Mental health and insomnia problems in healthcare workers after the COVID-19 pandemic:A multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Healthcare workers(HCWs)are at increased risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)as well as worsening mental health problems and insomnia.These problems can persist for a long period,even after the pandemic.However,less is known about this topic.AIM To analyze mental health,insomnia problems,and their influencing factors in HCWs after the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS This multicenter cross-sectional,hospital-based study was conducted from June 1,2023 to June 30,2023,which was a half-year after the end of the COVID-19 emergency.Region-stratified population-based cluster sampling was applied at the provincial level for Chinese HCWs.Symptoms such as anxiety,depression,and insomnia were evaluated by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and Insomnia Severity Index.Factors influencing the symptoms were identified by multivariable logistic regression.RESULTS A total of 2000 participants were invited,for a response rate of 70.6%.A total of 1412 HCWs[618(43.8%)doctors,583(41.3%)nurses and 211(14.9%)nonfrontline],254(18.0%),231(16.4%),and 289(20.5%)had symptoms of anxiety,depression,and insomnia,respectively;severe symptoms were found in 58(4.1%),49(3.5%),and 111(7.9%)of the participants.Nurses,female sex,and hospitalization for COVID-19 were risk factors for anxiety,depression,and insomnia symptoms;moreover,death from family or friends was a risk factor for insomnia symptoms.During the COVID-19 outbreak,most[1086(76.9%)]of the participating HCWs received psychological interventions,while nearly all[994(70.4%)]of them had received public psychological education.Only 102(7.2%)of the HCWs received individual counseling from COVID-19.CONCLUSION Although the mental health and sleep problems of HCWs were relieved after the COVID-19 pandemic,they still faced challenges and greater risks than did the general population.Identifying risk factors would help in providing targeted interventions.In addition,although a major proportion of HCWs have received public psychological education,individual interventions are still insufficient.

Construction and evaluation of a liver cancer risk prediction model based on machine learning

BACKGROUND Liver cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide,and its early detection and treatment are crucial for enhancing patient survival rates and quality of life.However,the early symptoms of liver cancer are often not obvious,resulting in a late-stage diagnosis in many patients,which significantly reduces the effectiveness of treatment.Developing a highly targeted,widely applicable,and practical risk prediction model for liver cancer is crucial for enhancing the early diagnosis and long-term survival rates among affected individuals.AIM To develop a liver cancer risk prediction model by employing machine learning techniques,and subsequently assess its performance.METHODS In this study,a total of 550 patients were enrolled,with 190 hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and 195 cirrhosis patients serving as the training cohort,and 83 HCC and 82 cirrhosis patients forming the validation cohort.Logistic regression(LR),support vector machine(SVM),random forest(RF),and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression models were developed in the training cohort.Model performance was assessed in the validation cohort.Additionally,this study conducted a comparative evaluation of the diagnostic efficacy between the ASAP model and the model developed in this study using receiver operating characteristic curve,calibration curve,and decision curve analysis(DCA)to determine the optimal predictive model for assessing liver cancer risk.RESULTS Six variables including age,white blood cell,red blood cell,platelet counts,alpha-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II levels were used to develop LR,SVM,RF,and LASSO regression models.The RF model exhibited superior discrimination,and the area under curve of the training and validation sets was 0.969 and 0.858,respectively.These values significantly surpassed those of the LR(0.850 and 0.827),SVM(0.860 and 0.803),LASSO regression(0.845 and 0.831),and ASAP(0.866 and 0.813)models.Furthermore,calibration and DCA indicated that the RF model exhibited robust calibration and clinical validity.CONCLUSION The RF model demonstrated excellent prediction capabilities for HCC and can facilitate early diagnosis of HCC in clinical practice.

