Cat-scratch disease manifesting as uveitis and binocular fundus nodular lesions: a case report

BACKGROUND

Cat-scratch disease typically presents with various ocular manifestations such as uveitis, vitritis, retinitis, retinochoroiditis, and optic neuritis. However, fundus nodular lesions was rarely reported. In our study, we reported a case of Cat-Scratch disease with binocular fundus nodular lesions.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 11-year old male presented with uveitis in the right eye and bilateral fundus nodular lesions after indirect contact with unvaccinated cats. Comprehensive ancillary examinations including wide-angle fundus photography, ultrasonography, fluorescein fundus angiography, optical coherence tomography, and orbital magnetic resonance imaging were performed to elucidate the multidimensional features of the binocular lesions. Metagenomics next-generation sequencing was utilized to confirm the diagnosis of Cat-scratch disease. The patient's condition showed improvement after a 6-month combination treatment regimen involving systemic administration of doxycycline hyclate and methylprednisolone tablets, as well as local application of mydriatic and corticosteroid eye drops.

CONCLUSIONS

We firstly reported a case of Cat-scratch disease presenting simultaneously with uveitis and fundus nodular lesions caused by Bartonella henselae infection in a child. Timely diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroids showed promising outcomes for the prognosis of these ocular disorders.

Stacking-Controlled Growth of rBN Crystalline Films with High Nonlinear Optical Conversion Efficiency up to 1

Nonlinear optical crystals lie at the core of ultrafast laser science and quantum communication technology. The emergence of 2D materials provides a revolutionary potential for nonlinear optical crystals due to their exceptionally high nonlinear coefficients. However, uncontrolled stacking orders generally induce the destructive nonlinear response due to the optical phase deviation in different 2D layers. Therefore, conversion efficiency of 2D nonlinear crystals is typically limited to less than 0.01% (far below the practical criterion of >1%). Here, crystalline films of rhombohedral boron nitride (rBN) with parallel stacked layers are controllably synthesized. This success is realized by the utilization of vicinal FeNi (111) single crystal, where both the unidirectional arrangement of BN grains into a single-crystal monolayer and the continuous precipitation of (B,N) source for thick layers are guaranteed. The preserved in-plane inversion asymmetry in rBN films keeps the in-phase second-harmonic generation field in every layer and leads to a record-high conversion efficiency of 1% in the whole family of 2D materials within the coherence thickness of only 1.6 µm. The work provides a route for designing ultrathin nonlinear optical crystals from 2D materials, and will promote the on-demand fabrication of integrated photonic and compact quantum optical devices.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages Regulating a Polymer Nanoplatform for Synergistic Treatment of Breast Tumors

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a critical role in tumor progression and metastasis. Modulation of TAM polarization is one of the most effective strategies to change the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this study, organic polymer nanoparticles (CPHT) were prepared using hyaluronic acid (HA)-conjugated disulfide-bonded polyethylene imide (PEIS) as a carrier through a self-assembly strategy. These nanoparticles were modified by transferrin (Tf) and loaded with chlorin e6 (Ce6). The results showed that CPHT had good dispersion with a particle size of about 30 nm. CPHT gradually disintegrated under the exposure with a high concentration of glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells, proving the possibility for the controlled release of Ce6 and photodynamic therapy. An in vitro test showed that the uptake of CPHT in tumor cells was mediated by both HA and Tf, indicating the active tumor-targeting capacity of CPHT. CPHT significantly downregulated the ratio of CD206/CD86 and triggered the upregulation of immune factors such as TNF-α and iNOS, suggesting the repolarization of TAMs. We also found that CPHT effectively induced ferroptosis in tumor cells through lipid peroxide accumulation, GSH depletion, and downregulation of lipid peroxidase (GPX4) expression. Animal experiments confirmed that CPHT not only effectively inhibited the growth of tumors in situ but also significantly decelerated the growth of the distal tumor. Elevated levels of CD86 and IFN-γ and decreased expression of CD206 were observed at the tumor sites post CPHT treatment. These results confirmed the value of CPHT as a multifunctional nanoplatform that can tune the TME and provide new hope for tumor treatment.

Correction: Study on the controllability of the fabrication of single-crystal silicon nanopores/nanoslits with a fast-stop ionic current-monitored TSWE method

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/s41378-023-00532-0.].

