Search

Background: We aimed to address the knowledge gap that exists regarding the epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary diseases (NTM-PDs) among smear-positive patients with symptoms suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in China.Methods: Prospective and national surveillance of NTM-PD was performed from 17 hospitals within the China Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Surveillance Study (CNTMS). Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had positive smears during hospitalization. Sputum specimens were collected for molecular species identification.Results: 6,766 patients with valid results were included, consisting of 6,236 (92.2%) with PTB, 458 (6.8%) with NTM-PD, and 72 (1.0%) with colonization. The proportion of NTM-PD in PTB patients exhibited significant geographic diversity, ranging from 3.2% in the northwest to 9.2% in the south. The most prevalent species was Mycobacterium intracellulare, followed by Mycobacterium abscessus complex. Females, elderly people, and patients with bronchiectasis or COPD are at high risk for developing NTM-PD, while patients with diabetes have a lower risk of NTM-PD when compared with non-diabetic patients. Regarding clinical symptoms, lower rates of persistent cough and weight loss were noted in NTM-PD patients than in PTB patients.Conclusions: Approximately one-fifteenth of PTB patients are afflicted with nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in China. The prevalence of NTM shows geographic diversity across the country, and it showed a gradual increase from north to south and from west to east. NTM-PD patients are prone to exhibit less severe clinical symptoms than PTB patients, highlighting the importance of raising awareness of NTM diseases to improve decision making on how to best screen, diagnose, and treat NTM in TB-endemic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving highly effective water splitting based on conventional TiO 2 photoanode is challenging due to its poor visible light response and low electrical conductivity. Herein, a Bi 2 MoO 6 /TiO 2 heterojunction with a suitable band structure is constructed to broaden light absorption and accelerate oxidation kinetics. In particular, the highest photocurrent density (0.35 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE) of Bi 2 MoO 6 /TiO 2 is 2.1 times higher than that of pristine TiO 2. The integrated Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoflakes enrich more reactive sites and charge transfer tunnels. The surface hole injection efficiency and electron lifetime of Bi 2 MoO 6 /TiO 2 are 1.4 and 5.5 times larger than those of bare TiO 2 , respectively. Additionally, the activation energy and charge transfer resistance of Bi 2 MoO 6 /TiO 2 electrodes are decreased remarkably, dramatically promoting the separation of electron-hole pairs. This work offers a novel strategy for TiO 2 -based heterojunction with great potential for application in photoelectrochemical water splitting. [Display omitted] • Bi 2 MoO 6 /TiO 2 heterojunction prolongs electron lifetime and enlarges surface hole injection efficiency. • Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoflakes broaden light absorption, enrich reactive sites, and provide charge transfer tunnels. • The charge transfer resistance of Bi 2 MoO 6 /TiO 2 photoanode is decreased remarkably. • Twice enhancement on photocurrent density achieved by Bi 2 MoO 6 /TiO 2 heterojunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colposcopy is a cornerstone of cervical cancer prevention; however, there is a global shortage of colposcopists. It is challenging to train a sufficient number of colposcopists through in-person methods, which hinders our ability to adequately diagnose and manage positive cases. A digital platform is needed to make colposcopy training more efficient, scalable, and sustainable; however, current online training programs are generally based on didactic curricula that do not incorporate image analysis training. In addition, long-term assessments of online training are not readily available. Therefore, innovative digital training and an assessment of its effectiveness are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of DECO (an online Digital Education Tool for Colposcopy) on trainees' colposcopy competencies and confidence. DECO can be used both on laptops and smartphones and comprises 4 training modules (image interpretation; terminology learning; video teaching; and collection of guidelines and typical cases) and 2 test modules. DECO was tested through a pre-post study between September and November 2022. Participants were recruited in China, and DECO training lasted 12 days. Trainees initially learned basic theory before completing training using 200 image-based cases. Pretest, posttest, and follow-up testing included 20 distinct image-based questions, and was conducted on Days 0, 13, and 60. Primary outcomes were competence and confidence scores. Secondary measures were response distributions for colposcopic diagnoses, biopsies, and DECO training satisfaction. Multilevel modeling was used to determine improvement from baseline to posttraining and follow-up for the outcomes of interest. Among 402 participants recruited, 96.8% (n=389) completed pretesting, 84.1% (n=338) posttesting, and 75.1% (n=302) follow-up testing. Colposcopic competence and confidence increased across this study. Diagnostic scores improved on average from 55.3 (53.7–56.9) to 70.4 (68.9–71.9). The diagnostic accuracy for normal/benign lesions, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse increased by 16.9%, 13.1%, and 16.9%, respectively. Mean confidence scores increased from 48.1 (45.6–50.6) to 56.2 (54.5–57.9). These improvements remained evident 2 months after training. Trainees were also satisfied with DECO overall. Most found DECO to be scientific (82.5%), easy to use (75.2%), and clinically useful (98.4%), and would recommend it to colleagues (93.2%). DECO is a useful, acceptable digital education tool that improves colposcopy competencies and confidence. DECO could make colposcopy training more efficient, scalable, and sustainable because there are no geographic or time limitations. Therefore, DECO could be used to alleviate the shortage of trained colposcopists around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, several low alloying conductive Al alloys Al-0.5Fe-0.2Si, Al-0.5Mg-0.35Si, Al-0.8Fe-0.2Cu were selected as the research objects. According to our study, the combination of boron treatment and grain refinement was proved to be an effective method to improve the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the alloys. Firstly, 0.12% was chosen as the optimal amount of boron addition and the electrical conductivity of Al-0.5Mg-0.35Si, Al-0.5Fe-0.2Si and Al-0.8Fe-0.2Cu can be improved