Comparative study on the hydrogen storage performance of as-milled MgRENi rapid quenched alloy catalyzed by metal sulfides

The composites of Mg_(20)Pr_(1)Sm_(3)Y_(1)Ni_(10)as-quenched alloy and 3 wt.%M(M=CoS,CoS_(2),MoS_(2))catalyst were prepared by high-speed vibration ball mill.The effects of metal sulfides on the hydrogenation and dehydrogenation dynamics of alloys were compared.The results show that the as-milled composites contain a large number of amorphous embedded by a small amount of nanocrystals,and there are many point defects.After ball milling,the crystal grain size in the composites containing CoS is relatively larger,followed by CoS_(2)and MoS_(2)again.After hydrogenation,the amorphous phase is crystallized to form Mg_(2)NiH_(4),YH_(3),Pr_(8)H_(18.96),Sm_(3)H_7,Mg,Co or Mo phases,however,Mg_(2)Ni,YH_(2),PrH_(2)and Ni_(3)Y phases appeared after dehydrogenation.The maximum hydrogenation capacity of the composites containing CoS,CoS_(2)and MoS_(2)are 3.939,4.265 and 4.507 wt.%,respectively.The hydrogenation saturation ratio of composite containing MoS_(2)is higher than that of the composites containing CoS and CoS_(2).The dehydrogenation activation energy of the composites containing CoS,CoS_(2)and MoS_(2)is 107.76,68.43 and 63.28 kJ.mol^(-1).H_(2).On the improvement of hydrogen storage performance of Mg_(20)Pr_(1)Sm_(3)Y_(1)Ni_(10)alloy,the catalytic effect of MoS_(2)sulfide is better than that of CoS_(2)sulfide,and which is better than CoS sulfide.

Magnesium doping to improve the light to heat conversion of OMS-2 for formaldehyde oxidation under visible light irradiation

Mg-doped manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve(Mg-OMS-2)catalysts were prepared by hydrothermal method.The photothermal degradation performance of these catalysts for formaldehyde(HCHO)in batch system and continuous system was investigated.The light absorption of OMS-2 was increased by Mg-doped,especially for near infrared light,which promoted surface temperature reach a maximum of 214.8℃ under xenon irradiation.At this temperature,the reinforced surface lattice oxygen and oxygen vacancy that formed by lattice distortion via Mg-doped were activated.The best HCHO elimination efficiency was achieved over Mg_(0.2)/OMS-2 catalyst with Mg^(2+)/Mn^(2+)=1/5,which could reduce HCHO from 250 ppm to 10 ppm within 20 min.The in situ DRIFTS was also carried out to monitor the changes in the content of reaction intermediates and analyze the degradation paths of HCHO.It was found the HCHO was attacked by formed·OH and·O^(2-) to generate formate species and carbonate species,and finally transformed to CO_(2) and H_(2)O.This photothermal catalytic oxidation process exhibited a high efficiency purification of HCHO without the help of extra energy consumption.

Unveiling potential sex-determining genes and sex-specific markers in autotetraploid Carassius auratus

Autotetraploid Carassius auratus is a stable hereditary autotetraploid fish resulting from the hybridization of Carassius auratus red var.(RCC,♀)×Megalobrama amblycephala(BSB,♂),containing four sets of RCC chromosomes.However,the molecular mechanism underlying the determination of sex in this species remains largely unknown.Currently,there lacks a full understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing sex determination and specific molecular markers to differentiate sex in this species.In this study,25,801,677 SNPs(Singlenucleotide polymorphism)and 6,210,306 Indels(insertion-deletion)were obtained from whole-genome resequencing of 100 individuals(including 50 female and 50 male).Further identification confirmed the candidate chromosomes as Chr46B,with the sex-determining region located at Chr46B:22,500,000‒22,800,000 bp.Based on the male-specific insertion(26 bp)within the candidate sex-determining region,a pair of sex-specific molecular markers has been identified.In addition,based on the screening of candidate sex-determining region genes and RT-qPCR validation analysis,ADAM10,AQP9 and tc1a were identified as candidate sex-determining genes.These findings provide a robust foundation for investigating sex determination mechanisms in fish,the evolution of sex chromosomes,and the development of monosex populations.

Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Dominance of XBB Replacement — China, January–June 2023

Introduction:In the first half of 2023,a global shift was observed towards the predominance of XBB variants.China faced a significant epidemic between late 2022 and early 2023 due to Omicron subvariants BA.5.2 and BF.7.This study aims to depict the evolving variant distribution among provincial-level administrative divisions(PLADs)in China and explore the factors driving the predominance of XBB replacement.Methods:Sequences from local and imported coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases recorded between January 1 and June 30,2023,were included.The study analyzed the changing distribution of viral variants and assessed how the prior dominance of specific variants,XBB subvariants,and imported cases influenced the prevalence of the XBB replacement variant.Results:A total of 56,486 sequences were obtained from local cases,and 8,669 sequences were from imported cases.Starting in April,there was a shift in the prevalence of XBB from imported to local cases,with varying dominance among PLADs.In PLADs previously high in BF.7,the rise of XBB was delayed.A positive correlation was found between XBB proportions in imported cases from January to March and local cases in April.The distribution pattern of XBB subvariants differed between local and imported cases within the same PLAD.No significant differences were noted in the replacement rates of XBB subvariants.Conclusions:The timing of XBB dominance differed among various PLADs in China in the first half of 2023,correlating closely with the prevalence of XBB variants among imported cases.

Safety and Effectiveness of SA58 Nasal Spray Against COVID-19 Infection in Medical Personnel:An Open-Label,Blank-Controlled Study—Hohhot City,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,China,2022

Summary What is already known about this topic?The active ingredient of the SA58 Nasal Spray is a broad-spectrum neutralizing antibody with a high neutralizing capacity against different Omicron subvariants in vitro studies.What is added by this report?This study demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of SA58 Nasal Spray against coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection in medical personnel for the first time.What are the implications for public health practice?This study provides an effective approach for the public to reduce their risk of COVID-19 infection.The findings of this research have the potential to significantly reduce the risk of infection and limit human-to-human transmission in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Geographic Diversity in the Incidence of Human Prion Diseases-China,2006–2019

Introduction:Human prion diseases(PrDs)are rare,fatal encephalopathies requiring comprehensive diagnostic analysis.This study examines hospital referral patterns to the Chinese National Surveillance for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease(CNS-CJD)from 2006 to 2019.Methods:We assessed 1,970 PrD cases referred by various hospitals to CNS-CJD.Referral distributions were analyzed based on provincial-level administrative divisions(PLADs).Differences in referral numbers and confirmed cases between monitored and nonmonitored PLADs were statistically evaluated.Results:The study included cases from 344 hospitals across 29 Chinese PLADs.Hospital referrals increased over the surveillance years:from 28.2 hospitals annually during 2006–2010,to 64 in 2011–2015,and 107 in 2016–2019.Of these,12.2%(42/344)of hospitals reported≥10 PrD cases,accounting for 70.0%(1,379/1,970)of total cases.Referral numbers varied across PLADs,with the top 5 of Beijing(41),Henan(26),Shanghai(21),Guangdong(21),and Jiangsu(21)leading.Additionally,12 CJD-surveillance PLADs had more referring hospitals and PrD cases than the other 17 non-surveillance PLADs.Conclusions:Geographical variations in PrD recognition exist across Chinese PLADs,with certain regions and major cities reporting notably higher case numbers.

甲磺酸阿帕替尼片联合肝动脉化疗栓塞术治疗中晚期肝癌的效果观察

目的观察甲磺酸阿帕替尼片联合肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)治疗中晚期肝癌的临床效果。方法抽取2017年2月至2019年2月三门峡市中心医院收治的中晚期肝癌患者60例,按随机数字表法分为联合组与TACE组,每组30例。TACE组采用TACE治疗,联合组采用TACE联合甲磺酸阿帕替尼片治疗。比较两组客观缓解率、免疫功能(T淋巴细胞亚群CD3^(+)、CD8^(+))、肿瘤标志物水平[血管内皮细胞生长因子受体2(VEGFR2)、基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)]、不良反应发生率及生存率。结果联合组客观缓解率(53.33%,16/30)高于TACE组(26.67%,8/30),P<0.05;治疗后,联合组CD3^(+)高于TACE组,CD8^(+)低于TACE组(P<0.05);治疗后,联合组VEGFR2、MMP-2水平低于TACE组(P<0.05);两组乏力、恶心呕吐、腹泻、腹痛发生率比较差异未见统计学意义(P>0.05);联合组1年生存率(90.00%,27/30)、2年生存率(76.67%,23/30)均高于TACE组(66.67%,20/30;50.00%,15/30),P<0.05。结论甲磺酸阿帕替尼片联合TACE治疗中晚期肝癌,可提高客观缓解率,改善免疫功能,调节肿瘤标志物水平,且不增加不良反应,并可提高远期生存率。

