Tunable abundant valley Hall effect and chiral spin-valley locking in Janus monolayer VCGeN4.

It is both conceptually and practically fascinating to explore fundamental research studies and practical applications of two-dimensional systems with the tunable abundant valley Hall effect. In this work, based on first-principles calculations, the tunable abundant valley Hall effect is proved to appear in Janus monolayer VCGeN4. When the magnetization is along the out-of-plane direction, VCGeN4 is an intrinsic ferromagnetic semiconductor with a valley feature. The intriguing spontaneous valley polarization exists in VCGeN4 due to the common influence of broken inversion and time-reversal symmetries, which makes it easier to realize the anomalous valley Hall effect. Furthermore, we observe that the valley-non-equilibrium quantum anomalous Hall effect is driven by external strain, which is located between two half-valley-metal states. When reversing the magnetization, the spin flipping makes the position of the edge state to change from one valley to another valley, demonstrating an intriguing behavior known as chiral spin-valley locking. Although the easy magnetic axis orientation is along the in-plane direction, we can utilize an external magnetic field to transform the magnetic axis orientation. Moreover, it is found that the valley state, electronic and magnetic properties can be well regulated by the electric field. Our works explore the mechanism of the tunable abundant valley Hall effect by applying an external strain and electric field, which provides a perfect platform to investigate the spin, valley, and topology.

Novel valley character and tunable quasi-half-valley metal state in Janus monolayer VSiGeP4.

The manipulation and regulation of valley characteristics have aroused widespread interest in emerging information fields and fundamental research. Realizing valley polarization is one crucial issue for spintronic and valleytronic applications, the concepts of a half-valley metal (HVM) and ferrovalley (FV) materials have been put forward. Then, to separate electron and hole carriers, a fresh concept of a quasi-HVM (QHVM) has been proposed, in which only one type of carrier is valley polarized for electron and hole carriers. Based on first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that the Janus monolayer VSiGeP4 has QHVM character. To well regulate the QHVM state, strain engineering is utilized to adjust the electronic and valley traits of monolayer VSiGeP4. In the discussed strain range, monolayer VSiGeP4 always favors the ferromagnetic ground state and out-of-plane magnetization, which ensures the appearance of spontaneous valley polarization. It is found that the QHVM state can be induced in different electronic correlations (U), and the strain can effectively tune the valley, magnetic, and electronic features to maintain the QHVM state under various U values. Our work opens up a new research idea in the design of multifunctional spintronic and valleytronic devices.

Predictors of Adverse Fetal Outcomes in Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP): a Narrative Review.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a hepatic disorder in pregnancy linked with adverse fetal outcomes, which primarily manifests in the late second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This review aims to recapitulate the existing evidence on factors that can predict detrimental perinatal outcomes in pregnant women diagnosed with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Medline, and Embase databases and selected studies related to predictors of fetal outcome in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Studies of the articles showed that predictors of an adverse fetal outcome include in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy, multifetal pregnancy, biochemical markers, gestational age of ICP onset, presence of comorbidities (preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus), maternal history of ICP, and hepatobiliary disease.Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) complicates the pregnancy. Hence, early assessment of low-risk and high-risk groups will help to administer definite management protocols and strategies to prevent adverse neonatal outcomes. Further research should concentrate on the number of conditions/factors and the predictive power of different factors to determine the most reliable predictors and biomarkers that can predict adverse fetal outcomes and improve the assessment of risk in pregnancy complicated with ICP.

Pregnancy outcomes following antenatal screening for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes following antenatal screening for ICP using a retrospective approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the second affiliated hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China, from 2012 to 2017. Pregnant women registered for antenatal in our hospital were screened for ICP. The pregnant women with detailed delivery record and presenting with the diagnosis of ICP based on TBA level ≥10 mmol/L and abnormal liver enzymes were included in the study. METHOD: The pregnant women with detailed delivery records presenting with the diagnosis of ICP based on TBA level ≥10 mmol/L and abnormal liver enzymes were included in the study. 1410 pregnant women were enrolled in this study. We selected 940 pregnant women without the diagnosis of ICP as our control and 470 pregnant women diagnosed with ICP as our case study. Data collection and sampling in the control group was done using microsoft excel (version 16.61) random number generator. RESULTS: The mean age of the pregnant women and the gestational age at the time of diagnosis of ICP were 29.01 ± 4.3 years and 31.90 ± 8.83 weeks, respectively. It was found that a significant number of patients with ICP had a preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW), n = 151 (32.5%) P < 0.001 and n = 70 (14.9%) P < 0.001, respectively. A significant number of patients in the case group had a history of liver disease and gall bladder disease, p < 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively, and a higher rate of GDM p < 0.001. Despite treatment, high TBA titer among ICP patients was associated with preterm delivery. CONCLUSION: ICP in pregnancy leads to complications and poor perinatal outcomes. Fetal outcomes depend on the TBA levels; therefore, early diagnosis of ICP through routine screening followed by treatment is recommended in high-risk persons/areas.

