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Exploiting photothermal agents with second‐near‐infrared (NIR‐II, 1000−1700 nm) emission and a high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) is an appealing and challenging task. Herein, by simultaneously tailoring the D−A interaction and planarity in fluorophores, two donor‐acceptor (D−A) −type semiconducting polymers (SPs), T‐BTP and B‐BTP, are constructed. Compared with T‐BTP, B‐BTP shows increased intramolecular interactions and improved molecular planarity, leading to bathochromic‐shift absorption, NIR‐II emission, and high PCE. Notably, the B‐BTP NPs achieve a remarkable PCE of 84.7%, which is among the highest PCEs of SPs in NIR‐II fluorescence imaging‐guided photothermal therapy (PTT). Because of these promising features, B‐BTP NPs are successfully used in NIR‐II vascular imaging and cancer therapy. This study provides valuable guidelines for the development of high‐performance NIR‐II SPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ cancer vaccination is an attractive strategy that stimulates protective antitumor immunity. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are major mediators of the adaptive immune defenses, with critical roles in antitumor immune response and establishing immune memory, and are consequently extremely important for in situ vaccines to generate systemic and lasting antitumor efficacy. However, the dense extracellular matrix and hypoxia in solid tumors severely impede the infiltration and function of CTLs, ultimately compromising the efficacy of in situ cancer vaccines. To address this issue, a robust in situ cancer vaccine, Au@MnO2 nanoparticles (AMOPs), based on a gold nanoparticle core coated with a manganese dioxide shell is developed. The AMOPs modulated the unfavorable tumor microenvironment (TME) to restore CTLs infiltration and function and efficiently induced immunogenic cell death. The Mn2+‐mediated stimulator of the interferon genes pathway can be activated to further augment the therapeutic efficacy of the AMOPs. Thus, the AMOPs vaccine successfully elicited long‐lasting antitumor immunity to considerably inhibit primary, recurrent, and metastatic tumors. This study not only highlights the importance of revitalizing CTLs efficacy against solid tumors but also makes progress toward overcoming TME barriers for sustained antitumor immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate detection of lung metastasis is of great significance for making better treatment choices and improving cancer prognosis, but remains a big challenge in clinical practice. In this study, we propose a reinventing strategy to develop a pH‐activatable near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent nanoprobe, pulmonary metastasis tracer (denoted as PMT), based on assembly of NIR dye IR780 and calcium phosphate (CaP). By delicately tuning the intermolecular interactions during the assembly process and dye doping content, as well as the synthetic condition of probe, the fluorescence of PMT could be finely adjusted via the tumor acidity‐triggered disassembly. Notably, the selected PMT9 could sharply convert subtle pH variations into a distinct fluorescence signal to generate high fluorescence ON/OFF contrast, dramatically reducing the background signals. Benefiting from such preferable features, PMT9 is able to precisely identify not only the tumor sites in orthotopic lung cancer models but also the pulmonary metastases in mice with remarkable signal‐to‐background ratio (SBR). This study provides a unique strategy to turn shortcomings of traditional dye IR780 during in vivo imaging into advantages and further expand the application of fluorescent probe to image lung associated tumor lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant 14‐3‐3 proteins are essential for many biological processes and responses to abiotic stress. We performed genome‐wide identification and analysis of the 14‐3‐3 family genes in tomato. To explore the properties of the thirteen Sl14‐3‐3 found in the tomato genome, their chromosomal location, phylogenetic, and syntenic relationships were analyzed. The Sl14‐3‐3 promoters were found to have a number of growth‐, hormone‐, and stress‐responsive cis‐regulatory elements. Moreover, the qRT‐PCR assay revealed that Sl14‐3‐3 genes are responsive to heat and osmotic stress. Subcellular localization experiments evidenced that the SlTFT3/6/10 proteins occur in the nucleus and cytoplasm Additional analysis on Sl14‐3‐3 putative interactor proteins revealed a number of prospective clients that potentially participate in stress reactions and developmental processes. Furthermore, overexpression of an Sl14‐3‐3 family gene, SlTFT6, improved tomato plants thermotolerance. Taken together, the study provides basic information on tomato 14‐3‐3 family genes in plant growth and abiotic stress response (high temperature stress), which can be helpful to further study the underlying molecular mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm complications and neonatal asphyxia are the leading causes of death in those under 5 years of age. However, little information exists for the province of Henan, China. The purpose of this study was to explore changes in the live birth profile in a provincial hospital over the past 32 years in Henan, China. