K0.9Rb2.1B8PO16: Design and Synthesis of a Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Crystal with Balanced Performance Derived from π-Conjugated and Non-π-Conjugated Groups.

A new deep-ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) material K0.9Rb2.1B8PO16 (KRBPO) has been designed and synthesized by adjusting the B/P molar ratio to 8:1. The KRBPO crystals were synthesized by a flux method and crystallized in noncentrosymmetric (NCS) and polar space group Cc. This compound exhibits a double-layer structure in which the A layer is composed of [B2O5] and [BO4] units and the B layer is formed by interconnected [B3O7] and [BO3] groups, and the two layers are connected by [PO4] tetrahedron. The theoretical calculations and experiments show that the synergistic interaction of π-conjugated and non-π-conjugated units leads to relatively well-balanced NLO properties of the title compound, including moderated SHG (0.7 × KDP), short UV cutoff edge (λcutoff < 190 nm), and a large band gap of 6.16 eV. Specifically, the coplanar arrangement of B-O groups in double-layer makes the KRBPO display a large birefringence (0.075@532 nm) and enables the shortest phase-matched wavelength to reach an important laser output wavelength of 266 nm.

K3Y3(BO3)4: A Potential UV Nonlinear-Optical Crystal Designed by a Chemical Substitution Strategy.

Nonlinear-optical (NLO) crystals capable of controlling and manipulating light to generate coherent radiation at challenging wavelengths are of significant interest. However, designing a new UV NLO crystal remains difficult due to the rigid requirements for structure and properties. Herein, we have successfully designed and synthesized a novel noncentrosymmetric (NCS) rare-earth borate UV NLO crystal, K3Y3(BO3)4, through the heterovalence substitution of YAl3(BO3)4. K3Y3(BO3)4 (KYBO) crystallizes in the NCS and polar space group of P63mc, with the structure formed by the interconnectioned BO3 triangles and YO8 polyhedra through corner-sharing and edge-sharing. The property measurements indicate that KYBO is second-harmonic-generation-active with a moderate response, ∼2 × KDP. Meanwhile, KYBO can exhibit a short UV cutoff edge (λcutoff < 190 nm), indicating its potential as a new UV or deep-UV NLO crystal.

A-site cation manipulation of exemplary second harmonic generation response and optical anisotropy in rare-earth borates.

Ultraviolet nonlinear optical (UV NLO) materials have garnered significant interest for their prospective applications in advanced laser technologies. However, tailoring the desired structure in these materials remains a formidable challenge. Here, we propose a simple yet effective strategy for synthesizing rare-earth borates, K x Na3-x La2B3O9 (x = 2-3), by manipulating the A-site cations to induce structural evolution. Notably, K x Na3-x La2B3O9 undergoes a phase transition from the Pnc2 to the Amm2 space group by adjusting the K+ content to reach x = 2.6. Moreover, the target compounds exhibit strong phase-matching second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiencies, ranging from 1.3 to 3.3 times that of KDP (KH2PO4), and feature short UV cutoff edges of around 204-208 nm. Additionally, the correlation between microscopic polarizability, optical anisotropy, and the structural evolution of these materials was characterized through structural and theoretical analyses. These findings highlight the potential applications of K x Na3-x La2B3O9 as UV NLO materials and underscore the viability of manipulating A-site cations to fabricate NLO crystals with desirable properties.

Ae3[TO3][SnOQ3] (Ae = Sr, Ba; T = Si, Ge; Q = S, Se) and Ba3[CO3][MQ4] (M = Ge, Sn; Q = S, Se): Design and Syntheses of a Series of Heteroanionic Antiperovskite-Type Oxychalcogenides.

The heteroanionic materials (HAMs) have attracted more and more attention because they can better balance the functional properties of materials. However, their rational structural design is still a great challenge. Here, by using the antiperovskite Ba3S[GeS4] as a template and calculating the tolerance factor (t) as a reference, eight heteroanionic oxychalcogenides with balanced properties were finally synthesized by a partially group-substitution method. Among them, Ba3[CO3][MQ4] (M = Ge, Sn; Q = S, Se) are centrosymmetric (CS) crystals and realize optimization of band gaps and birefringence. For Ae3[TO3][SnOQ3] (Ae = Sr, Ba; T = Si, Ge; Q = S, Se), thanks to the novel [TO4SnQ3] polyanionic groups for the regulation to the antiperovskite structures and the contributions to the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, they achieve the structural transition from CS to noncentrosymmetry and accomplish an excellent balance among the critical performance parameters as the potential candidates for the infrared NLO materials, including phase-matchable behavior, wide band gaps (Eg = 3.26-3.95 eV), high laser damage threshold (LDT = 3.2-4.4 × AgGaS2), suitable birefringence (Δn = 0.065-0.098@2090 nm) and sufficiently strong second-harmonic generation responses (about 0.6-0.9 × AgGaS2). Moreover, benefiting from crystallization in the polar space groups, they exhibit ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity at room temperature. As far as we know, this is the first reported fully inorganic antiperovskite ferroelectric. These demonstrate that our strategy is desirable and can provide some unique insights into the development of HAMs or antiperovskite materials with specific functions or structures.

