Rare-Earth/d10 Dual-Metal Oxychalcogenides as Infrared Nonlinear-Optical Materials.

Oxychalcogenides are receiving increasing interest as nonlinear-optical (NLO) materials because of the possible combination of advantages from oxides and chalcogenides. Here, two new pentanary oxythiogermanates Eu2MGe2OS6 [M = Zn (1), Cd (2)] were obtained by the facile metal oxide-boron-sulfur solid-state route. They crystallize with a melilite-type structure and feature {[MGe2OS6]4-}∞ layers built by Ge2OS6 dimers and MS4 tetrahedra. Their optical band gaps are 2.37 and 2.38 eV. As the first NLO rare-earth (RE)/d10 dual-metal oxychalcogenides, they exhibit phase-matchable NLO responses and enhanced laser-induced damage thresholds. Theoretical calculations show that the NLO responses are predominantly contributed by the EuOS7 motifs. This work provides the potential of RE/d10 dual-metal-based NLO materials.

Phase-Matching Second-Harmonic Generation and Enhanced Laser-Induced Damage Threshold Induced by Cs Substitution: Cu3PSe4 vs Cs2CuP3S9.

Chalcophosphates are an important type of infrared nonlinear optical (NLO) candidates in view of their rich anionic motifs. Here, two copper chalcophosphates Cu3PSe4 (CPSe) and Cs2CuP3S9 (CCPS) were synthesized and studied as IR NLO materials. They both feature three-dimensional polyanionic frameworks constructed by similar T2-supertetrahedra, and the structure of CCPS can be derived from CPSe via introducing Cs and substituting Se with S. This structural evolution results in phase-matchable NLO behavior, enlarged optical band gap, and enhanced laser-induced damage threshold for CCPS. These results are elucidated by structure analysis and theoretical calculations, and the increased structural anisotropy contributes to the phase matchable behavior of CCPS. This work presents a case on how to adjust NLO properties via certain structure considerations, which may be extended to more systems for obtaining high-performance NLO materials.

Design of Pentanary Mixed-Chalcogenides Ag2In2SiS6-xSex (x = 1, 2) Based on the Bucket Effect: Local Structural Difference and High-Performance Nonlinear-Optical Properties Realized by Partial Congener Substitution.

Noncentrosymmetric chalcogenides are promising candidates for infrared nonlinear-optical (NLO) crystals, and exploring high-performance ones is a hot topic and challengeable. Herein, the combination of AgQ4, InQ4, and SiQ4 (Q = S, Se) units with different S/Se ratios resulted in the discovery of the tetrahedral chalcogenides Ag2In2SiS4Se2 (1) and Ag2In2SiS5Se (2). They both crystallize in the monoclinic Cc space group with different local structures. Co-occupied S/Se sites only exist in 2, and the arrangement of [In2SiQ3] six-membered rings builds different helical chains and 3D [(In2SiQ6)2-]n polyanionic frameworks in 1 and 2. They show balanced NLO performances, including phase-matchable moderate NLO responses (0.7 and 0.5 × AGS) and enhanced laser-induced damage thresholds (4.5 and 5.1 × AGS). Theoretical calculations reveal that their NLO responses are predominantly contributed by the AgQ4 and InQ4 units.

Relationship Between Mindfulness and Affiliate Stigma in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in China: The Mediating Role of Coping Styles.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the current status of affiliate stigma among parents of autistic children, analyze the influencing factors, explore the relationship among mindfulness, coping styles, and affiliate stigma, and verify the mediating role of coping styles between mindfulness and affiliate stigma in parents of children with autism in China. METHOD: Between February and April 2023, the Child Development Behaviour Centre of a public hospital in China recruited 345 parents of children with autism. These parents completed the general information questionnaire, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Affiliate Stigma Scale, and the Simple Coping Style Questionnaire. We then adapted the Hayes Process Macro and Bootstrap methods to examine the mediating effects of coping styles between mindfulness and affiliate stigma. RESULTS: (1) The total affiliate stigma score of parents of children with autism was 48.53 (standard deviation:: 10.74). Parents' age, monthly family income, duration of care, mindfulness, and coping styles were the influencing factors of parental affiliate stigma. (2) Mindfulness was positively correlated with positive coping style (r = 0.33, p < .01) and negatively correlated with negative coping style, affiliate stigma (r = -0.38, -0.39, p < .01), whereas affiliate stigma was negatively correlated with positive coping style (r = -0.34, p < .01) and positively correlated with negative coping style (r = 0.41, p < .01). (3) Positive coping style and negative coping style play a parallel mediating role between mindfulness and affiliate stigma of parents of autistic children. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of children with autism experience significant levels of affiliate stigma. Mindfulness has a direct impact on associated stigma in parents of children with autism and also indirectly predicts associated stigma through the intermediary influence of positive and negative coping styles. Healthcare professionals could perform mindfulness interventions from an optimistic psychology viewpoint to boost parents' mindfulness and coping abilities, thereby accomplishing the objective of mitigating affiliate stigma.