Long-term antiviral efficacy of entecavir and liver histology improvement in Chinese patients with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis

AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of 240-wk treatment with entecavir(0.5 mg) in Chinese nucleosidenaive patients with cirrhosis.METHODS: A total of 204 nucleoside-naive patients with compensated(n = 96) or decompensated(n = 108) hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced cirrhosis at the Department of Gastroenterology of the China-Japan Union Hospital(Jilin University, Changchun, China) who were treated with entecavir(0.5 mg) for 240 wk were enrolled in this study. Liver biopsy samples obtained from 38 patients prior to treatment(baseline) and at week 240 were evaluated by different independent histopathologists. Efficacy assessments included the proportions of patients who achieved an HBV DNA level < 500 copies/m L, the association of interleukin-28 B genetic variation with antivirus therapy, clinical outcomes, and histologic improvement. Changes in liver disease severity were analyzed, and liver histologic evaluation was performed in 38 patients with paired biopsies. Student t tests were used to compare the means of continuous variables between the groups, and the proportions of patients who achieved the endpoints were compared using the χ2 test.RESULTS: At week 240, 87.5% of the patients with compensated cirrhosis and 92.6% of the patients with decompensated cirrhosis achieved a HBV DNA level < 500 copies/m L. Three patients had genotypic entecavir resistance within the 240-wk period. No significant association was observed between virologic response and interleukin-28 genotype(CT, 88.2% vs CC, 90.6%). The proportion of patients with Child-Pughclass A disease was significantly increased at week 240(68%) from the baseline(47%; P < 0.01). The proportion of patients with Child-Pugh class B disease was significantly decreased at week 240(25%) from the baseline(39%; P = 0.02). In the patients with paired liver biopsies, the mean reduction in the Knodell necroinflammatory score from the baseline was 3.58 ± 1.03 points(7.11 ± 1.80 vs 3.53 ± 1.35, P < 0.01). The mean reduction in Ishak fibrosis score from the baseline was 1.26 ± 0.64 points(5.58 ± 0.50 vs 4.32 ± 0.81, P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: Entecavir is an effective treatment option for patients with HBV-related compensated or decompensated cirrhosis that can result in sustained virologic suppression and histologic improvement.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Effectively Alleviates Arrhythmias in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea:Possible Relationship with Counteracting Oxidative Stress

This work is aimed at exploring the clinical efficacy of continuous positive airway pressuie(CPAP)in treatment of patients with arrhythmias combined with obstructive sleep apnea(OSA).Through evaluating serum native thiol,malonaldehyde(MDA)and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase(NADPH oxidase)in these patients and describing the effects on oxidative parameters of CPAP therapy for 3 months,we confirmed the impact of oxidative stress on arrhythmias.A total of 64 patients with OSA combined with arrhythmias were collected from April 2014 to April 2017 with full clinical information.Patients were divided into two groups(paired experiment design):32 patients in group A(control group),who received unchanged anti-arrhythmia treatment and 32 patients in group B,who were subjected to unchanged pharmacological anti-arrhythmia therapy combined with CPAP.OSA related parameters were compared between the two groups after 3-month therapy.And the levels of parameters of oxidative stress in patients were measured before and after CPAP therapy.After 3 months of CPAP therapy,compared with the control group,the percentage of sage N3(NREM 3)and stage R(REM)in total sleep time was significantly increased,while apnea-hypopnea index(AHI)and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS)score were evidently decreased.Meanwhile,the lowest oxygen saturation(LSpCh)was also elevated after CPAP treatment for 3 months.The CPAP therapy significantly prevented the occurrence of arrhythmias(P<0.05).Both the MDA level and NADPH oxidase levels were significantly lower in the group B than in the group A(P<0.05).But serum native thiol was improved by CPAP treatment(P<0.05).In conclusion,proper use of CPAP therapy provides significant benefits for the treatment of arrhythmia in patients with OSA.