Investigation on sexual function in young breast cancer patients during endocrine therapy: a latent class analysis.

Backgrounds: The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual function status of young breast cancer patients during endocrine therapy, identify potential categories of sexual function status, and analyze the factors affecting the potential categories of sexual function status during endocrine therapy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 189 young breast cancer patients who underwent postoperative adjuvant endocrine therapy in Shanghai Ruijin Hospital. The latent class analysis was used to identify potential categories of patient sexual function characteristics with respect to the FSFI sex health measures. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors for the high risk latent class groups. A nomogram prognostic model were then established to identify high risk patients for female sexual dysfunction (FSD), and C-index was used to determine the prognostic accuracy. Results: Patients were divided into a "high dysfunction-low satisfaction" group and a "low dysfunction-high satisfaction" group depending on the latent class analysis, accounting for 69.3% and 30.7%, respectively. Patients who received aromatase inhibitors (AI) combined with ovarian function suppression (OFS) treatment (p = 0.027), had poor body-image after surgery (p = 0.007), beared heavy medical economy burden(p < 0.001), and had a delayed recovery of sexual function after surgery (p = 0.001) were more likely to be classified into the "high dysfunction-low satisfaction" group, and then conducted into the nomogram. The C-index value of the nomogram for predicting FSD was 0.782. Conclusion: The study revealed the heterogeneity of sexual function status among young breast cancer patients during endocrine therapy, which may help identify high-risk patients and provide early intervention.

Electronic-correlation induced sign-reversible Berry phase and quantum anomalous valley Hall effects in Janus monolayer OsClBr.

Topological phase transition can be induced by electronic correlation effects combined with spin-orbit coupling (SOC). Here, based on the first-principles calculations +U approach, the influence of electronic correlation effects and SOC on topological and electronic properties of the Janus monolayer OsClBr is investigated. With intrinsic out-of-plane (OOP) magnetic anisotropy, the Janus monolayer OsClBr exhibits a sequence of states, namely, the ferrovalley (FV) to half-valley-metal (HVM) to quantum anomalous valley Hall effect (QAVHE) to HVM to FV states with increasing U values. The QAVHE is characterized by a chiral edge state linking the conduction and valence bands with a Chern number C = 1, which is closely associated with the band inversion between dx2-y2/dxy and dz2 orbitals, and sign-reversible Berry curvature. The section with larger U values (2.31-2.35 eV) is very essential for determining the new HVM and QAVHE states, and also proves that a strong electron correlation effect exists in the interior of the Janus monolayer OsClBr. When taking into consideration a representative U value (U = 2.5 eV), a valley polarization value of 157 meV can be observed, which can be switched by reversing the magnetization direction of Os atoms. It is noteworthy that the Curie temperature (TC) strongly depends on the electronic correlation effects. Our work provides a comprehensive discussion on the electronic and topological properties of the Janus monolayer OsClBr, and demonstrates that the electronic correlation effects combined with SOC can drive the emergence of QAVHE, which will open up new opportunities for valleytronic, spintronic, and topological nanoelectronic applications.

Spontaneous valley polarization and valley-nonequilibrium quantum anomalous Hall effect in Janus monolayer ScBrI.

Topology and ferrovalley (FV) are two essential concepts in emerging device applications and the fundamental research field. To date, relevant reports are extremely rare about the coupling of FV and topology in a single system. By Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and first-principles calculations, a stable intrinsic FV ScBrI semiconductor with high Curie temperature (TC) is predicted. Because of the combination of spin-orbital coupling (SOC) and exchange interaction, the Janus monolayer ScBrI shows a spontaneous valley polarization of 90 meV, which is located in the top valence band. For the magnetization direction perpendicular to the plane, the changes from FV to half-valley-metal (HVM), to valley-nonequilibrium quantum anomalous Hall effect (VQAHE), to HVM, and to FV can be induced by strain engineering. It is worth noting that there are no particular valley polarization and VQAHE states for in-plane (IP) magnetic anisotropy. By obtaining the real magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE) under different strains, due to spontaneous valley polarization, intrinsic out-of-plane (OOP) magnetic anisotropy, a chiral edge state, and a unit Chern number, the VQAHE can reliably appear between two HVM states. The increasing strains can induce VQAHE, which can be clarified by a band inversion between dx2-y2/dxy and dz2 orbitals, and a sign-reversible Berry curvature. Once synthesized, the Janus monolayer ScBrI would find more significant applications in topological electronic, valleytronic, and spintronic nanodevices.

