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Owing to the ease of synthesis and the unique luminescence characteristics for the applications of white light emitting diodes (WLEDs), the red-emitting fluoride phosphors activated by Mn4+ ions are critical to achieving WLEDs with ideal color rendering index (CRI). In this work, a new type of Mn4+ doped phosphor KRb3Ge2F12:Mn4+ (KRGF:Mn) has been synthesized by a simple ion-exchange method in atmosphere. A strategy of surface modification by using a weak reducing agent oxalic acid (OA) is proposed, which can essentially improve the moisture stability of phosphor KRGF:Mn. Moreover, the modified phosphors can still maintain bright red light after being completely immersed in water for more than 100 days. A group of LEDs combined with the as-synthesized phosphor KRGF:Mn as a light source can be well applied to artificial lighting for the growth of tomatoes and Chinese cabbage plants. Additionally, the luminescence efficiency of KRGF:Mn has been optimized with high thermal stability. This work will provide high-quality red phosphor for LED lighting sources that being required for indoor plant growth.

We explore miR‐150‐5p in atherosclerosis (AS). The AS model was constructed using Apo E−/− mice with an injection of the miR-150-5p mimic or an inhibitor. Pathological characteristics were assessed using Oil red O staining and Masson staining. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to analyze the expressions of microRNA-150-5p (miR-150-5p), STAT1, α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Targetscan and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to analyze the interaction between miR-150-5p and STAT1. The viability, migration, cell cycle and α-SMA and PCNA expressions in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were assessed using molecular experiments. miR-150-5p was reduced in both AS mice and ox-LDL-stimulated human aortic smooth muscle cells but STAT1 had the opposite effect. The miR‐150‐5p inhibitor alleviated the increase of lipid plaque and reduced collagen accumulation in the aortas during AS. Upregulation of α-SMA and PCNA was reversed by miR-150-5p upregulation. STAT1 was targeted by miR‐150‐5p, and overexpressed miR-150-5p weakened the ox-LDL-induced increase of viability and migration abilities and blocked cell cycle in ASMCs, but overexpressed STAT1 blocked the effect of the miR‐150‐5p mimic. This paper demonstrates that miR-150-5p has potential as a therapeutic target in AS, with plaque stabilization by regulating ASMC proliferation and migration via STAT1.

Background Network meta-analyses using individual participant data (IPD-NMAs) have been increasingly used to compare the effects of multiple interventions. Although there have been many studies on statistical methods for IPD-NMAs, it is unclear whether there are statistical defects in published IPD-NMAs and whether the reporting of statistical analyses has improved. This study aimed to investigate statistical methods used and assess the reporting and methodological quality of IPD-NMAs. Methods We searched four bibliographic databases to identify published IPD-NMAs. The methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR-2 and reporting quality assessed based on PRISMA-IPD and PRISMA-NMA. We performed stratified analyses and correlation analyses to explore the factors that might affect quality. Results We identified 21 IPD-NMAs. Only 23.8% of the included IPD-NMAs reported statistical techniques used for missing participant data, 42.9% assessed the consistency, and none assessed the transitivity. None of the included IPD-NMAs reported sources of funding for trials included, only 9.5% stated pre-registration of protocols, and 28.6% assessed the risk of bias in individual studies. For reporting quality, compliance rates were lower than 50.0% for more than half of the items. Less than 15.0% of the IPD-NMAs reported data integrity, presented the network geometry, or clarified risk of bias across studies. IPD-NMAs with statistical or epidemiological authors often better assessed the inconsistency (P = 0.017). IPD-NMAs with a priori protocol were associated with higher reporting quality in terms of search (P = 0.046), data collection process (P = 0.031), and syntheses of results (P = 0.006). Conclusions The reporting of statistical methods and compliance rates of methodological and reporting items of IPD-NMAs were suboptimal. Authors of future IPD-NMAs should address the identified flaws and strictly adhere to methodological and reporting guidelines.

MRI of prostate cancer (PCa) was performed using a projection onto convex sets (POCS) super-resolution reconstruction algorithm to evaluate and analyze the treatment of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and provide a theoretical reference for clinical practice. A total of 110 patients with PCa were selected as the study subjects. First, the modified POCS algorithm was used to reconstruct the MRI images, and the gradient interpolation algorithm was used instead of the traditional bilinear algorithm to preserve the edge information. The diagnostic and therapeutic effects of MRI examination, PSA examination, and MRI combined with PSA based on a super-resolution reconstruction algorithm were then compared. The simulation results showed that the POCS algorithm was superior to the bilinear interpolation results and was superior to the common POCS algorithm. After adding noise artificially, the restoration algorithm was effective and could preserve the details in the image. The performance indexes of PSA in the diagnosis of PCa were 75.4%, 60.1%, 70.08%, 72.2%, and 60.3%, respectively; the performance indexes of MRI in the diagnosis of PCa were 84.6%, 61.4%, 71.11%, 73.08%, and 61.9%, respectively; and the performance indexes of MRI combined with PSA based on the super-resolution reconstruction algorithm in the diagnosis of PCa were 96.05%, 88.3%, 95.1%, 93.6%, and 92.7%, respectively. The indicators of MRI combined with PSA based on the super-resolution reconstruction algorithm were significantly higher than those of the other two methods ( P

