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Bulk gallium nitride (GaN) has shown great success in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), but the use of its counterpart GaN quantum dots (QDs) to obtain electroluminescence has not yet been reported. In this work, the first GaN‐based QLED is demonstrated using Zn‐doped GaN (GaN: Zn) QDs, which is achieved through the combination of trap passivation, energy level adjustment, and morphology engineering. Pure GaN QDs and GaN: Zn QDs are synthesized, and it is found that Zn doping shifts the GaN QD emission from 321 to 377 nm and tunes the highest occupied molecular orbital energy level from 8.6 eV (of original GaN QDs) to 6.9 eV. Multiple washing posttreatment is further developed to improve QD film morphology and size distribution. The optimized GaN: Zn QDs are employed to fabricate solution‐processed LEDs, and the first GaN‐based QLEDs are reported with a maximum quantum efficiency of 0.004%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing deep‐blue fluorophores with a low CIEy is an important request for organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) technology either for display applications or to develop new applications such as light source with antibacterial properties. The challenge of deep‐blue emitting OLEDs mainly relies on the difficulty to reach efficient emitters fulfilling all the characteristics desired to insure a high device performance with suitable CIE coordinates. Herein, we report on the synthesis, the physico‐chemical properties and the application as emissive layer in an OLED of two deep‐blue emitters constructed on the association of Spirofluorene‐N‐PhenylAcridine (SPA‐F) and SpiroBiFluorene (SBF) molecular fragment. Two emitters, 2,2‐SPAF‐SBF and 2,3‐SPAF‐SBF have been constructed following a similar design strategy. The emission wavelength is tuned by the substitution pattern of the SBF backbone (meta or para linkage). Through a structure/properties relationship study, the electrochemical, photophysical and thermal/morphological properties are discussed. When used as emitter in a multi‐layer OLED, 2,2‐SPA‐SBF displays a deep‐blue emission reaching an EQE of ≈1.7% and a Von of 4 V. The electroluminescent spectrum displays a λmax below 400 nm (i.e. 394 nm) and CIE coordinates of (0.182, 0.054). The CIEy coordinate of 0.054 is low and fits the NTSC and EBU standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) adopting layered oxide cathodes with high nickel content (Ni ≥ 0.9) always suffer from extremely poor cycle life, especially at elevated temperatures and higher charging cut‐off voltages. Adding small amounts of functional additives is considered to be one of the most economic and efficacious strategies to resolve this issue. Herein, cyano‐groups are introduced innovatively into a siloxane to delicately synthesize a novel cyano‐siloxane additive, namely 2,2,7,7‐tetramethyl‐3,6‐dioxa‐2,7‐disilaoctane‐4,4,5,5‐tetracarbonitrile (TDSTCN). Encouragingly, 0.5 wt.% TDSTCN additive enables ultrahigh nickel LiNi0.9Co0.05Mn0.05O2/graphite (NCM90/Gr) full cells with dramatically increased cycle life, especially at an elevated temperature of 50 °C and a high charging cut‐off voltage of 4.5 V. The characterizations reveal that the TDSTCN additive can scavenge HF and promote the formation of robust stable interface layers on NCM90 cathode and Gr anode due to the synergistic effects of cyano‐groups and Si−O bonds. These results reveal the great significance of designing one single additive with several functional groups in enhancing the comprehensive electrochemical performances of high Ni LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the deterministic linkage of short and long gold nanorods into one‐dimensional (1D) alternating nanorod chains in a head‐to‐head manner using click reactions. By precisely controlling the surface chemistry, we achieve orientation‐specific and robust covalent linkage between nanorods with high‐product yield. The optical response of the alternating nanorod chains exhibits Fano‐like resonances. This method enables the high‐throughput production of covalently linked plasmonic particle networks consisting of heterogeneous nanoparticles with specifically chosen spectral responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomass burning (BB) fractions estimated with the aethalometer model differ from 0 even for pure aerosols from fossil fuel (FF) combustion. We used black carbon (BC) aerosols partially‐coated with non‐absorbing materials to represent typical FF aerosols, and the BB fractions were determined with the aethalometer model. Thus, the estimated BB fractions are the fractions that FF aerosols are incorrectly attributed to BB aerosols. The BC morphology and mixing state have significant effects on the estimation of BB fractions. For freshly emitted BC, the BB fractions do not deviate significantly from 0, and the BB fraction is generally in the range of −1%–10% based on an FF absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) of 1 and a BB AAE of 2. The BB fraction deviates substantially from 0 when BC becomes compact and is coated. The absolute values of the deviations sometimes can be close to 100% for heavily coated BC. The BB fraction is generally greater than 0 for fluffy BC while compact BC generally exhibits a negative BB fraction. The BB fractions of partially‐coated BC are very sensitive to the size distribution and coating ratio, which is consistent with the results of the core‐shell sphere model. We have also performed a series of studies with different configurations for BC morphologies, coating ratios, and mixing states, which show the variations of the estimated BB fractions with atmospheric aging. We also explain the reasons for the uncertainties in the BB fraction estimates and provide suggestions for using different AAE pairs. Plain Language Summary: It is well known that the fixed absorption Ångström exponent values assumed in the aethalometer model would lead to inaccurate results, while there is a lack of understanding of how the microphysical properties of black carbon (BC) affect the estimation of biomass burning (BB) fractions. In this work, we used BC aerosols coated with non‐absorbing materials to represent the typical from