Photoinduced multistage phase transitions in Ta2NiSe5.

Ultrafast control of material physical properties represents a rapidly developing field in condensed matter physics. Yet, accessing the long-lived photoinduced electronic states is still in its early stages, especially with respect to an insulator to metal phase transition. Here, by combining transport measurement with ultrashort photoexcitation and coherent phonon spectroscopy, we report on photoinduced multistage phase transitions in Ta2NiSe5. Upon excitation by weak pulse intensity, the system is triggered to a short-lived state accompanied by a structural change. Further increasing the excitation intensity beyond a threshold, a photoinduced steady new state is achieved where the resistivity drops by more than four orders at temperature 50 K. This new state is thermally stable up to at least 350 K and exhibits a lattice structure different from any of the thermally accessible equilibrium states. Transmission electron microscopy reveals an in-chain Ta atom displacement in the photoinduced new structure phase. We also found that nano-sheet samples with the thickness less than the optical penetration depth are required for attaining a complete transition.

[A comparison of clinical characteristics between patients with and without"recurrence"RNA positive with COVID-19].

Objective: To analysis the clinical characteristics of"recurrence"RNA positive patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） and compared with those without"recurrence". Methods: 98 patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital and designated treatment hospitals in Quanzhou were included in this study from February 2020 to April 2020. There were 55 males and 43 females， aged from15 to 83 years， with a median age of 57.5 years， in which 20 cases were complicated with basic diseases. 15 of these patients had been diagnosed and hospitalized had been found as"recurrence"2019-nCoV RNA positive after discharge while the other 83 cases were all negative. The clinical classification of all patients was common type. Clinical data of the COVID-19 RNA"recurrence"patients were collected， and general situations， symptoms， laboratory examinations and CT images were also observed and analyzed. The patients were divided into 2019-nCoV"recurrent"group and 2019-nCoV"non-recurrent"group. There are 10 males and 5 females in 2019-nCoV"recurrent"group while 45 males and 38 females in"non-recurrent"group （χ²=0.800，P=0.371）. The age of 2019-nCoV"recurrent"group （57±21） was higher than that of"non-recurrent"group（53±17）. 8 of 15 the COVID-19"recurrent"group patients and 12 of 83"non-recurrent"patients have basic diseases. IgG and IgM of 2019-nCoV， IL-6， procalcitonin， ESR， CRP， BNP and other serum biochemical index levels were measured and compared between groups. Results: （1） The proportion of patients with common type of COVID-19 was 15.3% during 2-week medical observation after discharge. （2） All of the 2019-nCoV"recurrent"patients were hospitalized due to COVID-19 RNA positive， when they were quarantined after discharged from hospital. All the patients with mild symptoms which were clarified as common type， including 5 cases of fever， 6 cases of cough， 5 cases of expectoration， and 2 cases of slight shortness of breath. The time of symptoms appeared on （5.73±2.82） days after discharge. （3） The serum procalcitonin of all 2019-nCoV"recurrent"group patients were normal（all<0.05 ng/ml）. The BNP of"recurrent"group （151±171） ng/L， was higher than that of"non-recurrent"group （63±78） ng/L （t = 3.207， P = 0.000）. There was no significant difference in laboratory tests like leukocyte ［（6.17±2.4） and （6.04±2.41）×109/L］， lymphocyte［（1.59±0.52） and （1.32±0.64）×109/L］， CRP ［（12.54±28.20） and （21.74±25.63）mg/L］， ESR ［（31.07±28.72） and （34.10±22.16）mm/1 h］， AST ［（24.73±9.15） and （30.24±23.20）U/L］， ALT ［（22.60±12.82） and （36.47±34.12）U/L）， LDH ［（268±208） and （270±164）U/L］， D-dimer ［（0.60±0.50） and （0.84±0.98）µg/L］， ferritin ［（294±195） and （395±319）µg/L］， IL-6 ［（9.17±6.42） and （14.28±17.74）ng/Lï¼½ and BUN （5.77±2.66） and （4.74±2.81）U/Lï¼½ between"recurrent"and"non-recurrent"groups （all P>0.05）. （4） In"recurrent"group， ground glass， exudative or solid lesions could be found in most of the chest CT performed on re-admission. Meanwhile， fibrosis lesion was relatively rare. （5） There were no secondary transmissions were found to be caused by the 2019-nCoV"recurrent"group patients. Conclusions: Most of the 2019-nCoV patients had underlying diseases and active lesions were still found in CT images， so the possibility of virus replication may still exist. All"recurrent"patients had mild illness which may suggest that they were in recovery stage, and no evidence of transmission is found.

