Chaotropic Effect-Induced Sol-Gel Transition and Radical Stabilization for Bacterially Sensitive Near-Infrared Photothermal Therapy.

Deep-seated bacterial infections (DBIs) are stubborn and deeply penetrate tissues. Eliminating deep-seated bacteria and promoting tissue regeneration remain great challenges. Here, a novel radical-containing hydrogel (SFT-B Gel) cross-linked by a chaotropic effect was designed for the sensing of DBIs and near-infrared photothermal therapy (NIR-II PTT). A silk fibroin solution stained with 4,4',4″-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tris(1-methylpyridin-1-ium) (TPT3+) was employed as the backbone, which could be cross-linked by a closo-dodecaborate cluster (B12H122-) through a chaotropic effect to form the SFT-B Gel. More interestingly, the SFT-B Gel exhibited the ability to sense DBIs, which could generate a TPT2+• radical with obvious color changes in the presence of bacteria. The radical-containing SFT-B Gel (SFT-B★ Gel) possessed strong NIR-II absorption and a remarkable photothermal effect, thus demonstrating excellent NIR-II PTT antibacterial activity for the treatment of DBIs. This work provides a new approach for the construction of intelligent hydrogels with unique properties using a chaotropic effect.

Patterns of sex behaviors and factors associated with condomless anal intercourse during the COVID-19 pandemic among men who have sex with men in Hong Kong: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study examined the patterns of sex behaviors before and during COVID-19, and identified the factors associated with condomless anal intercourse during COVID-19 from individual, interpersonal, and contextual level among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Hong Kong. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in Hong Kong. A total of 463 MSM completed a cross-sectional telephone survey between March 2021 and January 2022. RESULTS: Among all participants, the mean number of regular sex partners, non-regular sex partners, and casual sex partners during the COVID-19 period were 1.24, 2.09, and 0.08 respectively. Among those who had sex with regular, non-regular, and casual sex partner during the COVID-19 period, respectively 52.4%, 31.8% and 46.7% reported condomless anal intercourse. Compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, participants reported significantly fewer number of regular and non-regular sex partners during the COVID-19 period. However, a higher level of condomless anal intercourse with all types of sex partners during the COVID-19 period was also observed. Adjusted for significant socio-demographic variables, results from logistic regression analyses revealed that perceived severity of COVID-19 (aOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.58, 0.88), COVID-19 risk reduction behaviors in general (aOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.48, 0.96), COVID-19 risk reduction behaviors during sex encounters (aOR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.30, 0.66), condom negotiation (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.44, 0.86), and collective efficacy (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.64, 0.98) were protective factors of condomless anal intercourse with any type of sex partners during the COVID-19 period. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 control measures have caused a dramatic impact on the sexual behavior of MSM in Hong Kong. Interventions that promote condom use during the COVID-19 pandemic are still needed and such interventions could emphasize prevention of both COVID-19 and HIV.

Supramolecular coordination platinum metallacycle-based multilevel wound dressing for bacteria sensing and wound healing.

The exploitation of novel wound healing methods with real-time infection sensing and high spatiotemporal precision is highly important for human health. Pt-based metal-organic cycles/cages (MOCs) have been employed as multifunctional antibacterial agents due to their superior Pt-related therapeutic efficiency, various functional subunits and specific geometries. However, how to rationally apply these nanoscale MOCs on the macroscale with controllable therapeutic output is still challenging. Here, a centimeter-scale Pt MOC film was constructed via multistage assembly and subsequently coated on a N,N'-dimethylated dipyridinium thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole (MPT)-stained silk fabric to form a smart wound dressing for bacterial sensing and wound healing. The MPT on silk fabric could be used to monitor wound infection in real-time through the bacteria-mediated reduction of MPT to its radical form via a color change. The MPT radical also exhibited an excellent photothermal effect under 660 nm light irradiation, which could not only be applied for photothermal therapy but also induce the disassembly of the Pt MOC film suprastructure. The highly ordered Pt MOC film suprastructure exhibited high biosafety, while it also showed improved antibacterial efficiency after thermally induced disassembly. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the combination of the Pt MOC film and MPT-stained silk can provide real-time information on wound infection for timely treatment through noninvasive techniques. This study paves the way for bacterial sensing and wound healing with centimeter-scale metal-organic materials.