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to reveal the characteristics of live neonates from 1987 to 2018. Results: There were 118 253 live births during the period, including 19 798 (16.74%) preterm births. The neonatal death rate was 6.45‰, and the top risk factor was preterm birth complications and birth asphyxia. Before 1998, neonatal death occurred primarily among term infants. Between 1999 and 2018, preterm infants, especially extreme and very preterm infants with very low birthweight, constituted more than half of all mortalities, and the preterm birth rate increased from 5.94% in 1999 to 16.69% in 2018. The risk factors associated with preterm birth were being male (aOR = 1.18, P < 0.001), advanced maternal age (>35 years old; aOR = 1.08, P = 0.008), gravidity ≥2 (aOR = 1.15, P < 0.001), parity ≥2 (aOR = 1.50, P < 0.001), placenta previa (aOR = 7.41, P < 0.001), twin or multiple births (aOR = 10.63, P < 0.001), hypertension (aOR = 2.08, P < 0.001), and rupture of membrane (aOR = 5.03, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The preterm birth rate has increased over the past 32 years from 4.98% to 16.69% in a provincial hospital in China. Preterm birth was the leading reason for neonatal death, and birth asphyxia was the major risk factor for death in term infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin wound healing strategies that promote sustainable healing, prevent bacterial infections, and cause only mild irritation are urgently needed for open wound therapy. In this study, a system that consists of a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐degradable hydrogel dressing, with encapsulated biosafe nitric oxide (NO) donor L‐arginine (L‐Arg), and a low level (100 × 10−6 m) of the household disinfectant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is established for sustainable wound therapy and disinfection. Under stimulation with a low level of H2O2, NO is sustainably generated from L‐Arg within the hydrogel dressing, which mediates macrophage and fibroblast chemotaxis to the wound site, as well as collagen synthesis, resulting in rapid wound healing and skin organ regeneration. The combination of H2O2 and NO also endows the system with a synergistic antibacterial ability to eliminate ampicillin‐resistant Escherichia coli. In addition, a full‐thickness skin wound model demonstrates that the ROS‐degradable hydrogel dressing, with a wound exudate adsorption ability, shows effective wound healing promotion and a good biocompatibility, without any hazardous residues and skin irritation. This ROS‐responsive, degradable, synergistic wound healing system provides an alternative strategy for sustainable wound treatment, both at home and in the clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed structural investigation of a series of phosphate laser glasses with composition xBi2O3–yAl2O3–(100 − x–y)NaPO3 (x = 0, 10; y = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) has been conducted using solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that the addition of Bi2O3 and Al2O3 leads to the depolymerization of the phosphorus chain in the process of Q2 → Q1 → Q0. The various phosphorus species (Qn, n = 0, 1, 2) are identified by 31P single pulse, 31P{27Al} rotational echo adiabatic passage double resonance, 31P{27Al} J‐coupling‐based heteronuclear multiple‐quantum coherence, and 1D refocused INADEQUATE experiments. The results of 23Na{31P}, 31P{23Na}, 27Al{31P} rotational echo double resonance, and XPS consistently confirm that Na+, Al3+, and Bi3+ ions are all bound by phosphorus tetrahedron [PO4]3−. No bond is formed between these glass modifiers. Based on the complementary evidence from previous experiments, comprehensive local structure models are developed for these Bi2O3–Al2O3–NaPO3 glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) in solid tumors causes limited drug penetration and hypoxia‐mediated chemoresistance, which lead to poor chemotherapy outcomes. To solve this problem, a biomimetic metal–organic framework nanodrug (ZIF‐8‐DOX‐LY‐RM) is developed with red blood cell membrane (RM) camouflage and encapsulation of type 1 transforming growth factor β receptor (TGFBR1) inhibitor and doxorubicin (DOX) for efficient chemotherapy. Based on the biomimetic properties of the erythrocyte membrane, ZIF‐8‐DOX‐LY‐RM can effectively accumulate in tumor tissues with immune escape and prolonged blood circulation. Then, the enriched nanodrug ZIF‐8‐DOX‐LY‐RM releases the TGFBR1 to remove collagen, subsequently leading to enhanced nanodrug penetration and increased oxygen supply. The abundant oxygen supply then relieves hypoxia‐mediated chemoresistance of DOX through increased cellular uptake and elevated reactive oxygen species production. The in vivo studies demonstrate the outstanding performance of ZIF‐8‐DOX‐LY‐RM nanoparticles in chemotherapy of cancer. This work presents