K4Cd3Ge4O13: A Congruent-Melting Germanate Nonlinear Optical Crystal with a Moderate Second-Harmonic Generation Intensity and Broad Transparent Window.

Mid-infrared (IR) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have generated extensive research interest because of their crucial role in laser technology applications. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel cadmium germanate NLO crystal, K4Cd3Ge4O13, using spontaneous crystallization. K4Cd3Ge4O13 demonstrates a distinct three-dimensional structural framework characterized by twisted [Ge4O13] and [Cd3O10] clusters, composed of [GeO4], [CdO4], [CdO5], and [CdO6] basic building units, respectively, which represents an unprecedented structural feature. The title compound undergoes a desirable congruent melting behavior at about 727 °C. Notably, K4Cd3Ge4O13 demonstrates a short UV cutoff edge at 261 nm, coupled with a wide energy gap of 4.4 eV, and maintains an extended IR transparency window at around 6.0 µm. More importantly, it demonstrates a strong second-harmonic generation activity comparable to that of KH2PO4 (KDP) at 1064 nm. Theoretical analyses further elucidate that the remarkable optical performances of K4Cd3Ge4O13 are predominantly attributed to the cooperative effects of Ge-O and Cd-O bond-based motifs. These desired characteristics underscore the potential of K4Cd3Ge4O13 as a good candidate material for mid-IR NLO applications.

The efficacy and acceptability of anti-inflammatory omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements in sepsis management: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Sepsis is a critical medical condition associated with high mortality for patients. Current pharmacological strategies for sepsis management or prevention had not achieved satisfactory results. The omega-3 fatty acids, with anti-inflammatory benefits, are considered to be promising agents for sepsis management/prevention. The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) is to compare the efficacy of various dosages and formulations of fish oil supplements for sepsis management and sepsis prevention. The current NMA consisted of two parts: (1) sepsis management and (2) sepsis prevention. The PubMed, ClinicalKey, Embase, ProQuest, Cochrane CENTRAL, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were systematically searched to date of February 22nd, 2024 for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RCTs were eligible for inclusion if they enrolled participants with a diagnosis of sepsis or who with high risk for sepsis. All NMA procedures were conducted under the frequentist model. The primary outcomes assessed are (1) mortality rate in sepsis treatment or (2) incidence of sepsis in sepsis prevention. Our NMA, based on 28 RCTs and 1718 participants (mean age=51.6 years, mean female proportion=35.6 %), showed that (1) high dose parenteral fish oil supplement yield the lowest mortality rate in sepsis management in adult patients, and (2) high dose enteral fish oil supplement yield the lowest incidence of sepsis in pediatric patients. This study provides compelling evidence that high-dose fish oil supplements provide beneficial effects for both sepsis management and sepsis prevention. Our findings provide a preliminary rationale for future large-scale RCTs to investigate the role of fish oil supplementation in sepsis management or prevention.

Metagenomic insights into ecological risk of antibiotic resistome and mobilome in riverine plastisphere under impact of urbanization.