Genetic Variability and Molecular Evolution of Tomato Mosaic Virus Populations in Three Northern China Provinces

RNA viruses tend to mutate during transmission and host infection, which is critical to viral adaptation and evolution. Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) is a member of the genus Tobamovirus (family Virgaviridae) and an economically important virus with detrimental effects on tomatoes worldwide. Although the ToMV gene sequences have been completed in China, their genetic diversity and population structure remain unclear. We collected 425 tomato samples from tomato-growing areas in three northern Chinese provinces 2016. Reverse transcription PCR results showed that the average incidence of the virus in the field samples was 67.15%, and ToMV was detected in all test areas. The analysis of ToMV single nucleotide polymorphisms in China showed that ToMV was evolutionarily conserved, and the variation in the whole genome was uneven. Pairwise identity analysis showed significant variability in genome sequences among ToMV strains with genomic nucleotide identities of 73.2-99.6%. The ToMV population in the northern Chinese provinces had purification and selection functions, which were beneficial in the evolution of the ToMV population. Although there has been some distribution of ToMV strains in China, the virus was generally stabilized as a uniform strain under the pressure of purification selection. Our findings show how to monitor the prevalent strains of ToMV and their virulence in China and provide useful information for its prevention and control.

First Report of Fruit Rot Caused by Fusarium luffae in Cherry Tomato in China

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is a fruit of great economic value that is grown worldwide. In November 2022, fruit rot symptoms were observed in cherry tomatoes (cv. Qianxi) in Jinan City of Shandong Province, China. Six cherry tomato samples (four symptomatic and two asymptomatic) were collected from commercial fields (approximately 1.2 ha) where the incidence of the disease ranged from 5 to 10%. The core and surface of the infected fruit were colonized and covered with white mycelia. Tissue pieces (5 mm × 5 mm) from the junction of healthy and diseased samples were surface-disinfected with 75% ethanol for 3 min, followed by 10% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min, and washed three times with sterile water. Tissue pieces were cultured on potato dextrose agar (PDA containing 200 mg/L timentin) at 28°C for five days. Four fungal isolates with similar morphological characteristics were obtained from each sample. Two representative isolates were collected and purified using the single-spore method. After five days on PDA at 28°C, FL1 and FL2 colonies showed abundant white to cream colored aerial mycelia with an average growth rate of 5 mm/day. On carnation leaf agar, FL1 was characterized by falcate macroconidia with pronounced dorsiventral curvature containing three to eight tapered apical cells and foot-shaped basal cells ranging in size from 25 to 74 μm × 3.6 to 6.8 μm (n=50). Microconidia and chlamydospores were not observed. These morphological characteristics were consistent with the description of F. luffae (Wang et al. 2019). DNA was extracted using the CTAB method. The nucleotide sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) and the second largest RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2) were amplified using specific primers EF1/EF2 and RPB2F/R, respectively (O'Donnell et al. 1998, 2010). FL1 and FL2 sequences were deposited in GenBank (TEF1: OQ427345 and OQ427346, RPB2: OQ427347 and OQ427348). Polyphasic identification indicated 100% similarity of FL1 and FL2 to F. luffae. A combined dataset of TEF1 and RPB2 was aligned using MAFFT v.7, and phylogenetic analysis was performed in MEGA v.7.0 using the maximum likelihood method. The cherry tomato isolates (FL1 and FL2) clustered together with the F. luffae reference strain NRRL31167 (100% bootstrap) and were identified on a morphological and molecular basis as F. luffae belonging to the Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex. F. luffae was the only pathogen recovered from the infected fruit. To test for pathogenicity, healthy cherry tomato fruit were inoculated in a greenhouse (28°C, 12/12 h light/dark cycle, 90% relative humidity), six by wounded inoculation and six by nonwounded inoculation) with 10 μL conidial suspensions of isolate FL1 at 1 × 106 conidia/mL. Six wounded-treated cherry tomato fruit were used for the control. All cherry tomatoes were kept in a growth chamber at 28℃ with 90% relative humidity. After seven days, the inside of the wound inoculated fruit began to rot, expanding toward the surface and producing white mycelia. Two diseased cherry tomatoes were randomly selected for tissue isolation and F. luffae was re-isolated showing the same morphology as the FL1 isolate, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. The nonwounded inoculated fruits and control cherry tomatoes remained asymptomatic with no pathogens recovered. This indicates that the wound is an important way for F. luffae to invade tomato, and fruit rot is caused by F. luffae's infection of tomato. To the best of our knowledge, F. luffae has caused fruit rot in muskmelon (Zhang et al. 2022), but this is the first report of fruit rot disease in cherry tomatoes caused by F. luffae in China. Since cherry tomatoes are an important commercial crop in China, F. luffae infection has the potential to pose a threat to the industry.

