Search

The polycrystalline strontium ferrate titanate (SrFe0.1Ti0.9O3, SFTO) thin films have been successfully prepared by chemical solution method. By analyzing the current-voltage (I–V) characteristics, we discuss the conduction mechanism of SFTO. It is found that the number of oxygen vacancy defects is increased by Fe ion doping, making SFTO be with better resistive switching property. Fe ion doping can also enhance the absorption of strontium titanate to be exposed to visible light, which is associated with the change of energy band. The band gap width (2.84 eV) of SFTO films is figured out, which is less than that of pure strontium titanate. Due to more oxygen vacancy defects caused by Fe ion doping, the band gap width of strontium titanate was reduced slightly. The defect types of SFTO thin films can be determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. In addition, we analyzed the energy band and state density of SFTO by first-principles calculation based on density functional theory, and found that Fe ion doping can reduce the band gap width of strontium titanate with micro-regulation on the band structure. A chemical state of SFTO was analyzed by X-ray photo electron spectroscopy. At the same time, the structure and morphology of SFTO were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. This study deepens further understanding of the influence of Fe ion doping on the structure and properties of strontium ferrate titanate, which is expected to be a functional thin film material for memristor devices.

Increasing evidence indicates that interferon alpha (IFN-α) therapy is an effective treatment option for a subgroup of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It has been confirmed that interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3), a member of the interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), could inhibit the replication of various viruses. However, its effect on HBV replication is unclear. The present study sought to explore the role and mechanism of IFIT3 in IFN-α antiviral activities against HBV. IFIT3 mRNA levels in the peripheral blood of 108 treatment-naive patients and 70 healthy controls were analyzed first. The effect of IFIT3 on the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway under the dual intervention of IFN-α and HBV was also explored

Though there are many advantages of pegylated interferon-α (PegIFN-α) treatment to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, the response rate of PegIFN-α is only 30 ~ 40%. Therefore, it is important to explore predictors at baseline and establish models to improve the response rate of PegIFN-α.We randomly divided 260 HBeAg-positive CHB patients who were not previously treated and received PegIFN-α monotherapy (180 μg/week) into a training dataset (70%) and testing dataset (30%). The intersect features were extracted from 50 routine laboratory variables using the recursive feature elimination method algorithm, Boruta algorithm, and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator Regression algorithm in the training dataset. After that, based on the intersect features, eight machine learning models including Logistic Regression, k-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Naïve Bayes were applied to evaluate HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive CHB patients receiving PegIFN-α monotherapy in the training dataset and testing dataset.XGBoost model showed the best performance, which had largest AUROC (0.900, 95% CI: 0.85-0.95 and 0.910, 95% CI: 0.84-0.98, in training dataset and testing dataset, respectively), and the best calibration curve performance to predict HBeAg seroconversion. The importance of XGBoost model indicated that treatment time contributed greatest to HBeAg seroconversion, followed by HBV DNA(log), HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb, ALT, triglyceride, and ALP.XGBoost model based on common laboratory variables had good performance in predicting HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive CHB patients receiving PegIFN-α monotherapy.

Genetically engineered bacterial cancer therapy presents several advantages over conventional therapies. However, the anticancer effects of bacterium-based therapies remain insufficient, and serious side effects may be incurred with the increase in therapeutic dosages. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) suppresses tumor growth by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) through specific laser-activated photosensitizers (PSs). Tumor-specific PS delivery and activatable ROS generation are two critical aspects for PDT advancement. Here, we propose PDT-enhanced oncolytic bacterial immunotherapy (OBI) by using genetically engineered avirulent Salmonella expressing a fluorogen-activating protein (FAP). Upon binding to a fluorogen, FAP could be activated and generate fluorescence and ROS. The instant activation of persistent fluorescence was detected in tumors through bacterium-based imaging. In a colon cancer model, PDT-OBI showed an enhanced tumor inhibition effect and prolonged animal survival. Mechanically, PDT generated ROS, resulting in the killing of cancer cells and over-accumulated bacteria. The pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns released from the destroyed bacteria and cancer cells recruited and activated immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells), which released additional proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β); reduced anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10); and further enhanced immune cell infiltration in a positive-feedback manner, thus reducing bacterium-induced side effects and improving anticancer activities. This synergistic therapy has promising potential for cancer immunotherapy.

Pegylated interferon-alpha (PegIFNα) therapy has limited effectiveness in hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the mechanism underlying this failure is poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the influence of bile acids (BAs), especially taurocholic acid (TCA), on the response to PegIFNα therapy in CHB patients. Here, we used mass spectrometry to determine serum BA profiles in 110 patients with chronic HBV infection and 20 healthy controls (HCs). We found that serum BAs, especially TCA, were significantly elevated in HBeAg-positive CHB patients compared with those in HCs and patients in other phases of chronic HBV infection. Moreover, serum BAs, particularly TCA, inhibited the response to PegIFNα therapy in HBeAg-positive CHB patients. Mechanistically, the expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, granzyme B, and perforin were measured using flow cytometry to assess the effector functions of immune cells in patients with low or high BA levels. We found that BAs reduced the number and proportion and impaired the effector functions of CD3+CD8+ T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in HBeAg-positive CHB patients. TCA in particular reduced the frequency and impaired the effector functions of CD3+CD8+ T and NK cells in vitro and in vivo and inhibited the immunoregulatory activity of IFN-α in vitro. Thus, our results show that BAs, especially TCA, inhibit the response to PegIFNα therapy by impairing the effector functions of CD3+CD8+ T and NK cells in HBeAg-positive CHB patients. Our findings suggest that targeting TCA could be a promising approach for restoring IFN-α responsiveness during CHB treatment.

