Asymptomatic norovirus infection during outbreaks in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks may be caused by the excretion of norovirus (NoV) from asymptomatic individuals. Despite numerous studies involving asymptomatic NoV infection during outbreaks in China, a comprehensive assessment of its role has not been conducted, which is critical for emergency management. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic NoV infection during outbreaks in China. We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Wanfang, and China Weipu, between January 1, 1997 and June 19, 2023. The retrieved articles and their references underwent screening, which utilized polymerase chain reaction-based assays for the detection of NoV in asymptomatic individuals during outbreaks that occurred in China. The primary summary data were the prevalence of asymptomatic NoV infection in outbreaks. We generated pooled estimates of asymptomatic prevalence in the population as a whole and in subgroups by using random-effect models. Of the 97 articles included, the pooled asymptomatic prevalence of NoV among 5117 individuals in outbreaks was 17.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 14.1-21.3). The asymptomatic prevalence of NoV GII (17.1%, 95% CI: 12.9-21.5) was similar to that of NoV GI (22.0%, 95% CI: 12.8-32.4). However, the proportion of asymptomatic individuals involved in NoV GII (57.44%) was significantly higher than that of NoV GI (5.12%), and NoV GII (75.26%) was reported much more frequently than NoV GI (14.43%) in the included articles. Meta-regression analysis of 11 possible influencing factors (geographic region, setting, season, sample type, genotype, transmission route, occupation, age, per capita income, study quality, and cases definition) showed that the source of heterogeneity might be related to the outbreak settings, per capita income, and study quality (p = 0.037, 0.058, and 0.026, respectively). Of particular note was the asymptomatic prevalence peaked in preschoolers (27.8%), afterward, it fell into trough in elementary and junior school children (10.5%), before the second peak located in adults (17.8%), and the elderly (25.2%). Prevalent genotypes reported include GII.4, followed by GII.17, GII.2, GII.3, GII.6, and so forth. The estimated asymptomatic prevalence of NoV during outbreaks in China was as high as 17.6%, with NoV GII dominating. In addition, genetic subtypes of NoV in outbreaks should be detected whenever possible. The role of asymptomatic individuals in NoV outbreaks cannot be ignored. This knowledge will help governments develop public health policies and emergency response strategies for outbreaks, assess the burden, and develop vaccines.

Marinimicrococcus flavescens gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Geminicoccaceae, isolated from a marine sediment of the South China Sea.

A Gram-stain-negative, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive, nonmotile, aerobic, light yellow, spherical-shaped bacterial strain with no flagella, designated strain YIM 152171T, was isolated from sediment of the South China Sea. Colonies were smooth and convex, light yellow and circular, and 1.0-1.5×1.0-1.5 µm in cell diameter after 7 days of incubation at 28°C on YIM38 media supplemented with sea salt. Colonies could grow at 20-45°C (optimum 28-35°C) and pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-9.0), and they could proliferate in the salinity range of 0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c), C18 : 1 ω7c 11-methyl, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω11c, C16 : 1 ω5c, C17 : 1 ω6c and C18 : 1 ω5c. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10, and the polar lipid profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified aminolipid. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain YIM 152171T within the order Rhodospirillales in a distinct lineage that also included the genus Geminicoccus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of YIM 152171T to those of Arboricoccus pini, Geminicoccus roseus and Constrictibacter antarcticus were 92.17, 89.25 and 88.91 %, respectively. The assembled draft genome of strain YIM 152171T had 136 contigs with an N50 value of 134704 nt, a total length of 3 001 346 bp and a G+C content of 70.27 mol%. The phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data showed that strain YIM 152171T (=MCCC 1K08488T=KCTC 92884T) represents a type of novel species and genus for which we propose the name Marinimicrococcus gen. nov., sp. nov.

Pelagibacterium flavum sp. nov., Isolated from Soil Sample.