Microplastics (MPs) are of increasing concern due to their role as reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogens. To date, few studies have explored the influence of anthropogenic activities on ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) within various riverine MPs, in comparison to their natural counterparts. Here an in-situ incubation was conducted along heavily anthropogenically-impacted Houxi River to characterize the geographical pattern of antibiotic resistome, mobilome and pathogens inhabiting MPs- and leaf-biofilms. The metagenomics result showed a clear urbanization-driven profile in the distribution of ARGs, MGEs and pathogens, with their abundances sharply increasing 4.77 to 19.90 times from sparsely to densely populated regions. The significant correlation between human fecal marker crAssphage and ARG (R2 = 0.67, P=0.003) indicated the influence of anthropogenic activity on ARG proliferation in plastisphere and natural leaf surfaces. And mantel tests and random forest analysis revealed the impact of 17 socio-environmental factors, e.g., population density, antibiotic concentrations, and pore volume of materials, on the dissemination of ARGs. Partial least squares-path modeling further unveiled that intensifying human activities not only directly boosted ARGs abundance but also exerted a comparable indirect impact on ARGs propagation. Furthermore, the polyvinylchloride plastisphere created a pathogen-friendly habitat, harboring higher abundances of ARGs and MGEs, while polylactic acid are not likely to serve as vectors for pathogens in river, with a lower resistome risk score than that in leaf-biofilms. This study highlights the diverse ecological risks associated with the dissemination of ARGs and pathogens in varied MPs, offering insights for the policymaking of usage and control of plastics within urbanization.

Ba2ScBSi2O9: A Mixed-Coordination Borosilicate with a Low B/Si Ratio Exhibiting Enhanced Second Harmonic Generation Response.

Rational chemical substitution is an effective way to regulate structure and enrich property. Herein, a new noncentrosymmetric borosilicate, Ba2ScBSi2O9, was successfully synthesized by substituting CaO6 units in Ba2CaB2Si4O14 with ScO6 octahedra, with comparatively strong covalency. This substitution not only effectively prevents polymerization of the B-O groups, resulting in an intriguing structural transformation from tetrahedral-coordinated borosilicate of Ba2CaB2Si4O14 to mixed-coordinated borosilicate Ba2ScBSi2O9, but also enhances its second harmonic generation response (2 × KDP), that is nearly four times higher than its parent structure while keeping a short ultraviolet (UV) cutoff edge (λcutoff < 190 nm). In addition, the polar space group of Pca21 for Ba2ScBSi2O9 achieves its ferroelectric polarization reversal capability, which makes quasi-phase-matching technology possible to counteract the nonphase-matching caused by small birefringence of silicates. This work indicates the unique role of heterovalent substitution in regulating structure and performance, providing new insights for exploring borosilicate with versatile functionality.

Li3Na7B4P6O26: a new ultraviolet transparent congruently melting non-linear optical crystal.

The exploration of nonlinear optical crystals with ultraviolet (UV) transparent ranges and easy-to-grow large-size crystals is one of the current research interests. Herein, by combining borate and phosphate groups, a novel congruently melting alkali-mixed metal borophosphate, Li3Na7B4P6O26 (LNBPO) with UV transparency was successfully designed and synthesized using a high-temperature flux method. LNBPO crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric (NCS) and polar orthorhombic space group Pca21 (no. 29), showcasing interesting (B2P3O13)∞ chains along the c axis. Notably, LNBPO has a moderate second harmonic generation (SHG) response (∼0.38 × KDP) and displays a wide transmission ranging from 0.22 to 3.68 µm, as measured by a [001]-oriented crystal wafer. Furthermore, a high-quality single crystal of LNBPO with sizes up to 14 × 14 × 12 mm3 was grown using the top-seeded solution growth method. The refractive indices of LNBPO were determined by applying the minimum deviation angle method. These results show that LNBPO possesses a phase-matching wavelength as short as 483 nm, indicating its potential as a new UV NLO crystal.

La3Ga5M0.5Sn0.5O14, (M = Ge, Si): Design and Synthesis of Two Langasite Nonlinear Optical Materials with Large Second Harmonic Generation and Birefringence Induced by Distorted (Sn/M)O6 Octahedra.

Nonlinear optical (NLO) coherent light sources are widely applied in many areas of science and technology. As the core medium, the NLO material is required to have a wide transparent range, a large NLO response, and a high laser damaged threshold (LDT). It is common knowledge that langasite (La3Ga5SiO14, LGS) crystal has an underdeveloped second-harmonic generation (SHG) coefficient and a small birefringence, which seriously restrict its application in the NLO field, despite that it has a broad transmittance spectrum and a moderate LDT. Herein, we have successfully obtained novel langasite NLO crystals LGSS (La3Ga5Si0.5Sn0.5O14) and LGGS (La3Ga5Ge0.5Sn0.5O14), with short UV absorption edges of 209 and 212 nm, respectively. Incorporating heavy ions Sn4+ into the structure, a distorted BO6 octahedron was adjusted by the radius difference between Sn4+ and Si4+/Ge4+, which caused the strong SHG responses in LGSS (∼10.77 × KDP) and LGGS (∼9.23 × KDP) and increased birefringences of 0.034 and 0.025, respectively. Besides, they also had large energy band gaps (4.95 eV for LGSS, and 4.93 eV for LGGS), which allowed high LDTs with LGSS of 1.3 GW/cm2 and LGGS of 813 MW/cm2. This work demonstrates a new strategy to enhance SHG responses and birefringence for existing NLO materials and enriches langasite family crystals.