Mitochondria are the main sites of cell metabolism. Even minor pH changes may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and promote cell apoptosis. Mitochondrion-targeting photosensitizers can produce singlet oxygen in the mitochondria. In tumor photodynamic therapy (PDT), tumor cells are killed through singlet oxygen generation by photosensitizers, and optimally the process of cell apoptosis can be real-time monitored by monitoring the changes of mitochondrial pH value. To this end, a multifunctional nanoprobe that is not only able to produce singlet oxygen in mitochondria but also able to detect the changes in mitochondrial pH value has been developed in this work. The probe is a single-excited dual-emission biomass quantum dot (BQD-FA) prepared from Osmanthus leaves with folic acid (FA) and polyoxyethylene diamine as modifiers. The BQD-FAs can target tumor cells and mitochondria, and produce singlet oxygen in the mitochondria under near-infrared laser irradiation (λem = 660 nm). On the other hand, in the pH range of 3–8, the fluorescence intensity ratio of BQD-FAs at wavelengths 490 nm and 650 nm showed a good linear relationship with the pH value of mitochondria. The ratiometric fluorescence imaging of mitochondria using the prepared BQD-FAs showed that when the cells were chemically stimulated with chlorphenizone, the mitochondrial pH dropped from 7.9 to 7.2 within 15 min. Based on these characteristics, we envision that the prepared multifunctional nanoprobe will be of high significance in the biomedical research of mitochondria and PDT of tumors., A multifunctional nanoprobe with singlet oxygen generation that can target tumors and mitochondria was developed for photodynamic therapy of tumors and monitoring mitochondrion pH changes in cancer cells by ratiometric fluorescence imaging.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is considered as the fourth gas signal molecule after nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). It plays important roles in several physiological processes. Therefore, the design and synthesis of nanoprobes for the detection of SO2 derivatives in cells is of great significance. Herein, we report a new ratiometric fluorescence nanoprobe based on resonance energy transfer (RET) between biomass quantum dots (BQDs) and organic dye (DMI) for the detection of SO2 derivatives. The proposed ratiometric fluorescence assay allows the determination of HSO3− in the range of 1.0 to 225 μM with a detection limit of 0.5 μM. Importantly, the proposed ratiometric fluorescence nanoprobe exhibits a high photostability and good selectivity for HSO3− over other chemical species including H2S and biological mercaptans. Quantitation of HSO3− in cell lysates by using the nanoprobe is demonstrated.

Objectives In order to address the current deficiency of health utility evidence relevant for economic evaluations involving treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Chinese setting, this study aims to develop a mapping algorithm linking the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and EQ-5D-5L in a Chinese population of patients with RA. Methods An estimation sample was obtained from a cross-sectional study that collected HAQ, the pain Visual Analogue Scale, and EQ-5D-5L in RA patients in two tertiary referral hospitals in China. Mapping algorithms were derived in this study using two alternative regression methods: the beta regression and a multivariate ordered probit regression. The internal validity of the mapping algorithms was assessed in each case by calculating predictive performance using a bootstrapping procedure. Results Of the several algorithms developed using these data, predictive performance was shown to be better when VAS pain was included as a predictor and when the multivariate ordered probit regression method was used, rather than the beta regression method. The algorithms developed were shown to be comparable, in terms of predictive performance, to existing mapping studies despite the small sample size of the estimation data. Conclusion It is hoped that the availability of these algorithms will facilitate the development of cost-effectiveness studies evaluating RA treatments in the Chinese health care setting. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11136-018-1925-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The reduction in size of field-effect transistors (FETs) comprised of 3D semiconductors is confronted with the issues such as short-channel effects, tunneling effects and thermal dissipation. The emergence of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) atomic layers has opened up unprecedented opportunities for scaling down of the electronics in view of their unique layered-structure and excellent properties. TMDCs grown directly on high-k dielectric substrates are beneficial for fabricating high-performance FETs. Here, we demonstrate the direct growth of atomically thin MoS2 flakes on high-κ dielectric (HfO2) substrates via a chemical vapor deposition process. The morphology and structure of the as-grown materials were systemically investigated by optical microscope, atomic force microscope, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, transmission electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The MoS2 flakes are approximately 5–10 µm in size with polycrystalline monolayer structure. The optical properties of the MoS2 flakes are also found to be substrate-dependent due to optical interference. In addition, back-gate FETs based on the as-grown MoS2 were fabricated and their performance was investigated. The results indicate that the n-type FETs show high on/off current ratio of ~ 106 and a carrier mobility of 9.75 cm2 V−1 s−1.

