A high-performance quantum dot superluminescent diode with a two-section structure

Based on InAs/GaAs quantum dots [QDs], a high-power and broadband superluminescent diode [SLD] is achieved by monolithically integrating a conventional SLD with a semiconductor optical amplifier. The two-section QD-SLD device exhibits a high output power above 500 mW with a broad emission spectrum of 86 nm. By properly controlling the current injection in the two sections of the QD-SLD device, the output power of the SLD can be tuned over a wide range from 200 to 500 mW while preserving a broad emission spectrum based on the balance between the ground state emission and the first excited state emission of QDs. The gain process of the two-section QD-SLD with different pumping levels in the two sections is investigated

Research trends and hot spots in global nanotechnology applications in liver cancer: a bibliometric and visual analysis (2000-2022)

BackgroundLiver cancer (LC) is one of the most common malignancies. Currently, nanotechnology has made great progress in LC research, and many studies on LC nanotechnology have been published. This study aims to discuss the current status, hot spots, and research trends in this field through bibliometric analysis.MethodsThe Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was searched for papers related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) included from January 2000 to November 2022, and its research hotspots and trends were visualized and analyzed with the help of VOSviewer. In addition, a search was conducted to find LC papers related to nanotechnology. Then we used the visual analysis software VOSviewer and CiteSpace to evaluate the contributions of countries/regions, authors, and journals related to the topic and analyze keywords to understand the research priorities and hot spots in the field as well as the development direction.ResultsThere are 1908 papers in the highly cited literature on LC, and its research hotspots are pathogenesis, risk factors, and survival rate. The literature on the application of nanotechnology in LC had 921 papers. Among them, China (n=560, 60.8%) and the United States (n=170, 18.5%) were the countries with the highest number of published papers. Wang Yan (n=11) and Llovet JM (n=131) were the first authors and co-cited authors, respectively. The International Journal of Nanomedicine was the most prolific academic journal (n=41). In addition to “hepatocellular carcinoma” and “nanoparticles”, the most frequent keyword was “drug delivery”. In recent years, “metastasis” and “diagnosis” appeared in the keyword bursts. This indicates that the application of nanoparticles in the early diagnosis and drug delivery of LC (including liver metastasis) has a good prospect.ConclusionNanotechnology has received more and more attention in the medical field in recent years. As nanoparticles are easily localized in organelles and cells, they can increase drug permeability in tumor tissues, improve drug delivery efficiency and reduce drug toxicity. Our research results were the first scientific evaluation of the application of nanotechnology in LC, providing scholars with research hotspots and development trends

Adjunctive granisetron therapy in patients with sepsis or septic shock (GRANTISS): A single-center, single-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Background: In preclinical experiments, we demonstrated that the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist granisetron results in reduced inflammation and improved survival in septic mice. This randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of granisetron in patients with sepsis.Methods: Adult patients with sepsis and procalcitonin ≥ 2 ng/ml were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenous granisetron (3 mg every 8 h) or normal saline at the same volume and frequency for 4 days or until intensive care unit discharge. The primary outcome was 28-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included the duration of supportive therapies for organ function, changes in sequential organ failure assessment scores over 96 h, procalcitonin reduction rate over 96 h, the incidence of new organ dysfunction, and changes in laboratory variable over 96 h. Adverse events were monitored as the safety outcome.Results: The modified intention-to-treat analysis included 150 septic patients. The 28-day all-cause mortalities in the granisetron and placebo groups were 34.7% and 35.6%, respectively (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.49–1.89). No differences were observed in secondary outcomes. In the subgroup analysis of patients without abdominal or digestive tract infections, the 28-day mortality in the granisetron group was 10.9% lower than mortality in the placebo group. Adverse events were not statistically different between the groups.Conclusion: Granisetron did not improve 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. However, a further clinical trial targeted to septic patients without abdominal/digestive tract infections perhaps is worthy of consideration

Resolving the genetic heterogeneity of prelingual hearing loss within one family: Performance comparison and application of two targeted next generation sequencing approaches.

published_or_final_versio

Efficacy and safety of low-dose IL-2 in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Objectives Open-labelled clinical trials suggested that low-dose IL-2 might be effective in treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A double-blind and placebocontrolled trial is required to formally evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose IL-2 therapy. Methods A randomised, double-blind and placebocontrolled clinical trial was designed to treat 60 patients with active SLE. These patients received either IL-2 (n=30) or placebo (n=30) with standard treatment for 12 weeks, and were followed up for additional 12 weeks. IL-2 at a dose of 1 million IU or placebo was administered subcutaneously every other day for 2 weeks and followed by a 2-week break as one treatment cycle. The primary endpoint was the SLE Responder Index-4 (SRI-4) at week 12. The secondary endpoints were other clinical responses, safety and dynamics of immune cell subsets. Results At week 12, the SRI-4 response rates were 55.17% and 30.00% for IL-2 and placebo, respectively (p=0.052). At week 24, the SRI-4 response rate of IL-2 group was 65.52%, compared with 36.67% of the placebo group (p=0.027). The primary endpoint was not met at week 12. Low-dose IL-2 treatment resulted in 53.85% (7/13) complete remission in patients with lupus nephritis, compared with 16.67% (2/12) in the placebo group (p=0.036). No serious infection was observed in the IL-2 group, but two in placebo group. Besides expansion of regulatory T cells, low-dose IL-2 may also sustain cellular immunity with enhanced natural killer cells. Conclusions Low-dose IL-2 might be effective and tolerated in treatment of SThe work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31530020,31570880,81471601,81601417 and 81701598), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences to ZG LI, Beijing Sci-Tech Committee Z171100000417007,Clinical Medicine Plus X-Young Scholars Project of Peking University (PKU2019LCXQ013) supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Beijing Nova Program Z171100001117025, National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFC0909003 to DY), BellberryViertel Senior Medical Research Fellowship to DY and Beijing SL PHARM

Experimental Investigation of MgAl-NO2 and MgAl-CO3 LDHs on Durability of Mortar and Concrete

Two kinds of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), MgAl-NO2 (N-LDH) and MgAl-CO3 (C-LDH), were incorporated to study the durability of mortar and concrete. The LDH contents of mortar were 1%, 2%, and 4% by mass and the LDH contents of concrete were 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4%, respectively. The effect of LDHs on sulfate resistance of mortar was studied through dry-wetting cycle test, compressive strength test, and flexural strength test. In addition, the effects of LDHs on pore structure, chloride resistance, carbonation resistance, shrinkage, and creep of concrete were investigated by SEM, mercury injection test, XRD, chloride ion diffusion coefficient test, chloride salt corrosion depth test, carbonation depth test, shrinkage test, and creep test. The results showed that LDHs can improve the ability of resisting ion corrosion, carbonization, shrinkage, and creep, reduce the pore content, and optimize the pore structure of mortar and concrete to some extent. Moreover, 4% LDHs had a better effect on improving the durability of mortar and concrete compared to 0.5%, 1%, and 2% LDHs, and the effect of C-LDH was better than N-LDH

Room Temperature Operation of Strain-Compensated 5.5μm Quantum Cascade Lasers

Room temperature operation is an important criterion for high performance of quantum cascade lasers. A strain-compensated quantum cascade laser（λ≈5.5μm） with optimized waveguide structure lasing at room temperature is reported. Accurate control of layer thickness and strain-compensated material composition is demonstrated using X-ray diffraction. An output power of at least 45mW per facet is realized for a 20μm-wide and 2mm-long laser at room temperature