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Introduction: Combined forceps and cryoprobe biopsy during bronchoscopy are increasingly used. However, the adult standard cuffed endotracheal tube (SCETT) is can be limited by general anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade. An adult uncuffed endotracheal tube (UCETT) might provide simple and safe airway support in stable patients during forceps and cryoprobe biopsy under spontaneous respiration. Methods: A retrospective review of stable patients undergoing forceps and cryoprobe biopsy was performed. They were divided into a UCETT group (N = 33) and a SCETT group (N = 27). The primary technical outcome was the successful intubation and completion of bronchoscopy. The primary safety outcome was the incidence of desaturation events. Recovery time and side effects were also recorded. Results: UCETTs and SCETTs were successfully inserted, and bronchoscopic procedures were completed in all patients. Only 3/33 (9.1%) patients in the UCETT group exhibited a drop of SPO2 < 90% during the bronchoscopy, compared to 2/27 (7.4%) patients in the SCETT group (P = 0.545). Patients recovered faster in the UCETT group than those in the SCETT group. Major bleeding, laryngospasm and major arrhythmias did not occur in either group. Incidences of sinus tachycardia, incidences of vomiting, minor and moderate bleeding and premature atrial contractions were not significantly different between the two groups. Nausea occurred in 5/33 (15.2%) patients in the UCETT group, compared to 11/27 (40.7%) in the SCETT group. Conclusion: This study suggests that UCETT under spontaneous respiration can provide satisfactory airway support and a shorter recovery time in stable patients; thus, it may be an option to assist forceps and cryoprobe biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility is a significant concern among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors and their caregivers, especially after their completion of cancer treatment programs. Concerns about fertility affect not only cancer patients' psychological well‐being, but also all aspects of their medical treatments, including treatment protocol, decision‐making, and treatment adherence. In this scoping review, the PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang electronic databases were searched according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews. The searches identified 669 articles, 54 of which met the inclusion criteria. Reviewers extracted the data on the study characteristics, measurements, positive factors, negative factors, and additional themes. This scoping review included studies from 10 countries. Most studies were quantitative using a cross‐sectional design. The prevalence of reproductive concerns among AYA cancer survivors ranged from 44% to 86%, and 28% to 44% of the survivors experienced moderate to severe concerns. The specific implementation of fertility consultation, including timing, consult frequency, and content, deserves ongoing exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. In many pathological conditions, particularly in the tumor microenvironment, cells and tissues frequently exist in a hypoxic state. Here, we evaluated Itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (ITCH) expression in LC cells following hypoxia treatment. Methods: LC cell lines were treated with hypoxic condition. Cell migration, invasion, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis of LC cells were determined by wound healing assay, Transwell invasive assay, ELISA, DCFH‐DA staining, and flow cytometry, respectively. qPCR and WB were used to determine the expression of ITCH and TXNIP. Co‐IP was performed to assess the interaction between ITCH and TXNIP. Results: ITCH expression was downregulated in LC cells under hypoxic conditions. Next, LC cells were subjected to hypoxic conditions and changes in cell viability and metastasis were determined. Hypoxic conditions resulted in increased migration and invasion abilities of LC cells. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inflammation, and apoptosis were also promoted by hypoxia. We found that ITCH overexpression led to the proteasomal degradation of thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP), whereas the expression of the ITCH C830A mutant did not affect TXNIP levels in LC cells. The gain‐of‐function experiment demonstrated that migration, invasion, ROS generation, inflammation, and apoptosis of hypoxia‐conditioned LC cells were ameliorated by ITCH overexpression, whereas the ITCH C830A mutant did not cause any changes in these phenotypes. Furthermore, the contribution of TXNIP knockdown and ITCH overexpression to the hypoxia‐induced features in LC cells with ITCH C830A was found to be similar. Conclusion: Our results suggest a novel mechanism underlying the changes in ITCH‐mediated malignant phenotypes of hypoxia‐conditioned LC cells via TXNIP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To conduct network meta‐analysis (NMA) of clinical efficacy and safety of single‐dose antiviral drugs, grouped by dosage, in treatment of influenza. Systematic retrievals were conducted in databases, including Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Register of Clinical Trials and from the website ClinicalTrials.gov, for clinical trials recorded between the interception of the databases and March 31, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of influenza treatment in which single‐dose antiviral drugs were administered were selected according to preset inclusion and exclusion criteria by two researchers who screened the literature independently from each other. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. Software such as Stata 16.0 and Review Manager 5.3 was adopted for statistical analysis. Pairwise meta‐analysis and NMA were carried out under the random‐effects model. For both binary and continuous variables, odds ratio (OR), mean difference (MD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to rank treatment efficiencies and analyze the differences. A total of 12 RCTs involving 7296 participants were included in the analysis. According to the NMA results, peramivir 300 mg (MD = −17.68, 95% CI: [−34.05, −1.32]), peramivir 600 mg (MD = −16.15, 95% CI: [−29.35, −2.95]), baloxavir (MD = −14.67, 95% CI: [−26.75, −2.58]) and laninamivir 40 mg (MD = −12.42, 95% CI: [−22.53, −2.31]) remarkably outperformed laninamivir 20 mg in time to alleviation of symptoms (TTAS). However, no intervention statistically outperform others in antipyretic time, virus titer variations against the baseline 24 and 48 h after medication and adverse events (AEs). The efficacy rankings were: peramivir 300 mg (the surface under the cumulative ranking curve [SUCRA] = 80.3%) > peramivir 600 mg (SUCRA = 76.2%) > baloxavir (SUCRA = 68.4%) > laninamivir 40 mg (SUCRA = 55.0%) > laninamivir 20 mg (SUCRA = 16.6%) for TTAS; baloxavir (SUCRA = 76.3%) > peramivir 600 mg (SUCRA = 67.8%) > laninamivir 40 mg (SUCRA = 47.2%) > laninamivir 20 mg (SUCRA = 40.0%) for antipyretic time; baloxavir (SUCRA = 96.7%) > peramivir 300 mg (SUCRA = 64.5%) ≈ peramivir 600 mg (SUCRA = 63.2%), baloxavir (SUCRA = 93.2%) > peramivir 600 mg (SUCRA = 64.0%) ≈ peramivir 300 mg (SUCRA = 55.0%), for virus titer variations against the baseline 24 and 48 h after medication, respectively; and baloxavir (SUCRA = 83.4%) > peramivir 300 mg (SUCRA = 71.4%) > laninamivir 20 mg (SUCRA = 62.4%) > peramivir 600 mg (SUCRA = 56.2%) > laninamivir 40 mg (SUCRA = 36.8%) for adverse events. Among the single‐dose anti‐influenza virus drugs compared, peramivir is superior to baloxavir and laninamivir in TTAS, whereas baloxavir has the best efficacy in antipyretic time, virus titer variations against the baseline 24 and 48 h after medication and AEs. This study has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), with a registration number of CRD42021238220. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulating the electronic structure of atomically dispersed active sites is promising to boost catalytic activity but is challenging to achieve. Here we show a cooperative Ni single‐atom‐on‐nanoparticle catalyst (NiSA/NP) prepared via direct solid‐state pyrolysis, where Ni nanoparticles donate electrons to Ni(i)−N−C sites via a network of carbon nanotubes, achieving a high CO current density of 346 mA cm−2 at −0.5 V vs RHE in an alkaline flow cell. When coupled with a NiFe‐based anode in a zero‐gap membrane electrolyzer, the catalyst delivers an industrially relevant CO current density of 310 mA cm−2 at a low cell voltage of −2.3 V, corresponding to an overall energy efficiency of 57 %. The superior CO2 electroreduction performance is attributed to the enhanced adsorption of key intermediate COOH* on the electron‐rich Ni single atoms, as well as a high density of active sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Circular RNAs have been reported to play key roles in the progression of various cancers, including gliomas. The present study was designed to investigate the role of hsa_circ_0072309 in autophagy and temozolomide (TMZ) sensitivity in glioblastoma (GBM). Methods: The effect of hsa_circ_0072309 on autophagy and TMZ sensitivity were examined by GFP‐RFP‐LC3, transmission electron microscopy(TEM), flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The mechanism of hsa_circ_0072309 regulating p53 signaling pathway was analyzed using Western blot, IP, and rescue experiments. Results: Low hsa_circ_0072309 expression predicts poor prognosis for glioma patients. The regulation of hsa_circ_0072309 on autophagy and TMZ sensitivity depends on the status of p53. Hsa_circ_0072309 promoted autophagy by p53 signaling pathway and enhanced sensitivity of glioblastoma to temozolomide (TMZ) in p53 wild‐type GBM, but not in p53 mutant GBM. Hsa_circ_0072309 inhibits p53 ubiquitination and increases the stability of p53 protein in the context of p53 wild‐type. MiR‐100 mediates hsa_circ_0072309 regulating p53. P53 inhibitor or autophagy inhibitor could reverse the effect of hsa_circ_0072309 on TMZ sensitivity in p53 wild‐type GBM. Conclusions: This study revealed a function of hsa_circ_0072309 promoting autophagy by p53 signaling pathway and enhancing TMZ sensitivity. These findings demonstrated that hsa_circ_0072309 may be a potential and promising target in designing the treatment strategy for GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the relationship between socio‐economic status (SES) and prosocial practices has been extensively studied, little is known about the role that social capital plays in this relationship. This study examines the mediating effect of different forms of social capital, including informal neighbourhood capital, membership in voluntary associations, and professional connection, on the relationship between SES and prosocial practices. A total of 3,300 urban samples and 2,170 rural samples from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) 2012 were selected to conduct two‐group structural equation modelling. Our results suggested that (a) all three forms of social capital mediated the effect of SES on donating, but only informal neighbourhood capital and membership mediated the effect of SES on volunteering, and (b) SES had a different relationship with social capital in urban China than in rural China. SES had a weak positive correlation with informal neighbourhood capital in rural areas but a negative one in urban areas. SES also had a stronger relationship with membership in voluntary associations in rural areas. Our analyses support the notion that higher SES promotes prosocial practices through social capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg) homing reactions mediated by G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR)–ligand interactions play a central role in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis by restraining inappropriate immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the origin of Treg homing to the colon remains mysterious. Here, we report that the C10ORF99 peptide (also known as CPR15L and AP57), a cognate ligand of GPR15 that controls Treg homing to the colon, originates from a duplication of the flanking CDHR1 gene and is functionally paired with GPR15 in amniotes. Evolutionary analysis and experimental data indicate that the GPR15–C10ORF99 pair is functionally conserved to mediate colonic Treg homing in amniotes and their expression patterns are positively correlated with herbivore diet in the colon. With the first herbivorous diet in early amniotes, a new biological process (herbivorous diet short‐chain fatty acid‐C10ORF99/GPR15‐induced Treg homing colon immune homeostasis) emerged, and we propose an evolutionary model whereby GPR15–C10ORF99 functional pairing has initiated the first colonic Treg homing reaction in amniotes. Our findings also highlight that GPCR–ligand pairing leads to physiological adaptation during vertebrate evolution. SYNOPSIS: The GPR15–C10ORF99 pair is functionally conserved to mediate colonic Treg homing in amniotes. Their expression patterns are positively correlated with herbivore diet, suggesting that this functional pairing initiates the first colonic Treg homing reaction in amniotes. C10ORF99 originated via duplication of the flanking CDHR1 gene and is functionally paired with GPR15 in amniotes.The GPR15–C10ORF99 pair is functionally conserved to mediate the first colonic Treg homing reaction in amniotes.GPR15–C10ORF99 expression patterns in the colon correlate with an herbivore diet in amniotes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer‐related deaths. Moreover, exploring efficient tumor‐killing drugs is urgently needed. In our study, several derivative compounds of myricetin were synthesized and tested. Experiments on non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) showed that S4‐2‐2 (5,7‐dimethoxy‐3‐(4‐(methyl(1‐(naphthalen‐2‐ylsulfonyl)piperidin‐4‐yl)amino)butoxy)‐2‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)‐4H‐chromen‐4‐one) had the strongest effect on A549 cell inhibition across all compounds. Furthermore, S4‐2‐2‐treated A549 cells were also suppressed when transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Particularly, we found that the migration and invasiveness of A549 cells became suppressed upon treatment with S4‐2‐2. Furthermore, the compound significantly induced cell apoptosis, but did not affect the cell cycle of A549 cells. Finally, we revealed that S4‐2‐2 inhibited the biological function of NSCLC cells by regulating the protein process in the endoplasmic reticulum, and then by inducing the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins. Taken together, S4‐2‐2 was shown to act as a potential molecular inhibitor of A549 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Propylene oxide (PO) was used to block polycarboxyethyl phenyl ethylene phosphinate (PCEPEP) synthesized by 2‐carboxyethylphenylphosphinic acid (CEPPA) and ethylene glycol (EG) to obtain a reactive phosphonate polyol. The results of chemical titration analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT‐IR) showed that the end‐capping effect was best when the molar ratio of PO to acidic functional groups in PCEPEP was 6:1. Moreover, the obtained phosphorus‐containing polyol was used as a reactive monomer to be introduced into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to prepare flame retardant TPU. Cone calorimetry results demonstrated that TPU containing 20 wt% phosphorus‐containing polyol showed a reduction of 3.8%, 72.2%, and 39.3% in the peak heat release rate, total heat release and total smoke release, and an increment of 351.9% in mass retention. The addition of phosphonate polyol enhanced the char‐forming performance of TPU, which effectively prevented the transfer of combustible gas and heat, and displayed a good flame retardant effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) and hybridized local and charge‐transfer (HLCT) materials are two kinds of promising electroluminescence systems for the fabrication of high‐efficiency organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) by harnessing "hot excitons" at