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow, moist and circular, aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM 151497T, was isolated from soil sample collected from Blue-Bridge, Weizhou Island, Guangxi province, China. Classification using a polyphasic approach suggested that strain YIM 151497T belonged to the genus Pelagibacterium, and was closely relevant to Pelagibacterium nitratireducens JLT2005T (98.8%), Pelagibacterium halotolerans CGMCC 1.7692T (98.7%), Pelagibacterium lixinzhangensis H64T (98.1%), and Pelagibacterium luteolum CGMCC 1.10267T (97.1%). The growth ranges of temperature, pH, and NaCl were 4-40 â„ƒ, pH 4.0-10.0, and 0-7% NaCl, respectively. It was positive for catalase and oxidase. The primary respiratory quinone was Q-10. The elemental fatty acids were Summed Feature 8 (constituting C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), C19:0 cyclo ω8c, C16:0, and C18:1ω7c 11-methyl. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and three unidentified glycolipids. The DNA G+C content based on the complete genome sequence was 60.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between strain YIM 151497T and species of Pelagibacterium were in the ranges of 73.9-86.3% and 19.7-31.3%, respectively. The Average Amino Acid Identity (AAI) between strain YIM 151497T and species of Pelagibacterium were in the ranges of 68.8-88.8%. On the basis of these data, strain YIM 151497T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pelagibacterium with the name of Pelagibacterium flavum sp. nov. Type strain is strain YIM 151497T (= KCTC 49826T = CGMCC 1.61521T = MCCC 1K08053T).

Turn-off enzyme activity of histidine-rich peptides for the detection of lysozyme.

An assay that integrates histidine-rich peptides (HisRPs) with high-affinity aptamers was developed enabling the specific and sensitive determination of the target lysozyme. The enzyme-like activity of HisRP is inhibited by its interaction with a target recognized by an aptamer. In the presence of the target, lysozyme molecules progressively assemble on the surface of HisRP in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in the gradual suppression of enzyme-like activity. This inhibition of HisRP's enzyme-like activity can be visually observed through color changes in the reaction product or quantified using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, the proposed colorimetric assay for lysozyme had a detection limit as low as 1 nM and exhibited excellent selectivity against other nonspecific interferents. Furthermore, subsequent research validated the practical applicability of the developed colorimetric approach to saliva samples, indicating that the assay holds significant potential for the detection of lysozymes in samples derived from humans.

Investigation of chromosomal genetic characteristics and identification of structural variation in the offspring of hexaploid triticale×hexaploid wheat.

Hexaploid triticale is an important genetic resource for genetic improvement of common wheat, which can broaden the genetic basis of wheat. In order to lay a foundation for the subsequent research and utilization of triticale germplasm materials, the chromosomal genetic characteristics of cross and backcross offspring of hexaploid triticale×hexaploid wheat were investigated in the process of transferring rye chromatin from hexaploid triticale to hexaploid wheat. Hybrid and backcross combinations were prepared with hexaploid triticale 16yin171 as the maternal parent and hexaploid wheat Chuanmai62 as the paternal parent. The chromosomes in root tip cells of F1, BC1F1 and BC1F2 plants were traced and identified non-denaturing florescence in situ hybridization (ND-FISH). The results indicated that the backcross setting rate of hybrid F1 was 2.61%. The transmission frequency of 2R chromosome was the highest in BC1F1 plants while the transmissibility of rye chromosome in BC1F2 plant was 6R>4R>2R, and the 5B-7B wheat translocation in BC1F2 plants showed severe segregation. A total of 24 structural variant chromosomes were observed both in BC1F1 and BC1F2 plants, including chromosome fragments, isochromosomes, translocations, and dicentric chromosomes. In addition, the seed length and 1000-grain weight of some BC1F2 plants were better than that of the hexaploid wheat parent Chuanmai 62. Therefore, multiple backcrosses should be adopted as far as possible to make the rapid recovery of group D chromosomes, ensuring the recovery of fertility in offspring, when hexaploid tritriale is used as a bridge to introduce rye genetic material into common wheat. At the same time, the potential application value of chromosomal structural variation materials should be also concerned.

Zeolite-like Topology Oxonitridosilicate La3.6Ba1.7Si5N10O2.1 with Potential Applications in Nonlinear Optical Materials.

