Molecular epidemiology analysis of symptomatic and asymptomatic norovirus infections in Chinese infants.

BACKGROUND: Norovirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among children. Previous studies based on symptomatic infections indicated that mutations, rather than recombination drove the evolution of the norovirus ORF2. These characteristics were found in hospital-based symptomatic infections, whereas, asymptomatic infections are frequent and contribute significantly to transmission. METHODS: We conducted the first norovirus molecular epidemiology analysis covering both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections derived from a birth cohort study in the northern China. RESULTS: During the study, 14 symptomatic and 20 asymptomatic norovirus infections were detected in 32 infants. Out of the 14 strains that caused symptomatic infections, 12 strains were identified as GII.3[P12], and others were GII.4[P31]. Conversely, 17 asymptomatic infections were caused by GII.4[P31], two by GII.2[P16], and one by GII.4[P16]. Regardless of symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, the mutations were detected frequently in the ORF2 region, and almost all recombination were identified in the RdRp-ORF2 region. The majority of the mutations were located around the predefined epitope regions of P2 subdomain indicating a potential for immune evasion. CONCLUSION: The role of symptomatic as well as asymptomatic infections in the evolution of norovirus needs to be evaluated continuously.

Transcriptomics analysis of cashmere fineness functional genes.

Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG) is a famous cashmere goat breed in China. Cashmere fineness, as an important index to evaluate cashmere quality, is also one of the problems to be improved for Liaoning cashmere goats. Transcriptome studies all mRNA transcribed by a specific tissue or cell in a certain period. It is a key link in the study of gene expression regulation. It plays an important role in the analysis of biological growth and disease. Transcriptome is spatio-temporal specific, that is, gene expression varies in different tissues or at different times. Three coarser and three fine LCG skin samples were sequenced by RNA-seq technology, and a total of 427 differentially expressed genes were obtained, including 291 up-regulated genes and 136 down-regulated genes. In the experiment, we screened out 16 genes that had significant differences in the expression of coarse and fine cashmere of Liaoning cashmere goats, so it was inferred that these 16 genes might have regulatory effects on cashmere fineness. Moreover, GO gene set enrichment analysis revealed that differential genes mainly consist of immune response, MHC protein complex, Heme binding and other pathways. KEGG analysis showed that transplant-versus-host disease and allograft rejection were the main pathways of differential genes.

CeRNA regulates network and expression and SNP effect on NFKBIA of cashmere fineness.

In this study, a total of 1140 Liaoning Cashmere Goats (LCG) were genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of NFKBIA gene. There are 15 SNPs and 7 genotypes have been found, and G1547A (GG) genotype has been associated with cashmere fineness and cashmere yield. An integrated ceRNA regulatory network of NFKBIA gene was made. To prove NFKBIA and these non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) may be related to cashmere fineness, we performed qPCR on these ncRNA in LCG coarse type skin (CT-LCG) and LCG fine type skin (FT-LCG). The result of qPCR showed lncRNA XLOC_011060 and ciRNA452 are at high expression level in CT-LCG, all miRNAs appear high expressed in FT-LCG, and mir-93 was the most significant difference between CT-LCG and FT-LCG. In addition, five miRNAs were selected for qPCR in different genotypes. The qPCR results showed that mir-93 might negatively regulate cashmere fineness and mir-17-5p may play a positive role in regulating cashmere fineness of individuals with G1355A (AG) genotype. These results demonstrated that NFKBIA gene is associated with cashmere fineness of LCG and G1547A (GG) genotype is the preferred marker genotype for cashmere fineness.

Analysis of m6A methylation in skin tissues of different sex Liaoning cashmere goats.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most frequent internal modification of mRNA and lncRNA in eukaryotes. We used two high-throughput sequencing method, m6A-seq and RNA-seq to identify pivotal m6A-modified genes in cashmere fineness and fiber growth. 8062 m6A peaks were detected by m6A-seq, including 2157 upregulated and 6445 downregulated. Furthermore, by comparing m6A-modified genes of the male Liaoning Cashmere Goat (M-LCG) and female Liaoning Cashmere Goat (F-LCG) skin tissues, we get 862 differentially expressed m6A-modified genes. To identify differently expressed m6A genes associated with cashmere fineness, 11 genes were selected for validation using real time fluorescent quantitative PCR in M-LCG and F-LCG. This study provides an acadamic basis on the molecular regulation mechanism of m6A modification in cashmere growth process.