The need to be diagnosed with liver biopsy makes the clinical progression of chronic HBV infection diagnosis a challenge. Existing HBV serum biochemical assays are used throughout clinical but have limited effects. Studies have shown that mitochondrial function is tightly coupled to HBV infection. Here, we verified the diagnostic value of serum Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) as a potential marker for differential HBV infection progress by detecting the level of ATP in the serum from a wide spectrum of HBV-infected populations, and confirmed the role of ATP in the deterioration of HBV infection-related diseases through HBV-infected cells and mouse models. The results showed that there were significantly lower serum ATP levels in HBeAg-positive CHB patients compared with healthy controls. And during the progression of CHB to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, the ATP level was increased but not higher than healthy controls. The area under the curve (AUC) of serum ATP was 0.9063 to distinguish HBeAg-positive CHB from healthy, and another AUC was 0.8328 in the CHB against the HCC group. Preliminary exploration of the mechanism indicated that the decline of serum ATP was due to impaired mitochondria in CHB patients. Our data provide evidence that serum ATP distinguishes the various progress of HBV infection-related diseases and expands diagnostic biomarkers for HBeAg-positive CHB patients with healthy controls.

PbxSr1-xTiO3 (PST) (x = 0.3, 0.35 and 0.40, abbreviated as PST30, PST35 and PST40, respectively) ceramics were prepared by solid-state reaction route. Coexistence of tetragonal and cubic phase of ceramics is confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern at room temperature (RT). Temperature-dependent dielectric permittivity εr measurements showed that Pb2+ doping increased the phase transition temperature of ferroelectric (FE) to paraelectric (PE) phase. The temperature-related polarization-electric field (P-E) measurements were performed to study the FE properties of PST ceramics. Phase transition from FE to PE was observed in P-E measurements. Furthermore, pyroelectric energy harvesting performance was evaluated based on Olsen cycle. The calculated results of pyroelectric energy harvesting density (ND) showed that PST35 ceramic with ND = 283 kJ/m3 (∆T = 70°C, EL = 2.5 kV and EH = 40 kV) is most potential for pyroelectric energy harvesting application near RT among all samples.

The ability to harness innate immunity is a promising solution for improving cancer immunotherapy. Interferon (IFN) induces expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) by activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway to promote innate immunity and inhibit malignant tumor growth, but the functions and mechanisms of most ISGs in cancer regulation are unknown. As an innate immune effector, ISG12a promotes the innate immune response to viral infection. In this study, ISG12a was found to be expressed at low levels in gastrointestinal cancer, represented by hepatocellular cancer (HCC) and gastric cancer (GC), and it identified as a tumor suppressor that affects clinical prognosis. ISG12a silencing accelerated the malignant transformation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of cancer cells. Mechanistically, ISG12a promoted β-catenin proteasomal degradation by inhibiting the degradation of ubiquitinated Axin, thereby suppressing the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Notably, β-catenin was identified as a transcription factor for PD-L1. Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling by ISG12a suppressed expression of the immune checkpoint PD-L1, rendering cancer cells sensitive to NK cell-mediated killing. This study reveals a mechanism underlying the anticancer effects of IFN. Some ISGs, as represented by ISG12a, may be useful in cancer therapy and prevention. The identified interrelations among innate immunity, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and cancer immunity may provide new insight into strategies that will improve the efficiency of immunotherapy.

Background and aim Recently, the role of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) has not been well-understood. We aimed to investigate the association of ALBI score with natural history of chronic HBV infection and treatment response of CHB patients. Methods The ALBI score in a cohort of 849 individuals including 721 chronic HBV-infected patients naive to anti-HBV treatment in different phases and 128 healthy controls were estimated. Additionally, the dynamic changes of ALBI score of 243 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients treated with pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) or nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) were tested for 72 weeks. Results ALBI score differed among phases, with the highest score in HBeAg-positive CHB patients, followed by HBeAg-negative CHB patients, HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection, and HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection. Besides, CHB patients harbouring high baseline ALBI score exhibited a relatively stronger therapeutic response to PEG-IFN-α or NAs. Moreover, the rate of HBeAg and HBsAg loss in patients with ALBI grade 2 was persistently higher than that in patients with ALBI grade 1 throughout the course of treatment. Furthermore, ALBI score was an independent predictor of sustained response achievement. The combined use of ALBI score, HBeAg and ALT could enhance the predictive value of treatment response. Conclusions ALBI score differed significantly across the natural course of chronic HBV infection and was correlated with PEG-IFN-α and NAs treatment response in HBeAg-positive CHB patients, which suggested that ALBI score could be useful as an auxiliary clinical factor to determine the initiation of therapy and predict stronger antiviral treatment response.

Background: There are limited data regarding the efficacy of addition of entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) to Peg-IFNα-2b in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients without early response to Peg-IFNα-2b. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ETV and TDF in HBeAg positive CHB patients who had a poor response to Peg-INFα-2b at the end of 12 weeks of monotherapy. Methods: A total of 40 HBeAg-positive CHB patients who were naive to antiviral therapy were recruited. The patients received a subcutaneous injection of Peg-IFNα-2b (180 µg) once a week for 12 weeks. However, the patients had a poor response to Peg-INFα-2b at the end of the 12-week-period monotherapy. The patients were then divided into two therapeutic protocol groups: (1) Group A: Patients received Peg-IFNα-2b (180 µg) subcutaneously weekly and ETV (0.5 mg) orally once daily for 48 weeks; (2) Group B: Patients received Peg-IFNα-2b (180 µg) subcutaneously weekly and TDF (300 mg) orally once daily for 48 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated. Blood samples were collected at baseline and every 12 weeks. Routine biochemical tests including ALT, AST, etc. were measured by automated biochemical technique. HBV DNA was quantified using the TaqMan PCR assay. The levels of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb were measured using a commercial chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Results: The HBsAg level declined rapidly in both two treatment groups during the first 12 weeks and declined gradually in the next 36 weeks. At week 48, the mean ΔHBsAg level in Peg-IFNα-2b+TDF group was significantly higher than that in Peg-IFNα-2b +ETV group (-1.799 ± 0.3063 vs. -1.078 ± 0.2028, P=0.0491). The HBeAg loss rate was significantly higher in TDF add-on group than that in ETV add-on group at week 48 (40% vs. 10%, P=0.028). At week 48, the proportions of patients with undetectable HBV DNA (