Magnesium transporter AtMGT9 is essential for pollen development in Arabidopsis

Magnesium （Mg^2＋） is abundant in plant cells and plays a critical role in many physiological processes. A 10-member gene family AtMGT （also known as AtMRS2） was identified in Arabidopsis, which belongs to a eukaryote subset of the CorA superfamily, functioning as Mg^2＋ transporters. Some family members （AtMGT1 and AtMGT10） function as high-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter and could complement bacterial mutant or yeast mutant lacking Mg^2＋ transport capability. Here we report an AtMGT family member, AtMGT9, that functions as a low-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter, and is essential for pollen development. The functional complementation assay in Salmonella mutant strain MM281 showed that AtMGT9 is capable of mediating Mg^2＋ uptake in the sub-millimolar range of Mg^2＋. The AtMGT9 gene was expressed most strongly in mature anthers and was also detectable in vascular tissues of the leaves, and in young roots. Disruption of AtMGT9 gene expression resulted in abortion of half of the mature pollen grains in heterozygous mutant ＋/mgt9, and no homozygous mutant plant was obtained in the progeny of selfed ＋/mgt9 plants. Transgenic plants expressing AtMGT9 in these heterozygous plants can recover the pollen phenotype to the wild type. In addition, At- MGT9 RNAi transgenic plants also showed similar abortive pollen phenotype to mutant ＋/mgt9. Together, our results demonstrate that AtMGT9 functions as a low-affinity Mg^2＋ transporter that plays a crucial role in male gametophyte development and male fertility.

Two New Steroidal Saponins from Ypsilandra thibetica

Two new monosaccharide steroidal saponins,named ypsilandroside S(1)and ypsilandroside T(2),have been isolated from the whole plants of Ypsilandra thibetica.Their structures were elucidated as heloniogenin 3-O-b-D-apiofuranoside(1)and pregna 5,16-dien-3b,12a-diol-20-one-3-O-b-D-apiofuranoside(2)by spectroscopic techniques(1D and 2D NMR,MS).Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells.

Relationship among the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances, heat resistance, and bioleaching ability of Metallosphaera sedula

This paper describes the investigation of the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)by an extremely thermoacidophilic archaea,Metallosphaera sedula(M.sedula),during the bioleaching of pyrite under different temperatures and discusses the relationship among the EPS secretion,its heat resistance,and its ability to bioleach pyrite.The investigation results indicate that the amount of extracellular proteins is significantly higher than the amount of extracellular polysaccharides in the extracted EPS whether free cells or attached cells;these results are quite different from the behavior of mesophilic Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.Although the growth of M.sedula is inhibited at 80℃,the bioleaching ability of M.sedula is only slightly lower than that at the optimum growth temperature of 72℃ because of the heat resistance mechanism based on EPS secretion.The secretion of more extracellular proteins is an important heat resistance mechanism of M.sedula.

Regulatory polymorphism of CXCL10 rs1439490 in seronegative occult hepatitis C virus infection

AIM To examine the relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism CXCL10 rs1439490 and seronegative occult hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection(OCI).METHODS One hundred and three cases of seronegative OCI and 155 cases of seropositive chronic HCV infection(CHC) were diagnosed at five Liver Centers in Northeastern China, from 2012 to 2016. CXCL10 rs1439490, rs1440802, and IL-28 B rs12979860 were analyzed by sequencing. Serum CXCL10 was measured by ELISA. Intrahepatic CXCL10 was determined by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical semi-quantitative scoring. Liver necroinflammation and fibrosis were scored according to the METAVIR system.RESULTS CXCL10 rs1439490 G/G was more prevalent in OCI patients(n = 93/103; 90.3%) than in CHC patients(n = 116/155; 74.8%; P = 0.008). OCI patients had lower serum CXCL10 levels than CHC patients(192.91 ± 46.50 pg/mL vs 354.78 ± 102.91 pg/mL, P < 0.0001). Of IL-28 B rs12979860 C/C patients, OCI patients with rs1439490 G/G had lower serum and liver levels of CXCL10 and lower levels of liver necroinflammation and fibrosis than non-G/G patients. OCI patients had higher alanine aminotransferase normalization rates after Peginterferon treatment than CHC patients(P < 0.05) and serum CXCL10 decreased significantly(P < 0.0001). Liver necroinflammation and fibrosis were alleviated in 8 OCI patients after treatment. Multivariate analysis indicated that rs1439490 G/G significantly influenced the occurrence of OCI in HCV infection(OR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.15-0.66, P = 0.002).CONCLUSION CXCL10 rs1439490 G/G is positively associated with OCI in HCV infection and antiviral outcome.

