Single-crystalline Bi(2)S(3) and Sb(2)S(3) nanorods have been successfully synthesized by the microwave-assisted ionic liquid method. The starting reagents were Bi(2)O(3) or Sb(2)O(3), HCl, Na(2)S(2)O(3), and ethylene glycol (EG) or ethanolamine, and the ionic liquid used was 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF(4)]). Our experiments showed that the ionic liquid played an important role in the morphology of M(2)S(3) (M = Bi, Sb). Single-crystalline Bi(2)S(3) nanorods could be prepared in the presence of [BMIM][BF(4)]. However, urchinlike Bi(2)S(3) structures consisting of nanorods were formed without using [BMIM][BF(4)]. Single-crystalline Sb(2)S(3) nanorods were obtained in the presence of [BMIM][BF(4)]. However, single-crystalline Sb(2)S(3) nanosheets could be prepared in the absence of [BMIM][BF(4)]. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electron diffraction (ED).

Background We evaluated an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for immunogenicity and safety in adults aged 18-59 years. Methods In this randomized, double-blinded and controlled trial, healthy adults received a medium (MD) or a high dose (HD) of the vaccine at an interval of either 14 days or 28 days. Neutralizing antibody (NAb) and anti-S and anti-N antibodies were detected at different times, and adverse reactions were monitored for 28 days after full immunization. Results A total of 742 adults were enrolled in the immunogenicity and safety analysis. Among subjects in the 0, 14 procedure, the seroconversion rates of NAb in MD and HD groups were 89% and 96% with GMTs of 23 and 30, respectively, at day 14 and 92% and 96% with GMTs of 19 and 21, respectively at day 28 after immunization. Anti-S antibodies had GMTs of 1883 and 2370 in MD and 2295 and 2432 in HD group. Anti-N antibodies had GMTs of 387 and 434 in MD group and 342 and 380 in HD group. Among subjects in the 0, 28 procedure, seroconversion rates for NAb at both doses were both 95% with GMTs of 19 at day 28 after immunization. Anti-S antibodies had GMTs of 937 and 929 for MD and HD group, and anti-N antibodies had GMTs of 570 and 494 for MD and HD group, respectively. No serious adverse events were observed during the study period. Conclusion Adults vaccinated with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine had NAb as well as anti-S/N antibody, and had a low rate of adverse reactions. Clinical trials registration NCT04412538.

Bi2Se3 nanosheets with thicknesses of 50−100 nm have been successfully synthesized by a simple microwave heating method using selenium powder, Bi(NO3)3·5H2O, HNO3 aqueous solution, ethylenediamine or ethylene glycol, and an ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The effects of experimental parameters on the formation of the products were investigated. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

Objective. To compare the efficacy of swabbing versus tissue biopsy for microbiological diagnosis of diabetic foot infection. Methods. This was a prospective trial. Fifty-six patients with diabetic foot infection were divided into the following 3 groups according to the PEDIS grading system: grade 2 (n = 10), grade 3 (n = 29), and grade 4 (n = 17). Two specimens were collected from each wound for microbial culturing after debridement, including a superficial swab and a deep tissue punch biopsy specimen. Results. Swab culturing identified all of the microorganisms isolated from the corresponding deep tissue specimens in 9/10 of grade 2 wounds (90.0%), and this proportion decreased to 12/29 (41.4%) and 7/17 (41.2%) for grades 3 and 4 wounds, respectively (p = 0.02). Moreover, the sensitivity for identifying Gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli and Citrobacter, by swabbing was low (33.3%). In addition, some Gram-negative bacteria, such as Serratia and Ralstonia pickettii, were isolated from deep tissues but not from swabs. Conclusions. Swab culturing may be reliable for identification of pathogens in diabetic foot wounds classified as grade 2. However, it is advisable to culture deep tissue specimens for wounds of grade ≥3 because swab culturing is associated with a high risk of missing pathogens, especially Gram-negative bacteria.

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BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in regulating various biological processes. The dysregulations of miRNAs may result in severe human diseases, including cancer.MethodsWe performed the qRT-PCR, western blot and the luciferase reporter assays to test whether Adenylate Kinase 4 (AK4) is the target of miR-199a-3p. Up- or down-regulation of miR-199a-3p and/or the AK4 gene was done to detect their roles in OS multi-drug resistance using drug resistance profiling assays. We further predicted the putative signal pathway involved in the miR-199a-3p-mediated OS drug-resistance.ResultsThe AK4 gene is one of the targets of miR-199a-3p and negatively correlates with the effect of miR-199a-3p on OS drug-resistance. In addition, the activity of the NF-кB signaling pathway was drastically altered by the forced changes of the miR-199a-3p level in OS cells.ConclusionsOur data revealed that both miR-199a-3p and its target gene AK4 are reversely correlated with the OS drug resistance.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-018-4460-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background:Sleep disturbance is a common symptom in CC patients, and it is positively related to greater somatic and psychiatric symptoms.Methods:The participants were 126 adult outpatients with CC. The measures were: constipation—Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms (PAC-SYM); sleep—Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); anxiety—General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7); depression—Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); and QOL—Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) and SF-36. Patients were divided into sleep-disorder and normal-sleep groups by their PSQI scores.Results:The sleep-disorder group had significantly higher rates of incomplete defecation and blockage and higher CSS scores, PAC-SYM total scores, and PAC-SYM rectal-item scores than the normal-sleep group. GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher in patients with poor sleep. Furthermore, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety were all positively correlated with constipation severity. “Worry/anxiety” score of PAC-QOL scale was significantly higher and scores for seven SF-36 subscales were significantly lower in patients with poor sleep. In addition, correlation analyses showed significant negative relations between QOL and constipation, sleep disturbance, anxiety as well as depression. However, multiple regression revealed that PAC-QOL was positively associated with severe constipation and SF-36 was negatively associated with anxiety and depression. But sleep disturbance was not the independent risk factor for QOL of CC patients.Conclusion:Sleep disorders may worsen the physical- and mental health of CC patients. Sleep disturbance may lower CC patients’ QOL indirectly through the combined effects of anxiety, depression, and constipation.

Nanoparticles of metal sulfides (ZnS and CdS) have been successfully synthesized using an ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF4) under microwave heating at 100 °C for 10 min. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).