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Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a bio-based polymer with biodegradability and biocompatibility has attracted much attention. To manipulate its properties for different applications, regulation of crystal structure and crystalline morphology becomes an attractive research topic. In this work, the structure evolution of layered samples containing an amorphous poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) layer and a crystalline poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) layer with highly oriented edge-on α lamellar crystals after annealing at 150 °C or/and after melt-recrystallization has been studied by AFM, FTIR, and TEM combined with electron diffraction. The results demonstrate that melt recrystallization of the as-prepared sample leads to the formation of abundant randomly oriented PLA stereo-complex (PLA SC) crystals. Annealing at 150 °C results in the formation of a small amount of oriented PLA SC crystals at the interface. These PLA SC crystals show great impact on the recrystallization behavior of sample after melting at 190 °C and then crystallizing at 90 °C. First, they impede the mutual diffusion of the overlying PDLA and underlying PLLA, and thus reduce their stereocomplexation ability as manifested by the decreased amount of PLA SC crystals. Second, they act as substrate to initiate the epitaxial crystallization of the overlying PDLA and underlying PLLA, which ensures the production of a highly oriented structure of PDLA and PLLA after melt recrystallization again. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis has excellent potential in glioblastoma (GBM) therapy. In this study, we attempted to explore the effect of miR 491-5p on ferroptosis in GBM. In this study, publicly available ferroptosis-related genome maps were used to screen genes upregulated in GBM and their target genes. The Spearman correlation coefficient was applied to analyze the correlation between the tumor protein p53 gene (TP53) and miR-491-5p. The expressions of miR-491-5p and TP53 were determined. The protein abundances of the TP53-encoded factors p53 and p21 were measured. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were assessed. We pretreated U251MG cells and GBM mice with a ferroptosis inducer (erastin). The mitochondrial state was observed. The contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), total Fe and Fe2+ were calculated. The level of TP53 was significantly increased in GBM and negatively correlated with miR-491-5p. miR-491-5p overexpression promoted U251MG cell proliferation, migration and invasion and interfered with the p53/p21 pathway. TP53 supplement reversed the effects of miR-491-5p. U251MG cells and GBM mice exhibited significant accumulations of ROS and iron. Erastin promoted the expression of TP53. Inhibition of TP53 reversed erastin-induced physiological phenotypes. Moreover, miR-491-5p overexpression caused a decrease in the number of damaged mitochondria and the contents of ROS, total Fe and Fe2+. TP53 supplement disrupted miR-491-5p-repressed ferroptosis. Erastin could inhibit GBM growth, and miR-491-5p overexpression impeded the therapeutic effect of erastin. Our findings reveal the functional diversity of miR-491-5p in GBM and suggest that miR-491-5p/TP53 signaling hinders the sensitivity of GBM to ferroptosis through the p53/p21 pathway. • Ferroptosis is a promising target for the treatment of glioblastoma. • Downregulation of TP53 reverses the sensitivity of Erastin to ferroptosis. • miR-491-5p accelerates glioblastoma cell growth and blocks the p53/p21 signaling. • miR-491-5p negatively regulates TP53 to inhibit ferroptosis in glioblastoma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare tumor with an indolent course. It is less often reported as a second tumor that occurs after treatment of malignant tumors in pediatric patients. Here, we report a case of IMT following Wilms tumor (WT), and conduct a literature review concerning IMTs and WT to evaluate the diagnostic possibility of IMT as a second tumor. The coexistence of the 2 tumors may cause confusion as to whether they share genetic links or that IMTs may appear as late effects of the treatment of WT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary of main observation and conclusion: High performance ambipolar organic semiconductors are highly desirable for organic logic circuits. Herein, we demonstrate the integration of sodium sulfonate (SS)‐tethered sidechains into a diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based ambipolar polymer (PDPP3T) can simultaneously improve its hole and electron transport performances either parallel or perpendicular to polymer film. Three SS‐functionalized polymers (PDPP3T‐xSS, x = 0.025, 0.05 and 0.10) were synthesized and studied. It was found that SS functionalization can reinforce interchain π‐π interactions, slightly lower frontier orbital energy levels, produce more rod‐like structures in film, and change chain‐packing from edge‐on to face‐on fashion, but has little influence on thermal properties. More interestingly, organic field‐effect transistors reported hole mobility of 0.27 ± 0.066 cm2·V–1·s–1 and electron mobility of 0.038 ± 0.016 cm2·V–1·s–1 for PDPP3T, while increased 2.4 and 5 folds to 0.64 ± 0.087 and 0.19 ± 0.051 cm2·V–1·s–1 for PDPP3T‐0.025SS, respectively. Moreover, PDPP3T‐xSS devices displayed reduced threshold voltages for both hole and electron transports. Meanwhile, space charge‐limited current method found SS functionalization achieved an order of magnitude increase in electron mobility and slight enhancement in hole mobility transporting perpendicular to polymer film. In‐depth investigations suggest such enhancements may originate from the joint actions of chain‐stacking modulation and ionic doping effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To present the clinicopathological characteristics and outcome of children with bladder and ureteral inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) in our center.Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with bladder and ureteral IMTs from 2010 to 2018. We recorded patients' demographic data, presentation, hemoglobin level, presence of hydronephrosis, tumor size, treatment, and outcomes.Results: Eight patients with bladder IMTs and 3 with ureteral IMTs were treated at our center during this period. The mean age was 7.1 years. Four patients presented with anemia at diagnosis with the mean hemoglobin level 84.5 g/L. Among patients with bladder IMTs, 5 were male and 3 were female. The most common symptom was lower urinary symptoms in 6 patients, followed by hematuria in 4 patients. 2 patients had complications of hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Among patients with ureteral IMTs, 2 were male and one was female. The most common symptom was abdominal pain, and 3 patients presented with upper urinary tract dilation. All patients underwent surgery. A total of 81.8% were positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase. Cytokeratin (CK) expression was present in all patients with bladder IMTs, while it was negative in 2 patients with ureteral IMTs. During mean follow-up of 43.4 months, all patients survived event-free.Conclusion: The presence of hydronephrosis and hydroureter is rare in patients with bladder IMTs. Anemia caused by hematuria should be raised the index of suspicion for IMTs. Children with bladder and ureteral IMTs had excellent prognosis. The expression pattern of CK varied between bladder and ureteral IMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method for the determination of four sulfonylurea herbicides (metsulfuron-methyl, chlorsulfuron, bensulfuron-methyl and chlorimuron-ethyl) in water samples was developed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector. Parameters that affect the extraction efficiency, such as the kind and volume of the extraction and disperser solvent, extraction time and salt addition, were investigated and optimised. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors were in the range between 102 and 216. The linearity of the method was obtained in the range of 1.0-100 ng mL-1 with the correlation coefficients (r) ranging from 0.9982 to 0.9995. The method detection limits were 0.2-0.3 ng mL-1. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of target sulfonylurea herbicides in river, stream and well water samples with satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reperfusion causes undesirable damage to the ischemic myocardium while restoring the blood flow. In this study, we evaluated the effects of dexpramipexole (DPX) on myocardial injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in-vivo and the hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) in-vitro and examined the functional mechanisms of DPX. DPX protected cells against H/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and prevented H/R damage. Both myocardial infarct size and tissue damage due to I/R was reduced upon DPX treatment. We discovered that DPX enhanced mitophagy in-vivo and in-vitro , which was accompanied by enhanced expression of PINK1 and Parkin. Knock-down of PINK1 and Parkin by specific siRNAs reversed DPX-induced inhibition of myocardial I/R injury. These findings suggest that DPX might protect against myocardial injury via PINK1 and Parkin. • Dexpramipexole alleviated Hypoxia/Reoxygenation and Ischemia/Reperfusion injury. • Dexpramipexole enhanced mitophagy in vivo and vitro, which was accompanied by enhanced PINK1 and Parkin. • Knock-down of PINK1 and Parkin reversed dexpramipexole-induced inhibition of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piperine (PIP) exerts numerous pharmacological effects and its involvement in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (ERS)-led apoptosis has garnered attention. The present study focused on whether PIP played protective effects on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocytes by repressing ERS-led apoptosis. The potential molecular mechanisms in association with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were investigated. Primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were isolated and randomized into four groups: Control + vehicle group, control + PIP group, H/R + vehicle group and H/R + PIP group. The H/R injury model was constructed by 4 h of hypoxia induction followed by 6 h of reoxygenation. A total of 10 µM PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 was supplemented to the cells during the experiments. Cell viability and myocardial enzymes were detected to evaluate myocardial damage. A flow cytometry assay was performed to assess apoptotic response. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of related proteins including PI3K, AKT, CHOP, GRP78 and cleaved caspase-12. The results showed that H/R markedly promoted myocardial damage as shown by the increased release of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase levels, but a reduction in cell viability. In addition, ERS-induced apoptosis was markedly promoted by H/R in NRCMs, as shown by the increased apoptotic rates and expression of C/EBP-homologous protein, endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP and caspase-12. PIP administration reversed cell injury and ERS-induced apoptosis in H/R. Mechanistic studies concluded that the apoptosis-inhibitory contributions and cardio-favorable effects of PIP were caused partly by the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which was verified by LY294002 administration. To conclude, PIP can reduce ERS-induced apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway during the process of H/R injury, which could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiji-1 satellite was successfully launched on 31 August 2019, and it has been operating normally in orbit until now. A series of in-orbit experiments were carried out with the inertial sensor, which included the micro-thrust test, drag-free control test and laser interferometer test. Comprehensive performance simulations and tests of the inertial sensor were also carried out prior to the launch of Taiji-1, including the calibration and drop-tower tests. These tests were one of the preconditions for the success of these experiments. The calibration experiments were conducted in a cave-lab using the gravity-inclination method and the scale factors of the inertial sensor along Y- and Z-axis were measured. In addition, 20 drop-tower tests were carried out in the National Microgravity Laboratory of China (NMLC) drop tower and the control stability of all the axes was tested and optimized. A simulation model was used before each test, and the results showed that an accurate simulation prior to each experiment had an important role in ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of the experiment. The circuit-gain switch was realized for the first time during the drop-tower tests. The test results indicated that the microgravity level of the NMLC drop tower could reach about 13 μ g0 along the horizontal axes, offering an important reference for researchers planning to conduct microgravity experiments in the NMLC drop tower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) is one of the most effective devices for reducing particulate emissions from diesel engines so as to satisfy emission regulations, and it has been widely utilized worldwide. After prolonged operation of the DPF, the accumulated non-combustible ash particulates can be sintered with filter walls and form ash-bridges, which will deteriorate DPF performance and increase emissions. Understanding physicochemical characteristics of ash-bridges is essential for elucidating the generation and evolution mechanisms of ash-bridges. Since lubricant additives are the main source of ash particulates, this study prepared four DPFs containing ash-bridges through accelerate ash loading experiments based on Zn-based, Ca-based, Mg-based, and composite lubricant additives. Subsequently, X-ray computed tomography (X-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to analyze the structural characteristics, micro-morphology, and chemical composition of ash-bridges inside each DPF. The results indicate that Zn-based and composite ashes formed numerous fine ash-bridges in the middle of the DPF, whereas Ca-based and Mg-based ashes resulted in fully shaped and highly blocked ash-bridges. These ash-bridges aggregated into compact ash plugs downstream in all DPFs. The micro-morphology of Zn-based ash-bridges appeared as ball-and-stick, Ca-based ash-bridges aggregated into large ash aggregates in DPF downstream, Mg-based ash-bridges exhibited characteristics of high porosity, and the micro-morphology of composite ash-bridges is spherical in DPF downstream. The primary components of ash-bridges in Zn-based, Ca-based, and Mg-based DPFs are Zn 2 P 2 O 7 , CaSO 4 , and MgO, respectively. The main components of ash-bridges in composite DPF include Ca 7 Mg 2 P 6 O 24 , Zn 3 (PO 4) 2 (H 2 O) 4 , and CaSO 4. These findings provide valuable insights into the understanding of ash-bridges, contributing to the enhancement of DPF performance and durability. • Ash derived from different lubricant additives can form ash-bridges in DPF channels. • The structural characteristics of ash-bridges in the upstream, middle, and downstream of DPF were observed. • The micro-morphologies of ash-bridges from upstream to downstream of DPF center and edge channels were characterized. • The main element and chemical compound of ash-bridges were detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been used to detect uric acid (UA), but still very challenging to achieve a low detection limit due to the low inferior conductivity of MOFs. Herein, three different N-doped ZIF-67-derived carbons were synthesized for the first time by one-step co-pyrolysis of 2-methylimidazole with cobalt nitrate (CN), cobalt acetate (CA) or cobalt chloride (CC) toward UA sensing. Afterwards, the cobalt nitrate-derived Co particle (Co/CN) supported by N-doped ZIF-67-derived carbon displays extremely low detection limit and high sensitivity for UA, outperformed all reported MOFs-based UA sensors. More interestingly, it was discovered that the high valence Co4+ within the Co/CN sample produced in high-acidic environment can intercalate in the frame for a bridge adsorption between two reaction sites, which boosted simultaneous 2-electron transfer, while Co3+ only allows an end-adsorption structure for one-electron transfer being the rate determining step. Furthermore, the bridge adsorption mode of UA on Co4+ -based