Profiling of gene fusion involving targetable genes in Chinese gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Approximately half of all new cases of gastric cancer(GC)and related deaths occur in China.More than 80%of patients with GC are diagnosed at an advanced stage,which results in poor prognosis.Although HER2-directed therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been somewhat successful,new drugs are still needed for the treatment of GC.Notably,several gene fusion-targeted drugs have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for solid tumors,including GC,such as larotrectinib for NTRK fusion-positive cancers and zenocutuzumab for NRG1 fusion-positive cancers.However,gene fusions involving targetable genes have not been well characterized in Chinese patients with GC.AIM To identify the profile of fusions involving targetable genes in Chinese patients with GC using clinical specimens and determine the distribution of patients with gene fusion variants among the molecular subtypes of GC.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed gene fusion events in tumor tissue samples from 954 Chinese patients with GC.Clinicopathological characteristics were obtained from their medical records.Genetic alterations,such as single nucleotide variants,indels,amplifications,and gene fusions,were identified using a targeted sequencing panel containing 825 genes.Fusions were validated by fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)using break-apart probes.The microsatellite instability(MSI)status was evaluated using MSIsensor from the targeted sequencing panel data.Tumor mutational burden(TMB)was calculated using the total number of nonsynonymous mutations divided by the total genomic targeted region.Chi-square analysis was used to determine the enrichment of gene fusions associated with the molecular subtypes of GC.RESULTS We found that 1.68%(16/954)of patients harbored 20 fusion events involving targetable genes.RARA fusions(n=5)were the most common,followed by FGFR2,BRAF,MET,FGFR3,RET,ALK,EGFR,NTRK2,and NRG1 fusions.Two of the RARA fusions,EML4-ALK(E6:E20)and EGFRSEPTIN14(E7:E10),have been identified in other tumors but not in GC.Surprisingly,18 gene fusion events were previously not reported in any cancer types.Twelve of the eighteen novel gene fusions included complete exons encoding functional domains of targetable genes,such as the tyrosine kinase domain of receptor tyrosine kinases and the DNA-and ligand-binding domains of RARA.Consistent with the results of detection using the targeted sequencing fusion panel,the results of FISH(fluorescence in situ hybridization)confirmed the rearrangement of FGFR2 and BRAF in tumors from patients 04 and 09,respectively.Genetic analysis indicated that the fusion genes were significantly enriched in patients with ERBB2 amplification(P=0.02);however,there were no significant differences between fusion-positive and fusion-negative patients in age,sex,MSI status,and TMB.CONCLUSION We characterized the landscape of fusions involving targetable genes in a Chinese GC cohort and found that 1.68%of patients with GC harbor potential targetable gene fusions,which were enriched in patients with ERBB2 amplification.Gene fusion detection may provide a potential treatment strategy for patients with GC with disease progression following standard therapy.

High critical current density in Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4)Ta_(0.6)O_(12) electrolyte via interfacial engineering with complex hydride

Garnet-type solid-state batteries(SSBs)are considered to be one of the most promising candidates to realize next-generation lithium metal batteries with high energy density and safety.However,the dendrite-induced short-circuit and the poor interfacial contact impeded the practical application.Herein,interface engineering to achieve low interfacial resistance without high temperature calcination was developed,which Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4)Ta_(0.6)O_(12)(LLZTO)was simply coated with complex hydride(Li_(4)(BH_(4))_(3)I(3L1L))in various mass ratios n(Li_(4)(BH_(4))_(3)I)-(100−n)LLZTO(10≤n≤40).The interfacial conductivity increases by more than three orders of magnitude from 8.29×10^(−6)S·cm^(−1)to 1.10×10^(−2)S·cm^(−1).Symmetric Li cells exhibit a high critical current density(CCD)of 4.0 mA·cm^(−2) and an excellent cycling stability for 200 h at 4.0 mA·cm^(−2).SSBs with polymeric sulfur-polyacrylonitrile(SPAN)cathode achieve a high discharge capacity of 1149 mAh·g^(−1) with a capacity retention of 91%after 100 cycles(0.2 C).This attempt guides a simple yet efficient strategy for obtaining a stable Li/LLZTO interface,which would promote the development of solid-state batteries.

