Nanoscale mapping of temperature-dependent conduction in an epitaxial VO2 film grown on an Al2O3 substrate

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is one of the extensively studied strongly correlated oxides due to its intriguing insulator–metal transition near room temperature. In this work, we investigated temperature-dependent nanoscale conduction in an epitaxial VO₂ film grown on an Al₂O₃ substrate using conductive-atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). We observed that only the regions near the grain boundaries are conductive, producing intriguing donut patterns in C-AFM images. Such donut patterns were observed in the entire measured temperature range (300–355 K). The current values near the grain boundaries increased by approximately two orders of magnitude with an increase in the temperature, which is consistent with the macroscopic transport data. The spatially-varied conduction behavior is ascribed to the coexistence of different monoclinic phases, i.e., M1 and M2 phases, based on the results of temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, we investigated the conduction mechanism in the relatively conductive M1 phase regions at room temperature using current–voltage (I–V) spectroscopy and deep data analysis. Bayesian linear unmixing and k-means clustering showed three distinct types of conduction behavior, which classical C-AFM cannot resolve. We found that the conduction in the M1 phase regions can be explained by the Poole–Frenkel mechanism. This work provides deep insight into IMT behavior in the epitaxial VO₂ thin film at the nanoscale, especially the coexistence and evolution of the M1 and M2 phases. This work also highlights that I–V spectroscopy combined with deep data analysis is very powerful in investigating local transport in complex oxides and various material systems.

We investigated temperature-dependent nanoscale conduction in an epitaxial VO₂ film grown on an Al₂O₃ substrate using conductive-atomic force microscopy and deep data analysis.     

Expectation and knowledge of pregnant women undergoing first and second trimester ultrasound examination in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate expectation and knowledge on obstetric ultrasound examination in the first and second trimester in a Chinese population. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a university obstetric clinic in Hong Kong. Chinese pregnant women who underwent the first trimester early scan sessions, or the second trimester anomaly scan sessions were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire, which contained items on their knowledge, expectation, and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: In all 276 eligible pregnant women (117 in the first trimester and 159 in the second trimester) were recruited. Although 249 women (90.2%) claimed they understood the indication of the ultrasound examination, only 93 of them were correct (33.7%). The median perceived overall-detection rate for structural abnormalities was 66.5%. Living in Hong Kong for more than 7 years was significantly associated with higher knowledge level and expectation from ultrasound examination. Attaining tertiary education level was also significantly associated with higher knowledge level. Over 90% of the pregnant women studied wished to know the fetal gender from the anomaly scan examination. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of Chinese pregnant women on ultrasound was generally unsatisfactory. Understanding their limitation of knowledge and expectations helps to devise appropriate education in the local setting.     

Molecular characteristics of rifampin and isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Beijing, China

Background China is one of the high burden countries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis （TB） infection globally, with high incidence and mortality. We studied the molecular characteristics of rifampin （RIF） and isoniazid （INH） resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Beijing, China, in order to find out the genetic marker for rapid detection of specific drug resistance. Methods Forty pansusceptible and 81 resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from Beijing, China during 2002-2005 were analyzed. The modified rifampin oligonucleotide （RIFO） assay based on reverse line blot hybridization was used to detect mutations in the 81 bp hot-spot region of rpoB gene, which is associated with RIF resistance. The INH resistance associated genes, regulatory region mab-inhA （-15C/T） and structural gene katG S315T were detected by reverse line blot hybridization and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP） method respectively. All the strains were typed by spoligotying and the Beijing genotype was further subdivided by NTF locus analysis. The distribution of drug resistance associated mutations in the above genes was compared in these groups. Results Sixty-five （91.5%） of 71 RIF resistant and 52 （92.9%） of 56 multidrug-resistant （MDR, i.e. resistant to at least RIF and INH） strains were found to harbor mutations in the rpoB hot-spot region. No mutation was detected in RIF sensitive strains. The specificity and sensitivity of the modified RIFO assay were 100% and 91.5%, respectively, katG315 AGC〉ACC and inhA-15C〉T mutations were found in 40 （60.6%） and 10 （15.2%） of 66 INH resistant strains, respectively; 7.6% of INH-resistant strains had mutations in both of these genes. Therefore, a combined use of both katG315 and inhA-15 identified 68.2% of INH-resistant strains. The Beijing genotype accounted for 91.7% of total strains and was further subdivided into ＂modern＂ （76.6%） and ＂ancestral＂ （23.4%） group. There is no significant difference between ＂ancestral＂ and ＂modern＂ group in prevalance of drug resistance-associated gene mutations. Conclusions The hot-spot region of rpoB gene can be used as genetic marker for detection of RIF resistant strains; a combined use of both katG315 and inhA-15 can improve the detection rate of I NH resistant strains; the Beijing genotype is prevalent in Beijing, China; the modified RIFO assay can be a practical tool for rapid detection of RIF resistant and MDR isolates in the routine diagnostic work.     