the high‐lying triplet exciton states (Tn, n ≥ 2). Nonetheless, the efficiency of the resulting OLEDs did not meet expectations due to the possible loss of Tn→Tn−1. Herein, experimental results and theoretical calculations demonstrate the "hot exciton" process between the high‐lying triplet state T3 and the lowest excited singlet state S1 in an AIE material 4⁗‐(diphenylamino)‐2″,5″‐diphenyl‐[1,1″:4′,1″:4″,1′″:4′″,1⁗‐quinquephenyl]‐4‐carbonitrile (TPB‐PAPC) and it is found that the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between two molecules can facilitate the "hot exciton" process and inhibit the T3→T2 loss by doping a blue fluorescent emitter in TPB‐PAPC. Finally, the doped TPB‐PAPC blue OLEDs achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 9.0% with a small efficiency roll‐off. Furthermore, doping the blue fluorescent emitter in a HLCT material 2‐(4‐(10‐(3‐(9H‐carbazol‐9‐yl)phenyl)anthracen‐9‐yl)phenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐phenanthro[9,10‐d] imidazole (PAC) is used as the emission layer, and the resulting blue OLEDs exhibit an EQEmax of 17.4%, realizing the efficiency breakthrough of blue fluorescence OLEDs. This work establishes a physical insight in the design of high‐performance "hot exciton" molecules and the fabrication of high‐performance blue fluorescence OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach was used in this paper to achieving high resolution of organic light emitting diode (OLED) display by ink‐jet printing (IJP) method. In our work, a structure of line bank with two layers was utilized, in which the bottom and top layers were designed for pixel definition and ink restriction, respectively. As a result, the resolution of our OLED display reached 537 pixels per inch (PPI). Besides the structure, the interface factors of bank materials choice which affect the improvement of resolution was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes and long‐term stability of individualized titanium mesh combined with free flap for orbital floor reconstruction after maxillectomy and to identify the risk factors for titanium mesh exposure. Material and Methods: The data of 66 patients who underwent maxillectomy and orbital floor defect reconstruction by individualized titanium mesh in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology between 2011 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative ophthalmic function and success of aesthetic restoration were assessed. Titanium mesh exposure was recorded and the risk factors were identified. Results: Mean follow‐up was for 24.8 months (range, 6–92 months). Ophthalmic function was successfully restored in 63/66 patients. Aesthetic restoration was not considered satisfactory by 10 patients. Titanium mesh exposure occurred in six patients (exposure rate, 9.1%). Preoperative radiotherapy was identified as an independent risk factor for mesh exposure (OR = 28.8, P = 0.006). Previous surgery, postoperative radiotherapy, pathological type of the primary lesion, the type of tissue flap applied, and the use of intraoperative navigation were not significant risk factors. Six patients with titanium mesh exposure underwent second surgery, but mesh exposure recurred in two patients due to insufficient soft tissue coverage. Conclusion: Individualized titanium mesh with free flap can effectively restore maxilla–orbital defects. Preoperative radiotherapy is an independent predictor of postoperative titanium mesh exposure. Adequate soft tissue coverage of the mesh may reduce the risk of mesh exposure. Level of Evidence: 4 (case–control study) Laryngoscope, 131:2231–2237, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive glioma, and is prone to develop resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy; hence, patients with glioblastoma have a high recurrence rate and a low 1‐year survival rate. In addition, the pathogenesis of glioblastoma is complex and largely unknown, and the available treatments are limited. Here, we uncovered a fundamental role of DYRK1A in regulating NFATC1 in GBMs. We found that DYRK1A was highly expressed in glioma and glioblastoma cells, and its expression was positively correlated with that of NFATC1. Moreover, inhibition of DYRK1A promoted NFATC1 degradation in GBM cells and sharply reduced the transactivation of NFATC1, not only by decreasing the expression of NFATC1‐targeted genes, but also by reducing the luciferase activity, and vice versa. However, DYRK1A had the opposite effect on NFATC2. Most importantly, our data suggest that DYRK1A inhibition reduces glioblastoma migration. Polypeptides derived from the DYRK1A‐targeted motif of NFATC1, by competitively blocking DYRK1A kinase activity on NFATC1, clearly destabilized NFATC1 protein and impaired glioblastoma migration. We propose that the recovery of NFATC1 stability is a key oncogenic event in a large proportion of gliomas, and pharmacological inhibition of DYRK1A by polypeptides could represent a promising therapeutic intervention for GBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous efforts are made to improve the reversible capacity and long‐term cycling stability of Li‐S cathodes. However, they are susceptible to irreversible capacity loss during cycling owing to shuttling effects and poor Li+ transport under high sulfur loading. Herein, a physically and chemically enhanced lithium sulfur cathode is proposed to address these challenges. Additive manufacturing is used to construct numerous microchannels within high sulfur loading cathodes, which enables desirable deposition mechanisms of lithium polysulfides and improves Li+ and e‐ transport. Concurrently, cobalt sulfide is incorporated into the cathode composition and demonstrates strong adsorption behavior toward lithium polysulfides during cycling. As a result, excellent electrochemical performance is obtained by the design of a physically and chemically enhanced lithium sulfur cathode. The reported electrode, with a sulfur loading of 8 mg cm‐2, delivers an initial capacity of 1118.8 mA h g‐1 and a reversible capacity of 771.7 mA h g‐1 after 150 cycles at a current density of 3 mA cm‐2. This work demonstrates that a chemically enhanced sulfur cathode, manufactured through additive manufacturing, is a viable pathway to achieve high‐performance Li‐S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substitution of liquid electrolyte with solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) has emerged as a very urgent and challenging research area of rechargeable batteries. NASICON (Na3Zr2Si2PO12) is one of the most potential SSEs for Na‐ion batteries due to its high ionic conductivity and low thermal expansion. It is proven that the ionic conductivity of NASICON can be improved to 10−3 S cm−1 by Sc‐doping, of which the mechanism, however, has not been fully understood. Herein, a series of Na3+xScxZr2−xSi2PO12 (0 ≤x ≤ 0.5) SSEs are prepared. To gain a deep insight into the ion transportation mechanism, synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is employed to characterize the electronic structure, and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (SS‐NMR) is used to analyze the dynamics. In this study, Sc is successfully doped into Na3Zr2Si2PO12 to substitute Zr atoms. The redistribution of sodium ions at certain specific sites is proven to be critical for sodium ion movement. For x≤ 0.3, the promotion of sodium ion movement is attributed to sodium ion concentration increase at the Na2 sites and decrease at the Na1 and Na3 sites. For x> 0.3, the inhibition of sodium ion movement is due to the phase change from monoclinic to rhombohedral and an increasing impurity content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastatic melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer and associated with a poor prognosis. In clinical terms, targeted therapy is one of the most important treatments for patients with BRAFV600E‐mutated advanced melanoma. However, the development of resistance to this treatment compromises its therapeutic success. We previously demonstrated that forkhead box D1 (FOXD1) regulates melanoma migration and invasion. Here, we found that FOXD1 was highly expressed in melanoma cells and was associated with a poor survival of patients with metastatic melanoma. Upregulation of FOXD1 expression enhanced melanoma cells' resistance to vemurafenib (BRAF inhibitor [BRAFi]) or vemurafenib and cobimetinib (MEK inhibitor) combination treatment whereas loss of FOXD1 increased the sensitivity to treatment. By comparing gene expression levels between FOXD1 knockdown (KD) and overexpressing (OE) cells, we identified the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a downstream factor of FOXD1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assay demonstrated the direct binding of FOXD1 to the CTGF promoter. Similar to FOXD1, knockdown of CTGF increased the sensitivity of BRAFi‐resistant cells to vemurafenib. FOXD1 KD cells treated with recombinant CTGF protein were less sensitive towards vemurafenib compared to untreated FOXD1 KD cells. Based on these findings, we conclude that FOXD1 might be a promising new diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for the treatment of targeted therapy resistant melanoma. What's new? In melanoma therapy, resistance to targeted therapeutics such as vemurafenib has emerged as a serious clinical problem. In this study, the authors found that increased expression of an oncogenic transcription factor called 'FOXD1' correlates with a poor prognosis in melanoma patients. They also found that FOXD1 promotes targeted‐therapy resistance in human melanoma cells, by upregulating the expression of the CTGF oncogene. These results indicate that FOXD1 may represent a novel therapeutic target in certain treatment‐resistant melanomas, as well as a useful prognostic biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenicosis induced by chronic exposure to arsenic is recognized as one of the main damaging effects on public health. Exposure to arsenic can cause hepatic fibrosis, but the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs are complex and elusive. It is not known if miRNAs are involved in arsenic‐induced liver fibrosis. We found that in the livers of mice exposed to arsenite, there were elevated levels of microRNA‐21 (miR‐21), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p‐mTOR), and arginase 1 (Arg1); low levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN); and more extensive liver fibrosis. For cultured cells, arsenite‐induced miR‐21, p‐mTOR, and Arg1; decreased PTEN; and promoted M2 polarization of macrophages derived from THP‐1 monocytes (THP‐M), which caused secretion of fibrogenic cytokines, including transforming growth factor‐β1. Coculture of arsenite‐treated, THP‐M with LX‐2 cells induced α‐SMA and collagen I in the LX‐2 cells and resulted in the activation of these cells. Downregulation of miR‐21 in THP‐M inhibited arsenite‐induced M2 polarization and activation of LX‐2 cells, but cotransfection with PTEN siRNA or a miR‐21 inhibitor reversed this inhibition. Moreover, knockout of miR‐21 in mice attenuated liver fibrosis and M2 polarization compared with WT mice exposed to arsenite. Additionally, LN, PCIII, and HA levels were higher in patients with higher hair arsenic levels, and levels of miR‐21 were higher than controls and positively correlated with PCIII, LN, and HA levels. Thus, arsenite induces the M2 polarization of macrophages via miR‐21 regulation of PTEN, which is involved in the activation of hepatic stellate cells and hepatic fibrosis. The results establish a previously unknown mechanism for arsenicosis‐induced fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, have become the world's top health threats. These diseases are closely related to the abnormal development and function of adipocytes and metabolic inflammation associated with obesity. Histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11), with a relatively unique structure and function in the HDAC family, plays a vital role in regulating cell growth, migration, and cell death. Currently, research on new key regulatory functions of HDAC11 in metabolic homeostasis is receiving more and more attention, and HDAC11 has also become a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of obesity and obesity‐related diseases. Here, we summarized the latest literature on the role of HDAC11 in regulating the progress of obesity‐related metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new time series interferometric synthetic aperture radar method is presented based on a strain model. Traditionally, the interferometric phases are optimized based only on a constant set of statistically homogeneous points throughout the observing period, and thus the decorrelated phase cannot be well recovered and possible incoherent (or coherent) phases are (are not) used to optimize the target phase. In the proposed method, a strain model, representing the geophysical relationship of spatially adjacent points' deformations, is employed to optimize the interferometric phases interferogram‐by‐interferogram. The unwrapped phase time series can be estimated from the wrapped interferograms based on the linear iterative weighted least squares method, which is simple and can effectively suppress the decorrelation noise. Both simulations and analysis of data over The Geysers geothermal field (TG), California are conducted, validating that the proposed method can reduce the decorrelations and simultaneously preserve the deformation signals. The displacement results of TG from 2007–2011 L‐band ascending ALOS‐1 data and 2015–2020 C‐band ascending/descending Sentinel‐1 data reveal that (a) the displacement rate of TG is decreasing from 2007–2011 to 2015–2020, and (b) temporally variable displacement signals in addition to steady displacement can be observed from 2015 to 2020 for both the east‐west and the vertical components. Plain Language Summary: The interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technique is capable of accurately measuring ground surface displacements at high spatial resolution and large coverage. This paper proposes a strain‐model based InSAR time series method, here referred to as the SIGMA method. The SIGMA method aims to enhance the capability of InSAR to measure displacements and can achieve higher accuracy and density of InSAR displacement measurements. Both simulations and real‐data experiments are conducted to illuminate the benefits of the SIGMA method in the presence of substantial decorrelation noise. Particularly, the SIGMA method is used to investigate the surface displacements of The Geysers geothermal field, California, during 2007–2011 and 2015–2020. These time periods are complementary to those considered in previous studies, providing an important data set to investigate the long‐term evolution of ground surface deformation, as well as the effects of recent fluid injection and production practices in the geothermal field. The new method should be of value for improved geo‐hazards monitoring. Key Points: A new time series interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) method based on a strain model and iterative weighted least squares is proposedThe method can effectively suppress decorrelation noise and improves the InSAR accuracy and densityThe surface deformation of The Geysers geothermal field, California is investigated with 2007–2011 ALOS‐1 and 2015–2020 Sentinel‐1 data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of highly efficient electrocatalysts toward the oxygen evolution reaction is imperative for advancing water splitting technology to generate clean hydrogen energy. Herein, a two dimensional (2D) nanosheet ammonium cobalt phosphate hydrate (NH4CoPO4·H2O) catalyst based on the earth‐abundant non‐noble metal is reported. When used for the challenging alkaline saline water electrolysis, the NH4CoPO4·H2O catalyst with the optimal thickness of 30 nm achieves current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2 at the record low overpotentials of 252 and 268 mV, respectively, while maintaining remarkable stability during the alkaline saline water oxidation at room