A simple, eco-friendly and convenient procedure has been developed for the synthesis of diphenyl diselinides from readily available aryl boronic acids by reaction with SeO2 in the presence of iodine under simple conditions. The methodology is reported about 19 examples and applicable to a broad scope of aryl boronic acids containing electron-rich and electron-poor substituents. Apart from being milder and environmentally benign conditions, this synthetic protocol comprises a novel, reliable methodology to give good to...

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) accounts for approximately 10,000 annual cases of severe encephalitis in Europe and Asia and causes encephalitis in humans. In this study, we demonstrate TBEV appears to activate the interferon (IFN)-β dependent on RIG-I/MDA5. Both the IFN-β accumulation and the IFN stimulated genes (ISGs) transcription greatly delay. Further studies reveal that TBEV NS4A could block the phosphorylation and dimerization of STAT1/STAT2 to affect type I and II IFN-mediated STAT signalling. Additional data...

One of the major goals in HIV-1 vaccine development is to achieve properly folded and stabilized envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers that mimic the native Env on the mature virion. Here, we design and characterize uncleaved prefusion-optimized (UFO) trimers for 12 Envs currently circulating in China. Biochemical and biophysical characterization of these UFO trimers identified two subtype B/Bʹ Envs, CNE6 and MG13, which exhibited the highest trimer content and stability at a level comparable to the...

One of the major goals in HIV-1 vaccine development is to achieve properly folded and stabilized envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers that mimic the native Env on the mature virion. Here, we design and characterize uncleaved prefusion-optimized (UFO) trimers for 12 Envs currently circulating in China. Biochemical and biophysical characterization of these UFO trimers identified two subtype B/Bʹ Envs, CNE6 and MG13, which exhibited the highest trimer content and stability at a level comparable to the...

In this work, a novel xonotlite nanocomposite was synthesised with abandoned eggshell by hydrothermal method, and organic-modified with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) for the removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from wastewater. The xonotlite and organic-modified xonotlite were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunner-Emmet-Teller (BET) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. The effect of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial concentrations were also investigated. The organic-modified xonotlite was found to...

A Bayesian group sequential design is proposed that performs survival comparisons within patient subgroups in randomized trials where treatment–subgroup interactions may be present. A latent subgroup membership variable is assumed to allow the design to adaptively combine homogeneous subgroups, or split heterogeneous subgroups, to improve the procedure’s within-subgroup power. If a baseline covariate related to survival is available, the design may incorporate this information to improve subgroup identification while basing the comparative test on the...

Different primers/probes sets have been developed all over the world for the nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2 by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) as a standard method. In our recent study, we explored the feasibility of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for clinical SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection compared with qRT-PCR using the same primer/probe sets issued by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) targeting viral ORF1ab or N gene, which showed that...

Quantitative real time PCR (RT-PCR) is widely used as the gold standard for clinical detection of SARS-CoV-2. However, due to the low viral load specimens and the limitations of RT-PCR, significant numbers of false negative reports are inevitable, which results in failure to timely diagnose, cut off transmission, and assess discharge criteria. To improve this situation, an optimized droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) was used for detection of SARS-CoV-2, which showed that the limit of detection...

Background: Novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) is prevalent around the world. We aimed to describe epidemiological features and clinical course in Shanghai. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 325 cases admitted at Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, between January 20 and February 29, 2020. Results: 47.4% (154/325) had visited Wuhan within 2 weeks of illness onset. 57.2% occurred in 67 clusters; 40% were situated within 53 family clusters. 83.7% developed fever during the disease course. Median times from...

We studied plasma antibody responses of 35 patients about 1 month after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Titers of antibodies binding to the viral nucleocapsid and spike proteins were significantly higher in patients with severe disease. Likewise, mean antibody neutralization titers against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and live virus were higher in the sicker patients, by ∼5-fold and ∼7-fold, respectively. These findings have important implications for those pursuing plasma therapy, isolation of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, and determinants of immunity.

COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and was initially discovered in Wuhan. This outbreak quickly spread all over China and then to more than 20 other countries. SARS-CoV-2 fluorescent microsphere immunochromatographic test strips were prepared by the combination of time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay with a lateral flow assay. The analytical performance and clinical evaluation of this testing method was done and the clinical significance of the testing method was verified. The LLOD of SARS-CoV-2 antibody IgG...

Additional file 1. Completed Standard Protocol Items: Recommendation for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) 2013 Checklist: items addressed in this clinical trial protocol.

Electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) of polyvinylidene fluoride which is known as solid phase extraction materials were fabricated through electrospinning technology. Different electrospinning conditions including polymer content, spinning voltage and flow rate were investigated. The optimal operation conditions for electrospun process were set at 12% of PVDF mass fraction, 12 kV of spinning voltage, 0.5 mL h−1 of flow rate, 15 cm of receiving distance, 22 °C of spinning temperature and 45% of environmental humidity. The...

