Magnetic resonance imaging of extraocular rectus muscles abnormalities in acute acquired concomitant esotropia.

AIM: To investigate the difference of medial rectus (MR) and lateral rectus (LR) between acute acquired concomitant esotropia (AACE) and the healthy controls (HCs) detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: A case-control study. Eighteen subjects with AACE and eighteen HCs were enrolled. MRI scanning data were conducted in target-controlled central gaze with a 3-Tesla magnetic resonance scanner. Extraocular muscles (EOMs) were scanned in contiguous image planes 2-mm thick spanning the EOM origins to the globe equator. To form posterior partial volumes (PPVs), the LR and MR cross-sections in the image planes 8, 10, 12, and 14 mm posterior to the globe were summed and multiplied by the 2-mm slice thickness. The data were classified according to the right eye, left eye, dominant eye, and non-dominant eye, and the differences in mean cross-sectional area, maximum cross-sectional area, and PPVs of the MR and LR muscle in the AACE group and HCs group were compared under the above classifications respectively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups of demographic characteristics. The mean cross-sectional area of the LR muscle was significantly greater in the AACE group than that in the HCs group in the non-dominant eyes (P=0.028). The maximum cross-sectional area of the LR muscle both in the dominant and non-dominant eye of the AACE group was significantly greater than the HCs group (P=0.009, P=0.016). For the dominant eye, the PPVs of the LR muscle were significantly greater in the AACE than that in the HCs group (P=0.013), but not in the MR muscle (P=0.698). CONCLUSION: The size and volume of muscles dominant eyes of AACE subjects change significantly to overcome binocular diplopia. The LR muscle become larger to compensate for the enhanced convergence in the AACE.

Human activity and climate change accelerate the extinction risk to non-human primates in China.

Human activity and climate change affect biodiversity and cause species range shifts, contractions, and expansions. Globally, human activities and climate change have emerged as persistent threats to biodiversity, leading to approximately 68% of the ~522 primate species being threatened with extinction. Here, we used habitat suitability models and integrated data on human population density, gross domestic product (GDP), road construction, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the location of protected areas (PAs), and climate change to predict potential changes in the distributional range and richness of 26 China's primate species. Our results indicate that both PAs and NDVI have a positive impact on primate distributions. With increasing anthropogenic pressure, species' ranges were restricted to areas of high vegetation cover and in PAs surrounded by buffer zones of 2.7-4.5 km and a core area of PAs at least 0.1-0.5 km from the closest edge of the PA. Areas with a GDP below the Chinese national average of 100,000 yuan were found to be ecologically vulnerable, and this had a negative impact on primate distributions. Changes in temperature and precipitation were also significant contributors to a reduction in the range of primate species. Under the expected influence of climate change over the next 30-50 years, we found that highly suitable habitat for primates will continue to decrease and species will be restricted to smaller and more peripheral parts of their current range. Areas of high primate diversity are expected to lose from 3 to 7 species. We recommend that immediate action be taken, including expanding China's National Park Program, the Ecological Conservation Redline Program, and the Natural Forest Protection Program, along with a stronger national policy promoting alternative/sustainable livelihoods for people in the local communities adjacent to primate ranges, to offset the detrimental effects of anthropogenic activities and climate change on primate survivorship.

Mesenteric adipose tissue B lymphocytes promote intestinal injury in severe acute pancreatitis by mediating enteric pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) has been linked to the severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) prognosis, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. It has been reported that pyroptosis worsens SAP. The present study aimed to verify whether mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT, a component of VAT) can cause secondary intestinal injury through the pyroptotic pathway. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into six different groups. Twelve rats were randomly divided into the SAP and control groups. We monitored the changes of MAT and B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT of SAP rats. Twelve SAP rats were injected with MAT B lymphocytes or phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The remaining twelve SAP rats were first injected with MAT B lymphocytes, and then with MCC950 (NLRP3 inhibitor) or PBS. We collected blood and tissue samples from pancreas, gut and MAT for analysis. RESULTS: Compared to the control rats, the SAP group showed inflammation in MAT, including higher expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), lower expression of IL-10, and histological changes. Flow cytometry analysis revealed B lymphocytes infiltration in MAT but not T lymphocytes and macrophages. The SAP rats also exhibited intestinal injury, characterized by lower expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin, higher levels of lipopolysaccharide and diamine oxidase, and pathological changes. The expression of NLRP3 and n-GSDMD, which are responsible for pyroptosis, was increased in the intestine of SAP rats. The injection of MAT B lymphocytes into SAP rats exacerbated the inflammation in MAT. The upregulation of pyroptosis reduced tight junction in the intestine, which contributed to the SAP progression, including higher inflammatory indicators and worse histological changes. The administration of MCC950 to SAP + MAT B rats downregulated pyroptosis, which subsequently improved the intestinal barrier and ameliorated inflammatory response of SAP. CONCLUSIONS: In SAP, MAT B lymphocytes aggravated local inflammation, and promoted the injury to the intestine through the enteric pyroptotic pathway.

