Cu2 MoS4 nanosheets are synthesized by a solvothermal method in which the Cu2 O starting material acts as a sacrificial template. The microstructure of the Cu2 MoS4 nanosheets is characterized at the atomic level, and the growth mechanism is monitored at the nanoscale through systematic time-dependent experiments. As a result, the unprecedented observation of the allotropic phase change in Cu2 MoS4 that occurs during the solvothermal process is possible.

Mechanism of metal-insulator transition (MIT) in strained VO2 thin films is very complicated and incompletely understood despite three scenarios with potential explanations including electronic correlation (Mott mechanism), structural transformation (Peierls theory) and collaborative Mott-Peierls transition. Herein, we have decoupled coactions of structural and electronic phase transitions across the MIT by implementing epitaxial strain on 13-nm-thick (001)-VO2 films in comparison to thicker films. The structural evolution during MIT characterized by temperature-dependent synchrotron radiation high-resolution X-ray diffraction reciprocal space mapping and Raman spectroscopy suggested that the structural phase transition in the temperature range of vicinity of the MIT is suppressed by epitaxial strain. Furthermore, temperature-dependent Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS) revealed the changes in electron occupancy near the Fermi energy EF of V 3d orbital, implying that the electronic transition triggers the MIT in the strained films. Thus the MIT in the bi-axially strained VO2 thin films should be only driven by electronic transition without assistance of structural phase transition. Density functional theoretical calculations further confirmed that the tetragonal phase across the MIT can be both in insulating and metallic states in the strained (001)-VO2/TiO2 thin films. This work offers a better understanding of the mechanism of MIT in the strained VO2 films.

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Consumption of food high in fructose is prevalent in modern diets. One week of moderately high fructose intake combined with high salt diet has been shown to increase blood pressure and failed to suppress plasma renin activity (PRA). We tested the hypothesis that the hypertension and high PRA are consequences of elevated renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). In protocol 1, we assessed RSNA by telemetry in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats given 20% fructose or 20% glucose in drinking water on a 0.4% NaCl diet (NS) for 1 wk and then transitioned to a 4% NaCl diet (HS). After an additional week, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and RSNA increased significantly in fructose-fed but not glucose-fed HS rats. In protocol 2, fructose (Fruc)- or glucose (Glu)-fed rats on NS or HS diet for 3 wk underwent sham denervation (shamDNX) or bilateral renal denervation using cryoablation (cryoDNX). MAP was higher in Fruc-HS rats compared with Glu-NS, Glu-HS, or Fruc-NS rats and decreased after cryoDNX ( P < 0.01). MAP did not change in Fruc-HS shamDNX rats. Renal norepinephrine content decreased by 85% in cryoDNX ( P < 0.01 vs. shamDNX). PRA significantly decreased after cryoDNX in both Fruc-NS and Fruc-HS rats. Nonfasting blood glucose levels were similar among the four groups. Glucose-to-insulin ratio significantly increased in Fruc-HS cryoDNX rats, consistent with greater insulin sensitivity. Taken together, these studies show that renal sympathoexcitation is, at least in part, responsible for salt-dependent increases in MAP, increased PRA, and decreased insulin sensitivity in rats fed a moderately high fructose diet for as little as 3 wk.

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Healthcare workers at the frontline are facing a substantial risk of respiratory tract infection during the COVID-19 outbreak due to an extremely stressful work schedule and public health event. A well-established first-line defense on oropharyngeal microbiome could be a promising strategy to protect individuals from respiratory tract infections including COVID-19. The most thoroughly studied oropharyngeal probiotic product which creates a stable upper respiratory tract microbiota capable of preventing upper respiratory tract infections was chosen to evaluate the safety and efficacy on reducing episodes of upper respiratory tract infections for COVID-19 healthcare workers. To our knowledge to date, this is the very first study describing the beneficial effects of oropharyngeal probiotic been administered by healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this randomized controlled trial, we provided the probiotics to frontline medical staff who work in the hospitals in Wuhan and had been in close contact with hospitalized COVID-19 patients for prophylactic use on a daily basis. Our finding suggests that oropharyngeal probiotic administration significantly reduced the incidence of respiratory tract infections by 64.8%, reduced the time experiencing respiratory tract infections and oral ulcer symptoms by 78%, shortened the days absent from work by 95.5%, and reduced the time under medication where there is no record of antibiotic and anti-viral drug intake in the probiotic group. Furthermore, medical staff treated with Bactoblis experienced sustained protection from respiratory tract infections since the 10th day of oropharyngeal probiotic administration resulting in an extremely low incidence rate of respiratory tract infections.

In some children undergoing open heart surgery, plasma arginine vasopressin concentration is relatively low at baseline and remains low after cardiopulmonary bypass regardless of hemodynamic stability and serum osmolality. These children are likely the optimal candidates for exogenous arginine vasopressin should hemodynamic compromise occur.