Quantum Light Generation Based on GaN Microring toward Fully On-Chip Source.

An integrated quantum light source is increasingly desirable in large-scale quantum information processing. Despite recent remarkable advances, a new material platform is constantly being explored for the fully on-chip integration of quantum light generation, active and passive manipulation, and detection. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate a gallium nitride (GaN) microring based quantum light generation in the telecom C-band, which has potential toward the monolithic integration of quantum light source. In our demonstration, the GaN microring has a free spectral range of 330 GHz and a near-zero anomalous dispersion region of over 100 nm. The generation of energy-time entangled photon pair is demonstrated with a typical raw two-photon interference visibility of 95.5±6.5%, which is further configured to generate a heralded single photon with a typical heralded second-order autocorrelation g_{H}^{(2)}(0) of 0.045±0.001. Our results pave the way for developing a chip-scale quantum photonic circuit.

DTKGIN: Predicting drug-target interactions based on knowledge graph and intent graph.

Knowledge graph intent graph attention mechanism Predicting drug-target interactions (DTIs) plays a crucial role in drug discovery and drug development. Considering the high cost and risk of biological experiments, developing computational approaches to explore the interactions between drugs and targets can effectively reduce the time and cost of drug development. Recently, many methods have made significant progress in predicting DTIs. However, existing approaches still suffer from the high sparsity of DTI datasets and the cold start problem. In this paper, we develop a new model to predict drug-target interactions via a knowledge graph and intent graph named DTKGIN. Our method can effectively capture biological environment information for targets and drugs by mining their associated relations in the knowledge graph and considering drug-target interactions at a fine-grained level in the intent graph. DTKGIN learns the representation of drugs and targets from the knowledge graph and the intent graph. Then the probabilities of interactions between drugs and targets are obtained through the inner product of the representation of drugs and targets. Experimental results show that our proposed method outperforms other state-of-the-art methods in 10-fold cross-validation, especially in cold-start experimental settings. Furthermore, the case studies demonstrate the effectiveness of DTKGIN in predicting potential drug-target interactions. The code is available on GitHub: https://github.com/Royluoyi123/DTKGIN.

Dinitrogen Cleavage and Multicoupling with Isocyanides in a Dititanium Dihydride Framework.

Dinitrogen (N2) activation and functionalization through N-N bond cleavage and N-C bond formation are of great interest and importance but remain highly challenging. We report here for the first time N2 cleavage and selective multicoupling with isocyanides in a dititanium dihydride framework. The reaction of a dinitrogen dititanium dihydride complex [{(acriPNP)Ti}2(µ-η1:η2-N2)(µ-H)2] (1) with an excess (four or more equivalents) of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide at room temperature gave a novel amidoamidinatoguanidinate complex [(acriPNP)Ti{NC(═NR)NC(═NR)CH2NR}Ti(acriPNP)(CNR)] (2, acriPNP = 4,5-bis(diisopropylphosphino)-2,7,9,9-tetramethyl-9H-acridin-10-ide; R = p-MeOC6H4) through N2 splitting and coupling with three isocyanide molecules. When 1 equiv of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide was used to react with 1 at -30 °C, the hydrogenation of the isocyanide unit by the two hydride ligands in 1 took place, affording an amidomethylene-bridged dititanium dinitrogen complex [{(acriPNP)Ti}2(µ-η1:η2-N2){µ-η1:η2-CH2N(p-MeOC6H4)}] (3), which upon reaction with another equivalent of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide at room temperature gave an amidomethylene/nitrido/carbodiimido complex [(acriPNP)Ti(N═C═NR)(µ-N)(µ-η1:η2-CH2NR)Ti(acriPNP)] (4) through N2 cleavage and N═C bond formation. Further reaction of 4 with 1 equiv of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide led to an unprecedented four-component (carbodiimido, nitrido, isocyanide, and amidomethylene) coupling, yielding an amidoamidinatoguanidinate complex [{(acriPNP)Ti}2{NC(═NR)NC(═NR)CH2NR}] (5), which on reaction with another equivalent of p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide afforded the isocyanide-coordinated analogue 2. The reaction of 1 with 2-naphthyl isocyanide also took place in a similar multicoupling fashion. Moreover, the cross-coupling reactions of the p-methoxyphenyl isocyanide-derived amidomethylene/nitrido/carbodiimido complex 4 with 2-naphthyl isocyanide, cyclohexyl isocyanide, and tert-butyl isocyanide were also achieved, which afforded the corresponding amidoamidinatoguanidinate products consisting of two different isocyanides. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further elucidated the mechanistic details.