an ECM normalization strategy for the synergistic collagen depletion and hypoxia alleviation and opens a promising avenue for effective chemotherapy of solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To develop a conceptual framework of patient experience with nursing care. Background: Patient experience includes several aspects of health care delivery that patients value highly when they seek and receive care and is now increasingly used to evaluate the quality of care. Nurses are the backbone of the health care system, and patient experience with nursing care significantly influences the overall patient satisfaction and hospital performance. However, the conceptual framework of patient experience with nursing care is not clear. Method: This grounded theory study employed in‐depth interviews with 37 inpatients between March and May 2020. Results: An explanatory theoretical framework of the patient experience with nursing care emerged and was termed the 'I Accelerate' model; 'I Accelerate' stands for information and interpretation, appropriate attitude, close monitoring of progress, continuity of care, education, linking of the medical team, emotional support, responding to requests promptly, admission and discharge coordination, technical skills, and environment management, highlighting professional, emotional and coordinating functions of nurses. Conclusions: This study resulted in a holistic nursing care model based on patients' views, values and preferences. Implications for Nursing Management: To create a more therapeutic nurse–patient relationship and a more patient‐centred health care system, hospital administrators, nursing managers and nursing practitioners should understand what patients desire and expect. Efforts should be made to explore the barriers and facilitators of using patient experience for quality improvement and to further determine how these patient‐perceived attributes of nursing care can be rooted in the daily practice through organisational changes, culture shaping and staff education. There should be recognition of the potential need for psychological and emotional support, as well as of the importance of meeting communication and information needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, the high theoretical specific capacity CuO‐based anodes are considered as a potential host for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Unfortunately, the intrinsic poor conductivity of metal oxide and the huge volume expansion during the cycling caused serve capacity fading and unsatisfactory cycling stability. Here, a porous free‐standing octagonal flower‐like copper oxide (CuO)/carbon(C)/nickel foam (NF) multilevel structure is synthesized. The design of carbon‐coated ensures excellent mechanical strength, chemical stability and conductivity of nanocomposite, which effectively prevent the collapse and corrosion of the active material during cycle. In addition, 3D interconnected structure shortened the transmission distance of electrons and Li+, improving the ability of fast charge and discharge. The CuO/C/NF electrode exhibits high performance in cycling as the anode material for LIBs. The initial charge/discharge specific capacity of the octagonal flower‐like CuO/C/NF electrode is 871.1 mA h g−1 and 916.06 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, respectively. It achieves an outstanding discharge specific capacity of 505 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 800 cycles. This work combines CuO with a conductive matrix (carbon) and a 3D porous NF, effectively enhancing the electrochemical properties of CuO, which is of certain significance to the further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) restricts access to the brain of more than 98 % of therapeutic agents and is largely responsible for treatment failure of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Therefore, it is of great importance to develop a safe and efficient strategy for more effective drug delivery across the BBB into the brain. Inspired by the extraordinary capability of rabies virus (RABV) to enter the central nervous system, we report the development and evaluation of the metal–organic framework‐based nanocarrier MILB@LR, which closely mimicked both the bullet‐shape structure and surface functions of natural RABV. MILB@LR benefited from a more comprehensive RABV‐mimic strategy than mimicking individual features of RABV and exhibited significantly enhanced BBB penetration and brain tumor targeting. MILB@LR also displayed superior inhibition of tumor growth when loaded with oxaliplatin. The results demonstrated that MILB@LR may be valuable for GBM targeting and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To study the effects of Huaier polysaccharide SP1 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 and the underlying mechanism. Methods. MGC-803 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with SP1. The effects of SP1 on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of MGC-803 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry analysis, and Transwell assay, respectively. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the expression of related genes. Results. Our study showed that Huaier polysaccharide SP1 could inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and promote the apoptosis of MGC-803 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Huaier polysaccharide SP1 could inhibit the activation of TGF-β/SMAD signal pathway by upregulating SMAD7 expression, thereby downregulating the expression of SOX4, ZEB2, MMP9, Snail, and Slug. Conclusion. Huaier polysaccharide SP1 can regulate the proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells by promoting the expression of SMAD7 and inhibiting the activation of TGF-β/SMAD signal pathway as well as the expression of the downstream oncogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the efficacy and the prognostic value of amplitude‐integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in term and near‐term neonates with high risk of neurological sequelae. Methods: Infants of ≥35 weeks of gestation diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy or with high risk of brain injury were included. All eligible infants underwent aEEG within 6 h after clinical assessment. The infants were followed up 12 months to evaluate neurological development. Results: A total of 250 infants were eligible, of which 85 had normal aEEG, 81 had mildly abnormal aEEG, and 84 had severely abnormal aEEG. Of these infants, 168 were diagnosed with different neonatal encephalopathies, 27 with congenital or metabolic diseases, and 55 with high risk of brain injury. In all, 22 infants died, 19 were lost to follow‐up, and 209 completed the follow‐up at 12 months, of which 62 were diagnosed with a neurological disability. Statistical analysis showed that severely abnormal aEEG predicted adverse neurological outcome with a sensitivity of 70.2%, a specificity of 87.1%, a positive predictive value of 75.6%, and a negative predictive value of 83.7%. Interpretation: aEEG can predict adverse outcomes in high‐risk neonates and is a useful method for monitoring neonates with high risk of adverse neurological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An abnormal trap distribution and coordination geometry‐dependent multi‐band emission are discovered in chromium‐doped aluminates. The multi‐band and broadband persistent luminescence from 650–1100 nm peaking at 688 and 793 nm from Cr3+‐doped SrAl12O19 is systematically studied via structural and spectroscopic analysis. Solid state nuclear magnetic resonance allows the visualization of various coordination configurations in SrAl12O19, thus offering the possibility of tailoring the local geometry of the emission center to trigger the control of the spectral parameter. Deep tissue ex vivo and in vivo imaging in mice both demonstrate that multi‐band‐emissive SrAl12O19:Cr3+ shows superior, high‐quality near‐infrared (NIR) bio‐imaging in the biological transparency window compared to single band‐emissive (with emission only at 688 nm) SrAl2O4:Cr3+, although SrAl2O4:Cr3+ has a higher luminescent intensity and longer duration at 688 nm. Moreover, by measuring the thermoluminescence spectra the driving force of carrier release is discovered to be only from the deep trap (the depth is > 1 eV), which is different from the generally accepted shallow‐dependent afterglow‐emitting process. These findings pave the way for opening a vista of possible avenues for the enhancement of signal‐to‐noise ratio, the improvement of imaging quality, as well as the understanding of the trapping and de‐trapping process in long‐persistent phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pidotimod is widely used in children as an immune promoter but it has not been fully evaluated in animals. The pharmacokinetics of pidotimod and its oral bioavailability have not been described in broiler chickens. We developed a simple and sensitive UHPLC–MS/MS assay for rapid determination of pidotimod levels in chicken blood. Recoveries were nearly 100% and the coefficients of accuracy and precision were minimal. Healthy broiler chickens were given 10 mg/kg pidotimod either orally or intravenously. The oral pidotimod was rapidly absorbed (time to reach maximum concentration, 1.25 h) and rapidly eliminated (the mean residence time was 3.2 h). A noncompartmental analysis of the intravenous route indicated a mean plasma clearance of 2.2 L (h kg)−1 with an estimated mean volume of distribution at steady state of 12.69 L/kg. The bioavailability of pidotimod after oral dosing was 27%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidrug resistance (MDR) resulting from overexpression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) transporters increases the drug efflux and thereby limits the chemotherapeutic efficacy. It is desirable to administer both an MDR1 gene silencer and a chemotherapeutic agent in a sequential way to generate a synergistic therapeutic effect in multidrug-resistant cancer cells. Herein, an anti-MDR1 molecular beacon (MB)-based micelle (a-MBM) nanosystem is rationally designed. It is composed of a diacyllipid core densely