Flexible heteroatom-doped porous carbon nanofiber cages for electrode scaffolds

Porous carbon nanofibers(PCNFs)with rich functionalities and high surface areas are important electrode scaffolds to load active materials,but increasing their pore volumes and strength simultaneously is a challenge.Here,we report a scalable method to fabricate B-F-N triply doped PCNF cages with high porosity of greater than 92.8%and small bending stiffness of 10 mN by electrospinning the mixed sol of poly(tetrafluoroethylene),poly(vinyl alcohol),boric acid,and carbon nanotubes(CNTs)followed by pyrolysis.The macromicro dual-phase separation creates well-controlled macropores(>60 nm)and meso-micropores with large pore volumes(0.55 cm3/g)on carbon nanofibers,while the interior CNTs can cushion the applied stress and render the PCNF films with superior flexibility.Fabricated symmetrical supercapacitors with the PCNF cages exhibit high gravimetric capacitance of 164 F/g at 20 mV/s and 92.5%capacity retention after 20000 cycles at 2 A/g.The reported approach allows the green synthesis of a new PCNF scaffold material with properties appealing for applications.

Onion-structured transition metal dichalcogenide nanoparticles by laser fabrication in liquids and atmospheres

Since the discovery of transition metal dichalcogenide(TMDC)nanoparticles(NPs)with the onion-like structure,many efforts have been made to develop their fabrication methods.Laser fabrication(LF)is one of the most promising methods to prepare onion-structured TMDC(or OS-TMDC)NPs due to its green,flexible,and scalable syntheses.In this mini-review article,we systematically introduce various laser-induced OS-TMDC(especially the OS-MoS_(2))NPs,their formation mechanism,properties,and applications.The preparation routes mainly include laser ablation in liquids and atmospheres,and laser irradiation in liquids.The various formation mechanisms are then introduced based on the different preparation routes,to describe the formations of the corresponding OS-NPs.Finally,some interesting properties and novel applications of these NPs are briefly demonstrated,and a short outlook is also given.This review could help to understand the progress of the laser-induced OS-TMDC NPs and their applications.

Functionalized periodic Au@MOFs nanoparticle arrays as biosensors for dual-channel detection through the complementary effect of SPR and diffraction peaks

A facile and low-cost method to prepare periodic Au@metal-organic framework （MOF） （MIL-100（Fe）） nanoparticle arrays was developed. The arrays were fabricated in situ using monolayer colloidal crystals as templates, followed by Au deposition on substrates, and annealing. MIL-100（Fe） coatings were applied on the nanospheres using a simple solvent thermal process. The prepared periodic Au@MIL-100（Fe） nanoparticle （NP） arrays were characterized by two peaks in the visible spectra. The first peak represented the surface plasmon resonance （SPR） of the Au nanospheres, and the other peak, or the diffraction peak originated from the periodic structure in the NP array. After modification with 3-aminophenylboronic acid hemisulfate （PBA）, the Au@MIL-100（Fe） NP arrays exhibited sensitive responses to different glucose concentrations with good selectivity. These responses could be due to the strong interaction between PBA and glucose molecules. The diffraction peak was sensitive at low glucose concentrations （less than 12 mM）, whereas the SPR peak rapidly responded at high concentrations. The peaks thus demonstrated satisfactory complementary sensitivity for glucose detection in different concentration regions. These results can be used to develop a dual-channel biosensor. We also created a standard diagram, which can be used to efficiently monitor blood glucose levels. The proposed strategy can be extended to develop different dual-channel sensors using Au@MIL-100（Fe） NP arrays agents. functionalized with different recognition

Incidence and factors associated with hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance in patients co-infected with HBV/HIV during antiretroviral therapy in Guangdong,China

