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Covalent-organic frameworks (COFs) hold promise for photocatalysis, but their efficiency is hindered by strong excitonic effects that limit charge separation and transfer. Here, we demonstrate a novel strategy to overcome this challenge by integrating thermoplasmonic TiN nanoparticles with a β -ketoenamine-linked COFs (TFP-BD). The enhanced local electromagnetic field generated by TiN promotes the separation of electron-hole pairs in TFP-BD. This enhancement is evidenced by a doubled carrier lifetime (∼0.99 ns) and photocurrent density (1.67 μA cm⁻²) in the 3% TiN@TFP-BD composite compared to pristine TFP-BD. Additionally, thermoplasmonic heating in 3% TiN@TFP-BD (69.2 °C) surpasses that of TFP-BD (62.15 °C), accelerating mass transport during the photocatalytic process. This synergistic effect leads to a remarkable hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of 37.59 mmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, an 8.5-fold improvement over the pristine COFs. Our work highlights the potential of thermoplasmonic enhancement for solar fuel production and establishes a new approach to mitigate excitonic limitations in COF-based photocatalysts. [Display omitted] • Thermoplasmonic materials enhance photocatalytic semiconductors due to their superior local electromagnetic field and photothermal effect. • Covalent organic frameworks, with complementary absorption to plasmons and heat insulation, are ideal to study thermoplasmonic enhancement. • Benefiting from the synergistic effects of enhanced electromagnetic field and nano heat, an outstanding HER of 37.59 mmol g-1 h-1 is achieved. • This work highlights the thermoplasmonic enhancement for solar fuel production and offers a new approach to tackle COFs' excitonic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Basic principles of commonly used deep learning architectures. • Drug–target interactions based deep learning approaches for drug repositioning. • Heterogeneous networks based deep learning approaches for drug repositioning. • Current challenges of deep learning in drug repositioning. • Possible ways to improve deep learning methods for drug repositioning. Drug repositioning is an attractive strategy for discovering new therapeutic uses for approved or investigational drugs, with potentially shorter development timelines and lower development costs. Various computational methods have been used in drug repositioning, promoting the efficiency and success rates of this approach. Recently, deep learning (DL) has attracted wide attention for its potential in target prediction and drug repositioning. Here, we provide an overview of the basic principles of commonly used DL architectures and their applications in target prediction and drug repositioning, and discuss possible ways of dealing with current challenges to help achieve its expected potential for drug repositioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between work stressors and mental health in frontline nurses exposed to COVID-19. Participants were recruited from 16 general hospitals in Anhui province from February 2020 to March 2020. The general sociodemographic questionnaire, Nurse Job Stressors Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale were used in this study. Based on 723 valid questionnaires retrieved (100%), the total mean scores of work stressors and mental health of frontline nurses were (94.38 ± 23.42) and (22.81 ± 7.16), respectively. The results of the structural equation model showed that work stressors had an indirect positive effect (β = 0.484, P < 0.01), social support had a direct negative effect (β = −0.934, P < 0.01), personality traits had a direct positive effect (β = 0.209, P < 0.01), and positive coping style had both direct positive (β = 0.246, P < 0.01) and indirect negative effects (β = −0.873, P < 0.01) on frontline nurses' mental health. In conclusion, nursing staff can reinforce positive influences by accepting social support, adopting positive coping methods, and weakening negative influences factors to reduce or buffer their negative mental states and further reduce work stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate detection of saliva glucose levels is crucail for diagnosing diabetes and oral diseases. However, the complex bacterial environment in the oral cavity presents challenges, particularly in reducing sensor sensitivity due to bacterial adhesion. The excellent self-cleaning capabilities of super-hydrophilic materials make them one of the top choices. To surpass the limitations of traditional super-hydrophilic materials, a Spin coating-Plasma treatment-Coprecipitation treatment (SPC) strategy was implemented to develop a super-hydrophilic gel saliva glucose sensor. Surface-initiated polymerization was used to form phenylboric acid hydrogels for glucose binding. A spin-coated transition layer protects the hydrogel, while plasma treatment and co-precipitation methods create a super-hydrophilic surface, providing antibacterial properties. The sensor demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduced bacterial adhesion of the five oral pathogenic bacteria by over 95 %, and significantly inhibited biofilm formation