catalyst was also verified by theoretical DFT calculations and XPS experiment. This work holds great promise for a selective and sensitive UA sensor for practical bioscience and clinic diagnostic applications while shedding lights in fundamental research for innovative designs and developments of high-sensitive electrochemical sensors. Co4+ of Co/CN is favorable to a bridge-adsorption of UA resulting in low detection limit and good selectivity for detection of UA, which is much superior to the nano-scaled particles based biomimetic ones and ranking the best for all reported Co-based sensors. [Display omitted] • One-step pyrolysis to successfully prepare Co/CN containing high states Co4+. • The Co/CN UA sensor accomplishes an extremely low detection limit of 88 nM with high selectivity and wide linear range, ranking the best among all reported Co-based UA sensors. • The Co/CN sensor is successfully used to high-sensitively monitor UA released from human serum, holding great promise in clinical diagnosis. • An enhancement mechanism of Co/CN UA sensor is systematically investigated for the scientific insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A particulate loading and active regeneration cycle of the diesel particulate filter were performed on a burner. • Most ash-bridges were observed in the middle region of the diesel particulate filter channel. • Using Ca-based or Mg-based additive lubricants is beneficial to reduce the ash-bridge deposition. • When the blockage rate is greater than about 70%, the channels near the ash bridge are destroyed. Diesel particulate filter (DPF), an important after-treatment system, is widely used to trap particulates from diesel engines. After many active regenerations of the DPF, non-volatile ash may form an ash bridge phenomenon in the DPF channel. This paper studies the effects of lubricant components on ash-bridge deposition characteristics in the DPF. Four test lubricants were prepared based on the CK-4 standard lubricant with four different additives (Ca-based, Mg-based, compound, and Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) additives), which were separately and proportionately blended into diesel fuel to form four different fuels. A particulate loading and active regeneration cycle of the DPF with those fuels were performed on a burner. The results show that mid-channel ash deposits (MCD) and the ash-bridge phenomenon were observed in the DPF with all four fuels, and the ash-bridge was mainly located in the middle region of the DPF channel. Mg-based or ZDDP additives can improve the ash-channel ratio (A: C) of the MCD. Ca- or Mg-based additives can reduce the distribution density of ash bridges and avoid sintering of DPF. Different shapes of ash bridges will cause different blockage rates in the DPF channel. When the blockage rate of the DPF channel is greater than about 70 %, DPF channels near the ash bridge are destroyed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most effective devices to reduce particulate emission from diesel engines, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been widely used. However, long-term use of the DPF can cause a large amount of ash to deposit in it, which can significantly affect its performance. In this study, a burner was utilized to deposit ash, derived from four different lubricating oil additives (zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (Zn-based), calcium sulfonate (Ca-based), magnesium sulfonate (Mg-based), and composite), into four DPFs with the same specification. The four ash-loaded DPFs and a fresh ashless DPF were subsequently tested for active regeneration on an engine bench at the same soot load. The temperature and particulate emission characteristics of the DPFs were measured using thermocouples and a particulate analyzer. The peak regeneration temperature of ash-loaded DPFs moved forward when compared to the fresh DPF, and the peak regeneration temperature of Mg-based DPF reached 694 °C and moved forward to the axial position of 71.5 mm. A low temperature zone appeared at the rear end of edge channels, forming a large temperature gradient up to 75.5 °C/cm. The emission of nucleation-mode particulates at each DPF outlet increased to different degrees during active regeneration, especially for the Zn-based DPF, whose particulate concentration even approached 108 #/cm3. The X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) images of ash-loaded DPFs showed that the distribution of ash in each DPF was quite different, and ash plugs or bridges appeared in the middle and front of some channels, forming a strong blocking effect. It is due to the presence of ash that the soot deposition position moved forward and the wall-flow velocity rose, which increased the local soot density, causing the peak regeneration temperature to rise and move forward. The increase in wall-flow velocity reduced the diffusion filtration efficiency of ash-loaded DPFs, so escaped particulates that were broken up from soot agglomerate burning increased. • Effect of ash derived from lubricant oil additives on DPF were studied. • The peak regeneration temperature of ash-loaded DPFs moved forward. • Abnormal ash deposition resulted in increased particulate emission during active regeneration. • Middle-channel ash plug/bridge is one of the main reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of target analytes with high sensitivity and reproducibility remains a challenge for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) due to the lack of cost-effective and highly