fossil fuel (FF) aerosols, and the fractions from BB are determined using the aethalometer model. From such simulations, we can see how much FF aerosols are incorrectly attributed to BB aerosols. Based on different configurations for the microphysical properties of BC at different atmospheric aging conditions, we have investigated the effects of atmospheric aging and morphology on the source apportionment of light absorbing aerosols. By using more morphologically realistic models, we can obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the microphysical properties of BC than by using the core‐shell model in previous study. In addition, we have also suggested the use of the aethalometer model. Key Points: Biomass burning (BB) fractions of partially‐coated black carbon (BC) are determined using the aethalometer modelThe effects of BC microphysical properties on the source apportionment of light absorbing aerosols are investigatedThe variations of BB fractions with particle aging are revealed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) based on anion (de)intercalation into low‐cost graphitic carbon cathodes hold great promise in grid‐scale energy storage. Different from the electrolyte in rocking‐chair batteries, which only serves as a charge transporter, both cations and anions in the electrolyte for DIBs participate in battery reactions. Hence, the impact of the electrolyte formulation on cycle life, energy density, as well as cost has become a subject of vital importance. This review discussed the challenges and recent progress of electrolytes for DIBs, with a particular focus on the exploration of electrolytes with high oxidation stability, high salt concentration, high ionic conductivity, and low cost. Moreover, the influence of varied ion concentrations at different state‐of‐charge levels on the electrolyte properties such as ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability is analyzed. Finally, perspectives on the current limitations and future research directions of electrolytes for DIBs are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conformational engineering is essential to further reinforce the luminescent properties of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials featuring through‐space charge transfer (TSCT) characteristics. Herein, two TSCT‐TADF emitters (8MeDM‐B and 8FDM‐B) with the methyl and fluorine moieties substituted at the C8 site of the rigid spiro‐fluorene bridge is reported. Derivation of the C8 site is first proposed to control the molecular configuration with the ability to indirectly tune the intramolecular interaction between donor and acceptor groups. As a result, 8MeDM‐B and 8FDM‐B both present small singlet‐triplet energy gaps, fast reverse intersystem crossing rates, and high photoluminescence quantum yields. Interestingly, the smaller fluorine atom not the bigger methyl group exhibits more evident electrostatic repulsive force onto the central donor and thus rectifies the central spiro structure. Consequently, the high external quantum efficiency values of 28.8% and 31.7% for 8MeDM‐B and 8FDM‐B‐based electroluminescence devices are achieved, respectively. This study offers a measure for enhancing TSCT‐TADF emitters without directly modifying the donor or acceptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal mechanosensors, as the core component of a proprioceptive system, provide vital mechanical information from intelligent devices for adaptive motor control, mechanical fault diagnosis, and machining condition monitoring. However, developing a sophisticated mechanosensory structure that can be widely used is highly desirable to significantly improve the detection performance of internal mechanosensors. Coincidentally, in nature, optimized microscale slits of arachnids (e.g., scorpions and spiders) are ingeniously used as a mechanosensory structure for internal mechanosensilla to efficiently detect the inevitable internal mechanical feedbacks caused by self‐motion and external mechanical stimuli. Biological slit‐based mechano‐sensilla provide an attractive bio‐inspired strategy to use the controllable slit as the sensory structure to improve the perceptual performance of internal mechanosensors. In this study, the structure‐deformation‐performance coupling relationship of slit‐based mechano‐sensilla is explored through experiment and theoretical analysis. An artificial slit‐based mechanosensor is developed by mimicking the combined deformation properties of the slit and the ultrathin cuticular membrane covering the slit tail. This bio‐inspired mechanosensor shows excellent performance in terms of mechanical stability, response time, and sensitivity to mechanical signals. The research on a practical application highlights the importance of the unique basic "design" principles of the slit‐based mechano‐sensilla in improving the proprioceptive capability of smart engineering devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, all efficient host materials reported for phosphorescent OLEDs (PhOLEDs) are constructed with heteroatoms, which have a crucial role in the device performance. However, it has been shown in recent years that the heteroatoms not only increase the design complexity but can also be involved in the instability of the PhOLED, which is nowadays the most important obstacle to overcome. Herein, we design pure aromatic hydrocarbon materials (PHC) as very efficient hosts in high‐performance white and blue PhOLEDs. With EQE of 27.7 %, the PHC‐based white PhOLEDs display similar efficiency as the best reported with heteroatom‐based hosts. Incorporated as a host in a blue PhOLED, which are still the weakest links of the technology, a very high EQE of 25.6 % is reached, surpassing, for the first time, the barrier of 25 % for a PHC and FIrpic blue emitter. This performance shows that the PHC strategy represents an effective alternative for the future development of the OLED industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes the first hot exciton fluorescent material based on benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole and chiral binaphthol enabling circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) through a chiral perturbation strategy. The new molecular architecture displays