A functional nucleic acid-based fluorescence sensing platform based on DNA supersandwich nanowires and cation exchange reaction.

Accurate and sensitive analysis of p53 DNA is important for early diagnosis of cancer. In this work, a fluorescence sensing system based on DNA supersandwich nanowires and cation exchange (CX)-triggered multiplex signal amplification was constructed for the detection of p53 DNA. In the presence of p53 DNA, the DNA self-assembles to form a DNA supersandwich nanowire that generates long double-stranded DNA. Subsequently, the cation exchange (CX) reaction between ZnS and Ag+ was utilized to release free Zn2+. With the participation of Zn2+, DNAzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of numerous catalytic molecular beacons, resulting in a greatly enhanced fluorescence signal due to the cycling of DNAzyme. The fluorescence values increased in proportion to the concentrations of p53 DNA in the range of 10 pM to 200 nM, and a detection limit (LOD) of 2.34 pM (S/N = 3) was obtained. This method provides an effective strategy for the quantitative detection of p53 DNA.

Confined Heterojunction in Hollow-Structured TiO2 and Its Directed Effect in Photodriven Seawater Splitting.

The high salinity of seawater often strongly affects the activity and stability of photocatalysts utilized for photodriven seawater splitting. The current investigation is focused on the photocatalyst H-TiO2/Cu2O, comprised of hydroxyl-enriched hollow mesoporous TiO2 microspheres containing incorporated Cu2O nanoparticles. The design of H-TiO2/Cu2O is based on the hypothesis that the respective hollow and mesoporous structure and hydrophilic surfaces of TiO2 microspheres would stabilize Cu2O nanoparticles in seawater and provide efficient and selective proton adsorption. H-TiO2/Cu2O shows hydrogen production performances of 45.7 mmol/(g·h) in simulated seawater and 17.9 mmol/(g·h) in natural seawater, respectively. An apparent quantum yield (AQY) in hydrogen production of 18.8% in water (and 14.9% in natural seawater) was obtained at 365 nm. Moreover, H-TiO2/Cu2O displays high stability and can maintain more than 90% hydrogen evolution activity in natural seawater for 30 h. A direct mass- and energy- transfer mechanism is proposed to clarify the superior performance of H-TiO2/Cu2O in seawater splitting.

Effect of perylene assembly shapes on photoelectrochemical properties and ultrasensitive biosensing behaviors toward dopamine.

In this study, a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor based on perylene diimide derivatives (PDIs) was developed for the ultrasensitive quantification of dopamine (DA). PDIs were able to form self-assembled semiconductor nanostructures by strong π-π stacking, suitable for photoactive substances. Moreover, the shape of the PDI significantly affected the PEC properties of these nanostructures. The results showed that amino PDI with two-dimensional (2D) wrinkled layered nanostructures exhibited superior PEC properties relative to one-dimensional (1D) nanorods and fiber-based nanostructures (methyl and carboxyl PDIs). Based on these results, a mechanism for PEC sensor action was then proposed. The presence of 2D amino-PDI resulted in accelerated charge separation and transport. Furthermore, dopamine acted as effective electron donor to cause an increase in photocurrent. The as-obtained sensor was then used to detect small molecules like DA. A blue light optimized sensor at an applied potential of 0.7 V showed a detection limit of 1.67 nM with a wide linear range of 5 nM to 10 µM. On the other hand, the sensor presented acceptable reliability in determining DA in real samples. A recovery rate between 97.99 and 101.0% was obtained. Overall, controlling the morphology of semiconductors can influence PEC performance, which is a useful finding for the future development of PEC sensors.