Efficiently photothermal conversion in a MnO_(x)-based monolithic photothermocatalyst for gaseous formaldehyde elimination

Volatile organic compound(VOC)pollution has a serious impact on human and urgently needs to be controlled through the development of new methods and catalytic materials.Compared with traditional thermal catalytic oxidation,the synergistic photothermocatalysis is regarded as a green and environmen-tally friendly strategy for organic compound pollutant removal,which can promote spontaneous heating of the surface of catalysts to achieve thermal catalytic reaction conditions via harvesting light irradia-tion.In this paper,a monolithic photothermocatalyst was synthesized through coating graphene oxide(GO)and MnOx in turn on a commercially available melamine sponge,where the GO mainly acted as a photothermal conversion layer to heat the catalytically active MnO_(x).This monolithic catalyst presented excellent photo-induced activity for formaldehyde elimination under ambient conditions(∼90%degrada-tion ratio in 20 min for∼160 ppm initial concentration formaldehyde),and meanwhile possessed a high catalytic durability for multiple cycles.The kinetic study demonstrated that this photothermocatalytic process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics.Finally,we proposed a possible formaldehyde degrada-tion pathway based on in situ DRIFTS examination.

Built-in piezoelectric field improved photocatalytic performance of nanoflower-like Bi_(2)WO_(6) using low-power white LEDs

Photocatalysis technology has been proved to be a potential strategy for removal of organic dyes,however high-power light sources are generally necessary to initiate photocatalytic reaction.In this work,we employed an excellent photocatalyst of Bi_(2)WO_(6) with visible light harvest and meanwhile an intrinsic ferroelectricity,which realized the efficient degradation of organic dye via the synergetic photopiezocatalysis.Through coupling the illumination by a low-power(9 W)LED and the ultrasonic vibration(120 W)by an ultrasonic cleaner,the nano flower-like Bi_(2)WO_(6) composed of ultrathin nanosheets showed a much more enhanced photopiezocatalysis performance for purification of organic dye than the individual photocatalysis and piezocatalysis.Furthermore,the high mineralization efficiency and the good durability of the Bi_(2)WO_(6) catalyst were demonstrated.The possible mechanism of photopiezocatalysis was finally proposed,where the ultrasound-induced piezoelectric field in Bi_(2)WO_(6) drove photo-generated electrons and holes to diffuse along opposite directions,consequently promoting the separation efficiency of charge carriers.This work indicates that the synergetic photopiezocatalysis by coupling irradiation and ultrasonic vibration is a promising strategy to purify organic pollutants in wastewater.

Serological Investigation of Laboratory-Confirmed and Suspected Ebola Virus Disease Patients During the Late Phase of the Ebola Outbreak in Sierra Leone

This study aimed to investigate the serological characteristics of Ebola virus(EBOV) infection during the late phase of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. In total, 877 blood samples from 694 suspected Ebola virus disease(EVD) cases assessed from March to December 2015, were analyzed via real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) for viral RNA and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Luminex to detect antibodies against EBOV. Viral load and EBOV-specific IgM/IgG titers displayed a declining trend during March to December 2015. Viral RNA load decreased rapidly at earlier stages after disease onset, while EBOV-specific IgM and IgG still persisted in 58.1%(18/31) and 93.5%(29/31) of the confirmed EVD patients and in 3.8%(25/663) and 17.8%(118/663) of the RNA-negative suspected patients in the later phase, respectively. Dynamic analysis of longitudinally collected samples from eight EVD patients revealed typically reversed trends of declining viral load and increasing IgM and/or IgG titers in response to the EBOV infection.The present results indicate that certain populations of Sierra Leone developed immunity to an EBOV infection in the late phase of the outbreak, providing novel insights into the risk assessment of EBOV infections among human populations.