Dynamic and real-time hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, genotype, and reverse transcriptase mutation analysis plays an important role in diagnosing and monitoring chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and in assessing the therapeutic response. We established a highly sensitive coamplification at lower denaturation temperature PCR (COLD-PCR) coupled with probe-based fluorescence melting curve analysis (FMCA) for precision diagnosis of CHB patients. The imprecision with %CV and detection limit of HBV DNA detected by COLD-PCR/FMCA were 2.58% to 4.42% and 500 IU/mL, respectively. For mutation, the imprecision and detection limit were 3.35% to 6.49% and 1%, respectively. Compared with Sanger sequencing, the coincidence rates of genotype and mutation were 96.0% and 82.5%, respectively, whereas the inconsistent data resulted from a low proportion (20%) of mixed genotypes or mixed mutations. The mutation ratio in HBV infection patients was as follows: hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive infection (0/0.0%) HBeAg-negative infection (16/4.5%) HBeAg-positive hepatitis (30/5.5%) HBeAg-negative hepatitis (36/6.5%). In patients with entecavir therapy, the proportion of mutation at baseline or week 4 in virologic response (VR) group was4%, whereas in the partial VR group, it was mostly ≥4%. COLD-PCR/FMCA provides a novel tool with high sensitivity, convenience, and practicability for the simultaneous quantification of HBV DNA, genotype, and mutation. It might be used for distinguishing the different phases of HBV infection and predicting VR of CHB patients.

Currently, determining when to start antiviral therapy in patients with chronic HBV infection is a controversial issue. One crucial reason is that biomarkers for distinguishing the natural history of chronic HBV infection are unmet needs. In this study, we aimed to explore novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic HBV infection by using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics approach. Here, we firstly revealed the serum proteomic characterization of the natural history of chronic HBV infection using multiplex TMT labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Then, we verified the levels of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) across a large number of clinical samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that DEPs over the different phases of chronic HBV infection were primarily involved in the biological process of leukocyte-mediated immunity. Patients with chronic hepatitis were characterized as having an up-regulated proteasome pathway, including upregulation of proteasome activator subunit 1 (PSME1) and proteasome subunit alpha type 7 (PSMA7) levels. In addition, immune tolerant phase patients were characterized by having the lowest ephrin-B2 (EFNB2) levels and highest heat responsive protein 12 (HRSP12) levels. Moreover, inactive HBV carrier state patients were characterized by having a down-regulated glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway, with especially low expression of related enzymes alpha-enolase (ENO1) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 (FBP1). What's more, HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis patients were characterized as having the highest interleukin 18 binding protein (IL-18BP) levels. Thus, our results provide several potential diagnostic biomarkers for distinguishing the natural history of chronic HBV infection, such as PSME1, PSMA7, EFNB2, ENO1, and IL-18BP, and also present potential therapeutic interventions for chronic hepatitis B patients, such as targeting the proteasome or glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Our findings shed new light on the development of novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic HBV infection.

Summary Our previous study revealed that Yin Yang 1(YY1) played an important part in promoting interleukin (IL)-6 production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether YY1 has any role in regulation of IL-8 in RA remains unclear. YY1 and IL-8 expression in RA patients were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the signaling pathway involved in YY1-induced IL-8 production. The expression of YY1 and proteins involved in the pathway were detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Migration of neutrophils was performed by chemotaxis assay. In this study, we found that high expression of IL-8 was positively associated with YY1 expression in RA. Blocking YY1 expression by YY1-short hairpin (sh)RNA lentivirus reduced IL-8 production. Mechanistically, we showed YY1 activated IL-8 production via the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway. Further, using a co-culture system consisting of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and neutrophils, we found that migration of neutrophils would be inhibited by YY1 RNA interference. Finally, using the collagen-induced arthritis animal model, we showed that treatment with the YY1-shRNA lentivirus led to reduction of IL-8 levels and attenuation of inflammation and neutrophil infiltration in vivo. Our results reveal a role of YY1 involved in neutrophil infiltration in RA via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/IL-8 signaling pathway. YY1 may be a new therapeutic target for treatment of RA.

Serum HBV large surface protein (HBV-LP) is an envelope protein that has a close relationship with HBV DNA level. This study is to explore the prediction value of HBV-LP in different phase of HBV infection and during antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.A retrospective study was conducted in 2033 individuals, which included 1677 HBV infected patients in different phases and 356 healthy controls. HBV-LP, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA were detected by ELISA, CMIA and qRT-PCR, respectively. 85 CHB patients receiving PegIFNα or ETV were divided into virological response (VR) and partial virological response (PVR). The dynamic changes of HBV DNA and HBV-LP were observed.The level of HBV-LP in 2033 individuals was shown as: HBeAg-positive hepatitis HBeAg-positive infection HBeAg-negative hepatitis HBeAg-negative infection healthy controls. HBV-LP was positive in all patients whose HBV DNA 1.0E + 06 IU/ml. When HBsAg was0.05 IU/ml or1000 IU/ml, HBV DNAs were all negative if HBV-LP 1.0 S/CO. When HBsAg was between 0.05 IU/ml and 1000 IU/ml, the consistency of HBV-LP with HBV DNA was 100% in case of HBV-LP 4.0 S/CO in HBeAg-positive patients and HBV-LP 2.0 S/CO in HBeAg-negative ones. During antiviral therapy, baseline HBV-LP was lower in VR patients than that in PVR patients. The optimal cut-off points to predict VR by baseline HBV-LP were 32.4 and 28.6 S/CO for HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative hepatitis patients, respectively.HBV-LP may be a useful marker for distinguishing the different phases of HBV infection. Moreover, baseline HBV-LP level can be used for predicting VR of CHB patients.