A spatial homojunction of titanium vacancies decorated with oxygen vacancies in TiO2 and its directed charge transfer.

The n-p homojunction design in semiconductors could enable directed charge transfer, which is promising but rarely reported. Herein, TiO2 with a spatial n-p homojunction has been designed by decorating TiO2 nanosheets with Ti vacancies around nanostructured TiO2 with O vacancies. 2D 1H TQ-SQ MAS NMR, EPR and XPS show the junction of titanium vacancies and oxygen vacancies at the interface. This spatial homojunction contributes to a significant enhancement in photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performance, especially photocatalytic seawater splitting. Density functional theory calculations of the charge density reveal the directional n-p charge transfer path at the interface, which is proposed at the atomic-/nanoscale to clarify the generation of rational junctions. The spatial n-p homojunction provides a facile strategy for the design of high-performance semiconductors.

Ultrasensitive dual-signal electrochemical ratiometric aptasensor based on Co-MOFs with intrinsic self-calibration property for Mucin 1.

The concentration of tumor biomarker Mucin 1 (MUC 1) is highly related with many diseases, which can be employed for the early diagnosis of cancer. In this paper, an electrochemical ratiometric aptasensor with intrinsic self-calibration property for the detection of MUC 1 is presented. In this paper, Co-MOFs themselves were employed as signal substances. This strategy was fabricated by using gold nanoparticles@black phosphorus (BP) as the substrate on the electrode, followed by modification of DNA nanotetrahedrons (DTN) via Au-S bond. The terminal of DTN contains MUC 1 aptamer. In the presence of MUC 1, the signal of DNA-labeled Co-MOFs can be detected. The current signal of Co-MOFs increased and that of thionine (as reference) was unchanged upon the addition of MUC 1. Thus, an intrinsic self-calibration aptasensor was achieved. In order to simplify the modification procedure, the electrolyte solution thionine was employed as an inner reference probe. Moreover, coupling of the hybridization chain reaction (HCR) with these MOFs signal tags presents an enzyme-free method for signal amplification, endowing the proposed ratiometric biosensor detection with high reproducibility and high sensitivity. The current ratio (IIR/ISP) remained stable over 30 individual measurements performed on ten different working electrodes. Even ten repeated scans performed on a single electrode exhibited a constant current ratio. The electrochemical ratiometric aptasensor is highly sensitivity for MUC 1 with the detection limit of 1.34 fM. Our proposed ratiometric sensor has great potential for the detection of cancer-related biomarkers.

Optimization of microsatellite genotyping system used for genetic diversity evaluation of Ailuropoda melanoleuca.

Microsatellite DNA is one of the most widely used genetic markers of giant panda, especially in population size estimation, paternity testing, and genetic diversity analysis. However, there are few reports on the physical locations of microsatellite markers on the chromosomes of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and research on the performance of microsatellite in genotyping system and the PCR amplification conditions. In this study, we analyzed the chromosomal locations and evaluated the application values of 34 microsatellite markers, based on the giant panda genome reference sequence (ASM200744v2). We optimized the PCR reaction systems and amplification procedures for these 34 microsatellite markers. We found the low value of the microsatellite marker of Ame-µ10 in genetic application, and the necessity in redesigning the primers for gpz-6. Our research helps to improve the reproducibility and reliability of genotyping results and is of great significance for promoting the establishment and standardized application of the "A Regulation for Giant Panda Population Genetic Archives" in giant panda conservation.

Spatial Heterojunction in Nanostructured TiO2 and Its Cascade Effect for Efficient Photocatalysis.

A highly efficient photoenergy conversion is strongly dependent on the cumulative cascade efficiency of the photogenerated carriers. Spatial heterojunctions are critical to directed charge transfer and, thus, attractive but still a challenge. Here, a spatially ternary titanium-defected TiO2@carbon quantum dots@reduced graphene oxide (denoted as VTi@CQDs@rGO) in one system is shown to demonstrate a cascade effect of charges and significant performances regarding the photocurrent, the apparent quantum yield, and photocatalysis such as H2 production from water splitting and CO2 reduction. A key aspect in the construction is the technologically irrational junction of Ti-vacancies and nanocarbons for the spatially inside-out heterojunction. The new "spatial heterojunctions" concept, characteristics, mechanism, and extension are proposed at an atomic-/nanoscale to clarify the generation of rational heterojunctions as well as the cascade electron transfer.