Quantum anomalous Hall effect in germanene by proximity coupling to a semiconducting ferromagnetic substrate NiI2.

Interfaces between materials are ubiquitous in materials science, especially in devices. As device dimensions continue to be reduced, understanding the physical characteristics that appear at interfaces is crucial to exploit them for applications, spintronics in this case. Here, based on first-principles calculations, we propose a general and tunable platform to realize an exotic quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) with the germanene monolayer by proximity coupling to a semiconducting ferromagnetic NiI2 (Ge/NiI2). Through analysis of the Berry curvature and band structure with spin-orbit coupling, the QAHE phase with an integer Chern number (C = -1), which is induced by band inversion between Ge-p orbitals, can achieve complete spin polarization for low-dissipation electronic devices. Also, the proximity coupling between germanene and the NiI2 substrate makes the non-trivial bandgap reach up to 85 meV, and the Curie temperature of the Ge/NiI2 heterostructure (HTS) is enhanced to 238 K, which is much higher than that of pristine NiI2. An effective k·p model is proposed to clarify the quantum phenomena in the Ge/NiI2 HTS. These findings shed light on the possible role of magnetic proximity effects on condensed matter physics in germanene and open new perspectives for multifunctional spin quantum devices in spintronics.

Magnetic anisotropy and ferroelectric-driven magnetic phase transition in monolayer Cr2Ge2Te6.

Monolayer Cr2Ge2Te6 (ML-CGT) has attracted broad interest due to its novel electronic and magnetic properties. However, there are still controversies on the origin of its intrinsic magnetism. Here, by exploring the electronic and magnetic properties of ML-CGT, we find that the magnetic shape anisotropy (MSA) is vital for establishing the long-range ferromagnetism, except for the contribution from magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MCA). Electronic band analysis, combined with atomic- and orbital-resolved magnetic anisotropy from a second-order perturbation theory, further reveals that the MCA of ML-CGT is mainly originated from hybridized Te-py and -pz orbitals. The MSA from magnetic Cr atoms in ML-CGT is larger than MCA, resulting in an in-plane magnetic anisotropy. Noticeably, by constructing a heterostructure (HTS) with ferroelectric Sc2CO2, CGT undergoes an in-plane to out-of-plane spin reorientation via ferroelectric polarization switching, accompanied with an electronic property transition from semiconductor to half-metal. The Curie temperature of CGT/Sc2CO2 HTS can be enhanced to 92.4 K under the ferroelectric polarization, which is much higher than that of pristine ML-CGT (34.7 K). These results not only clarify the contradiction of magnetic mechanism of ML-CGT in previous experimental and theoretical works, but also open the door for realizing nonvolatile magnetic memory devices based on a multifunctional ferromagnetic/ferroelectric HTS.

[Relationship between regulation effect of salvia miltiorrhiza on AQP2 in kidney and promoting blood circulation and diuresis].

Partial nature of "promoting blood circulation and dieresis" of Salvia Miltiorrhizain was initially demonstrated by investigating the regulation effect of AQP2 expression in kidney of trauma blood stasis model rats with the Salvia Miltiorrhizain so as to provide guidance for its clinical deployment of administration. Random allocation was taken to averagely divide 30 SD rats into two groups: 10 rats in normal group and 20 rats in blood stasis syndrome group. Trauma blood stasis rat model was established by quantitatively beating. Then the rat model group was divided into model group and salvia group. After 7 days of treatment, the rat kidney AQP2 expression was detected, the content of urine AQP2 was compared and the damaged local muscle and kidney pathological changes were observed by immunohistochemical method and western blot method. Compared with that of the normal group, rats in model group had inflammatory cells infiltration, blood stasis and edema of the injured local muscles and up-regulated AQP2 expression, decreasing urinary output, and kidney tissues blood stasis and edema (P < 0.05). On the other hand, compared with that of the model group, those parameters of rats in salvia group were all decreasing except urine output (P < 0.05). Such result indicated that Salvia Miltiorrhiza can reduce trauma blood stasis rat content of urine AQP2 and down-regulated AQP2 expression in kidney tissue, so as to reduce the reabsorption of water by renal tubular and increase urine output. The promoting blood circulation effect of Salvia Miltiorrhizain can alleviate the degree of the damaged tissue edema and encourage urine drainage. This therapy is closely related to the effect of regulating AQP2 in kidney by salvia, so the purpose of this study by verifying "promoting blood circulation and diuresis" as the mechanism for the regulation effect of the salvia on AQP2 expression.

