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Background and Aim: Fexuprazan is a novel potassium‐competitive acid blocker (P‐CAB). This study aimed to explore the noninferior efficacy and safety of fexuprazan to esomeprazole in treating erosive esophagitis (EE). Methods: This was a phase III, randomized, double‐blind multicenter study. Patients with endoscopically confirmed EE were randomized to receive fexuprazan 40 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg once a daily for 4–8 weeks. The healing rates of EE, symptom response, GERD‐health‐related quality life (GERD‐HRQL), and treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were compared between fexuprazan group and esomeprazole group. Results: A total of 332 subjects were included in full analysis set (FAS) and 311 in per‐protocol set (PPS). The healing rates of fexuprazan and esomeprazole groups at 8 weeks were 88.5% (146/165) and 89.0% (145/163), respectively, in FAS and 97.3% (145/149) and 97.9% (143/146), respectively, in PPS. Noninferiority of fexuprazan compared with esomeprazole according to EE healing rates at 8 weeks was demonstrated in both FAS and PPS analysis. No significant difference was found between groups in EE healing rates at 4 weeks, symptom responses, and changes of GERD‐HRQL. The incidence of drug‐related AEs was 19.4% (32/165) in fexuprazan arm and 19.6% (32/163) in esomeprazole arm. Conclusion: This study demonstrated noninferior efficacy of fexuprazan to esomeprazole in treating EE. The incidence of TEAEs was similar between fexuprazan and esomeprazole. Trial registration number NCT05813561. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of hard carbon in sodium‐ion batteries is limited by insufficient reversible capacity and low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE), which are caused by the lack of active sites and unstable electrode/electrolyte interface. Herein, a biomass‐derived hard carbon material based on tea stems is proposed, which exhibits an ultrahigh ICE of 90.8%. This remarkable ICE is attributed to the presence of an inorganic‐rich, thin, and robust solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer. Furthermore, the material demonstrates excellent cycling stability, showing a capacity retention of 99.5% after 500 cycles at 280 mA g−1. Additionally, when it works as the anode material in a sodium‐ion full cell without presodiation, it reaches a high energy density of 212 Wh kg−1 and a superior stability, e.g., retaining 93.1 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1 with a capacity retention of 91.3%. The sodium storage capacity of this material is primarily attributed to a combined adsorption‐intercalation/filling effect as confirmed by in situ XRD and ex situ Raman analyses. These findings make this biomass‐derived hard carbon material a promising candidate for commercial application of sodium‐ion batteries, achieving high performance at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entropy is a universal concept across the physics of mixtures. While the role of entropy in other multicomponent materials has been appreciated, its effects in polymers and plastics have not. In this work, it is demonstrated that the seemingly small mixing entropy contributes to the miscibility and performance of polymer alloys. Experimental and modeling studies on over 30 polymer pairs reveal a strong correlation between entropy, morphology, and mechanical properties, while elucidating the mechanism behind: in polymer blends with weak interactions, entropy leads to homogeneously dispersed nanosized domains stabilized by highly entangled chains. This unique microstructure promotes uniform plastic deformation at the interface, thus improving the toughness of conventional brittle polymers by 1–2 orders of magnitude without sacrificing other properties, analogous to high‐entropy metallic alloys. The proposed strategy also applies to ternary polymer systems and copolymers, offering a new pathway toward the development of sustainable polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The potential function of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (HIRI) remains to be clarified. Methods: Clinical samples of transplanted liver tissues from 26 patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) and normal liver tissues from seven patients undergoing hepatic hemangiomactomy (Con) were collected. Typical samples were subjected to whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA‐seq). Differentially expressed genes between groups were identified by DEGseq and were analyzed by enrichment analysis including Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and gene set enrichment analysis. Transcription of five lncRNAs including NONHSAG039942, NONHSAG071405, NONHSAG027516, LXLOC_058190, and LXLOC_024376 that presented significant difference in RNA‐sequencing were validated by a quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), for which the subcellular localization and the binding ability to known human RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) were respectively predicted by LncLocator and catRAPID genomics v2.1. Results: We identified 2917 lncRNAs and 2811 mRNAs that were differentially expressed (p < 0.05 and log2 fold change > 1 or < −1) between groups (LT vs. Con). NONHSAG039942, NONHSAG071405, LXLOC_058190, and LXLOC_024376 were validated by qRT‐PCR to be significantly increased in the LT group, and were all predicted to be localized in cytoplasm or cytosol. NONHSAG039942, NONHSAG071405, and LXLOC_058190 held an RBP interaction propensity score of 98.07%, 76.95%, and 152.99%, respectively, with heterogeneous‐nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU). Pathways significantly activated in transplant livers that involved HNRNPU as a core enrichment gene included hypoxia, ACE2 expression, apoptosis, spliceosome formation, etc. Conclusions: NONHSAG039942, NONHSAG071405, and LXLOC_058190 were significantly increased in transplant livers after reperfusion and their role in HIRI may be associated with HNRNPU, a core protein that participates in hypoxia and chromatin accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self‐healing capability is highly desirable in semiconductors to develop advanced devices with improved stability and longevity. In this study, the automatic self‐healing in silicon nanowires is reported, which are one of the most important building blocks for high‐performance semiconductor nanodevices. A recovery of fracture strength (10.1%) on fractured silicon nanowires is achieved, which is demonstrated by in situ transmission electron microscopy tensile tests. The self‐healing mechanism and factors governing the self‐healing efficiency are revealed by a combination of atomic‐resolution characterizations and atomistic simulations. Spontaneous rebonding, atomic rearrangement, and van der Waals attraction are responsible for the self‐healing in silicon nanowires. Additionally, the self‐healing efficiency is affected by the fracture surface roughness, the nanowire size, the nanowire orientation, and the passivation of dangling bonds on fracture surfaces. These new findings shed light on the self‐healing mechanism of silicon nanowires and provide new insights into developing high‐lifetime and high‐security semiconductor devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping of oxygen‐deficient binder is an efficient way to alleviate the photo‐bias instability issue of oxide thin‐film transistors (TFTs). However, almost all dopants are working as electron suppressors and degrading mobility. Here we report an effective three‐level O‐anti|O|O‐N (OI|OII|N) gradient doping solution to overcome the adverse mobility‐stability trade‐off in N‐doped InGaZnO (IGZO:N) TFTs. 100 nm‐thick IGZO:OI|IGZO:OII|IGZO:N (IGZO:OI|OII|N) junctionless channel layers are fabricated by varying the partial pressures of oxygen and nitrogen doping gases. Best balance between improved performance and negligible degraded stability is first engineered by reducing the back‐channel IGZO:N depth close to the theoretical diffusion length of photo‐excited holes and forming two‐level graded IGZO:OII|N (40 nm|60 nm) TFTs. Much improved performance and comparable stability are further induced by incorporating ~1.5 nm percolation conduct IGZO:OI at the front‐channel to enhance accumulation. The three‐level graded IGZO:OI|OII|N TFTs exhibit high mobility (34.25 cm2 V−1 s−1) and good photo‐bias stability (∆Vth = −0.85 V@10 000 cd m−2, 3.0 h), which are 2~5‐fold superior to those of the controlled two‐level graded IGZO:OI|N TFTs, IGZO:OII|N TFTs, and homogeneous IGZO:OII TFTs, IGZO:N TFTs. The fabrication of high mobility and photo‐bias stable IGZO TFTs paves the way to future high‐performance oxide electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Keverprazan is a novel potassium‐competitive acid blocker (P‐CAB) with a strong acid‐suppressive capacity that may provide clinical benefit in acid‐related diseases. Aims: This study aimed to explore the non‐inferior efficacy and safety of keverprazan to lansoprazole in treating erosive oesophagitis (EO). Methods: This was a phase III, randomised, double‐blind multicentre study. Patients were randomised to receive keverprazan 20 mg once daily or lansoprazole 30 mg once daily for 4–8 weeks. EO healing rates and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the keverprazan group and the lansoprazole group. Results: A total of 238 patients comprised the full analysis set (FAS) while 221 patients comprised the per‐protocol set (PPS). For FAS analysis, the EO healing rates at week 8 were 95.8% (114/119) and 89.9% (107/119) for keverprazan and lansoprazole respectively. For PPS analysis, the EO healing rates at week 8 were 99.1% (110/111) and 92.7% (102/110) for keverprazan and lansoprazole respectively. Non‐inferiority of keverprazan compared with lansoprazole according to EO healing rates at 8 weeks was demonstrated in both FAS (difference: 5.8% [95% CI: −0.6% to 12.3%]; p = 0.081) and PPS (difference: 6.1% [95% CI: 