[Epidemiological analysis of Plague in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan province, 1950-2019].

Objective: To analyze the epidemic situation and influencing factors of plague in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous prefectures (Dehong) from 1950 to 2019, for the improvement of strategies on prevention and control of the disease. Methods: The epidemic situation and surveillance data of animal and human plague in Dehong prefecture from 1950 to 2019 were collected and analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods. Multiple linear regression equations were established by SPSS 20.0 software to analyze the relationship between plague among animals and rat density and flea index, as well as the relationship between human plague and plague among animals. Results: In Dehong prefecture, plague experienced a phenomenon of epidemic-resting-epidemic-resting cycle, between 1950 and 2019. During this period, 614 epidemic spots were identified in 36 townships of five counties/cities,. Human plague had been prevalent for 15 years, with 1 153 human cases and 379 deaths involved. Between 1982 and 2019, 261 319 rodents were captured, of which Rattus flavipectus accounted for 70.95%(185 421/261 319). A total of 70 124 fleas were seized with 76.65%(53 752/70 124), xenopsylla cheopis as fleas. The index of fleas and free fleas were 0.57 and 0.22 respectively. A total of 1 577 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from 285 091 animal specimens and 418 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from 60 119 groups of fleas, with 255 F1 antibody positive samples were detected from 64 157 sera samples. Neither Yersinia pestis nor the outbreak of plague had been noticed since 2008. Correlations between both animal plagues and rat density, as well as human plague and animals plague were noticed from the regression analysis. Conclusions: The epidemics of plague were with long-term and stable nature, in Dehong prefecture. Affected by many factors, plague seemed in a resting period currently. However, we should be reminded that the fact that outbreak of plague may revive at some uncertaint point. Hence in order to prevent human plague, strategies as careful surveillance programs on animals, need to be strenthened.

A new diphosphate Ba2LiGa(P2O7)2: synthesis, crystal structure and Eu3+-activated fluorescence performance.

Finding new luminescent materials is always a meaningful goal in the field of photoelectricity studies. Herein, a new diphosphate compound Ba2LiGa(P2O7)2 (BLGP) was prepared using a high-temperature flux method. It displays an anionic chain structure of [LiGa(P2O7)2]∞, constructed from P2O7, LiO5 and GaO6 polyhedra. The Ba2+ ions are distributed in the voids between the [LiGa(P2O7)2]∞ chains, bonding them and maintaining charge balance. To test its potential as a luminescent host, Eu3+ doped phosphors BLGP:xEu3+ (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30) were synthesized and studied in detail. Upon 394 nm light irradiation, BLGP:xEu3+ showed bright orange emission with a dominant peak at 595 nm due to the 5D0 → 7F1 transition of Eu3+. The optimal doping amount of Eu3+ is 0.20, and the internal quantum efficiency of the phosphor B1.8LGP:0.2Eu3+ was determined to be 67%. The temperature quenching behavior of B1.8LGP:0.2Eu3+ was studied, suggesting that the photoluminescence (PL) intensity decreased to about 50% at 450 K due to thermal quenching. All these features show that this compound is a good luminescent host material for Eu3+ activators.

Fast switching ferroelectric liquid crystal Pancharatnam-Berry lens.

A ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) cell with continuously alignment structure is realized by a polarization hologram method for fabricating a Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) lens, which is employed as a concave/convex lens. The PB phase can be maintained by the optical axis in-plane switching; meanwhile, its diffraction efficiency can be tuned in a certain range by electrically controlling azimuthal angle and optical biaxiality of the smectic helical structure realized by deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystals. The measured diffraction efficiency of the fabricated device is up to 87% and the response time can be 300µs with a low electric voltage. The FLC PB lens can have potential applications in existing optical devices and the realization of FLC with continuous alignment structure can be further used for other LC-based optical devices.

[Meta analysis of surgical treatment for old Monteggia fracture in children].

Objective: To analysis the treatment effect of the ulnar osteotomy and ring-shaped ligament reconstruction for the treatment of old Monteggia fracture in children by using Meta analyze, and the difference of clinical curative effect was compared in order to provide the basis for the selection of clinical treatment options for old Monteggia fractures in children. Methods: We searched databases such as CNKI, Wanfang database, Medline, PubMed, Embase and Science through computer, at the same time, the references of relevant documents were retrieved manually, and the data processing was carried out by the RevMan5.3 statistical software provided by the Cochrane cooperation network by incorporating the exclusion criteria. The results were obtained and analyzed. Results: A total of 17 standard literature, 438 cases, 224 cases of ulnar osteotomy, 214 cases with ring ligament repair and reconstruction were obtained. The operation scheme, which was mainly based on the lengthening of ulna osteotomy, was superior to the reconstruction of ring ligament reconstruction. The complications and second operation rates of the former was less than that of the latter. Conclusion: The surgical methods for the reconstruction of the ulna osteotomy and the ring-shaped ligament have advantages and disadvantages. The choice of the operative plan for the old Monteggia fracture should be based on the following factors: the time of the old Monteggia fracture formation, the degree of the ulnar and radial deformity and the familiarity of the operative method.

[Source tracing of the Yersinia pestis strains isolated from Heqing county, Yunnan province in 2017].

Objective: To understand the genotype of the Yersinia (Y.) pestis strains isolated from Heqing county, Yunnan province in 2017 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of plague in this area. Methods: Ten Y. pestis strains isolated from Heqing were typed by the detections of different region (DFR) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) as well as multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). And the results were compared with those of the 93 Y. pestis strains from the adjacent plague foci of Heqing obtained from the established database for clustering analysis. Results: The results showed that Heqing strains had the same type of DFR (Genomovar 05) and CRISPRs (Cluster Ca7, Type 22) with isolates from the plague focus in Lijiang. Heqing strains and Lijiang strains were in the same cluster in MST and only VNTR loci N2117 and M23 of Heqing strains were different from that of Lijiang strains. Conclusion: The Y. pestis strains isolated from Heqing in 2017 were highly homogenous with the strains isolated from wild rodents in plague focus in Lijiang, and Heqing plague might be the result of further southward spread of Lijiang plague.

[Isolated vertigo as the first symptom of posterior circulation infarction:reporot of 11 cases].

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with cerebellar and brainstem infarction who initially presented with isolated vertigo to avoid misdiagnosing of this disease.Method:Eleven patients with cerebellar and brainstem infarction who initially presented with isolated vertigo treated in our clinic between January 2014 and September 2017 were reviewed and the clinical characteristics and imaging presentation of the patients were evaluated.Result:Vertigo as the first attack was in 5 cases, recurrent attacks was in 6 cases,10 cases were with vascular risk factors except for 1 case, initially diagnosed as vestibular neuritis was 4 cases, Meniere's disease was 1 case, posterior circulartion ischemia was 1 case,and unknown causes was 5 cases; delayed neurological symptoms and signs occurring was 4 cases, but not in other cases; finally determined by brain MRI as acute cerebellar infarction was 5 cases, brainstem infarction was 5 cases, and concurrent cerebellar and brainstem infarction was 1 case. All patients had good prognosis.Conclusion:Isolated vertigo due to posterior circulation infarction is easy to be misdiagnosed as peripheral vertigo.Patients presenting with isolated vertigo, when with vascular risk factors, should receive MRI and DWI examinations. Properly diagnosis and treatment may lead a good prognosis.