Influences of mpox disease perceptions, sources and contents of information exposure on mpox vaccine uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Hong Kong, China.

BACKGROUND: Following the global mpox outbreak in 2022, multiple regions in Asia have been reporting ongoing mpox cases within high-risk groups, including gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). An optimal level of vaccination rate is essential to prevent further mpox outbreaks. However, no existing studies have examined mpox vaccine uptake among GBMSM in East Asia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a sample of 531 GBMSM in Hong Kong, China, between March and October 2023. The study used multivariable logistic regression models to investigate the associations between mpox-related disease perceptions, exposures to sources and contents of mpox-related information, and mpox vaccine uptake. RESULTS: The prevalence of mpox vaccine uptake among GBMSM in Hong Kong was 21.7%, with 7.7% completing one dose and 13.9% completing two doses. GBMSM who were younger or earning less monthly income were less likely to have been vaccinated. After adjusting for confounding variables, participants who perceived more negative impacts on their lives if they were to contract mpox, more severe symptoms, and a more coherent understanding of mpox were positively associated with mpox vaccine uptake. In addition, more frequent exposure to information through the following sources: TV, newspaper, radio and posters, government websites, news websites or apps, other people's social media, and communication over the phone or face-to-face was positively associated with mpox vaccine uptake. Finally, more frequent exposure to the following information contents: mpox statistics from other countries, the Hong Kong government's responses to mpox cases, negative information about patients with mpox, and information on prevention and treatment of mpox were positively associated with mpox vaccine uptake. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides timely and evidence-based implications to address health communication and messaging needs in promoting mpox vaccination among GBMSM in Hong Kong, relevant to regions with similar sociocultural contexts.

Exploring mother-daughter communication and social media influence on HPV vaccine refusal for daughters aged 9-17 years in a cross-sectional survey of 11,728 mothers in China.

This study investigated the influences of mother-daughter communication and social media on mothers' HPV vaccine refusal for their daughters aged 9-17. A cross-sectional online survey among 11,728 mothers of girls aged 9-17 in Shenzhen, China was implemented between July and October 2023. Multi-level logistic regression models were fitted. Among 11,728 participants, 43.2% refused to have their daughters receive an HPV vaccination. In multivariate analysis, more openness in the mother-daughter communication (AOR: 0.99, 95%CI: 0.98, 0.99), perceived more positive outcomes of mother-daughter communication (AOR: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.75, 0.79), higher frequency of exposure to testimonials about daughters' HPV vaccination (AOR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.78, 0.85) and information encouraging parents to vaccinate their daughters against HPV on social media (AOR: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.73, 0.79), and thoughtful consideration of the veracity of the information specific to HPV vaccines (AOR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.77, 0.83) were associated with lower vaccine refusal. Mothers who were not the main decision-makers of daughters' HPV vaccination (AOR: 1.28 to 1.46), negative outcome expectancies of mother-daughter communication (AOR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.08), and mothers' HPV vaccine refusal (AOR: 2.81, 95%CI: 2.58, 3.06) were associated with higher vaccine refusal for their daughters. The level of mothers' HPV vaccine refusal for their daughters was high in China. Openness and outcome expectancies of mother-daughter communication and information exposure on social media were considered key determinants of HPV vaccine refusal for daughters. Future HPV vaccination programs should consider these interpersonal factors.

In situ grown Bi2WO6@CoMoO4 layered cladding structure on carbon nanofibers by a two-step solvothermal method and Ti mesh substrate as advanced counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells.

Based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with excellent electrical conductivity, a three-layer cladding structure CNFs@Bi2WO6@CoMoO4 material was prepared by a two-step solvothermal method, which effectively combines the great catalytic ability of transition metal oxides with the good conductivity of CNFs. Titanium (Ti) mesh was used as the conductive substrate and CNFs@Bi2WO6@CoMoO4 was scraped on it to prepare paired counter electrodes (CEs), and then dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were assembled by unifying with photoanode and iodine electrolyte. The photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.41% (with Voc of 0.784 V, Jsc of 17.90 mA cm-2 and FF of 0.72) was obtained under standard light conditions (AM 1.5 G). In brief, this study found a cheaper and better alternative material for Pt and also provides more possibilities for the selection of conductive substrate for CEs.