First Report of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus Infecting Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) and Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida) in China

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) was first discovered in China in 2003 and caused an epidemic in 2005. In China, the virus has been reported in gourd crops including watermelons, cucumbers, melons, etc (Sui et al. 2019). In Shandong Province, China from September 2014 to 2017, approximately 30% of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) and wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) plants in commercial cucurbit fields, the two most important cash crops, exhibited chlorosis, mosaic, and mottling symptoms suspected to be caused by a tobamovirus. To identify the causative pathogens, ten zucchini and 15 wax gourd samples were collected from the commercial cucurbit fields. Total RNA was extracted and all samples were tested using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) with TobamodF/TobamodR and TobamodF2/TobamodR2 (Li et al. 2018a). Five common Cucurbitaceae viruses were also tested: cucumber mosaic virus, papaya ringspot virus, squash mosaic virus, watermelon mosaic virus, and zucchini yellow mosaic virus (Ali et al. 2012). All samples generated positive results using tobamovirus generic primers but were negative for the five common Cucurbitaceae viruses. Amplification products (880 bp) from all samples were inserted into pMD19-T and recombinant clones were selected for Sanger sequencing. The results showed that zucchini green mottle mosaic virus, CGMMV, and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) were detected in zucchini samples. CGMMV and TMV were detected in the wax gourd samples. To confirm the presence of these viruses, RT-PCR was performed using specific primer pairs, including CGMMV-cpf/CGMMV-cpr (Chen et al. 2006), ZG-F/ZG-R (Li et al. 2018b), and TMV-CP-F/TMV-CP-R (Srivastava et al. 2015). CGMMV was detected in all samples, with four zucchini and nine wax gourds only containing CGMMV. Zucchini (n=4; CGZ1-CGZ4) and wax gourd (n=4; CGWX1-CGWX4) isolates were cloned into pMD19-T and sequenced bidirectionally. The BLASTn results confirmed the presence of CGMMV, and the sequencing results were processed using DNAMAN Version (Lynnon Biosoft, San Ramon, CA, USA) and submitted to the GenBank database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). A phylogenetic tree based on the CGMMV coat protein (CP) was constructed using CGZ1-CGZ4 (OP779762-OP779765), CGWX1-CGWX4 (OP779766-OP779769), and representative CGMMV sequences from GenBank. Sequence analysis of the CP demonstrated that CGMMV-zucchini and -wax gourd isolates belonged to an independent branch of the Chinese muskmelon AH-FT197 isolate (KU175639) and had 100% identity with the AH-FT197 isolate. To confirm their infectivity, leaf sap extract of CGZ4 and CGWX4 in phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.0) was mechanically inoculated on leaves of virus-free zucchini seedlings (Cucurbita pepo cv. Zaoqingyidai, 4-leaf-stage, n = 10) or virus-free wax gourd seedlings (Benincasa hispida cv. Tiezhu 2, n = 10). Ten days after inoculation, all plants exhibited symptoms (systemic chlorosis, mosaic, and mottling) similar to those of diseased plants in the field. Control seedlings inoculated with phosphate buffer remained symptomless. RT-PCR analysis using the CGMMV-cpf/CGMMV-cpr primer confirmed that all ten zucchini or wax gourd seedlings were infected with CGMMV, and all the control plants were free from CGMMV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on zucchini and wax gourd as natural hosts for CGMMV in China. CGMMV is a highly contagious seed-borne virus and further attention should be paid to its spread in cucurbit crops.

