Tailoring Hybrid Aluminoborate Frameworks by Incorporating Multicomponent Cadmium-Amine Complexes with Various Conformations

Inorganic-organic hybrid aluminoborates represent a subclass of porous materials, which rely on effective construction method and structure-directing agents. Herein, we prepared a series of hybrid aluminoborates through covalent decoration of unsaturated Cd²⁺ complexes, whose formation take advantage of chelating amine and long-chain diamine as mixed ligands. These isolated compounds, that is, [Cd(en)(1,4-dab)_0.5][AlB₅O₁₀] (1a; its analogue with discrete complex [Cd(en)(dien)H₂O][AlB₅O₁₀] is denoted as 1b), [Cd(1,2-dap)_1.5(1,4-dabH)_0.5]{Al[B₅O₈(OH)₂](B₅O₁₀)_0.5} (2), and [Cd(en)(1,3-dap)][AlB₅O₁₀] (3) feature open frameworks (1a, 1b, and 3) or a sandwich-like porous layer (2) that are constructed by AlO₄ tetrahedra and [B₅O₁₀]^5-/[B₅O₈(OH)₂]^3- clusters. However, they exhibit different structural features in interconnection, channel environment, and topology as a result of diversified interactions between unsaturated complexes and aluminoborate frameworks, that is, through forming two Cd-O bonds with (i) a pair of neighboring BO₃ and AlO₄, (ii) the same AlO₄, or (iii) the same BO₃. The variation in connection mode exerts essential influence on binding effects and steric hindrance that are reflected by changes in interatomic distance, bond angle, window configuration, and interlinkage of units. In addition, the incorporation of unsaturated Cd²⁺ complexes endows these aluminoborate materials with photoluminescence function. Compound 3 with a noncentrosymmetric structure exhibits second harmonic generation (SHG) response approximately 0.7 times that of KDP. The preparation strategy for hybrid aluminoborates proposed here combines well molecular design with templating assembly, whose synergistic effect would be crucial for drawing a rational pathway for inorganic synthesis, especially with focus on structural and functional innovation.

[Characteristics of heart rate variability in patients with vestibular migraine]

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with vestibular migraine (VM) and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods: Forty-eight patients with VM [17 males and 31 females, age (36.2±9.2) years], 44 patients with migraine [15 males and 29 females, age (34.4±9.0) years], and 30 patients with health check-ups during the same period [12 males and 18 females, age (34.6±6.5) years old] were selected as study subjects. Ambulatory ECG monitoring was performed in all subjects, and the HRV characteristics of each group were analyzed from both daytime and nighttime time phases. Time domain parameters were analyzed: standard deviation of normal to normal (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and percentage of normal to normal intervals differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50). The parameters in the frequency domain were analyzed: high frequency power (HF), low frequency power (LF), and the ratio of low frequency to high frequency power (LF/HF). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 26.0 software. Results: At night, RMSSD (F=6.694) and HF (F=9.434) were lower in the VM and migraine groups compared to the control group, while LF/HF (F=16.049) and LF (F=9.434) were elevated compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while LF was significantly elevated in the VM group compared to the migraine group, with a statistically significant (P<0.05). On the daytime measurements, mainly LF was elevated in the vestibular migraine group compared with the control group, while RMSSD was decreased compared with the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Autonomic dysfunction characterized by sympathetic hyperfunction and vagal hypofunction is present in VM patients and is more pronounced at night. In addition, the degree of autonomic dysfunction may be more pronounced in VM patients than in migraine patients.

Patterning of Wafer-Scale MXene Films for High-Performance Image Sensor Arrays

As a rapidly growing family of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides, MXenes are recognized as promising materials for the development of future electronics and optoelectronics. So far, the reported patterning methods for MXene films lack efficiency, resolution, and compatibility, resulting in limited device integration and performance. Here, a high-performance MXene image sensor array fabricated by a wafer-scale combination patterning method of an MXene film is reported. This method combines MXene centrifugation, spin-coating, photolithography, and dry-etching and is highly compatible with mainstream semiconductor processing, with a resolution up to 2 µm, which is at least 100 times higher than other large-area patterning methods reported previously. As a result, a high-density integrated array of 1024-pixel Ti₃ C₂ T_x /Si photodetectors with a detectivity of 7.73 × 10¹⁴ Jones and a light-dark current ratio (I_light /I_dark ) of 6.22 × 10⁶ , which is the ultrahigh value among all reported MXene-based photodetectors, is fabricated. This patterning technique paves a way for large-scale high-performance MXetronics compatible with mainstream semiconductor processes.