temperature. X‐ray absorption fine spectra reveal that the activation of Co (II) ions (in NH4CoPO4·H2O) to Co (III) species constructs the electrocatalytic active sites. The 2D nanosheet morphology of NH4CoPO4·H2O provides a larger active surface area and more surface‐exposed active sites, which enable the nanosheet catalyst to facilitate the alkaline freshwater and simulated seawater oxidation with excellent activity. The facile and environmentally‐benign H2O‐mediated synthesis route under mild condition makes NH4CoPO4·H2O catalyst highly feasible for practical manufacturing. In comparison with noble metals, this novel electrocatalyst offers a cost‐effective alternative for economic saline water oxidation to advance water electrolysis technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Our objectives were to compare the single‐line and two‐line methods of cervical length measurement in the first trimester of pregnancy and to evaluate the potential value of the first trimester cervical length measured by the two methods in predicting spontaneous preterm birth. Material and methods: This was a prospective study in singleton pregnancies at 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation. Cervical length was measured by two methods: (i) a linear distance between the two ends of the glandular area around the endocervical canal (single‐line method) and (ii) a sum of a linear distance from the internal os to the greatest cervical curvature and a linear distance from this point of the cervix to the external os (two‐line method). The screening performance of the first trimester cervical length measured by the two different methods for the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery was assessed by receiver‐operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. The areas under the ROC (AUROC) were compared by De Long test. Results: A total of 1484 consecutive singleton pregnancies were included in this study. Spontaneous preterm delivery at <37 and <32 weeks occurred in 75 cases (5.1%) and 12 cases (0.8%), respectively. The median cervical length measured by the single‐line method was significantly shorter than that by the two‐line method (33.5 vs 36.5 mm, p <.001). Compared with the term delivery group, the median cervical length measured by the two‐line method was shorter in women with spontaneous delivery at <32 weeks of gestation (36.5 vs 33.6 mm, p <.01). No significant difference in the median cervical length measured by the single‐line method was detected between the spontaneous preterm delivery and term delivery groups. Receiver‐operating‐characteristic curves demonstrated that cervical length measured by the two‐line method achieved better performance in predicting spontaneous delivery at <32 weeks compared with the single‐line method (AUROC: 0.72 vs 0.61, p <.01). Conclusions: We have demonstrated that the first trimester cervical length, measured by the two‐line approach, holds promise as a potential screening tool for early spontaneous preterm delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dielectric metasurfaces have significant potential for delivering miniaturized optical systems with versatile functionalities, leading to applications in various fields such as orbital angular momentum generation, imaging, and holography. Among the different materials, crystalline silicon has the advantage of technological maturity and high refractive index, which increases design flexibility and processing latitude. The second, and often overlooked, advantage of silicon is that it affords embedding the metasurface in a protective material such as silica, which is essential for practical applications. The trade‐off against this high refractive index is silicon's absorption at visible wavelength, which requires new design strategies. Here, such a strategy based on metasurfaces supporting air modes is identified that can lead to a transmission efficiency as high as 87% at a wavelength of 532 nm. This exceptional efficiency is obtained by using the high index to confine the electric field in the periphery of the meta‐atoms, thereby reducing absorption losses. As an example, the design of a fully embedded metasurface is described that can generate vortex beams with various orders of orbital angular momentum. It is envisioned that the proposed strategy paves the way for practical applications of high‐efficiency metasurfaces based on crystalline silicon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum dot display with blue light excitation has attracted a lot of attention recently. In this work, rigid 13.6 inch 1920×1080 FHD full color active matrix quantum dot OLED display (QDOLED) on glass substrate and another evolutional flexible Quantum dot Filter On Electroluminescence display (QFOE) on polyimide (PI) substrate were fabricated with different device configuration. Cd‐free InP QD was introduced into photo‐curable resin and patterned by inkjet‐printing or photolithography process as the color conversion material (CCM). The 2‐stack blue OLED (B‐OLED) device designed under the balance of efficiency and uniformity was employed to excite QD pixel patterns by active matrix driving of coplanar oxide thin‐film transistor (TFT) backplane. The display performances of wide viewing angle, high color purity and excellent contrast ratio are preserved after the flexible process integration into QFOE to show more application potentials in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooperation is vital for modern society. Previous studies showed that procedural fairness promotes cooperation; however, they mainly focused on cooperation intention, which may fail to reveal actual cooperative behaviour. Moreover, little is known regarding the personality boundary of the effect of procedural fairness on cooperation. Guided by previous findings that self‐esteem increases sensitivity to procedural unfairness, we attempted to explore the moderating effect of self‐esteem on the association between procedural fairness and cooperative behaviour. In Experiment 1, 160 participants' self‐esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale; procedural fairness was manipulated in two conditions, depending on whether money was allocated in an economic game by rolling the dice twice or an allocator's arbitrary choice. Cooperative behaviour was assessed using the chicken game paradigm. Experiment 2 (148 participants) aimed to replicate and extend the results of Experiment 1 using a more rigorous experimental design, in which the possible effect of outcome favourability was excluded. The results of both experiments consistently showed that procedural fairness positively predicted cooperative behaviour, and this association was significant in high‐self‐esteem individuals, but not in low‐self‐esteem individuals. These findings shed light on the vital role of self‐esteem in understanding the relationship between procedural fairness and cooperative behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Na‐O2 batteries are attractive for energy storage due to their high theoretical energy density. In order to alleviate Na dendrite formation, artificial protective coatings have been widely investigated in Na‐metal batteries (NMBs). Although it can be intuitive to expect transferable Na protection methodologies from NMBs to Na‐O2 batteries, the performance of anode protection coatings in Na‐O2 batteries remains obscure, because Na‐O2 batteries undergo a unique reaction mechanism involving superoxide. Here, the effect of superoxide crossover on the polymeric Na protection layer in Na‐O2 batteries is revealed, and an effective strategy to eliminate the implications of a superoxide‐sensitive protecting layer is proposed. Using polymeric alucone protected Na anode as an example, the alucone layer actually decomposes under superoxide attack and is incapable of facilitating long‐term cycling of Na‐O2 batteries in sharp contrast to its stable performance in NMBs. By blocking superoxide crossover with solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs), significantly improved Na‐O2 cell performance is demonstrated, recovering the Na dendrite suppressing effect of the alucone film. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of SSE and alucone layer, Na‐O2 batteries can achieve a long life of 325 cycles at 0.2 mA cm−2. This work indicates that the stability of the Na protection layer against superoxide should be taken into serious consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries are deemed as optimal energy devices for the next generation of high‐energy‐density energy storage. However, several problems such as low energy density and short cycle life hinder their application in industry. Here, MoS2–MoN heterostructure nanosheets grown on carbon nanotube arrays as free‐standing cathodes are reported. In this heterostructure, MoN works as a promoter to provide coupled electrons to accelerate the redox reaction of polysulfides while the MoS2, with a two‐dimensional layered structure, provides smooth Li+ diffusion pathways. Through their respective advantages, both MoN and MoS2 could mutually boost the process of "adsorption‐diffusion‐conversion" of polysulfides, which have a synergy enhancement effect to restrain the lithium polysulfides from shuttling. The designed cathodes show excellent long‐term cycling performances of 1000 cycles at 1C with a low decay rate of 0.039% per cycle and a high rate capability up to 6C. A high initial areal capacity of 13.3 mAh cm−2 is also achieved under a low electrolyte volume/sulfur loading (E/S) ratio of 6.3 mL g−1. This strategy of promoting polysulfide conversion by heterostructure MoS2–MoN as presented in this work can provide a more structured design strategy for future advanced Li–S energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐state Li‐O2 batteries possess the ability to deliver high energy density with enhanced safety. However, designing a highly functional solid‐state air electrode is the main bottleneck for its further development. Herein, we adopt a hybrid electronic and ionic conductor to build solid‐state air electrode that makes the transition of Li‐O2 battery electrochemical mechanism from a three‐phase process to a two‐phase process. The solid‐state Li‐O2 battery with this hybrid conductor solid‐state air electrode shows decreased interfacial resistance and enhanced reaction kinetics. The Coulombic efficiency of Li‐O2 battery is also significantly improved, benefiting from the good contact between discharge products and electrode materials. In situ environmental transmission electron microscopy under oxygen was used to illustrate the reversible deposition and decomposition of discharge products on the surface of this hybrid conductor, visually verifying the two‐phase reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) based solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are incompatible with the 4 V class cathodes such as LiCoO2 due to the limited electrochemical oxidation window of PEO. Herein, a number of binders including commonly used binders PEO, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and carboxyl‐rich polymer (CRP) binders such as sodium alginate (Na‐alginate) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, are studied for application in the 4 V class all‐solid‐state polymer batteries (ASSPBs). The results show ASSPBs with CRP binders exhibit superior cycling performance up to 1000 cycles (60% capacity retention, almost 10 times higher than those with PEO and PVDF binders). Synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), morphology studies and density functional theory studies indicate that, with their carboxyl groups, CRPs can strongly bind the electrode materials together, and work as coating materials to protect the cathode/SPE interface. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that CRP binders are more stable at high voltage compared to PEO and PVDF. The stability under high voltage and the coating property of CRP binders contribute to stable cathode/SPE interfaces as disclosed by the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Co L‐edge XAS results, enabling long cycling life, high performance 4 V class ASSPBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic manganese (Mn) exposure can disturb mitochondrial homeostasis leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, which is involved in Mn‐induced neurodegenerative diseases. Resveratrol (RSV), as a promoter of mitochondrial biogenesis, plays a significant role against mitochondrial dysfunction. However, whether RSV can relieve Mn‐induced neuronal injury and mitochondrial dysfunction remains unknown. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a main mitochondrial sirtuin, is an important regulator of mitochondria to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Therefore, this study investigated whether SIRT3 was required for RSV alleviating Mn‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction in primary cultured neurons from C57BL/6 mice. Here, we showed that Mn (100 and 200 μM) exposure for 24 hr caused significant neuronal damage and mitochondrial dysfunction through increasing mitochondrial ROS, reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate level, and leading to mitochondrial network fragmentation, which could be ameliorated by RSV pretreatment in primary cultured neurons. Additionally, our results also indicated that RSV could activate the SIRT1/PGC‐1α signaling pathway and alleviate Mn‐induced disruption of mitochondrial biogenesis by increasing SIRT1 expression and activity, enhancing deacetylation of PGC‐1α. Furthermore, SIRT3 over‐expression increased deacetylation of mitochondrial transcription factor A and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. Oppositely, silencing SIRT3 increased acetylation of mitochondrial transcription factor A and decreased mtDNA copy number. Our results showed SIRT3 was required for the protective effect of RSV in mitochondrial biogenesis. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that RSV could ameliorate Mn‐induced neuronal injury and mitochondrial dysfunction in primary cultured neurons through activating the SIRT1/ PGC‐1α signaling pathway, and that SIRT3 is required for promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and attenuating Mn‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slow charging limitations of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have significantly limited their practical application. Thus, significant improvement of the rate performance and development of fast charging ASSLBs is crucial for the commercialization of these systems. However, poor Li+ transport kinetics and Li dendrite formation under high charging current densities have inhibited their capabilities. To tackle these issues, the design of dual vertically‐aligned electrodes (DVAEs) is proposed to accelerate Li+ transport and suppress Li dendrite formation. At the anode side, the vertically‐aligned Li (VA‐Li) anode with lithiophilic micro‐walls enables lateral growth of Li deposits rather than perpendicular to the electrode surface, thus preventing dendrite penetration through the separator. In addition, the 3D vertically‐aligned structure in both VA‐Li and vertically‐aligned‐LiFePO4 (VA‐LFP) enables enhanced Li+ transport due to lower tortuosity and faster Li+ transport kinetics. Benefitting from the rational design, VA‐Li symmetric cells can operate for 300 h at a current density/capacity of 3 mA cm−2/3 mAh cm−2, while short‐circuiting is observed after 87 h for bare Li cycled at only 0.5 mA cm−2 (capacity: 0.5 mAh cm−2). Moreover, a fast‐charging ASSLBs assembled with DVAEs demonstrates a high capacity of 89.4 mAh g−1 after 2000 cycles at 4C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) using exciplexes as host have achieved unprecedented breakthrough. The energy transfer process between host and guest is the popular way to effectively utilize excitons in this kind of devices. Actually, the intermolecular spin–orbital coupling (ISOC) interaction between the heavy‐atom phosphorescent molecule and exciplex also plays an important role in exciton utilization, thus device performance, but this role is always ignored. Here, the synergistic effects of energy transfer and ISOC interaction on device efficiency are clearly demonstrated in exciplex‐based PhOLEDs by magneto‐electroluminescence (MEL) measurements. It can be seen that the MEL line shape at high field component is significantly wider due to the ISOC effect inducing the accelerated transition process between singlet and triplet states of exciplex host. In this case, the energy transfer process from exciplex host to phosphorescent molecule is more efficient, which is confirmed by the different line widths of MELs. Ultimately, a high‐efficiency exciplex‐based green PhOLED with the maximum external quantum efficiency of 23% is obtained at a low phosphorescent doping concentration of 2 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an amorphous ZnO was coated on LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM) using a sol‐gel strategy method. The NCM coated with 1 wt.