Interface thermal conductivities induced by van der Waals interactions.

The interface heat transfer of two layers induced by van der Waals (vdW) contacts is theoretically investigated, based on first-principles calculations at low temperatures. The results suggest that out-of-plane acoustic phonons with low frequencies dominate the interface thermal transport due to the vdW interaction. The interface thermal conductivity is proportional to the cubic of temperature at very low temperatures, but becomes linearly proportional to temperature as temperature increases. We show that manipulating the strain alters vdW coupling, leading to increased interfacial thermal conductivity at the interface. Our findings provide valuable insights into the interface heat transport in vdW heterostructures and support further design and optimization of electronic and optoelectronic nanodevices based on vdW contacts.

[Analysis of the complete genome characterization of 11 human astrovirus strains in Shandong Province].

Objective: To study the complete genome characterization of Human Astrovirus (HAstV) in Shandong Province. Methods: Stool samples from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in Shandong Province from 2020 to 2022 were collected, and HAstV nucleic acid was examined by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was conducted for the positive samples to obtain complete genome sequences and identify the genotype. Homology comparison and phylogenetic analysis were performed by using BioEdit and Mega software. Results: A total of 667 samples were examined by qPCR, of which 14 were HAstV-positive (2.1%), including HAstV-1 (n=6), MLB1 (n=6), MLB2 (n=1), and VA2 (n=1). The complete genome sequences were obtained from 11 samples. The six HAstV-1 sequences of this study had 98.2% to 99.9% nt similarities with each other and 87.6% to 98.6% with those from other regions. The four MLB1 sequences of this study had 99.1% to 99.9% nt similarities with each other and 92.2% to 99.4% with those from other regions. The VA2 sequence of this study had 96.0% to 96.3% nt similarities with those from other regions. Phylogenetic analysis based on ORF2 region showed that the local HAstV-1 sequences were most closely related to Japanese strains, and had distinct topology with phylogenies based on ORF1a and ORF1b regions. Conclusion: The complete genome sequences of 11 HAstV strains are obtained, and the VA2 complete genome is found.

[Effect of accurately localized mini anterolateral thigh perforator flap in repairing medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects in fingers].

Objective: To explore the effect of accurately localized mini anterolateral thigh perforator flap in repairing medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects in fingers. Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study. From December 2019 to September 2022, 15 patients with medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects who met the inclusion criteria in fingers were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, including 12 males and 3 females, aged 23 to 62 years. After debridement, the wounds were all accompanied by exposed tendons, bones, vessels and nerves, with an area from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 8.0 cm×3.5 cm. Computed tomography angiography and color Doppler ultrasonography examinations were performed on both lower limbs of the patient before surgery to accurately locate the anterolateral thigh perforators. When the flap with area from 6.0 cm×3.0 cm to 11.0 cm×4.0 cm was harvested, the flap was thinned. The artery and vein perforators of the flap were anastomosed respectively with the digital artery and dorsal metacarpal vein. If there was avulsion injury, infection, or burn in the recipient area, the main arterial and veinous vessels carried by the skin flap was anastomosed with the radial artery and accompanying vein. The lateral thigh cutaneous nerve carried by the flap was anastomosed with the stump of the digital nerve. The types of perforators of the lateral thigh artery were observed during operation and compared with the location of the vessels before operation. After operation, the survival and adverse complication of the flap were closely observed. During follow-up, the skin flap color, texture, and shape were observed; the wound healing in donor area was observed. At the last follow-up, the two-point discriminative distance of the affected finger pulp was measured, and the function of the affected finger was evaluated using the trial standard for the evaluation of functions of upper limbs of Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association, and the interphalangeal joint movement of the affected finger was observed; the patients' complaints about the adverse effects of flap resection on lower limbs were recorded. Results: During the operation, it was observed that the perforators of the flaps in 11 patients were the descending branch of the lateral circumflex thigh artery, in two patients, the perforators of skin flaps were the oblique branch of the lateral thigh artery, and the perforators in another two patients were the transverse branch of the lateral circumflex thigh artery, which were consistent with the preoperative vascular localization. After operation, all flaps survived without vascular crisis and infection. The patients were followed up for 6-12 months, the flaps had excellent color, texture, and appearance; only linear scars remained on the donor wound. At the last follow-up, the two-point discrimination distance in the finger pulp was 7-11 mm; the affected finger function was rated as excellent in 6 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 3 cases; the flexion and extension function of the finger was not affected; two patients complained of numbness in the lateral thigh after excision of the skin flap, and the other 13 patients had no complain of adverse complaints. Conclusions: The perforating branch in lateral thigh region can be accurately located by computed tomography angiography and color Doppler ultrasonography, accurate positioning of perforators before operation can reduce the damage to the donor area during the incision of the flap, the appearance and function of the affected finger can be restored to the maximum extent by thinning the transplanted flap and rebuilding the finger sensation. Therefore, it is an effective and reliable way to repair the medium-sized skin and soft tissue defects of fingers with the mini thigh anterolateral perforator flap.

Purification of Plasmodium and Babesia- infected erythrocytes using a non-woven fabric filter

@#The purification of parasite-infected erythrocytes from whole blood containing leucocytes is crucial for many downstream genetic and molecular assays in parasitology. Current methodologies to achieve this are often costly and time consuming. Here, we demonstrate the successful application of a cheap and simple Non-Woven Fabric (NWF) filter for the purification of parasitized red blood cells from whole blood. NWF filtration was applied to the malaria-parasitized blood of three strains of mice, and one strain of rat, and to Babesia gibsoni parasitized dog blood. Before and after filtration, the white blood cell (WBC) removal rates and red blood cell (RBC) recovery rates were measured. After NWF filter treatment of rodent malaria-infected blood, the WBC removal rates and RBC recovery rates were, for Kunming mice: 99.51%±0.30% and 86.12%±8.37%; for BALB/C mice: 99.61%±0.15% and 80.74%±7.11%; for C57 mice: 99.71%±0.12% and 84.87%±3.83%; for Sprague-Dawley rats: 99.93%±0.03% and 83.30%±2.96%. Microscopy showed WBCs were efficiently removed from infected dog blood samples, and there was no obvious morphological change of B. gibsoni parasites. NWF filters efficiently remove leukocytes from malaria parasite-infected mouse and rat blood, and are also suitable for filtration of B. gibsoni-infected dog blood.