Efficient removal of Ba2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ by an ethylammonium-templated indium sulfide ion exchanger

Removal of radioactive ¹³³Ba, ⁶⁰Co and ⁶³Ni and their nonradioactive isotopes through ion exchange method would be highly beneficial for the safe disposal of liquid industrial waste, and it also bears importance for the emergency response to nuclear accident. Herein, we report the employment of an indium sulfide [CH₃CH₂NH₃]₆In₈S₁₅ (InS-2) with exchangeable ethylammonium cations for efficient and selective uptake of Ba²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺. The corner-sharing linkage of P1-{In₈S₁₇} clusters in InS-2 endow the layered structure with nanoscale windows, which facilitates both transfer and accommodation of the large hydrated divalent metal ions. This results in ultrafast exchange kinetics (10-20 min) and top-level exchange capacities of 211.73 mg g^-1 for Ba²⁺, 103.57 mg g^-1 for Co²⁺, and 111.78 mg g^-1 for Ni²⁺. Particularly, InS-2 achieves ultrahigh K_d values of 2.3 × 10⁵ mL g^-1 for Ba²⁺, 2.0 × 10⁵ mL g^-1 for Co²⁺ and 1.6 × 10⁵ mL g^-1 for Ni²⁺, corresponding to remarkable removal efficiencies larger than 99.4% (C₀ ~ 6 ppm). InS-2 shows high β and γ irradiation resistance, wide pH durability (pH 3-13 for Ba²⁺, pH 3-11 for Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺), and outstanding selectivity against competitor ions (e.g. Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺). The InS-2-filled ion exchange column exhibits a fantastic removal effect (R > 99%) for mixed Ba²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, as well as Sr²⁺. The ultralong column-treatment on 20000 BVs of flow reveals an affinity order of Co²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺ for InS-2, which gives deep insights into the adsorption process and interaction between competitor ions. This excellent uptake of Ba²⁺ (Ra by analogy), Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions by InS-2 highlights the great potential of metal chalcogenides as a type of promising materials for minimizing contamination in complex wastewater.

[Whole exome sequencing and analysis of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia patients]

Objective: To detect gene mutation in patients with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) by using whole exome sequencing, to analyze the pathogenicity of the mutations, and to provide reference for the genetic diagnosis of HED patients. Methods: Peripheral blood genomic DNA was extracted from each of the HED patients and their family members collected in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from August 2016 to August 2021. Whole exome sequencing and sanger sequencing were performed to detect gene mutations. Functions of the rare variants after the database filtering were analyzed by bioinformatics tools. Results: Three reported mutations of ectodysplasin A (EDA) gene (c.2T>C, c.161A>G, c.467G>A) and a mutation of ectodysplasin A receptor (EDAR) gene (c.871G>A) were detected by whole genome sequencing in four HED patients, and were verified by Sanger sequencing in four HED families. The EDAR gene mutation founded in this research was reported in HED patients for the first time. Bioinformatics tools predicted that the mutations of EDA gene detected in this study were highly species conserved and disease-causing. The combined annotation dependent depletion (CADD) scores of EDA gene mutations c.2T>C, c.161A>G and c.467G>A were 22.5, 26.3 and 25.5 respectively, and the genomic evolutionary rate profiling (GERP) scores were 2.16, 2.26 and 2.18 respectively. The EDAR gene mutation c.871G>A detected in this study was species conserved and possibly disease-causing. The CADD and GERP scores of EDAR gene mutation c.871G>A were 22.0 and 1.93 respectively. Conclusions: Three reported mutations of EDA gene and a previously unreported mutation of EDAR gene were detected in four HED families. Different mutations of EDA gene and EDAR gene could make different influence on the protein function and lead to the occurrence of HED.

Kinetics-Controlled Growth of Metallic Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes from CoRex Nanoparticles

The controlled growth of metallic single-wall carbon nanotubes (m-SWCNTs) is very important for the fabrication of high-performance interconnecting wires, transparent conductive electrodes, light and conductive fibers, etc. However, it has been extremely difficult to synthesize m-SWCNTs due to their lower abundance and higher chemical reactivity than semiconducting SWCNTs (s-SWCNTs). Here, we report the kinetically controlled growth of m-SWCNTs by manipulating their binding energy with the catalyst and promoting their growth rate. We prepared CoRe₄ nanoparticles with a hexagonal close-packed structure and an average size of ∼2.3 nm, which have a lower binding energy with m-SWCNTs than with s-SWCNTs. The selective growth of m-SWCNTs from the CoRe₄ catalyst was achieved by using a low concentration of carbon source feed at a relative low temperature of 760 °C. The m-SWCNTs had a narrow diameter distribution of 1.1 ± 0.3 nm, and their content was over 80%.