Background: The loss of endometrial stem cells has been associated with intrauterine adhesion caused by miscarriage, repeated improper intrauterine operation or infection. Cell-based therapies are promising in regenerative medicine. However, the effects of menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) therapy on impaired endometrium need to be explored and validated. This study evaluates the effects of intrauterine transplantation of MenSCs on endometrial thickness and pregnancy outcomes in patients with refractory intrauterine adhesion. Methods: This study included a group of infertile women (n=12, age 22-40 years), with refractory intrauterine adhesion (Grade III – IV). Autologous MenSCs isolated from the women’ menstrual blood were expanded in vitro and transplanted into their uteruses, followed by hormone replacement therapy. Transvaginal ultrasound examination was performed to assess the endometrial thickness. Transabdominal ultrasound was conducted to detect pregnancy outcome. Results: Autologous MenSCs were successfully isolated and expanded from menstrual blood and transplanted into the uterus of each patient. A significant improvement of the endometrial thickness was observed (from 3.9±0.9 mm pre-treatment to 7.5±0.6 mm post-treatment (P

The formidable sustainability challenges in advancing energy storage technologies call for game-changing research in battery designs. The previous pursuing of novel cathode materials with high redox potentials impedes the vast applications due to the simultaneous electrolyte decomposition at high potentials, though they are expected to deliver high specific capacities. Eventually, people start thinking in an opposite way, desirable anode materials with low redox potentials can also own high specific capacities. Among all the promising candidates, phosphorus-based anodes in sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have received considerable attention owing to the low cost and relatively high natural abundance of phosphorus. More importantly, phosphorus can store three sodium atoms and enable a high theoretical capacity of 2596 mAh g−1, which overwhelms any other SIB anode currently available. However, the poor electronic conductivity and large volume change of phosphorus during cycling severely deteriorate battery performance. The most widely used strategy is to confine phosphorus within well-designed carbon hosts. We thereby introduce a new type of porous hollow carbon with conductive-network interior as phosphorus host, which not only improves the electrical conductivity, but also creates enough interior surface for maximizing phosphorus utilization and shortening the ion's diffusion distance, compared to those conventional hollow carbon hosts. Therefore, the as-prepared red phosphorus-carbon spheres composites (RP/CS) exhibit superior rate performance (~1083 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1, ~837 mAh g−1 even at 8 A g−1) and excellent cycle life (1027 mAh g−1 at 4 A g−1 more than 2000 cycles).

Developing highly active heterogeneous catalyst with strong basicity and porous structure is a highly attractive strategy for the base-catalyzed organic chemistry. Herein, we directly synthesized the mesoporous zeolite ETS-10 (METS-10) from using a water glass contained cationic copolymer with quaternary ammonium groups as a template. Furthermore, when the nickel nitrate solution was added into the starting synthesis gel, the nickel species facilitated the mesopore formation, and the Ni-containing mesoporous zeolite ETS-10 (Ni-METS-10) was obtained. Catalytic test results showed that the conversions of the benzaldehyde and citral over Ni-METS-10 (88.8 and 63.2 %) and METS-10 (85.5 and 60.1 %) catalysts are higher than those over both mesopore-free ETS-10 (77.3 and 47.7 %) and mesoporous NaX (MNaX, 55.0 and 35.2 %) catalysts in the condensation reactions with ethyl cyanoacetate. The higher activity of METS-10 and Ni-METS-10 than ETS-10 and MNaX is assigned to the fact that the strong basic sites on the catalysts can activate the reaction substrate and the mesoporous in the catalyst benefit the mass transfer and enhance the catalytic activity.

Objectives To compare the methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews by authors from China and those from the United States (USA). Study Design and Setting From systematic reviews of randomized trials published in 2014 in English, we randomly selected 100 from China and 100 from the USA. The methodological quality was assessed using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) tool, and reporting quality assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) tool. Results Compared with systematic reviews from the USA, those from China were more likely to be a meta-analysis, published in low-impact journals, and a non-Cochrane review. The mean summary Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews score was 6.7 (95% confidence interval: 6.5, 7.0) for reviews from China and 6.6 (6.1, 7.1) for reviews from the USA, and the mean summary Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses score was 21.2 (20.7, 21.6) for reviews from China and 20.6 (19.9, 21.3) for reviews from the USA. The differences in summary quality scores between China and the USA were statistically nonsignificant after adjusting for multiple review factors. Conclusion The overall methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews by authors from China are similar to those from the USA, although the quality of systematic reviews from both countries could be further improved.

