved by doping rare earth Pr3+ into the well-known piezoelectric matrix, LiNbO3 . By precisely tuning the Li/Nb ratio in nonstoichiometric Li x NbO3 :Pr3+ , a material that exhibits an unusually high piezoluminescence intensity, which far exceeds that of any well-known piezoelectric material, is produced. Li x NbO3 :Pr3+ shows excellent strain sensitivity at the lowest strain level, with no threshold for stress sensing. These multipiezo properties of sensitive piezoluminescence in a piezoelectric matrix are ideal for microstress sensing, damage diagnosis, electro-mechano-optical energy conversion, and multifunctional control in optoelectronics.

Electrostrictive and photoluminescent properties in Pr-doped (Ba,Sr)(Ti,Al)O3 ceramics.

Pr3(+)-doped (Ba,Sr)(Ti,Al)O3 ceramics were prepared using a conventional solid-state reaction technique. Multiple functions of electrostriction and photoluminescence were realized in the ceramics. Red emission (614 nm) was observed in the samples, and the intensity reached its largest value in the sample of 40 mol% Sr addition. Although the electrostrictive strain decreased in the Pr and Al doped samples, the temperature dependence is remarkably improved comparable to the undoped sample.

Large electrostrain and high optical temperature sensitivity in BaTiO3-(Na0.5Ho0.5)TiO3 multifunctional ferroelectric ceramics.

Ferroelectric (1 -x)BaTiO3-x(Na0.5Ho0.5)TiO3 ceramics with ferroelectric and up-conversion luminescent multifunctions were designed and fabricated by a solid state reaction process. Their structure, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, up-conversion photoluminescence and relative optical temperature sensing properties were investigated systematically. Crystal structure analysis and Rietveld refinements based on the powder X-ray diffraction data show that the ceramics crystallized in the tetragonal perovskite space group P4mm at room temperature. Enhanced electrical properties and strong green up-conversion luminescence with thermally coupled green emission bands centered at 523 and 553 nm were observed. For a typical sample x equals 0.05, a large electrostrain of 0.279% was obtained under a 70 kV cm(-1) electric field that is comparable to that of the PZT4. Meanwhile, the excellent optical temperature sensitivity (0.0063 K(-1) at 480 K) is higher than that of Er-doped BaTiO3 nanocrystal materials. The results suggest that the BaTiO3-(Na0.5Ho0.5)TiO3 material should be an attractive material for piezoelectric actuator and temperature sensing device applications.

Arabidopsis seed germination speed is controlled by SNL histone deacetylase-binding factor-mediated regulation of AUX1.

Histone acetylation is known to affect the speed of seed germination, but the molecular regulatory basis of this remains ambiguous. Here we report that loss of function of two histone deacetylase-binding factors, SWI-INDEPENDENT3 (SIN3)-LIKE1 (SNL1) and SNL2, results in accelerated radicle protrusion and growth during seed germination. AUXIN RESISTANT 1 (AUX1) is identified as a key factor in this process, enhancing germination speed downstream of SNL1 and SNL2. AUX1 expression and histone H3 acetylation at lysines 9 and 18 is regulated by SNL1 and SNL2. The D-type cyclins encoding genes CYCD1;1 and CYCD4;1 display increased expression in AUX1 over-expression lines and the snl1snl2 double mutant. Accordingly, knockout of CYCD4;1 reduces seed germination speed of AUX1 over-expression lines and snl1snl2 suggesting the importance of cell cycling for radicle protrusion during seed germination. Together, our work identifies AUX1 as a link between histone acetylation mediated by SNL1 and SNL2, and radicle growth promoted by CYCD1;1 and CYCD4;1 during seed germination.

Biodegradable hyaluronic acid/n-carboxyethyl chitosan/protein ternary complexes as implantable carriers for controlled protein release.

An ampholytic N-carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC), with various isoelectric points (IPs), was synthesized by grafting acrylic acid on chitosan utilizing Michael's reaction. Compared to native chitosan, CEC has enhanced water solubility and dramatically accelerated enzymatic degradation; the rate of degradation is proportional to the degree of substitution (DS). The results from turbidimetric titration and fluorescence studies revealed that CEC formed complexes with either hyaluronic acid (HA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) within a certain pH range. The HA/CEC/BSA ternary complexes could be prepared by colloid titration with quantitative yield and BSA entrapment. The rate of BSA release from the complexes was affected by pH, ionic strength, DS of CEC, and the molecular weight (MW) of HA. The endurance of BSA release from the complexes could be extended up to 20 d by formulating them with high-MW HA and CEC with low DS.BSA release profiles from HA/CEC-2/BSA complexes.

Performance of single mechanoluminescent particle as ubiquitous light source.

In this study, we have investigated mechanoluminescent (ML) performance of single ML particle as ubiquitous light source. When using high-speed CCD camera with image intensifier and microscopic equipment, mechanoluminescence from single particle was observed. As to the quantitative ML evaluation of the single ML particle was carried out using photomultiplier, and successfully estimated the performance of the single ML particle as an intensity controllable light source in nW order.