Integration of bioinformatics and machine learning strategies identifies APM-related gene signatures to predict clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses for breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Tumor antigenicity and efficiency of antigen presentation jointly influence tumor immunogenicity, which largely determines the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). However, the role of altered antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) in breast cancer (BRCA) has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: A series of bioinformatic analyses and machine learning strategies were performed to construct APM-related gene signatures to guide personalized treatment for BRCA patients. A single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were combined to screen for BRCA-specific APM-related genes. The non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm was used to divide the cohort into different clusters and the fgsea algorithm was applied to investigate the altered signaling pathways. Random survival forest (RSF) and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) Cox regression analysis were combined to construct an APM-related risk score (APMrs) signature to predict overall survival. Furthermore, a nomogram and decision tree were generated to improve predictive accuracy and risk stratification for individual patients. Based on Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) method, random forest (RF) and Lasso logistic regression model were combined to establish an APM-related immunotherapeutic response score (APMis). Finally, immune infiltration, immunomodulators, mutational patterns, and potentially applicable drugs were comprehensively analyzed in different APM-related risk groups. IHC staining was used to assess the expression of APM-related genes in clinical samples. RESULTS: In this study, APMrs and APMis showed favorable performances in risk stratification and therapeutic prediction for BRCA patients. APMrs exhibited more powerful prognostic capacity and accurate survival prediction compared to conventional clinicopathological features. APMrs was closely associated with distinct mutational patterns, immune cell infiltration and immunomodulators expression. Furthermore, the two APM-related gene signatures were independently validated in external cohorts with prognosis or immunotherapeutic responses. Potential applicable drugs and targets were mined in the APMrs-high group. APM-related genes were further validated in our in-house samples. CONCLUSION: The APM-related gene signatures established in our study could improve the personalized assessment of survival risk and guide ICB decision-making for BRCA patients.

Calpain-TRPC6 signaling pathway contributes to propofol-induced developmental neurotoxicity in rats.

Growing animal studies suggest a risk of neuronal damage following early childhood exposure to anesthesia and sedation drugs including propofol. Inhibition of transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) degradation has been shown to protect neurons from neuronal damage induced by multiple brain injury models. Our aim was to investigate whether calpain-TRPC6 pathway is a target in propofol-induced neurotoxicity. Postnatal day (PND) 7 rats were exposed to five bolus injections of 25 mg/kg propofol or 10 % intralipid at hourly intervals. Neuronal injury was assessed by the expression pattern of TUNEL staining and cleaved-caspase-3. The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory functions in later life. Pretreatments consisting of intracerebroventricular injections of a TRPC6 agonist, TRPC6 inhibitor, or calpain inhibitor were used to confirm the potential role of the calpain-TRPC6 pathway in propofol-induced neurotoxicity. Prolonged exposure to propofol induced neuronal injury, downregulation of TRPC6, and enhancement of calpain activity in the cerebral cortex up to 24 h after anesthesia. It also induced long-term behavioral disorders, manifesting as longer escape latency at PND40 and PND41 and as fewer platform-crossing times and less time spent in the target quadrant at PND42. These propofol-induced effects were attenuated by treatment with the TRPC6 agonist and exaggerated by the TRPC6 inhibitor. Pretreatment with the calpain inhibitor alleviated the propofol-induced TRPC6 downregulation and neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex. In conclusion, our data suggest that a calpain-TRPC6 signaling pathway contributes to propofol-induced acute cortical neuron injury and long-term behavioral disorders in rats.