1.1%–11.2%]; p = 0.018) analysis. Drug‐related AEs were reported in 34.5% (41/119) patients of the keverprazan group and 25.2% (30/119) patients of the lansoprazole group with no significant difference (p = 0.156). No severe AE happened in the keverprazan group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the non‐inferior efficacy of keverprazan to lansoprazole in treating EO. The incidences of drug‐related AEs were comparable between keverprazan and lansoprazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Characteristics of blood coagulation and its relation to clinical outcomes in COVID‐19 patients are still rarely reported. We aimed to investigate the blood coagulation function and its influences on clinical outcomes of patients with syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Methods: A total of 71 severe patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection who were treated in Wuhan First Hospital from February 12 to March 20, 2020, were enrolled. The blood coagulation data in these patients and in 61 healthy controls were collected. The patients with COVID‐19 were divided into two groups: the aggravated group and the nonaggravated group, respectively, basing on whether the patients' conditions turned to critically ill or not after admission. Results: Compared with healthy controls, patients with COVID‐19 had significant performances with coagulation dysfunction, including dramatically elevated values of FIB, PT, APTT, INR, FDP, and D‐Dimers but markedly reduced AT value (P <.05). Importantly, more noteworthy coagulation disorders similar to the differences between patients and controls were found in the aggravated patients with conditions deterioration after admission than those in the nonaggravated patients without conditions deterioration (P <.05). Moreover, the aggravated patients possessed a longer hospital stay and a higher mortality compared with the nonaggravated patients (P <.001). The coagulation parameters of COVID‐19 patients were widely and closely related to the indexes of liver function and inflammation (P <.05), indicating the coagulation dysfunction of these patients may be caused by liver injury and inflammatory storm. Conclusion: Severe patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection often possess coagulation dysfunction on admission. A certain correlation exists in coagulation disorder and adverse clinical outcome among severe COVID‐19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Functional Schiff base chelating groups (PCA) were covalently grafted onto the surface of magnetic graphene oxide (GO‐Fe3O4) via a facile silanization reaction under mild condition. The obtained GO‐Fe3O4‐PCA was further chelated with CuCl2 as an efficient, robust, and recyclable semi‐heterogeneous catalyst (GO‐Fe3O4‐CuCl2) for one‐pot three‐component KA2 coupling of ketones, amines, and alkynes. It exhibited environmentally benign, excellent magnetic separation performance, and higher catalytic activity than other commercially available copper sources. A series of propargylamines are prepared from cycloketones, cycloamines, and phenylacetylene in moderate to excellent yields under microwave (MW) irradiation (70–93%). Interestingly, the catalyst can be separated conveniently by a simple magnetic separation and reused at least four consecutive runs with a slight drop in the product yields. The semi‐heterogeneous property and excellent accessibility of GO‐Fe3O4‐CuCl2 might cause high catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effects of propofol post-conditioning ( PPC) on hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion injury ( HIRI) and the potential mechanisms that might be involved in the interaction of Brahma-related gene1( BRG1) and Nuclear-related factor 2(Nrf2). Patients were randomized into PPC( n = 16) and non- PPC( NPC)( n = 21) groups. Propofol(2 mg/kg) was infused within 10 min. of the onset of liver reperfusion during liver transplantation in the PPC group. Liver function tests, as well as Brg1, Nrf2, Heme oxygenase-1( HO-1) and NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase1( NQO1) expression levels were evaluated. CMV-Brg1 mice were designed to investigate the role of Brg1 overexpression during HIRI. Brg1 and Nrf2 si RNA were used to examine the relationship between Brg1 and Nrf2/ HO-1 pathways in propofol-mediated effects in a human hepatocyte(L02) hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R) model. In patients, PPC attenuated both donor liver pathological and function injury, and reducing oxidative stress markers, compared to the NPC group, 24 hrs after surgery. PPC increased liver Brg1, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 expression. In mice, PPC reduced HIRI by decreasing liver oxidative stress and activating Nrf2/ HO-1 pathway, accompanied by up-regulation of BRG1 expression. BRG1 overexpression activated Nrf2/ HO-1 transcription in CMV- BRG1 mice during HIRI. In vitro, PPC significantly elevated expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1, resulting