sensitive substrates. In this study, a hydrophobic SERS substrate capable of concentrating nanoparticles and analytes was prepared by spin-coating lubricating liquid onto commercial paper. The condensation effect of the paper-based hydrophobic substrate induced aggregation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) to generate "hot spots" for SERS and to drive analytes to the hot-spot areas for more sensitive detection. The obtained SERS signal intensity was 5-fold higher than that obtained using common paper, and a detection limit (LOD) of 4.3 × 10−10 M for rhodamine 6G (R6G) was achieved. Randomly selected points on the substrate and different batches of substrates all exhibited high reproducibility, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) at 1362 cm−1 is approximately 11%. A further application of the hydrophobic substrate was demonstrated by the detection of cytochrome C within a linear detection range of 3.90 × 10−8 M–1.25 × 10−6 M. In addition, the prepared substrate can obtain identifiable SERS spectra of cancer cells and non-cancer cells because a large number of AuNP or Au NPs clusters can adhere to cells, resulting in the construction of a 3D hotspot matrix. The disposable hydrophobic paper substrate eliminates the problem of solution diffusion, and also provides an effective platform for biomolecular screening detection. Image 1 • A hydrophobic substrate capable of highly sensitive SERS detection was prepared. • The molecules could be driven to hot-spot areas of nanoparticles via the solvent evaporation. • The substrate eliminates the problem of solution diffusion. • The substrate provides a non-destructive method for distinguish cancer and non-cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the continuous wave (CW) laser radiation effects and mechanism of GaInP/GaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells (TJSCs), 1-on-1 mode irradiation experiments were carried out. It was found that the post-irradiation short circuit current ( I SC ) of the TJSCs initially decreased and then increased with increasing of irradiation laser power intensity. To explain this phenomenon, a theoretical model had been established and then verified by post-damage tests and equivalent circuit simulations. Conclusion was drawn that laser induced alterations in the surface reflection and shunt resistance were the main causes for the observed non-monotonic decrease in the I SC of the TJSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debris flows in the mountain regions surrounding Beijing have been occurring for a long time and have resulted in great economic losses. In this study, 23 rainstorm events, surficial sediments, and debris flow deposits were analyzed to quantify the area's rainfall threshold and to investigate how such conditions may be used to predict debris flow in this region. Rainfall threshold of intensity-duration ( I-D ) functions after vegetation recovery was higher than before recovery and also higher than I-D levels in other regions where debris flows are closely associated with runoff. Field investigations revealed that surficial sediments were characterized by coarse-grained sediments and that debris flow deposits lacked fine particles. Local debris flows can be triggered by runoff; however, no single standard equation is used to predict the conditions that lead to runoff-triggered debris flow; and commonly used equations give different values. Here, we propose an empirical function that takes into account peak discharge per width and particle diameter. This model should be verified with further investigations so that it can be used as a reference to analyze the conditions that lead to debris flow in the study area. Finally, debris flows may have been related to occasional storms in the study area, which has been experiencing substantially increased temperatures and decreased annual precipitation. This work provides important information about the conditions that initiated debris flow in the Beijing mountain regions in the last few decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amorphous germanium (a-Ge) films in the thickness range of 5.2-370.7 nm were prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. Spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis shows that less than 3% of medium-range order exists in a-Ge under the reported deposition conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure measurements using drill stem tests and estimates from log data calculation indicate that three vertically stacked regional pressure compartments exist in the Qikou Depression of Bohai Bay Basin, N. China. The compartments comprise hydrostatic, upper weak, and lower overpressure systems. Laterally, overpressure (pressure coefficient > 1.2) occurs in the deeper areas and weakens gradually from the centre to the margin of the depression. The accumulation of oil and gas exhibits the interesting characteristics of oil-bearing layers above gas-bearing layers in the Qikou Depression. The pattern can be accounted for by the evolution of overpressure system, the maturity process of the source rock and the main fault activity. In the late Dongying Formation (Ed, 30 Ma), the lower overpressure system began to form shape, and the hydrocarbon sources generated a large volume of oil. However, because there was no migration pathway, the oil only accumulated in the original strata. In the late Guantao Formation (Ng, 12 Ma), the gas was generated, the upper overpressure system formed gradually, and the activity of the main fault