A Rare-Earth-Based Borate Optical Crystal with Enlarged Dihedral Angles of Distinct [BO3] Groups Exhibiting a Wide UV Transparent Range.

Borates, as advanced optical materials, have garnered wide interest due to their diverse structural configurations and great potential for applications in the ultraviolet (UV) regions. Herein, we synthesized a new rare-earth borate crystal, namely, K2NaYB2O6, which is classified as one of the ABReB2O6 compounds, where A and B represent alkali metal and Re denotes rare-earth metal. K2NaYB2O6 adopts in the monoclinic space group P21/c (No. 14), showcasing a three-dimensional (3D) framework composed of a planar triangular configuration of [BO3] units and distortive [YO7] polyhedra. Notably, both dihedral angles between distinct [BO3] units reach 79.6°, which represents an unprecedented structural feature in monoclinic ABReB2O6-type crystals. Moreover, the compound has a short UV absorption edge at around 204 nm, corresponding to a wide band gap of approximately 5.67 eV. Additionally, it possesses a moderate birefringence of 0.028 at 1064 nm. Further analysis utilizing theoretical calculations suggests that the optical behaviors of K2NaYB2O6 are mainly governed by its basic structural unit [BO3] triangles and distorted [YO7] polyhedra. These findings enrich the structure chemistry of rare-earth borates and offer valuable insights for the design of optical crystals in the UV wavelength range.

Multiphonon-coupling yellow laser in Yb:La2CaB10O19 crystal.

Yellow lasers at 590 nm have many extensive applications in our daily life, but extremely difficult to attain by traditional solid-state laser technology, owing to the absence of highly-efficient transition channels at this spectral range. In this work, we proposed a cooperative lasing mechanism to obtain the yellow light emission, with multiphonon-assisted electronic transitions and phase-matched frequency-doubling. Based on the predictable configurational coordinate model, we can calculate the multiphonon-assisted emission step-by-step. Using Yb3+-doped La2CaB10O19 crystal as an example, it is capable of producing yellow laser at 581-590 nm, with a maximum output power of 4.83 W and a high slope efficiency of 31.6%. To the best of our knowledge, it represents the highest power of solid-state yellow laser realized in one single crystal pumped by a laser diode. This power scaling can be assigned to the amplified phonon-assisted emission beyond the fluorescence spectrum, and optimized crystal angle for phase-matching condition. Such a compact, low-cost, and high-power laser device, provides an alternative candidate for the spectral "yellow-gap" where no practical solid-state laser exists at present.

A bifunctional primitive strategy induces enhancements of large second harmonic generation and wide UV transmittance in rare-earth borates containing [B5O10] groups.

Strong second-harmonic generation (SHG) and a short ultraviolet (UV) cutoff edge are two crucial yet often conflicting parameters that must be finely tuned in the exploration of nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. In this study, two new rare earth borate NLO crystals, K7BaSc2B15O30 (KBSBO) and Rb21Sr3.8Sc5.2B45O90 (RSSBO), were rationally designed through a bifunctional primitive strategy to achieve an optimized balance between favorable SHG efficiency and UV transparency. As anticipated, both KBSBO and RSSBO exhibit a wide UV transparency window below 190 nm. Notably, these tailored crystals display strong SHG responses, with RSSBO achieving a remarkable enhancement in SHG efficiency (2 × KDP), surpassing that of most deep-UV rare earth borates containing [B5O10] groups known to date. Theoretical calculations and structural analyses reveal that the impressive SHG activities primarily stem from the [B5O10] groups and [ScO6] polyhedra. These findings suggest promising potential for KBSBO and RSSBO crystals as beryllium-free deep UV NLO materials.

