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As early as 2011, people have recognized the great potential of continental shale gas in the Ordos Basin and obtained commercial gas flow from some exploration wells. However, over the years, shale gas has not yet reached commercial production in this basin. The complexity of the geological conditions and the lack of understanding of the continental shale gas enrichment characteristics are the most important factors restricting shale gas from reaching commercial production capacity. Therefore, the identification and division of favorable intervals of continental shale is the key to achieving exploration breakthroughs. The Chang 7 shale of the Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin is the first continental shale to be targeted for shale gas exploitation in China. A large amount of drilling data and experimental analysis test data have been accumulated during exploration in recent years. Therefore, in this paper, the favorable development intervals of the Chang 7 gas shale have been divided and predicted through the analysis of multiple geological factors. The results show that two types of favorable intervals can be identified in the Chang 7 shale. One type is the thick organic-rich shale interval, in which thin sandy laminae are developed. Shale gas mainly exists in the shale as adsorbed gas and remains trapped in the interval due to the poor physical conditions. This interval can be recognized by the logging curve, characterized by a high Gr (Gr > 180 API), high resistance (Rd > 100 Ω·m), high time difference (AC > 280 μm/s), and low density (Den < 2.4 g/cm3). The other type is where sandy lamina and organic-rich shale are interbedded in a 'sandwich' arrangement, where the shale gas exists mainly in sandy lamina as free gas. This interval can be recognized by the logging response characteristics of a medium to high Gr (180 API > Gr > 120 API), high time difference (300 μm/s > AC > 250 μm/s), high resistance (Rd > 100 Ω·m), and medium–low density (2.6 g/cm3 > Den > 2.4 g/cm3). These research results can effectively explain the enrichment mechanism of the Chang 7 shale gas and guide the exploration and development of the hot gas shale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and preliminarily test the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Orbach & Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP). Methods: Psychometric investigation was performed on 240 depressed patients. The reliability of the Chinese version of the OMMP scale was expressed by internal consistency reliability and test–retest reliability (2-week interval), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the 8-factor, 31-item OMMP was conducted to examine the construct validity. Results: The CFA showed that the modified model with 31 items had good reliability (Cronbach's α range = 0.691–0.871; ICC = 0.818). Criterion-related validity was also supported by significant and positive correlations between the eight factors and worst-ever suicidal ideation as well as depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The results indicated the usefulness of the OMMP-31 for Chinese depressed patients. It is necessary to estimate psychological pain to improve suicide management in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report a high-gain signal-on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) biosensing using an accumulation-mode PEDOT:PSS OECT modulated by a light-fueled MXene/MOFs/NiO Schottky heterojunction. In such a system, the MXene/MOFs/NiO Schottky heterojunction exhibited superior gating effect, as it not only enabled the fast-directional charge transfer but also guaranteed the maximal accessibility of the electrolyte to topped 2D MXene with large surface area. In linkage with a bi-enzyme cascade system, the quinone derivatives produced by the cascade reaction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tyrosinase (TYR) could serve as effective electron acceptors for the representative Ti3C2/PCN-224/NiO heterojunction, underpinning an innovative method for sensitive detection of ALP activity with a low detection limit of 0.001 U L−1. Remarkably, the as-developed system demonstrated a remarkable current gain as high as near 104, which to our knowledge is the highest one among existing OECT biosensory devices. This work represents a generic protocol to develop the novel signal-on PEDOT:PSS OECT platform towards biochemical detection and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We initiate the Westlake BioBank for Chinese (WBBC) pilot project with 4,535 whole-genome sequencing (WGS) individuals and 5,841 high-density genotyping individuals, and identify 81.5 million SNPs and INDELs, of which 38.5% are absent in dbSNP Build 151. We provide a population-specific reference panel and an online imputation server (https://wbbc.westlake.edu.cn/) which could yield substantial improvement of imputation performance in Chinese population, especially for low-frequency and rare variants. By analyzing the singleton