of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus mitis by 95.7 % and 96.7 %, respectively. Its detection limit of 3.04 mg/L meets the requirements for saliva glucose detection. Overall, the development of this super-hydrophilic gel sensor holds great promise for wearable oral monitoring devices, offering new opportunities in healthcare managing and monitoring. [Display omitted] • An ultra-antifouling superhydrophilic gel saliva glucose sensor was synthesized through a simple three-step method. • The sensor demonstrates superb resistance to the adhesion of oral pathogenic bacteria. • The effect of the sensor on the growth of biofilm of oral glucose-sensitive bacteria was studied. • The sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity to saliva glucose. • The successful construction of the sensor is expected to be used as a monitorable device for long-term saliva glucose detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) characteristics of tumor angiogenesis in mouse mammary cancer.Materials and Methods: Twenty-four mice were examined with ultrasound and CEUS at 2-12 days after implantation. Four to five mice were assessed daily, and one to three mice were then sacrificed for histology. All of the histologic slides were reviewed and correlated with CEUS findings.Results: A total of 46 cases of ultrasound examination had been performed in 24 mice. The mice were classified into three groups according to the tumor growth: group 1 (2~6 days after implantation, n = 20 cases), group 2 (7~9 days after implantation, n = 15 cases), and group 3 (10~12 days after implantation, n = 11 cases). In group 1, all tumors presented as a homogeneous hypoechoic mass with no color Doppler signals. However, three CEUS patterns were observed: 14 tumors presented as type I (peripheral ring enhancement with no enhancement within the tumor), 4 tumors presented as type II (peripheral ring enhancement with deep penetration), and 2 tumors presented as type III (homogeneous or heterogeneous enhancement in the entire tumor). In group 2, there was only difference in the echo (heterogeneous or not) and color Doppler signals (with or without) among the tumors in conventional ultrasound, but four CEUS patterns were observed and most presented as type III (53.3%, 8/15). In group 3, most tumors presented as a heterogeneous solid mass (81.8%, 9/11) with color signals (100%, 11/11), and almost all tumors presented as enhancement of type IV (peripheral ring enhancement with focal nodular enhancement) (90.9%, 10/11).The histologic results showed that the enhanced areas mainly corresponded to tumor cells, large tortuous vessels, and an inflammatory cell infiltrate. Nonenhanced areas corresponded to large areas of necrotic tissue or tumor cells, which arranged loosely with the small zone of necrosis.Conclusions: CEUS could image the progression of vessel formation. Moreover, most importantly, CEUS is able to identify angiogenesis before the change of tumor color Doppler, and presents different enhanced patterns at different tumor growth times, which corresponded to tumor histologic features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning has achieved promising results on a broad spectrum of tasks using an end-to-end approach, and domain-specific knowledge can be used to supplement it by either constraining the solution-space, or to transform data such that relevant signals are more influential during the training process. This is especially important in the context of continuous recordings or wearable-based monitoring, where signal quality may be constrained by hardware, such as a limited number of available electrodes, or by external perturbations. In this study, a global feature extraction method for multi-periodic signals is proposed, which effectively classifies multi-cycle normal and abnormal heartbeats. The abnormal heartbeats are classed as the Left Bundle Branch Block beat (LBBB), Right Bundle Branch Block beat (RBBB), and Paced beat (P). The signal analysis process of the electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings consist of three main stages: (I) segmentation of the ECG data and partitioning of the data set; (II) generation of an overall feature map representing the "heartbeat condition" based on Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD); and (III) a classification stage for determining the patient's heartbeat condition. The extracted feature image is used to classify the heartbeat condition using a two-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). This method is applied to the publicly available MIT-BIH arrhythmia database. Experimental results show that the reconstructed ECG features outperform use of the raw ECG signals. Under self-test conditions of 3 min of ECG signal, the Total Classification Accuracy (TCA) was approximately 99.01%, while the TCA without the proposed method was approximately 90.69%. • Necessary operations related to partial filtering and denoising can be omitted. • Preprocessing operations are reduced and the difficulty of preprocessing is reduced. • Overcome the shortcoming that instantaneous heart rate is easy to be misclassified. • Improve the classification accuracy of personal ECG. • Helps reduce the false