Aneurinibacillus uraniidurans sp. nov., a uranium-resistant bacterium isolated from uranium-contaminated soil.

A novel Gram-positive strain, B1T, was isolated from uranium-contaminated soil. The strain was aerobic, rod-shaped, spore-forming, and motile. The strain was able to grow at 20-45 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0, and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. The complete genome size of the novel strain was 3 853 322 bp. The genomic DNA G+C content was 45.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain B1T has the highest similarity to Aneurinibacillus soli CB4T (96. 71 %). However, the novel strain showed an average nucleotide identity value of 89.02 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 37.40 % with strain CB4T based on the genome sequences. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The predominate respiratory quinone was MK7. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid were identified as the major polar lipids. The phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses showed that strain B1T represents a novel species of the genus Aneurinibacillus, for which the name Aneurinibacillus uraniidurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B1T (=GDMCC 1.4080T=JCM 36228T). Experiments have shown that strain B1T demonstrates uranium tolerance.

Neutrophil-mediated innate immune resistance to bacterial pneumonia is dependent on Tet2 function.

Individuals with clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) are at increased risk of aging related health conditions and all-cause mortality, but whether CHIP impacts risk of infection is much less clear. Using UK Biobank data, we revealed a positive association between CHIP and incident pneumonia in 438,421 individuals. We show that inflammation enhanced pneumonia risk, as CHIP carriers with a hypomorphic IL6 receptor polymorphism were protected. To better characterize the pathways of susceptibility, we challenged hematopoietic Tet Methylcytosine Dioxygenase 2 knockout (Tet2-/-) and floxed control mice (Tet2f/f) with Streptococcus pneumoniae. As with human CHIP carriers, Tet2-/- mice had hematopoietic abnormalities resulting in the expansion of inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils in peripheral blood. Yet, these cells were insufficient in defending against S. pneumoniae and resulted in increased pathology, impaired bacterial clearance, and higher mortality in Tet2-/- mice. We delineated the transcriptional landscape of Tet2-/- neutrophils and found that while inflammation-related pathways were upregulated in Tet2-/- neutrophils, migration and motility pathways were compromised. Using live-imaging techniques, we demonstrated impairments in motility, pathogen uptake and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation by Tet2-/- neutrophils. Collectively, we show that CHIP is a risk factor for bacterial pneumonia related to innate immune impairments.

Landscape and risk assessment of microplastic contamination in farmed oysters and seawater along the coastline of China.

Microplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant threat to marine ecosystem and seafood safety. However, comprehensive and comparable assessments of MP profiles and their ecological and health in Chinese farming oysters are lacking. This study utilized laser infrared imaging spectrometer (LDIR) to quantify MPs in oysters and its farming seawater at 18 sites along Chinese coastlines. Results revealed a total of 3492 MPs in farmed oysters and seawater, representing 34 MP types, with 20-100 µm MP fragments being the dominant. Polyurethane (PU) emerged as the predominant MP type in oysters, while polysulfones were more commonly detected in seawater. Notably, oysters from the Bohai Sea exhibited a higher abundance of MPs (13.62 ± 2.02 items/g) and estimated daily microplastic intake (EDI, 2.14 ± 0.26 items/g/kg·bw/day), indicating a greater potential health risk in the area. Meanwhile, seawater from the Yellow Sea displayed a higher level (193.0 ± 110.7 items/L), indicating a greater ecological risk in this region. Given the pervasiveness and abundance of PU and its high correlation with other MP types, we proposed PU as a promising indicator for monitoring and assessing the risk MP pollution in mariculture in China. These findings provide valuable insights into the extent and characteristics of MP pollution in farmed oysters and seawater in China.

