The Majorana fermion, which is its own antiparticle and obeys non-Abelian statistics, plays a critical role in topological quantum computing. It can be realized as a bound state at zero energy, ...called a Majorana zero mode (MZM), in the vortex core of a topological superconductor, or at the ends of a nanowire when both superconductivity and strong spin orbital coupling are present. A MZM can be detected as a zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) in tunneling spectroscopy. However, in practice, clean and robust MZMs have not been realized in the vortices of a superconductor because of contamination from impurity states or other closely packed Caroli–de Gennes-Matricon (CdGM) states, which hampers further manipulations of MZMs. Here, using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we show that a ZBCP well separated from the other discrete CdGM states exists ubiquitously in the cores of free vortices in the defect-free regions of(Li0.84Fe0.16)OHFeSe, which has a superconducting transition temperature of 42 K. Moreover, a Dirac-cone-type surface state is observed by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and its topological nature is confirmed by band calculations. The observed ZBCP can naturally be attributed to a MZM arising from the chiral topological surface state of a bulk superconductor. Thus,(Li0.84Fe0.16)OHFeSeprovides an ideal platform for studying MZMs and topological quantum computing.
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CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UL, UM, UPUK
Prokaryotes use repetitive genomic elements termed CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) to destroy invading genetic molecules. Although CRISPR systems have been widely ...used in DNA and RNA technology, certain adverse effects do occur. For example, constitutively active CRISPR systems may lead to a certain risk of off-target effects. Here, we introduce post-synthetic masking and chemical activation of guide RNA (gRNA) to controlling CRISPR systems. An RNA structure profiling probe (2-azidomethylnicotinic acid imidazolide) is used. Moreover, we accomplish conditional control of gene editing in live cells. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates promising potential of chemical activation of gRNAs as a versatile tool for chemical biology.
Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most frequently used anti-cancer drugs and the front line option for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. However, the clinical applications of DOX are restricted ...largely due to its toxicity and chemoresistance. Here, we report that miR-375 and DOX were co-delivered by liposomes (named L-miR-375/DOX-NPs) for combination therapy of HCC and drug resistance reversion of DOX. In vitro, L-miR-375/DOX-NPs could deliver DOX and miR-375 efficiently and simultaneously into HCC cells and ensure the successful release of mature miR-375 and DOX. Then, the released miR-375 suppressed the malignant hallmarks of HCC by significantly decreasing the expression of AEG-1, YAP1, and ATG7, while the released DOX evidently accelerated cell apoptosis and blocked cycle at a G2/M stage by activating the P53/Bax/Bcl-2, caspase-3, and P-JNK, P-P38 pathway. Furthermore, miR-375 dramatically inhibited drug resistance of DOX by reducing the expression of multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1). In vivo, L-miR-375/DOX-NPs exhibited enhanced anti-tumor efficiency in xenograft HCC mouse models with mild adverse effects compared with doxorubicin or miR-375 alone. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that L-miR-375/DOX-NPs had significant synergetic anti-tumor effects and added values in overcoming drug resistance, which may represent a promising approach for the therapy of HCC.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The global burden of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is emerging in immunologic deficiency status from various disease. Patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) are prone ...to IFI and their conditions are commonly exacerbated by IFI. However, little is known about the characteristics and risk factors for IFI in hospitalized ACHBLF patients.
A total of 243 hospitalized ACHBLF patients were retrospectively enrolled from January 2010 to July 2023. We performed restricted cubic spline analysis to determine the non-linear associations between independent variables and IFI. The risk factors for IFI were identified using logistic regression and the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm. The effect values of the risk factors were determined by the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method.
There were 24 ACHBLF patients (9.84%) who developed IFI on average 17.5 (13.50, 23.00) days after admission. The serum creatinine level showed a non-linear association with the possibility of IFI. Multiple logistic regression revealed that length of hospitalization (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08,
= 0.002) and neutrophilic granulocyte percentage (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09,
= 0.042) were independent risk factors for IFI. The XGBoost algorithm showed that the use of antibiotics (SHAP value = 0.446), length of hospitalization (SHAP value = 0.406) and log (qHBV DNA) (SHAP value = 0.206) were the top three independent risk factors for IFI. Furthermore, interaction analysis revealed no multiplicative effects between the use of antibiotics and the use of glucocorticoids (
= 0.990).
IFI is a rare complication that leads to high mortality in hospitalized ACHBLF patients, and a high neutrophilic granulocyte percentage and length of hospitalization are independent risk factors for the occurrence of IFI.
Rationale, aims, and objectives
The assessment of evaluating undergraduate nursing students' evidence‐based practice engagement is an important issue, yet few tools have been developed specifically ...in Mainland China. The purpose of this study was to adapt the Student Evidence‐based Practice Questionnaire (S‐EBPQ) to Mainland China's cultural context and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly adapted Chinese S‐EBPQ.
Methods
Cross‐cultural adaptation, including translation of the original S‐EBPQ into Mandarin Chinese language, was performed according to published guidelines. A pilot study was conducted in Mainland China with 25 Chinese undergraduate nursing students. A subsequent validation study was conducted with 400 undergraduate nursing students from Mainland China. Construct validity was assessed by exploratory factor analysis (n = 190) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 210). Reliability was determined using internal consistency and test‐retest reliability.
Results
The split‐half coefficient for the overall Chinese S‐EBPQ was 0.858. A content validity index of 0.986 was achieved. Principal component analysis resulted in a 4‐factor structure explaining 68.285% of the total variance. The comparative fit index was 0.927, and the root mean squared error of approximation was 0.072 from the confirmatory factor analysis. Known‐group validity was supported by the significant differences according to various characteristics of participants. Internal consistency was high for the Chinese S‐EBPQ reaching a Cronbach α value of 0.934. Test‐retest reliability was 0.821.