Combining clinical parameters and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging to stratify biopsy-naïve men for an optimum diagnostic strategy with prostate-specific antigen 4 ng ml^(−1) to 10 ng ml^(−1)

We attempted to perform risk categories based on the free/total prostate-specific antigen ratio (%fPSA), prostate-specific antigen(PSA) density (PSAD, in ng ml^(−2)), and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) step by step, with the goal ofdetermining the best clinical diagnostic strategy to avoid unnecessary tests and prostate biopsy (PBx) in biopsy-naïve men with PSAlevels ranging from 4 ng ml^(−1) to 10 ng ml^(−1). We included 439 patients who had mpMRI and PBx between August 2018 and July2021 (West China Hospital, Chengdu, China). To detect clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) on PBx, receiver-operatingcharacteristic (ROC) curves and their respective area under the curve were calculated. Based on %fPSA, PSAD, and ProstateImaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores, the negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) werecalculated sequentially. The optimal %fPSA threshold was determined to be 0.16, and the optimal PSAD threshold was 0.12 for%fPSA ≥0.16 and 0.23 for %fPSA <0.16, respectively. When PSAD <0.12 was combined with patients with %fPSA ≥0.16, the NPVof csPCa increased from 0.832 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.766–0.887) to 0.931 (95% CI: 0.833–0.981);the detection rateof csPCa was similar when further stratified by PI-RADS scores (P = 0.552). Combining %fPSA <0.16 with PSAD ≥0.23 ng ml^(−2)predicted significantly more csPCa patients than those with PSAD <0.23 ng ml^(−2) (58.4% vs 26.7%, P < 0.001). Using PI-RADSscores 4 and 5, the PPV was 0.739 (95% CI: 0.634–0.827) when further stratified by mpMRI results. In biopsy-naïve patientswith PSA level of 4–10 ng ml^(−1), stratification of %fPSA and PSAD combined with PI-RADS scores may be useful in the decisionmaking process prior to undergoing PBx.

The role of prostate-specific antigen density and negative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in excluding prostate cancer for biopsynaive men:clinical outcomes from a high-volume center in China

This study aimed to assess the role of prostate-specific antigen density(PSAD)and negative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mpMRI)in predicting prostate cancer for biopsy-naive men based on a large cohort of the Chinese population.From a prostate biopsy database between March 2017 and July 2021,we retrospectively identified 240 biopsy-naive patients with negative prebiopsy mpMRI(Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2[PI-RADS v2]score<3).Logistic regression analysis was performed to select the potential predictors for clinically significant prostate cancer(csPCa).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis and area under the ROC curve(AUC)were performed to assess the diagnostic accuracy.The negative predictive values of mpMRI in excluding any cancer and csPCa were 83.8%(201/240)and 90.8%(218/240),respectively.R0C curve analysis indicated that PSAD was the most promising predictor,with an AUC value of 0.786(95%confidence interval[CI]:0.699-0.874),and multiparametric logistic regression analysis confirmed that higher PSAD remained a significant marker for predicting csPCa(odds ratio[0R]:10.99,95%CI:2.75-44.02,P<0.001).Combining negative mpMRI and PSAD below 0.20 ng ml^(-2)obviously increased the predictive value in excluding PCa(91.0%,101/111)or csPCa(100.0%,111/111).If a PSAD below 0.20 ng ml^(-2)was set as the criterion to omit biopsy,nearly 46.3%of patients(463 per 1000)with negative mpMRI could safely avoid unnecessary biopsy,with approximately 4.2%of patients(42 per 1000)at risk of missed diagnosis of PCa and no patients with csPCa missed.A PI-RADS v2 score<3 and a PSAD<0.20 ng ml^(-2)could be potential criteria for the Chinese population to omit prompt biopsy safely.

Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate in prostate biopsy samples: correlation with aggressive pathological features after radical prostatectomy and prognostic value in high-risk prostate cancer

Intraductal carcinoma of the prostate(IDC-P)is an aggressive pathological pattern of prostate cancer(PCa).We investigated the association of IDC-P in prostate biopsy(PBx)with several pathological features after radical prostatectomy(RP)and its prognostic value in high-risk PCa.A total of 418 patients with high-risk PCa after RP were included in this study.IDC-P and its architectural patterns were identified according to the 2016 World Health Organization Classification.Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to investigate the correlation between IDC-P and post-RP pathological features.Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were applied to explore the prognostic value of IDC-P.IDC-P was identified in PBx in 36/418(8.6%)patients.Logistic regression indicated that IDC-P in PBx was independently associated with several pathological features of RP,including Gleason score 8-10(P<0.001),seminal vesicular invasion(P<0.001),and pathological T(pT)3a(P=0.043).Patients with IDC-P in PBx manifested poorer biochemical-free survival(BFS)than those without IDC-P(37.47 months vs not reached,P<0.001).The addition of IDC-P in several prognostic nomograms could improve the predictive accuracy of these tools.We conclude that IDC-P in PBx is positively associated with several aggressive pathological features after RP in high-risk PCa.In addition,IDC-P in PBx could effectively predict the BFS of high-risk PCa patients after RP.

Efficient hierarchical identity based encryption scheme in the standard model over lattices

Using lattice basis delegation in a fixed dimension, we propose an efficient lattice-based hierarchical identity based encryption（HIBE） scheme in the standard model whose public key size is only（dm^2＋ mn） log q bits and whose message-ciphertext expansion factor is only log q, where d is the maximum hierarchical depth and（n, m, q）are public parameters. In our construction, a novel public key assignment rule is used to averagely assign one random and public matrix to two identity bits, which implies that d random public matrices are enough to build the proposed HIBE scheme in the standard model, compared with the case in which 2d such public matrices are needed in the scheme proposed at Crypto 2010 whose public key size is（2dm^2＋ mn ＋ m） log q. To reduce the message-ciphertext expansion factor of the proposed scheme to log q, the encryption algorithm of this scheme is built based on Gentry＇s encryption scheme, by which m^2 bits of plaintext are encrypted into m^2 log q bits of ciphertext by a one time encryption operation. Hence, the presented scheme has some advantages with respect to not only the public key size but also the message-ciphertext expansion factor. Based on the hardness of the learning with errors problem, we demonstrate that the scheme is secure under selective identity and chosen plaintext attacks.

Stabilization technology and corrosion mechanism of rust layer on Q370 weathering steel surface

A newly developed rust layer on Q370qENH weathering steel(sample C)was studied under dry–wet cycle test of 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution and salt spray test,compared with the bare weathering steel(sample A)and the weathering steel with additive contents(CuSO_(4)0.2,FeSO_(4)0.1,NaHSO_(3)0.02,NaCl 0.02,Na_(2)HPO_(4)0.01,and water balance,in mass%,termed as sample B).Corrosion mechanism of Q370qENH weathering steel after different surface treatments was investigated by means of surface potential scanning,mass change,polarization curve,and X-ray diffraction.The results of X-ray diffraction indicate that rust of bare weathering steel has rare Fe_(3)O_(4),and a dense oxide layer mainly composed of Fe_(3)O_(4) is formed on rust of both sample B and sample C.The surface potential of sample A gradually increases to−0.2 V in the dry–wet cycle test,while the surface potential of sample A maintains at about−0.6 V in the salt spray test.The surface potential of sample B and sample C is higher than that of sample A in the early stage and remains stable during the short-term accelerated corrosion test.Moreover,the mass change of sample C gradually stabilizes with time in the dry–wet cycle and salt spray test.The corrosion current of the sample A is lower than that of sample C in the initial stage of short-term accelerated corrosion test.However,the corrosion current of sample C is smaller than that of the sample A in the experiment.The main components of the deep rust of sample A areγ-FeOOH andα-FeOOH,while those of the deep rust of sample B and sample C are Fe_(3)O_(4).

