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[Display omitted] To cope with the demand of more complex and variable applications, it is urgent to develop dual-mode triggered, breathable, and shape-memory wearable heaters for all-weather personal thermal management of composite phase change materials (PCMs). Herein, after high-temperature carbonization of ZnCo-MOF (metal–organic framework) nanosheet array grown in situ on flexible and breathable carbon cloth (CC) and subsequent encapsulation of polyethylene glycol (PEG), the as-prepared PEG/CC@Co/CNT (carbon nanotube) composite PCMs exhibited good breathability, mechanical strength (tensile strength of 9.15 MPa), thermal energy storage density (114.19 J/g), and shape memory due to the synergy of flexible CC skeleton and rigid PEG. More importantly, composite PCMs possessed excellent solar-thermal (93.7 %, 100 mW/cm2) and electro-thermals (94.5 %, 2.0 V) conversion and storage capacity, benefiting from the conjugation effect of high graphitized carbon/carbon heterostructure with fast electron/photon/phonon transmission and the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Co nanoparticles. Therefore, the integration of solar heating and Joule heating into breathable composite PCMs can be accurately used for next-generation all-weather, all-season, dual-mode triggered personal thermal management, including indoor/outdoor, daytime/night, rainy/cloudy and other complex and changeable scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon hydrocarbon compounds, especially low-carbon hydrocarbons (C1–C3), are vital raw materials in the petrochemical industry, but their efficient separation has great challenges due to their similar molecular structures and properties. In contrast to traditional low-temperature distillation and absorption separation technologies, selective adsorption employing porous materials as adsorbent has the advantages of low energy consumption, high efficiency, and high selectivity, indicating broad application possibilities in the field of low-carbon hydrocarbon separation. In this paper, the recent progress in the separation and purification of hydrocarbon mixtures by means of the two kinds of porous materials (metal–organic frameworks and molecular sieves) that have been widely used in recent years is reviewed, including purification of methane and separation of ethylene/ethane, propylene/propane, and some high-carbon hydrocarbon isomers. The structure–activity relationships between their chemical composition, structural characteristics, and separation performance are discussed to understand the separation mechanism. In conclusion, the issues encountered in the application of metal–organic frameworks and molecular sieves in the separation of low-carbon hydrocarbons are discussed in light of the current context of "carbon neutrality". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's manufacturing of organic light-emitting diode on silicon for microdisplay technologies, a top-emitting OLED (TEOLED) is required to be fabricated on top of an active-matrix circuitry located on the silicon backplane. This requires a highly reflective anode to enhance the luminance output. However, during the production process of a TEOLED, the hole injection efficiency and electrical conductivity may be suppressed by environmental exposure, in particular, moisture and oxygen. Given this, aluminum is an unfavorable reflective anode due to the primary concern of its native insulating oxide layer. The native oxide tends to grow during the patterning of the metal anode. In this paper, we have discovered that, by utilizing an Al2O3/MoO3 heterojunction anode structure, a highly efficient device can be made to achieve a current efficiency of 94 cd/A at a luminance of 1000 cd/m2. X-ray/ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show the formation of molybdenum gap states and favorable energy level alignment for hole injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Image-guided thermal-ablation techniques, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), have become the principal tools for treatment of unresectable primary and secondary tumors. However, tumor recurrences post-thermal ablation of medium to large-sized tumors frequently occur due to incomplete ablation of tumor margins. In the present study, we aim to specifically conquer this clinical problem through revolutionizing current thermal ablation technology by development of an innovative three-dimensional, multi-modal, perfusion-thermal electrode system, with the evidence of potential to simultaneously deliver therapeutics and RFA-medicated peritumoral hyperthermia into the difficult-to-treat tumor margins, to further eradicate the residual tumor cells during the thermal ablation. Background: Residual viable tumor cells after ablation at the tumor periphery serve as the source for tumor recurrence, leading to treatment failure. Purpose: To develop a novel three-dimensional (3D) multi-modal perfusion-thermal electrode system completely eradicating medium-to-large malignancies. Materials and Methods: This study included five steps: (i) design of the new system; (ii) production of the new system; (iii) ex vivo evaluation of its perfusion-thermal functions; (iv) mathematic modeling and computer simulation to confirm the optimal temperature profiles during the thermal ablation process, and; (v) in vivo technical validation using five living rabbits with orthotopic liver tumors. Results: In ex vivo experiments, gross pathology and optical imaging demonstrated the successful spherical distribution/deposition of motexafin gadolinium administered through the new electrode, with a temperature gradient from the electrode core at 80 °C to its periphery at 42 °C. An excellent repeatable correlation of temperature profiles at varying spots, from the center to periphery of the liver tumor, was found between the mathematic simulation and actual animal tumor models (Pearson coefficient ≥0.977). For in vivo