AIM Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) plays an important role in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Recently, NTCP was identified as a hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of NTCP polymorphisms with HBV clinical outcomes and investigate the relationship between NTCP polymorphisms and the serum bile acid level in a Chinese Han population. METHODS The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2296651 and rs4646285 were genotyped in 1619 Chinese Han individuals. Improved multiple ligase detection reaction was utilized to genotype. The level of bile acids was measured by the enzymatic cycling method. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was carried out to analyze the potential function. RESULTS In logistic regression analysis, the frequency of rs2296651 (S267F) CT genotype was higher in HBV immune recovery and healthy control groups than in the chronic HBV infection group (P = 0.001 and P

Background Recent studies suggest that serum lipids are associated with pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) treatment response in chronic hepatitis C patients. However, the role of serum lipids in influencing the outcome of HBV treatment is not well understood. This study aims to investigate the association of serum lipids with the response to interferon-alpha treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods We dynamically measured 11 clinical serum lipid parameters of 119 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients, including 53 patients who achieved sustained response (SR) and 66 patients who achieved non-response (NR) induced by PEG-IFN-α treatment for 48 weeks. Results The dynamic analysis showed that the baseline serum total cholesterol (TCHO) level was higher in the NR group than that in the SR group ( P=0.004). Moreover, the correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive correlation between TCHO and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at baseline ( P=0.009). In addition, CHB patients with high baseline TCHO levels exhibited higher HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg and hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb) levels during early treatment periods (weeks 0, 4, 12 and 24) than those with the low TCHO levels. Furthermore, the logistic regression analysis identified that baseline serum TCHO was a risk factor for NR achievement (OR=4.94; P=0.047). Conclusions: Our results indicated that serum TCHO was associated with PEG-IFN-α therapeutic response in HBeAg-positive CHB patients which suggested that serum TCHO could be useful as an auxiliary clinical factor to predict poor efficacy of PEG-IFN-α therapy.

Enhancement on resistive switching characteristics of Bismuth ferrite (BFO) has attracted persistent interest in the past decades due to the inimitable interior structure. In the work, the amorphous and the polycrystalline Bismuth ferrite thin films have been successfully prepared via sol–gel method. We utilize X-ray diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscope and absorption spectrum to characterize the internal structure and calculate the band gap of Bismuth ferrite thin film samples. By comparing the current–voltage (I-V) characteristics between the amorphous and the polycrystalline sample, we investigate the amorphous sample has better resistive switching performance (switching ratio is 104) than that of polycrystalline (1 0 1) bismuth ferrite thin film devices. However, the polycrystalline Bismuth ferrite sample exhibits favorable switchable photovoltaic response and good stability. Additionally, we discuss the conduction mechanism via the double logarithm fitting of amorphous Bismuth ferrite sample. The article also indicates that resistive switching property is closely related with the defects such as oxygen vacancies. The article deepens the comprehension of resistive switching properties of amorphous and polycrystalline Bismuth ferrite thin film which would have further potential applications in advanced electronic devices such as new resistive memory.

Recent studies have demonstrated a potential link between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there are few studies evaluating mtDNA content as a noninvasive marker of chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB). In this study, we conducted a case-control study to determine mtDNA content in peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) samples from 76 CHB cases naive to antivirus therapy and 96 healthy controls, and then evaluated the association between mtDNA content and baseline serum concentration of HBV markers. Consequently, CHB cases had significantly higher mtDNA content than healthy controls (1052.85 vs 618.98, P

The mechanism for the co-existence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti-HBs) in chronic HBV infected patients remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the role of HBV S gene mutation and anti-HBs subtype-nonspecificity in patients with simultaneous HBsAg/anti-HBs positivity. Chronic HBV infections with (n = 145, group I) and without (n = 141, group II) anti-HBs were included. The S gene was amplified and sequenced. The neutralization experiment was used in group I patients' sera to determine the specificity of anti-HBs. Additionally, the HBV vaccinated persons' sera were used to estimate the neutralize capacity of anti-HBs against HBsAg in group I patients. Results showed that 2.63% (145/5513) chronic HBV infected patients had positive results for anti-HBs. HBsAg amino acid (aa) substitution rate in 35 patients of group I was significantly higher than that in 58 patients of group II (1.89% vs 0.95%, P

The Src-associated in mitosis 68-kDa (Sam68) protein is a highly conserved nuclear protein and is involved in a series of cellular processes, including transcription and signal transduction. Sam68 is comprised of 443 amino acids and contains an RGG box domain, a KH domain, and a tyrosine-rich domain. Its role in hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication is unknown. Here, we find that Sam68 promotes HCV replication without affecting viral translation. The RNA immunoprecipitation experiments show that the positive strand of HCV RNA interacts with Sam68. HCV infection triggers the translocation of the Sam68 protein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it interacts with the HCV genome. Further study shows that the region of Sam68 spanning amino acids 1 to 157 is the pivotal domain to interact with the stem-loop 2 of the HCV 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) and is responsible for the enhancement of HCV replication. These data suggested that Sam68 may serve as a proviral factor of HCV to facilitate viral replication through interaction with the viral genome. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of the Flaviviridae family, and its infection causes chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. No vaccine is available. Many host factors may be implicated in the pathogenesis of HCV-related diseases. This study discloses a new host factor that binds to the HCV 5′ UTR and promotes HCV replication. Sam68 may play an important role in HCV-related diseases, and further investigation is highly encouraged to explore its specific actions in HCV pathogenesis.

Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phase Sr2TiO4 thin film is deposited successfully on FTO/glass substrate by spin coating. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows high-intensity (00 l) (l = 2, 4, and 6) peaks. The device shows bipolar resistive switching (RS) effect. Analysis on current–voltage (I-V) characteristic shows that conduction mechanism is dominated by Schottky emission in both low resistive state (LRS) and high resistive state (HRS). A variation (~0.12 eV) in Schottky barrier height (SBH) is observed between HRS and LRS. Thus, RS at electrode-Sr2TiO4 interface is the main mechanism. In general, variation of SBH is induced by accumulation of interfacial charges. Polarization-voltage (P-V) measurement shows hysteresis loop, which indicates the accumulation of interfacial charges. Formation and migration of charged oxygen vacancies and ions is proposed to be a possible mechanism of interfacial charges accumulation. This study paves the avenue for exploring RS application based on RP phase Sr2TiO4 perovskite oxide.

Inflammatory cytokine gene polymorphisms may influence the hepatic and extrahepatic HBV-related disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of IL-17, IL-21 gene and HBV related hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese Han population.We performed a multi-center study comprised 866 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 1086 unrelated patients with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) as control to evaluate the effects of IL-17 (rs4711998), IL-21 SNPs (rs12508721, rs13143866 and rs2221903) and the susceptibility of HCC. MassARRAY technology was utilized to genotype. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum IL-17 and IL-21 level. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the serum viral loads.In logistic regression analysis, our results showed the frequency of rs4711998 allele G in CHB group was significantly higher than that in HCC group (P = 0.042, 0.859(0.743-0.994)), and it is present only among females. Compared to HCC group, rs13143866 A allele was more likely to appear in HCC group (P = 0.015, 1.268 (1.049-1.532)). The frequency of AA also showed different between HCC group and CHB groups (P = 0.011, 3.135 (1.292-7.603)), which showed strong sex-specific relationships. ELISA showed a higher serum IL-17 and IL-21 expression in HCC patients compared to CHB patients (P all0.05). Haplotype rs12508721C/rs13143866A/rs2221903T in male HCC group was statistically higher than in male CHB group(P = 0.013) but not in females (P 0.05).We suggested rs4711998 allele A as risk factors for women to develop HBV related-HCC in Chinese Han population. rs13143866 allele A as risk factors to develop HBV related-HCC in Chinese male population. Male patients with haplotype rs12508721C/rs13143866A/rs2221903T may with 1.3-fold risk for HBV-related HCC.

A molecular-level insight into the nature of reactive oxygen species involved in dihydrogen (H2 ) dissociation is of great importance to understand gold catalysis. In this study, laser ablation generated and mass-selected AuNbO4+ oxide cluster cations could dissociate H2 in an ion-trap reactor. The reaction has been characterized by time-of-flight mass spectrometric experiments and density functional calculations. The lowest energy isomer of AuNbO4+ contains two lattice oxygen (O2- ) and one superoxide (O2.- ) species. The gold atom anchors the H2 molecule in the first step and then delivers one hydrogen atom to the O2- ion in H2 dissociation. At the same time, O2.- is reduced into a peroxide unit that can accept the second hydrogen atom of H2 with the generation of a hydroxyl radical as the main product. In this study, the important roles of the O2.- unit in the dissociation of H2 have been identified.

Analog-type resistive switching (RS) behavior of Au/HfO2/ZnO thin film deposited on flexible Mica substrate is studied. ZnO thin film is deposited on insulating Mica substrate as bottom electrode and buffer layer by magnetron sputtering. And then HfO2 thin film is fabricated by chemical solution deposition method. The device shows diode-like current-voltage (I-V) characteristic, and its conductivity decreases gradually with consecutive sweeping of applied bias. Such resistive switching behavior is similar to the learning process of biological synapse. A model of mobile charges migration and accumulation at interface is constructed to understand the resistive switching mechanism. It is suggested that the change of Schottky barrier height (SBH) is responsible for resistive switching. This study provides guidance to develop HfO2-based memristor for electronic synapse device, but also provides the theoretical model for understanding the physical mechanism of analog-type resistive switching.

The detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA plays a critical role in determining the level of viral replication in HBV-infected patients. However, how to select appropriate HBV DNA detection method, low-sensitivity (ls) and hypersensitivity (hs) remains unclear. In this study, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and hs HBV DNA titers in serum of 5611 cases with suspected HBV infection were reviewed. Besides, the dynamic changes of HBV DNA and HBsAg in 85 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving peginterferon α (PegIFNα) or entecavir (ETV) were observed. The results showed the positive rate of HBV DNA was 32.8%, of which low viral load (20 to 500 IU/mL) accounted for 51.8%. In the 5611 cases, when the HBsAg was less than 1000 IU/mL, the proportion of low viral load was 76.3%. Moreover, in patients receiving antiviral treatment, when HBsAg was less than 2000 IU/mL (PegIFNα) or HBsAg was less than 3500 IU/mL (ETV), the proportion of patients with low viral load was 79.5% or 78.0%, respectively. We developed a strategy of serum HBV DNA detection in HBV-infected patients. When HBsAg was negative, HBV DNA detection should be unnecessary. When HBsAg was 0.05 to 1000 IU/mL, hs HBV DNA should be detected in patients with abnormal level of ALT, AST, or HBeAg. While HBsAg was greater than or equal to 1000 IU/mL, ls HBV DNA was recommended. Moreover, the cutoff value of HBsAg increased during antiviral therapy of CHB patients. In conclusion, hs HBV DNA is of great value in HBV-infected patients with low viral load. HBV DNA detection methods should be selected reasonably according to the levels of HBsAg, HBeAg, ALT, and AST.