Biomimetic design and clinical application of Ti-6Al-4V lattice hemipelvis prosthesis for pelvic reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to biomimetic design a new 3D-printed lattice hemipelvis prosthesis and evaluate its clinical efficiency for pelvic reconstruction following tumor resection, focusing on feasibility, osseointegration, and patient outcomes. METHODS: From May 2020 to October 2021, twelve patients with pelvic tumors underwent tumor resection and subsequently received 3D-printed lattice hemipelvis prostheses for pelvic reconstruction. The prosthesis was strategically incorporated with lattice structures and solid to optimize mechanical performance and osseointegration. The pore size and porosity were analyzed. Patient outcomes were assessed through a combination of clinical and radiological evaluations. RESULTS: Multiple pore sizes were observed in irregular porous structures, with a wide distribution range (approximately 300-900 µm). The average follow-up of 34.7 months, ranging 26 from to 43 months. One patient with Ewing sarcoma died of pulmonary metastasis 33 months after surgery while others were alive at the last follow-up. Postoperative radiographs showed that the prosthesis's position was consistent with the preoperative planning. T-SMART images showed that the host bone was in close and tight contact with the prosthesis with no gaps at the interface. The average MSTS score was 21 at the last follow-up, ranging from 18 to 24. There was no complication requiring revision surgery or removal of the 3D-printed hemipelvis prosthesis, such as infection, screw breakage, and prosthesis loosening. CONCLUSION: The newly designed 3D-printed lattice hemipelvis prosthesis created multiple pore sizes with a wide distribution range and resulted in good osteointegration and favorable limb function.

Water-Ice Microstructures and Hydration States of Acridinium Iodide Studied by Phosphorescence Spectroscopy.

Ice has been suggested to have played a significant role in the origin of life partly owing to its ability to concentrate organic molecules and promote reaction efficiency. However, the techniques for studying organic molecules in ice are absorption-based, which limits the sensitivity of measurements. Here we introduce an emission-based method to study organic molecules in water ice: the phosphorescence displays high sensitivity depending on the hydration state of an organic salt probe, acridinium iodide (ADI). The designed ADI aqueous system exhibits phosphorescence that can be severely perturbed when the temperature is higher than 110 K at a concentration of the order of 10-5M, indicating changes in hydration for ADI. Using the ADI phosphorescent probe, it is found that the microstructures of water ice, i.e., crystalline vs. glassy, can be strongly dictated by a trace amount (as low as 10-5M) of water-soluble organic molecules. Consistent with cryoSEM images and temperature-dependent Raman spectral data, the ADI is dehydrated in more crystalline ice and hydrated in more glassy ice. The current investigation serves as a starting point for using more sensitive spectroscopic techniques for studying water-organics interactions at a much lower concentration and wider temperature range.

A wideband, high-resolution vector spectrum analyzer for integrated photonics.

The analysis of optical spectra-emission or absorption-has been arguably the most powerful approach for discovering and understanding matter. The invention and development of many kinds of spectrometers have equipped us with versatile yet ultra-sensitive diagnostic tools for trace gas detection, isotope analysis, and resolving hyperfine structures of atoms and molecules. With proliferating data and information, urgent and demanding requirements have been placed today on spectrum analysis with ever-increasing spectral bandwidth and frequency resolution. These requirements are especially stringent for broadband laser sources that carry massive information and for dispersive devices used in information processing systems. In addition, spectrum analyzers are expected to probe the device's phase response where extra information is encoded. Here we demonstrate a novel vector spectrum analyzer (VSA) that is capable of characterizing passive devices and active laser sources in one setup. Such a dual-mode VSA can measure loss, phase response, and dispersion properties of passive devices. It also can coherently map a broadband laser spectrum into the RF domain. The VSA features a bandwidth of 55.1 THz (1260-1640 nm), a frequency resolution of 471 kHz, and a dynamic range of 56 dB. Meanwhile, our fiber-based VSA is compact and robust. It requires neither high-speed modulators and photodetectors nor any active feedback control. Finally, we employ our VSA for applications including characterization of integrated dispersive waveguides, mapping frequency comb spectra, and coherent light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Our VSA presents an innovative approach for device analysis and laser spectroscopy, and can play a critical role in future photonic systems and applications for sensing, communication, imaging, and quantum information processing.