Characteristics and prognostic outcome factors between young and elderly peritoneal dialysis patients: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is the main renal replacement therapy in elderly patients account for hemodynamic stability. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of elderly PD patients are varies in different dialysis centers. We analyzed the characteristics, outcomes and prognosis factors of survival in elderly PD patients in China, to better understand their status and improve their quality of life. METHODS: This prospective, observational study categorized 202 PD patients by age: elderly group ≥65 years, younger group <65 years. The inclusion criteria were: age >18 years, first PD treatment and dialysis time >3 months, and complete data. Clinical characteristics including demographic data, hemodynamic variables were compared between groups. After a median follow-up of 44 months, prognosis outcomes between young and elderly groups were measured. Multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to establish the models for predicting outcomes. Then the nomogram of the model was generated. RESULTS: A total of 202 PD patients were enrolled: 61 in the elderly group and 141 in the younger group. The comparison of baseline data revealed decreased serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate and higher incidence of previous cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) in the elderly group. The mortality rate was substantially higher in the elderly group. Cardiovascular disease was the main cause of death in elderly PD patients. High body mass index (BMI) [hazard ratio (HR) =1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-1.1, P=0.005], high CCI (HR =1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2, P=0.022), and ischemic heart disease (ISD) (HR =2.5, 95% CI: 1.0-6.1, P=0.042) were risk factors for the long-term survival of elderly PD patients. CONCLUSIONS: High BMI, high CCI and ISD were important factors for evaluating the adverse outcomes of elderly PD patients. Larger studied are needed to identify risk factors in elderly PD patients and to improve their outcomes.

Circular RNA TLK1 Promotes Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury by Regulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Through miR-106a-5p/HMGB1 Axis.

Sepsis is an inflammatory disorder and leads to severe acute kidney injury (AKI). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been identified as a critical type of regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that present the important functions in various diseases. In this study, we identified a novel circRNA circTLK1 in the regulation of sepsis-induced AKI. We observed that circTLK1 expression was elevated in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) rat model compared with that in the control rats. The urine levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1) and the serum levels of creatinine (sCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were increased by the CLP treatment in the rats but were blocked by the circTLK1 shRNA. The circTLK1 shRNA reduced the CLP-induced kidney injury in the rats. The circTLK1 knockdown repressed oxidation stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the sepsis-related AKI rat model. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment increased the production of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in the HK-2 cells, while the circTLK1 shRNA could attenuate the enhancement in the cells. Bax and cleaved caspase-3 expression was upregulated, but Bcl-2 expression was downregulated by the LPS in the HK-2 cells, in which circTLK1 depletion reversed this effect in the cells. The depletion of circTLK1 attenuated the LPS-induced apoptosis in the HK-2 cells. CircTLK1 enhanced HMGB1 expression by sponging miR-106a-5p in the HK-2 cells, and miR-106a-5p and HMGB1 were involved in circTLK1-meidated injury of LPS-treated cells. Therefore, we concluded that circTLK1 contributed to sepsis-associated AKI by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress through the miR-106a-5p/HMGB1 axis. CircTLK1 and miR-106a-5p may be employed as the potential targets for the treatment of AKI.

Effect of occlusal slope related to uneven attrition on root stress distribution and potential fracture.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Severely uneven occlusal attrition is thought to play an important role in the occurrence of spontaneous vertical root fracture (VRF), a frequent problem among Chinese people. This study evaluated the influence of occlusal slope related to uneven attrition on the root stress condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A finite element model of the mandibular first molar was established. Two different occlusal slope patterns were simulated in 5 models: (A) sound tooth, (B) 0.5-1.5 mm and (C) 2-3 mm attrition increased buccally, and (D) 0.5-1.5 mm and (E) 2-3 mm attrition increased distally. A static load of 200 N was applied vertically or angled at 45° to the longitudinal axis. The von Mises stress was evaluated. RESULTS: Under vertical loading, more stress was transferred from the cervical to the middle root with attrition, especially the mesial root, while stress declined with attrition under oblique loading. Stress was mainly distributed in the buccal surface and mesial root with vertical loading, or in the lingual surface and distal root with oblique loading. The maximum von Mises with oblique loading was significantly higher than with vertical loading. CONCLUSION: Uneven occlusal attrition made the middle of the mesial root bear more stress, increasing fracture risk under vertical load. This finding suggests that timely restoration of the sloped occlusal morphology in teeth with severe attrition should be recommended to prevent VRFs. Lateral loading was not a risk factor of typical vertical root fractures, but the high stress could cause distal root cervical fracture.

Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis-Associated IgA Nephropathy with ESAT-6.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common cause of primary renal diseases worldwide, and the early secreted antigenic target of 6 (ESAT-6) which was secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) may be involved in the development and progression of IgAN. This study aimed to investigate the role of ESAT-6 for early diagnosis of IgAN caused by MTB infection. From 2011 to 2014, 21 patients with renal tuberculosis (RTB), 25 with IgAN, and 46 with IgAN infected with MTB (IgAN/MTB) were enrolled. Serum levels of antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 85A (Ag85A) were measured by ELISA. Urine culture and phage amplified biologically assay were performed to detect MTB. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes in kidney tissues. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of ESAT-6. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to detect IgA1. Positive rates of serum anti-Ag85A antibody and urine culture for MTB were higher in the RTB and IgAN/MTB groups than those in the IgAN group. The positive rates of plaques were also higher in RTB and IgAN/MTB groups than the positive rate in the IgAN group. By contrast, the positive rate of ESAT-6 was lower in the IgAN group than that in the RTB group or the IgAN/MTB group, whereas the expression levels of IgA1 were higher in the IgAN and IgAN/MTB groups, compared with the RTB group. Our findings suggest that ESAT-6 and IgA1 may be helpful for early diagnosis of IgAN caused by MTB infection.

