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Living organisms can produce elegant structures with unique functions and properties through biological processes. Various proteins are involved in these processes. Inspired by the structure formation of mollusc shells, a single multifunctional recombinant protein ChiCaSifi was designed on the basis of mineralization proteins for regulating CaCO3 mineralization in a simple and direct manner. ChiCaSifi contains functional domains of the chitin binding protein (Chi), the calcium binding protein (Ca), and the silk fibroin (Sifi). Therefore, ChiCaSifi can have multiple roles in directing CaCO3 mineralization. Overexpression and purification of ChiCaSifi were achieved. Activities of ChiCaSifi were examined for its binding to calcium and chitin. Influences of ChiCaSifi in regulating the phase formation of CaCO3 crystals on the chitin surface were proved. Structural changes of ChiCaSifi were evidenced and related to its functions on mineralization. These observations indicate that rationally designed proteins with functional domains of mineralization proteins can be effective tools in materials synthesis. The present study may not only provide an insight into the formation of natural biomaterials, but also open a new avenue in the design and synthesis of novel organic–inorganic composite materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow niobium oxide fluoride was successfully synthesised by a facile hydrothermal approach in the hydrofluoric acid/hydrogen peroxide solution without any template. By selecting hydrogen peroxide as oxygen source which could ceaselessly release oxygen gas, niobium diboride could be oxidised and corroded to form niobium oxide fluoride nanomaterials in situ. The hollow structure may result from Kirkendall effect. Significantly, the method may provide a direct route to synthesise some novel oxide nanomaterials using non-oxide ceramic as raw materials. The photodegratation experiments show that niobium oxide fluoride catalysts have better photocatalytic properties than commercial P25 TiO2 catalysts, indicating that this kind of hierarchical nanomaterials could be a promising candidate as a photodegradation material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(4,4',4''-tris[4-(2-bithienyl)pheny]amine) (PTBTPA) was electrochemically synthesized on a ZnO-coated ITO electrode to form a PTBTPA/ZnO nanocomposite electrode. The composite film exhibited a noticeable electrochromism, with reversible color changes from orange in the reduced state (0 V), olive green in the middle state (0.9 V) to dark gray in the oxidized state (1.2 V). Furthermore, the composite film showed a fast switching time of 0.92 s and a high optical contrast of 65% at 1100 nm, and retained 97% of its original electroactivity after 500 cycles, while PTBTPA film had switching time of 1.63 s and an optical contrast of 52% at 1100 nm, and retained 75% of its original electroactivity. The results demonstrated that the electrochromic performances were significantly enhanced through incorporating PTBTPA with ZnO nanorods. ZnO nanorods were introduced to modify the structure of the electrode: on one hand, to offer a directional attraction for the counterions, and on the other hand, to enhance the adhesion between the polymer and the ITO electrode. Accordingly, a conducting polymer/inorganic nanocomposite system could improve the polymer's electrochromic performance, especially in terms of the switching speed and long-term stability of the electrochromic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti–6Al–4V alloy was joined with TiB2–Ni cermet by using pulsed current heating and hot pressing. The properties were found to be better with the pulsed current process, because the current enhanced the growth of Ni–Ti phase at the junction between the two materials. Furthermore, the heat affected zone is localised in the pulsed current process relative to that in the hot pressed material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium nitride (AlN) transparent ceramic was fabricated by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. Samples were processed at 1800°C, 25 MPa pressure, and 6 Pa vacuum without sintering additives, and at different heating rates and sintering durations ranging from 4 to 20 min. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation indicated that the ceramics prepared by SPS had good transparency, because of its high purity, fine particle size, and uniform microstructure. Dislocations and pores in crystals were observed by TEM, which adversely affect the transmittance of AlN transparent ceramics. Experiments showed that the SPS technique is an effective method for the fabrication of transparent ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulse electric current sintering (PECS) of TiB2 powders has been investigated. The spark effect and current skin effect were observed during sintering, but the degree to which they affect samples is determined by heating rates. The production of 'spark' during PECS is favoured for higher heating rates, whereas the current skin effect is more evident at lower heating rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and the level of blood lipids among Tajik people in Pamir Plateau, Xinjiang, and explore the related factors of dyslipidemia. Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study. A multi-stage cluster random sampling survey was conducted among 5 635 Tajiks over 18 years old in Tashkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Xinjiang Province from May to October 2021. Data were collected through questionnaire survey (general information, medical history, and personal history), physical examination (height, weight, waist, and blood pressure) and blood test (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density cholesterol (HDL-C)) to analyze the dyslipidemia and its risk factors among Tajiks. Results: The age of Tajik participants was (41.9±15.0) years, including 2 726 males (48.4%). The prevalence of borderline high TC, high LDL-C and high TG levels were 17.2%, 14.7% and 8.9%, respectively. The prevalence of high TC, high LDL-C, high TG and low HDL-C were 4.1%, 4.9%, 9.4% and 32.4%, respectively, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia was 37.0%. There is a positive correlation between male,higher education level, higher body mass index (BMI) value,waist circumference, living in town, smoking and dyslipidemia. Conclusions: The low prevalence of high TC, high LDL-C, high TG and high prevalence of low HDL-C was a major characteristic of Tajik people in Pamir Plateau of Xinjiang. The lower rates of overweight and obesity may be one of the reasons for the lower prevalence of dyslipidemia among Tajik.

