Reproducible 2D Ti3C2T x for perovskite-based photovoltaic device.

Ti3C2T x (T x denotes terminal group), resulting from two-dimensional (2D) Mxenes, has attracted significant attention due to energy shortage and catalysis. Herein, we present reproducible 2D Ti3C2T x obtained from commercial bulk Ti3AlC2 using a cost-effective and environment-friendly approach. Both etching and exfoliation processes were investigated with the rational selection of etchant, reaction time and exfoliation solution. The hydrofluoric acid (HF) etchant plays a key role in the production of 2D Ti3C2T x and therefore the recycling of HF is addressed for reproducible 2D MXenes. Hazardous HF waste was also neutralized via CaF2 precipitation according to the regulations for HF sewage. Equally important, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was employed to promote the exfoliation of multilayer Ti3C2T x MXenes into Ti3C2T x nanosheets in an aqueous solution, which can couple with terminal groups and protect the exfoliated single-layers from recombination, facilitating interface passivation toward perovskite solar devices. The resulting perovskite solar cell exhibited striking improvements to achieve champion efficiency, with a PCE of 19.11%, which accounts for ∼9% enhancement as compared to pristine devices.

Cytogenetic and genetic investigation of miscarriage cases in Eastern China.

Objective: Recurrent miscarriage (RM) affects about 5% of pregnancies. Etiology of 30-50% RM cases remains unknown. Advanced highly sensitive detection and analysis methods may help solve some of the cases.Methods: Products of conception from 1155 RM cases were analyzed using classic karyotyping. Some cases without abnormal findings were subjected to next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) and chromosome copy number variation (CNV) analysis.Results: Classic karyotyping identified abnormalities in 56.62% of the cases. Of the103 specimens analyzed using NGS, 39 (37.86%) were found to carry "pathogenic" CNVs. Recurrent microdeletions and microduplications were identified, and some with unique distribution patterns.Conclusion: NGS CNV analysis is a highly sensitive and flexible method for detecting genetic abnormalities in RM cases.

Efficacy of ten interventions for endometriosis: A network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials comparing the efficacy of different interventions for endometriosis are limited and controversial. The aim of the present study is to perform a network meta-analysis on the efficacy of various interventions for endometriosis. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Ovid EMBASE through 1 June, 2018, for trials reporting the pain score and 1-year pregnancy rate of patients including at least one pair of direct control group. The mean difference of pain score, odds ratio of 1-year pregnancy rate, and their associated 95% credible intervals (CrI) were used to describe efficacy. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was calculated to illustrate the rank probability of various treatments for different outcomes, on the basis of network meta-analysis. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis enrolled six studies for the evaluation of reducing pain and 10 studies for the 1-year pregnancy rate. All involved trials were sufficiently powered with a low risk of bias. Expectant management (EM), progesterone (PR), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist (GN) were significantly effective to reduce pain when compared with the placebo; EM ranked the highest on the SUCRA curve. For the 1-year pregnancy rate, no significant difference between the interventions was evident. Ablation ranked the highest with a SUCRA value of 0.6328. The rank of EM was acceptable with a SUCRA value of 0.4452. Our experimental results need to be verified by more high-quality randomized controlled trial articles. CONCLUSION: Limited available evidence showed that EM, PR, and GN were significantly effective to reduce pain when compared with the placebo. Due to a lack of convincing evidence favoring surgery or medication, we recommend considering EM.