Epigenetic marks or not? The discovery of novel DNA modifications in eukaryotes.

DNA modifications add another layer of complexity to the eukaryotic genome to regulate gene expression, playing critical roles as epigenetic marks. In eukaryotes, the study of DNA epigenetic modifications has been confined to 5mC and its derivatives for decades. However, rapid developing approaches have witnessed the expansion of DNA modification reservoirs during the past several years, including the identification of 6mA, 5gmC, 4mC, and 4acC in diverse organisms. However, whether these DNA modifications function as epigenetic marks requires careful consideration. In this review, we try to present a panorama of all the DNA epigenetic modifications in eukaryotes, emphasizing recent breakthroughs in the identification of novel DNA modifications. The characterization of their roles in transcriptional regulation as potential epigenetic marks is summarized. More importantly, the pathways for generating or eliminating these DNA modifications, as well as the proteins involved are comprehensively dissected. Furthermore, we briefly discuss the potential challenges and perspectives, which should be taken into account while investigating novel DNA modifications.

Men who have sex with men were more depressed than their counterparts because of lower social support and higher loneliness: A comparative survey among Chinese university students.

BACKGROUND: Poor mental health is prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM), including MSM university students (MSMUS), causing a significant burden on their health and society. The study aimed to compare the difference in levels of depressive symptoms between Chinese MSMUS and non-MSMUS and test the mediating roles of social support and loneliness in the relationship between MSM status and depressive symptoms among male university students. METHODS: From June to October 2018, a total of 305 MSMUS and 2447 non-MSMUS from two cities in Sichuan province (China) were investigated using questionnaires. RESULTS: The proportion of depression in the MSMUS and non-MSMUS groups was 54.1 % and 36.4 %, respectively. MSM status, social support, and loneliness were all significantly associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese university students. Structural equation modelling showed that the association between MSM status and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by three indirect paths, including 1) via social support (mediated proportion = 19.4 %), 2) via loneliness (mediated proportion = 19.3 %), and 3) via social support and then loneliness (mediated proportion = 16.1 %). CONCLUSIONS: Depression was prevalent among university students in China, especially MSMUS. The findings increased our understanding of the mediating roles of social support and loneliness in the link between MSM status and depressive symptoms among Chinese male university students, which have great implications for designing interventions to improve their mental health. LIMITATION: The cross-sectional study design limited causal inferences.

On rheological properties of disc-shaped cellulose nanocrystals.

The rheological properties of a substance depend greatly on its morphology, and rod-shaped cellulose nanocrystals (RCNCs) and cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) have been extensively studied for their rheological properties. Nevertheless, the rheological properties of disc-shaped cellulose nanocrystals (DCNCs) with crystalline allomorph II derived from mercerized cellulose remain unknown yet. This work investigated the DCNCs' rheological properties in depth using steady-shear and oscillation measurements. At the same concentration, DCNC's suspension viscosity is lower than that of RCNC; RCNC has an instinct viscosity of 258.2, while DCNC has 187.9. Comparing RCNC suspensions with cellulose nanorods, DCNC has a lower aspect ratio and exhibits a distinct steady shear behavior. Under polarized film, DCNC suspension cannot self-assemble into chiral or liquid crystal phases, and with increasing concentrations, the system transitions from an isotropic phase to a gel phase. Oscillation sweeps demonstrate that the gel transition occurs at 7 %-8 %. Based on thixotropic recovery sweep outcomes, the high-stress oscillations enhance the network structure of DCNC suspensions, which is significantly different from that of RCNC suspensions. Results demonstrate the unique properties of DCNC, highlighting its application as a rheological modifier.

Integrating a Biomineralized Nanocluster for H2S-Sensitized ROS Bomb against Breast Cancer.

Nanomaterial-assisted chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has received considerable attention in recent years. It outperforms other modalities by its distinctive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through a nonexogenous stimulant. However, CDT is limited by the insufficient content of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Herein, a biodegradable MnS@HA-DOX nanocluster (MnS@HA-DOX NC) was constructed by in situ biomineralization from hyaluronic acid, to enlarge the ROS cascade and boost Mn2+-based CDT. The acid-responsive NCs could quickly degrade after internalization into endo/lysosomes, releasing Mn2+, H2S gas, and anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The Fenton-like reaction catalyzed by Mn2+ was amplified by both H2S and DOX, producing a mass of cytotoxic ·OH radicals. Through the combined action of gas therapy (GT), CDT, and chemotherapy, oxidative stress would be synergistically enhanced, inducing irreversible DNA damage and cell cycle arrest, eventually resulting in cancer cell apoptosis.