Selection and Validation of Reference Genes in Virus-Infected Sweet Potato Plants

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in sweet potatoes requires accurate data normalization; however, there are insufficient studies on appropriate reference genes for gene expression analysis. We examined variations in the expression of eight candidate reference genes in the leaf and root tissues of sweet potatoes (eight nonvirus-infected or eight virus-infected samples). Parallel analyses with geNorm, NormFinder, and Best-Keeper show that different viral infections and origin tissues affect the expression levels of these genes. Based on the results of the evaluation of the three software, the adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation factor is suitable for nonvirus or virus-infected sweet potato leaves. Cyclophilin and ubiquitin extension proteins are suitable for nonvirus-infected sweet potato leaves. Phospholipase D1 alpha is suitable for virus-infected sweet potato leaves. Actin is suitable for roots of nonvirus-infected sweet potatoes. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is suitable for virus-infected sweet potato roots. The research provides appropriate reference genes for further analysis in leaf and root samples of viruses in sweet potatoes.

NLRs derepress MED10b- and MED7-mediated repression of jasmonate-dependent transcription to activate immunity

Plant intracellular nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing receptors (NLRs) activate a robust immune response upon detection of pathogen effectors. How NLRs induce downstream immune defense genes remains poorly understood. The Mediator complex plays a central role in transducing signals from gene-specific transcription factors to the transcription machinery for gene transcription/activation. In this study, we demonstrate that MED10b and MED7 of the Mediator complex mediate jasmonate-dependent transcription repression, and coiled-coil NLRs (CNLs) in Solanaceae modulate MED10b/MED7 to activate immunity. Using the tomato CNL Sw-5b, which confers resistance to tospovirus, as a model, we found that the CC domain of Sw-5b directly interacts with MED10b. Knockout/down of MED10b and other subunits including MED7 of the middle module of Mediator activates plant defense against tospovirus. MED10b was found to directly interact with MED7, and MED7 directly interacts with JAZ proteins, which function as transcriptional repressors of jasmonic acid (JA) signaling. MED10b-MED7-JAZ together can strongly repress the expression of JA-responsive genes. The activated Sw-5b CC interferes with the interaction between MED10b and MED7, leading to the activation of JA-dependent defense signaling against tospovirus. Furthermore, we found that CC domains of various other CNLs including helper NLR NRCs from Solanaceae modulate MED10b/MED7 to activate defense against different pathogens. Together, our findings reveal that MED10b/MED7 serve as a previously unknown repressor of jasmonate-dependent transcription repression and are modulated by diverse CNLs in Solanaceae to activate the JA-specific defense pathways.

Impact of Long-Term Shaolin Zen Meditation on Emotional Processing in Aging: A Visual ERP Study

The aging process is always accompanied by a decline in cognitive and emotional functions. Although previous studies have identified the positive effects of different meditative practices on emotional and cognitive functions, few studies have investigated the most primitive Chinese meditation-Shaolin Zen meditation. In particular, data are extremely limited regarding the brain mechanism of the effects of Shaolin Zen meditation on cognitive and emotional functions during aging. The current study aimed to explore the effects of long-term Shaolin Zen meditation practice on event-related potentials (ERPs) during facial emotion recognition in aging. ERPs were recorded from 16 monks with long-term meditation experience and 20 controls without meditation experience. The significant age-related degenerative changes in the early ERP components did not present in the meditators but only in the controls without meditation experience. Additionally, we found no group differences in the late P3 component. These findings suggest that long-term Shaolin Zen meditation practice can counteract the age-related cognitive decline in the "down-top" automatic processing of emotional stimuli.

Greatly Enhanced Raman Scattering of Graphene on Metals by a Boron Nitride Film Covering

Raman spectroscopy, a nondestructive fingerprinting technique, is mainly utilized to identify molecular species and phonon modes of materials. However, direct Raman characterization of two-dimensional materials typically synthesized on catalytic metal substrates is extremely challenging because of the significant electric screening and interfacial electronic couplings. Here, we demonstrate that by covering as-grown graphene with boron nitride (BN) films, the Raman intensity of graphene can be enhanced by two orders of magnitude and is also several times stronger than that of suspended graphene. This great Raman enhancement originates from the optical field amplification by Fabry-Pérot cavity in BN films and the local field plasmon near copper steps. We further demonstrate the direct characterization of the local strain and doping level of as-grown graphene and in situ monitoring of the molecule reaction process by enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Our results will broaden the optical investigations of interfacial sciences on metals, including photoinduced charge transfer dynamics and photocatalysis at metal surfaces.