[Clinical outcomes of total hip arthroplasty using Wagner SL revision stem in femoral intertrochanteric fractures for patients with old fracture or painful arthritis before injury].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively study the clinical results of total hip arthroplasty(THA) using Wagner SL revision stem for patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture. METHODS: From 2006 January to 2009 December, 29 consecutive patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures were performed THA using Wagner SL revision stem and intertrochanteric reconstruction, including 18 males and 11 females with an average age of 49 years old ranging from 43 to 58. Among them, 8 cases were oboslete femoral intertrochanteric fractures and 21 cases were the intertrochanteric fractures with painful arthritis before injuries. After the operation, the follow-up results were evaluated with clinical and radiographic criteria. The clinical follow-up results were evaluated by Harris score, limb length discrepancy, ROM of hips and the strength of the hip abductor. The X-ray imaging follow-up results were evaluated by periprosthetic osteolysis, prosthesis loosening and radiolucent. RESULTS: All the operations were successfully completed without serious complications associated with THA. Twenty-nine cases were followed up for a mean duration of 8.2 years (ranged, 6 to 10). There was no acceptable thigh pain. The first time walk after operation, 8 patients with oboslete intertrochanteric fracture complained the surgical sides were longer, with the passage of time, the complaint significantly reduced. At 3 months after operation, X-ray films of 21 cases showed intertrochanteric fractures healed well who had painful arthritis before injuries. An average of 6 months after operation (ranged, 3 to 8), X-ray films of 8 cases of oboslete intertrochanteric fracture showed that the bone graft and trochanter with obvious callus connection. There were no obvious prosthesis subsidence on X-ray film at the final follow-up. The recovery of hip movement range was satisfactory, no hip abduction strength was weak. More than 6 years after the operation, according to the Harris scoring evaluation of hip joint, the result was excellent in 18 cases, good in 9 cases, general in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical results of total hip arthroplasty using Wagner SL revision stem for patient with femoral intertrochanteric fracture is a reliable method, intertrochanteric reconstruction not only makes for prosthesis and joint stability, but also increases bone reserve.

[Study of antimicrobial activity of carboxymethyl chitosan zinc complex material against cariogenic bacteria].

PUPPOSE: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of carboxymethyl chitosan zinc (CMCSZ) and carboxymethyl chitosan zinc-active peptide complex material (CMCSZP) on oral cariogenic bacteria. METHODS: Agar dilution method and K-B disk diffusion susceptibility agents were used to measure the antimicrobial activity of two agents against S.mutans, Lactobacillus, S.sanguinis and Actinomyces viscosus. The former method was used to measure the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and latter was used to measure the inhibitory zone. The effects of pH value, temperature, light, ultraviolet and storage temperature on the active substances were investigated to determine the stability of CMCSZ and CMCSZP. SPSS17.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: All the bacteria were susceptible to active peptide, CMCSZ and CMCSZP with the MIC of CMCSZ/CMCSZP being 625, 1250, 1250 and 2500 mg/L, respectively. At the same concentration, the inhibitory zone of CMCSZP was significantly bigger than that of CMCSZ. Acidic conditions were conducive to increase the antimicrobial activity of CMCSZ, while the effect on CMCSZP was not significant. CMCSZ and CMCSZP exhibited good stability against light, but their antimicrobial activity gradually weakened as the bath temperature rising. In the temperature of 85 degrees centigrade, their antibacterial activity disappeared. CONCLUSIONS: CMCSZ have CMCSZP had strong antimicrobial activity against 4 kinds of cariogenic bacteria. They have good stability against light, but poor thermal stability. This study provides theoretical foundation for the application of CMCSZ/CMCSZP in prevention of cariogenic diseases.

