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Grain size pays a crucial role in the properties of ferroelectrics and dielectrics. Reducing the grain size is considered to be an effective mean for enhancing dielectric energy storage. In this work, high recovered energy storage density and efficiency were achieved in three-layered Aurivillius thin films by ultra-fine grain nano-crystalline engineering. The ultra-low remanent polarization can be attributed to the emergence of polar nano-regions due to the disruption of macroscopic continuity of ferroelectric domains by ultra-fine nano-grains. At the same time, all thin films have high dielectric breakdown strength due to the presence of extremely high grain boundary density. Thus, a high recovered energy storage density of 71 J/cm3 and an efficiency of 76% were achieved, and the thin film capacitors show good fatigue endurance and temperature stability. The results suggest that ultra-fine nano-crystalline engineering can expand the application of traditional ferroelectric thin films in energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rui Huang,1,* Yinhua Luo,2,* Yuhua Lei,1 Yuanhong Li1 1Cardiovascular Disease Center, Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, 445000, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, 442000, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yuanhong LiCardiovascular Disease Center, Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, 445000, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail lyh0101@163.vip.comAbstract: It is reported that the incidence of congenital long QT syndrome (cLQTS) is very low, with the incidence of LQTS caused by transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) being even lower, leading to less research on the gene TRPM4. We reported a case of an elderly male patient presenting with frequent syncopal episodes since the age of 20. Electrocardiography showed sinus bradycardia (mean heart rate 59 beats), prolonged QT interval (540ms), and torsade de pointes. His sister also had experienced an episode of syncope, but his other families had not. A novel mutation in the TRPM4 gene was discovered in this patient and his sister, according to genetic analysis. All in all, we provided a new heterozygous shift mutation (NM_017636: exon4: c.434delC, p. Ala145ValfsTer133) on TRPM4, which has never been reported in the past and thus may hopefully serve as useful feedback information for genetic pathogenesis of cLQTS caused by TRPM4 variants.Keywords: long QT syndrome, LQTS, TRPM4, mutation

Mengxin Tang,1,2,* Jie Huang,3,* Wen Zeng,1,2 Yanmei Huang,4 Yaoqiang Lei,5 Ye Qiu,6 Jianquan Zhang1,2,4 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Tuberculosis Ward, Nanning Fourth People’s Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518000, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Infectious Diseases, Yongning District People’s Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ye QiuDepartment of Comprehensive Internal Medicine, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8615676192180Fax +86771– 5719573Email yeqiu2013graduated@163.comJianquan ZhangDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613978123845Fax +86755-23482484Email jqzhang2002@126.comPurpose: Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial (DNTM) infection can involve multiple organs, including the lungs, skin and soft tissues and lymph nodes. However, NTM infection leading to osteolysis has been rarely reported. Here, we analyzed the clinical features, osteolytic mechanisms, treatment and prognosis of patients with DNTM disease with osteolytic lesions.Patients and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2020, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and the Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning City. Patients who had culture and/or histopathological proof of DNTM disease with osteolytic lesions were included.Results: Ten HIV-negative patients with DNTM disease with osteolytic lesions were enrolled. Five of these patients had underlying diseases. Seven and three of the patients were positive and negative for anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies (AIGAs), respectively. The AIGA positivity rate was 70% (7/10). Ostealgia and anemia were the most common symptoms, followed by fever, emaciation, cough, expectoration, anorexia, subcutaneous abscesses and lymphadenopathy. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts were increased. The most common sites were the vertebrae, sternum, clavicle and ribs, although the femur, ilium, humerus, and scapula were also involved. Radiography and computed tomography (CT) showed moth-eaten or irregular destruction of bone, bone defects, pathological fracture, periosteal proliferation and surrounding abscesses. Emission CT (ECT) bone scans showed significantly increased uptake in many skeletal regions. Positron emission tomography(PET)/CT showed metabolic activity in multiple bones. All patients received anti-nontuberculous therapy, and five underwent surgery. Two died during treatment.Conclusion: DNTM infection of bone and leading to osteolysis usually occurs in patients with AIGA-positive antibodies. DNTM disease with osteolysis is characterized by increased leukocytes and neutrophil counts, focal suppurative granulomas, and multiple areas with moth-eaten or irregular destruction of bone with increased radioactive concentrations. Early diagnosis and timely, effective combination anti-NTM therapy can improve the prognosis.Keywords: HIV-negative, nontuberculous mycobacteria, osteolytic lesion, anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies

Rui Huang,1,* Li Yan,2,* Yuhua Lei1 1Cardiovascular Disease Center, Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi Clinical College of Wuhan University, Enshi Prefecture, 445000, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Pediatrics Department, Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi Clinical College of Wuhan University, Enshi Prefecture, 445000, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yuhua Lei No. 158 Wuyang Avenue, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail yuhualei0319@163.comAbstract: Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that gut microbial-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of many diseases and can be served as a prognostic biomarker for several cardiovascular disorders, including arrhythmia. Recently, some studies have documented that TMAO was associated with the occurrence, progression, recurrence, and embolism risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The activation of related inflammatory signal pathways and the cardiac sympathetic nervous system (CSNS) caused by elevated TAMO may be the underlying mechanism. It is worth noting that intervention in the metabolic pathway of TMAO may be an underlying therapeutic target of AF. In addition, standardized and individualized treatment strategies in clinical practice may be of great significance for AF patients, particularly those with high serum TMAO concentrations. However, there are also contradictions in the current research on TMAO and AF. Moreover, notwithstanding the positive preclinical and clinical findings, data supporting a direct association between TMAO and AF is a paucity. Thus, conclusive evidence from preclinical studies and multi-center randomized controlled trials to reveal the essential relationship between TMAO and AF is needy. In this review, we have attempted to summarize recent studies on TMAO and AF, highlighted the potential therapeutic strategies for AF patients, followed by a discussion on directions for future research in this field.Keywords: trimethylamine N-oxide, TMAO, atrial fibrillation

Xin Zhang,* Dingyi Yang,* Yong Jiang, Luo Huang, Can Wang, Dan Tao, Xianfeng Liu, Yongyang Lei, Yongzhong Wu, Wei Zhou Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yongzhong Wu; Wei ZhouChongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, 181 Han Yu Road, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 18323064006Email cqmdwyz@163.com; 1052308491@qq.comPurpose: We sought to compare the symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) in lung cancer patients treated with helical tomotherapy (HT) versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and examine the predictive value of circulating lymphocyte subsets affecting the occurrence of RP.Patients and Methods: Circulating lymphocyte subsets, clinical characteristics, dosimetric parameters and pulmonary function were collected from 130 lung cancer patients treated with HT (n = 53) or IMRT (n = 77) from 2016 through 2020. Symptomatic RP was compared between groups. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of RP.Results: The IMRT group had larger planning target volume (319.9 vs 240.8 cc, P = 0.041); more ECOG performance status 0– 1 (96.1% vs 79.2%, P = 0.002); more stage III–IV disease (94.8% vs 37.6%, P = 0.028); and more combined systemic therapy (85.7% vs 69.8%, P = 0.022). Grade ≥ 2 RP were comparable between IMRT and HT groups (16.9% vs 15.1%, P = 0.785). For stage III–IV disease, IMRT was associated with lower lung V10 (31.9% vs 35.8%, P = 0.047) and lower incidence of grade 5 RP (0% vs 9.1%, P = 0.018). All lymphocyte subsets reduced after radiotherapy. The decrease degree of total T cell count and CD4+ T cell count were larger after IMRT than HT (P = 0.043, P = 0.021). In univariate analysis, the smoking status, lower baseline FEV1, and higher total T cell count, higher CD8+ T cell count, lower total B cell count, lower CD4+/CD8+ ratio after radiotherapy were associated with the development of grade ≥ 2 RP. The higher CD8+T cell count after radiotherapy was the only risk factor associated with grade ≥ 2 RP in multivariable analysis (OR 1.003; 95% CI: 1.000– 1.005; P = 0.044).Conclusion: IMRT was associated with lower lung V10 and less grade 5 RP than HT for stage III–IV lung cancer. Higher CD8+ T cell count after radiotherapy was associated with an increased risk of RP. HT may better preserve total T cell and CD4+ T cell than IMRT.Keywords: radiation pneumonitis, lung cancer, helical tomotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, circulating lymphocyte

Yu Lei,&ast; Xiaoyu Liu,&ast; Jingmei Liu, Min Zhang, Yan Zhou, Wei Yan, Dean Tian, Ping Zhang, Ping Han Department of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ping Zhang; Ping HanDepartment of Gastroenterology, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail 845917536@qq.com; hanzhouping@163.comBackground: Isolated terminal ileitis (ITI) is a phenomenon often observed during colonoscopy, but in most cases, the specific etiology of ITI is unclear. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been reported to be associated with a wide variety of diseases, especially gastrointestinal diseases. Here, we conducted a retrospective study to explore a potential correlation between H. pylori infection and unexplained ITI (UITI).Materials and Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at Sino-French New City Branch of Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China, from April 2017 to October 2020. All subjects underwent total colonoscopy, with the endoscope being inserted more than 10cm into the terminal ileum. Subjects also received a 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT). Data on the age, gender, endoscopic manifestations, and main clinical symptoms of subjects were collected. The presence of H. pylori infection was defined as a positive 13C-UBT result. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the potential correlation between H. pylori infection and UITI.Results: There were 247 subjects (25.1%) in the H. pylori (+) group and 739 subjects (74.9%) in the H. pylori (-) group. The prevalence of UITI in the H. pylori (+) group was significantly lower than that in the H. pylori (-) group (OR = 0.518; 95% CI 0.281– 0.956; P = 0.035), and there was no difference in other clinical features between groups. Stratification analysis results showed that there was an inverse association between H. pylori infection and UITI in subjects with age < 60 (P = 0.046).Conclusion: These data showed that H. pylori infection was negatively correlated with UITI. Additional studies are needed to validate these findings in a larger cohort as well as to explore the underlying mechanisms.Keywords: Helicobacter pylori infection, unexplained isolated terminal ileitis, colonoscopy, 13C-urea breath test

