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[Display omitted] • A dynamic polyurethane (BPU/CRPD) composite film was developed with boroxine-polyurethane and pH responsive polymeric dye. • The durable pH responsive coating fabric was prepared by a facile hot-pressing method. • The BPU/CRPD film with high tensile strength exhibits healing efficiency of 87 % at 70 °C for 2 h and recycling efficiency of 97 % under 3 MPa at 80 °C for 5 min. • The BPU/CRPD coated fabric presents outstanding reversible pH responsive property, self-healing and recycling capabilities. Wearable pH sensors can offer a visual warning signal of pH changes, making them particularly attractive in health monitoring and environmental detection. However, the fabrication of durable wearable pH sensors remains challenging due to the inevitable damage that sensors suffer in practical applications. Here, a durable pH responsive coating fabric with outstanding self-healing and recyclable capabilities is prepared with a composite film composed of a dynamic boroxine-polyurethane (BPU) and a pH responsive Congo red-based polymeric dye (CRPD). The BPU/CRPD composite film exhibits a high tensile strength of 17.46 MPa, breaking elongation of 407 %, toughness of 31.61 MJ/m3, Young's modulus of 11.78 MPa, and outstanding elastic restorability. The high reversibility of boroxines and hydrogen bonds enable the composite film with healing efficiency of 87 % at 70 °C for 2 h and recycling efficiency of 97 % under 3 MPa at 80 °C for 5 min. In addition, the BPU/CRPD coated fabric presents outstanding pH responsive property and color fastness. Importantly, the scratched coating fabric can be easily healed at 70 °C, 5 MPa for 5 min or using an electric iron. Furthermore, the BPU/CRPD coatings on the discarded fabric can be recycled and reused many times with similar pH responsive behavior. The outstanding fastness, self-healing and recycling properties promote the durability of the pH responsive coating. This work provides a meaningful strategy for developing durable pH responsive coating fabrics with self-healing and recycling capabilities that will be promising for wearable pH sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An acid and UV dual-responsive cellulose fabric was developed via coating with a polymeric dye based on waterborne polyurethane and azobenzene chromophore to provide additional smart characteristics for textiles. The incorporation of azobenzene chromophore into polyurethane chain through chemical bonding enhanced the thermal stability. The maximum absorption peak of the polymeric dye and its coated fabric shifted from 410 nm to 520 nm upon pH decreasing from 6 to 1, accompanying with pronounced color change from yellow to amaranth due to structural transition from diazo to hydrazone form. The acidichromic property of the polymeric dye also presents an outstanding repetition stability. The trans -isomers in the polymeric dye transformed into cis -isomers rapidly (1 s) in response to UV irradiation, while its recovery was much slower (6 h) in dark due to the large molecular and volume of polyurethane chains. Upon trans-cis isomerism, the coated fabric presented slight color change between yellow and orange after alternative UV irradiation and dark. The stimuli-responsive cellulose fabric with reversible acidichromic and photoisomeric properties can be a promising candidate for developing a wearable and flexible sensor to monitor environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a highly-efficient photocatalytic and recyclable BiOBr/Ag nanowires (AgNW)/cotton fabric (CF) composite was fabricated by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) for rapid treatment of dye wastewater. The integration of AgNW and BiOBr aims to establish a channel for faster and easier charge transfer to enhance the photocatalytic performance. The chemical structure and morphology of BiOBr/AgNW/CF, as well as its photo-degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light radiation were explored. Results reveal that BiOBr/AgNW/CF exhibits remarkably enhanced photocatalytic activity over BiOBr/CF, which degrades 97 % of RhB within 90 min. BiOBr/AgNW/CF still maintains 88 % of photocatalytic degradation capacity after five reusing cycles due to the effective encapsulation of BiOBr that protects AgNW from oxidation. Photoluminescence, electron spin resonance, and free radical trapping experiments confirm that the separation efficiency of photo-generated electron-hole pairs plays an important role in improving photocatalytic performance. In all, this work exhibits great potential in the development of textile-based photocatalytic materials that integrates two significant merits, the high degradation efficiency and easy recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The avian influenza A H7N9 virus, previously unknown in humans, has infected humans in many areas of China since February 2013. Here we report on a clustering case of H7N9 in two little girls in one family in Dongyang city, Jinhua area, Zhejiang Province. Objectives To determine (1) whether the infections were due to person-to-person transmission or to co-exposure to poultry and (2) the prevalence of this novel H7N9 virus in Dongyang inferred by this family clustering case. Study design Samples were collected from patients and environment. We undertook detailed epidemiological investigations and laboratory work. Phylogenetic analyses were done based on the sequenced genomes. The concentration of cytokines and chemokines in the serum was detected by cytometric bead array analyses. Results A mixture of H7 and H9 was detected from the environmental sample. The three H7N9 viruses shared one infection source. The index patient who had significantly higher levels of IL-4, IL-8 and IL-10 suffered