Study on the controllability of the fabrication of single-crystal silicon nanopores/nanoslits with a fast-stop ionic current-monitored TSWE method

The application of single-crystal silicon (SCS) nanopore structures in single-molecule-based analytical devices is an emerging approach for the separation and analysis of nanoparticles. The key challenge is to fabricate individual SCS nanopores with precise sizes in a controllable and reproducible way. This paper introduces a fast-stop ionic current-monitored three-step wet etching (TSWE) method for the controllable fabrication of SCS nanopores. Since the nanopore size has a quantitative relationship with the corresponding ionic current, it can be regulated by controlling the ionic current. Thanks to the precise current-monitored and self-stop system, an array of nanoslits with a feature size of only 3 nm was obtained, which is the smallest size ever reported using the TSWE method. Furthermore, by selecting different current jump ratios, individual nanopores of specific sizes were controllably prepared, and the smallest deviation from the theoretical value was 1.4 nm. DNA translocation measurement results revealed that the prepared SCS nanopores possessed the excellent potential to be applied in DNA sequencing.

Red InGaN nanowire LED with bulk active region directly grown on p-Si (111)

A red nanowire LED with an InGaN bulk active region, directly grown on a p-Si (111) substrate, is demonstrated. The LED exhibits relatively good wavelength stability upon increasing injection current and narrowing of the linewidth without quantum confined Stark effect. Efficiency droop sets in at relatively high injection current. The output power and external quantum efficiency are 0.55 mW and 1.4% at 20 mA (20 A/cm²) with peak wavelength of 640 nm, reaching 2.3% at 70 mA with peak wavelength of 625 nm. The operation on the p-Si substrate results in large carrier injection currents due to a naturally formed tunnel junction at the n-GaN/p-Si interface and is ideal for device integration.

Spectroscopic visualization and phase manipulation of chiral charge density waves in 1T-TaS2

The chiral charge density wave is a many-body collective phenomenon in condensed matter that may play a role in unconventional superconductivity and topological physics. Two-dimensional chiral charge density waves provide the building blocks for the fabrication of various stacking structures and chiral homostructures, in which physical properties such as chiral currents and the anomalous Hall effect may emerge. Here, we demonstrate the phase manipulation of two-dimensional chiral charge density waves and the design of in-plane chiral homostructures in 1T-TaS₂. We use chiral Raman spectroscopy to directly monitor the chirality switching of the charge density wave-revealing a temperature-mediated reversible chirality switching. We find that interlayer stacking favours homochirality configurations, which is confirmed by first-principles calculations. By exploiting the interlayer chirality-locking effect, we realise in-plane chiral homostructures in 1T-TaS₂. Our results provide a versatile way to manipulate chiral collective phases by interlayer coupling in layered van der Waals semiconductors.

Controlled on-chip fabrication of large-scale perovskite single crystal arrays for high-performance laser and photodetector integration

Metal halide perovskites possess intriguing optoelectronic properties, however, the lack of precise control of on-chip fabrication of the large-scale perovskite single crystal arrays restricts its application in integrated devices. Here, we report a space confinement and antisolvent-assisted crystallization method for the homogeneous perovskite single crystal arrays spanning 100 square centimeter areas. This method enables precise control over the crystal arrays, including different array shapes and resolutions with less than 10%-pixel position variation, tunable pixel dimensions from 2 to 8 μm as well as the in-plane rotation of each pixel. The crystal pixel could serve as a high-quality whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity with a quality factor of 2915 and a threshold of 4.14 μJ cm^-2. Through directly on-chip fabrication on the patterned electrodes, a vertical structured photodetector array is demonstrated with stable photoswitching behavior and the capability to image the input patterns, indicating the potential application in the integrated systems of this method.