Interfacial co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies in nanostructured TiO2 for enhancement of carrier transport.

The interfacial co-existence of oxygen and metal vacancies in metal oxide semiconductors and their highly efficient carrier transport have rarely been reported. This work reports on the co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies at the interface between TiO2 and rGO via a simple two-step calcination treatment. Experimental measurements show that the oxygen and titanium vacancies are formed under 550 °C/Ar and 350 °C/air calcination conditions, respectively. These oxygen and titanium vacancies significantly enhance the transport of interfacial carriers, and thus greatly improve the photocurrent performances, the apparent quantum yield, and photocatalysis such as photocatalytic H2 production from water-splitting, photocatalytic CO2 reduction and photo-electrochemical anticorrosion of metals. A new "interfacial co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies" phenomenon, and its characteristics and mechanism are proposed at the atomic-/nanoscale to clarify the generation of oxygen and titanium vacancies as well as the interfacial carrier transport.

Evaluating the effects of transgenic Bt rice cultivation on soil stability.

Insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins produced by genetically modified rice that enter the soil via pollen dispersal, plant residues, and root exudation may disturb soil health. In the present study, we assessed the influences of transgenic Bt rice (i.e., HH1 with Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac) cultivation on the dynamics of soil carbon and nutrients under field conditions during 2013-2016. Transgenic treatments (transgenic Bt rice vs. its parental line (i.e., MH63) of non-Bt rice) have no consistently significant effects on soil property, including available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, while apparent seasonal changes were observed. Besides, the variations of soil nutrients in the paddy field of transgenic Bt rice did not exceed their resistance capacities, except total organic carbon (TOC; RS (resistance) = 1.51) and total potassium (TK; RS = 2.62) in 2013 and TK (RS = 1.94) in 2014. However, the TOC and soil nutrient of TK in the paddy field of transgenic Bt rice have recovered to the pre-perturbation status after harvest (RL (resilience) = 1.01, F = 0.01, P = 0.91; RL = 0.98, F = 0.34, P = 0.58; RL = 0.99, F = 1.26, P = 0.29). Moreover, the paddy yield of transgenic Bt rice was consistently higher than that of its parental line of non-Bt rice. These results suggested that the cultivation of transgenic Bt rice has no adverse impact on soil stability in terms of soil carbon and nutrients and paddy yield.

Construction of a functionalized hierarchical pore metal-organic framework via a palladium-reduction induced strategy.

Hierarchical porosity and functionalization are recognized as two crucial parameters in mediating the catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts, however, they are rarely achieved simultaneously in the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). In this work, a simple and efficient method has been developed to synchronously construct hierarchical porosity and functionalization within a sulfonic acid group functionalized microporous MOF via a palladium-reduction induced strategy, for the first time. The generation mechanism of the mesopore has been explained using two-dimensional 1H DQ-SQ MAS NMR. The content of the mesopore and the active sites within mesoPd@NUS-6 could be finely tuned by simply controlling Pd loading. Particularly, the combination of hierarchical porosity and functionalization, as well as the ultra-stable structure endow the composites with great potential in bulk, for adsorption and heterogeneous catalysis.

Construction of Hierarchical Metal-Organic Frameworks by Competitive Coordination Strategy for Highly Efficient CO2 Conversion.

Hierarchical porosity and functionalization help to fully make use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for their diverse applications. Herein, a simple strategy is reported to construct hierarchically porous MOFs through a competitive coordination method using tetrafluoroborate (M(BF4 )x , where M is metal site) as both functional sites and etching agents. The resulting MOFs have in situ formed defect-mesopores and functional sites without sacrificing their structure stability. The formation mechanism of the defect-mesopores is elucidated by a combination of experimental and first-principles calculation method, indicating the general feasibility of this new approach. Compared with the original microporous counterparts, the new hierarchical MOFs exhibit superior adsorption for the bulky dye molecules and catalytic performance for the CO2 conversion attributed to their specific hierarchical pore structures.