positive rate of ECG recognition of wearable detection devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted great attentions due to their excellent photovoltaic performance. Further improvement of device efficiency is limited by the recombination of the charge carriers even a heterojunction-based architecture is employed. Herein, we discovered that a simple surface modification of the perovskite film by incorporating isopropyl alcohol (IPA) post-treatment could convert the top surface to be more n-type, which spontaneously formed an n/n+ homojunction between the bulk (weak n type (n)) and the surface (more n-type (n+)) in a single perovskite film. A reconstruction toward a PbI 2 -rich top surface was induced by the remove of excess formamidinium iodide dissolved in a polar solvent IPA. This reconstructed n/n+ homojunction lead to the enlarged built-in electric field for efficient charge separation and transport of the photogenerated carriers. The inverted PSCs with the reconstructed n/n+ homojunction contribute to improve efficiency and narrow their efficiency gap with conventional n-i-p type devices. Our result suggests that the homojunction structure is an effective approach to reduce carrier recombination loss and achieve highly efficient PSCs. [Display omitted] • A facile surface homojunction reconstruction is achieved by solvent treatment. • A PbI 2 -rich perovskite surface is induced by the remove of excess FAI. • The reconstructed n/n+ homojunction brings about the enlarged built-in electric field. • The reconstructed n/n+ homojunction contributes to improved photovoltaic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Vildagliptin promotes beta cell survival by inhibiting cell apoptosis. It has been suggested that chronic ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress triggers beta cell apoptosis. The objective of the study is to explore whether the pro-survival effect of vildagliptin is associated with attenuation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in islets of db/db mice. Methods Vildagliptin was orally administered to db/db mice for 6 weeks, followed by evaluation of beta cell apoptosis by caspase3 activity and TUNEL staining method. Endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were determined with quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and immunoblot analysis. Results After 6 weeks of treatment, vildagliptin treatment increased plasma active GLP-1 levels (22.63 ± 1.19 vs . 11.69 ± 0.44, P < 0.001), inhibited beta cell apoptosis as demonstrated by lower amounts of TUNEL staining nuclei (0.37 ± 0.03 vs . 0.55 ± 0.03, P < 0.01) as well as decreased caspase3 activity (1.48 ± 0.11 vs . 2.67 ± 0.13, P < 0.01) in islets of diabetic mice compared with untreated diabetic group. Further, vildagliptin treatment down-regulated several genes related to endoplasmic reticulum stress including TRIB3 (tribbles homolog 3) (15.9 ± 0.4 vs . 33.3 ± 1.7, × 10 − 3 , P < 0.001), ATF-4(activating transcription factor 4) (0.83 ± 0.06 vs . 1.42 ± 0.02, P < 0.001) and CHOP(C/EBP homologous protein) (0.07 ± 0.01 vs . 0.16 ± 0.01, P < 0.001). Conclusions Vildagliptin promoted beta cell survival in db/db mice in association with down-regulating markers of endoplasmic reticulum stress including TRIB3, ATF-4 as well as CHOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Somatic mutations in IDH1/IDH2 and TET2 result in impaired TET2-mediated conversion of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). The observation that WT1 inactivating mutations anticorrelate with TET2/IDH1/IDH2 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) led us to hypothesize that WT1 mutations may impact TET2 function. WT1 mutant AML patients have reduced 5hmC levels similar to TET2/IDH1/IDH2 mutant AML. These mutations are characterized by convergent, site-specific alterations in DNA hydroxymethylation, which drive differential gene expression more than alterations in DNA promoter methylation. WT1 overexpression increases global levels of 5hmC, and WT1 silencing reduced 5hmC levels. WT1 physically interacts with TET2 and TET3, and WT1 loss of function results in a similar hematopoietic differentiation phenotype as observed with TET2 deficiency. These data provide a role for WT1 in regulating DNA hydroxymethylation and suggest that TET2 IDH1/IDH2 and WT1 mutations define an AML subtype defined by dysregulated DNA hydroxymethylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As an important step of the active demethylation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), human thymine DNA glycosylase (hTDG) efficiently excises 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) from double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Here, we present synthesis of DNA oligos containing a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-d-arabinofuranosyl-5-carboxylcytidine (F-5caC) modification that act as hTDG inhibitors. The glycosylase activity assay showed that F-5caC oligos were resistant to excision by the hTDG catalytic domain (hTDGcat, residues 111–308) and they could inhibit the excision of DNA oligos containing 5caC. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that DNA oligos containing F-5caC could bind well with unmodified hTDGcat to form a stable complex, which makes it possible to obtain the crystal structure of the complex to reveal details on how hTDGcat recognizes the DNA substrate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Priming of insulin secretory granules for release requires intragranular acidification and depends on vesicular Cl−-fluxes, but the identity of the chloride transporter/ion channel involved is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the chloride transport protein ClC-3 fulfills these actions in pancreatic β cells. In ClC-3−/− mice, insulin secretion evoked by membrane depolarization (high extracellular K+, sulfonylureas), or glucose was >60% reduced compared to WT animals. This effect was mirrored by a ∼80% reduction in depolarization-evoked β cell exocytosis (monitored as increases in cell capacitance) in single ClC-3−/− β cells, as well as a 44% reduction in proton transport across the granule membrane. ClC-3 expression in the insulin granule was demonstrated by immunoblotting, immunostaining, and negative immuno-EM in a high-purification fraction of large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) obtained by phogrin-EGFP labeling. The data establish the importance of granular Cl− fluxes in granule priming and provide direct evidence for the involvement of ClC-3 in the process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: N 1-Aryl derivatives of 2′-deoxyguanosine (dG) were synthesized by copper(II)-mediated coupling of dG with arylboronic acids. Analogous aryl derivatives of 2′-deoxyinosine (dIn), 2′-deoxyuridine (dU), thymidine (T), 2′-deoxyadenosine (dA), and 2′-deoxycytidine (dC) were also conveniently synthesized by this method. Arylation took place preferentially on the amido functions in dG and dIn and the imino functions in dU or T. Remarkably, the nucleosides themselves served as internal ligands as well as reactants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: 2′-Amino-2′-deoxynucleosides and oligonucleotides containing them have proven highly effective for an array of biochemical applications. The guanosine analogue and its phosphoramidite derivatives have been accessed previously from 2′-amino-2′-deoxyuridine by transglycosylation, but with limited overall efficiency and convenience. Using simple modifications of known reaction types, we have developed useful protocols to obtain 2′-amino-2′-deoxyguanosine and two of its phosphoramidite derivatives with greater convenience, fewer steps, and higher yields than reported previously. These phosphoramidites provide effective synthons for the incorporation of 2′-amino-2′-deoxyguanosine into oligonucleotides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of new electrolyte materials based on a molecular plastic crystal doped by different iodide salts together with iodine have been prepared and characterized by thermal analysis, ionic conductivity, electrochemical and solid-state NMR diffusion measurements. In these materials, the plastic crystal phase of succinonitrile acts as a good matrix for the quaternary ammonium based iodides and iodine and appears to act in some cases as a solid-state “solvent” for the binary dopants. The materials were prepared by mixing the components in the molten state with subsequent cooling into the plastic crystalline state. This resulted in waxy-solid electrolytes in the temperature range from −40 to 60 °C. The combination of structural variation of the cations, and fast redox couple diffusion (comparable with liquid-based electrolytes), as well as a high ionic conductivity of up to 3×10−3 S cm−1 at ambient temperature, make these materials very attractive for potential use in solid-state photoelectrochemical cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In ad hoc wireless networks, nodes are typically powered by batteries. Therefore saving energy has become a very important objective, and different algorithms have been proposed to achieve power efficiency during the routing process. Directional antenna has been used to further decrease transmission energy as well as to reduce interference. In this paper, we discuss five algorithms for routing tree construction that take advantage of directional antenna, i.e., Reverse-Cone-Pairwise (RCP), Simple-Linear (SL), Linear-Insertion (LI), Linear-Insertion-Pairwise (LIP), and a traditional approximation algorithm for the travelling salesman problem (TSP). Their performances are compared through a simulation study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reasonably high stable photocurrents, with quantum yields up to Φ=0.52 are observed using TiO2 photosensitized by adsorbed anthocyanin dyes with iodide/iodine in water at pH 1. The respective yields in pure ethanol are usually somewhat lower, up to Φ=0.33. Open circuit photovoltage up to 0.47 V in ethanol and 0.38 in water are obtained. The effects of changing charge carrier concentrations and pH, as well as the photocurrent spectra and yields under various conditions are reported. These simple systems show relatively high quantum yields of the photocurrents, as well as good stability when acidic aqueous solutions of the charge carriers are employed. Comparable yields are obtained in ethanol