Deep Phenotyping the Anterior Urethral Stricture: Characterizing the Relationship Between Inflammation, Fibrosis, Patient History and Disease Pathophysiology.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior urethral stricture disease (aUSD) is a complex, heterogeneous condition which is idiopathic in origin for most men. This gap in knowledge rarely affects the current management strategy for aUSD, as urethroplasty does not generally consider etiology. However, as we transition towards personalized, minimally invasive treatments for aUSD and begin to consider aUSD prevention strategies, disease pathophysiology will become increasingly important. The purpose of this study was to perform a deep phenotype of men undergoing anterior urethroplasty for aUSD. We hypothesized that unique biologic signatures and potential targets for intervention would emerge based on stricture presence/absence, stricture etiology, and the presence/absence of stricture inflammation. MATERIALS/METHODS: Men with aUSD undergoing urethroplasty were recruited from one of five participating centers. Enrollees provided urethral stricture tissue and blood/serum on the day of surgery and completed patient reported outcome measure questionnaires both pre and post-operatively. The initial study had three aims: (1) to determine pediatric and adult subacute and repeated perineal trauma (SRPT) exposures using a study-specific SRPT questionnaire (2) to determine the degree of inflammation and fibrosis in aUSD and peri-aUSD (normal urethra) tissue and (3) to determine levels of systemic inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines. Two controls groups provided serum (normal vasectomy patients) and urethral tissue (autopsy patients). Cohorts were based on the presence/absence of stricture, by presumed stricture etiology (idiopathic, traumatic/iatrogenic, lichen sclerosus [LS]), and by the presence/absence of stricture inflammation. RESULTS: Of 138 enrolled men (120 tissue/serum; 18 stricture tissue only), 78 had idiopathic strictures, 33 had trauma-related strictures, and 27 had LS-related strictures. BMI, stricture length, and stricture location significantly differed between cohorts (P < .001 for each). The highest BMIs and the longest strictures were observed in the LS cohort. SRPT exposures did not significantly differ between etiology cohorts, with > 60% of each reporting low/mild risk. Stricture inflammation significantly differed between cohorts, with mild to severe inflammation present in 27% of trauma-related strictures, 54% of idiopathic strictures, and 48% of LS strictures (P = 0.036). Stricture fibrosis did not significantly differ between cohorts (P = .7). Three serum cytokines were significantly higher in patients with strictures compared to stricture-free controls: IL-9 (P = .001), PDGF-BB (P = 0.004), and CCL5 (P = .01). No differences were observed in the levels of these cytokines based on stricture etiology. However, IL-9 levels were significantly higher in patients with inflamed strictures than in patients with strictures lacking inflammation (P = .019). Degree of stricture inflammation positively correlated with serum levels of IL-9 (Spearman's rho 0.224, P = .014). CONCLUSION: The most common aUSD etiology is idiopathic. Though convention has implicated SRPT as causative for idiopathic strictures, here we found that patients with idiopathic strictures had low SRPT rates that were similar to rates in patients with a known stricture etiology. Stricture and stricture-adjacent inflammation in idiopathic stricture were similar to LS strictures, suggesting shared pathophysiologic mechanisms. IL-9, PDGF-BB and CCL5, which were elevated patients with strictures, have been implicated in fibrotic conditions elsewhere in the body. Further work will be required to determine if this shared biologic signature represents a potential mechanism for an aUSD predisposition.

