Preparation of Monolayer MoS\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e Quantum Dots using Temporally Shaped Femtosecond Laser Ablation of Bulk MoS\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e Targets in Water

Zero-dimensional MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) possess distinct physical and chemical properties, which have garnered them considerable attention and facilitates their use in a broad range of applications. In this study, we prepared monolayer MoS2 QDs using temporally shaped femtosecond laser ablation of bulk MoS2 targets in water. The morphology, crystal structures, chemical, and optical properties of the MoS2 QDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectra, and photoluminescence spectra. The analysis results show that highly pure, uniform, and monolayer MoS2 QDs can be successfully prepared. Moreover, by temporally shaping a conventional single pulse into a two-subpulse train, the production rate of MoS2 nanomaterials (including nanosheets, nanoparticles, and QDs) and the ratio of small size MoS2 QDs can be substantially improved. The underlying mechanism is a combination of multilevel photoexfoliation of monolayer MoS2 and water photoionization–enhanced light absorption. The as-prepared MoS2 QDs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reactions because of the abundant active edge sites, high specific surface area, and excellent electrical conductivity. Thus, this study provides a simple and green alternative strategy for the preparation of monolayer QDs of transition metal dichalcogenides or other layered materials

1. スポロトリコーシス5例(第443回千葉医学会例会 第16回千葉皮膚科臨床談話会)

A potential stable stem-loop structure in the 5’-terminal sequence (left) and a triple stem-loop structure in 3’-terminal sequences (right) were predicted with a RNA structure software. (PDF 60 kb

Causal effects of gut microbiota on the risk of bipolar disorder: a Mendelian randomization study

BackgroundRecent studies have suggested a possible association between gut microbiota and bipolar disorder (BD). However, observational studies are limited and there are variations between the gut microbiota taxa found in different studies. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether there is a causal relationship between gut microbiota and bipolar disorder at the genetic level and to reveal trends in the effect of influential gut microbiota on the development of bipolar disorder.MethodsWe conducted a Mendelian randomisation (MR) study of summary statistics from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of gut microbiota and bipolar disorder. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was used as the primary method of statistical analysis, while results from the MR-Egger method, weighted median, weighted mode, and MR multiplicity residuals and outliers (MR-PRESSO) tests were used for additional validation.Cochrane’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, and MR-PRESSO global test were used to test MR results for stability and reliability.ResultWe identified 13 gut microbial taxa causally associated with bipolar disorder. Betaproteobacteria, Acidaminococcaceae, Eubacterium xylanophilum group, Butyricimonas, Peptococcus, Prevotella 7, Roseburia, Terrisporobacter, Burkholderiales and Desulfovibrionales increased the risk of BD, whereas Candidatus Soleaferrea, Ruminiclostridium 5 and Victivallis decreased the risk of BD. The results of the MR analysis were shown to be reliable in the sensitivity analysis.ConclusionWith the MR study, we analysed the causal relationship between 196 gut microbial taxa and bipolar disorder and also identified gut microbiota associated with the risk of developing bipolar disorder. Our findings provide new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of BD

Research on equity of medical resource allocation in Yangtze River Economic Belt under healthy China strategy

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the fairness of medical resource allocation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, based on the Healthy China strategy. It aimed to identify the issues with resource allocation fairness and provide optimization suggestions.MethodsTo assess the allocation fairness from a geographical population perspective, the study used the Health Resource Concentration and Entropy Weight TOPSIS methods. Additionally, the study analyzed the allocation fairness from an economic level angle, using the Concentration Curve and Concentration Index.ResultsThe study found that the downstream area had higher resource allocation fairness than the midstream and upstream areas. The middle reaches had more resources than the upper and lower reaches, based on population concentration. The Entropy Weight TOPSIS method found that Shanghai, Zhejiang, Chongqing, and Jiangsu had the highest comprehensive score index of agglomeration. Furthermore, from 2013 to 2019, the fairness of medical resource distribution gradually improved for different economic levels. Government health expenditure and medical beds were distributed more equitably, while general practitioners had the highest level of unfairness. However, except for medical and health institutions, traditional Chinese medicine institutions, and primary health institutions, other medical resources were mostly distributed to areas with better economic conditions.ConclusionThe study found that the fairness of medical resource allocation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt varied greatly based on geographical population distribution, with inadequate spatial accessibility and service accessibility. Although the fairness of distribution based on economic levels improved over time, medical resources were still concentrated in better economic areas. The study recommends improving regional coordinated development to enhance the fairness of medical resource allocation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