[Impact of olmesartan medoxomil on atherosclerosis lesions in apolipoprotein E knockout mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and possible mechanisms of olmesartan medoxomil on atherosclerosis of apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice. METHODS: Sixteen 6-week-old male ApoE(-/-) mice were randomly divided into atherosclerosis model group fed with high fat diet, and olmesartan medoxomil intervention group fed with high fat diet and olmesartan medoxomil (10 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1,) per gavage). Eight C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal diet, and treated for 12 weeks.The blood pressure and the serum level of lipid were detected; the aorta were removed, oil red staining for plaque area, Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining for plaque morphology, Elastica van Gieson (EVG) staining for elastin, and picrosirius red (PSR) for collagen respectively; and the expression of cathepsin S (Cat S), smooth action protein (ASMA) and macrophage surface molecule-3 (Mac-3) were detected by immunohistochemisty analysis. RESULTS: Serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in atherosclerosis model group than in control group[(15.08±1.64) vs (2.06±0.15) mmol/L, (15.60±1.05) vs (0.00±0.00) mmol/L] (all P<0.01), while triglyceride level was similar between the two group.In contrast to model group, the mice in intervention group showed no statistical difference in blood pressure and plasma lipid levels, while the plaque areas in the aorta were significantly decreased (P<0.05) as well as the expression of Cat S and Mac-3[(2.4±1.2) vs (8.8±3.2)%, (2.2±1.2) vs (7.2±2.8)%] (all P<0.01). In addition, the elastin levels, collagen contents, and the expression of ASMA remained significantly higher compared with model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Olmesartan medoxomil could slow down the atherosclerosis process, the possible mechanism was implicated with the suppression of Cat S and decreased inflammatory responses alongside the increased elastin and collagen contents.

Fork gratings based on ferroelectric liquid crystals.

In this article, we disclose a fork grating (FG) based on the photo-aligned ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC). The Digital Micro-mirror Device based system is used as a dynamic photomask to generated different holograms. Because of controlled anchoring energy, the photo alignment process offers optimal conditions for the multi-domain FLC alignment. Two different electro-optical modes namely DIFF/TRANS and DIFF/OFF switchable modes have been proposed where the diffraction can be switched either to no diffraction or to a completely black state, respectively. The FLC FG shows high diffraction efficiency and fast response time of 50µs that is relatively faster than existing technologies. Thus, the FLC FG may pave a good foundation toward optical vertices generation and manipulation that could find applications in a variety of devices.

Changes of HMGB1 expression on angiogenesis of ovarian cancer and its mechanism.

This study was designed to investigate the changes of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) expression and its effects on regulating the angiogenesis of ovarian cancer. HMGB1 eukaryotic expression plasmid and artificially synthesized small interfering ribose nucleic acid (siRNA) were constructed to transfer SKOV3 cell, respectively. Western blot was adopted to investigate the changes of HMGB1, CXCL12 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) before and after the transfection and flow cytometry (FCM) was applied to detect SKOV3 apoptosis. Results revealed that the apoptosis rates of SKOV3 cell were 32.8±2.2%, 33.9±1.9% and 11.7±1%, respectively, in the control group, no-load group and transfection group after 2-d cisplatin treatment (10 µg/mL). The apoptosis rate in the transfection group was obviously lower than that in the control group and no-load group (p = 0.00) while no significant difference was found in the apoptosis rate in the other two groups (p = 0.75). Furthermore, the apoptosis rates of SKOV3 cell in the SKOV3 group, negative control group, SKOV3-ribose nucleic acid interfere (RNAi) group were 7.9±0.5%, 8.3±0.8% and 29.5±1.3% respectively. The apoptosis rate was notably higher in SKOV3-RNAi group than in the SKOV3 group and negative control group (p < 0.001) while no significant difference was found in the apoptosis rate in the other two groups (p = 0.89). Thus, it can be concluded that HMGB1 interference can reduce VEGF and CXCL12 expression in ovarian cancer cells, but increase the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, HMGB1 is highly expressed in cytoplasm and karyon.