Zi-Yang Zhang,1 Lin-Xiao Huang,1 Zhi-Wei Xu,1 Peng Wang,1 Yun Lei,1,2 Ai-Lin Liu1,2 1Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, People’s Republic of China; 2Higher Educational Key Laboratory for Nano Biomedical Technology of Fujian Province, The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yun Lei; Ai-Lin LiuDepartment of Pharmaceutical Analysis, The School of Pharmacy, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 591 22862016Email lypiglet@163.com; ailinliu@fjmu.edu.cnPurpose: The PML/RARα fusion gene as a leukemogenesis plays a significant role in clinical diagnosis of the early stage of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Here, we present an electrochemical biosensor for PML/RARα fusion gene detection using carbon dots functionalized graphene oxide (CDs/GO) nanocomposites modified glassy carbon electrode (CDs/GO/GCE).Materials and Methods: In this work, the CDs/GO nanocomposites are produced through π-π stacking interaction and could be prepared in large quantities by a facile and economical way. The CDs/GO nanocomposites were decorated onto electrode surface to improve the electrochemical activity and as a bio-platform attracted the target deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probe simultaneously.Results: The CDs/GO/GCE was fabricated successfully and exhibits high electrochemical activity, good biocompatibility, and strong bioaffinity toward the target DNA sequences, compared with only the pristine CDs on GCE or GO on GCE. The DNA biosensor displays excellent sensing performance for detecting the relevant pathogenic DNA of APL with a detection limit of 83 pM (S/N = 3).Conclusion: According to the several experimental results, we believe that the simple and economical DNA biosensor has the potential to be an effective and powerful tool for detection of pathogenic genes in the clinical diagnosis.Keywords: acute promyelocytic leukemia, pathogenic genes, electrochemical biosensor, ex-situ method, carbon nanomaterials

Effective control of skyrmion rotation is of significant importance in designing skyrmion-based nano-oscillators. In this work, we numerically study the optical vortex-driven skyrmion rotation in frustrated magnets using the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert simulations. The skyrmion rotation is induced by the orbital angular momentum (OAM) transfer from the optical vortex to the skyrmion, which is regardless of the sign of the OAM quantum number m due to the helicity degree of freedom of the frustrated skyrmion. This property highly broadens the parameter range of the optical vortex in controlling the skyrmion rotation. The direction of the rotation is determined by the sign of m, and the radius and angular velocity depend on the magnitude of m, light polarization, and intensity. Interestingly, the helicity oscillation induced by the linearly polarized beam is much slower than that driven by the circularly polarized beam with a same intensity, resulting in a faster rotation of the skyrmion. This phenomenon demonstrates the advantage of the linearly polarized beam in controlling the dynamics of the frustrated skyrmion, benefiting energy-saving and high-efficient device design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Previous studies have shown unilateral posterior crossbite is associated with mandibular asymmetry in morphology and position. However, it remains unclear whether unilateral Brodie bite plays a similar role in mandibular development. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the morphological and positional symmetry of mandibles in patients with unilateral Brodie bite by three‐dimensional anaylsis. Methods: Fourteen patients with unilateral Brodie bite (mean age 18.43 ± 4.24 years) and fourteen sex‐ and age‐matched patients with normal occlusion (mean age 18.07 ± 5.48 years) underwent cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. 3D surface mesh models of their mandibles were established using Mimics Research 19.0. The surface matching percentage was compared between the original and mirrored mandible by Geomagic Control X software. Furthermore, the dimension and position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were determined for both groups using InVivoDental 5.0. Results: For surface‐to‐surface deviation analysis, the percentage of mismatch in patients with unilateral Brodie bite was significantly higher than the control group at ±0.50 mm, ±0.75 mm, and ±1.00 mm tolerance (P <.001). In patients with unilateral Brodie syndrome, the condyles on the scissors‐bite side showed a significantly more anterior position (P =.03), greater medial inclination (P <.01), and larger posterior TMJ space (P =.01) than the non‐scissors‐bite side. Conclusion: Patients with unilateral Brodie bite exhibit a more asymmetrical mandibular morphology, with a greater anterior condylar position and posterior joint space on the scissors‐bite side, indicating that early diagnosis and treatment may be necessary for patients with unilateral Brodie bite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrostatic gating provides a powerful approach to tune the conductivity of the two-dimensional electron liquid between two insulating oxides. For the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) interface, such gating effect could be further enhanced by a strong lattice polarization of STO caused by simultaneous application of gate field and illumination light. Herein, by monitoring the discharging process upon removing the gate field, we give firm evidence for the occurrence of this lattice polarization at the amorphous-LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. Moreover, we find that the lattice polarization is accompanied with a large expansion of the out-of-plane lattice of STO. Photo excitation affects the polarization process by accelerating the field-induced lattice expansion. The present work demonstrates the great potential of combined stimuli in exploring emergent phenomenon at complex oxide interfaces.