CPL, hybridized local and charge transfer (HLCT) properties concurrently. Utilizing it as the emitter, circularly polarized organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐OLEDs) achieve an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 7.2% with a good exciton utilization (36%) and a moderate circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) dissymmetry factor (gEL, 2.1 × 10−3). In addition, the CP‐HLCT molecule is sensitized by a thermally activated delayed fluorescence material, significantly ameliorating the efficiency of HLCT fluorescent CP‐OLEDs. Excellent performances of twofold maximum EQE (EQEmax) of 15.3% and 82% exciton utilization are obtained in the sensitized device, regarding an extremely low‐efficiency roll‐off of 2.6% at 1000 cd m−2 as well as CPEL with a gEL value of 2.0 × 10−3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) molecule with a fused, planar architecture tends to aggregate at high doping ratios, resulting in broad full width at half maximum (FWHM), redshifting electroluminescence peaks, and low device efficiency. Herein, we propose a mono‐substituted design strategy by introducing spiro‐9,9′‐bifluorene (SBF) units with different substituted sites into the MR‐TADF system for the first time. As a classic steric group, SBF can hinder interchromophore interactions, leading to high device efficiency (32.2–35.9 %) and narrow‐band emission (≈27 nm). Particularly, the shield‐like molecule, SF1BN, seldom exhibits a broadened FWHM as the doping ratio rises, which differs from the C3‐substituted isomer and unhindered parent emitter. These results manifest an effective method for constructing highly efficient MR‐TADF emitters through a spiro strategy and elucidate the feasibility for steric modulation of the spiro structure in π‐framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common form of kidney cancer, with a high recurrence rate and metastasis capacity. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been suggested to act as the critical regulator in several diseases. This study is designed to investigate the role of circCSNK1G3 on RCC progression. We observed a highly expression of circCSNK1G3 in RCC tissues compared with normal tissues. The aberrantly circCSNK1G3 promoted the tumour growth and metastasis in RCC. In the subsequent mechanism investigation, we discovered that the tumour-promoting effects of circCSNK1G3 were, at least partly, achieved by up-regulating miR-181b. Increased miR-181b inhibits several tumour suppressor gene, including CYLD, LATS2, NDRG2 and TIMP3. Furthermore, the decreased TIMP3 leads to the enhanced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, thus promoting the cancer metastasis. In conclusion, we identified the oncogenic role of circCSNK1G3 in RCC progression and demonstrated the regulatory role of circCSNK1G3 induced miR-181b expression, which leads to TIMP3-mediated EMT process, thus resulting in tumour growth and metastasis in RCC. This study reveals the promise of circCSNK1G3 to be developed as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in the clinic. And the roles of circ-CSNK1G3 in cancer research deserve further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical nanosensors are promising for hydrogen sensing because they are small, free from spark generation, and feasible for remote optical readout. Conventional optical nanosensors require broadband excitation and spectrometers, rendering the devices bulky and complex. An alternative is spatial intensity‐based optical sensing, which only requires an imaging system and a smartly designed platform to report the spatial distribution of analytical optical signals. Here, a spatial intensity‐based hydrogen sensing platform is presented based on Fano‐like spatial distribution of the transmission in a Pd‐Al2O3‐Au metal‐insulator‐metal plasmonic Doppler grating (MIM‐PDG). The MIM‐PDG manifests the Fano resonance as an asymmetric spatial transmission intensity profile. The absorption of hydrogen changes the spatial Fano‐like transmission profiles, which can be analyzed with a "spatial" Fano resonance model and the extracted Fano resonance parameters can be used to establish analytical calibration lines. While gratings sensitive to hydrogen absorption are suitable for hydrogen sensing, hydrogen insensitive gratings are also found, which provide an unperturbed reference signal and may find applications in nanophotonic devices that require a stable optical response under fluctuating hydrogen atmosphere. The MIM‐PDG platform is a spectrometer‐free and intensity‐based optical sensor that requires only an imaging system, making it promising for cellphone‐based optical sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bionic engineering provides a promising way for promoting the development of science and technology. Next‐generation diversified mechanosensors that can efficiently sense four types of mechanical signals, including tactile, vibration, air/water flow, and sound, are also benefiting from the bioinspired approach. Natural organisms have evolved sophisticated biological mechanosensilla with excellent performance, such as ultrahigh sensitivity, resolution, stability, anti‐interference, and miniaturization, providing a great deal of inspiration for urgently needed mechanosensors that are difficult to achieve through conventional methods. Here, the recent advances in biological mechanosensilla and corresponding bioinspired mechanosensors are reviewed in detail. According to the classification of the mechanosensilla, i.e., tactile sensilla, vibrational sensilla, flow sensilla, and acoustic sensilla, this review is mainly divided into four parts. In each part, the research on functional mechanisms of the mechanosensilla based on well‐organized mechanosensory micro/nanostructures and unique functional materials, as well as the bionic design strategy and preparative technique of bioinspired mechanosensors are individually summarized and discussed. Meanwhile, insight into the further efforts in comprehensive understanding of the mechanosensilla, learning from the multiperformance integration of sensilla, and establishing the efficient preparation methods for bioinspired mechanosensors is provided, all of which are needed to be addressed urgently before having bioinspired mechanosensors of practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury may induce kidney damage and dysfunction, in which oxidative stress and apoptosis play important roles. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to be closely related to renal I/R, but the specific molecular mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this research was to explore the regulatory effect of lncRNA TUG1 on oxidative stress and apoptosis in renal I/R injury. This research revealed that in renal I/R injury and hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) injury in vitro, the expression level of lncRNA TUG1 was upregulated, and oxidative stress levels and apoptosis levels were negatively correlated with the expression level of lncRNA TUG1. Using bioinformatics databases such as TargetScan and microRNA.org, microRNA-144-3p (miR-144-3p) was predicted to be involved in the association between lncRNA TUG1 and Nrf2. This study confirmed that the level of miR-144-3p was significantly reduced following renal I/R injury and H/R injury in vitro, and miR-144-3p was determined to target Nrf2 and inhibit its expression. In addition, lncRNA TUG1 can reduce the inhibitory effect of miR-144-3p on Nrf2 by sponging miR-144-3p. In summary, our research shows that lncRNA TUG1 regulates oxidative stress and apoptosis during renal I/R injury through the miR-144-3p/Nrf2 axis, which may be a new treatment target for renal I/R injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Findings: What is the central question of this study?What is the role of fibrinogen‐like protein 2 (FGL2) in murine cardiomyocyte maturation?What is the main finding and its importance?This is the first study showing both global Fgl2 knockout and cardiac‐specific FGL2 deletion trigger early death and dilated cardiomyopathy. By using an adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐mediated CRISPR/Cas9‐based somatic mutagenesis system, it was demonstrated that cardiac‐specific FGL2 depletion induces ventricular dilatation and remodelling, and disrupts the normal hypertrophic growth and polyploidization of cardiomyocytes. In addition, it was shown that modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 and fibroblast growth factor 2 signalling is associated with loss‐of‐FGL2‐mediated cardiac dysfunction. These results suggest FGL2 is an important determinant of cardiomyocyte maturation. In the first few weeks after birth in altricial mammals, postnatal cardiomyocytes (CMs) undergo dramatic changes, including cell volume enlargement, cell cycle withdrawal and polyploidization to become mature CMs. Aberrations in this process could disrupt the essential contractility and synchronization of adult CMs, leading to various heart diseases. However, the mechanism of CM maturation is poorly understood. Fibrinogen‐like protein 2 (FGL2) is an immune coagulant which participates in maturation of multiple cell types. However, little evidence exists regarding a role of FGL2 in CM maturation. In this study, we observed that global Fgl2–/– pups had high lethality and suffered from cardiac dysfunction before P28. To further confirm the phenotype and study the mechanisms upon FGL2 deficiency, we used an adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐mediated CRISPR/Cas9‐based somatic mutagenesis system to generate loss‐of‐function mutations of Fgl2 specifically in CMs. We designed two guide RNAs (gRNAs) exclusively targeting Fgl2 exon1 and produced Fgl2‐gRNA AAV9 to deliver to neonatal Cas9 mice. Here, we demonstrated the efficient FGL2 depletion in the heart after Fgl2‐gRNA AAV9 delivery. Consistent with the findings in global Fgl2–/– mice, we observed AAV9‐mediated FGL2 depletion triggered early death and dilated cardiomyopathy. In addition, FGL2 depletion perturbed the normal hypertrophic growth and polyploidization of maturing CMs. Furthermore, we found modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 and fibroblast growth factor 2 signalling was associated with FGL2 deficiency‐mediated cardiac dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate the successful depletion of FGL2 in maturing CMs in vivo and show FGL2 is an important determinant for normal CM maturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational manipulation of frontier orbital distribution and singlet‐triplet splitting is crucial to exploit the luminescent properties of organic molecules. To realize ultra‐blue luminescence, both blue‐shifted wavelength peak (λpeak) and narrow full‐width at half‐maximum (FWHM) are required. Herein, a new thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) skeleton by inserting the diphenyl methylene intramolecular‐lock to adjust the torsion angles and restrict the intramolecular relaxation is developed. Two rigid emitters, incorporating phenoxazine (PXZN‐B) and acridine (DMACN‐B) as donors and mesitylboron as an acceptor, exhibit narrow FWHMs (<50 nm) with deep‐blue (0.133, 0.147) and violet‐blue emission (0.151, 0.045), respectively. In particular, the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of a DMACN‐B‐based device closely approach the Rec.2020 standard (0.131, 0.046). Moreover, both of the organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on PXZN‐B and DMACN‐B show TADF character, with high external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) exceeding 10%. Furthermore, owing to the large orbital overlap, these TADF emitters own a fast S1–S0 transition rate exceeding 108 s–1, thereby exhibiting marked amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) with low thresholds. Therefore, the intramolecular‐lock strategy provides not only innovation for realizing high‐efficiency deep‐blue TADF emission with high color purity but also an avenue for a TADF‐based ASE and lasing application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the inherent organic–metal system property, phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) are capable of exhibiting high performance. However, the existence of unintended triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA), which is mainly originated from high triplet exciton density leading to inferior device performance, is a current predicament. For mitigating the TTA in devices, reported herein