不同冻存液冻存慢病毒转染后稳转肝癌细胞株 HepG2的效果比较

目的筛选冻存慢病毒转染后稳转肝癌细胞株HepG2的最佳冻存液。方法采用甘油和二甲基亚砜(DMSO)2种不同冻存保护剂,以4种不同比例的冻存液分别冻存慢病毒转染后肝癌细胞HepG2及未转染的HepG2细胞,并对上述细胞复苏后的存活率及增殖能力进行比较分析。结果采用甘油为冻存保护剂时,冻存液[DMEM∶胎牛血清(FBS)∶甘油]比例为0∶9∶1的转染后细胞存活率最高(P=0.001);未转染细胞存活率与冻存液比例无关(P=0.293)。采用DMSO为冻存保护剂时,转染后细胞存活率为0%;未转染细胞存活率在60%及以上,且与冻存液比例无关(P=0.487)。冻存液中血清含量越高,复苏后细胞的增殖能力越强(P<0.05)。结论冻存慢病毒转染后的稳转肝癌细胞株HepG2的最佳冻存液为90%FBS+10%甘油。     

Curcumin inhibits on proliferation in A549 cells through P53/P21/PCNA/eIF4E signaling pathway

目的 研究姜黄素对A549细胞增殖的抑制作用,并探讨其可能的分子机制.方法 不同浓度姜黄素处理A549细胞后,分别用平板克隆形成实验、MTT法检测A549细胞的克隆形成数和增殖.20 μmol/L姜黄素处理A549细胞24、48、72 h后,FCM检测细胞周期;RT-PCR、Western blot检测P53、P21、PCNA及eIF4E mRNA和蛋白的表达水平.结果 20 μmol/L姜黄素可引起A549细胞S期阻滞,抑制细胞增殖,减少细胞的克隆形成数.20 μmol/L姜黄素作用A54924 h后P53、P21 mRNA和蛋白表达上调,48 h或72 h后变得尤明显.此外,20μmol/L姜黄素处理A549细胞48 h后可引起PCNA、eIF4E mRNA和蛋白表达水平下调,72 h后尤明显.结论 姜黄素可抑制A549的克隆形成数和细胞增殖,其机制可能与姜黄素促进P53和P21基因表达,抑制PCNA和eIF4E基因表达有关.     

鼻灌洗在职业和环境医学中的应用

鼻灌洗（ｎａｓａｌｌａｖａｇｅ，ＮＡＬ）是一种简便易行的检查方法，它可客观地反映呼吸系统的病理生理变化。由于ＮＡＬ没有创伤性，可重复检查，因此特别适合于现场研究和以儿童作为研究对象的调查。自本世纪９０年代以来，许多国家已将ＮＡＬ用于环境医学与职业医学...     