Inactivated COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection among Chinese adults in the "living with COVID" era.

The objective of this research was to examine the correlation between the status of inactivated COVID-19 vaccination and self-reported confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults after China entered the "living with COVID" era. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among parents or guardians of students attending all 220 kindergartens and 105 primary or secondary schools in Longhua District of Shenzhen, China during March 1 to 9, 2023. The participating schools invited all parents or guardians of their students to complete the online survey. The study focused on a sub-sample of 68,584 participants who were either unvaccinated (n = 2152) or only receiving inactivated COVID-19 vaccination (n = 66,432). Logistic regression was employed for data analysis. Prior to the implementation of the "living with COVID" policy, 83.5% of the participants received three doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines; 63.0% reported being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 after the policy change. In a multivariate analysis, participants who had received a third dose within the past 6 months were less likely to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, as compared to those who had not completed the primary vaccination series (4-6 months: AOR: 0.84, 95%CI: 0.77, 0.92; ≤3 months: AOR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.73, 0.92). Despite the high coverage, our results suggested that three doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines did not provide adequate protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection among Chinese adults.

Mechanism of the Visible-Light-Promoted C(sp3)-H Oxidation via Uranyl Photocatalysis.

Uranyl cation, as an emerging photocatalyst, has been successfully applied to synthetic chemistry in recent years and displayed remarkable catalytic ability under visible light. However, the molecular-level reaction mechanisms of uranyl photocatalysis are unclear. Here, we explore the mechanism of the stepwise benzylic C-H oxygenation of typical alkyl-substituted aromatics (i.e., toluene, ethylbenzene, and cumene) via uranyl photocatalysis using theoretical and experimental methods. Theoretical calculation results show that the most favorable reaction path for uranyl photocatalytic oxidation is as follows: first, hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from the benzyl position to form a carbon radical ([R•]), then oxygen addition ([R•] + O2 → [ROO•]), then radical-radical combination ([ROO•] + [R•] → [ROOR] → 2[RO•]), and eventually [RO•] reduction to produce alcohols, of which 2° alcohol would further be oxidized to ketones and 1° would be stepwise-oxygenated to acids. The results of the designed verification experiments and the capture of reactive intermediates were consistent with those of theoretical calculations and the previously reported research that the active benzylic C-H would be stepwise-oxygenated in the presence of uranyl. This work deepens our understanding of the HAT mechanism of uranyl photocatalysis and provides important theoretical support for the relevant application of uranyl photocatalysts in organic transformation.

Counseling Supporting HIV Self-Testing and Linkage to Care Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Counseling supporting HIV self-testing (HIVST) is helpful in facilitating linkage to care and promoting behavior changes among men who have sex with men (MSM). Different levels of counseling support for MSM HIVST users may lead to variance in the linkage to care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to synthesize evidence on counseling supporting MSM HIVST users and to conduct a meta-analysis to quantify the proportion of MSM HIVST users who were linked to care. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using predefined eligibility criteria and relevant keywords to retrieve studies from the MEDLINE, Global Health, Web of Science, Embase, APA PsycINFO, and Scopus databases. This search encompassed papers and preprints published between July 3, 2012, and June 30, 2022. Studies were eligible if they reported counseling supporting HIVST or quantitative outcomes for linkage to care among MSM and were published in English. The screening process and data extraction followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool. Data were extracted using random effects models to combine the proportion of HIVST users who were linked to care. Subgroup analyses and metaregression were conducted to assess whether linkage to care varied according to study characteristics. All analyses were performed with R (version 4.2.1; R Foundation for Statistical Computing) using the metafor package. RESULTS: A total of 55 studies published between 2014 and 2021, including 43 observational studies and 12 randomized controlled trials, were identified. Among these studies, 50 (91%) provided active counseling support and 5 (9%) provided passive counseling support. In studies providing active counseling support, most MSM HIVST users were linked to various forms of care, including reporting test results (97.2%, 95% CI 74.3%-99.8%), laboratory confirmation (92.6%, 95% CI 86.1%-96.2%), antiretroviral therapy initiation (90.8%, 95% CI 86.7%-93.7%), and referral to physicians (96.3%, 95% CI 85%-99.2%). In studies providing passive counseling support, fewer MSM HIVST users were linked to laboratory confirmation (78.7%, 95% CI 17.8%-98.4%), antiretroviral therapy initiation (79.1%, 95% CI 48.8%-93.7%), and referral to physicians (79.1%, 95% CI 0%-100%). Multivariate metaregression indicated that a higher number of essential counseling components, a smaller sample size (<300), and the use of mobile health technology to deliver counseling support were associated with better linkage to care. The quality of the studies varied from fair to good with a low to high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Proactively providing counseling support for all users, involving a higher number of essential components in the counseling support, and using mobile health technology could increase the linkage to care among MSM HIVST users. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022346247; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=346247.