An iterative technique is developed to solve coupled conduction–radiation heat transfer in semitransparent media. Apart from a high convergence rate, the present algorithm preserves the conservation nature of the governing equation far better than other common methods and it is readily combined with other methods in solving radiative transfer. Using the technique described in this study, parametric studies are carried out for coupled heat transfer in a semitransparent slab and the results illustrate the “peak” effects of wall emissivity and scattering albedo on conductive and radiative heat fluxes, which are rarely mentioned in the existing research.

Micro-Suction technique(MST) is proposed by the development of micro-blowing technique(MBT). Current experiments and numerical studies are mostly focusing on MBT, micro-suction flow control in turbulent boundary layer remains unstudied. Thus, based on 2D-RAE2822 supercritical airfoil, numerical research on MST and MB/ST compounding flow control have been carried out. And Micro-Porous Wall Model(MPWM) is used to represent the real effects that the blowing and suction of the micro-porous wall has on the surface flow.The numerical results of micro-suction indicate that micro-suction control is capable of inducing a lower pressure zone in front of the micro-porous zone, and a higher pressure zone in the rear end. Given that micro-porous zone is placed on the particular section of airfoil, where the pressure drag direction is backward parallel to free-stream direction, the reduction of the pressure induced by micro-suction control can result in the decrease of pressure drag. Finally, combining the previous study on the MBT, a compounding configuration of micro-blowing/suction flow control on RAE2822 airfoil is proposed. The compounding configuration can take the advantage of both micro-blowing and micro-suction, over 20% increase of the lift and up to 15% decrease of the drag can be realized. Therefore, the compounding flowing control of micro-blowing/suction shows a great potential for the flow control on aircraft.

We perform the first-principles calculations within the framework of density functional theory to determine the electronic structure and optical properties of P-doped and B-doped silicon nanotubes. The results indicate that the electronic structure and optical properties of P-doped and B-doped silicon nanotubes are sensitive to the impurity composition. In particular, when doped with P or B, obviously the band gap decreases and the conductivity enhanced, the P-doped and B-doped silicon nanotubes displays a closer band structure and the unit cell volume of doped silicon nanotubes increased than before doping, the change depends on the doping charge and Si-Si bond length dSi-Si. Moreover, the dielectric constant decreases and increased when doped P and B, the optical absorption peak obviously has a blue shift and red shift respectively. The calculated results provide important theoretical guidance for the applications of Uv detector and the solar cell in optical detectors.

Sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) plays an important role in the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Recently, NTCP was identified as a hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of NTCP polymorphisms with HBV clinical outcomes and investigate the relationship between NTCP polymorphisms and the serum bile acid level in a Chinese Han population.The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2296651 and rs4646285 were genotyped in 1619 Chinese Han individuals. Improved multiple ligase detection reaction was utilized to genotype. The level of bile acids was measured by the enzymatic cycling method. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was carried out to analyze the potential function.In logistic regression analysis, the frequency of rs2296651 (S267F) CT genotype was higher in HBV immune recovery and healthy control groups than in the chronic HBV infection group (P = 0.001 and P 0.001, respectively). Patients who carried allele T showed a higher bile acid level than patients who did not carry allele T (P = 0.009). The rs4646285 AA genotype was more common in the immune recovery group than in the chronic HBV infection group (P = 0.011). No difference in serum bile acid was detected between the rs4646285 wild-type patients and mutant-type patients. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed the NTCP mRNA levels were lower in rs4646285 variants than wild types.NTCP gene polymorphisms may be associated with the natural course of HBV infection in a Chinese Han population. The S267F variant may be a protective factor to resist chronic hepatitis B progression which showed a higher bile acid level in Chinese Han chronic HBV infection patients. The rs4646285 variants could influence the expression of NTCP at the level of transcription, and ultimately may be associated with HBV infection immune recovery.

With the development of wireless communication technology, mobile computing technology that all walks of life increasingly improve intelligence, the computer information technology are more and more been used in various fields. For Hangzhou cigarette factory, this paper is based on RFID technology, designs the wireless inspection service platform, and the system function is carried on the thorough analysis, so do the basis of dividing the corresponding subsystem and function modules, thus for the reasonable development, finally completing the design and planning of the whole system. Through wireless communication with the server for data interaction, it reduces the regional space and the limitation on the inspection work, improves the efficiency of the inspection work, and to ensure the quality of work.

Vanadium oxide cluster ions are prepared by laser ablation and the (V2O5)nO– (n = 1–3) clusters (V2O6–, V4O11–, and V6O16–) are selected by a quadrupole mass filter and interacted with ethylene (C2H4) and propylene (C3H6) in an ion trap reactor. Molecular association (MA) is observed for all of the reactions and oxygen atom transfer (OAT) is also observed for the V4O11– and V6O16– cluster systems. The branching ratio of the OAT versus the MA channel increases as the size of (V2O5)nO– increases and the OAT becomes the major channel in V6O16– + C2H4 and V6O16– + C3H6. Density functional theory computations are carried out for the reactions of V2O6– and V4O11– with C2H4 and the results are consistent with the experimental observations. Anionic metal oxide clusters are usually much less reactive than their cationic and neutral counterparts and this work is among the first to identify the OAT reactivity for cluster anions with hydrocarbon molecules under thermal collision conditions, to the best of our knowledge.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects and mechanism of chloroquine (CQ) on the apoptosis induced by cisplatin in human gastric cancer BGC823 cells. MTT assay was used to detect the state of cell growth. The appearances of cellular apoptosis were detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy and light microscopy. The expressions of LC3 and p62 were detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy. MTT tests showed that the non-toxic dose of CQ could increase the inhibition rate of BGC823 cells induced by cisplatin. Under the light microscope, the ratio of apoptotic cells in the group treated with non-toxic dose of CQ combined with cisplatin was higher than that in the group treated with cisplatin alone. Hoechst33342 staining showed that the ratio of apoptotic cells in the combination group was higher than that in the cisplatin group. The expression and colocalization of LC3 and p62 proteins were significantly increased in the combination group. These results indicate that CQ can enhance the cell apoptosis induced by cisplatin in BGC823 cells, which is through the inhibition of autophagy.