Objective: To test the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of adverse childhood experiences international questionnaire (ACE-IQ) in Chinese parents of preschool children., Methods: The parents of preschool children in 6 kindergartens in Tongzhou District of Beijing were selected by stratified random cluster sampling, and the Chinese version of ACE-IQ after translation and adaptation was used for survey online. The collected data were randomly divided into two parts. One part of the data ( n =602) was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA), to screen items and evaluate structural validity, and then form the final Chinese version of ACE-IQ. The other part of the data ( n =700) was used for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), criterion validity analysis and reliability analysis. At the same time, experts investigation method was used to evaluate the content validity of the final Chinese version of ACE-IQ., Results: After deleting four items of collective violence, the Chinese version of ACE-IQ with twenty-five items indicated good structural, criterion and content validity. Analysis results showed that the Chinese version of ACE-IQ presented a seven-factor model dimension, namely emotional neglect, physical neglect, family dysfunction, family violence, emotional and physical abuse, sexual abuse and violence outside the home, and the total score of the binary version of ACE-IQ Chinese version was positively correlated with the total score of childhood trauma questionaire-28 item short form (CTQ-SF, r =0.354, P < 0.001) and the center for epidemiological studies depression scale (CES-D, r =0.313, P < 0.001) respectively. Results from five experts showed that the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) of 25 items was between 0.80 and 1.00, and the average of all I-CVIs on the scale (S-CVI/Ave) of the scale was 0.984. At the same time, the internal consistency (Cronbach's α coefficient) of the whole scale was 0.818, and the split-half reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficient) was 0.621, which demonstrated good reliability., Conclusion: This study has formed a Chinese version of ACE-IQ with 25 items and 7 dimensions, which has good reliability and validity among the parents of preschool children in China. It can be used as an evaluation instrument for measuring the minimum threshold of the adverse childhood experiences in the parents of preschool children in the cultural background of China.

Objective: To explore the clinical features of post-viral-encephalitis autoimmune encephalitis (PVEAE). Methods: Ten cases of PVEAE, who were hospitalized in the Neurology Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) between November 2014 and October 2019, were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical manifestation, immunology, neuroradiology, treatment and outcomes were analyzed. Results: There were 5 males and 5 females, with a median age of 44 (18, 66) years. Of 9 cases, the median interval between the two onsets of encephalitis was 37 (24, 60) days, and there was no obvious interval in case 7. In viral encephalitis phase, the peak modified Rankin scale (mRS) was 4.5 (4.0, 5.0) and the remission mRS was 2.0 (1.0, 3.0). In autoimmune encephalitis (AE) phase, the peak mRS was 4.0 (3.0, 5.0). Symptoms of AE included mental and behavioral abnormalities (10/10), amnesia (10/10), motor disorders (5/10), autonomic dysfunction (5/10), speech disorders (4/10), seizures (2/10) and consciousness disturbance (2/10). On average, each case presented with 4 (2, 6) symptoms. In AE phase, the positive rate of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (anti-NMDA) receptor antibody in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was 80% (8/10), while in serum it was only 20% (2/10). Neuroimaging showed that in AE phase, the lesions expanded in 8 cases, remained unchanged in 1 case and shrank in 1 case. In AE phase, 10 cases received first line treatments, and 2 cases accepted long-course immunotherapy. After treatment, symptoms of 9 cases were obviously relieved. The mRS for short-term and long-term outcomes was 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) and 1.0 (0, 2.0), respectively. Conclusions: PVEAE might present with either typical biphasic course or monophasic/pseudo-monophasic course. In AE phase, anti-NMDA receptor antibody turned positive in most cases. Much importance should be attached to the recognition and diagnosis of PVEAE and treat it actively thereafter.