Additional file 1. Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) 2013 checklist.

Supplemental Material, sj-pdf-1-jfi-10.1177_0192513X211041992 for Loneliness Among Chinese Older Adults: The Role of Grandparenthood and Grandparental Childcare by Gender by Jing Zhang, Tineke Fokkema and Bruno Arpino in Journal of Family Issues

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is emerging as a major threat to the global swine industry. Clinical PEDV infection is associated with severe intestinal lesions, resulting in absorptive dysfunction and high mortality rates in suckling piglets. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of intestinal tissue, providing a structural framework and conveying tissue-specific signals to nearby enterocytes. In this study, we investigated the extensive ECM remodeling observed in intestinal epithelial cells infected with PEDV...

This work studied the physical properties of three deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and their catalytic activity in the esterification of palmitic acid and ethanol. Three types of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were successfully prepared using p-toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA) as hydrogen bond donor (HBD) with dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC), tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (TTAC) and octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (OTAC) as hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA). The freezing points of DESs were measured in...

Electrospun nanofiber membranes (ENMs) of polyvinylidene fluoride which is known as solid phase extraction materials were fabricated through electrospinning technology. Different electrospinning conditions including polymer content, spinning voltage and flow rate were investigated. The optimal operation conditions for electrospun process were set at 12% of PVDF mass fraction, 12 kV of spinning voltage, 0.5 mL h−1 of flow rate, 15 cm of receiving distance, 22 °C of spinning temperature and 45% of environmental humidity. The...

A new cyclo-pentazolate anion-based energetic cocrystal NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl was synthesized. The structure, thermal behavior, sensitivity, and detonation properties of NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl were studied. Cube-shaped NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl crystallizes in the Fd-3 m space group, and is formed by hydrogen bonding interactions. DSC-TG-MS combined techniques show that NH4N5 · 1/6NH4Cl has better thermal stability than NH4N5. The cocrystal exhibits low impact and friction sensitivity, and largely reduces the mechanical sensitivity of NH4N5. Furthermore, the...

We studied the boundary layer effects on flame temperature measurements using line-of-sight (LOS) absorption spectroscopy. The primary objective is to quantify the measurement uncertainty of the LOS-determined temperature, which is influenced by the thermal and species boundary layers existing in standard laminar premixed flames. The boundary layer thickness (δ), central flame temperature (Tc) and species concentration (Xc) are the major factors investigated in this work. Typical absorption lines of H2O in the wavelength range of...

Research on carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CF-PEEK/CFR-PEEK) as a bone tumor joint prosthesis remains limited. Herein we numerically determine the feasibility of CF-PEEK material containing 30% Wt carbon fiber (CF30-PEEK) as a material for the dual-action tumor-type distal femoral prosthesis. Use CT scan method to build a complete finite element model of the knee joint. Simulate the resection of the distal femoral tumor, and then reconstruct it with the dual-action tumor-type distal femoral prosthesis. The femoral condyle...

One novel naphthalene derivative, 2-octa-2′,4′,6′-atriynenaphthalene (1), together with eighteen known compounds (2–19) were isolated from the aerial parts of Dracocephalum moldavica L. Compounds 2, 8, 10, 13, 15–17 and 19 were obtained from the family Lamiaceae for the first time, and compounds 11 and 18 were firstly identified from the genus of Dracocephalum. All the isolates were evaluated for anti-complementary activities through the classical and alternative pathways, and the targets of the most active compounds...

β2-microglobulin amyloidosis was first described in the 1980s as a protein deposition disease associated with long-term haemodialysis. More recently, two inherited forms resulting from separate point mutations in the β2-microglobulin gene have been identified. In this report, we detail a novel β2M variant, P32L, caused by a unique dinucleotide mutation that is linked to systemic hereditary β2-microglobulin amyloidosis. Three family members from a Portuguese kinship featured cardiomyopathy, requiring organ transplantation in one case, along with...

The demonstration of batch-to-batch consistency is indispensable for quality control of vaccines. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial to evaluate the immunogenicity consistency of a single shot of Ad5-nCoV in healthy adults who had not previously received any COVID-19 vaccine. All eligible participants were randomly assigned equally to receive one of the three consecutive batches of Ad5-nCoV (5 × 1010 viral particles/vial, 0.5 mL). The primary endpoint was geometric mean titers (GMTs) of serum...

The reduction of CO2 into valuable chemicals through electrocatalytic techniques provides a potential strategy to alleviate energy crises and environmental pollution. In this study, 2D M3(THT)2 (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, THT = 2,3,6,7,10,11-triphenylenehexathiolate) framework as CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) electrocatalysts was investigated by using the density functional method. The results showed that the studied catalysts are stable both thermodynamically and electrochemically. Rh3(THT)2 exhibits the best catalytic performance to produce CH4 with...