Background:Hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)clearance is vital for a functional cure of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection.However,the incidence and predictors of HBsAg seroclearance in patients co-infected with HBV and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)remain largely unknown in Guangdong,China.Methods:Between 2009 and 2019,patients co-infected with HBV/HIV undergoing antiretroviral therapy(ART)in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University were retrospectively reviewed with the endpoint on December 31,2020.The incidence and risk factors for HBsAg seroclearance were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses.Results:A total of 1550 HBV/HIV co-infected patients were included in the study,with the median age of 42 years and 86.0%(1333/1550)males.Further,98.3%(1524/1550)received ART containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate(TDF)plus lamivudine(3TC).HBV DNA was examined in 1283 cases at the last follow-up.Over the median 4.7 years of follow-up,8.1%(126/1550)patients achieved HBsAg seroclearance,among whom 50.8%(64/126)obtained hepatitis B surface antibody,28.1%(137/488)acquired hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion,and 95.9%(1231/1283)undetectable HBV DNA.Compared with patients who maintained HBsAg positive,cases achieving HBsAg seroclearance showed no differences in age,gender,CD4+T cell count,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)level,or fibrosis status;however,they presented lower HBV DNA levels,lower HBsAg levels,and higher rates of HBV genotype B at the baseline.Multivariate analysis showed that baseline HBsAg<1500 cutoff index(COI)(adjusted hazard ratio[aHR],2.74,95%confidence interval[95%CI]:1.48-5.09),ALT elevation>2×upper limit of normal during the first six months after receiving ART(aHR,2.96,95%CI:1.53-5.77),and HBV genotype B(aHR,3.73,95%CI:1.46-9.59)were independent predictors for HBsAg seroclearance(all P<0.01).Conclusions:Long-term TDF-containing ART has high anti-HBV efficacy including relatively high overall HBsAg seroclearance in HBV/HIV co-infected patients.Lower baseline HBsAg levels,HBV genotype B,and elevated ALT levels during the first six months of ART are potential predictors of HBsAg seroclearance.

Persistently low CD4 cell counts are associated with hepatic events in HCV/HIV coinfected patients: data from the national free antiretroviral treatment program of China

Background: Chronic liver disease has emerged as a leading cause of non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related mortality in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfected patients. The relationship between CD4 cell count and HIV-related opportunistic infections and tumors has been well characterized;however, it is unclear whether CD4 cell count is associated with HCV-related hepatic events.Methods: This observational cohort study enrolled HCV/HIV-coinfected patients from the National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program of China from 2004 to 2019 in Guangzhou. The primary outcome was a composite of hepatic events, including cirrhosis complications, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver-related mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.Results: Among the 793 patients, 43 developed hepatic events during a median follow-up of 6.7 years, including 35 cirrhosis complications, 13 HCC cases, and 14 cases of liver-related mortality. The 5-year and 10-year cumulative incidences of hepatic events were 4.2% and 9.3%, respectively. Patients who developed hepatic events had a less satisfactory increase in CD4 cell count, lower peak CD4 (354.5 cells/μLvs. 560.0 cells/μL,P < 0.001), and lower percentage of peak CD4 > 500 cells/μL (30.2%vs. 60.7%,P < 0.001) after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) than those who did not. The cumulative incidences of hepatic events were higher in patients with lower peak CD4 levels with adjusted odds ratios of 3.96 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51-10.40), 2.25 (95% CI: 0.87-5.86), and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.35-2.74) for patients with peak CD4 at <200 cells/μL, 200-350 cells/μL, and 351 to 500 cells/μL, respectively, relative to those with peak CD4 > 500 cells/μL. Peak CD4 was negatively associated with the risk of hepatic events in a dose-response manner (P-value for trend = 0.004).Conclusion: Persistently low CD4 cell counts after ART are independently associated with a high risk of hepatic events in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients, highlighting the important role of immune reconstitution in improving liver outcomes.