Objective: To analyze the etiology and epidemiological characteristics of gastroenteritis virus in foodborne diseases from three cities in Shandong. Methods: From January to December 2017, six sentinel hospitals in Jinan, Yantai and Linyi city of Shandong Province were selected as the research sites. Stool samples of 1 397 diarrhea patients were collected, as well as basic information and clinical symptoms. Duplex quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect Norovirus genogroupⅠ (Nov GⅠ) and genogroupⅡ (Nov GⅡ), Sapovirus (SAV) and Human astrovirus (HAstV), respectively, quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect group A Rotavirus (RVA), and quantitative PCR was used to detect Enteric adenovirus (EAdV). The specific gene of the virus were sequenced and typed. It was compared that the gastroenteritis virus rate in cases with different characteristics and the clinical symptoms difference between the virus positive and negative cases. Results: The median age ( P (25), P (75)) was 23 (1, 42) , mainly male, 57.48% with 803 cased and children under 5 years old, 36.36% with 508 cases. The positive rate of gastroenteritis virus was 33.93% (474 cases), and that of Jinan, Linyi and Yantai City were 32.03% (147/459), 41.54% (189/455) and 28.57% (138/483), respectively ( P< 0.001). Nov GⅡ had the highest positive rate, 16.54% (231 cases), which, mainly GⅡ.P16/GⅡ.2 (48.28%, 56/116), peaked in May (24.75%, 50/202) and June (19.59%, 38/194). In patients of gastroenteritis virus positive, 44.51% (211/474) had vomiting symptoms, higher than that of patients of gastroenteritis virus negative (34.13%, 315/923). The difference was statistically significant ( P< 0.001). Conclusion: In Shandong Province, the majority of gastroenteritis patients were male and children under 5 years old. Nov GⅡ possessed highest epidemic intensity, and peaked in spring and summer. Viral gastroenteritis had atypical clinical symptoms.

When tailing spill accidents occur, the risk of contamination by antimony (Sb) tailings into adjacent rivers, sediments, aquifers and soil environments is high. The Sb concentrations in water and sediment under different stringent control activities were investigated for 60 days in the Jialing River basin after a tailing spill accident. Both reservoir regulation and the construction of a temporary dam with coagulation dosing remarkably reduced the Sb levels in the river water. The increase in dissolved Sb caused by the spill was reduced from ~400 μg/L in the inflow to ~200 μg/L in the outflow by reservoir regulation. Moreover, reservoir regulation led to a high concentration of Sb in the reservoir sediment, which was difficult to remove and may cause subsequent unpredictable long-term ecological and health risks. In contrast, the Sb-enriched deposition inside the temporary dam was convenient to remove. Notably, temperature alternations between day and night in winter resulted in a large fluctuation in coagulation efficiency, which may cause the failure of stringent control projects. The results of this study suggest potential improvements to stringent control activities after mine tailing accidents to mitigate environmental impacts and prevent secondary risks., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This experiment proposed to complicate BMMSCs and PLLA/SF scaffolds, to study its repairing ability for rabbit oral mucosa wound, and try to evaluate the most potential mixed proportion of PLLA and SF for tissue engineering. Method: Separating,cultivating and identifying BMMSCs. Observing cell phenotype of BMMSCs after cultivating BMMSCs in P70S30 PLLA/SF scaffold for one week.Observing the structure change of BMMSCs and P70S30PLLA/SF scaffold complexes after oral mucosa transplantation experiment for a week；Comparing the wound healing rate of composite of BMMSCs and PLLA/SF scafold，PLLA/SF scaffold and nature repair. Result: ①There wasn't a significant effect of PLLA/SF scaffold on cell phenotype of BMMSCs.②The wounds fused well with the oral mucosa transplanted composite of BMMSCs and P70S30 PLLA/SF scaffold after a week.③The healing rate of composite of BMMSCs and P70S30 scaffold was the highest.The average healing rate of composite of BMMSCs and P70S30 scaffold was 94.8%,whose difference was statistically significant compared with natural healing and pure scaffold( P <0.01). Conclusion: ①The complex composed of BMMSCs and PLLA/SF scaffolds has the potential as an ideal scaffold for tissue engineering oral mucosa.②The complex composed of BMMSCs and P70S30 PLLA/SF scaffolds is the most beneficial to wound healing of oral mucosa,and has the greatest potential for constructing tissue engineering oral mucosa., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.)