Theoretical and computational methods for tip- and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Raman spectroscopy is a versatile tool for acquiring molecular structure information. The incorporation of plasmonic fields has significantly enhanced the sensitivity and resolution of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). The strong spatial confinement effect of plasmonic fields has challenged the conventional Raman theory, in which a plane wave approximation for the light has been adopted. In this review, we comprehensively survey the progress of a generalized theory for SERS and TERS in the framework of effective field Hamiltonian (EFH). With this approach, all characteristics of localized plasmonic fields can be well taken into account. By employing EFH, quantitative simulations at the first-principles level for state-of-the-art experimental observations have been achieved, revealing the underlying intrinsic physics in the measurements. The predictive power of EFH is demonstrated by several new phenomena generated from the intrinsic spatial, momentum, time, and energy structures of the localized plasmonic field. The corresponding experimental verifications are also carried out briefly. A comprehensive computational package for modeling of SERS and TERS at the first-principles level is introduced. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future developments of theory and experiments for SERS and TERS.

Association of serum uric acid with right cardiac chamber remodeling assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking in patients with connective tissue disease.

Background: Right cardiac chamber remodeling is widespread in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). Serum uric acid (SUA) is considered a potential independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and elevated SUA levels are often observed in patients with CTD. The correlation between SUA levels and right cardiac chamber remodeling remains unclear. This study investigated the association of SUA with right cardiac chamber remodeling as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance feature-tracking (CMR-FT) in CTD patients. Methods and results: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 104 CTD patients and 52 age- and sex-matched controls were consecutively recruited. All individuals underwent CMR imaging, and their SUA levels were recorded. The patients were divided into three subgroups based on the tertiles of SUA level in the present study. CMR-FT was used to evaluate the right atrial (RA) longitudinal strain and strain rate parameters as well as right ventricular (RV) global systolic peak strain and strain rate in longitudinal and circumferential directions for each subject. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to explore the association of SUA with RV and RA strain parameters. Compared with the controls, the CTD patients showed significantly higher SUA levels but a lower RV global circumferential strain (GCS) and RA phasic strain parameters (all p < 0.05), except the RA booster strain rate. RV GCS remained impaired even in CTD patients with preserved RV ejection fraction. Among subgroups, the patients in the third tertile had significantly impaired RV longitudinal strain (GLS), RV GCS, and RA reservoir and conduit strain compared with those in the first tertile (all p < 0.05). The SUA levels were negatively correlated with RV GLS and RV GCS as well as with RA reservoir and conduit strain and strain rates (the absolute values of ß were 0.250 to 0.293, all P < 0.05). In the multivariable linear regression analysis, the SUA level was still an independent determinant of RA conduit strain (ß = -0.212, P = 0.035) and RV GCS (ß = 0.207, P = 0.019). Conclusion: SUA may be a potential risk factor of right cardiac chamber remodeling and is independently associated with impaired RA conduit strain and RV GCS in CTD patients.

High temperature and humidity in the environment disrupt bile acid metabolism, the gut microbiome, and GLP-1 secretion in mice.

High temperature and humidity in the environment are known to be associated with discomfort and disease, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We observed a decrease in plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 levels in response to high-temperature and humidity conditions. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, alterations in the gut microbiota composition were identified following exposure to high temperature and humidity conditions. Notably, changes in the gut microbiota have been implicated in bile acid synthesis. Further analysis revealed a decrease in lithocholic acid levels in high-temperature and humidity conditions. Subsequent in vitro experiments demonstrated that lithocholic acid increases glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in NCI-H716 cells. Proteomic analysis indicated upregulation of farnesoid X receptor expression in the ileum. In vitro experiments revealed that the combination of lithocholic acid with farnesoid X receptor inhibitors resulted in a significant increase in GLP-1 levels compared to lithocholic acid alone. In this study, we elucidate the mechanism by which reduced lithocholic acid suppresses glucagon-like peptide 1 via farnesoid X receptor activation under high-temperature and humidity condition.