Association of Vitamin D in Different Trimester with Hemoglobin during Pregnancy

The association between vitamin D and hemoglobin has been suggested. Vitamin D can affect erythropoiesis by the induction of erythroid progenitor cell proliferation and enhance iron absorption by regulating the iron-hepcidin-ferroportin axis in monocytes. However, this relationship in pregnant women is scarce. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between plasma vitamin D levels with hemoglobin concentration in pregnant women considering each trimester and iron supplementation. The data were obtained from Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort, collected from 2011 to 2018. Plasma 25(OH)D was measured in each trimester using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized estimating equations and multiple linear regressions were performed. Finally, 2962 pregnant women and 4419 observations in the first trimester were included in this study. Plasma 25(OH)D in first trimester (T1) (β = 0.06, p = 0.0177), second trimester (T2) (β = 0.15, p < 0.0001), and third trimester (T3) (β = 0.12, p = 0.0006) were positively associated with Hb. Association between plasma 25(OH)D levels in T1 and Hb concentration was positively associated with gestational age (β = 0.005, p = 0.0421). Pregnant women with VD deficiency in T1 (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.07–1.88) or T2 (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.30–2.89) presented an increased risk of anemia, compared with women without VD deficiency. Moreover, the significant relationship between VD and Hb was only observed among women with iron supplementation during pregnancy. Plasma 25(OH)D levels in each trimester were positively associated with Hb concentration. Iron supplementation might be an important factor affecting the relationship between VD and Hb.     

Effects of Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 on Overweight and the Gut Microbiota in Humans: Randomized,Double-Blinded,Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Obesity and overweight are closely related to diet, and the gut microbiota play an important role in body weight and human health. The aim of this study was to explore how Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 supplementation alleviate obesity by modulating the human gut microbiome. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 72 individuals with overweight. Over a 12-week period, probiotic groups consumed 1 × 10¹⁰ colony-forming units of HY7601 and KY1032, whereas the placebo group consumed the same product without probiotics. After treatment, the probiotic group displayed a reduction in body weight (p < 0.001), visceral fat mass (p < 0.025), and waist circumference (p < 0.007), and an increase in adiponectin (p < 0.046), compared with the placebo group. Additionally, HY7601 and KY1032 supplementation modulated bacterial gut microbiota characteristics and beta diversity by increasing Bifidobacteriaceae and Akkermansiaceae and decreasing Prevotellaceae and Selenomonadaceae. In summary, HY7601 and KY1032 probiotics exert anti-obesity effects by regulating the gut microbiota; hence, they have therapeutic potential for preventing or alleviating obesity and living with overweight.     

Local Electrochemical Corrosion Properties of a Nano-SiO2/MAO Composite Coating on an AM60B-Mg Alloy

In order to improve the corrosion resistance of the automotive AM60B-Mg alloy, a nano-SiO₂/MAO composite coating was prepared on the surface of the alloy. The electrochemical properties were studied in an 80 °C corrosion environment using potentiodynamic polarization tests. Local Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (LEIS) was used to study the corrosion mechanisms of coating defect zone. The microstructure and phase of the samples were observed by confocal laser microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Macroscopic electrochemical test results showed that the impedance of the nano-SiO₂/MAO coating was much higher than that of the MAO coating, by about 433 times. Local electrochemical test results showed that the minimum impedance of the nano-SiO₂/MAO coating was 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than the maximum impedance of the MAO coating. The defective SiO₂/MAO coating still had high corrosion resistance compared to the defective MAO coating. A physical model of local corrosion mechanisms was proposed.     

PDCA在医院试用期考核工作中的应用与思考

目的:探索PDCA循环在医院试用期考核工作中的应用效果.方法:以吉林省某三甲医院为例,2014年—2019年新入职的1250名员工为研究对象,自2017年起将PDCA管理工具引入试用期考核.通过分析现状、制定方案、组织实施、回顾检验、数据对比与持续优化等步骤建立健全考核机制.SPSS21.0做统计学分析.结果:通过数据...