A novel zeolite-like topology oxonitridosilicate La3.6Ba1.7Si5N10O2.1 with the space group Amm2 (no. 38) and lattice parameters a = 9.5193 (3) Å, b = 16.7011 (5) Å, c = 26.0279 (8) Å, and Z = 12 has been synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction. The crystal structure of La3.6Ba1.7Si5N10O2.1 has four different kinds of tiling, and the cages in the structure are filled with La, Ba, and O atoms. The presence of a noncentrosymmetric space group further suggests its potential for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications, and La3.6Ba1.7Si5N10O2.1 demonstrated a stronger second-harmonic generation (SHG) response than that of SiO2.

Global prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although many studies on asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks have been conducted globally, structured data (important for emergency management of outbreaks) on the prevalence of this epidemic are still not available. This study assessed the global prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks. METHODS: We identified publications on asymptomatic infections from norovirus outbreaks by searching the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Medline, and Web of Science databases and screening references from the articles reviewed. Prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks was employed as the primary summary data. The random-effects model of the meta-analysis was fitted to generate estimates of the prevalence in the overall and subgroup populations. RESULTS: In total, 44 articles with a sample size of 8,115 asymptomatic individuals were included. The estimated pooled prevalence of asymptomatic norovirus infection in outbreaks was 21.8% (95%CI, 17.4-27.3). The asymptomatic prevalence of norovirus GII (20.1%) was similar to that of GI (19.8%); however, the proportion prevalence of asymptomatic individuals involved in the former (33.36%) was significantly higher than that of in the latter (0.92%) and the former (93.18%) was reported much more frequently than the latter (15.91%) in the included articles. These studies had significant heterogeneity (I2 = 92%, τ2 = 0.4021, P < 0.01). However, the source of heterogeneity could not be identified even after subgroup analysis of 10 possible influencing factors (geographical area, outbreak settings, outbreak seasons, sample types, norovirus genotypes, transmission routes, subjects' occupations, subjects' age, per capita national income, and clear case definition). Meta-regression analysis of these 10 factors demonstrated that the geographical area could be partly responsible for this heterogeneity (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The overall pooled asymptomatic prevalence of norovirus in outbreaks was high, with genome II dominating. Asymptomatic individuals may play an important role in norovirus outbreaks. This knowledge could help in developing control strategies and public health policies for norovirus outbreaks.

Effect of noninvasive embryo viability testing versus conventional IVF on the live birth rate in IVF/ICSI patients: a study protocol for a double-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) was demonstrated to be superior to conventional IVF in reducing the incidence of miscarriage and abnormal offspring after the first embryo transfer (ET). PGT-A requires several embryo trophectoderm cells, but its negative impacts on embryo development and long-term influence on the health conditions of conceived children have always been a concern. As an alternative, noninvasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) approaches using spent blastocyst culture medium (SBCM) achieved comparable accuracy with PGT-A in several pilot studies. The main objective of this study is to determine whether noninvasive embryo viability testing (niEVT) results in better clinical outcomes than conventional IVF after the first embryo transfer. Furthermore, we further investigated whether niEVT results in higher the live birth rate between women with advanced maternal age (AMA, > 35 years old) and young women or among patients for whom different fertilization protocols are adopted. METHODS: This study will be a double-blind, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) studying patients of different ages (20-43 years) undergoing different fertilization protocols (in vitro fertilization [IVF] or intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]). We will enroll 1140 patients at eight reproductive medical centers over 24 months. Eligible patients should have at least two good-quality blastocysts (better than grade 4 CB). The primary outcome will be the live birth rate of the first embryo transfer (ET). Secondary outcomes will include the clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, cumulative live birth rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, and time to pregnancy. DISCUSSION: In this study, patients who undergo noninvasive embryo viability testing (niEVT) will be compared to women treated by conventional IVF. We will determine the effects on the pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate and adverse events. We will also investigate whether there is any difference in clinical outcomes among patients with different ages and fertilization protocols (IVF/ICSI). This trial will provide clinical evidence of the effect of noninvasive embryo viability testing on the clinical outcomes of the first embryo transfer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) Identifier: ChiCTR2100051408. 9 September 2021.

Acinetobacter faecalis Sp. Nov., Isolated from Elephant Faeces.