M1/M4 receptors as potential therapeutic treatments for schizophrenia: A comprehensive study.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) play a significant role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Although activating mAChRs holds potential in addressing the full range of schizophrenia symptoms, clinical application of many non-selective mAChR agonists in cognitive deficits, positive and negative symptoms is hindered by peripheral side effects (gastrointestinal disturbances and cardiovascular effects) and dosage restrictions. Ligands binding to the allosteric sites of mAChRs, particularly the M1 and M4 subtypes, demonstrate activity in improving cognitive function and amelioration of positive and negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia, enhancing our understanding of schizophrenia. The article aims to critically examine current design concepts and clinical advancements in synthesizing and designing small molecules targeting M1/M4, providing theoretical insights and empirical support for future research in this field.

A p21-ATD mouse model for monitoring and eliminating senescent cells and its application in liver regeneration post injury.

Cellular senescence associates with pathological aging and tissue dysfunctions. Studies utilizing mouse models for cell lineage tracings have emphasized the importance of senescence heterogeneity in different organs and cell types. Here, we constructed a p21- (Akaluc - tdTomato - Diphtheria Toxin Receptor [DTR]) (ATD) mouse model to specifically study the undefined mechanism for p21-expressing senescent cells in the aged and liver injury animals. The successful expressions of these genes enabled in vitro flow cytometric sorting, in vivo tracing, and elimination of p21-expressing senescent cells. During the natural aging process, p21-expressing cells were found in various tissues of p21-ATD mice. Eliminating p21-expressing cells in the aged p21-ATD mice recovered their multiple biological functions. p21-ATD/Fah-/- mice, bred from p21-ATD mice and fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah)-/- mice of liver injury, showed that the majority of their senescent hepatocytes were the phenotype of p21+ rather than p16+. Furthermore, eliminating the p21-expressing hepatocytes significantly promoted the engraftment of grafted hepatocytes and facilitated liver repopulation, resulting in significant recovery from liver injury. Our p21-ATD mouse model serves as an optimal model for studying the pattern and function of p21-expressing senescent cells under the physical and pathological conditions during aging.

Mechanism of dexmedetomidine protection against cisplatin induced acute kidney injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the molecular mechanisms by which dexmedetomidine (Dex) alleviates cisplatin (CP)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. METHODS: CP-induced AKI models were established, and Dex was intraperitoneally injected at different concentrations into rats in the model groups. Subsequently, rats were assigned to the control, CP, CP + Dex 10 µg/kg, and CP + Dex 25 µg/kg groups. After weighing the kidneys of the rats, the kidney arterial resistive index was calculated, and CP-induced AKI was evaluated. In addition, four serum biochemical indices were measured: histopathological damage in rat kidneys was detected; levels of inflammatory factors, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-18, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, in kidney tissue homogenate of rats were assessed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and levels of NLRP-3, caspase-1, cleaved caspase-1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and GSDMD-N in kidney tissues of rats were determined via western blotting. RESULTS: Dex treatment reduced nephromegaly and serum clinical marker upregulation caused by CP-induced AKI. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that Dex treatment relieved CP-induced kidney tissue injury in AKI rats. ELISA analyses demonstrated that Dex treatment reduced the upregulated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the kidney tissue of AKI rats induced by CP, thereby alleviating kidney tissue injury. Western blotting indicated that Dex alleviated CP-induced AKI by inhibiting pyroptosis mediated by NLRP-3 and caspase-1. CONCLUSION: Dex protected rats from CP-induced AKI, and the mechanism may be related to NLRP-3/Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis.