The effect of JuanBiQiangGu granules in combination with methotrexate on joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joint inflammation severely affects joint function and quality of life in patients and leads to joint deformities and limb disability. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in the treatment of RA do not fully control the progression of joint inflammation and bone destruction and have notable adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine formula JuanBiQiangGu Granules (JBQG) are commonly used for the treatment of RA inflammation and delay of bone destruction, but has not been evaluated through high-quality clinical studies. There is a pressing need for well-designed, randomized, parallel, controlled clinical studies to evaluate the exact effect of JBQG on RA joint inflammation and improvement of patient quality of life.Methods: This is a randomized, parallel, controlled clinical study in which 144 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. The JBQG group received methotrexate 7.5 mg qw and JBQG granules 8 mg tid, while the MTX group received methotrexate 7.5 mg qw. The endpoint was 12 weeks after treatment. Relevant indices at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment were observed and recorded, and DAS28-ESR, HAQ-DI, and Sharp scores were recorded for each patient. Blood samples were collected to test for CRP, ESR, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and INF-γ, and adverse reactions and liver and kidney function (AST, ALT, Cr, BUN) were recorded for safety assessment. After 12 weeks of treatment, the effect of JBQG granules on disease activity, improvement in bone damage, and patient quality of life scores and safety in RA patients were evaluated.Results: A total of 144 subjects completed treatment (71 in the JBQG group and 73 in the MTX group) and were included in the analysis. At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the observed indicators (p > 0.05). After treatment, 76.06% of patients in the JBQG group had DAS28-ESR levels below or equal to Low, including 45.07% in Remission and 5.63% in High, compared to 53.1% in the MTX group below or equal to Low, 12.33% in Remission, and 17.81% in High. CRP was significantly reduced (8.54 ± 5.87 vs. 11.86 ± 7.92, p < 0.05, p = 0.005), ESR was significantly reduced (15.1 ± 6.11 vs. 21.96 ± 9.19, p < 0.0001), TNF-α was significantly reduced (1.44 ± 0.83 vs. 1.85 ± 1.07, p < 0.05, p = 0.011), IL-17 was significantly reduced (0.53 ± 0.33 vs. 0.71 ± 0.38, p < 0.05, p = 0.004), and INF-γ was significantly reduced (3.2 ± 1.51 vs. 3.89 ± 1.77, p < 0.05, p = 0.014). The median (IQR) OPG in the JBQG group was 2.54 (2.21–3.01), significantly higher than in the MTX group 2.06 (1.81–2.32), p < 0.0001), and the median (IQR) β-CTX in the JBQG group was 0.4 (0.32–0.43), significantly lower than in the MTX group 0.55 (0.47–0.67), p < 0.0001). The median (IQR) VSA scores were 2 (1–3), a decrease from 3 (2–4) in the MTX group (p < 0.0001). The median (IQR) Sharp scores were 1 (1–2), a decrease from 2 (1–2) in the MTX group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05, p = 0.28). The median (IQR) HAQ-DI scores were 11 (8–16), significantly lower than in the MTX group 26 (16–30) (p < 0.0001). The median (IQR) AST in the JBQG group was 16 (12–20), with a significant difference compared to the MTX group 19 (13–25) (p < 0.01, p = 0.004); the median (IQR) ALT in the JBQG group was 14 (10–18), with a significant difference compared to the MTX group 16 (11–22.5) (p < 0.05, p = 0.015). There were no statistically significant differences in Cr or BUN (p > 0.05).Conclusion: JuanBiQiangGu Granules can be used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis, alleviate joint inflammation, reduce the incidence of adverse reactions to methotrexate, and has good safety.Clinical Trial Registration:http://www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn/index.html; identifier: ChiCTR2100046373

Therapeutic Effect of Large Channel Endoscopic Decompression in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic decompression (PED) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that is now used for not only disc herniation but also lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, few studies have reported endoscopic surgery for LSS. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the outcomes and safety of large channel endoscopic decompression.Methods: Forty-one patients diagnosed with LSS who underwent PED surgery were included in the study. The estimated blood loss, operative time, length of hospital stay, hospital costs, reoperations, complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and SF-36 physical-component summary scores were assessed. Preoperative and postoperative continuous data were compared through paired-samples t-tests. The significance level for all analyses was defined as p < 0.05.Results: A total of 41 consecutive patients underwent PED, including 21 (51.2%) males and 20 (48.8%) females. The VAS and ODI scores decreased from preoperatively to postoperatively, but the JOA and SF-36 physical component summary scores significantly increased. The VAS (lumbar) score decreased from 5.05 ± 2.33 to 0.45 ± 0.71 (P = 0.000); the VAS (leg) score decreased from 5.51 ± 2.82 to 0.53 ± 0.72 (P = 0.000); the ODI score decreased from 52.80 ± 20.41 to 4.84 ± 3.98 (P = 0.000), and the JOA score increased from 11.73 ± 4.99 to 25.32 ± 2.12 (P = 0.000). Only 1 patient experienced an intraoperative complication (2.4%; dural tear), and 1 patient required reoperation (2.4%).Conclusions: Surgical treatment for LSS is to sufficiently decompress and minimize the trauma and complications caused by surgery. This study did not reveal any obvious shortcomings of PED and suggested PED is a safe and effective treatment for LSS