Structural Investigation on the Efficient Capture of Cs+ and Sr2+ by a Microporous Cd-Sn-Se Ion Exchanger Constructed from Mono-Lacunary Supertetrahedral Clusters

Visualization of the ion exchange mechanism for 137Cs and 90Sr decontamination bears significance for safe radioactive liquid waste reprocessing and emergency response enhancement to nuclear accident. Here, the remediation of...

[The Effect of Immunized Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness on Allo-HSCT Patients with Malignant Hematological Diseases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of platelet antibody in patients with hematological diseases, so as to research the effect of immunized platelet transfusion refractoriness (PTR) on the prognosis of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recepients with malignant hematological diseases patients.

METHODS

The clinical data of platelet antibody positive patients tested by Capture-P in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including sex, age, disease, platelet transfusion assessments, CD34⁺ cells, transplant prognosis, and so on.

RESULTS

In 5 years, 913 (7.28%) hematologic patients with platelet antibody positive were identified, the detection rate of females (513 cases) were higher than males (400 cases). Among the 913 patients, the antibody positive rates of 520 patients with malignant hematological diseases (acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome) showed significantly statistical different (10.27%, 8.01%, and 7.20%) (P<0.01), and the positive rate of the acute myeloid leukemia of those patients was higher than myelodysplastic syndrome patients(α<0.0125). There were 35 cases diagnosed as immunized PTR before allo-HSCT, the platelet increments, 14 h correct count increment, progression-free survival rate and overall survival rate of those patients were significantly lower than those in negative transfusion effective patients (P<0.01), while the percentage of ABO matching was significantly higher (α<0.0125).

CONCLUSION

The positive rate of platelet antibody identification is high in females and acute myeloid leukemia patients, and immunized PTR caused by antibody is a risk factor for poor prognosis of allo-HSCT in malignant hematological disease patients.

[Return of humanities in stomatology]

There has been a paradox in China that the patients' satisfaction does not increase with the rapid development of medical sciences and the increasingly improved medical conditions. One important reason for this phenomenon is the absence of humanistic education in medical and stomatological educations. For medical personnel, the medical humanistic quality is essential and the reinforcement of medical humanistic education is an inevitable course for cultivating qualified doctors and developing medical sciences. The recently published textbooks, i.e. Stomatology Humanities and "Consensus of Chinese experts on humanistic education of stomatology", are two cases of the efforts made by Chinese dental workers for the improvement of stomatological education. The humanistic quality of dental personnel will contribute to the return of the stomatology humanity, the cultivation of dental personnel and the development of stomatology.

[How to write a clinical research paper that can be published]

A clinical research paper which could be published should be based on a qualified clinical research, which includes a reasonable topic from clinical settings, concentrating resources to answer a question, having new findings and drawing concrete conclusions. The author should prepare a scientific story, which originates from clinical scenarios, with working hypothesis and research design, standardized organization and implementation, reasonable analysis and evaluation. The conclusion should be based on the research results, and go back to the problems and needs to form a closed loop. The key point of writing a clinical research paper is to provide complete information and show a complete research process according to the writing format and specification of the paper. Finally, the key points of the current paper help avoid detours and improve the probability of paper publication.

Identification of Hub Gene TIMP1 and Relative ceRNAs Regulatory Network in Colorectal Cancer

Objective

This study aimed to discover the ceRNAs network in the pathophysiological development of human colorectal cancer (CRC) and to screen biomarkers for target therapy and prognosis by using integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Methods

Data on gene expressions of mRNAs, miRNAs, and circRNAs and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases, respectively. Differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) were identified by using the DESeq2 package of R software. Functional enrichment analysis was conducted using the ClusterProfiler package of R software. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was shown by the STRING website. Survival analysis of hub genes was performed using the survival package in R software. Interactions among hub genes, differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs) were used to construct the ceRNAs network.

Results

A total of 412 DEmRNAs including 82 upregulated and 330 downregulated genes were screened out between 473 CRC and 41 normal samples. Two hundred and sixty DEcircRNAs including 253 upregulated and 7 downregulated genes were altered between 23 CRC and 23 normal samples. One hundred and ninety DEmiRNAs including 82 upregulated and 108 downregulated genes were obtained between 450 CRC and 8 normal samples. A ceRNAs and PPI network were successfully constructed, and TIMP1 associated with prognosis was employed.