density of the WGS data, we find selection signatures in SNX29, DNAH1 and WDR1 genes, and the derived alleles of the alcohol metabolism genes (ADH1A and ADH1B) emerge around 7,000 years ago and tend to be more common from 4,000 years ago in East Asia. Genetic evidence supports the corresponding geographical boundaries of the Qinling-Huaihe Line and Nanling Mountains, which separate the Han Chinese into subgroups, and we reveal that North Han was more homogeneous than South Han. Biobanks of genetic data have been primarily in European populations, which gives us an incomplete understanding of complex traits across populations. Here, the authors initiate the Westlake BioBank for Chinese (WBBC) pilot project with 4,535 whole genome sequences and 5,841 high-density genotypes from China, characterizing large-scale genomic variation in Chinese populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the relationship between the expression of CD38 and the progression of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), we determined the levels of CD38 during different phases of HFRS and evaluated the relationship between changes in CD38 expression and the progression of HFRS. The expression of CD38 in 68 patients with HFRS was analyzed by flow cytometry, and this method was also used to determine the levels of CD4+T, CD8+T, and B lymphocytes and NK cells. Furthermore, creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA), and urea in serum at each stage of HFRS were measured using commercial kits. The basic clinical reference values for leukocytes, platelets (PLT), and red blood cells were determined by conventional methods. The colloidal gold method was used to measure HFRS antibody levels in the patients. A significant change in CD38 expression was observed from the fever phase to the recovery phase in patients with HFRS. Moreover, the expression of CD38 was proportionally correlated with the levels of Cr, UA, and urea in serum. In contrast, there was an inverse correlation between CD38 and PLT. Interestingly, an increase in CD38 expression correlated with an increase in CD8+T lymphocytes, B cells, and NK cells, but with a decrease in CD4+T lymphocytes. The expression of CD38 is associated with the progression of HFRS, suggesting that it may be a potent indicator of the stages of this disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and development of a 3D hierarchical CdS/NiO heterojunction and its application in a self-powered cathodic photoelectrochemical (PEC) bioanalysis is introduced. Specifically, NiO nanoflakes (NFs) were in situ formed on carbon fibers via a facile liquid-phase deposition method followed by an annealing step and subsequent integration with CdS quantum dots (QDs). The glucose oxidase (GOx) was then coated on the photocathode to allow the determination of glucose. Under 5 W 410 nm LED light and at a working voltage of 0.0 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), this method can assay glucose concentrations down to 1.77×10−9 M. The linear range was 5×10−7 M to 1×10−3 M, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was below 5%. The photocathodic biosensor achieved target detection with high sensitivity and selectivity. This work is expected to stimulate more passion in the development of innovative hierarchical heterostructures for advanced self-powered photocathodic bioanalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Au nanorods were prepared through seed growth method. Their lengths and diameters were controlled by adjusting Ag+ content in the growth solution. Ethyl orthosilicate were hydrolyzed in alkali solutions to obtain SiO2-coated Au nanostructures. Au nanorods with ideal morphologies and sizes could only be obtained under the presence of a certain Ag+ concentration in the growth solution. Without Ag+, only some irregular nanoparticles were generated without nanorods. Longitudinal plasma absorption of Au nanorods shifts first to red shift and then to blue with the increase of Ag+ in the growth solution, while transverse plasma absorption hardly changes. However, longitudinal plasma absorption of silica-coated Au nanorods has a blue shift with the increase of the thickness of silica, while the transverse plasma has a slight red shift. Therefore, by coating Au nanorods with silica and by adjusting their aspect ratio by using different Ag+ concentration in the growth solution, Au nanoparticles can be synthesized for applications requiring absorption in specific UV regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The host–guest binding characteristics of cyclopentanocucurbit[6]uril (CyP6Q[6]) and cyanine dye trans-4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide (t-DSMI) have been studied. The results show that CyP6Q[6] and t-DSMI form a 1:1 inclusion system, generating strong fluorescence. On this basis, the fluorescent probe t-DSMI@CyP6Q[6] has been constructed, and its anion recognition ability has been investigated. In a neutral environment, BF4−, H2PO4−, and I− elicit obvious specific responses from the probe, since they have stronger binding forces. This probe shows greater sensitivity than the previously reported probe t-DSMI@HMeQ[6]. Since the complex formed by CyP6Q[6] and t-DSMI can produce strong fluorescence at pH > 4.6, t-DSMI@CyP6Q[6] was constructed to recognize the anions at pH ≅ 5. The results show that in a near neutral environment, BF4−, H2PO4−, and I− elicit obvious specific responses from the probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new (S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl ester of dihydrochalcone glucoside, together with 15 known compounds, was isolated from Balanophora involucrata Hook. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 1, 2, and 7-11 were isolated from this plant for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enthalpies of dissolution of gemcitabine hydrochloride in 0.9 % normal saline (medical) and citric acid solution were measured using a microcalorimeter at 309.65 K under atmospheric pressure. The differential enthalpy $$ \left( {\Updelta_{\text{dif}} H_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} } \right) $$ and molar enthalpy $$ \left( {\Updelta_{\text{sol}} H_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} } \right) $$ of dissolution were determined, respectively. The corresponding kinetic equation described the dissolution were elucidated to be d a/d t = 10(1 − a) and d a/d t = 10(1 − a). Besides, the half-life, $$ \Updelta_{\text{sol}} H_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} ,\;\Updelta_{\text{sol}} G_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} $$ and $$ \Updelta_{\text{sol}} S_{\text{m}}^{{{\theta}}} $$ of the dissolution were also obtained. Obviously, it will provide a simple and reliable method for the clinical application of gemcitabine hydrochloride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enthalpy of dissolution of FOX-12 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was measured by means of a RD496-III Calvet microcalorimeter at 298.15 K. Empirical formulae for the calculation of the enthalpy of dissolution ( $$ \Updelta_{\text{diss}} H $$ ), relative partial molar enthalpy ( $$ \Updelta_{\text{diss}} H_{\text{partial}} $$ ), and relative apparent molar enthalpy ( $$ \Updelta_{\text{diss}} H_{\text{apparent}} $$ ) were obtained from the experimental data of the enthalpies of dissolution of FOX-12 in DMSO. The kinetic equation that describes the dissolution process of FOX-12 in DMSO at 298.15 K is determined as $$ \frac{{{\text{d}}\alpha }}{{{\text{d}}t}} = 8.5 \times 10^{ - 3} (1 - \alpha )^{0.59} $$ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocathodic methods in photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis are based on the use of functional photocathodes. Heterojunction cathodes consisting of different kinds of semiconductors are being considered as favorite schemes when compared to the single-component ones. A semiconductor heterojunction between CuBi2O4 (CBO) and other semiconductors has not been exploited in PEC assays so far. Herein, CBO nanospheres were initially electrochemically deposited on a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conductive glass and then coupled to chemically deposited AgI nanoparticles to obtain an electrode of type AgI/CBO/FTO. It was applied as a cathode in the PEC detection of L-cysteine as a model analyte. The sensor can selectively detect L-cysteine, and it is assumed that this is due to the selective interaction between the L-cysteine and both copper and silver via the formation of Cu-S and Ag-S bonds. The photocurrent of the electrode increases linearly with the logarithm of the cysteine concentration in the range from 0.1 and 50 μM, and the detection limit is 0.1 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a clinically heterogeneous disease, which necessitates a variety of treatments and leads to different outcomes. Only some CRC patients will benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).Objectives: An accurate prediction of response to NACT in CRC patients would greatly facilitate optimal personalized management, which could improve their long-term survival and clinical outcomes.Methods: In this study, plasma metabolite profiling was performed to identify potential biomarker candidates that can predict response to NACT for CRC. Metabolic profiles of plasma from non-response (n = 30) and response (n = 27) patients to NACT were studied using UHPLC-quadruple time-of-flight)/mass spectrometry analyses and statistical analysis methods.Results: The concentrations of nine metabolites were significantly different when comparing response to NACT. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of the potential biomarkers was up to 0.83 discriminating the non-response and response group to NACT, superior to the clinical parameters (carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 199).Conclusion: These results show promise for larger studies that could result in more personalized treatment protocols for CRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.