Neuroprotective effects of novel compound FMDB on cognition, neurogenesis and apoptosis in APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Clinical and experimental studies have shown that the sharp reduction of estrogen is one of the important reasons for the high incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in elderly women, but there is currently no such drug for treatment of AD. Our group first designed and synthesized a novel compound R-9-(4fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-10,10,-Hydrogen-6-hydrogen-benzopyran named FMDB. In this study, our aim is to investigate the neuroprotective effects and mechanism of FMDB in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. 6 months old APP/PS1 transgenic mice were intragastrical administered with FMDB (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) every other day for 8 weeks. LV-ERβ-shRNA was injected bilaterally into the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice to knockdown estrogen receptor β (ERβ). We found that FMDB ameliorated cognitive impairment in the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests, increased hippocampal neurogenesis and prevented hippocampal apoptotic responses in APP/PS1 mice. Importantly, FMDB activated nuclear ERβ mediated CBP/p300, CREB and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, and membrane ERβ mediated PI3K/Akt, CREB and BDNF signaling in the hippocampus. Our study demonstrated the contributions and mechanism of FMDB to cognition, neurogenesis and apoptosis in APP/PS1 mice. These lay the experimental foundation for the development of new anti-AD drugs.

A broadband 3D microtubular photodetector based on a single wall carbon nanotube-graphene heterojunction

In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) photodetector based on a single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and graphene heterojunction has been fabricated by a self-rolled-up process. In the designed structure, graphene acted as the conductive channel and SWCNTs absorbed the incident light ranging from the visible to near-infrared bands. Compared to planar (two-dimensional, 2D) devices, 3D microcavities provided a natural resonant cavity to enhance the optical field, which improved the photoresponsivity. This 3D heterojunction photodetector realized a broadband photodetection from 470 to 940 nm with an ultrahigh photoresponsivity of 4.9 × 10⁴ A W^-1 (@ 590 nm) and 1.9 × 10⁴ A W^-1 (@ 940 nm), a fast photoresponse speed of 1.6 ms, and an excellent sensitivity of 2.28 × 10¹¹ Jones. Besides, the fabricated photodetector showed favorable mid-infrared detection with a photoresponsivity of 3.08 A W^-1 at 10.6 μm. Moreover, the photodetector exhibited a promising room-temperature imaging capability. The 3D heterojunction photodetector would provide a feasible pathway to realize graphene-based photodetectors with high performance and could be extended to be integrated with other light absorptive materials.

A novel computed tomography-based three-column MLP classification of intertrochanteric fracture

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to introduce a novel three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT)-based three-column classification (named "MLP classification system") of intertrochanteric fractures and evaluate its reproducibility and reliability.

METHODS

From September 2020 to September 2022, a total of 258 consecutive patients (60 male, 198 female;mean age 81.3 years) with intertrochanteric fractures were included in this study. The fracture in each case was assessed using a novel three-dimensional computed tomography-based three-column classification. Two examiners tested the intra and inter-observer reliability of this new classification system using kappa variance.

RESULTS

The intertrochanteric region was divided into the medial column, lateral column, and posterior column. Intertrochanteric fractures were documented as M0/1/2L0/1/2/3P0/1/2/3. All fractures were classifiable into the new classification system. The intra-observer kappa values were 0.91 and 0.89, while the inter-observer kappa value was 0.82, both indicating almost perfect reliability.

CONCLUSION

This novel 3DCT-based MLP classification system for intertrochanteric fractures is comprehensive, and reproducible with good agreement. It is based on proximal femur biomechanic characteristics and traumatic mechanism, contributing to formulating more reasonable treatment protocols involving various late-model internal fixation devices. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 524-529, August, 2023.

A pH/ROS dual-responsive nanoparticle system for tumor targeting combined chemotherapy/phototherapy

Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks (nMOFs) based nano drug delivery systems show great potential in biomedical field. In this work, a drug delivery system combined with chemotherapy and phototherapy (DOX/ICG@UiO-66-TK-PEG-F3 or simplified...