MiR-127-3p enhances macrophagic proliferation via disturbing fatty acid profiles and oxidative phosphorylation in atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic pathology, leading to acute coronary heart disease or stroke. MiR-127 has been found significantly upregulated in advanced atherosclerosis. But its function in atherosclerosis remains unexplored. We explored the role of miR-127-3p in regulating atherosclerosis development and its downstream mechanisms. METHODS: The expression profile of miR-127 in carotid atherosclerotic plaques of 23 patients with severe carotid stenosis was detected by RT-qPCR and in situ hybridization. Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein were used as an in vitro model. CCK-8, EdU, RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry were used to detect the proliferative capacity and polarization of BMDM, which were infected by lentivirus-carrying plasmid to upregulate or downregulate miR-127-3p expression, respectively. RNA sequencing combined with bioinformatic analysis and targeted fatty acid metabolomics approach were used to detect the transcriptome and lipid metabolites. The association between miR-127-3p and its target was verified by dual-luciferase activity reporting and Western blotting. Oxygen consumption rate of BMDM were detected using seahorse analysis. High-cholesterol-diet-fed low density lipoprotein deficient (LDLR-/-) mice, with-or-without carotid tandem-stenosis surgery, were treated with miR-127-3p agomir or antagomir to examine its effect on plaque development and stability. RESULTS: miR-127-3p, not -5p, is elevated in human advanced carotid atheroma and its expression is positively associated with macrophage accummulation in plaques. In vitro, miR-127-3p-overexpressed macrophage exhibites increased proliferation capacity and facilitates M1 polariztion whereas the contrary trend is present in miR-127-3p-inhibited macrophage. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) is one potential target of miR-127-3p. miR-127-3p mimics decreases the activity of 3' untranslated regions of SCD-1. Furthermore, miR-127-3p downregulates SCD1 expression, and reversing the expression of SCD1 attenuates the increased proliferation induced by miR-127-3p overexpression in macrophage. miR-127-3p overexpression could also lead to decreased content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), increased content of acetyl CoA and increased level of oxidative phosphorylation. In vivo, miR-127-3p agomir significantly increases atherosclerosis progression, macrophage proliferation and decreases SCD1 expression and the content of UFAs in aortic plaques of LDLR-/- mice. Conversely, miR-127-3p antagomir attenuated atherosclerosis, macrophage proliferation in LDLR-/- mice, and enhanced carotid plaque stability in mice with vulnerable plaque induced. CONCLUSION: MiR-127-3p enhances proliferation in macrophages through downregulating SCD-1 expression and decreasing the content of unsaturated fatty acid, thereby promoting atherosclerosis development and decreasing plaque stability. miR-127-3p/SCD1/UFAs might provide potential therapeutic target for anti-inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Assembly of π-Conjugated [B3O6] Units by Mer-Isomer [YO3F3] Octahedra to Design a UV Nonlinear Optical Material, Cs2YB3O6F2.

Achieving the extreme balance of the key performance requirements is the crucial to breakthrough the application bottleneck for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Herein, by assembly of the π-conjugated [B3O6] functional species with the aid of structure-directing property of mer-isomer [YO3F3] octahedra, a new ultraviolet (UV) NLO material, Cs2YB3O6F2 with aligned arrangement of coplanar [B3O6] groups has been synthesized. The polar material exhibits the rare coexistence of the largest second harmonic generation response of 5.6×KDP, the largest birefringence of 0.091 at 532 nm, the shortest Type I phase-matching down to 200.5 nm and deep-ultraviolet transparency among reported acentric rare-earth borates with [B3O6] groups. Remarkably, benefiting from the enhanced bonding force among functional units [B3O6], a firm three-dimensional framework is constructed, which facilitates the growth of large crystals. This can be proved by a block shape crystal with dimensional of 6×5×4 mm3, indicating that it was a promising UV NLO crystal. This work provides a powerful strategy to design UV NLO materials with good performances.