solutions, although some of the dyes quickly deteriorate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A zeolite composite membrane (ZCM) was designed and fabricated via a simple versatile and scalable method. A thin layer of ZSM-35 flakes with pore size between hydrated protons and vanadium ions was fixed on the poly(ether-sulfone)/sulfonated poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PES/SPEEK) porous substrate by in-situ interfacial polymerization. The ZSM flake layer can perfectly separate hydrated vanadium ions and protons, therefore, show very impressive performance for vanadium flow batteries (VFBs). As a result, a VFB assembled with an optimized ZCM exhibited a columbic efficiency more than 99% and energy efficiency of over 91% at a current density of 80 mA cm-2, which is among the highest performance ever reported. Furthermore, the energy efficiency can reach 81.6% at a very high current density of 200 mA cm-2 and keep stable for 1000 cycles at a current density of 180 mA cm-2. This method opened a door toward the large-scale production of highly selective composite membranes for flow batteries. Image 1 • A novel and scalable method was developed to fabricate advanced composite membrane. • Ions were precisely selected by zeolite functional layer with uniform pore size. • In-situ interfacial polymerization fixed the zeolite well on the substrate. • A Vanadium flow battery with this membrane demonstrated one of the highest performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) plays a pivotal role in cancer metabolism and tumor progression via its metabolic activity and interaction with other proteins like α-smooth muscle actin (ACTA2). Allosteric regulation is considered to be an innovative strategy to discover a highly selective and potent inhibitor targeting PGAM1. Here, we identified a novel PGAM1 allosteric inhibitor, HKB99, via structure-based optimization. HKB99 acted to allosterically block conformational change of PGAM1 during catalytic process and PGAM1-ACTA2 interaction. HKB99 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis and overcame erlotinib resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Mechanistically, HKB99 enhanced the oxidative stress and altered multiple signaling pathways including the activation of JNK/c-Jun and suppression of AKT and ERK. Collectively, the study highlights the potential of PGAM1 as a therapeutic target in NSCLC and reveals a distinct mechanism by which HKB99 inhibits both metabolic activity and nonmetabolic function of PGAM1 by allosteric regulation. • A PGAM1 allosteric inhibitor HKB99 is developed via structure-based optimization • HKB99 modulates PGAM1 both in its catalytic process and ACTA2 interaction • HKB99 suppresses NSCLC growth and metastasis through allosteric PGAM1 regulation • PGAM1 is a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC PGAM1 plays a critical role in cancer cell metabolism. Huang et al. discovered a novel PGAM1 inhibitor HKB99, which allosterically blocks the structure of PGAM1, impacting both its catalytic activity and ACTA2 interaction. HKB99 significantly inhibits NSCLC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo by impacting both PGAM1's metabolic activity and nonmetabolic function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three typical vertical structures of shipping supply chain are considered. • A bilateral bargaining model is applied to vertical structure evolution. • Values of the vertical structure are analyzed under different parameter environment. • Evolution regularities are derived through the consistency of structural preferences. Fierce port competition and asymmetric bargaining power may lead to multiple vertical cooperation patterns between ports and shipping companies. The value analysis of vertical cooperation and structure preference are crucial to the evolution regularity of shipping supply chains. In a two-tier shipping supply chain consisting of competitive ports and shipping companies, we propose three typical vertical structures of shipping supply chain: port-shipping alliance, vertical integration, and cross-berthing. We show that the port-shipping alliance has the advantages of low freight rate and high throughput, but may reduce the overall performance of the shipping system. Although vertical integration helps to weaken service competition and enhance the monopoly of ports, it increases the freight rate and reduces the throughput. Cross-berthing increases the pricing power and throughput of ports, but it will bring fierce internal competition. With the increasing bargaining power of shipping company and the degree of port competition, the vertical structure evolves from the port-shipping alliance and cross-berthing to the structure with only cross-berthing, and finally turns into vertical integration. From the perspective of the overall shipping system, each evolution stable state will achieve the Pareto-optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the efficacy of using an ultrasound contrast agent to enhance the color Doppler imaging of liver neoplasms. Improvement of the visualization of the hepatic neoplasm vascularity; Detection of small liver tumors; Differentiation of hepatic neoplasms.