A Gram-negative coccobacillus, YIM 103518T, isolated from wild elephant feces in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, West China, was characterized and identified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain was strictly aerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, colonies were round, convex, smooth, and pale yellow. The strain growth at 4-40 ℃ (optimum, 28 ℃), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0-4% NaCl (optimum, 0%) in culture medium YIM 38. The major fatty acids of strain YIM 103518T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c/C16:1 ω7c), C16:0, and C18:1 ω9c. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-9. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phospholipids. The 16S rRNA gene sequence showed moderate level of similarity with Acinetobacter portensis AC 877T (98.7%), Acinetobacter sichuanensis CCTCC AB 2018118T (97.1%), and Acinetobacter cumulans CCTCC AB 2018119T (97.1%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.5 mol%. Strain YIM 103518T showed an average nucleotide identity value of 86.6%, 77.3% and 78.5%, a digital DNA-DNA hybridizations value of 31.2%, 21.9% and 23.0% with the type strain of A. portensis, A. sichuanensis and A. cumulans based on draft genome sequences, respectively. The results of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, showed that strain YIM 103518T represents a novel species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter faecalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 103518T (=CCTCC AB 2019201T = NBRC 114057T).

Incidence of extrauterine growth retardation and its risk factors in very preterm infants during hospitalization: a multicenter prospective study. / ä½é™¢æžæ—©äº§å„¿å®«å¤–ç”Ÿé•¿è¿Ÿç¼“åŠç›¸å ³å› ç´ çš„å¤šä¸­å¿ƒå‰çž»æ€§ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.

College of American Pathologists Tumor Regression Grading System for Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Rectal Cancer Guideline Panel recommends American Joint Committee of Cancer and College of American Pathologists (AJCC/CAP) tumor regression grading (TRG) system to evaluate pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Yet, the clinical significance of the AJCC/CAP TRG system has not been fully defined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospectively recruited, and prospectively maintained cohort study. Patients with LARC from one institution formed the discovery set, and cases from external independent institutions formed a validation set to verify the findings from discovery set. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, and Cox regression model. RESULTS: The discovery set (940 cases) found, and the validation set (2,156 cases) further confirmed, that inferior AJCC/CAP TRG categories were closely /ccorrelated with unfavorable survival (OS, DFS, LRFS, and DMFS) and higher risk of disease progression (death, accumulative relapse, local recurrence, and distant metastasis) (all p < .05). Significantly, pairwise comparison revealed that any two of four TRG categories had the distinguished survival and risk of disease progression. After propensity score matching, AJCC/CAP TRG0 category (pathological complete response) patients treated with or without adjuvant chemotherapy displayed similar survival of OS, DFS, LRFS, and DMFS (all p > .05). For AJCC/CAP TRG1-3 cases, adjuvant chemotherapy treatment significantly improved 3-year OS (90.2% vs. 84.6%, p < .001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated the AJCC/CAP TRG system was an independent prognostic surrogate. CONCLUSION: AJCC/CAP TRG system, an accurate prognostic surrogate, appears ideal for further strategizing adjuvant chemotherapy for LARC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends the American Joint Committee of Cancer and College of American Pathologists (AJCC/CAP) tumor regression grading (TRG) four-category system to evaluate the pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer; however, the clinical significance of the AJCC/CAP TRG system has not yet been clearly addressed. This study found, for the first time, that any two of four AJCC/CAP TRG categories had the distinguished long-term survival outcome. Importantly, adjuvant chemotherapy may improve the 3-year overall survival for AJCC/CAP TRG1-3 category patients but not for AJCC/CAP TRG0 category patients. Thus, AJCC/CAP TRG system, an accurate surrogate of long-term survival outcome, is useful in guiding adjuvant chemotherapy management for rectal cancer.

Simulation for efficiency improvement of a thuilium Q-switched ytterbium-doped all-fiber laser.

We theoretically explore the mechanism in a thulium Q-switched ytterbium-doped all-fiber fiber laser using a set of rate equations to model the correlations between the photons and the five energy levels of thulium involved in the Q switching mechanism. We demonstrate that by coupling with a gain-switched resonator, the Q-switched laser is stabilized up to the maximum pulsing rate that is limited by the lifetime of level 3H5. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that revealed that level 3H5 plays an essential role in reinitialization, achieving sequential pulses, and limiting the maximum repetition rate.