Heat accumulation and phase transition induction in a VO2 thin film by a femtosecond pulse-periodic radiation.

The kinetics of optical switching due to the insulator-metal phase transition in a VO2 thin film is studied experimentally at different laser pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs) in the NIR range and compared with temperature kinetics obtained through the thermal conductance calculations. Two switching processes have been found with characteristic times <2 ms and <15 ms depending on the PRF; the former is explained by the accumulation of metallic domains remaining after a single-pulse phase transition, and the latter is referred to the heat accumulation in the film. Consequently, the dynamics of the microscopic domains is leading in the initiation of phase transition under pulse-periodic conditions compared to the macroscopic heat transfer. The reverse transition at the radiation turn-off depends on the PRF with a time coefficient of 17.5 µs/kHz and is determined by the metallic domains' decay in the film. The results are important for understanding the nature of the insulator-metal transition in thin films of VO2 as well as using them in all-optical switches of pulse-periodic laser radiation.

Identification of triangular single crystals of transition metal dichalcogenides based on the detection algorithm.

The distinctive properties and facile integration of 2D materials hold the potential to offer promising avenues for the on-chip photonic devices, and the expeditious and nondestructive identification and localization of diverse fundamental building blocks become key prerequisites. Here, we present a methodology grounded in digital image processing and deep learning, which effectively achieves the detection and precise localization of four monolayer-thick triangular single crystals of transition metal dichalcogenides with the mean average precision above 90%, and the approach demonstrates robust recognition capabilities across varied imaging conditions encompassing both white light and monochromatic light. This stands poised to serve as a potent data-driven tool enhancing the characterizing efficiency and holds the potential to expedite research initiatives and applications founded on the utilization of 2D materials.

Coverage with the First Dose of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Females Aged 9-50 Years in Shenzhen, China: A Surveillance Based on Administrative Health Records in 2023.

China started to offer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to females aged 9-45 years in 2016. However, there was a lack of reports about HPV vaccination coverage in a representative sample of females in China. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the current HPV coverage and associated factors among females aged 9-50 years in Shenzhen, China, based on administrative health records kept by community health centers. A multistage random sampling approach was used. The research team randomly selected 18 community health centers in Shenzhen, and 3118 health records of females aged 9-50 years were then randomly selected from these health centers. Among all participants, 18.7% received at least one dose of HPV vaccination. The highest coverage was observed among females aged 18-26 years (23.4%), followed by those aged 27-35 years (22.0%) and 36-45 years (20.2%). Such coverage was very low among females aged 9-17 years (4.6%) and those aged 46-50 years (3.2%). Among females aged 18 years or above, higher education level, having a family doctor, and permanent residency in Shenzhen were associated with higher HPV vaccination coverage, while older age and being married/divorced were negatively associated with coverage. The HPV vaccination coverage in Shenzhen was 18.7% and there is a strong need for improvement.

A Mechanism Underpinning the Bioenergetic Metabolism-Regulating Function of Gold Nanocatalysts.

