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Background: Observational studies have shown an association between skin microbiota and alopecia areata (AA), but the causal connection remains ambiguous. Methods: We obtained data on skin microbiota and AA from summary statistics of Genome‐Wide Association Studies and applied statistical methods from Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess causal relationships. Additionally, we investigated whether the skin microbiota acts as a mediator in the pathway from gut microbiota to AA. Results: In the MR analysis of KORA FF4 and AA, the inverse‐variance weighting method indicated that Corynebacterium (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70–0.96, p = 0.02) and asv037 (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76–0.99, p = 0.05) exerted protective effects, while Betaproteobacteria (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.01–1.44, p = 0.03), asv015 (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.05–1.54, p = 0.02), and Burkholderiales (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04–1.38, p = 0.01) were identified as risk factors in AA. In the MR analysis of PopGen and AA, asv001 (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.24, p = 0.04), asv054 (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01–1.25, p = 0.03), and asv059 (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p = 0.02) were found to potentially increase the risk in AA. Furthermore, in the influence of gut microbiota on AA, the skin microbiota did not act as a mediator. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests potential causal relationships between certain skin microbiota and AA, revealing insights into its pathogenesis and potential intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodetectors based on two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have attracted many research interests owing to their excellent optoelectronic characteristics and application potential for highly integrated applications. However, the unique morphology of 2D materials also restricts the further improvement of the device performance, as the carrier transport is very susceptible to intrinsic and extrinsic environment of the materials. Here, we report the highest responsivity (172 A/W) achieved so far for a PbI2-based photodetector at room temperature, which is an order of magnitude higher than previously reported. Thermal scanning probe lithography (t-SPL) was used to pattern electrodes to realize the ultrashort channel (~60 nm) in the device. The shortening of the channel length greatly reduces the probability of the photo-generated carriers being scattered during the transport process, which increases the photocurrent density and thus the responsivity. Our work shows that the combination of emerging processing technologies and 2D materials is an effective route to shrink device size and improve device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 breakthrough infection in highly vaccinated populations raises study on the effectiveness for inactivated vaccine, including effectiveness of the vaccine dose, the continuance of effectiveness, the effectiveness against severe/critical coronavirus disease 2019 and against secondary attacks. A population of 10 870 close contacts were investigated in a Delta variant's epidemic. The effectiveness of vaccination was estimated in a test‐negative case–control study. In addition, serum was used to detect neutralizing antibodies, to explore their correlation to effectiveness. The vaccine effectiveness (VE) values were estimated for populations aged 12 years or older. The overall adjusted VE was 56.2% and a two‐dose vaccine was more effective than a one‐dose vaccine (56.7% vs. 43.8%). In addition, the population that got the second dose vaccine within 2 months showed higher VE than the population vaccinated for longer than 2 months (61.5% vs. 52.3%). Among the population who vaccinated 2 doses or within 2 months, a higher level of neutralizing antibodies was observed. For infected cases, vaccinated populations showed lower rates of transmission (2.63% vs. 4.36%). Further, those vaccinated cases, who were not found causing transmission, had a higher level of antibodies. The study provided a full view of the effectiveness of inactivated vaccines in a real‐world setting. The time‐related VE against infection and lower transmission of breakthrough vaccinated cases were observed, which may indicate that a necessity of a booster vaccine to maintain the effectiveness and high level of neutralizing antibody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tiny FeO nanoparticles (FeONP) were successfully immobilized on the surface of porous silica nanofibers (PSNF) to form a novel hybrid Fenton-like catalyst of FeO/PSNF through an in situ high-temperature decomposition method. The crystalline phase, microstructure and specific properties of FeO/PSNF were characterized in detail. It was found that the FeONP with cubic spinel structure and diameter of 10-80 nm was grown on the surface of PSNF through interfacial Fe-O-Si bond. The surface of PSNF was partly covered by FeONP, which made the surface hydroxyl groups of silanol well maintained in FeO/PSNF. The Fenton-like catalytic performances of FeO/PSNF and naked FeONP were evaluated through a series of kinetic tests on degradation of Rhodamine B. The results show that the FeO/PSNF has much higher adsorption capacity and Fenton-like catalytic activity than those of naked FeONP. Besides, the FeO/PSNF also shows good stability and recyclability, and as a result, the novel catalyst is easily separated by magnetic method and reused for further reaction. It is proposed that the PSNF significantly improves the catalytic activity by making a highly dispersed FeONP and providing abundant micro/mesopores and a large surface area with strong adsorptive and hydrophilic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]