Provincial maternal mortality surveillance systems in China.

BACKGROUND: Provincial maternal mortality surveillance systems (PMMSS) have been set up in nearly all the provinces in China to monitor local maternal mortality and provide the evidence for maternal health interventions suited to local conditions. However, till now little is known outside of China about the characteristics of PMMSS. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature contained in PubMed and China Academic Journal Network Publishing database was carried out. The current situation on PMMSS was described. Provincial disparities on PMMR in six provinces were analyzed by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 31 were published in Chinese. PMMSS were set up and adjusted by the provincial government based on their own financial resources and demand. Provinces from remote region had the highest risk of maternal mortality, followed by provinces from inland region and coast region. CONCLUSIONS: PMMSS may be the most reliable data source for measuring provincial level MMR in each province. Great provincial disparities on PMMSS and PMMR do exist within the country; more emphasis should be placed on improving PMMSS and reducing PMMR particularly in the provinces with high maternal death burden.

Functional identification of the gene encoding the enzyme involved in mannosylation in ramoplanin biosynthesis in Actinoplanes sp.

Ramoplanin is a lipopeptide antibiotic active against multi-drug-resistant, Gram-positive pathogens. Structurally, it contains a di-mannose moiety attached to the peptide core at Hpg(11). The biosynthetic gene cluster of ramoplanin has already been reported and the assembly of the depsipeptide has been elucidated but the mechanism of transferring sugar moiety to the peptide core remains unclear. Sequence analysis of the biosynthetic gene cluster indicated ramo-orf29 was a mannosyltransferase candidate. To investigate the involvement of ramo-orf29 in ramoplanin biosynthesis, gene inactivation and complementation have been conducted in Actinoplanes sp. ATCC 33076 by homologous recombination. Metabolite analysis revealed that the ramo-orf29 inactivated mutant produced no ramoplanin but the ramoplanin aglycone. Thus, ramo-orf29 codes for the mannosyltransferase in the ramoplanin biosynthesis pathway. This lays the foundation for further exploitation of the ramoplanin mannosyltransferase and aglycone in combinatorial biosynthesis.

Energy controllable steep pulse (ECSP) treatment suppresses tumor growth in rats implanted with Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells through apoptosis and an antitumor immune response.

Electrochemotherapy has been widely used for the treatment of solid tumors, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of energy controllable steep pulse (ECSP) on the regulation of tumor growth and apoptosis in rats implanted with Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells. A rat tumor model was established by injection of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells into the inguinal area. H&E staining, transmission electron microscopy, and the TUNEL assay were used to detect apoptosis. Concanavalin A-induced lymphocyte transformation and MTT assays were used to assess lymphocyte proliferation. ELISA was used to determine serum cytokine levels. After 2 weeks of ECSP treatment, tumor growth in rats was effectively suppressed, while tumor cell apoptosis was significantly induced compared to the control tumor group. Moreover, ECSP treatment enhanced proliferation and activation of lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. Serum IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels were significantly decreased, and IL-4 and 1-10 levels dramatically increased in rats with control tumors compared to rats without tumors and lacking treatment (p < 0.05). In contrast, ECSP treatment increased IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels, but reduced IL-4 and IL-10 levels to normal values. Moreover, ECSP also increased TNF-alpha production, possibly from peritoneal microphages. Our current study demonstrates that ECSP treatment is able to effectively reduce tumors in rats via induction of apoptosis and activation of the rat antitumor immune response. These data provide insightful information for the future application of ECSP-based electrochemotherapy in clinical trials against solid tumors.

Interchangeability and tolerability of two inactivated hepatitis A vaccines in Chinese children.