Laparoscopic Retrieval of a Tilted Inferior Vena Cava Filter

To the Editor： Retrievable inferior vena cava （IVC） filter placement has been on the rise over the years, but only a small percentage of retrievable IVC filters have been removed, ranging between 10.1% and 38.9%. Laparoscopic retrieval of IVC filter case report was available since 2015, the filter hook in the case report was seen clearly protruding from the anterior wall of the cava, and there was no need for vena cavotomy and reconstruction. In this case, the IVC filter tip was embedded in the posterior wall and cavotomy was required. Very few studies have reported the laparoscopic IVC filter retrieval through vena cavotomy and reconstruction.

ZnGeP2:A near-infrared-activated photocatalyst for hydrogen production

In this work,we prepared ZnGeP2(ZGP)photocatalyst using single flat temperature zone(SFT)method in a vacuum quartz ampoule.The XRD,SEM,EDS,DRS and XPS were used to characterize the crystal structure,morphology,elemental content,optical absorption and band gap structure of ZGP.The results of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and apparent quantum efficiency show that ZGP is a promising photocatalyst for hydrogen production both under visible and near-infrared light irradiation.In addition,it is also found that adding the common stabilizer H3PO2 and ultrasonic treatment can efficiently improve the photocatalytic activity and stability of ZGP.

Electrical characterization of integrated passive devices using thin film technology for 3D integration

With the development of 3D integration technology, microsystems with vertical interconnects are attracting attention from researchers and industry applications. Basic elements of integrated passive devices （IPDs）, including inductors, capacitors, and resistors, could dramatically save the tbotprint of the system, optimize the form factor, and improve the performance of radio frequency （RF） systems. In this paper, IPDs using thin film built-up technology are introduced, and the design and characterization of coplanar waveguides （CPWs）, inductors, and capacitors are presented.

GCH1 variants contribute to the risk and earlier age-at-onset of Parkinson's disease:a two-cohort case-control study

Background:Common and rare variants of guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1(GCH1)gene may play important roles in Parkinson's disease(PD).However,there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of GCH1 genotypes,especially in non-coding regions.The aim of this study was to explore the genetic characteristics of GCH1,including rare and common variants in coding and non-coding regions,in a large population of PD patients in Chinese mainland,as well as the phenotypic characteristics of GCH1 variant carriers.Methods:In the first cohort of this case-control study,we performed whole-exome sequencing in 1555 patients with early-onset or familial PD and 2234 healthy controls;then in the second cohort,whole-genome sequencing was performed in sporadic late-onset PD samples(1962 patients),as well as 1279 controls.Variants at target GCH1 regions were extracted,and then genetic and detailed phenotypic data were analyzed using regression models and the sequence kernel association test.We also performed a meta-analysis to correlate deleterious GCH1 variants with age at onset(AAO)in PD patients.Results:For coding variants,we identified a significant burden of GCH1 deleterious variants in early-onset or familial PD cases compared to controls(1.2%VS 0.1%,P<0.0001).In the analysis of possible regulatory variants in GCH1 non-coding regions,rs12323905(P=0.001,odds ratio=1.19,95%CI 1.07-1.32)was significantly associated with PD,and variant sets in untranslated regions and intron regions,GCH1 brain-specific expression quantitative trait loci,and two possible promoter/enhancer(GH14J054857 and GH14J054880)were suggestively associated with PD.Genotype phenotype correlation analysis revealed that the carriers of GCH1 deleterious variants manifested younger AAO(P<0.0001),and had milder motor symptoms,milder fatigue symptoms and more autonomic nervous dysfunctions.Meta-analysis of six studies demonstrated 6.4-year earlier onset in GCH1 deleterious variant carriers(P=0.0009).Conclusions:The results highlight the importance of deleterious variants and non-coding variants of GCH1 in PD in Chinese mainland and suggest that GCH1 mutation can influence the PD phenotype,which may help design experimental studies to elucidate the mechanisms of GCH1 in the pathogenesis of PD.