Understanding the risks of mercury sulfide nanoparticles in the environment: Formation, presence, and environmental behaviors

Mercury(Hg) could be microbially methylated to the bioaccumulative neurotoxin methylmercury(Me Hg), raising health concerns. Understanding the methylation of various Hg species is thus critical in predicting the Me Hg risk. Among the known Hg species, mercury sulfide(HgS) is the largest Hg reservoir in the lithosphere and has long been considered to be highly inert. However, with advances in the analytical methods of nanoparticles, HgS nanoparticles(HgS NPs) have recently been detected in various environmental matrices or organisms. Furthermore, pioneering laboratory studies have reported the high bioavailability of HgS NPs. The formation, presence, and transformation(e.g., methylation) of HgS NPs are intricately related to several environmental factors, especially dissolved organic matter(DOM). The complexity of the behavior of HgS NPs and the heterogeneity of DOM prevent us from comprehensively understanding and predicting the risk of HgS NPs. To reveal the role of HgS NPs in Hg biogeochemical cycling, research needs should focus on the following aspects: the formation pathways, the presence, and the environmental behaviors of HgS NPs impacted by the dominant influential factor of DOM. We thus summarized the latest progress in these aspects and proposed future research priorities, e.g., developing the detection techniques of HgS NPs and probing HgS NPs in various matrices, further exploring the interactions between DOM and HgS NPs. Besides, as most of the previous studies were conducted in laboratories, our current knowledge should be further refreshed through field observations, which would help to gain better insights into predicting the Hg risks in natural environment.

Transcriptome analysis of CD4^(+)T cells from HIV-infected individuals receiving ART with LLV revealed novel transcription factors regulating HIV-1 promoter activity

Some HIV-infected individuals receiving ART develop low-level viremia(LLV),with a plasma viral load of 50-1000 copies/mL.Persistent low-level viremia is associated with subsequent virologic failure.The peripheral blood CD4^(+)T cell pool is a source of LLV.However,the intrinsic characteristics of CD4^(+)T cells in LLV which may contribute to low-level viremia are largely unknown.We analyzed the transcriptome profiling of peripheral blood CD4^(+)T cells from healthy controls(HC)and HIV-infected patients receiving ART with either virologic sup-pression(VS)or LLV.To identify pathways potentially responding to increasing viral loads from HC to VS and to LLV,KEGG pathways of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were acquired by comparing VS with HC(VS-HC group)and LLV with VS(LLV-VS group),and overlapped pathways were analyzed.Characterization of DEGs in key overlapping pathways showed that CD4^(+)T cells in LLV expressed higher levels of Th1 signature transcription factors(TBX21),toll-like receptors(TLR-4,-6,-7 and-8),anti-HIV entry chemokines(CCL3 and CCL4),and anti-IL-1βfactors(ILRN and IL1R2)compared to VS.Our results also indicated activation of the NF-κB and TNF signaling pathways that could promote HIV-1 transcription.Finally,we evaluated the effects of 4 and 17 tran-scription factors that were upregulated in the VS-HC and LLV-VS groups,respectively,on HIV-1 promoter activity.Functional studies revealed that CXXC5 significantly increased,while SOX5 markedly suppressed HIV-1 tran-scription.In summary,we found that CD4^(+)T cells in LLV displayed a distinct mRNA profiling compared to that in VS,which promoted HIV-1 replication and r+eactivation of viral latency and may eventually contribute to virologic failure in patients with persistent LLV.CXXC5 and SOX5 may serve as targets for the development of latency-reversing agents.

Controllable Synthesis of Well-aligned ZnO Nanorod Arrays on Varying Substrates via Rapid Electrodeposition

A facile and rapid electrodeposition route was developed to controllably synthesize well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays on diverse substrates, such as seed-layer pre-formed, pristine indium tin oxide （ITO） and Si, using Zn（NO3）2·6H2O and hexamethylenetetramine （HMT） as the precursors. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） results indicated that seed-layer pre-modified of ZnO nanorod arrays （ZNRs） possessed single crystalline, a wurtzite crystal structure with preferential growth orientation along [0001] direction. The ZNRs on pre-modified ZnO seed-layer （ZSL） had diameters of 30-50 nm, and aligned vertically to the substrates. ZNRs on ZSL/ITO substrate exhibited a high transmittance （above 80%） in visible wavelength range and the red-shift of band gap energy. An electrochemical reaction model was proposed to explain the growth process of ZnO nanorods. Importantly, the rapid synthesis of ZNRs provided the feasibility of preparation of SERS （surface enhanced Raman scattering） nanocomposite within shorter time by a subsequent electrochemical etching.