Perovskite Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells Employing Electron Injection/Transport Layers of Ionic Transition Metal Complexes.

Recently, perovskites have attracted intense attention due to their high potential in optoelectronic applications. Employing perovskites as the emissive materials of light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) shows the advantages of simple fabrication process, low-voltage operation, and compatibility with inert electrodes, along with saturated electroluminescence (EL) emission. Unlike in previously reported perovskite LECs, in which salts are incorporated in the emissive layer, the ion-transport layer was separated from the emissive layer in this work. The layer of ionic transition metal complex (iTMC) not only provides mobile ions but also serves as an electron-injection/transport layer. Orthogonal solvents are used in spin coating to prevent the intermixing of stacked perovskite and iTMC layers. The blue iTMC with high ionization potential is effective in blocking holes from the emissive layer and thus ensures EL color saturation. In addition, the carrier balance of the perovskite/iTMC LECs can be optimized by adjusting the iTMC layer thickness. The optimized external quantum efficiency of the CsPbBr3 /iTMC LEC reaches 6.8 %, which is among the highest reported values for perovskite LECs. This work successfully demonstrates that, compared with mixing all components in a single emissive layer, separating the layer of ion transport, electron injection and transport from the perovskite emissive layer is more effective in adjusting device carrier balance. As such, solution-processable perovskite/iTMC LECs open up a new way to realize efficient perovskite LECs.

Perovskite Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells Employing Electron Injection/Transport Layers of Ionic Transition Metal Complexes.

Invited for the cover of this issue are Chin-Wei Lu, Zu-Po Yang, Hai-Ching Su, and co-workers at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and Providence University. The image depicts electron transport for light-emitting electrochemical cells. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202103739.

Hybrid White-Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells Based on a Blue Cationic Iridium(III) Complex and Red Quantum Dots.

Solid-state white light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) show promising advantages of simple solution fabrication processes, low operation voltage, and compatibility with air-stable cathode metals, which are required for lighting applications. To date, white LECs based on ionic transition metal complexes (iTMCs) have shown higher device efficiencies than white LECs employing other types of materials. However, lower emission efficiencies of red iTMCs limit further improvement in device performance. As an alternative, efficient red CdZnSeS/ZnS core/shell quantum dots were integrated with a blue iTMC to form a hybrid white LEC in this work. By achieving good carrier balance in an appropriate device architecture, a peak external quantum efficiency and power efficiency of 11.2 % and 15.1 lm W-1, respectively, were reached. Such device efficiency is indeed higher than those of the reported white LECs based on host-guest iTMCs. Time- and voltage-dependent electroluminescence (EL) characteristics of the hybrid white LECs were studied by means of the temporal evolution of the emission-zone position extracted by fitting the simulated and measured EL spectra. The working principle of the hybrid white LECs was clarified, and the high device efficiency makes potential new white-emitting devices suitable for solid-state lighting technology possible.

Deciphering an Abnormal Layered-Tunnel Heterostructure Induced by Chemical Substitution for the Sodium Oxide Cathode.

Demands for large-scale energy storage systems have driven the development of layered transition-metal oxide cathodes for room-temperature rechargeable sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Now, an abnormal layered-tunnel heterostructure Na0.44 Co0.1 Mn0.9 O2 cathode material induced by chemical element substitution is reported. By virtue of beneficial synergistic effects, this layered-tunnel electrode shows outstanding electrochemical performance in sodium half-cell system and excellent compatibility with hard carbon anode in sodium full-cell system. The underlying formation process, charge compensation mechanism, phase transition, and sodium-ion storage electrochemistry are clearly articulated and confirmed through combined analyses of in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction and ex situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy as well as operando X-ray diffraction. This crystal structure engineering regulation strategy offers a future outlook into advanced cathode materials for SIBs.