Association analysis between reproduction genes INHA, PGR, RARG with lamb and other traits of Liaoning cashmere goats.

Reproductive traits have a high economic value in goat breeding, and increasing the number of lambs produced by ewes is of great importance to improve the production efficiency of goat farming. Lambing traits in goats are low heritability traits, but their genetic basis is ultimately determined by genes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between INHA, RARG, and PGR gene polymorphisms and production performance, such as lambing, cashmere production, milk production, and body size in Liaoning cashmere goats. A total of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci were identified in these three genes, G144A and T504C on the INHA gene, A56G, G144A, G490C on the RARG gene, and G109519T on the PGR gene. For lambing and cashmere production traits, the AA genotype of G144A on the INHA gene, TT on the T504C genotype, GG genotype of G144A on the INHA gene, A56G, G144A, and T504C on RARG and G109519T on PGR gene are dominant genotypes. AATT is a dominant haplotype combination. Allele G can be used as a molecular marker for lambing, cashmere, and milk production traits in Liaoning cashmere goats. Marker-assisted selection can be used for early selection to achieve improvement of genetic traits in Liaoning cashmere goats.

Association analysis for SNPs of BAAT and COL1A1 genes with cashmere production performance and other production traits in Liaoning cashmere goats.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the polymorphism of bile acid-CoA: amino acid N-acyltransferase (BAAT) and collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) genes and the production performance of Liaoning Cashmere goat (LCG). The potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LCG were detected by sequence comparison of BAAT and COL1A1 genes and PCR-Seq polymorphism, and the effect of SNPs on production performance was analyzed by SPSS software. The results showed that three SNPs loci were detected in BAAT gene: G7900A, T7967C, C7998T, and one SNP locus T6716C was detected in COL1AL gene. At G7900A locus, the dominant genotype for cashmere performance was GG, and the dominant genotype for body measurement traits and milk production traits was AG. At T7967C locus, the dominant genotype for cashmere performance was TT, and the dominant genotype for body measurement traits and milk production traits was CC. At C7998T locus, TT was the dominant genotype for cashmere performance, body measurement traits, and milk production traits. At the T6716C locus, TT was the dominant genotype for cashmere performance, body measurement traits, and milk production traits. H1H1: AACC is the dominant haplotype combination. Therefore, this study will provide a reliable reference for future research on cashmere production performance, body measurement traits, and milk production traits of LCG.

Association analysis for SNPs of KRT26 and TCHH genes with cashmere production performance, body measurement traits and milk production traits in Liaoning cashmere goats.

Cashmere fineness is getting thicker, which is one of the key problems in cashmere breeding, however, there have been no systematic studies on the molecular regulation of cashmere fineness. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between KRT26 and TCHH gene polymorphism and production performance in Liaoning cashmere goats (LCG). The potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of LCG were detected by sequence alignment and PCR-Seq polymorphism of KRT26 and TCHH genes and analyzed the effect of SNPs on production performance by SPSS software. Two SNPs sites (A559T and A6839G) of two genes were detected. The AA genotype of KRT26 A559T locus was the dominant genotype. AG and GG at TCHH A6839G locus were the dominant genotypes. AAAA was the dominant haplotype combination. The results showed that KRT26 and TCHH genes were associated with cashmere fineness of LCG, and A559T (AA) and A6839G (GG) genotypes were the preferred marker genotypes for cashmere fineness, which provided more theoretical basis for further research on cashmere fineness.

Association analysis for SNPs of MSTN and IGFBP-3 genes with body size and other production traits in Liaoning Cashmere Goats.