validation, indocyanine green (ICG) was directly delivered into the peritumoral zones during simultaneous generation of central tumoral lethal radiofrequency (RF) heat (>60 °C) and peritumoral sublethal RF hyperthermia (<60 °C). Both optical imaging and fluorescent microscopy confirmed successful peritumoral ICG distribution/deposition with increased heat shock protein 70 expression. Conclusion: This new 3D, perfusion-thermal electrode system provided the evidence on the potential to enable simultaneous delivery of therapeutic agents and RF hyperthermia into the difficult-to-treat peritumoral zones, creating a new strategy to address the critical limitation, i.e., the high incidence of residual and recurrent tumor following thermal ablation of unresectable medium-to-large and irregular tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic solar cells are new members of trillion‐dollar semiconductor industry. The structure of these devices generally consists of a stack of several organic layers sandwiched between two electrodes. The electronic processes such as the energy‐level alignment at and charge transport across these interfaces play a key role to the overall performance of the organic devices. Thus, interface physics is important for design and engineering of organic devices. Herein, recent progress in energy‐level alignment at and charge transport across organic interfaces is reviewed. In addition, basic material physics of organic semiconductors such as energy levels, energy disorder, and molecular orientation is introduced. Recent progress in theories and experiments on energy‐level alignment at and charge transport across molecular heterojunctions is then discussed. Case studies of applying interface physics for guiding fabrication of ideal devices are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IL-33 attenuates cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction via inhibition of the p38 MAPK and NF- B pathways The Editor deeply regrets the grievance that this matter has caused to the authors of the previously published article, and also any inconvenience caused to the readership of the Journal. Mol Med Rep 9: 1834-1838, 2014; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2051 An interested reader of an article published in the journal I Circulation Research i [Krishnamurthy P, Rajasingh J, Lambers E, Qin G, Losordo DW and Kishore R: L-10 inhibits inflammation and attenuates left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction via activation of STAT3 and suppression of HuR. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: In this work, we investigate analytically quantum mechanical (QM) effects on the threshold voltage (V TH ) shift of the surrounding-gate (SG) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). We show how V TH is influenced by QM effects with the considerations of (110)-silicon (Si) orientation and (100)-Si orientation. Both doped and undoped models are presented. The analytical results of the undoped model are compared with those obtained by Yu et al., and good agreement is observed. We show how V TH is influenced with the doping level. When the radius of an SG MOSFET is small (<5nm), the V TH shift will be significant, and one should be careful in the use of the device with an extremely small silicon body radius. We find that at very high doping levels (>1018 cm−3), the V TH shift will be large. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The threshold voltage, V th of a double-gate (DG) Schottky-barrier (SB) source/drain (S/D) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) has been investigated. An analytic expression for surface potential is obtained by using Gauss''s law and solving Poisson''s equation, the results of which are compared with simulations, and good agreement is observed. Based on the potential model, a new definition for V th is developed, and an analytic expression for V th is obtained, including quantum mechanical effects and SB lowering effect. We find that V th is very sensitive to the silicon body thickness, t si . For a device with a small t si (<3nm), V th increases dramatically with the reduction of t si . V th decreases with the increase of the back-gate oxide thickness, and with the increasing of the drain bias. All the results can be of great help to the ultra-large scale integrated-circuit (ULSI) designers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of deposition rate of silver (Ag) cathode on the device performance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) has been investigated. The leaky current before the turn-on of devices was observed in the samples that have the Ag cathode deposited at relatively low rate (less than 0.5 Å/s), and their emission efficiencies were found to be undesirably inconsistent. These issues were not observed in the samples that have Ag cathode deposited at higher rate (>1.0 Å/s). Here we show that the pixel-to-pixel uniformity of OLEDs employing Ag cathode can be simply improved by depositing the cathode at high rate, since the rapid deposition suppresses the Ag diffusion into underlying organic layer. • High thermal deposition rate of Ag cathode could effectively reduce current leakage and improve the emission uniformity for large-area OLEDs. • The low-rate processed Ag cathode could blur the cathode/organic interface and the interfacial metal diffusion was problem trigger. • High-rate processing was more capable to immobilize Ag clusters, and thus refining cathode morphology and structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Advanced multifunctional carbon foam-based composite PCMs are developed. • Composite PCMs exhibit an ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.17%. • Composite PCMs exhibit a high reflection loss (RL) is −57.93 dB. • This study provides great potential for personal wearables in harsh environments. To cope with the complex and changeable extreme environments, extending multifunctionality is crucial for potable smart wearable composite