Efficacy and acceptability of different probiotic products plus laxatives for pediatric functional constipation: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The prevalence of pediatric constipation ranges from 0.7 to 29.6% across different countries. Functional constipation accounts for 95% of pediatric constipation, and the efficacy of pharmacotherapy is limited, with a success rate of 60%. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the benefits of probiotic supplements in treating this condition. However, the reported strains of probiotics varied among the RCTs. We aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of different probiotic supplements for pediatric functional constipation. The current frequentist model-based network meta-analysis (NMA) included RCTs of probiotic supplements for functional constipation in children. The primary outcome was changes in bowel movement or stool frequency; acceptability outcome was all-cause discontinuation. Nine RCTs were included (N = 710; mean age = 5.5 years; 49.4% girls). Most probiotic products, used either alone or combined with laxatives, were associated with significantly better improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency than placebo/control. Protexin plus laxatives (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.85 to 2.90) were associated with the greatest improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency among all the investigated probiotic products. For the single probiotic interventions, only Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 was associated with significant efficacy compared to placebo/control treatments (SMD = 1.37, 95% CI: 0.32 to 2.43). All the investigated probiotic products had fecal incontinence and patient drop-out rates similar to those of placebo/control treatments.  Conclusion: The results of our NMA support the application of an advanced combination of probiotics and laxatives for pediatric functional constipation if there is no concurrent contraindication.  Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022298724). What is Known: • Despite of the high prevalence of pediatric constipation, which ranges from 0.7% to 29.6%, the efficacy of pharmacotherapy is limited, with a success rate of 60%. Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown the benefits of probiotic supplements in treating this condition. However, the reported strains of probiotics varied among the RCTs. The widely heterogeneous strains of probiotics let the traditional meta-analysis, which pooled all different strains into one group, be nonsense and insignificant. What is New: • By conducting a comprehensive network meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of different strains of probiotic supplements for pediatric functional constipation. Network meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials revealed that the most probiotic products, used either alone or combined with laxatives, were associated with significantly better improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency than placebo/control. Protexin plus laxatives was associated with the greatest improvement in bowel movement or stool frequency among all the investigated probiotic products. For the single probiotic interventions, only Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 was associated with significant efficacy compared to placebo/control treatments. All the investigated probiotic products had fecal incontinence and patient drop-out rates similar to those of placebo/control treatments.

Shift in microorganism and functional gene abundance during completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) process.

Nitrification-denitrification process has failed to meet wastewater treatment standards. The completely autotrophic nitrite removal (CANON) process has a huge advantage in the field of low carbon/nitrogen wastewater nitrogen removal. However, slow start-up and system instability limit its applications. In this study, the time of the start-up CANON process was reduced by using bio-rope as loading materials. The establishing of graded dissolved oxygen improved the stability of the CANON process and enhanced the stratification effect between functional microorganisms. Microbial community structure and the abundance of nitrogen removal functional genes are also analyzed. The results showed that the CANON process was initiated within 75 days in the complete absence of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) inoculation. The ammonium and nitrogen removal efficiencies of CANON process reached to 94.45% and 80.76% respectively. The results also showed that the relative abundance of nitrogen removal bacterial in the biofilm gradually increases with the dissolved oxygen content in the solution decreases. In contrast, the relative abundance of ammonia oxidizing bacteria was positively correlated with the dissolved oxygen content in the solution. The relative abundance of g__Candidatus_Brocadia in biofilm was 15.56%, and while g__Nitrosomonas was just 0.6613%. Metagenomic analysis showed that g__Candidatus_Brocadia also contributes 66.37% to the partial-nitrification functional gene Hao (K10535). This study presented a new idea for the cooperation between partial-nitrification and anammox, which improved the nitrogen removal system stability.

Efficacy and acceptability of noninvasive brain stimulation for treating posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: Despite its high lifetime prevalence rate and the elevated disability caused by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatments exhibit modest efficacy. In consideration of the abnormal connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and amygdala in PTSD, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) addressing the efficacy of different noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) modalities for PTSD management have been undertaken. However, previous RCTs have reported inconsistent results. The current network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of various NIBS protocols in PTSD management. METHODS: We systematically searched ClinicalKey, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, ProQuest, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify relevant RCTs. The targeted RCTs was those comparing the efficacy of NIBS interventions, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and transcutaneous cervical vagal nerve stimulation, in patients with PTSD. The NMA was conducted using a frequentist model. The primary outcomes were changes in the overall severity of PTSD and acceptability (to be specific, rates of dropouts for any reason). RESULTS: We identified 14 RCTs that enrolled 686 participants. The NMA demonstrated that among the investigated NIBS types, high-frequency rTMS over bilateral DLPFCs was associated with the greatest reduction in overall PTSD severity. Further, in comparison with the sham controls, excitatory stimulation over the right DLPFC with/without excitatory stimulation over left DLPFC were associated with significant reductions in PTSD-related symptoms, including depression and anxiety symptoms, and overall PTSD severity. CONCLUSIONS: This NMA demonstrated that excitatory stimulation over the right DLPFC with or without excitatory stimulation over left DLPFC were associated with significant reductions in PTSD-related symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42023391562.