[Evaluation of the filling ability of System-B continuous wave obturation technique to artificial lateral canals in vitro].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the filling ability of System-B continuous wave obturation technique to artificial lateral canals of different diameters and at different levels. METHODS: Forty extracted single-rooted human teeth were randomly divided into two groups. Standardized artificial lateral canals were created at 3, 6 and 9 mm from the apical foramen(AF) with K-file size 8 and 15. After preparation, the specimens were filled with System-B continuous wave vertical compaction or lateral compaction with cold gutta-percha. Transparent teeth were prepared. The filling situation of the lateral canals were measured with a stereoscope and statistically analyzed using SPSS 13.0 software package. RESULTS: The filling rate of the System-B continuous wave obturation technique group(85.00%) was significantly higher than CLC technique group(49.17%) (P<0.05). Significant difference in filling rate and filling length was found between 3 mm, 6 mm and 9 mm from the AF when using the System-B continuous wave obturation technique(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between 6 mm and 9 mm from the AF(P>0.05). Lateral canals produced by K-file size 15 group were filled better than K-file size 8 group(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The filling situation with the System-B continuous wave obturation technique is better than with CLC technique. The System-B continuous wave obturation technique fills differently to lateral canals with different diameters and at different levels.

Fabrication and characteristics of organic semiconductor nanoparticles of copper phthalocyanine oligomers.

Nanoparticles of copper phthalocyanine oligomers (O-CuPc) with peripheral carboxylic acid groups have successfully been prepared by a simple method of liquid phase direct precipitation in the presence of different surfactants. X-ray diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-visible spectra are employed to characterize the novel organic nanoparticles. The sizes and size distribution of the resulting O-CuPc nanoparticles show a noticeable dependence on surfactants. Nonionic surfactant is helpful in forming uniform nanoparticles. Also we observe a remarkable nanosize effect of the O-CuPc particles.

[Method of loss of life expectancy to quantitate and compare the health risk caused by carcinogen and non-carcinogen pollutants].

Loss of life expectancy (LLE) was used to evaluate and quantitate the health risk caused by carcinogen and non-carcinogen pollutants, and was proposed as a new method to compare the environmental health risk of different pollutants. The environmental health risks exposed by 6 major environmental pollutants in China, i.e., arsenic, DDTs, BaP, lead, cadmium and mercury, were evaluated and compared by using LLE. The LLE caused by carcinogen pollutants such as arsenic, DDTs and BaP are 3.6 d, 2.2 d and 12.1 d respectively, while the corresponding values caused by non-carcinogen pollutants such as lead,mercury and cadmium are 1.1 d, 1.7 d and 5.8 d respectively. Based on the studies published before, the rank of the health risk of the selected six environmental pollutants is BaP > cadmium > arsenic > DDTs > mercury > lead. The results reveal that the LLE can be utilized as a new index to evaluate and quantitate the health risk, and the environmental health risk caused by carcinogen and non-carcinogen pollutants can be compared within an unitive criterion by LLE.

Adsorption-desorption characteristics of cadmium in variable charge soils.

Cadmium (Cd) has received considerable attention because of its association with various human health problems. The behavior of adsorption-desorption of Cd at contaminated levels in two variable charge soils were investigated. The red soil (RAR) developed on the Arenaceous rock (clayey, mixed siliceous thermic typic Dystrochrept) adsorbed more Cd2+ than the red soil (REQ) derived from the Quaternary red earths (clayey, kaolinitic thermic plinthite Aquult). The characteristics of Cd adsorption could be described by the Freundlich equation (r2 = 0.997 and 0.989, respectively, for the RAR and REQ) and the simple Langmuir adsorption equation (r2 = 0.985 and 0.977, respectively, for the RAR and REQ). The maximum adsorption values (Xm) that were obtained from the simple Langmuir model were 36.23 mmol Cd2+ kg(-1) soil and 31.15 mmol Cd2+ kg(-1) soil, respectively for the RAR and REQ. Adsorption of Cd2+ decreased soil pH by 1.28 unit for the RAR soil and 1.23 unit for the REQ soil at the highest loading. The distribution coefficient (kd) of Cd in the soil decreased exponentially with increasing Cd2+ loading. The adsorption of cadmium in the two variable charge soils was characterized by a rapid process that lasted approximately 15 min, followed by a slower but longer period. 85.5% and 79.4% of the added Cd were adsorbed within two hours by the RAR and REQ soil, respectively. More Cd2+ was adsorbed at 10 degrees C than at 25 degrees C or 40 degrees C. After five successive desorptions with 0.01 mol L(-1) NaNO3 solution, 53.3% of the total adsorbed Cd2+ in the RAR soil was desorbed and the corresponding value of the REQ soil was 46.5%, indicating that the RAR soil had a lower affinity for Cd2+ than the REQ soil at the same Cd2+ loading.