% ZnO and a thickness of about 3 nm exhibits an improved cycling performance, accompanied by a lower capacity fading (from 194.8 to 133.8 mAh g−1, i.e., 68%) than that of the pristine one (i.e., only 34%) after 300 cycles at 0.2 C. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicate that the ZnO coating can improve extraction/insertion of Li+ and inhibit the increase in impedance of the NCM cathode material. This approach may benefit the performance improvement of the Ni‐rich cathode materials in Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in shear-wave sonoelastography (SWS) scores between the different parts of cervix, explore the association between the cervical SWS scores with cervical length and evaluate repeatability of the measurement of cervical SWS scores.Material and Methods: This was a prospective study performed in women with singleton pregnancy at 11-13+6 (n = 676), 16-20+6 (n = 364), 21-24+6 (n = 338) and 28-32+6 weeks (n = 304). The SWS scores were obtained at the inner, middle and external parts of the cervix, using a transvaginal ultrasound approach.Results: The SWS scores of the inner cervix were significantly higher than the measurements acquired at the middle and external parts (all P < .001). At 21-24+6 and 28-32+6 weeks, most regions of interest demonstrated a very weak positive correlation with cervical length (r = .125 to r = .299). In comparison with nulliparous women, parous women without prior preterm birth had higher SWS scores of the inner and middle parts of the cervix at 16-20+6 and 21-24+6 weeks. All regions of interest showed good intra- and inter-observer agreement.Conclusions: The assessment of the cervical SWS scores is highly reproducible. The stiffness of the cervix demonstrates a gradient that decreases from the inner part to the external part and a very weak positive correlation with cervical length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a facile and universal method using noncovalent bonding, here, polymer‐modified covalent organic framework materials (COFs) were rapidly prepared. PNIPAM‐modified COF (COF‐PNIPAM) was synthesized by electrostatic self‐assembly between COF prepared by low‐cost melamine and terephthalaldehyde and carboxyl‐terminated poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) prepared via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The carboxyl‐terminated PNIPAM was characterized by Gel Permeation Chromatography and Ultraviolet and Visible Spectroscopy (UV–vis). COF and COF‐PNIPAM were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopes, Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope, X‐Ray Diffractomer (XRD), and Brunner‐Emmet‐Teller (BET) measurements. The results showed that the COF‐PNIPAM was successfully prepared. The Pickering emulsion properties of the COF‐PNIPAM in a water‐to‐toluene mixed system were studied, and when the water‐to‐oil ratio is 2:1, a stable emulsion can be obtained. However, the results show that the PNIPAM chains of COF‐PNIPAM nearly lose their temperature responsiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undesirable Li dendrite growth under high current densities due to the nonuniform Li nucleation and growth has significantly hindered the development of high‐rate all‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). Herein, the phase evolution of a Li prenucleator (MoS2) is shown in working ASSLBs that renders a highly active nucleator (Mo), where Mo promotes fast Li nucleation and Li dendrite suppression. During plating, Li shows strong affinity with Mo, which guides Li fast nucleating and selectively depositing on Mo surface with a large specific surface, thus reducing the local current density. Moreover, a fast diffusion of Li atom on Mo (110) surface promotes uniform Li deposition and limits the Li dendrite growth. Benefitting from the reduced local current density as well as the improved Li dendrite suppression, Li–Li symmetric cells within MoS2 prenucleator demonstrate excellent electrochemical performance, achieving cycle lifetimes as high as 1000 h for 1 mA cm−2/1 mAh cm−2 and 780 h for 0.5 mA cm−2/2 mAh cm−2. Additionally, developed Li‐LFP ASSLBs demonstrate high capacity retention of 78% with an ultra‐long cycling life of 3000 cycles under a high current density of 1 mA cm−2. The general concept has the potential to be extended to other metal‐sulfide prenucleators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study analyses the effects of surgical indicators and clinical efficacy of different surgical methods for uterine cesarean section scar diverticulum. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 65 patients who underwent surgery and postoperative follow‐up at Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child‐care Hospital from 1 January 2013 to 31 February 2019. Results: All participants were treated surgically. Among them, patients in Group A underwent combined laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery (n = 45), Group B underwent transvaginal surgery (n = 11), Group C underwent laparotomy (n = 9). The primary outcomes were surgical indicators. The secondary outcomes were clinical efficacy. Bleeding, operation time and hospitalization expenses were significantly different among the three groups (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the hospital stay among the three groups P = 0.22). The menstrual period before and after surgery was significantly different among the groups (P < 0.05). The recurrence outcome was no significantly different (P = 0.16), but the pregnancy outcome was not (P = 0.78). Conclusion: The three surgical methods are effective for treating cesarean section scar diverticulum with favorable effects. Laparoscopic combined with hysteroscopic surgery is minimally invasive with less bleeding compared with the other two techniques and it is easier for patients to accept. It is the most widely used surgical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilobetin, a natural compound extracted from Ginkgo biloba, has various pharmacological activities such as antioxidation, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, and promoting osteoblast differentiation. However, few studies have been conducted and there are no reports on its metabolites owing to its low content in nature. In addition, it has been reported to have potential liver and kidney toxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the metabolites of bilobetin in vitro and in vivo. Bilobetin was incubated with liver microsomes to determine metabolites in vitro, and faeces and urine were collected after oral administration to rats to determine metabolites in vivo. After the samples were processed, they were measured using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. As a result, a total of 21 and 9 metabolites were detected in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Demethylation, demethylation and loss of water, demethylation and hydrogenation, demethylation and glycine conjugation, oxidation, methylation, oxidation and methylation, and hydrogenation were the main metabolic pathways. This study is