Conclusion

The present study identified a novel circRNAs-miRNAs-mRNA ceRNAs network, which implied that TIMP1 and related miRNAs, circRNAs were potential biomarkers underlying the development of CRC, providing new insights for survival predictions and therapeutic targets.

Laser scanner for 3D reconstruction of a wound's edge and topology

PURPOSE

Robotic systems have the potential to overcome inherent limitations of humans and offer substantial advantages to patients including reduction in surgery time. Our group has undertaken the challenge of developing autonomous wound closure system. One of the initial steps is to allow accurate assessment of wound skin topology and wound edge location. We present a vision-laser scanner to generate 3D point cloud for 3D reconstruction of wound's edge and topology.

METHODS

When the laser range sensor measures Z coordinate, two encoders installed on the actuators of the gantry robot provide the precision values of X, Y coordinates simultaneously. The 3D point cloud of the wound skin is generated by recordings of X, Y and Z during scanning is performed over wound skin surface. To reduce the scanning time, we exploit a supplementary laser LED to project a regular laser spot on the wound skin surface, which can provide an additional measurement point by incorporating artificial neural network estimation approach. In the meantime, the point cloud of the wound edge can be extracted by detecting if the laser spot is located on the wound edge in the image from 2D camera.

RESULTS

The mean absolute error (MAE) and standard deviation (σ) of wound edge are measured in MeshLab environment. The MAE (σ) in X (tangent), Y (tangent), and Z (normal) are 0.32 (0.22) mm, 0.37 (0.34) mm, and 0.61 (0.29) mm, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the vision-laser scanner attains high accuracy in determining wound edge location along the tangent of the wound skin.

CONCLUSION

A vision-laser scanner is developed for 3D reconstruction of wound's edge and topology. The experimental tests on the different wound models revealed the effectiveness of the vision-laser scanner. The proposed scanner can generate 3D point cloud of the wound skin and its edge simultaneously, and thus significantly improve the accuracy of wound closure in clinical applications.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Features of the Demyelinating Degeneration of White Matter in Young Patients

Objective

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain white matter demyelination often focuses on demyelinating disease, cerebral small vascular disease diagnosis, and follow-up of cognitive dysfunction for observation. This study explored MRI findings and clinical manifestations of demyelinating degeneration of white matter in young patients.

Methods

A total of ninety-four patients with white matter degeneration diagnosed with MRI were enrolled in this study from January 2014 to July 2018. These patients were divided into two groups: the demyelinating disease group (n = 43) and the non-demyelinating disease group (n = 51). The imaging findings and clinical manifestations of the two groups were analyzed.

Results

Compared with the non-demyelinating group, there were more female than male patients in the demyelinating group (P < 0.05). In addition, of the 45 patients with an imaging result of “demyelinating degeneration of white matter and multiple sclerosis,” 39 patients met the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (86.7%). In comparison, of the 49 patients with an imaging result of “demyelinating degeneration of white matter,” only four patients met the diagnosis for demyelinating disease (8.2%).

Conclusion

In patients complaining of headaches, dizziness, vertigo, and other symptoms and in the case of an imaging result showing the demyelinating degeneration of white matter alone, the possibility of a clinical diagnosis of a demyelinating disease is minimal.

Mixed Solvothermal Synthesis of Tn Cluster-Based Indium and Gallium Sulfides Using Versatile Ammonia or Amine Structure-Directing Agents

Metal chalcogenide supertetrahedral Tn clusters are of current interest for their unique compositions and structures, which rely highly on the structure-directing agents. Herein, we report four novel Tn cluster-based indium and gallium sulfides, namely, [NH(CH₃)₃]₄In₄S₁₀H₄ (1), (NH₃)₄Ga₄S₆ (2), [NH₃CH₂CH₃]₅(NH₂CH₂CH₃)₂Ga₁₁S₁₉ (3), and [NH₃CH₂CH₂OH]₆Ga₁₀S₁₈·2NH₂CH₂CH₂OH (4). All four compounds were solvothermally synthesized in mixed amine-ethanol solutions or deep eutectic solvent (DES), where ammonia/amine molecules play significant structure-directing roles in the speciation and crystal growth. (1) Being protonated, the trimethylamine and ethanolamine molecules surround the T2-[In₄S₁₀H₄]^4- clusters (for 1) and [Ga₁₀S₁₈]_n^6n- open framework (for 4), respectively, compensating for the negative charge of the inorganic moieties. (2) With the lone pair of electrons, the ammonia molecules in 2 coordinate directly to corner Ga³⁺ ions of the {Ga₄S₆} cage to give a neutral T2-(NH₃)₄Ga₄S₆ cluster. (3) For compound 3, part of the ethylamine molecules act as terminating ligands for the T1 and T3 units in the [Ga₁₁S₁₉(NH₂CH₂CH₃)₂]_n^5n- layer, while the rest act as interlamellar countercations upon protonation. Theoretical studies reveal the contributions of N, C, and H to the density of states (DOS) for 2 and 3 because of their hybrid structures that combine the ammonia/amine ligands with sulfide moieties together.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase inhibitory new meroterpenes from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, and their structure-activity relationship study