[Safety and efficacy of caffeine use started at different time in preterm infants: a multicenter study in Jiangsu Province, China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of caffeine used in the early (≤72 hours after birth) and late (>72 hours after birth) stage in preterm infants with a gestational age of ≤31 weeks. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 640 preterm infants (with a gestational age of ≤31 weeks) who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of eight hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. Of the 640 preterm infants, 510 were given caffeine in the early stage (≤72 hours after birth; early use group) and 130 were given caffeine in the late stage (>72 hours after birth; late use group). The clinical data were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in birth weight, Apgar score, sex, gestational age, and age on admission between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the late use group, the early use group had a significantly younger age at the beginning and withdrawal of caffeine treatment (P<0.05) and a significantly shorter duration of caffeine treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in respiratory support on admission between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the late use group, the early use group had significantly lower incidence rate of apnea (P<0.05) and significantly shorter oxygen supply time and length of hospital stay (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, and patent ductus arteriosus at discharge and NBNA score at the corrected gestational age of 40 weeks (P>0.05). However, significant differences were found in the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the rate of home oxygen therapy, but there was no significant difference in the mortality rate between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Early use of caffeine can shorten the duration of caffeine treatment, oxygen supply time, and length of hospital stay, with little adverse effect, in preterm infants with a gestational age of ≤31 weeks.

Cationic IrIII Emitters with Near-Infrared Emission Beyond 800†nm and Their Use in Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells.

Solid-state near-infrared (NIR) light-emitting devices have recently received considerable attention as NIR light sources that can penetrate deep into human tissue and are suitable for bioimaging and labeling. In addition, solid-state NIR light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) have shown several promising advantages over NIR organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). However, among the reported NIR LECs based on ionic transition-metal complexes (iTMCs), there is currently no iridium-based LEC that displays NIR electroluminescence (EL) peaks near to or above 800 nm. In this report we demonstrate a simple method for adjusting the energy gap between the highest-occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest-unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of iridium-based iTMCs to generate NIR emission. We describe a series of novel ionic iridium complexes with very small energy gaps, namely NIR1-NIR6, in which 2,3-diphenylbenzo[g]quinoxaline moieties mainly take charge of the HOMO energy levels and 2,2'-biquinoline, 2-(quinolin-2-yl)quinazoline, and 2,2'-bibenzo[d]thiazole moieties mainly control the LUMO energy levels. All the complexes exhibited NIR phosphorescence, with emission maxima up to 850 nm, and have been applied as components in LECs, showing a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.05 % in the EL devices. By using a host-guest emissive system, with the iridium complex RED as the host and the complex NIR3 or NIR6 as guest, the highest EQE of the LECs can be further enhanced to above 0.1 %.

Clinical analysis of a case of neonatal exfoliative esophagitis in an 18-day-old neonate.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to provide guidance for clinical work through analysis of the clinical characteristics, endoscopic and pathological manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of an 18-day-old neonate with exfoliative esophagitis. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented with vomiting but the parents did not pay too much attention. The pathological report revealed numerous fibrinous exudative necrotic, and inflammatory cells, as well as a small amount of squamous epithelium. Furthermore, milk allergy factors were considered. Conservative treatments, such as fasting, acid suppression, mucosal protection, parenteral nutrition, and the replacement of anti-allergic milk powder were given. Thereafter, endoscopic examination revealed that the patient returned to normal, and was discharged after 21 days. CONCLUSIONS: Exfoliative esophagitis has multiple causes; and has characteristic clinical and endoscopic manifestations. Endoscopic examination after 18 days presentation and conservative therapy revealed that the esophagus had returned to a normal appearance and the patient was discharged. Following discharge, the parents were advised to feed the patient ALFERE powder. Attention should be given to the timely detection of complications and corresponding treatment.

Transcriptome Analysis of Improved Wool Production in Skin-Specific Transgenic Sheep Overexpressing Ovine ß-Catenin.

ß-Catenin is an evolutionarily conserved molecule in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which controls decisive steps in embryogenesis and functions as a crucial effector in the development of hair follicles. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying wool production have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of ovine ß-catenin on wool follicles of transgenic sheep produced by pronuclear microinjection with a skin-specific promoter of human keratin14 (k14). Both polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis showed that the sheep carried the ovine ß-catenin gene and that the ß-catenin gene could be stably inherited. To study the molecular responses to high expression of ß-catenin, high-throughput RNA-seq technology was employed using three transgenic sheep and their wild-type siblings. These findings suggest that ß-catenin normally plays an important role in wool follicle development by activating the downstream genes of the Wnt pathway and enhancing the expression of keratin protein genes and keratin-associated protein genes.