is an effective host system with the role of precisely controlling the triplet excitons via the multichannel processes, in which a bipolar host material, a hole‐transporting material, and an electron‐transporting material are mixed to manage the triplet exciton transfer. The mixed‐host with so‐called "triplet excitons harvesting" strategy exhibits two concomitant reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) processes that simultaneously occur in the bipolar host material:electron‐transporting material and the host‐transporting material:electron‐transporting material exciplexes, respectively. Highly efficient green and red PhOLEDs are demonstrated by these multichannel processes, in which phosphorescent emitters bis(2‐phenylpyridine) (acetylacetonate) iridium(III) (Ir(ppy)2(acac)) and bis(2‐methyldibenzo[f,h]‐quinoxaline) (acetylacetonate) iridium(III) (Ir(MDQ)2(acac)) are doped into the mixed‐host, respectively. The green and red PhOLEDs realize nearly 30% of maximum external quantum efficiencies of 29.4% and 29.2%, respectively, and also maintain 29.1% and 28.3% at 1000 cd m−2. These excellent efficiencies and low roll‐offs confirm that the concomitant RISC processes effectively manage and utilize triplet excitons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study advances the use of the Self‐organizing Map (SOM) to identify the summer monsoon rainfall patterns over Southeast China (SEC), using 272 gauge records from May to August. Three distinct rain belts over the Huai River basin (HRB), the Lower Yangtze River basin (LYRB) and the South Coast region (SCR) are found. Their subseasonal variability strongly agrees with the northward progression of the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) front in a stepwise fashion. We find that precipitation in the SCR and HRB rain belts exhibit significant changes in the mid‐1990s, while the 1990s is the most active decade for the LYRB rain belt. Promising predictability of average daily rainfall over these three regions is obtained, with about 39% to 50% of the total variance explained by the circulation informed regression models. Both leave‐one‐year‐out cross‐validation and blind prediction verify the regression performance. The western North Pacific Subtropical High phases, mid‐latitude blocking high anomaly over northeast China and upper‐level divergence in SEC are found to best explain the variability of the rain belts. The newly proposed Russia‐China wave patterns (western/central Russia→north of Tibetan Plateau→SEC) and teleconnection between the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation and the rain belts also offer additional predictability. Findings from this work may advance the understanding of the EASM rain belts, and offer insights to the source of bias for numerical simulations of daily summer monsoon rainfall in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, strong polymer-based hydrogels have been intensively investigated. However, the development of tough protein hydrogels with controlled degradation for bone regeneration has rarely been reported. Here, regenerated silk fibroin/gelatin (RSF/G) hydrogels with both strength and controlled degradation are prepared via physically and chemically double-crosslinked networks. As a representative example, the 9%RSF/3%G hydrogel shows approximately 80% elongation and a compressive and tensile modulus of up to 0.25 and 0.21 MPa, respectively. It also shows a degradation rate that can be adjusted to approximately three months in vivo, a value between that of the rapidly degrading gelatin hydrogel and the slowly degrading RSF hydrogel. The 9%RSF/3%G hydrogel has good biocompatibility and promotes the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow--derived stem cells compared with the control and pure RSF hydrogels. At 12 weeks after implantation of the gel in a calvarial defect, micro-computed tomography shows greater bone volume and bone mineral density in the 9%RSF/3%G group. More importantly, histology reveals more mineralization and enhancements in the quality and rate of bone regeneration with less of a tissue response in the 9%RSF/3%G group. These results indicate the promising potential of this tough protein hydrogel with controlled degradation for bone regeneration applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A surface coating was successfully applied through dipping the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers in a carbon black (CB) bath containing a hydrolyzed binder. The coated fibers were pre‐oxidized over the microwave furnace at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 170°C for different heating times. The changes in chemical structure were studied by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy combined with elemental analyzer. X‐ray diffraction was employed to study the crystalline structure and its related parameters. Differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetry were used for thermal analysis. In addition, the fiber morphology and the mechanical properties were also evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy results confirmed the presence of CB on the surface of PAN precursor. The analysis in the chemical structure showed an apparent response of coated PAN fibers to the microwave heating, since the microwave field induced the cyclization and crosslinking reactions. The crystallinity and the crystallite height decreased. Furthermore, the tensile strength and elongation of pre‐oxidized fibers decreased with the increase of heating time. The measured oxygen content revealed that the pre‐oxidized fibers can withstand the high temperatures on the following stage (carbonization). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:457–464, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cover Feature: Rational Design of Functional Electrolytes Towards Commercial Dual-Ion Batteries (ChemSusChem 4/2023) Keywords: dual-ion batteries; electrochemistry; electrolytes; energy density; energy storage EN dual-ion batteries electrochemistry electrolytes energy density energy storage 1 1 1 02/23/23 20230220 NES 230220 B The Cover Feature b shows a dual-ion battery based on anion intercalation into graphite cathode for grid-scale energy storage. Dual-ion batteries, electrochemistry, electrolytes, energy density, energy storage. [Extracted from the article]