B-type natriuretic peptide and cirrhosis progression.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is used as a marker of cardiac dysfunction to predict heart failure mortality. The significance of the prognostic ability of BNP for liver cirrhosis remains unknown, although the levels of BNP seen in cirrhosis are high. We aimed to determine whether the BNP level is related to the stage of cirrhosis and could serve as a prognostic marker of cirrhosis (predict the 1-year all-cause mortality). We recruited 92 patients at different stages of cirrhosis and 81 controls matched by age and gender for this study. At admission, cardiac physical examination and BNP measurements were performed. Upon discharge, the 89 patients were followed up for 12 months. The median BNP levels of patients with cirrhosis were 167.0 pg/mL, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (167.0 vs 34.8 pg/mL, P = 0.001). Serum BNP levels were positively correlated with the Child score, the grade of esophageal varices, a history of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and the presence of ascites and collateral circulation. BNP levels above the median were associated with an increased occurrence of death within 12 months of discharge (log rank P = 0.025), as determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Esophageal varices, large/medium volume ascites, and BNP levels were related to the clinical outcome (P = 0.034, 0.030, and 0.025, respectively). Together, these results suggested that serum BNP levels are significantly correlated with the stage of cirrhosis, suggesting that BNP levels might serve as a significant predictor for 1-year all-cause mortality.

A new paramyxovirus, Tianjin strain, isolated from common cotton-eared marmoset: genome characterization and structural protein sequence analysis.

The complete RNA genome sequence of Tianjin strain, isolated from marmoset, has been determined. The genome was 15,384 nucleotides (nt) in length, which was identical to that of Sendai virus (SeV), and consisted of six genes in the order 3'-NP-P/C-M-F-HN-L-5'. The gene junctions contained highly conserved transcription start and stop signal sequences and trinucleotide intergenic regions (IGR) similar to those of SeV. There was also an overlapping open reading frame and a conserved AnGn site (AAAAAGGG) in the P mRNA. Phylogenetic analysis based on protein sequences from other members of the family Paramyxoviridae showed that Tianjin strain belonged to the genus Respirovirus and was most closely related to SeV. Pairwise comparisons of amino acid identities and phylogenetic analysis with homologous sequences of known SeVs demonstrated that Tianjin strain represented a new evolutionary lineage of SeV.

Amplification of rainbow trout microsatellites in Brachymystax lenok.

Brachymystax lenok is a cold freshwater fish accustomed to inhabit relatively high concentration of dissolved oxygen and clean upper streams. Here we present 13 polymorphic microsatellite primer pairs from rainbow trout to amplify in 32 B. lenok individuals from Ussuri River of China. The number of alleles ranged from two to seven with an average of 3.9 per locus. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.0625 to 0.9677. One locus showed significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These 13 loci will provide a good basis for investigation of B. lenok population structure and genetic diversity in different distribution region.

Uptake and distribution of N, P and heavy metals in three dominant salt marsh macrophytes from Yangtze River estuary, China.