in a reduction of cell DCFH- DA and 8-isoprostane levels and decreased lactate dehydrogenase levels, leading to an overall increase in cell viability. Moreover, the protective effects of propofol were partially abrogated in Nrf2-knock-down or BRG1-knock-down hepatocytes. Nrf2-knock-down drastically reduced protein expression of HO-1 and NQO1, while Brg1-knock-down decreased HO-1 expression. Propofol post-conditioning alleviates HIRI through BRG1-mediated Nrf2/ HO-1 transcriptional activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appropriate combination of hierarchical transition-metal oxide (TMO) micro-/nanostructures constructed from porous nanobuilding blocks with graphene sheets (GNS) in a core/shell geometry is highly desirable for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). A facile and scalable process for the fabrication of 3D hierarchical porous zinc-nickel-cobalt oxide (ZNCO) microspheres constructed from porous ultrathin nanosheets encapsulated by GNS to form a core/shell geometry is reported for improved electrochemical performance of the TMOs as an anode in LIBs. By virtue of their intriguing structural features, the produced ZNCO/GNS core/shell hybrids exhibit an outstanding reversible capacity of 1015 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C after 50 cycles. Even at a high rate of 1 C, a stable capacity as high as 420 mA h g−1 could be maintained after 900 cycles, which suggested their great potential as efficient electrodes for high-performance LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the facile and well-controlled design and fabrication of heterostructured and hierarchical 3D mesoporous NiSi x/NiCo2O4 core/shell nanowire arrays on nickel foam through a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique combined with a simple but powerful chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. The smart hybridization of NiCo2O4 and NiSi x nanostructures results in an intriguing mesoporous hierarchical core/shell nanowire-array architecture. The nanowire arrays demonstrate enhanced electrochemical performance as binder- and conductive-agent-free electrodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with excellent capacity retention and high rate capability on cycling. The electrodes can maintain a high reversible capacity of 1693 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles at 200 mA g−1. Given the outstanding performance and simple, efficient, cost-effective fabrication, we believe that these 3D NiSi x/NiCo2O4 core/shell heterostructured arrays have great potential application in high-performance LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover page of the journal "ChemSusChem" is presented.

via one-pot multicomponent azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the effects of propofol post-conditioning (PPC) on hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) and the potential mechanisms that might be involved in the interaction of Brahma-related gene1(BRG1) and Nuclear-related factor 2(Nrf2). Patients were randomized into PPC(n = 16) and non-PPC(NPC)( n = 21) groups. Propofol(2 mg/kg) was infused within 10 min. of the onset of liver reperfusion during liver transplantation in the PPC group. Liver function tests, as well as Brg1, Nrf2, Heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) and NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase1(NQO1) expression levels were evaluated. CMV-Brg1 mice were designed to investigate the role of Brg1 overexpression during HIRI. Brg1 and Nrf2 siRNA were used to examine the relationship between Brg1 and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways in propofol-mediated effects in a human hepatocyte(L02) hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R) model. In patients, PPC attenuated both donor liver pathological and function injury, and reducing oxidative stress markers, compared to the NPC group, 24 hrs after surgery. PPC increased liver Brg1, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 expression. In mice, PPC reduced HIRI by decreasing liver oxidative stress and activating Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, accompanied by up-regulation of BRG1 expression. BRG1 overexpression activated Nrf2/HO-1 transcription in CMV-BRG1 mice during HIRI. In vitro, PPC significantly elevated expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1, resulting in a reduction of cell DCFH-DA and 8-isoprostane levels and decreased lactate dehydrogenase levels, leading to an overall increase in cell viability. Moreover, the protective effects of propofol were partially abrogated in Nrf2-knock-down or BRG1-knock-down hepatocytes. Nrf2-knock-down drastically reduced protein expression of HO-1 and NQO1, while Brg1-knock-down decreased HO-1 expression. Propofol post-conditioning alleviates HIRI through BRG1-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 transcriptional activation., (© 2017 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine.)