Liaoning cashmere goat (LCG) have tall bones, high cashmere production and outstanding meat production performance. In recent years, good breeding progress has not been made in terms of body size, meat yield, milk yield and other properties in terms of production. The study focused on the correlation between the SNPs of MSTN and IGFBP-3 genes with the body size performance, cashmere production and milk performance. The MSTN and IGFBP-3 gene sequence alignment and PCR-Seq polymorphism were used to detect the potential SNPs, and the correlation with production performance was analyzed by SPSS and SHEsis software. The results showed that the TT genotype at the T1662G locus of the MSTN gene is dominant and has significant advantages in body measurements such as sacrum height, chest width, and waist height. The C allele at the C4021T locus of IGFBP-3 gene shows an advantage in the body measurement performance. Among the haplotype combinations, H2H2:TGTC is preponderant combination for body size performance, H2H2:TGTC and H1H2:TGCC are preponderant combinations for cashmere production performance, H1H3:GGCC is preponderant combination for milk production performance. It may be a molecular marker for future selection and breeding.

Ambipolar steep-slope nanotransistors with Janus MoSSe/graphene heterostructures.

The transfer characteristics and switching mechanism of the steep-slope transistor composed of the graphene/Janus MoSSe heterostructure are investigated by quantum transport calculation. The Schottky barrier height at the Gr/SMoSe interface and tunneling width between the channel and drain can be tuned by the gate voltage, so that the device exhibits ambipolar switching with two minima in the subthreshold swing slope. 34 and 29 mV decade-1subthreshold swings can be achieved and the on/off ratios are over 106and 108for the different switching mechanisms. The device provides a solution and guidance for the future design of low-power, high-performance devices.

Microstructure, Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Hybrid Copper Matrix Composites with Fe Microspheres and rGO Nanosheets.

Copper matrix composites have a wide application as magnetic conductive materials, electromagnetic materials, electrical discharge machining materials, etc. Such materials are expected to have a good combination of excellent electrical conductivity and good mechanical strength. In this work, micro/nano hybrid reinforcements with Fe microspheres and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets were developed for copper matrix composites. The rGO/Fe/Cu powders were firstly wet-mixed and then densified by the vacuum hot-pressing sintering to obtain the bulk compacts. Microstructure, electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of such compacts were investigated. Microstructural result of as-sintered compacts shows that the Fe microspheres could distribute in the matrix uniformly, and rGO nanosheets exhibit both agglomerated and dispersed states. The grain size of Cu matrix decreased with the increase of the rGO content. Hardness, compression and tensile 0.2% yield strength of the as-sintered compacts were improved evidently by the addition of the hybrid Fe/rGO, comparing with pure Cu and single Fe-added composites. However, a lower electrical conductivity appeared in the more rGO-added composites, but still reached more than 33.0% international annealing copper standard (IACS). These performance change could be sought in the spatially geometrical distribution and characteristics of such micro/nano Fe/rGO hybrid addition, and the relevant mechanisms were discussed.

Metabolomic Analysis and MRM Verification of Coarse and Fine Skin Tissues of Liaoning Cashmere Goat.

One of the critical elements in evaluating the quality of cashmere is its fineness, but we still know little about how it is regulated at the metabolic level. In this paper, we use UHPLC-MS/MS detection and analysis technology to compare the difference in metabolites between coarse cashmere (CT_LCG) and fine cashmere (FT_LCG) skin of Liaoning cashmere goats. According to the data, under positive mode four metabolites were significantly up-regulated and seven were significantly down-regulated. In negative mode, seven metabolites were significantly up-regulated and fourteen metabolites were significantly down-regulated. The two groups' most significant metabolites, Gly-Phe and taurochenodeoxycholate, may be crucial in controlling cashmere's growth, development, and fineness. In addition, we enriched six KEGG pathways, of which cholesterol metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and bile secretion were enriched in positive and negative modes. These findings offer a new research idea for further study into the critical elements influencing cashmere's fineness.

Synthesis of a π-Extended Azacorannulenophane Enabled by Strain-Induced 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition.