to 55.0%IACS, 58.3%IACS and 59.8%IACS, improved by 3.8%, 10%, 6.4% respectively. Secondly, based on the former step, boron treatment combined with grain refinement, the electrical conductivities of Al-0.5Mg-0.35Si, Al-0.5Fe-0.2Si and Al-0.8Fe-0.2Cu can be further improved to 56.5%IACS, 60.4%IACS and 61.8%IACS. At the same time, the low alloying conductive Al alloys show excellent mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn-air battery is considered as a prospective energy conversion and storage device, which achieves charge/discharge with oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). For Zn-air battery, bifunctional electrocatalyst with high efficiency is extremely important. MoO 2 exhibits both ORR and OER activities. But the performance requires further enhancement when employed in Zn-air battery. To achieve this goal, P-doped MoO 2 (P–MoO 2) is synthesized. Theoretical calculation implies P-doping elevates d-band center, which strengthens interaction between MoO 2 and relevant oxygen species during ORR/OER. This donates P–MoO 2 excellent ORR/OER activities. In ORR, its half-wave potential reaches 0.78 V. In OER, to acquire 10 mA cm−2, P–MoO 2 only consumes 280 mV. P–MoO 2 shows good stability in ORR/OER. Zn-air battery is assembled with P–MoO 2 as cathode material. Its open circuit voltage and power density reach 1.46 V, 121.9 mW cm−2. In Zn-air battery, specific capacitance and energy density achieve 838.7 mAh·g−1 Zn , 927.8 Wh·kg−1 Zn at 10 mA cm−2. The work not only offers a feasible method to improve performance of MoO 2 in Zn-air battery, but also implies the origin of enhanced ORR/OER activities after P-doping. [Display omitted] • P-doped MoO 2 is synthesized with polyoxometalate compound as precursor. • P-doping elevates d-band center position, which enhances ORR/OER activities. • The connection between structure and ORR/OER activities is clarified for MoO 2. • Zn-air battery with good charge/discharge ability is assembled with P–MoO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work firstly introduced Si quantum dots (QDs) to modify TiO 2 nanotube arrays for photoelectrochemical water splitting. A systematic study using surface and optical characterization tools reveals the nature of the combination of Si QDs and TiO 2 nanotube arrays. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that Si QDs were assembled on the surface of vertically aligned TiO 2 nanotube arrays. The UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra indicate the improved visible light absorbance. The enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting was demonstrated under visible light illumination and the photocurrent density was 1.6 times larger than that of pristine TiO 2 electrodes. Electrochemical impedance behavior was measured for the electrodes and the impedance is slightly reduced for the nanocomposite electrode with the presence of Si QDs. This work demonstrated that Si QDs would be a novel and effective choice for improving the utilization of visible light for TiO 2 nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of reduced graphene oxide/TiO 2 (RGO/TiO 2 ) nanowire microsphere composites were synthesized with a facile one-step hydrothermal method using TiCl 3 and graphene oxide (GO) as the starting materials, during which the formation of TiO 2 and the reduction of GO occur simultaneously. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized with X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. UV–vis absorption spectra showed that the absorption edges of TiO 2 were extended into visible light region with the addition of RGO. The photocatalytic activities of the samples with and without Pt as cocatalysts were evaluated by hydrogen evolution from water photo-splitting under UV–vis light illumination. Enhanced photocatalytic properties were observed for the as-prepared RGO/TiO 2 nanocomposites. The amount of hydrogen evolution from the optimized photocatalyst reached to 43.8 μmol h −1 , which was about 1.6 times as high as that of bare TiO 2 . The results shown here indicate a convenient and applicable approach to further exploitation of high activity materials for photocatalytic water splitting applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a series of CrB2/A390 composite alloys have been prepared and analyzed by a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Firstly, in situ CrB2 has been prepared by reducing reaction that occurred in Al melt: AlB2 +[Cr]→Al+CrB2. The CrB2 particles exhibit regular hexagonal platelet morphology and distribute uniformly in the Al matrix. Then, A390 alloys with different CrB2 additions have been prepared. With the addition of CrB2, the size of primary Si can be reduced remarkably. The generation of CrB2 particles and their diffuse distribution can improve the mechanical properties of A390 alloy obviously. The mechanical properties of the base alloy, including ultimate tensile strength at 25°C (UTS25°C), the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and wear resistance have been studied and the composite alloy with 3wt.% CrB2 particle addition showed the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CaMKII has long been known to be a key effector for synaptic plasticity. Recent studies have shown that a variety of modulators interact with the subunits of CaMKII to regulate the long-term potentiation (LTP) of hippocampal neurons. However, whether long non-coding RNAs modulate the activity of CaMKII and affect synaptic plasticity is still elusive. Here, we identify a previously uncharacterized long non-coding RNA Carip that functions as a scaffold, specifically interacts with CaMKIIβ, and regulates the phosphorylation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits in the hippocampus. The absence of Carip causes dysfunction of synaptic transmission and attenuates LTP in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses, which further leads to impairment of spatial learning and memory. In summary, our findings demonstrate that Carip modulates long-term synaptic plasticity by changing AMPA receptor and NMDA receptor activities, thereby affecting spatial learning and memory in mice. [Display omitted] • Carip specifically binds to CaMKIIβ • Carip affects the phosphorylation of AMPA and NMDA receptors • Deficiency of Carip causes dysfunction of synaptic transmission and attenuated LTP • Carip KO impairs spatial learning and memory in mice Cui et al. demonstrate that CaMKIIβ-associated long non-coding RNA Carip affects the phosphorylation of AMPA receptor and NMDA receptor subunits. Carip deficiency significantly attenuates the excitatory synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation of the CA3-CA1 synapses in the mouse hippocampus, leading to spatial learning and memory deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]