packed with an MB corona. One of Pgp-transportable agents, doxorubicin (DOX), is encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the micelle and in the stem sequence of MB. The a-MBM-DOX nanosystem shows an efficient self-delivery, enhanced enzymatic stability, excellent target selectivity, and high drug-loading capacity. With its relatively high enzymatic stability, a-MBM-DOX initially facilitates intracellular MDR1 mRNA imaging to distinguish multidrug-resistant and non-multidrug-resistant cells and subsequently downregulates the MDR1 gene expression owing to an antisense effect. After that, the MB corona is degraded, destroying the micellar nanostructure and releasing DOX, which result in a high accumulation of DOX in OVCAR8/ADR cells and a high chemotherapeutic efficacy because of successful restoration of drug sensitivity. This micelle approach has the potential for both visualizing MDR1 mRNA and overcoming MDR in a sequential and synergistic way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fabricated a series of stable Er-doped CaO-Al2O3(Ga2O3) glasses by aerodynamic levitation (ADL) method. Using thermal analysis, we studied the influence of composition on the thermal stability of the glasses. The results unraveled the significance of composition on the stability of glasses. Magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) and Raman spectra were used to analyze the glass microstructure. The optical and spectroscopic properties were examined by UV-Vis absorption, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, transient state fluorescence spectroscopy, and luminescence quantum yield measurements. The results unraveled a clear concentration-dependent up-conversion and NIR emissions of Er3+, with obvious spectral broadening and redshift. The related mechanisms of decrease in fluorescent lifetime (from about 9 ms to 2 ms) and quantum yield (from about 75% to 5%) are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Alloy CdTe1-xSex quantum dots (QDs) have been fabricated by an organic route using Cd, Te and Se precursors in a mixture of trioctylamine and octadecylphosphonic acid at 280 °C. The variation of photoluminescence (PL) peak wavelength of the CdTe1-xSex QDs compared with CdTe QDs confirmed the formation of an alloy structure. The Se component drastically affected the stability of CdTe1-xSex QDs. A Cd0.5Zn0.5S shell coating on CdTe1-xSex cores was carried out using oleic acid as a capping agent. CdTe1-xSex/Cd0.5Zn0.5S core/shell QDs revealed dark red PL while a yellow PL peak was observed for the CdTe1-xSex cores. The PL efficiency of the core/shell QDs was drastically increased (less than 1% for the cores and up to 65% for the core/shell QDs). The stability of QDs in various buffer solutions was investigated. Core/shell QDs can be used for biological applications because of their high stability, tunable PL and high PL efficiency. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An anti‐MDR1 molecular‐beacon‐based micelle nanosystem is demonstrated by Zhongliang Wang, Qingjie Ma, Xiaoyuan Chen, and co‐workers in article number 1701027. Owing to its ingenious design, the nanosystem is able to successfully administer both a MDR1 gene silencer and a chemotherapeutic agent in a sequential way to produce a synergistic therapeutic effect, enhancing chemotherapeutic efficacy to OVCAR8/ADR cells significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm complications and neonatal asphyxia are the leading causes of death in those under 5 years of age. However, little information exists for the province of Henan, China. The purpose of this study was to explore changes in the live birth profile in a provincial hospital over the past 32 years in Henan, China., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to reveal the characteristics of live neonates from 1987 to 2018., Results: There were 118 253 live births during the period, including 19 798 (16.74%) preterm births. The neonatal death rate was 6.45‰, and the top risk factor was preterm birth complications and birth asphyxia. Before 1998, neonatal death occurred primarily among term infants. Between 1999 and 2018, preterm infants, especially extreme and very preterm infants with very low birthweight, constituted more than half of all mortalities, and the preterm birth rate increased from 5.94% in 1999 to 16.69% in 2018. The risk factors associated with preterm birth were being male (aOR = 1.18, P < 0.001), advanced maternal age (>35 years old; aOR = 1.08, P = 0.008), gravidity ≥2 (aOR = 1.15, P < 0.001), parity ≥2 (aOR = 1.50, P < 0.001), placenta previa (aOR = 7.41, P < 0.001), twin or multiple births (aOR = 10.63, P < 0.001), hypertension (aOR = 2.08, P < 0.001), and rupture of membrane (aOR = 5.03, P < 0.001)., Conclusions: The preterm birth rate has increased over the past 32 years from 4.98% to 16.69% in a provincial hospital in China. Preterm birth was the leading reason for neonatal death, and birth asphyxia was the major risk factor for death in term infants., (© 2022 The Authors. Birth published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)