With the popularity and development of application of network in colleges and universities, students enjoy the convenience of learning and school life network at the same time, it could also be that excessive and irregular use and create network obsession or addiction led directly to an increase in psychological problems among college students, lack of ideals and beliefs, moral quality of landslide, thus affecting the students ' healthy and smooth growth. How to educating and guiding college students, the prevention and resolution of network with negative consequences for physical and mental development of college students, into a new era, the new situation of ideological and political education of college students under the subject of intense interest.

This paper focuses on physical properties of ZnS thin films.ZnS thin films were successfully fabricated on Fluorine-Tin-Oxide(FTO) substrates(in a vacuum chamber maintained at 10-6Torr) at the substrate temperatures(Ts) of 150°Cand 200°Cby pulsed laser deposition(PLD),respectively.The structural properties of the ZnS films were analyzed with a X-ray diffraction(XRD) spectroscopy;The surface morphology of ZnS films was examined using scanning electron microscopy(SEM). With the increasing of the substrate temperature,the intensity of the (111) diffraction peak increases clearly and the surface of the ZnS films was more homogeneous and more compact.The main phase of the films deposited at 150°C and 200°C are both cubic-zinc-blende structure.The transmission spectra of the films was measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometer(UV,model a Perkin Elmer-Lambda 950),it shown that the films have the high transmittance in the spectrum of the visible light range,and the optical energy gaps were 3.48eV and 3.54eV,corresponding to the substrate temperatures of 150°C and 200°C.The results shown that the PLD technique can fabricate the better ZnS thin films.

Cerium oxide cationic clusters (CeO2)1-3(+) were generated through laser ablation and then reacted with sulfur dioxide (SO2) at ambient conditions in an ion trap reactor and those reactions were studied and characterized by combining the art of time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Molecule association and oxygen atom transfer (OAT) were observed for the CeO2(+) and (CeO2)2,3(+) reaction systems, respectively. The mechanistic analysis indicates that the weak Ce-O bond strength associated with the oxygen release capacity of cerium oxide clusters is considered as the key factor to achieve the oxidation of SO2. To our best knowledge, this research should be the first example to identify the OAT reactivity of metal oxide cluster ions toward sulfur dioxide under thermal collision conditions, and a fundamental understanding of the elementary oxidation of SO2 to SO3 is provided.

A molecular-level insight into the nature of reactive oxygen species involved in dihydrogen (H

In addition to generation of a methyl radical, formation of a formaldehyde molecule was observed in the thermal reaction of methane with AuNbO3(+) heteronuclear oxide cluster cations. The clusters were prepared by laser ablation and mass-selected to react with CH4 in an ion-trap reactor under thermal collision conditions. The reaction was studied by mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. The latter indicated that the gold atom promotes formaldehyde formation through transformation of an Au-O bond into an Au-Nb bond during the reaction.

The behavior of the spent fuel pool and the fission product release and transport for the CPR1000 reactor under severe accident conditions was analyzed using the integral severe accident code MELCOR. In the investigated accident scenario a total failure of the pump of the spent fuel cooling system was assumed. Furthermore, it is assumed that accident management fails to bring water into the spent fuel pool using mobile pumps or due to the non-recovery of the cooling pump. The grace time available for measures in order to avoid significant fission product release to the environment is determined. The calculated hydrogen mass flow rate due to clad oxidation and the steam flow rate from the spent fuel pool to the compartment above the spent fuel pool serve as boundary conditions for the three dimensional fluid dynamics code GASFLOW to assess possible hydrogen combustion or detonation in the compartment. Using this spent fuel pool MELCOR model the dose submerged in air or water can be determined. The calculated gamma dose rate in a specific compartment can be used for equipment qualification and compartment accessibility assessment. It was found that after four days the fuel assemblies are significantly heated-up and ten hours later the fission products are released as well as a significant amount of hydrogen is produced. A preliminary GASFLOW analysis shows by assuming an air atmosphere in the fuel building, that the risk of a hydrogen combustion or detonation is high. In late state of the accident a convection flow of pure hydrogen is established in spent fuel pool region. It was shown, that the flow conditions strongly influence the fission product transport behavior and consequently the dose rates in the compartment above the spent fuel pool.

By introducing WCF technology on data acquisition of ultra-high speed packaging machine, data acquisition system reads dates of machine in polling mode through the WCF client, which can achieve accurate data collection, and effectively isolate the data acquisition system and the machine control system. It enhances the security of data interaction between systems, but also reduces the coupling degree between systems.

To construct EpCAM eukaryotic expression vectors pIg-EpCAM and pEGFP-EpCAM and to express them in COS7 cells.EpCAM cDNA was amplified by PCR and then inserted into the pIg and pEGFP vectors respectively to construct recombinant vectors pIg-EpCAM and pEGFP-EpCAM. The two recombinant vectors were transfected into COS7 cells under the mediation of liposome. The expressed EpCAM-Ig fusion protein was detected by Western blot. The expression of EpCAM-GFP fusion protein was observed under fluorescence microscope.DNA sequencing demonstrated that EpCAM was correctly cloned into the two vectors. The culture supernatant of the pIg-EpCAM-transfected COS7 cells could bind effectively to mAb against human IgG Fc. Green fluorescence distributed evenly in the cytoplasm and nuclei of pEGFP-transfected COS7 cells, whereas in pEGFP-EpCAM transfected COS7 cells, green fluorescence distributed mainly on the surface of the cells.Two EpCAM eukaryotic expression vectors have been constructed and expressed successfully, which lays the foundation for functional research of EpCAM and for preparation of mAb to EpCAM.