Five new meroterpenes, 12α-Psoracorylifol F (1), 7β,8α-hydroxy-12β-Psoracorylifol F (2), 8-ketone-Cyclobakuchiol C (3), 7α,8β-hydroxy-12β-Cyclobakuchiol C (4) and 8α-hydroxy-Cyclobakuchiol C (5) together with six known compounds (6-11) were isolated from seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and physicochemical analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for in vitro inhibitory activity against DGAT1/2. Among them, compounds 1-6 were found to exhibit selective inhibitory activity on DGAT1 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 61.5 ± 1.1 to 89.1 ± 1.2 μM.

Large family of two-dimensional ferroelectric metals discovered via machine learning

Ferroelectricity and metallicity are usually believed not to coexist because conducting electrons would screen out static internal electric fields. In 1965, Anderson and Blount proposed the concept of "ferroelectric metal", however, it is only until recently that very rare ferroelectric metals were reported. Here, by combining high-throughput ab initio calculations and data-driven machine learning method with new electronic orbital based descriptors, we systematically investigated a large family (2964) of two-dimensional (2D) bimetal phosphates, and discovered 60 stable ferroelectrics with out-of-plane polarization, including 16 ferroelectric metals and 44 ferroelectric semiconductors that contain seven multiferroics. The ferroelectricity origins from spontaneous symmetry breaking induced by the opposite displacements of bimetal atoms, and the full-d-orbital coinage metal elements cause larger displacements and polarization than other elements. For 2D ferroelectric metals, the odd electrons per unit cell without spin polarization may lead to a half-filled energy band around Fermi level and is responsible for the metallicity. It is revealed that the conducting electrons mainly move on a single-side surface of the 2D layer, while both the ionic and electric contributions to polarization come from the other side and are vertical to the above layer, thereby causing the coexistence of metallicity and ferroelectricity. Van der Waals heterostructures based on ferroelectric metals may enable the change of Schottky barrier height or the Schottky-Ohmic contact type and induce a dramatic change of their vertical transport properties. Our work greatly expands the family of 2D ferroelectric metals and will spur further exploration of 2D ferroelectric metals.

Characterization of sedimentary phosphorus in Lake Erie and on-site quantification of internal phosphorus loading

Lake Erie harmful algal blooms and hypoxia are two major environmental problems, and have severe impacts on human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. However, little is known about internal loading of phosphorus (P) from sediments, which pose a challenge for assessing the efficacy of current conservation measures on the improvement of lake water quality. A modified Hedley's extraction procedure was employed to analyze representative sediment samples collected from the Lake Erie basin for assessing sedimentary P stock, potential availability for release into lake water, and internal P loading. Inorganic and organic P in the sediments were characterized by sequential extractions in H₂O, 0.5 M NaHCO₃, 0.1 M NaOH, and 1.0 M HCl, respectively. In the 0 - 10 cm sediment, total P stock was 172, 191, and 170 metric tons km^-2 in the western, central, and eastern basins, respectively. Sedimentary P seems unlikely to contribute to internal P loading in the western basin, while in the eastern basin it can potentially contribute to an internal loading of 359 metric tons P yr^-1. In the central basin, 41% of organic P, 15% of non-HCl extractable inorganic P, and 9.7% of residual P in the 0 - 10 cm sediment is potentially available for release into lake water; in the 10 - 20 cm sediment, organic P extracted by NaHCO₃ and NaOH is also partially available. The central basin potentially contributes to internal P loading at a total amount of 10,599 metric tons yr^-1. Internal P loading may not contribute to HABs in the western basin, but it can cause and maintain hypoxia in the central basin and delay the recovery of lake water quality for a lengthy time period in response to external P reduction measures.