Alteration of the respiratory microbiome in COVID-19 patients with different severities

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) is rampant worldwide and has affected more than 215 countries and regions. According to the World Health Organization's report, there were 226,018,919 COVID-19 cases and 4,654,898 deaths as of March 14, 2021, although300,002,228 vaccines have been administered globally. COVID-19patients have different clinical phenotypes and can be divided into asymptomatic, normal, mild, severe, and critical patients.

COVID-19 induces new-onset insulin resistance and lipid metabolic dysregulation via regulation of secreted metabolic factors

Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism in COVID-19 patients were recently reported with unclear mechanism.In this study,we retrospectively investigated a cohort of COVID-19 patients without pre-existing metabolic-related diseases,and found new-onset in suli n resista nee,hyperglycemia,and decreased HDL-C in these patie nts.Mecha nistically,SARS-CoV-2 infecti on in creased the expression of RE1-silencing transcription factor(REST),which modulated the expression of secreted metabolic factors including myeloperoxidase,apelin,and myostatin at the transcriptional level,resulting in the perturbation of glucose and lipid metabolism.Furthermore,several lipids,including(±)5-HETE,(±)12-HETE,propionic acid,and isobutyric acid were identified as the potential biomarkers of COVID-19-induced metabolic dysregulation,especially in insulin resistance.Taken together,our study revealed insulin resistance as the direct cause of hyperglycemia upon COVID-19,and further illustrated the underlying mechanisms,providing potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19-induced metabolic complications.

Pre-treatment Drug Resistance Could Impact the 96-Week Antiretroviral Efficacy in Treatment-Naive HIV-1–Infected Patients in Guangdong,China

Background:With the high prevalence of pre-treatment drug resistance(PDR)and the potential impact to the virological inhibition,the detection of PDR was particularly necessary.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PDR in Guangdong,China,and its impact on antiretroviral therapy(ART)in treatment-naive HIV patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted.A total of 1936 HIV-1-infected treatment-naive patients in the clinic of the infectious department,Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital,between August 2018 and December 2019 were assayed for PDR mutations before initiating ART.Patients with PDR mutations(PDR arm)were screened and compared with those without drug-resistant mutations(non-PDR arm).The rate of HIV-1 virologic failure(VF)and CD4^(+)T-cell counts of the 2 arms were compared at the 96th week after ART to evaluate the impact of PDR on the efficacy of ART.Results:Pretreatment drug resistance was detected in 125 cases(6.46%)from the 1936 enrolled participants,most of which were resistant to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(64.00%,80/125).One hundred and eight of 125 completed the follow-up of 96 weeks(PDR arm).In this cohort,52 patients whose ART regimen containing the resistant drug were grouped as con-PDR arm,and the remaining 56 patients whose ART regimen did not contain the resistant drug were grouped as non-con-PDR arm.A total of 125 patients without PDR were randomly selected as the control group(non-PDR arm),112 of whom had completed the 96-week followup.At the 96th week after ART initiation,7 patients(6.5%,7/108)in the PDR arm and 1 patient(0.9%,1/112)in the non-PDR arm developed VF,exhibiting a significant difference(χ^(2)=4.901,P=0.029).Meanwhile,3 patients(5.8%,3/52)in the con-PDR arm developed VF;the rate was also higher than that in the non-PDR arm,but without a significant difference(χ^(2)=3.549,P=0.095).The CD4^(+)T-cell count in the non-PDR arm increased more than the PDR arm(386.6 vs.319.1 cells/μL,t=2.448,P=0.015)or the con-PDRarm(386.6 vs.325.1 cells/μL,t=1.821,P=0.070)at 12weeks afterART.However,no significant differenceswere observed in the CD4^(+)T-cell count from the 24th week after ART onward.Conclusions:Pretreatment drug resistance was moderately prevalent in Guangdong,China,and could affect the antiretroviral efficacy during a 96-week observation period,indicating the need to closely monitor PDR before ART initiation.