The first example of a cyclophane bearing a nitrogen-containing buckybowl was synthesized via sequential 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization. The key to the successful synthesis is the strain-induced 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a polycyclic aromatic azomethine ylide to the K-region of [7](2,7)pyrenophane. The resulting π-extended azacorannulenophane exhibits intriguing structural and physical properties, including unique variation of bowl depth, extraordinarily high-field chemical shifts in its 1 H NMR spectrum, a decreased HOMO-LUMO gap, and a red shift in the absorption/emission spectrum, when compared to those of the parent azacorannulene. These characteristics are derived from both the π-extension to the polycyclic aromatic system in the cyclophane structure and the increased curvature enforced by the seven-carbon aliphatic chain.

Sustained expression of MCP-1 induced low wall shear stress loading in conjunction with turbulent flow on endothelial cells of intracranial aneurysm.

Shear stress was reported to regulate the expression of AC007362, but its underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. In this study, to isolate endothelial cells of blood vessels, unruptured and ruptured intracranial aneurysm (IA) tissues were collected from IA patients. Subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot and luciferase assay were performed to investigate the relationships between AC007362, miRNAs-493 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to shear stress. Reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS) was performed to assess the level of DNA methylation in AC007362 promoter. Accordingly, AC007362 and MCP-1 were significantly up-regulated while miR-493 was significantly down-regulated in HUVECs exposed to shear stress. AC007362 could suppress the miR-493 expression and elevate the MCP-1 expression, and miR-493 was shown to respectively target AC007362 and MCP-1. Moreover, shear stress in HUVECs led to the down-regulated DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), as well as the decreased DNA methylation level of AC007362 promoter. Similar results were also observed in ruptured IA tissues when compared with unruptured IA tissues. In conclusion, this study presented a deep insight into the operation of the regulatory network of AC007362, miR-493 and MCP-1 upon shear stress. Under shear stress, the expression of AC007362 was enhanced by the inhibited promoter DNA methylation, while the expression of MCP-1 was enhanced by sponging the expression of miR-493.

Activation of PPAR-ß/δ Attenuates Brain Injury by Suppressing Inflammation and Apoptosis in a Collagenase-Induced Intracerebral Hemorrhage Mouse Model.

Brain injury has been proposed as the major cause of the poor outcomes associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Emerging evidence indicates that the nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ß/δ (PPAR-ß/δ), plays a crucial role in the pathological process of central nervous impairment. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of PPAR-ß/δ activation using a selective PPAR-ß/δ agonist, GW0742, against brain injury after ICH in a mouse model. ICH was induced by intravenous injection of collagenase into the right caudate putamen. To examine the protective effect of PPAR-ß/δ activation against ICH-induced brain injury, mice were either intraperitoneally injected with GW0742 (3 mg/kg, body weight) or saline (control group) 30 min before inducing ICH. Behavioral dysfunction was evaluated 24 and 72 h after injury. Then, all mice were killed to assess hematoma volume, brain water content, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. TUNEL and Nissl staining were performed to quantify the brain injury. The expression of PPAR-ß/δ, interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Bcl-2-related X-protein (Bax), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in the perihematomal area was examined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis. Mice treated with GW0742 showed significantly less severe behavioral deficits compared to the control group, accompanied by increased expression of PPAR-ß/δ and Bcl-2, and increased expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and Bax decreased simultaneously in the GW0742-treated group. Furthermore, the GW0742-pretreated group showed significantly less brain edema and BBB leakage. Neuronal loss was attenuated, and the number of apoptotic neuronal cells in perihematomal tissues reduced, in the GW0742-pretreated group compared to the control group. However, the hematoma volume did not decrease significantly on day 3 after ICH. These results suggest that the activation of PPAR-ß/δ exerts a neuroprotective effect on ICH-induced brain injury, possibly through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways.