In China, no data are available to evaluate the interchangeability between Chinese domestic inactivated hepatitis A vaccines (Healive) and imported inactivated hepatitis A vaccines (Havrix). A double-blind, randomized controlled study was to compare interchangeability and safety of Healive and Havrix among Chinese children. Vaccine was administered to 303 healthy children at 0 and 6 months in one of four vaccine regimens: Healive-Healive; Healive-Havrix; Havrix-Healive or Havrix-Havrix. We collected sera samples at 0 (before vaccination), 6 (before second dose) and 7 months (after second dose), and compared groups in terms of proportion of sero-conversions which is defined as ≥ 20 mIU/ml, and geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) of anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody. Seroconversion rates were 133/133 (100%) for those received one dose of Healive and 105/131 (80.2%) for those received one dose of Havrix at 6 months, respectively (P<0.001), GMCs for Healive and Havrix were 126.1 and 40.9 mIU/ml (P<0.001), respectively. At 7 months, the seroconversion rate was 100% among all groups. The GMC after two doses of Healive was 8905.5 mIU/ml compared with 1900.9 mIU/ml after two doses of Havrix (P<0.001). The GMC in the Healive-Havrix group was 3275.8 mIU/ml compared with 4165.8 mIU/ml in the Havrix-Healive group (P=0.058). There is not different of reported adverse reactions across the groups. The present study indicated that both vaccines can be recommended for interchangeable using of immunization among Chinese healthy children.

[Safety and immunogenicity on three lots of influenza split vaccines among adults].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunogenicity, safety and stability of the manufacture process regarding three consecutive lots of influenza split vaccines (Anflu). METHODS: A double-blind, randomized and controlled clinical trial was conducted in healthy volunteers. A total of 566 subjects aged 18 to 60 years were recruited and stratified into four age groups before randomly assigned into four groups. Each group would receive one dose of influenza vaccine from either one of the three lots of Anflu or one lot of the licensed control vaccine. Each dose of the vaccines contained 15 microg of each of the H1N1, H3N2 and B type antigen. Safety was assessed through 30-minute observation for immediate allergic reaction and three-day observation after vaccination. HI antibody titers were determined before vaccination and on day 21, after vaccination. RESULTS: Mild adverse reaction was reported and the overall incidence rates on fever of the four groups were from 1.4% to 2.8% but no significant difference was observed between groups. Seroconversion rates of the three viral strains in four groups were 80.3% and above with fold increase as > or = 11.1 and protection rate was > or = 93.4%. For the three lots of investigated vaccines, all of the indexes of the three viral strains in four groups exceeded the standards on EMEA and FDA for influenza vaccine. CONCLUSION: The three consecutive lots of Anflu appeared to be good, with both consistent immunogenicity and safety, indicating the stability of manufacture process.

[Effects of energy controllable steep pulses on intracellular calcium concentration and cell membrane potential].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our previous experiments showed that steep pulses could kill tumor cells, but the mechanism is unclear. This study was to probe the effects of different dosages of energy controllable steep pulses (ECSP) on intracellular concentration of dissociative calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) and cell membrane potential. METHODS: The breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells were divided into control group and five ECSP (different dosages) groups. Ca2+ was labeled by Fluo-3/AM and cell membrane potential was labeled by DiBAC4(3). The mean fluorescence intensity in MDA-MB-231 cells was observed by laser confocal microscopy after ECSP treatment. The changes of calcium concentration and cell membrane potential after ECSP treatment were analyzed. The changes of intracellular [Ca2+]i after ECSP treatment were also observed either with or without Ca2+ outside of the cells. RESULTS: Ca2+ outflow was observed when the cells were treated with lower dosage of pulse in quiet state; the outflow was enhanced with the dosage increase. In real-time kinetic detection, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was increased with the increase of pulse electric field intensity when cells were treated with lower dosages of ECSP. When the voltage was 285 V, frequency was 100 Hz, [Ca2+]i decreased obviously. The intracellular Ca2+ concentration was obviously lower in the cells without outside Ca2+ than in cells with outside Ca2+, but it still increased gradually. Low dosage of ECSP induced the increase of cell membrane potential, indicating the depolarization of cell membrane. With increase of the dosage, cell membrane potential was attenuated, indicating the superpolarization of cell membrane. CONCLUSION: Lower dosage of ECSP can induce the depolarization of cell membrane and the inflow of outside Ca2+; higher dosage of ECSP can directly destroy the cell membrane and induce the superpolarization of cell membrane, then induce the outflow of intracellular Ca2+ which causes the necrosis of tumor cells.