Preliminary Study of the Protectiveness of Vaccination Against the COVID-19 in the Outbreak of VOC Omicron BA.2—Jilin City,Jilin Province,China,March 3–April 12,2022

Summary What is already known about this topic?An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)of Omicron BA.2 emerged in Jilin City since March 3,2022,which involved in 27,036 cases by April 12.The vaccination program with inactivated COVID-19 vaccines has been implemented since the beginning of 2021.What is added by this report?The incidences of moderate,severe,and critical cases in the whole population of the group of 0+1 dose were 1.82-,9.49-,and 3.85-fold higher than those in the group of 2 doses,and 5.03-,44.47-,and∞-fold higher than those received 3 doses vaccination.For the population≥60 years,the incidences of moderate,severe,and critical cases in the group of 0+1 dose were 29.92,9.62,and 4.27 per 100,000,showing 4.13-,43.72-,and 4.85-fold higher than 2 doses,as well as 13.28-,22.37-,and∞-fold higher than 3 doses.What are the implications for public health practice?The incidences of each type of COVID-19 in the population who were fully vaccinated or booster vaccinated in Jilin City were significantly lower than those who were unvaccinated and/or partially vaccinated.Booster vaccination with homologous inactivated vaccines induces stronger protectiveness for COVID-19 caused by variant of concern(VOC)Omicron.

Mild Breakthrough Infection in a Healthcare Professional Working in the Isolation Area of a Hospital Designated for Treating COVID-19 Patients—Shaanxi Province,China,March,2021

Summary What is already known about this topic?Healthcare workers are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 from occupational exposure to COVID-19 virus during their daily medical service work.Excellent infection prevention and control measures and adequate personal protective equipment(PPE)are essential to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired COVID-19.

Identification of Histoplasma causing an unexplained disease cluster in Matthews Ridge, Guyana

Here,we report the identification of Histoplasma causing an unexplained disease cluster in Matthews Ridge,Guyana.In March 2019,14 employees of Chongqing Bosai Mining Company,China,working in a manganese mining of Guyana,had unexplained fever,and two of them died.We obtained lung and brain tissues as well as the blood samples from the two deceased cases(patient No.1 and 2),and bronchoscopy lavages and cerebrospinal fluid samples from one severe case(patient No.3),respectively.All samples were tested by pathological examination,high-throughput sequencing,and real-time PCR.Pathological detection showed the presence of spore-like structures in the lung tissue of patient No.1,indicating a fungal infection in this patient.Nanopore sequencing identified the existing of H.capsulatum in the lung tissue sample within 13 h.Next-generation sequencing identified specific fragments of H.capsulatum in all of the samples tested(lung,brain and blood serum from the deceased cases,and plasma from the severe case).Real-time PCR assays did not reveal any viral infection related to transmission from bat feces.We conclude that H.capsulatum was the causative pathogen of this disease cluster based on epidemiologic,clinical,pathological and nucleic acid evidence.

One Hundred Years of Influenza Since the 1918 Pandemic—Is China Prepared Today?

Almost 100 years after the 1918 influenza pandemic,China experienced its largest,most widespread epidemic of human infections with avian influenza A(H7N9),the influenza virus with the greatest pandemic potential of all influenza viruses assessed to date by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Influenza Risk Assessment Tool.This historical review describes how China was affected by the 1918,1958,1968,and 2009 influenza pandemics,records milestones in China’s capacity to detect and respond to influenza threats,and identifies remaining challenges for pandemic preparedness.This review suggests that past influenza pandemics have improved China’s national capabilities such that China has become a global leader in influenza detection and response.Further enhancing China’s pandemic preparedness to address remaining challenges requires government commitment and increased investment in China’s public health and healthcare systems.

Therapeutic implications of prion diseases

Prions are unconventional infectious agents that cause lethal transmissible neurodegenerative diseases in human and animals.Prions can be distinguished fromother knownpathogens by their lack of nucleic acids.The most essential process for prion propagation is conversion fromnormal cellular prion protein on the cell membrane to insoluble,limited protease digestion-resistant,pathogenic scrapie prion protein.For dozens of years,many pharmacological tools and interventions targeting different stages of disease progression have been developed and evaluated,and a few have been entered clinical trials.However,no approved prophylactic or therapeutic drugs for prion diseases are available.In this review,we summarize the current concepts in prion research and discuss advances in the research and development of drugs for the prevention and treatment of prion disease.