Bioenergetic deficits are known to be significant contributors to neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, identifying safe and effective means to address intracellular bioenergetic deficits remains a significant challenge. This work provides mechanistic insights into the energy metabolism-regulating function of colloidal Au nanocrystals, referred to as CNM-Au8, that are synthesized electrochemically in the absence of surface-capping organic ligands. When neurons are subjected to excitotoxic stressors or toxic peptides, treatment of neurons with CNM-Au8 results in dose-dependent neuronal survival and neurite network preservation across multiple neuronal subtypes. CNM-Au8 efficiently catalyzes the conversion of an energetic cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH), into its oxidized counterpart (NAD+ ), which promotes bioenergy production by regulating the intracellular level of adenosine triphosphate. Detailed kinetic measurements reveal that CNM-Au8-catalyzed NADH oxidation obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics and exhibits pH-dependent kinetic profiles. Photoexcited charge carriers and photothermal effect, which result from optical excitations and decay of the plasmonic electron oscillations or the interband electronic transitions in CNM-Au8, are further harnessed as unique leverages to modulate reaction kinetics. As exemplified by this work, Au nanocrystals with deliberately tailored structures and surfactant-free clean surfaces hold great promise for developing next-generation therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases.

Effects of hydrolysis conditions on the morphology of cellulose II nanocrystals (CNC-II) derived from mercerized microcrystalline cellulose.

The properties of cellulose nanocrystals with allomorph II (CNC-II) vary with the sources and the treatments received. In this work, the influences of hydrolysis time, temperature, and the applied acid concentration on the crystal size of CNC-II were investigated by the surface response experimental design. The results showed that temperature was the most significant factor affecting the crystal size of CNC-II during hydrolysis from mercerized cellulose. Then the morphology and colloidal properties of CNC-II were revealed by dynamic laser scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), etc. XRD results indicated that CNC-II had slightly lower crystallinity (80.89 % vs 82.7 %) and larger crystallite size (5.21 vs. 5.13 nm) than CNC-I. TEM and AFM results showed that the morphology of CNC-II were disc-like and rod-like particles, with an average diameter of 14.6 ± 4.7 nm (TEM) and a thickness of 4- 8 nm (AFM). TG and XPS revealed the reduced thermal stability was due to the introduced sulfate groups in CNC-II during hydrolysis. This investigation has addressed the features of CNC-II derived from mercerized cellulose, and it would be promising in fabricating advanced materials.

Outdoor light at night and mortality in the UK Biobank: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: More than 83% of the world's population lives under light-polluted skies while information about health effects of outdoor light at night (LAN) is limited. We examined the association of LAN with natural cause (NC) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality using the UK Biobank. METHODS: We included 273 335 participants recruited between 2006 and 2010. Level of LAN was estimated at each participant's address using time-varying satellite data for a composite of persistent night-time illumination at ~1 km2 scale. Information on causes of death until 12 November 2021 was obtained through record linkage. Cox proportional hazards regression was used. RESULTS: In the follow-up with an average of 12.4 years, 14 864 NC and 3100 CVD deaths were identified. Compared with the participants exposed to the first quartile of LAN, participants exposed to the highest quartile showed an 8% higher risk of NC mortality (HR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.13) after adjusting for age, sex, social-economic status, shift work, lifestyle factors and body mass index. However, the association disappeared after further adjustment for PM2.5 and evening noise, with HRs (95% CIs) of 1.02 (0.97 to 1.07), 1.01 (0.97 to 1.06) and 1.03 (0.97 to 1.08), respectively, for the participants exposed to the second, third and fourth quartiles of LAN. No significant associations were observed between LAN and CVD mortality, either. CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe significant associations of LAN with NC and CVD mortality in this large nationwide cohort. The health effects of LAN remain unclear. Further studies are warranted to address this public health concern.

Nonlinear optical properties and ultrafast carrier dynamics of ultrathin ReSe2.

Rhenium diselenide (ReSe2) has shown great application potential in the field of optical devices because of its excellent optoelectronic properties. In this study, we systematically investigated the nonlinear optical absorption properties of mono- and bi-layer ReSe2 and the ultrafast carrier dynamics process in the ultraviolet to near-infrared spectral range as the essential foundational groundwork for harnessing the potential of ultrathin ReSe2-based optoelectronic devices. We found that ReSe2 has excellent nonlinear absorption performance and a low saturation absorption intensity that is better than that of many semiconductor materials. Meanwhile, pump-probe and transient absorption technology revealed the underlying dynamic mechanisms, including bandgap renormalization and Auger recombination. This study can broaden the horizons of material science and propel the development of different applications of ReSe2.