Conclusion
The newly cross‐culturally adapted S‐EBPQ possesses adequate validity, test‐retest reliability, and internal consistency and therefore may be utilized in nursing education to assess EBP of undergraduate nursing students in Mainland China.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
ObjectivesScreening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) at both urogenital and extragenital sites has been recommended in many countries. Testing of the infections using ...pooled specimens from urogenital and extragenital sites offer the opportunity to shorten the testing time and reduce the testing cost. Ex-ante pooling is placing the original single-site specimens in a tube with transport media, while ex-post pooling is making a pool of the transport media from both anorectal and oropharyngeal specimens and the urine. This study aimed to conduct a multisite performance evaluation of two pool-specimen approaches (ex-ante and ex-post) in detection of CT and NG using the Cobas 4800 platform among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China.DesignDiagnostic accuracy study.Setting, participants and outcome measuresParticipants were recruited from MSM communities at six cities in China. Two oropharyngeal and anorectal swabs collected by clinical staff and 20 mL first-void urine collected by the participant himself were used for evaluating sensitivity and specificity.ResultsA total of 1311 specimens were collected from 437 participants in six cities. The sensitivities of ex-ante pooling approach as compared with single-specimen approach (reference standard) were 98.7% (95% CI, 92.7% to 100.0%) for detection of CT and 89.7% (95% CI, 75.8% to 97.1%) for NG, and the specificities were 99.5% (95% CI, 98.0% to 99.9%) and 98.7% (95% CI, 97.1% to 99.6%), respectively. The sensitivities of ex-post pooling approach were 98.7% (95% CI, 92.7% to 100.0%) for CT and 100.0% (95% CI, 91.0% to 100.0%) for NG, and the specificities were 100.0% (95% CI, 99.0% to 100.0%) and 100.0% (95% CI, 99.1% to 100.0%), respectively.ConclusionsThe ex-ante and ex-post pooling approaches show good sensitivity and specificity in detecting urogenital and extragenital CT and/or NG, indicating that these approaches can be used in epidemiological surveillance and clinical management of CT and NG infections, particularly among MSM population.
The first lithium-ion insertion and extraction processes of a graphite electrode at different potentials were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results revealed that, below ...the potential of 0.65 V during the first lithiation, three semicircles were observed in the Nyquist plots; namely, two semicircles appeared in the middle-frequency region. This new phenomenon has been investigated through the detailed analysis of the change of kinetic parameters obtained from simulating the experimental EIS data for lithium-ion insertion and extraction in graphite as a function of potential. It has been found that the two semicircles in the middle-frequency region were strongly potential-dependent, and they were both attributed to the charge-transfer process. Evidence was presented (supported by model calculation) that the two semicircles observed in the middle-frequency region originated from the nonhomogeneous, multilayered porous microstructure of the graphite electrode, which resulted from a parallel combination of impedance response of the thinner parts and thicker parts of the electrode.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Human glioma-associated mesenchymal stem cells (gbMSCs) are the stromal cell components that contribute to the tumourigenesis of malignant gliomas. Recent studies have shown that gbMSCs consist of ...two distinct subpopulations (CD90
and CD90
gbMSCs). However, the different roles in glioma progression have not been expounded. In this study, we found that the different roles of gbMSCs in glioma progression were associated with CD90 expression. CD90
gbMSCs significantly drove glioma progression mainly by increasing proliferation, migration and adhesion, where as CD90
gbMSCs contributed to glioma progression chiefly through the transition to pericytes and stimulation of vascular formation via vascular endothelial cells. Furthermore, discrepancies in long non-coding RNAs and mRNAs expression were verified in these two gbMSC subpopulations, and the potential underlying molecular mechanism was discussed. Our data confirm for the first time that CD90
and CD90
gbMSCs play different roles in human glioma progression. These results provide new insights into the possible future use of strategies targeting gbMSC subpopulations in glioma patients.
Abstract BACKGROUND We retrospectively investigated incidence, morbidity, and mortality of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in China, with special emphasis on determining the predictors of ...necrotizing enterocolitisassociated mortality. METHODS We identified neonates as having necrotizing enterocolitis if they met the accepted diagnostic criterion. Data pertaining to antenatal period, labor and birth, and the postnatal course of illness were collected. Multivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors. RESULTS There were 1167 cases of necrotizing enterocolitis identified from the 95 participating NICUs in mainland China in 2011, with the incidence of 2.50% and 4.53% in LBW (birth weight <2500g) and VLBW (birth weight <1500g) infants, respectively. Stage 1, 2 and 3 diseases were noted in 51.1%, 30.3% and 18.6% of cases respectively. The mortality from stage 2 and 3 necrotizing enterocolitis in this cohort was 41.7%. In VLBW infants, the important risk factors for mortality were small for gestation age (OR: 5.02, 95%CI 1.73-14.6; P=0.003) and stage 3 NEC (OR: 8.09, 95%CI 2.80-23.3, P<0.001). In moderate LBW infants (birth weight 1500-2499g), the risk factors identified for mortality were sepsis during hospitalization (OR: 2.59, 95%CI 1.57-4.28, P<0.001) and stage 3 NEC (OR: 5.37, 95%CI 3.24-8.90; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Necrotizing enterocolitis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in prematurely born neonates in Chinese neonatal units. Awareness of the associated risk factors and appropriate
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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