the first to identify the metabolites of bilobetin and provides a theoretical foundation for the safe use of bilobetin in clinical application and the development of new drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li‐ and Mn‐rich layered oxides are among the most promising cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries with high theoretical energy density. Its practical application is, however, hampered by the capacity and voltage fade after long cycling. Herein, a finite difference method for near‐edge structure (FDMNES) code was combined with in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron microscopy/electron energy loss spectroscopy (TEM/EELS) to investigate the evolution of transition metals (TMs) in fresh and heavily cycled electrodes. Theoretical modeling reveals a recurring partially reversible LiMn2O4‐like sub‐nanodomain formation/dissolution process during each charge/discharge, which accumulates gradually and accounts for the Mn phase transition. From the modeling of spectra and maps of the valence state over large regions of the cathodes, it was found that the phase change is size‐dependent. After prolonged cycling, the TMs displayed different levels of inactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer binders that combine active materials with conductive agents have played a critical role in maintaining the structural integrity of phosphorus anodes with a huge volume change upon sodiation/desodiation. Herein, the role of binders on the structural/chemical stability of phosphorus/carbon anode is spectroscopically uncovered through unexpected mechanism. Surprisingly, the selection of different binders is found to determine the oxidation degree of active phosphorus in various electrodes, which correlate well with their electrochemical properties. At a high oxidation degree, the electrode applying a conventional poly(vinylidene difluoride) binder displays the worst electrochemical properties, while the electrode using a sodium alginate binder delivers the best electrochemical performance (a highly reversible capacity of 1064 mAh g−1 with a 90.1% capacity retention at 800 mA g−1 after 200 cycles and an outstanding rate capability of 401 mAh g−1 at 8000 mA g−1) for its negligible oxidation. Additionally, the emergence/decomposition of surface intermediates, including (PO2)3− and (PO4)3− species, are observed in the discharging/charging processes via the ex situ P K‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopies. This novel discovery of the unique role of binders in phosphorus anodes, not only provides an opportunity to ameliorate their electrochemical properties, but also enables their practical applications in high‐energy sodium‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a refractory complication of diabetes. The study aimed to investigate the role of α‐lipoic acid (ALA) on the regulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 (TRPV1) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of rats with diabetes. Methods: Whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings were employed to measure neuronal excitability in DiI‐labeled DRG neurons of control and streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were used to determine the expression and location of NF‐κBp65 and TRPV1. Results: STZ‐induced hindpaw pain hypersensitivity and neuronal excitability in L4‐6 DRG neurons were attenuated by intraperitoneal injection with ALA once a day lasted for one week. TRPV1 expression was enhanced in L4‐6 DRGs of diabetic rats compared with age‐matched control rats, which was also suppressed by ALA treatment. In addition, TRPV1 and p65 colocated in the same DRG neurons. The expression of p65 was upregulated in L4‐6 DRGs of diabetic rats. Inhibition of p65 signaling using recombinant lentiviral vectors designated as LV‐NF‐κBp65 siRNA remarkably suppressed TRPV1 expression. Finally, p65 expression was downregulated by ALA treatment. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that ALA may alleviate neuropathic pain in diabetes by regulating TRPV1 expression via affecting NF‐κB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to overexpress or silence connexin 43 (Cx43) and A‐kinase anchoring protein 95 (AKAP95) in human A549 cells to explore their effects on cyclins and on G1/S conversion when the interrelationship of Cx43, AKAP95, and cyclin E1/E2 changes. Methods: The study mainly used Western blot analysis and Co‐immuno precipitation to detect the target protein in Cx43/AKAP95 over expressed human A549 cells, and the relationship of proteins Cx43, AKAP95 and Cyclin E during G1‐S phase was explored with qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results: The overexpression of Cx43 inhibited the expression of cyclin D1 and E1 by accelerating their degradation and reduced the Cdk2 activity that blocked the DNA transcription activity. However, the overexpression of AKAP95 increased the expression of cyclin D1 and E1 and inhibited their degradation, and enhanced the Cdk2 activity that promoted the DNA transcription activity. Cx43 and AKAP95 competitively bound to cyclin E1/E2, and the competitive binding affected the Cdk2 activity, Rb phosphorylation, DNA transcription activity, and G1/S conversion. Conclusions: This study showed that the expression of ERK1/2, PKA, and PKB increased when BEAS‐2B cells were treated with PDGF‐BB, suggesting that ERK1/2, PKA, and PKB might be involved in the binding of AKAP95 with cyclin E, or the separation of AKAP95 from Cx43 from cyclin E1/E2. The specific mechanism underlying this process still needs further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) had neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic (DA) neurons. In order to overcome the gastrointestinal digestion and bioaccessibility, VEGF was encapsulated with poly‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid nanospheres (NS) in order to prevent the VEGF degradation until its release. The caudal administration of VEGF and NS encapsulated VEGF at different doses (1.0, 10.0, and 100.0 ng/ml) on the rats with Parkinson's disease lesion was evaluated. Intravenous injected VEGF at the dose of 1 ng/ml displayed the strongest neuroprotective effect than other groups as well as the stereotaxic group. The NS encapsulated with VEGF can pass through blood–brain barrier and protect the DA neurons. There was no significant difference between intravenous injection method and stereotaxic method, while the first method is simpler and convenient. Injection of NS encapsulated with VEGF may become a valuable neurorescuing therapeutic approach for Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All‐solid‐state metal batteries (ASSMBs) are attracting much attention due to their cost effectiveness, enhanced safety, room‐temperature performance and high theoretical specific capacity. However, the alkali metal anodes (such as Li and Na) are active enough to react with most solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs), leading to detrimental reactions at the metal–SSE interface. In this work, a molecular layer deposition (MLD) alucone film is employed to stabilize the active Na anode/electrolyte interface in the ASSMBs, limiting the decomposition of the sulfide‐based electrolytes (Na3SbS4 and Na3PS4) and Na dendrite growth. Such a strategy effectively improves the room‐temperature full battery performance as well as cycling stability for over 475 h in Na–Na symmetric cells. The modified interface is further characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth profiling, which provides spatially resolved evidence of the synergistic effect between the dendrite‐suppressed sodiated alucone and the insulating unsodiated alucone. The coupled layers reinforce the protection of the Na metal/electrolyte interface. Therefore, alucone is identified as an effective and bifunctional coating material for the enhancement of the metal/electrolyte interfacial stability, paving the way for rapid development and wide application of high‐energy ASSMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]