LaMg6Ga6S16: a chemical stable divalent lanthanide chalcogenide.

Divalent lanthanide inorganic compounds can exhibit unique electronic configurations and physicochemical properties, yet their synthesis remains a great challenge because of the weak chemical stability. To the best of our knowledge, although several lanthanide monoxides epitaxial thin films have been reported, there is no chemically stable crystalline divalent lanthanide chalcogenide synthesized up to now. Herein, by using octahedra coupling tetrahedra single/double chains to construct an octahedral crystal field, we synthesized the stable crystalline La(II)-chalcogenide, LaMg6Ga6S16. The nature of the divalent La2+ cations can be identified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near-edge structure and electron paramagnetic resonance, while the stability is confirmed by the differential thermal scanning, in-situ variable-temperature powder X-ray diffraction and a series of solid-state reactions. Owing to the particular electronic characteristics of La2+(5d1), LaMg6Ga6S16 displays an ultrabroad-band green emission at 500 nm, which is the inaugural instance of La(II)-based compounds demonstrating luminescent properties. Furthermore, as LaMg6Ga6S16 crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group, P-6, it is the second-harmonic generation (SHG) active, possessing a comparable SHG response with classical AgGaS2. In consideration of its wider band gap (Eg = 3.0 eV) and higher laser-induced damage threshold (5×AgGaS2), LaMg6Ga6S16 is also a promising nonlinear optical material.

Fetal Aortic Blood Flow Velocity and Power Doppler Profiles in the First Trimester: A Comprehensive Study Using High-Definition Flow Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to establish reference values for fetal aortic isthmus blood flow velocity and associated indices during the first trimester, utilizing a novel ultrasonographic technique known as high-definition flow imaging (HDFI). Additionally, the correlation between Doppler profiles of aortic blood flow and key fetal parameters, including nuchal thickness (NT), crown-rump length (CRL), and fetal heartbeat (FHB), was investigated. METHODS: A total of 262 fetuses were included in the analysis between December 2022 and December 2023. Utilizing 2D power Doppler ultrasound images, aortic blood flow parameters were assessed, including aortic peak systolic velocity (PS), aortic end-diastolic velocity (ED), aortic time average maximal velocity (TAMV), and various indices such as aortic systolic velocity/diastolic velocity (S/D), aortic pulsatile index (PI), aortic resistance index (RI), aortic isthmus flow velocity index (IFI), and aortic isthmic systolic index (ISI). Concurrently, fetal FHB, NT, and CRL were evaluated during early trimester Down syndrome screening. RESULTS: Significant findings include a positive correlation between gestational age (GA) and PS (PS = 3.75 × (GA) - 15.4, r2 = 0.13, p < 0.01), ED (ED = 0.42 × (GA) - 0.61, r2 = 0.04, p < 0.01), PI (PI = 0.07 × (GA) + 1.03, r2 = 0.04, p < 0.01), and TAMV (TAMV = 1.23 × (GA) - 1.66, r2 = 0.08, p < 0.01). In contrast, aortic ISI demonstrated a significant decrease (ISI = -0.03 × (GA) + 0.57, r2 = 0.05, p < 0.05) with gestational age. No significant correlation was observed for aortic RI (p = 0.33), S/D (p = 0.39), and IFI (p = 0.29) with gestational age. Aortic PS exhibited positive correlations with NT (0.217, p = 0.001) and CRL (0.360, p = 0.000) but a negative correlation with FHB (-0.214, p = 0.001). Aortic PI demonstrated positive correlations with CRL (0.208, p = 0.001) and negative correlations with FHB (-0.176, p = 0.005). Aortic TAMV showed positive correlations with NT (0.233, p = 0.000) and CRL (0.290, p = 0.000) while exhibiting a negative correlation with FHB (-0.141, p = 0.026). Aortic ISI demonstrated negative correlations with NT (-0.128, p = 0.045) and CRL (-0.218, p = 0.001) but a positive correlation with FHB (0.163, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Power Doppler angiography with Doppler ultrasound demonstrates the ability to establish accurate reference values for fetal aortic blood flow during the first trimester of pregnancy. Notably, aortic PS, TAMV, and ISI exhibit significant correlations with NT, CRL, and FHB, with ISI appearing more relevant than IFI, PS, TAMV, and FHB. The utilization of HDFI technology proves advantageous in efficiently detecting the site of the aortic isthmus compared to traditional color Doppler mode in early second trimesters.