To determine the prevalence of dental anxiety (DA) in patients with cardiovascular diseases before tooth extraction so as to provide psychotherapy.144 patients with cardiovascular diseases were asked to complete a questionnaire modified from Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) while awaiting for tooth extraction.The incidence rate of DA in these patients was 7.6%. Anxiety level on anesthesia procedure was the highest. DAS score was higher among patients with the following factors: inactive perception, female, below 60 years old, experiences of painful tooth extraction, a documented history of single cardiovascular disease, under ECG monitoring for the first time and complicated tooth extraction.DA existed in patients with cardiovascular diseases before tooth extraction and was related to many factors. Medical staff should take necessary measures to provide them with psychotherapy and nursing guidance before tooth extraction.

To study on the changes of intracellular calcium and magnesium in cirrhosis and its clinical significance.The calcium and magnesium were determined in serum (SCa, SMg), platelets (PCa, PMg), mononuclear cells (MNCCa, MNCMg), polymorphonuclear cells (PMNCa, PMNMg) and erythrocytes (RCa, RMg) of 50 patients with uncompensative cirrhosis (group A) and of 35 patients with compensative cirrhosis (group B). 35 health persons were the control group.The SCa and SMg of group A were lower significantly than those of both group B and control group. The MNCCa, PMNCa, RCa, PMg, MNCMg, PMNMg, RMg of group A [(4.76+/-1.91) micromol/10(9), (7.56+/-2.88) micromol/10(9), (0.66+/-0.13) mmol/L, (5.53+/-2.25) micromol/10(11), (6.64+/-3.53) micromol/10(9), (10.12+/-4.32) micromol/10(9), (2.02+/-0.76) mmol/L] and those of group B [(5.34+/-2.41) micromol/10(9), (8.32+/-2.34) micromol/10(9), (0.67+/-0.11) mmol/L, (5.55+/-2.67) micromol/10(11), (6.56+/-3.44) micromol/10(9), (10.95+/-4.45) micromol/10(9), (2.21+/-0.74) mmol/L] were lower significantly than those of control group [(6.86+/-2.02) micromol/10(9), (9.89+/-3.23) micromol/10(9), (0.72+/-0.10) mmol/L, (7.43+/-2.78) micromol/10(11), (8.68+/-4.1) micromol/10(9), (13.96+/-5.76) micromol/10(9), (2.74+/-0.92) mmol/L]; t (group A vs. control group)=4.88, 3.48, 2.31, 3.45, 2.46, 3.52, 4.00, 0.01, 0.01, 0.05, 0.01, 0.02, 0.01, 0.01; t (group B vs. control group)=2.87, 2.34, 2.00, 2.89, 2.33, 2.45, 2.65, 0.01, 0.05, 0.05, 0.01, 0.05, 0.02, 0.02. The PCa of the patients with hepatic encephalopathy was higher, the SMg, PMg, MNCMg, PMNMg and RMg were lower than those of the patients without hepatic encephalopathy significantly. The SCa, SMg, PMg, MNCMg, PMNMg and RMg of the patients in Child stage C were lower significantly than those of the patients in Child stage B. There were no significant differences of PCa, MNCCa, PMNCa and RCa between Child stage C and Child stage B. There were no significant differences of SCa, MNCCa, PMNCa and RCa between the patients with and without hepatic encephalopathy. The ratios of PCa/SCa, MNCCa/SCa and PMNCa/SCa of the patients with decreased SMg were lower than those of control group. The SMg, MNCMg, PMNMg and RMg were correlated directly with the level of serum albumin.There are calcium and magnesium deficiencies in the patients with uncompensative cirrhosis and compensative cirrhosis, this deficiency aggravates with the severity of the disease. There is relative increase of intracellular calcium. The magnesium deficiency may be one of the reasons for both hepatic encephalopathy and relative increase of intracellular calcium.

By the histologic observation of samples, understanding the osteoconductive histologic behaviour and resorbable mechanism of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP).Porous block beta-TCP samples were implanted into calvarial surface. Tissue slices dyed with methods of HE and Masson's were observed by microscope and compared with hydroxyapatite(HA).Beta-TCP had the osteoconductivity,as well as HA, plentiful new bone penetrated into materials from the calvarial surface. There was no new bone under the periost obviously. A large number of rhagiorine cells swallowing beta-TCP had been observed.Beta-TCP has osteoconductivity, can be used as a substitution for atrophic alveolar ridge augmentation. The function of rhagiorine cell swallowing beta-TCP is the essential resorbable mechanism of beta-TCP.

Experimental results show that the transient behaviour of the open-circuit voltage is the same for red, yellow and green monochromatic light. In contrast, the transient behaviour of the short-circuit current is strongly dependent on the wavelength of the illuminating light in the time range (1–10) × 10 −4 s . An explanation is given for these results in terms of the localized character of the electronic states.

Based on experimental results of transient photoresponse and photo-induced reversible echanges for the same a-Si : H pin structure, a model is proposed for the Staebler–Wronski effect, by which reversible changes of the photo-induced dangling-bond density can be interpreted. We show that the origin of the effect is a space-charge redistribution caused by the corresponding reversible changes of internal electric fields in a-Si : H. A discussion is given of the reversible transitions described by T + 3 + T− 3⇌2T0 3 during illumination and annealing, respectively.