Au-Pd core-shell nanocrystals with tetrahexahedral (THH), cubic, and octahedral shapes and comparable sizes were synthesized. Similar-sized Au and Pd cubes and octahedra were also prepared. These nanocrystals were used for the hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER) from ammonia borane. Light irradiation can enhance the reaction rate for all the catalysts. In particular, Au-Pd THH exposing {730} facets showed the highest turnover frequency for hydrogen evolution under light with 3-fold rate enhancement benefiting from lattice strain, modified surface electronic state, and a broader range of light absorption. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations show a stronger electric field enhancement on Au-Pd core-shell THH than those on other Pd-containing nanocrystals. Light-assisted nitro reduction by ammonia borane on Au-Pd THH was also demonstrated. Au-Pd tetrahexahedra supported on activated carbon can act as a superior recyclable plasmonic photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EglN2/PHD1 prolyl hydroxylase is an important oxygen sensor contributing to breast tumorigenesis. Emerging studies suggest that there is functional cross talk between oxygen sensing and mitochondrial function, both of which play an essential role for sustained tumor growth. However, the potential link between EglN2 and mitochondrial function remains largely undefined. Here, we show that EglN2 depletion decreases mitochondrial respiration in breast cancer under normoxia and hypoxia, which correlates with decreased mitochondrial DNA in a HIF1/2aindependent manner. Integrative analyses of gene expression profile and genomewide binding of EglN2 under hypoxic conditions reveal nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) motif enrichment in EglN2-activated genes, suggesting NRF1 as an EglN2 binding partner. Mechanistically, by forming an activator complex with PGC1α and NRF1 on chromatin, EglN2 promotes the transcription of ferridoxin reductase (FDXR) and maintains mitochondrial function. In addition, FDXR, as one of effectors for EglN2, contributes to breast tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Our findings suggest that EglN2 regulates mitochondrial function in ERa-positive breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a process used to isolate cembranoids from soft coral Sarcophyton. Topics discussed include characteristics of Sarcophyton corals, biological activities of the metabolites found in Sarcophyton and chemical structure of the cembranoids isolated from the coral. Also discussed are the results of the cytotoxicity evaluation of the compounds as compared with human breast cancer cells.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term efficacy and safety of telbivudine therapy as compared to lamivudine therapy in liver failure patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. These data were collected from 38 liver failure patients with chronic HBV infection who were randomly enrolled to one of the two treatments. All patients received comprehensive treatments; 20 patients were treated with telbivudine, and the other 18 patients were treated with lamivudine. The serum levels of HBV DNA, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, prothrombin time activity, and creatine kinase were determined every 7 days for 8 weeks. The results showed that the serum HBV DNA levels in patients treated with either telbivudine or with lamivudine declined gradually after the 2nd week of treatment. However, HBV DNA levels in the telbivudine group fell to the lower limit of detection (<5 + E2 copies/ml) after the 5th week, which was more rapid than in the lamivudine group. In addition, the total bilirubin and prothrombin time activity of the patients with telbivudine treatment showed a more significant improvement as compared to the patients treated with lamivudine from the start of the 5th week. All patients tolerated telbivudine or lamivudine treatment well. The patients treated with telbivudine did not have elevated serum creatine kinase or myopathic symptoms during the 8-week treatment period. Thus, telbivudine treatment is superior to lamivudine treatment in improving the condition of patients with liver failure as a result of chronic HBV infection in the short term. J Med. Virol. 85:1907-1912, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma cell lines and normal human melanocytes (NHM) were assayed for p53-dependent G1 checkpoint response to ionizing radiation (IR)-induced DNA damage. Sixty-six percent of melanoma cell lines displayed a defective G1 checkpoint. Checkpoint function was correlated with sensitivity to IR with checkpoint-defective lines being radio-resistant. Microarray analysis identified 316 probes whose expression was correlated with G1 checkpoint function in melanoma lines (P ≤ 0.007) including p53 transactivation targets CDKN1A, DDB2, and RRM2B. The 316 probe list predicted G1 checkpoint function of the melanoma lines with 86% accuracy using a binary analysis and 91% accuracy using a continuous analysis. When applied to microarray data from primary melanomas, the 316 probe list was prognostic of 4-yr distant metastasis-free survival. Thus, p53 function, radio-sensitivity, and metastatic spread may be estimated in melanomas from a signature of gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Association for the Study of Liver Disease issued guidelines that proposed that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be diagnosed if a mass is larger than 2 cm in a cirrhotic liver and shows typical features of HCC at triphasic liver computed tomography (CT) or dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In non-cirrhotic livers, the criteria were not applicable. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze the sensitivity of imaging by samples of definite HCC postoperatively and test their application to diagnose HCC in non-cirrhotic livers. From January 2006 to November 2008, a total of 343 pathologically-diagnosed HCC patients via surgical resection were reviewed. Among the 343 patients, 204 patients had undergone liver CT examination, and 80 patients underwent MRI examination; serum α-fetoprotein had been checked for all 343 patients prior to operation. The diagnostic sensitivity of HCC by imaging was evaluated and compared in patients with/without cirrhosis by ultrasound and histology. The diagnostic sensitivity of HCC by single imaging was approximately 65-80% (liver CT or MRI). A higher sensitivity of HCC diagnosis was found in patients with ultrasound-diagnosed cirrhosis than non-cirrhosis, but the difference in sensitivity disappeared after histologically-cirrhotic validation. The results indicated that regardless of the presence or absence of cirrhosis (histology), a typical vascular pattern could diagnose HCC with equally high sensitivity. We provide evidence that the sensitivity of HCC diagnosis by imaging is not influenced by the cirrhotic background. Further study is needed to validate the specificity and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LT is the definitive treatment option in the management of end-stage liver disease. Preoperative vascular evaluation plays an important role for a safe and successful operation in LDLT. The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness and accuracy of CTA and MRA in evaluating vascular anomalies in BA patients undergoing LDLT. Images of CTA and MRA for preoperative vascular evaluation in 57 BA patients undergoing LDLT were reviewed with the operative and pathologic findings. All underwent preoperative CTA and MRA. Pathologic PV (n = 20), interruption of the retro-hepatic vena cava (n = 1), aberrant right HA from the SMA (n = 2) were confirmed during the transplant operation. The success rate of CTA and MRA in identifying vascular anomalies was 96% and 82%, respectively (p = 0.01). The IQR scores were 3.25 ± 0.53 for CTA and 2.91 ± 0.70 for MRA (p = 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of CTA were 85%, 97% and 93%, respectively; and for MRA, were 65%, 95% and 84%, respectively. CTA is superior than MRA in the preoperative evaluation of the vascular anatomy in pediatric BA LDLT candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was subdivided into 36 subgroups. We aimed to validate the prognostic value of CLIP scoring. Methods: This study included 3868 HCC cases treated between 1986 and 2002. Survival and prognostic impact of all subgroups were analysed. Results: In primary CLIP, comparisons of each score showed a significant difference ( P<0.001) and exhibited a linear trend ( P<0.001). A CLIP score of 0 was used as control group. Portal vein thrombosis, Child–Pugh B, α-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥400 ng/ml and multinodular with tumour extension ≤50% of the four subgroups with a CLIP score of 1 exhibited decreasing univariate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals, with values of 2.99 (2.05–4.37), 2.39 (2.00–2.86), 1.66 (1.40–1.96) and 1.39 (1.18–1.63) respectively. Homogeneity in the same score was evaluated by comparing subgroup survival curves. For scores 1–5, 83.3% (5/6), 57.1% (16/28), 24.4% (11/45), 3.6% (1/28) and 16.7% (1/6) pairs of survival curves significantly differed, respectively, with decreasing linear trend ( P<0.001). Conclusion: Different prognostic weighting of four predictive factors caused intrascore heterogeneity. Lower CLIP scores were associated with increased differences in intrascore. In conclusion, the CLIP staging scoring system is a reasonable ordinal scale, but the clinician must be aware of the heterogeneity of mortality risk within a given score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the synthesis, characterization and properties of amorphous copolyesters based on 1,3/1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. The study used x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to demonstrate and asses copolyesters. Results show that optical, thermal tensile and shrinkage properties of copolyesters were works of 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (NDA) and succinic acid (SA) content.

Background and Aim: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is expressed in the placenta and plays an essential role in maternal tolerance. Recent data showed that giving IDO inhibitor blocked liver allograft tolerance. However, the immunological role of IDO in rat liver allograft models has not been characterized. In the present study, the time-course of IDO expression and the localization of IDO were analyzed to address the role of IDO in the induction of tolerance. Methods: Rat orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) were performed and IDO gene expression of OLT livers was analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the localization of IDO-expressed cells in the liver. Results: The IDO gene was detected in the allogeneic liver graft at the acute phase but the signal could not be detected when these OLT rats were treated with cyclosporinee A. The time-course of IDO gene expression in liver grafts of the spontaneous tolerant OLT model revealed that the IDO mRNA was expressed in both the rejection phase and the induction phase of tolerance, but the signal was gradually lowered during the maintenance phase of tolerance. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the IDO protein was detected in antigen-presenting cells but not in hepatocytes. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that IDO is induced in antigen-presenting cells of rat liver allografts under drug-free status, suggesting that indirect or direct recognition of donor antigen and further T-cell activation may be inhibited. IDO may act as a local immunosuppressive molecule to protect transplanted cells, tissues and organs from immune attack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Major hepatectomy complicated with massive blood loss requires blood transfusion, which may result in increased morbidity and mortality. Intraoperative techniques and postoperative management that achieves blood transfusion-free major hepatectomy in children are described. Methods: Fourteen children with a mean age of 3.1 years and mean body weight of 14 kg underwent major hepatectomy between May 1994 and September 2002. Demographic information, surgical techniques, and intraoperative management were analyzed. Results: Hepatectomy included right trisegmentectomy in seven cases, extended right lobectomy