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Long-term exposure to cadmium-polluted environments may lead to shortened leukocyte telomere length and cognitive decline. This study aims to investigate (1) the associations among blood cadmium levels, leukocyte telomere length, and cognitive function, and (2) the mediating role of leukocyte telomere length between blood cadmium levels and cognitive function among older adults in the United States. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002. Cadmium exposure level was assessed by measuring cadmium levels in blood samples. Leukocyte telomere length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and cognitive function was measured by the digit symbol substitution test (DSST). A total of 2185 older adults aged over 60 were included in this study, comprising 1109 (49.65%) males. Elevated blood cadmium levels were significantly associated with the risk of a decline in cognitive function (β = - 2.842, p = 0.018). Shorter leukocyte telomere lengths were significantly associated with a higher risk of a decline in cognitive function (β = 4.144, p = 0.020). The total indirect effect on the blood cadmium level and cognitive function via leukocyte telomere length was - 0.218 (p = 0.012). The mediation effect was estimated to be 0.218/2.084 × 100% = 10.46%. The findings suggest that cadmium exposure may increase the risk of cognitive impairment by causing shortened leukocyte telomere length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: High quality nonlinear infrared crystal material GaSe was grown using a seed aided Bridgman–Stockbarger method having a size of 24–26mm in diameter and 55–70mm in length. The crystals were characterized using X-ray diffraction, electron energy scattering, transmission spectrophotometry and infrared microscopy. The transmission spectrum showed that the infrared transmission is about 67% in an 8mm thick sample cleaved along (001) face, and mean absorption 0.01–0.08cm−1 in the range 0.9–15μm. It may be suitable for the fabrication of infrared nonlinear optical devices, photoelectric analyzers of polarized light and so on. Crystals grown by this method with the described procedures may also be useful for other similar layered compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is highly desirable to develop novel multifunctional wound dressing materials capable of delivering active molecules capable of resolving bacterial infections and replenishment of appropriate growth factors for bacteria-infected wound healing. Polysaccharides have numerous biomedical benefits and have been widely used to construct biomaterial scaffolds. Herein, multifunctional chitosan/alginate hydrogel decorated with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) modified polydopamine (PDA)-bioactive glass (BG) nanoparticles (NPs) integrating photothermal performance and nitric-oxide release activities for the treatment of bacterially infected wounds is presented. As the NO precursor N , N ′-di-sec-butyl-N,N′-dinitroso-1,4-phenylenediamine (BNN6) encapsulated into the hydrophobic cavity of β-CD on the PDA-coated BG NPs, the resultant NO@CD-PDA/BG NPs, are imparted with the feature of NIR triggered NO release and desired PTT/NO synergetic antibacterial effects. Furthermore, the release of NO, Ca, and Si ions from the NO@CD-PDA/BG NPs, has the benefit of regulating inflammation, promoting fibroblast proliferation, and stimulating angiogenesis. Besides, the chitosan/alginate hydrogel scaffolds provided a suitable microenvironment to accelerate wound healing. By applying the multifunctional chitosan/alginate nanocomposite hydrogel to S. aureus -infected full-thickness skin defect mouse model, the authors demonstrated that chitosan/alginate nanocomposite hydrogel has multiple functions in preventing bacterial infections, accelerating angiogenesis and wound regeneration, indicating promising application in wound healing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BaGa 4 Se 7 is a new promising infrared nonlinear optical crystal. Recently, efforts are focused on the growth of high-quality single crystals. Single crystal with size of ϕ25 (diameter) × 35(length) mm3 was grown using vertical gradient freeze technique (VGF) for the first time. The yield of crack free crystals was greatly improved by selecting seed orientation for directional growth. Especially, the absorption coefficient of the BaGa 4 Se 7 crystal is as low as 0.02 cm−1 at 2.05 µm, which means that the as-grown crystal can be used to fabricate optical elements directly and does not need post-thermal annealing like other growth methods. The as-grown crystals were also characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission spectra, and optical homogeneity etc. The BGSe-OPO elements were fabricated for infrared nonlinear optical experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ZnGeP2 crystal is one of the most promising materials for infrared nonlinear optical applications. However, the near-band-edge absorption of native defects degrades the performance of ZGP-OPO device. The single-zone-annealing furnaces were utilized to anneal ZGP samples. The optimal annealing temperature was 600°C and the optimal annealing atmosphere was ZGP powder vapor. For further annealing effects, the two-zone-annealing method was adopted to anneal ZGP crystals for the first time. The absorption coefficient can be reduced to 0.06cm−1 at 2μm and the resistivity can be increased from 5.8×107 Ωcm to 4.1×109 Ωcm. The results indicate that the annealed ZnGeP2 crystals could be used as OPO devices. The mechanism of the two-zone-annealing effects has been briefly discussed in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]