Mean platelet volume is associated with periodontitis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: It is uncertain if mean platelet volume and periodontitis are related. The objective of this study was to examine the association between levels of mean platelet volume and moderate/severe periodontitis in adult persons who inhabit the U.S. METHODS: We screened 6,809 people from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2009-2012). Mean platelet volume was measured in the Mobile Examination Centers (MECs) using the Beckman Coulter analyzer. The category of periodontitis was defined by the CDC/AAP using clinical periodontal parameters. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to examine the distribution for covariate differences across the various independent groups. Four models were employed to examine the relationship between mean platelet volume level and periodontitis. Smoothed curve fitting was utilized to confirm the linearity of the relationships. To determine the impact of factors on the connection between MPV and periodontitis, subgroup analysis and interaction testing were utilized. RESULTS: Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis indicate a significant association between moderate/severe periodontitis and the mean platelet level, even after considering any potential confounding variables (OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.019-1.166, P-value = 0.01211). Additionally, those in the upper tertile of mean platelet volume levels had a 21.6% higher probability of developing periodontitis when compared with those in the least tertile of mean platelet levels (OR = 1.216, 95% CI:1.052-1.406, P-value = 0.00816). Moreover, it showed a positive correlation between mean platelet volume (MPV) and moderate/severe periodontitis. Subgroup analyses indicated a positive association between the level of mean platelet volume and moderate/severe periodontitis among individuals who were under 60 years of age, had low income, were obese, never smoked, were heavy drinkers, had hypertension, and had no cardiovascular disease (p < 0.05). However, none of the subgroups exhibited significant interactions (p for interaction > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A correlation has been found between mean platelet volume levels and periodontal disease in individuals residing in the United States.

Custom-tailored hole transport layer using oxalic acid for high-quality tin-lead perovskites and efficient all-perovskite tandems.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) have exhibited higher efficiencies than single-junction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) but still suffer from the unsatisfactory performance of low-bandgap (LBG) tin-lead (Sn-Pb) subcells. The inherent properties of PEDOT:PSS are crucial to high-performance Sn-Pb perovskite films and devices; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully explored and revealed. Here, we report a facile oxalic acid treatment of PEDOT:PSS (OA-PEDOT:PSS) to precisely regulate its work function and surface morphology. OA-PEDOT:PSS shows a larger work function and an ordered reorientation and fiber-shaped film morphology with efficient hole transport pathways, leading to the formation of more ideal hole-selective contact with Sn-Pb perovskite for suppressing interfacial nonradiative recombination losses. Moreover, OA-PEDOT:PSS induces (100) preferred orientation growth of perovskite for higher-quality Sn-Pb films. Last, the OA-PEDOT:PSS-tailored LBG PSC yields an impressive efficiency of up to 22.56% (certified 21.88%), enabling 27.81% efficient all-perovskite TSC with enhanced operational stability.

Psychological and physical side effects during G-CSF mobilization in related donors of allo-HCT.

The psychological side effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilization in related donors of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) and impacts of psychological/physical side effects on harvest outcomes remain largely unknown. We prospectively analyzed 349 consecutive related peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors for allo-HCT at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine from March 2021 to August 2023. Higher baseline peripheral blood white blood cell counts (p = 0.046), monocyte counts (p < 0.001), platelet counts (p = 0.001), and hemoglobin (p < 0.001) had a positive correlation to CD34+ cell counts in the first leukapheresis, while female donors (male vs. female, p < 0.001) and older age (> 40 vs. < = 40, p = 0.003) were negatively related to CD34+ cell counts. Bone pain was the most observed physical side effect and was more frequent in female donors (p = 0.032). The incidence of fatigue was higher in female donors and older donors (female vs. male, p = 0.016; > 40 vs. < = 40, p = 0.015). Donor depression (pre vs. during mobilization, p < 0.001), anxiety (pre vs. during mobilization, p = 0.043) and insomnia (pre vs. during mobilization, p = 0.011) scores increased during the mobilization period. Donors with higher depression, anxiety and stress scores at admission were more likely to experience nausea. At 1 month after the last leukapheresis, the counts of white blood cell, neutrophil, monocyte and hemoglobin were significant lower than baseline counts, while the platelet counts recovered to baseline. The mobilization and harvest process can increase the depression, anxiety and insomnia scores. Poor psychological status of the donor can aggravate the occurrence of physical side effects.