Safety of Intra-Arterial Tirofiban Administration in Ischemic Stroke Patients after Unsuccessful Mechanical Thrombectomy.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety of low-dose intra-arterial (IA) tirofiban bolus after unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy in patients with ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion in anterior cerebral circulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with ischemic stroke who were treated with mechanical thrombectomy were enrolled in a multicenter registry. Low-dose tirofiban was injected into the residual arterial thrombus in patients after unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy. The major safety measurement was defined as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). The functional outcome at 90 days was assessed with the modified Rankin Scale, and a score of 0-2 was defined as favorable. RESULTS: Of the 632 enrolled patients, 154 (24.4%) received IA tirofiban treatment. The SICH rate was 13.6% (21/154) in patients with tirofiban and 16.7% (80/478) in patients without tirofiban (P = .361). IA tirofiban was not associated with increased risk of SICH (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-1.31; P = .26). IA tirofiban treatment did not increase the risk of mortality at 90 days of the index stroke (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.36-1.31; P = .15). Patients with large artery atherosclerosis stroke who were treated with tirofiban were associated with decreased risk of death (OR, 11.3% vs 23.4%; P = .042) compared to patients who were not treated with tirofiban. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose IA tirofiban administration may be relatively safe in patients with ischemic stroke after unsuccessful recanalization.

Immune persistence 17 to 20 years after primary vaccination with recombination hepatitis B vaccine (CHO) and the effect of booster dose vaccination.

BACKGROUND: To assess the immune persistence conferred by a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-derived hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) 17 to 20 years after primary immunization during early life. METHODS: Participants born between 1997 and 1999 who received a full course of primary vaccination with HepB (CHO) and who had no experience with booster vaccination were enrolled. Blood samples were required from each participant for measurement of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), surface antigen and core antibody levels. For those who possessed an anti-HBs antibody < 10 mIU/mL, a single dose of HepB was administered, and 30 days later, serum specimens were collected to assess the booster effects. RESULTS: A total of 1352 participants were included in this study. Of these, 1007 (74.5%) participants could retain an anti-HBs antibody ≥10 mIU/mL, with a geometric mean concentration (GMC) of 57.4 mIU/mL. HBsAg was detected in six participants, resulting in a HBsAg carrier rate of 0.4% (6/1352). Of those participants with anti-HBs antibodies < 10 mIU/mL, after a challenge dose, 231 (93.1%) presented an anti-HBs antibody ≥10 mIU/mL, with a GMC of 368.7 mIU/mL. A significant increase in the anti-HBs positive rate (≥ 10 mIU/mL) after challenge was observed in participants with anti-HBs antibodies between 2.5 and 10 mIU/mL and participants boosted with HepB (CHO), rather than those with anti-HBs antibodies < 2.5 mIU/mL and those boosted with HepB (SC). CONCLUSION: Since satisfactory immune protection against HBV infection conferred by primary vaccination administered 17-20 years ago was demonstrated, there is currently no urgent need for booster immunization.

Several circulating miRNAs related to hyperlipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, an increasing number of studies have proved that circulating miRNAs could be used for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and even play vital roles in the evaluation of therapeutic effects or prognosis. This study was conducted to examine the correlation between serum microRNAs and hyperlipidemia to provide a theoretical basis for the early screening and intervention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD). METHODS: The serum samples and clinical data of 122 patients with hyperlipidemia and 168 healthy subjects were collected. Related clinical information was statistically analyzed for the two groups. Expression of circulating miRNAs was detected by miRNA microarray analysis and further verified by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: Statistical analysis of clinical information revealed a significant difference in the incidence of ASCVD between the two groups. The MiRNA microarray analysis (n = 10) showed 22 miRNAs with significantly different expression, among which 12 showed upregulation, and the others showed downregulation. Those possessing obvious differences and stable expression in the miRNA microarray, including miRNA-191-3p, miRNA-933, and miRNA-425-3p, were chosen for further investigation using RT-qPCR. The results demonstrated that several miRNAs were related to lipid metabolism disorders, especially miRNA-933. The area under the curve (AUC) of miRNA-933 in distinguishing the hyperlipidemia and ASCVD patients was 0.739 (95% CI, 0.682-0.795; P < 0.01) and 0.703 (95% CI, 0.643-0.763, P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, miRNA-191-3p, miRNA-933, and miRNA-425-3p may be depressed in the peripheral circulation of patients with lipid metabolism disorders (mainly LDL). Circulating miRNA-933 could be a feasible predictor for ASCVD at the early stage.