GeSe2nanobelts were synthesized via a simple thermal-evaporation process by using gold particles as catalyst and GeSe2flakes as starting materials. The morphology, crystal structure, and composition were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). SEM micrographs show that most of GeSe2nanobelts have distinct segmented structures (wide belt, zigzag belt, and narrow belt). A possible mechanism was proposed for the growth of segmented nanobelts. It is possible that the growth of the segmented nanobelts is dominated by both vapor-liquid-solid and vapor-solid mechanisms. Devices made of single GeSe2nanobelt have been fabricated and their photoelectrical property has been investigated. Results indicate that these nanobelt devices are potential building blocks for optoelectronic applications.

Carbon nanotube (CNT)–organic polymer hybrids have important potential applications in the immobilization of therapeutic biomolecules. Recently developed CNT–organic polymer composites require the use of organic solvents for their preparation and have limited polymer functionalization. To address these limitations, multi-walled CNT (MWCNT)–chitosan nanoparticle (CS NP) hybrids have been synthesized in situ by an ionotropic gelation process, which is extremely mild and involves the mixture of two aqueous solutions at room temperature. The MWCNT–CS NP hybrids were characterized by atomic force microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Under optimal conditions the CS NP can be tethered to the MWCNT surface in high density and with relatively uniform coverage. The MWCNT–CS NP hybrids show good dispersibility and stability in aqueous solutions. In order to evaluate the potential utilization of the hybrids as protein carries the cytotoxicity to HeLa cells and protein immobilization (of bovine serum albumin (BSA), used here as a model) capacity of the hybrids were investigated in detail. The results demonstrate that the MWCNT–CS NP hybrids are biocompatible at concentrations up to 100 μg mL−1 for 24 h incubation. The MWCNT–CS NP hybrids improve the BSA immobilization efficiency 0.8 times and simultaneously decrease the cellular toxicity by about 50% compared with carboxylated MWCNT.

The program consistency of high density gate-oxide anti-fuse PROM (programmable read only memory) memory cell is considered in this paper. To solve this problem, we do research on the mechanism and models of gate-oxide break down. A test chip based on 2T memory cell is also designed for the experiment. During the test, we have found that the program consistency of 2T cell is really pessimistic. What’s more, the program voltage has effect on the consistency. Through research and test, we have got the optimal program voltage-6.5V for 2T memory cell in 180nm technology. To further improve the consistency, we modify the 2T memory cell and propose a 3T memory cell. It consumes 18% more area, but the standard deviation of equivalent resistance decreases 15.3% in the worst situation. The deviation can decrease 80.3% at most. The program consistency is greatly improved.

Background: To introduce our experience of using the free neurovascular flap from great and second toe. Methods: Thirteen patients (fifteen fingers) sought surgical treatment for soft tissue defects of the hand at our medical institutin between March 2006 and September 2009. In two patients, fibular side skin-nail flaps of great toe were applied to cover the dorsal defect of distal thumb. In twelve, in the treatment of pulp defect of finger with fibular side flap of great toe or tibial side flap of second toe. In one, in the treatment of defect of distal middle with composite flap with distal digital bone of second toe. Results: All flaps were survived. The average subjective satisfaction score was 8.08 (range 4-10). Nine patients (69%) experienced cold intolerance, and 2 patients (15%) dysesthesia. The Semmes-Weinstein sensitivity score was between 3.47and 4.72 on the flap, and 0-4.18 on the donor site. The mean two-point discrimination was 6.8 mm (range 4-12). Grip strength was 10% less than in the unaffected hand. The proximal interphalangeal mobility loss was less than 15 degrees. Conclusions: Our results indicated that these free flaps from toe are useful for patients with a small soft-tissue defect in hand.

The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-polyamidoamine (PAMAM) hybrid was prepared by covalent linkage approach, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectrometry. The PAMAM dendrimers were present on the surface of MWCNTs in high density, and the MWCNT-PAMAM hybrid exhibited good dispersibility and stability in aqueous solution. The interaction between MWCNT-PAMAM with plasmid DNA of enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP-N1), intracellular trafficking of the hybrid, transfection performance and cytotoxicity to HeLa cells were evaluated in detail. We found that the MWCNT-PAMAM hybrid possessed good pEGFP-N1 immobilization ability and could efficiently delivery GFP gene into cultured HeLa cells. The surface modification of MWCNTs with PAMAM improved the transfection efficiency 2.4 and 0.9 times, and simultaneously decreased cytotoxicity by about 38%, as compared with mixed acid-treated MWCNTs and pure PAMAM dendrimers. The MWCNT-PAMAM hybrid can be considered as a new carrier for the delivery of biomolecules into mammalian cells. Therefore, this novel system may have good potential applications in biology and therapy, including gene delivery systems.