severe infection. Conclusions Based on a comparison with previous isolations of the virus in 2013, H7N9 has evolved different lineages through recombination with local H9N2 viruses. Determining whether it was human-to-human transmission or exposure to the same live poultry, since both patients had identical exposure histories, was ambiguous. The results from the cytokine analyses agreed with the conclusion that H7N9 severity is associated with a higher level of cytokines/chemokines. Long term influenza surveillance remains essential to allow for early warning of potential transmission events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a monogenic proarrhythmic disorder that predisposes affected individuals to sudden death from tachyarrhythmia. As an inherited disease, LQTS cannot be completely cured by conventional treatment modalities. Individualized gene therapy is a promising therapeutic approach. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of small interference RNA (siRNA) on expression of E637K-hERG (human ether-a-go-go-related gene) mutant and whether it can be used to rescue the mutant’s dominant-negative suppressive effects on hERG protein channel function. Methods: Western blot was performed to select the most sensitive siRNAs to target E637K-hERG mutant knockdown. Confocal laser scanning microscope was performed to monitor cellular localization of wild-type (WT)-hERG and E637K-hERG with or without siRNA. Patch-clamp technique was used to assess the effect of siRNA on the electrophysiologic characteristics of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current IKr of the hERG protein channel. Results: siRNA led to a significant decrease in the level of E637K-hERG protein but did not affect the level of WT-hERG protein. WT-hERG localization in cells coexpressing E637K-hERG mutant was restored to the membrane by siRNA. The siRNA-mediated inhibition of E637K-hERG mutant restored the maximum current and tail current amplitudes. Furthermore, siRNA treatment rescued the kinetic properties of WT/E637K-hERG protein channel to a level comparable to that of WT-hERG protein channel. Conclusion: Our findings illustrated that siRNA can effectively inhibit E637K-hERG protein expression and rescue the dominant-negative effect of this mutation by restoring the kinetic properties of hERG protein channel. It has potential clinical implications with regard to the possibility of using siRNA in the treatment of LQTS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Both Cu and Co-doped defective WSe 2 monolayers are thermodynamically stable. • The Cu- and Co-doped defective WSe 2 monolayers show semiconducting behavior. • The results suggested that the adsorption performance of CO was improved upon applying electric field. In this work, we performed density functional theory calculations to explore the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of transition metal (Cu, Co) embedded WSe 2 monolayers. Both Cu- and Co-embedded WSe 2 monolayers are thermodynamically stable. Our results suggested that Cu-embedded monolayers are more stable than the Co-embedded ones. Subsequently, the adsorptions of CO, CO 2 , NH 3 , NO, N 2 O, NO 2 and O 3 gas molecules on the Cu-embedded WSe 2 systems were systematically examined to evaluate their potential for application in gas sensor devices. In the case of Co-embedded WSe 2 , the magnetic moment is 0.88 μ B , while the Cu-embedded system shows a total magnetic moment of 0.82 μ B. Thus, we found that the magnetic properties of the WSe 2 monolayers are tuned through doping Co and Cu atoms. Our results also indicated that the adsorption performance of WSe 2 towards CO detection was slightly improved by applying electric field. The projected density of states of the gas molecules and Cu atoms were also calculated, which indicate the formation of chemical bonds via overlapping electrons of the embedded Cu atom and gas molecules. Our findings are technically important for building gas sensor devices based on transition metal embedded WSe 2 monolayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Serum from breakthrough infections can induce broad neutralization. • Vaccines play a role by reducing viral load and attenuating infection symptoms. • Omicron XBB.1.16 exhibits a high potential for immune escape. To assess the levels of and neutralizing antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and its mutants in serum samples from patients with breakthrough infection. Sixty-four patients with breakthrough infections were recruited for this cross-sectional study. All samples were used to neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against SARS-CoV-2 and its mutants using a focused reduction neutralization assay. A total of 512 serum samples were obtained from unvaccinated patients who received one dose of vaccine (n = 12), received two doses of vaccine (n = 15), and received three doses of vaccine (n = 37). The geometric mean titer (GMT) of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron subvariant was significantly lower (GMT 66.8 and 56.1) compared to the original strain, regardless of whether two or three doses of vaccine were administered. This result highlights that sera from breakthrough infections induce broad neutralization, but Omicron XBB.1.16 exhibits high immune evasion potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates a low-temperature solvothermal method of nitrogen-rich covalent organic framework (COF) onions. The atomic structure and the bonding features are revealed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). The novel COF onion provides potential applications in photocatalysts considering its suitable bandgap value of 2.56 eV. [Display omitted] Achieving hierarchical nanomaterials from a bottom-up approach remains