Nanosized Shikonin-Fe(III) Coordination Material for Synergistic Wound Treatment: An Initial Explorative Study

Shikonin (Shik), a natural pigment, has received growing interest in various biomedical fields due to its anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimicrobial, and antioxidant ability. However, some inherent characteristics of Shik, such as its virulence, low bioavailability, and poor solubility, have limited its biomedical applicability. Here, we reported a facile synthetic method to produce the Shik-iron (III) nanoparticles (Shik-Fe NPs), which could overcome these limitations of Shik. The synthesized Shik-Fe NPs possessed a uniform size range of 110 ± 10 nm, negative surface charges, good water dispersity, and high safety. Iron distributed uniformly inside Shik-Fe NPs, and iron constituted 20% of total mass in PEGylated Shik-Fe NPs. When interacting with activated macrophages, Shik-Fe NPs significantly reduced the level of cellular inflammatory factors, for example, iNOS, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Furthermore, the Shik-Fe NPs demonstrated synergistic anti-inflammation and anti-bacterial properties in vivo, since they could release Fe³⁺ and Shik to eradicate bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and P. aeruginosa were used as model microbes here) during wound infections and provide full recovery for scald wounds. Collectively, the study established a dual-functional Shik-derived nanoplatform, which could be useful for the treatment of various inflammation-involved diseases.

[Cost-effectiveness prediction of AIDS interventions among men who have sex with men in Ningbo]

Objective: To provide information reference for resource allocation and decision-making in related fields, the cost-effectiveness of HIV input among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ningbo. Different intervention coverages were compared. Methods: Taking MSM as the target population, data were collected and modeled by Optima HIV for the corresponding HIV health output and the budget under different intervention coverages. Results: According to the estimated size of the MSM population, which was 19 584 in Ningbo in 2020, if the coverage of 2020 baseline intervention is maintained in the next ten years, the number of HIV cases, new HIV infections, and HIV-related deaths among this population will show an upward trend. It is estimated that from 2021 to 2030, 7.9% of new infections and 1.7% of deaths can be avoided and the relevant funding investment comed to 2.4 time the baseline if the intervention coverage rate expanded to 3.0 times the 2020 baseline. After the coverage rate of intervention expanded to 3 times the baseline, it continued to grow, the health effect did not increase. Conclusions: At present, expanding the baseline coverage of HIV-related intervention projects among MSM in Ningbo and increasing capital investment will still reverse HIV-related death and reduce new infections. Moreover, there is a saturation point of the intervention effect. Researchers and policymakers must explore more effective interventions/combinations to obtain more significant health outcomes.

Multifunctional theragnostic ultrasmall gold nanodot-encapsuled perfluorocarbon nanodroplets for laser-focused ultrasound sequence irradiation (LFSI)-based enhanced tumor ablation

Despite the substantial potential of focused ultrasound therapy, its efficacy in cancer therapy has been limited due to the high cavitation threshold and safety concerns regarding the use of high-intensity energy pulses. Here, ultrasmall Au nanodot-loaded PEG-modified perfluorocarbon nanodroplets (Au-PFCnDs) were prepared and used as a therapeutic enhancer. A LFSI method was designed to achieve enhanced tumor ablation at a mild focused ultrasound (FUS) energy pulse with the assistance of the instinct photothermal effect of intratumor-permeable ultrasmall Au nanodots under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation. In addition to their therapeutic function, Au-PFCnDs can also generate multimodal images to provide information for tumor surveillance and treatment guidance. The experimental results also showed that the cRGD-targeted Au-PFCnDs could be more efficiently delivered into the tumor and selectively destroy tumors with no observable side effects on normal tissue under LFSI treatment.

Designed growth of large bilayer graphene with arbitrary twist angles

The production of large-area twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) with controllable angles is a prerequisite for proceeding with its massive applications. However, most of the prevailing strategies to fabricate twisted bilayers face great challenges, where the transfer methods are easily stuck by interfacial contamination, and direct growth methods lack the flexibility in twist-angle design. Here we develop an effective strategy to grow centimetre-scale TBG with arbitrary twist angles (accuracy, <1.0°). The success in accurate angle control is realized by an angle replication from two prerotated single-crystal Cu(111) foils to form a Cu/TBG/Cu sandwich structure, from which the TBG can be isolated by a custom-developed equipotential surface etching process. The accuracy and consistency of the twist angles are unambiguously illustrated by comprehensive characterization techniques, namely, optical spectroscopy, electron microscopy, photoemission spectroscopy and photocurrent spectroscopy. Our work opens an accessible avenue for the designed growth of large-scale two-dimensional twisted bilayers and thus lays the material foundation for the future applications of twistronics at the integration level.