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A novel dimeric structure based on trilacunary Keggin-type [SbW9O33]9− was synthesized and comprehensively characterized. Different from the conventional dimeric structures, the compound (NH4)10[(SbW9O33)2(UO2)2(H2O)2(SbOH)2]·7H2O ({U2Sb4}) features two additional Sb3+ cations. The successful synthesis of {U2Sb4} reveals the significant role of heteroatoms in structural modulation. The dimer forms a hydrogen-bonded network with water molecules and NH4+ and is therefore expected to exhibit remarkable proton conductivity. Proton conduction studies revealed that {U2Sb4} was a temperature and humidity-dependent proton conductor with conductivity reaching up to 2.50 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 85 °C and 85% RH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the relationship between soil properties and species diversity in typical forest stands in Liaoning Xianrendong National Nature Reserve will help maintain the stability of forest communities in the transition zone between flora in Changbai and North China. Based on the plant-soil feedback theory, community sample data from nine typical forest stands in the study area and experimental test data from 54 soil samples, we selected indexes of soil physical and chemical properties based on the minimum data set (temperature, compactness, capillary pore space, bulk weight, capillary water holding capacity, drainage capacity, soil water storage, conductivity, pH, organic matter, Ca, Fe, K, N and P). We adopt the research method of classical statistical analysis. The soil properties of nine typical stands in Xianrendong National Nature Reserve of Liaoning Province were systematically analyzed. The relationship between soil properties and forest stands' species diversity was quantified using correlation and redundancy analyses. The Pearson correlation analysis results showed significant positive correlations between the Gleason abundance index (arbors) with conductivity, pH, organic matter, Ca, N and P; Pielou's evenness index (arbors) with bulk weight and Fe. Significant negative correlations between the Gleason abundance index (arbors) with capillary pore space, bulk weight, drainage capacity, soil water storage and capillary water holding capacity; Simpson dominance index and Shannon–Wiener diversity index with capillary water holding capacity, drainage capacity and soil water storage; Pielou's evenness index (arbors) with Ca and N. The natural moisture content and clay particles are neutral feedback. The results showed that the feedback mechanism of soil physicochemical properties on stand species diversity was complex, which was conducive to species coexistence and community stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Diagnostics to identify tuberculosis infection are limited. We aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy and safety of ESAT6-CFP10 (EC) skin test for tuberculosis infection in Chinese adults. Methods We conducted 2 randomized, parallel-group clinical trials in healthy participants and tuberculosis patients. All participants were tested with the T-SPOT.TB test, then received an EC skin test and tuberculin skin test (TST). The diameter of skin indurations and/or redness at injection sites were measured at different time periods. A bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) model was established to assess the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection using an EC skin test. Results In total, 777 healthy participants and 96 tuberculosis patients were allocated to receive EC skin test at 1.0 μg/0.1 mL or 0.5 μg/0.1 mL. The area under the curve was 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI],.91–.97) for the EC skin test at 1.0 μg/0.1 mL at 24–72 hours. Compared with the T-SPOT.TB test, the EC skin test demonstrated similar sensitivity (87.5, 95% CI, 77.8–97.2 vs 86.5, 95% CI, 79.5–93.4) and specificity (98.9, 95% CI, 96.0–99.9 vs 96.1, 95% CI, 93.5–97.8). Among BCG vaccinated participants, the EC skin test had high consistency with the T-SPOT.TB test (96.3, 95% CI, 92.0–100.0). No serious adverse events related to the EC skin test were observed. Conclusions The EC skin test demonstrated both high specificity and sensitivity at a dose of 1.0 μg/0.1 mL, comparable to the T-SPOT.TB test. The diagnostic accuracy of the EC skin test was not impacted by BCG vaccination. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02389322 and NCT02336542. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to meet the China stage VI emission regulation of particulate matter emission limits,the metal type gasoline particle filter(GPF) of 1.8 L gasoline direct injection(GDI) gasoline engine was studied. The effects of engine speed and load on the emission characteristics of particulate number (PN) were studied by using the electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI). The effects of different wall thickness, porosity and coating method on GPF filter efficiency were also investigated. The results show that under the condition of constant engine speed,the PN shows a trend of decreasing at the beginning and then rising with the increase of load. The GDF filtration efficiency tends to stabilize after a sharp rise with the increase of porosity and wall thickness. The final GRF filtering efficiency is stable at 73.0% and 75.1% respectively. Under the same experimental condition, the filtration efficiency of coated GPF is higher than that of uncoated GPF. The final GPF filtering efficiency reaches to 75.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Plague has led to millions of deaths in history and outbreaks continue to the present day. The efficacy limitations and safety concerns of the existing killed whole cell and live‐attenuated vaccines call for the development of new vaccines. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a novel subunit plague vaccine, comprising native F1 antigen and recombinant V antigen. The cynomolgus macaques in low‐ and high‐dose vaccine groups were vaccinated at weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6, at dose levels of 15 μg F1 + 15 μg rV and 30 μg F1 + 30 μg rV respectively. Specific antibodies and interferon‐γ and interleukin‐2 expression in lymphocytes were measured. For safety, except for the general toxicity and local irritation, we made a systematic immunotoxicity study on the vaccine including immunostimulation, autoimmunity and anaphylactic reaction. The vaccine induced high levels of serum anti‐F1 and anti‐rV antibodies, and caused small increases of interferon‐γ and interleukin‐2 in monkeys. The vaccination led to a reversible increase in the number of peripheral blood eosinophils, the increases in serum IgE level in a few animals and histopathological change of granulomas at injection sites. The vaccine had no impact on general conditions, most clinical pathology parameters, percentages of T‐cell subsets, organ weights and gross pathology of treated monkeys and had passable local tolerance. The F1 + rV subunit plague vaccine can induce very strong humoral immunity and low level of cellular immunity in cynomolgus macaques and has a good safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of a T-cell interferon-γ release assay based on recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) 11kD protein for diagnosing tuberculosis., Methods: This prospective study enrolled inpatients with suspected tuberculosis at PUMCH to examine the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, predictive value (PV) and likelihood ratio (LR) of T-cell interferon-γ release assays based on recombinant MTB-11kD protein, early antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP-10) peptides (T-SPOT. TB). Test results were compared with final clinical and microbiological diagnoses., Results: Among 151 inpatients with suspected tuberculosis, 33 (21.9%) were microbiologically or clinically diagnosed as tuberculosis and 107 (70.9%) ruled out. And the remaining 11 (7.3%) patients were clinically indeterminate. The sensitivities of recombinant MTB-11kD-ELISPOT assay and T-SPOT. TB were 60.6%and 81.8%respectively (P = 0.057).Whereas, the specificity of recombinant MTB-11kD-ELISPOT assay was significantly higher than that of T-SPOT. TB (84.1%vs 72.9%, P = 0.046). The parallel testing increased the sensitivity to 84.9% and serial testing increased the specificity to 86.9%., Conclusion: The recombinant MTB-11kD-ELISPOT assay is more specific than T-SPOT. TB. And its combination with T-SPOT. TB may improve the diagnostic efficiency for tuberculosis.