challenging. Here, we report a closed-cage, onion nanostructure of covalent organic framework (COF) obtained through a low-temperature solvothermal synthesis. Atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed the atomic arrangement in this COF onion, in which rich nitrogen was uniformly embedded in the periodic porous graphitic framework. The COF onion structure displayed graphitic features at a 0.33 nm interlayer spacing with Van der Waals interactions predominated between the layers. The onion layers exhibited significant heterogeneity in layer stacking by adopting a combination of different stacking modes. Defects were also found, such as five- or seven-member rings deviating from the perfect hexagonal lattice. These geometrical defects resulted in curving the 2D layers, which may have promoted the formation of onion nanostructures through a layer-by-layer attachment. We constructed a corresponding model that predicts COF onion properties. This novel onion exhibited a bandgap value of 2.56 eV, resembling other carbon-based nanomaterials, suggesting potential applications in sensors, photocatalysts, and nanoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since the reemergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1, it caused disease in 20 people with 13 deaths in mainland of China. On February 21, 2006, the first suspected human case in Zhejiang province was reported. Pathogenic analyses, including reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR, and virus isolation, were carried out to confirm the pathogen from tracheal aspirate specimen. In addition, antibody in serum sample was detected using hemagglutination–inhibition (HI). Results revealed that nucleic acid extracted from the tracheal aspirate specimen was positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus and influenza virus type A. The H5N1 virus strain named A/Zhejiang/16/06 (H5N1) was isolated. The titers of HI antibody for H5N1 avian influenza virus were 1:320 and 1:640, respectively. The sequenced genes were all avian origin. Phylogenetic analyses between the A/Zhejiang/16/06 and other H5N1 influenza viruses were also included. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Crystallographic defects play a crucial role in cement hydration, with initial dissolution being dominated by the formation of etch pits that rely on the intersection of defects on surfaces. However, the defects present in cement particles have remained a mystery due to the lack of detailed direct observation at the atomic scale. In this study, we used scanning transmission electron microscopy to unravel the defects in alite particles at the single-atom level. Our observations identified different types of defects, including vacancies, doping, dislocations, rough surfaces, and grain boundaries. Atomic ordering in the alite crystal was further examined based on our single-atom recognition method. Our findings indicate that defects in cement particles may serve as reactive sites during the early hydration stage, facilitating the initial dissolution and providing nucleation sites for hydration products. This work provides insights into cement defect formation at the single-atom level and offers new opportunities in tuning the hydration process through defect engineering of cement particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Encephalitis pathogens caused sporadic aseptic meningitis in children in Zhejiang. • Epidemiologic feathers and phylogenetic characteristics of HEVs were reported. • The prevalence of enterovirus neutralizing antibodies was investigated in Zhejiang. • The level of neutralizing antibodies reflects the history of previous infections. Abstract Background Recently, both sporadic and outbreak aseptic meningitis caused by enteroviruses have been reported in Zhejiang Province based on a surveillance system. Methods This study analysed the epidemiologic features, phylogenetic characteristics and prevalence of enterovirus neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) from 2014 to 2017 in Zhejiang Province. Results A total of 584 samples were collected. Males accounted for 66.07% while females accounted for 33.93%. The median age was 6 years (range: 1–15 years). Cases peaked in May and August (81.17%) and 162 cases (28.93%) occurred in June. We detected 15 serotypes, some of which (E6, E9, E18 and E30) were the dominant serotypes prevalent in different years and geographical regions. Phylogenetic results revealed that all of the isolates from this study belonged to the human enterovirus B family. A total of 329 subjects sampled from a healthy population were tested for nAbs against B5, E6 and E30 in Rui'an county in 2015. The seropositive rate of E30 in each age group was significantly higher than that of the other serotypes. Conclusion Enterovirus-associated encephalitis pathogens circulating in Zhejiang caused sporadic aseptic meningitis in children. The level of nAbs against human enterovirus reflects the history of previous infections in different age groups. Therefore, additional surveillance sites and more precise seroprevalence studies based on these populations are required to gain better insight into the epidemiology of enterovirus-associated encephalitis in Zhejiang Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First EQA of SARS-CoV-2 test covered 93 laboratories of CDCs in Zhejiang Province. • Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virus culture was used to prepare the EQA panels. • 36 distinct nucleic acid extraction and RT-PCR methods were reported in this EQA. • Overall laboratories providing confidence in the results of new molecular tests. The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated the rapid expansion of laboratories that conduct SARS-CoV-2 tests. A provincial external quality assessment (EQA) scheme on SARS-CoV-2 tests was organized by Zhejiang Provincial CDC to assess the accuracy of the tests in individual CDC municipal and county laboratories in Zhejiang Province, China. Three positive samples in high, medium, and low concentrations, respectively, were prepared using the serial dilutions from the culture with the viral titer concentration of 1×106.3 TCID50/mL, and one negative sample were included. A total of 93 laboratories participated, contributing results from 36 distinct combinations of nucleic acid extraction methods and PCR reagents. There was 100% concordance among all laboratories for all EQA samples, and no false-positive or false-negative results were observed. The EQA survey provides confidence in the identification of infected individuals or asymptomatic populations and assurance for clinical and public health decision-making based on test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Avian influenza A H7N9 virus, previously undetected in humans, has caused infections in many areas in China since February 2013. Here we report the re-emergence of a case of H7N9 in rural Jiaxing city, Zhejiang Province, in the winter of 2014. Objectives To understand (1) the clinical syndrome, epidemiological and virological characteristics of this case; (2) the importance of controlling live poultry markets (LPMs) in rural areas. Study design There is one patient and 16 contacts, including 4 family members living in the same household, and 12 medical personnel. Pharyngeal swabs and serum samples were collected from the patient and her contacts. Environment samples were also obtained from the local LPMs. We conducted detailed clinical and epidemiological investigations and laboratory work, including viral RNA extraction, RT-PCR detection and sequencing. Characteristic and phylogenetic analyses were performed using the obtained sequences. Results H7N9s were detected in environmental samples collected in LPMs in Jiaxing, Zhejiang. Unknown mutations were discovered in amino acids in the sample from the patient. The strain from the patient was in a clade different from isolates obtained in 2013 in phylogenetic trees of HA, NA and PB2. Conclusions A severe case of H7N9 was identified in early winter, 2014. Epidemiological and clinical tests were consistent with patterns reported previously, while laboratory findings showed the virus to be different. Live poultry markets in rural Zhejiang Province are in need of closer supervision and enhanced management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of food allergy has increased in Asian countries. Marine algae have been proposed as the potential resource for anti-allergic therapeutics. The present study was aimed at isolating R-phycocyanin (RPC) from Porphyra haitanensis and determining the anti-allergy potential of RPC in antigen-sensitized mice and mast cells. In animal experiments, RPC could effectively reduce tropomyosin (TM)-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine levels, alleviate allergy symptoms and jejunum tissue inflammation in mice, and inhibit the expression and release of cytokines (interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13) in peritoneal lavage fluid. In spleen lymphocyte experiments, high purity of RPC skewed the immunological function of CD4 + T cells towards Th1 activity. A higher expression of interferon (IFN)-γ was induced by a synergistic effect of TM and RPC. Through the Jun N-terminal kinase and Janus kinase 2 signaling pathways, IFN-γ synthesis was induced by RPC in combination with TM. Anti-allergic effect of RPC was evaluated in IgE-mediated rat mast RBL-2H3 cells. The results demonstrated that RPC inhibited allergy markers, including the release of β-hexosaminidase, histamine and ROS in antigen-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. RPC also suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α). In conclusion, RPC decreased allergic sensitization against TM by blocking Th2 cell polarization as well as suppressed the release of allergic-mediators in antigen-stimulated mast cells. It may be used as a functional food component or active pharmaceutical ingredient for allergic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, edible shellfish are recognized as foods potentially at high risk of contamination with human Norovirus (HuNoV) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. In this study, the antimicrobial effects of Chinese rice wine on HuNoV surrogates (MS2 and MNV-1) and V. parahaemolyticus in pickled mud snails immersed at different temperatures were evaluated. The optimized conditions for the wine treatment were also determined by assessing the color, odor, off-flavor, taste, and texture of the mud snails. Treatment with Chinese rice wine and immersion at 16 °C for 6 h were found to be the most effective conditions for reducing the incidence of MS2, MNV-1, and V. parahaemolyticus in the wine-treated mud snails with minimal changes to food quality. Using the nonlinear Weibull model, we show that the minimal T R values (the time required to reduce the population of pathogens by 90%) for MNV-1 (0.436 h), MS2 (0.363 h), and V. parahaemolyticus (0.202 h) were obtained for the rice-wine-containing shellfish immersed at 16 °C. Therefore, Chinese rice wine can be used as an antimicrobial agent against HuNoV and V. parahaemolyticus in wine-treated Bullacta exarata. • Wine-treated mud snail, called Zuiniluo in China, was popular seafood in eastern China. • Chinese rice wine treatment can reduce the risk by the food-borne pathogens of zuiniluo. • Chinese rice wine treatment can improve the sensory quality of zuiniluo. • Chinese rice wine can be used as an antimicrobial ingredient against HuNoV and V. parahemolyticus in zuiniluo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]