Exome Sequencing Identifies a Mutation (Y740C) in Spastic Paraplegia 7 Gene Associated with Adult-Onset Primary Lateral Sclerosis in a Chinese Family.

BACKGROUND: Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is considered a rare variant of motor neuron disease (MND) characterized by selective upper motor neuron dysfunction leading to limb weakness, spasticity, and even bulbar symptoms. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutations in ALSIN, spastic paraplegia 7 (SPG7), TBK1, ALS2, ERLIN2, and FIG4 are responsible for PLS. Most of them occurred in childhood to young-adult onset patients. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic lesion of patients with adult-onset PLS. METHODS: We applied whole-exome sequencing (WES) and MND and ataxia-related genes filtering strategies to discover the genetic factors in a Chinese adult-onset PLS family. Sanger sequencing was used in the cosegregation analysis in the affected family members. RESULTS: A mutation (c.2219A>G/p.Y740C) in exon 17 of SPG7 was identified in an adult-onset PLS patient and cosegregated with the affected members in this family. Meanwhile, the mutation was predicted to be deleterious by 3 bioinformatics programs (Polymorphism phenotyping-2, sorting intolerant from tolerant and MutationTaster). This variant may cause the structure changes of paraplegin protein. CONCLUSIONS: We employed WES to detect a missense mutation of SPG7 gene in a PLS family. This finding expands the spectrum of known SPG7 mutations, and it may contribute to novel approaches to genetic diagnosis and counseling of families with PLS.

Sexual dysfunction and associated factors in Chinese Han women with epilepsy.

PURPOSE: Women with epilepsy (WWE) are believed to be at risk of sexual dysfunction (SD) and face many sexual challenges because of multiple factors. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with SD in Chinese Han WWE. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined 112 married WWE in the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University with focal (FE) or generalized epilepsy (GE) on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and 120 healthy controls without epilepsy, all of Chinese Han nationality. Data collection tools included the Chinese version of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Chinese version of Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Chinese version of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the Chinese version of the revised Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), and the Chinese version of the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3). Chi-square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A high rate (70.5%) of SD was detected in WWE, with 24.2% in controls. Sexual dysfunction affected all dimensions: desire (85.7%), arousal (56.3%), lubrication (47.3%), orgasm (66.1%), satisfaction (58.9%), and pain (41.1%). Elevated rates of anxiety (40.2%) and depression (33%) and poor medication adherence (31.3%) were also found in WWE. Binary logistic regression found that poor economic status (odds ratio (OR) = 13.904, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.025-95.472, P = 0.007 and OR = 6.350, 95% CI: 1.323-30.477, P = 0.021), anxiety (OR = 1.222, 95% CI: 1.055-1.415, P = 0.007), and poor medication adherence (OR = 0.297, 95% CI: 0.124-0.707, P = 0.006) were associated with SD. CONCLUSIONS: The associated factors of SD in Chinese Han WWE are multifactorial. The WWE have higher levels of anxiety, poor family economic status, and poor medication adherence. Medical professionals should not only better control seizures but also evaluate and improve patients' sexual function so as to improve the quality of life of WWE.

Tunable band offsets in the BP/P4O10 van der Waals heterostructure: first-principles calculations.

The structural and electronic properties of the black phosphorus/phosphorus pentoxide (BP/P4O10) van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure are investigated theoretically by first-principles calculations. The BP/P4O10 vdW heterostructure is a direct bandgap semiconductor with intrinsic type-II band alignment thus facilitating separation of photoexcited charge carriers. A transition from semiconducting to metallic is predicted under a positive electric field and the transition of type-II to type-I band alignment occurs under a negative electric field in the BP/P4O10 vdW heterostructure. Moreover, the bandgap can be modulated by adjusting the interlayer distance. The results indicate that the band offsets of the BP/P4O10 vdW heterostructure are tunable, consequently boding well for application to nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.