We examined the variation in aboveground biomass accumulation and tissue concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) in Phragmites australis (common reed), Spartina alterniflora (salt cordgrass), and Scirpus mariqueter throughout the growing season (April-October 2005), in order to determine the differences in net element accumulation and distribution between the three salt marsh macrophytes in the Yangtze River estuary, China. The aboveground biomass was significantly greater in the plots of S. alterniflora than in the plots of P. australis and S. mariqueter throughout the growing season (P<0.05). In August, the peak aboveground biomass was 1246+/-89 gDW/m(2), 2759+/-250 gDW/m(2) and 548+/-54 gDW/m(2) for P. australis, S. alterniflora and S. mariqueter, respectively. The concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals in plant tissues showed similar seasonal patterns. There was a steady decline in element concentrations of the aboveground tissues from April to October. Relative element concentrations in aboveground tissues were at a peak during the spring sampling intervals with minimum levels during the fall. But the concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the belowground tissues were relatively constant throughout growing season. Generally, trace metal concentrations in the aboveground tissues of S. mariqueter was the highest throughout the growing season, and the metal concentrations of S. alterniflora tissues (aboveground and belowground) were greater than those of P. australis. Furthermore, the aboveground pools of nutrients and metals were consistently greater for S. alterniflora than for P. australis and S. mariqueter, which suggested that the rapid replacement of native P. australis and S. mariqueter with invasive S. alterniflora would significantly improve the magnitude of nutrient cycling and bioavailability of trace metals in the salt marsh and maybe transport more toxic metals into the water column and the detrital food web in the estuary.

Isolation of EF1gamma from calli regenerating SSH library in Maize (Zea mays).

18599Hong, a good Maize (Zea mays) inbred line as well as good transformation acceptor with high regeneration capacity, was used for isolating embryonic callus regeneration genes. Subtractive library was constructed by Suppression subtractive hybridization and screened by Reverse Northern Hybridization. The clones of No. 27 was randomly picked to sequence. NCBI blastx results showed the similarity to elongation factor 1gamma in rice.

[Study on the quality of life in patients with prostate cancer].

It was proposed by FDA that, the increase of survival rate and the improvement of quality of life must both be considered in cancer treatment. Based on the questionnaire designed by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), the author studied the quality of life in 102 cases of prostate cancer and in 102 controls. With factor analysis method, a 30-item questionnaire was divided into six aspects to evaluate patients' quality of life: (1) activities of daily life; (2) family and social life; (3) physical symptoms of prostate cancer; (4) fatigue and malaise; (5) psychologic disturbance and distress and (6) sexual dysfunction. The results showed that there was statistical importance between each item when comparing case and control groups which proved the questionnaire an appropriate approach in assessing quality of life in patients with prostate cancer.

[A case-control study of prostate cancer].

In America and many European countries, prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men. Among 10-30% of all the men older than 50 years of age, a silent microscopic form of prostate cancer may be harbored. This high rate is similar throughout the world. However, few epidemiologic studies of prostate cancer have implicated its risk factors. A 1:1 matched case-control study looked into risk factors of prostate cancer. A total number of 102 cases of prostate cancer and 102 controls were surveyed. The results showed that high body mass index, history of urinary diseases, coitus frequency > 3 times per week, hormone drug use, and number of children > 3 are identified as risk factors of prostate cancer statistically, but physical labor, exercise, and age of first nocturnal emission > 18 are protective factors of prostate cancer.

[A case-control study of childhood leukemia].

A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted to investigate the etiological factors of childhood leukemia. It was found that there were five risk factors: (1) children living in the environmental pollution area, OR (95% CI) = 2.84 (1.14-7.10); (2) exposure to extreme low frequency electronmagnetic field (ELF), OR (95% CI) = 2.01 (1.18-3.42); (3) history of postnatal X-ray exposure, OR (95% CI) = 4.53 (1.68-12.21); (4) history of taking chloramphenicol, OR (95% CI) = 3.60 (1.62-8.01); (5) history of taking, antipyretic or analgesic drugs, OR (95% CI) = 1.93 (1.09-3.42). A protective factor was also discovered. Mothers often eating fish, pork and other meat foods, OR (95% CI) = 0.33 (0.18-0.59). The analysis of the population attributable risk showed that 91% of the childhood leukemia cases might attribute to these five risk factors. The interaction among these etiological factors was estimated. Results showed that there was a positive interaction between the X-ray exposure and chloramphenicol on additive model, the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) of childhood leukemia was 3.04.