in three, right lobectomy in two, and left lobectomy in two. Preoperative imaging, hemihepatic inflow control, intraoperative ultrasonography, and ultrasonic dissection were routinely applied. Fluid was restricted to target a low central venous pressure (5 cm H2O) during transection. Postoperative low hemoglobin (>6.3 g/dl) was tolerated in pediatric patients. There was no operative mortality or major complications and only two cases of pleural effusion. The mean blood loss was 68 ml (range 1.25–13.0 ml/kg), and no blood transfusions were required intraoperatively. Blood transfusion was given because of a liberal strategy for major operation in two patients and preoperative tumor bleeding in one. Conclusions: Despite being technically challenging, major hepatectomy can be performed with minimal blood loss and without blood transfusion in children to decrease postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Vascular reconstruction is important in liver transplantation because its obstruction causes graft failure and eventual loss. Vascular outflow obstruction may be due to graft malposition. We describe our experience with liver allograft repositioning using tissue expander and Foley catheter to improve hepatic and portal venous outflows. Patients and methods: A total of seven patients who received liver transplantation at our institution developed hepatic and/or portal venous obstruction during final graft positioning detected by Doppler ultrasonography (hepatic vein flow <10 cm/s; portal vein flow <12 cm/s). Chart and operative records of these patients were reviewed. Technique of operation, donor–recipient characteristics, use of tissue expander or Foley catheter to improve venous outflow, complications, and outcome were analyzed. Results: Hepatic and/or portal venous obstruction were detected after portal reperfusion. We used commercially available tissue expander used in plastic surgery and Foley catheter to reposition the graft. Tissue expanders were used in three recipients (age: 27–46 yr). Foley catheters were used in four recipients (age: 7 months–53 yr). One recipient used both tissue expander and Foley catheter. Expanders were filled with 300–770 mL saline and placed into the right subphrenic space. Foley catheters were filled with 15–75 mL saline. Significant improvements in hepatic and/or portal venous outflow were detected by Doppler ultrasonography post-graft repositioning. Aspiration of expander and Foley catheter contents was started from 6th to 27th postoperative day under sonographic guidance. All expanders and catheters were removed by the 19th–56th postoperative day (mean: 38 d). Complications included chylous ascites (1/7), bile leak (1/7), tube drain infection (2/7), septicemia (2/7). All complications were successfully managed by non-operative interventions. There was no outflow obstruction detected by ultrasonography before and after removal of expanders and catheters. One- and two-year graft and patient survivals were both 100%. Conclusion: The use of tissue expanders and Foley catheters to improve hepatic and portal venous outflow in malposed liver allografts is a simple and safe method after liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheng YF, Chen CL, Huang TL, Chen TY, Chen YS, Takatsuki M, Wang CC, Chiu KW, Tsang LL, Sun PL, Jawan B. Risk factors for intraoperative portal vein thrombosis in pediatric living donor liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2004 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2004.00178.x © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004 Pathologic changes of the recipient native portal venous system may cause thrombosis of the portal vein, especially in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study assessed the utility of Doppler ultrasound (US) for the detection of intraoperative portal vein occlusion and identification of predisposing risk factors in the recipients. Seventy-three pediatric recipients who underwent LDLT at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from 1994 to 2002 were included. Preoperative and intraoperative Doppler US evaluation of the portal vein was performed. Age, body weight, native liver disease, type of graft, graft recipient weight ratio (GRWR), type of portal anastomosis, portal velocity, portal venous size and presence of portosystemic shunt were analyzed for statistical significance of predisposing risk factors. Eight episodes of intraoperative portal vein thrombosis, with typical findings of absent Doppler flow in portal vein and prominent hepatic artery with a resistant index lower than 0.5 (p < 0.001), were detected during transplantation, which was then corrected by thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. Children age ≤1 yr (p = 0.025), weight ≤10 kg (p = 0.024), low portal flow ≤7 cm/s (p = 0.021), portal venous size ≤4 mm (p = 0.001), and GRWR >3 (p < 0.017) were all risk factors for intraoperative portal vein thrombosis. Doppler US is essential in the preoperative evaluation, early detection and monitoring of outcome of the portal vein in liver transplant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the field of shape memory polymers (SMPs) has developed rapidly, it is still highly challenging to obtain SMPs in the form of aerogels (SMPAs) due to the unique technique used for the fabrication of the aerogels and their high porosity. Herein, a thermally induced SMPA based on chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (CS/PEGDA) semi‐interpenetrating networks is reported that are produced using an eco‐friendly strategy. The main network is responsible for the shape memory effect (SME) and can be easily tuned by varying the feed ratio of the two PEGDA precursors, which have different molecular weights. The crystalline segment in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) with higher molecular weight acts as the molecular switch, and the PEGDA with lower molecular weight endows the network with an efficient degree of crosslinking. Meanwhile, the chitosan (CS) is interpenetrated into the main network to enhance the aerogel. The SME is realized both at the macroscale and the microscale, as is further demonstrated for three different models with various shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]