Protein amplification technology:New advances in human prion disease diagnosis

Early and accurate diagnosis of human prion diseases is a long-standing difficulty.Currently,the definitive diagnosis of human prion diseases relies on pathognomonic histological features or PrPSc detection of patients'brain tissue biopsy or autopsy samples,which is not feasible in most cases.Therefore,clinical diagnosis mainly relies on the combinations of the patient’s clinical symptoms.MRI and EEG are used to check for brain damage and detect surrogate markers such as the 14-3-3 protein in Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),but this is often challenging.In recent years,the development of in vitro cell-free conversion techniques,such as technologies protein misfolding cyclic amplification(PMCA)and real-time quaking-induced conversion(RT-QuIC),have extensively promoted the diagnosis of human prion diseases.PMCA has high diagnostic accuracy in the blood,CSF,and urine samples of variant creutzfeldt–jakob disease(vCJD)patients.Again,RT-QuIC has high diagnostic accuracy for cerebrospinal fluid,olfactory mucosa,and skin samples of sporadic Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease(sCJD)patients.Applying these two technologies is of great significance to the early clinical diagnosis of human prion diseases and the reduction of blood-borne and iatrogenic transmission of prion.

Intra-host Ebola viral adaption during human infection

The onsite next generation sequencing(NGS)of Ebola virus(EBOV)genomes during the 2013–2016 Ebola epidemic in Western Africa provides an opportunity to trace the origin,transmission,and evolution of this virus.Herein,we have diagnosed a cohort of EBOV patients in Sierra Leone in 2015,during the late phase of the outbreak.The surviving EBOV patients had a recovery process characterized by decreasing viremia,fever,and biochemical parameters.EBOV genomes sequenced through the longitudinal blood samples of these patients showed dynamic intra-host substitutions of the virus during acute infection,including the previously described short stretches of 13 serial TNC mutations.Remarkably,within individual patients,samples collected during the early phase of infection possessed Ts at these nucleotide sites,whereas they were replaced by Cs in samples collected in the later phase,suggesting that these short stretches of TNC mutations could emerge independently.In addition,up to a total of 35 nucleotide sites spanning the EBOV genome were mutated coincidently.Our study showed the dynamic intra-host adaptation of EBOV during patient recovery and gave more insight into the complex EBOV-host interactions.

The Practice of the Public Health Cooperation in the Republic of Sierra Leone:Contributions and Experiences

Since the outbreak of Ebola virus disease(EVD)in three countries in West Africa,China CDC has conducted two phases of technical cooperation projects based on the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Biological Safety Laboratory(SLE-CHN BSL-3 Lab)in the Republic of Sierra Leone(1-2).Phase Ⅰ was conducted from July 2015 to June 2017,while Phase Ⅱ started in July 2017 and will continue to June 2020.In total,85 Chinese public health specialists have been dispatched to Freetown,the capital city of Sierra Leone,with 80 serving for 6 months and 5 serving for a year.Most Chinese staff came from China CDC and the remaining roughly 15%came from different provincial-level CDCs.This report summarizes major developments to Sierra Leone’s public health field and comments on experiences obtained from the joint effort.

Weekly Assessment of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Risk of Importation--China, March 25, 2020

Along with the announcement of COVID-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization(WHO)on March 12,2020,COVID-19 appeared to be spreading rapidly around the world.By 10:00 CET on March 25,2020,a total of 331,619 confirmed cases and 15,146 deaths were reported from 195 foreign countries and regions on 6 continents plus the Diamond Princess international cruise ship,and among them,124 countries and regions had local transmission.Cumulatively,the WHO website reported 15,918 confirmed COVID-19 cases from 16 countries and regions in the Western Pacific excluding China,220,516 cases from 60 countries and regions in Europe,2,344 cases from 10 countries and regions in South-East Asia,29,631 cases from 21 countries and regions in the Eastern Mediterranean,60,834 cases from 48 countries and regions in the Americas,and 1,664 cases from 39 countries and regions in Africa(1).

An Outbreak of Febrile Histoplasmosis Among Chinese Manganese-Mine Workers in Cooperative Republic of Guyana in 2019

Summary What is already known on this topic?Cases of histoplasmosis have been reported in every continent except Antarctica but are fairly rare in China.High prevalence of histoplasmosis has been observed in Central America,Caribbean,and South America.Infections of Histoplasma are acquired through a respiratory route,particularly inhalation of aerosols from disturbed soils enriched with excreta from birds and bats.