Correction: Synthesis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic TiO2 nanofluids for transformable surface wettability and photoactive coating.

Correction for 'Synthesis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic TiO2 nanofluids for transformable surface wettability and photoactive coating' by Jie Hu et al., Chem. Commun., 2019, 55, 9275-9278.

Synthesis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic TiO2 nanofluids for transformable surface wettability and photoactive coating.

Two modified TiO2 nanofluids were developed, with either hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties. The hydrophobic TiO2 nanofluid, embedded in an organo-silyl salt, could be transformed into a hydrophilic TiO2 nanofluid by exchange of the chloride with an organo-sulphonate ion. Both modified TiO2 nanofluids exhibited high fluidity, thermal stability and photoactivity.

Discovery of susceptibility loci associated with tuberculosis in Han Chinese.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have revealed the worldwide heterogeneity of genetic factors in tuberculosis (TB) susceptibility. Despite having the third highest global TB burden, no TB-related GWAS has been performed in China. Here, we performed the first three-stage GWAS on TB in the Han Chinese population. In the stage 1 (discovery stage), after quality control, 691 388 SNPs present in 972 TB patients and 1537 controls were retained. After replication on an additional 3460 TB patients and 4862 controls (stages 2 and 3), we identified three significant loci associated with TB, the most significant of which was rs4240897 (logistic regression P = 1.41 × 10-11, odds ratio = 0.79). The aforementioned three SNPs were harbored by MFN2, RGS12 and human leukocyte antigen class II beta chain paralogue encoding genes, all of which are candidate immune genes associated with TB. Our findings provide new insight into the genetic background of TB in the Han Chinese population.

A cross-sectional study on oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure could induce oxidative stress in workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Occupational short-term 'spot' measurements were performed. In total, 310 inspection workers exposed to ELF-EMF were selected as the exposure group and 300 logistical staff as the control group. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were tested by the colorimetric method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was tested using the xanthine oxidase method. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined with a thiobarbituric acid assay. The micronucleus cell frequency (MCF) and Micronuclei frequency (MN) were also tested for genotoxic assessment. RESULTS: No significant changes of enzyme activities or MDA concentration were found. Neither the frequency of micronucleus lymphocytes nor micronuclei frequency changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Continual ELF-EMF exposure might not induce oxidative stress in workers from a power supply bureau.

No effects of power line frequency extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on selected neurobehavior tests of workers inspecting transformers and distribution line stations versus controls.

We aimed to evaluate the interference of 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) occupational exposure on the neurobehavior tests of workers performing tour-inspection close to transformers and distribution power lines. Occupational short-term "spot" measurements were carried out. 310 inspection workers and 300 logistics staff were selected as exposure and control. The neurobehavior tests were performed through computer-based neurobehavior evaluation system, including mental arithmetic, curve coincide, simple visual reaction time, visual retention, auditory digit span and pursuit aiming. In 500 kV areas electric field intensity at 71.98% of total measured 590 spots were above 5 kV/m (national occupational standard), while in 220 kV areas electric field intensity at 15.69% of total 701 spots were above 5 kV/m. Magnetic field flux density at all the spots was below 1,000 µT (ICNIRP occupational standard). The neurobehavior score changes showed no statistical significance. Results of neurobehavior tests among different age, seniority groups showed no significant changes. Neurobehavior changes caused by daily repeated ELF-EMF exposure were not observed in the current study.

[Protective effect of yixinshu capsule on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of Yixinshu capsule on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) in SD rats. METHOD: Sixty healthy SD rats were randomized into six groups: sham group, MIRI model group, Xinsuning capsule group, low, middle or high dose Yixinshu capsule. Acute MIRI rat models were created by reperfusion for 120 min after anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery for 30 min. The serum creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and malondialdehyde(MDA), blood viscosity, and infarction area of myocardium were determined. RESULT: Yixinshu capsule could reduce serum CK, LDH, AST and LDH activity, improve the blood viscosity, and reduced the myocardial infarct size. CONCLUSION: Yixinshu capsule can protect against MIRI in rats.