gradually increased. Then, the overpressure pushed the early gathered oil to flow from the lower overpressure system into the upper overpressure system. Afterwards, the activity of the main fault decreased again and remains weak until now. Thus, later generated natural gas cannot keep migrating along the main fault and can only accumulate in the lower overpressure system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Concerns regarding the use of selected bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) in the field of cardiac repair after acute ischemic events have been raised. The current meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of selected BMSC transplantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) based on published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Ovid LWW, BIOSIS Previews, and the Cochrane library from 1990 to 2014 was conducted. Results from RCTs involving subjects with AMI receiving selected BMSC therapy and followed up for at least 6 months were pooled. Results: Eight trials with a total of 262 participants were included. Data were analyzed using a random effects model. Overall, selected BMSC therapy improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by 3.17% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57–5.76, P = 0.02), compared with the controls. There were trends toward reduced left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and fewer major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant difference in LVEF in favor of selected BMSC therapy with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) as the cell type. Conclusions: Transplantation of selected BMSCs for patients with AMI is safe and induces a significant increase in LVEF with a limited impact on left ventricular remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spectrum-folded Hadamard Transform spectrometer in near-infrared band has been proposed and designed to widen the spectral range of measurement as well as to improve the spectral resolution. The full spectral region of 800 nm to 2000 nm is divided into two bands of 800 nm to 1400 nm and 1400 nm to 2000 nm and dispersed by two sub-gratings. The optimal incident angles of 12.6° and 6.7° respectively for two sub-gratings are chosen to achieve the highest diffraction efficiency. The results show that the spectral resolution of the system is better than 6 nm. The stray light from sub-gratings and DMD are suppressed to minimize the effect on the measurement results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Mott-Davis-Paracrystalline model was proposed to interpret thickness effect of the band gap for amorphous germanium (a-Ge). We believe that a-Ge has a semiconductor-alloy-like structure, it may contain medium-range order (MRO) and continuous random network (CRN) simultaneously and there is a dependence of MRO/CRN ratio on film thickness and preparation methods/parameters. For MRO is dominant, thickness effect can be described by one-dimensional quantum confinement (ODQC) effect of nanocrystals and strain-induced shrinkage of the band gap; For CRN is dominant, thickness dependence can be interpreted by changes in the quality of a CRN and ODQC effect of nanoamorphous phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We developed a recyclable SERS substrate for label-free detection of bilirubin. • The LOD of bilirubin was as low as 1.4 × 10−8 M. • The substrate exhibited high detection sensitivity and long-term stability. • The detection of bilirubin in blood samples was realized with a recovery rate of over 80 %. Hyperbilirubinemia refers to an increase in bilirubin (BR) levels and is a serious health concern; in severe cases, hyperbilirubinemia can lead to the death of newborns infants within the first month. Traditional analytical technologies normally involve complex sample pretreatment procedures yet present unsatisfactory detection limits for BR levels. In this study, we developed a recyclable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate by modifying functional boron nitride (M-BN) monolayer nanosheets on silver nanoarrays (Ag NRs/M-BN) for label-free detection of BR in complex biological samples. Modification of M-BN to silver nanoarrays (Ag NRs) significantly improved the detection sensitivity and long-term stability of the substrate due to the strong surface adsorption ability and thermal stability of M-BN. The limit of detection (LOD) of BR in blood obtained from the Ag NRs/M-BN was as low as 2.5 × 10−8 M, which was attributed to its superior affinity for hydrophobic BR molecules. The spiked blood samples were practically tested with recovery values of around 80 %, and relative standard deviations (RSD) were less than 15 %. The results, combined with the excellent reusability of the as-developed substrates, indicated that the Ag NRs/M-BN substrate provides a simple yet promising platform for nondestructive detection of BR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of π-multilayer technology is extended to high extinction coefficient materials, which is introduced into metal-dielectric filter design. Metal materials often have high extinction coefficients in far ultraviolet (FUV) region, so optical thickness of metal materials should be smaller than that of the dielectric material. A broadband FUV filter of 9-layer non-periodic Al/MgF2 multilayer was successfully designed and fabricated and it shows high reflectance in 140-180 nm, suppressed reflectance in 120-137 nm and 181-220 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]