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Activated fibroblasts are major mediators of pulmonary fibrosis. Fibroblasts are generally found in the connective tissue but upon activation can generate excess extracellular matrix (ECM) in the lung interstitial section. Therefore, fibroblasts are one of the most targeted cells for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Here, we develop an anti-fibrotic platform that can modulate both the lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) and the inflammatory pathway through tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3, also known as A20) in fibroblasts. First, we synthesized a series of LPA1 antagonists, AM095 and AM966, derived amino lipids (LA lipids) which were formulated into LA-lipid nanoparticles (LA-LNPs) encapsulating mRNA. Specifically, LA5-LNPs, with AM966 head group and biodegradable acetal lipid tails, showed efficient A20 mRNA delivery to lung fibroblasts in vitro (80.2% ± 1.5%) and ex vivo (17.2% ± 0.4%). When treated to primary mouse lung fibroblasts (MLF), this formulation inhibited fibroblast migration and collagen production, thereby slowing the progression of IPF. Overall, LA5-LNPs encapsulated with A20 mRNA is a novel platform offering a potential approach to regulate fibroblast activation for the treatment of IPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current treatment options for diabetic wounds face challenges due to low efficacy, as well as potential side effects and the necessity for repetitive treatments. To address these issues, we report a formulation utilizing trisulfide-derived lipid nanoparticle (TS LNP)-mRNA therapy to accelerate diabetic wound healing by repairing and reprogramming the microenvironment of the wounds. A library of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive TS LNPs was designed and developed to encapsulate interleukin-4 (IL4) mRNA. TS2-IL4 LNP-mRNA effectively scavenges excess ROS at the wound site and induces the expression of IL4 in macrophages, promoting the polarization from the proinflammatory M1 to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype at the wound site. In a diabetic wound model of db/db mice, treatment with this formulation significantly accelerates wound healing by enhancing the formation of an intact epidermis, angiogenesis, and myofibroblasts. Overall, this TS LNP-mRNA platform not only provides a safe, effective, and convenient therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound healing but also holds great potential for clinical translation in both acute and chronic wound care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites have garnered considerable interest for their potential uses in high-efficiency photonics, particularly in the construction of on-chip lasers. Despite extensive efforts to understand the mechanisms underlying perovskite-based lasing, no clear consensus has emerged. Moreover, the fabrication of practical lasing emitters requires the challenging integration of a low-defect active material into a device architecture with minimized complexity. In this study, we demonstrate a simple, multimode lasing emitter composed of a millimeter-scale single-crystalline thin film of CsPbBr3. Dislocations, created during vapor-based film deposition, function as lasing cavity walls and form close-packed sets of resonators with random sizes at two orthogonal orientations within the thin film. Collecting ensemble temperature and power-dependent lasing characteristics of multiple, independent lasing modes in a single sample enables a statistical analysis of the underlying lasing mechanism. Our results reveal that the power-dependent red-shift in the stimulated emission envelope is caused by coupling between the radiatively recombining excitons and the collective oscillations of a photoexcited electron–hole plasma within the perovskite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanowire AlGaN III-nitride LEDs are claimed as potential high-efficiency solid-state photon sources spanning to the short-wavelength deep ultraviolet (UV). Nanowire LEDs (NWLEDs) emitting in the UV are compared with a transparent n-AlGaN top electrode formed by coalescing the top region of nanowire-ensemble LEDs with commonly employed opaque conformal metallic electrodes used for nanowire-based devices. The use of a transparent contact results in an increase in the wall plug efficiency of >25Ã--, exceeding the expected increase due to enhanced photon-extraction efficiency. Increased nanowire connectivity reduces the short-circuit pathways, enabling higher device yields of relatively large-area (>1mm²) UV nanowire-ensemble LEDs. Despite these large relative improvements, the absolute output efficiency remains miniscule (<1m %). Electroluminescence microscopy demonstrates that <0.1% of nanowires within the ensemble contribute to emission. The single-nanowire efficiency is estimated and points toward improvement of the homogeneity of the injection current as a crucial step for realizing commercially viable UV NWLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been considerable interest in the search and design of two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) compounds with exotic magnetic behavior. Here we establish the growth of phase pure crystals of Mn2In2Se5 and Mn2Ga2S5 and evaluate their structural, physical, and magnetic properties. These 2D vdW phases consist of double-octahedral thick Mn(S/Se)6 layers capped by InSe4 or GaS4 tetrahedra. Transmission electron microscopy confirms phase purity with the absence of impurity intergrowths of other closely related 2D vdW phases including Mn(In/Ga)2(Se/S)4 or In4Se3. Optical absorption measurements indicate these compounds have indirect band gaps of 1.33 and 1.58 eV, respectively. We also establish the Raman signatures for both compounds. Mn2In2Se5 and Mn2Ga2S5 are significantly frustrated magnetic materials due to the competing magnetic interactions in this double-thick triangular arrangement of metal atoms. They have magnetic transition temperatures of 7 and 13 K, respectively, compared to Weiss constants of −198 and −340 K, respectively. AC susceptibility experiments indicate that both Mn2In2Se5 and Mn2Ga2S5 exhibit significant spin glass character. The significant magnetic frustration makes these materials unique 2D magnetic vdW building blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Zn dipyrazolate metal‐organic framework (MOF), Zn(azbpz) (azbpz2−=4,4′‐azobis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolate), has been synthesized and structurally characterized using micro‐crystal electron diffraction. The framework contains chain‐type secondary building units comprised of tetrahedral Zn2+ ions bridged by pyrazolate groups, resulting in guest‐accessible channels lined with methyl and azo functional groups. CO2, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H6, and C3H8 gas adsorption isotherms were measured to investigate the potential of Zn(azbpz) as an adsorbent for selective separation of binary gas mixtures. The data reveal selective adsorption of acetylene over CO2, and column breakthrough experiments demonstrate good performance for C2H2/CO2 separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]