phase change materials (PCMs). Herein, we developed advanced Co/N co-doped carbon foam-based multifunctional "five-in-one" composite PCMs integrating dual-temperature thermal management, light-triggered heating, waterproof, flame retardant, and microwave absorption through high-temperature calcination of melamine foam@ZIF67 and melting encapsulation of paraffin wax (PW). Benefiting from the strong full-spectrum absorption, fast photon and phonon transport, and local surface plasmon resonance effect, our designed foam-based composite PCMs exhibited an ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.17 %. More importantly, foam-based composite PCMs demonstrated excellent thermal management, structural stability and thermal storage stability after undergoing 300 heating–cooling cycles. Furthermore, foam-based composite PCMs showed superior microwave absorption (RL min = -57.93 dB), good flame retardancy and satisfactory hydrophobicity (contact angle > 100°). Thus, our developed multifunctional foam-based composite PCMs provide great potential for personalized thermal management and anti-radiation smart wearables even in harsh environments (e.g., rain, snow, sweat, fire, extreme cold, extreme heat and electromagnetic interference), creating a versatile platform for smart wearable light-triggered phase change heater with on-demand properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical and electronic properties of multilayers are known to dictate the performance of organic semiconductor devices. Gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) is developed for removing layer‐by‐layer molecular materials from surfaces. It is, however, not clear whether GCIB sputter can leave a damage‐free surface so that the true chemical and electronic properties can be measured. Herein, X‐ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS) are used to probe the chemical and electronic structures of organic semiconductors bombarded by GCIB. It is found that the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) measured by UPS are very sensitive to ion‐beam bombardment, whereas the XPS‐measured core levels show little change. It is, therefore, essential to use UPS for determining whether the chemical and electronic properties are damaged. Of all combinations of cluster size and beam energy, it is found that 4 keV 2000 argon ion cluster can produce a fresh damage‐free organic surface. Applying this optimal beam to sputter stacked films comprising tris(8‐hydroxy‐quinoline) aluminum (Alq3)/N,N′‐bis‐(1‐naphthyl)‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (NPB)/Alq3, it is shown that the chemical and electronic structures of the buried interfaces can be measured. This work demonstrates that photoelectron spectroscopies combined with GCIB can be used to construct chemical and electronic structures of multilayers in organic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy level alignment between host and dopant molecules plays a critical role in exciton formation and harvesting in light emission zone of organic light-emitting diodes. Understanding the mechanism for predicting energy level alignment is thus important in materials selection for fabricating high-performance organic light-emitting devices. Here we show that host-dopant energy level alignment strongly depends on film thickness and substrate work function by using X-ray and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy. Invariant Gaussian density of states fails to explain the experimental data. We speculate that energy disorder in molecules next to the surface dictates the alignment. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy measurements of several archetypical organic semiconductors confirm our speculation. An empirical interface disorder function is derived and used to construct a functional Gaussian density of states to compute host energy levels. Host-dopant energy level alignment is then computed by applying the universal energy alignment rule and is found in excellent agreement with the experimental data. Organic light emitting diodes are an important component of current technologies, and methods to enhance their efficiencies are under constant investigation. The authors demonstrate that disorder near the surface of these systems is responsible for the energy alignment between their host and dopant molecules and hence their overall efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of emergency stenting for patients with ischemic stroke treated with bridging therapy. Methods: Patients with onset of stroke who underwent bridging therapy were included in the two groups with emergency stenting (ESG) and without stenting (NSG). To avoid the bias due to confounding variables, subjects were further assigned in two groups using 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). The safety outcomes include the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), parenchymal hemorrhage type 2 (PH2), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), fatal hemorrhage, and mortality. The efficacy outcomes include successful recanalization, 3-month favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]: 0–2). Results: 175 patients treated with bridging therapy were included in this study, with 52 patients in the ES group and 123 patients in the groups without ES, and with 30 patients in each group after PSM. No significant differences in the incidences of ICH, PH2, sICH, fatal hemorrhage, and mortality were found between the two groups with ES and without ES before and after PSM (p > 0.05 for all groups). The analysis without PSM showed that the group with ES had a higher rate of successful recanalization (98.1 vs. 88.6%, p = 0.041) than the group without ES, but no significant difference was seen (96.6 vs. 93.3%, p = 0.554) between the two groups after PSM. There was no difference in favorable outcome between the two groups before and after matching as well (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It is safe and effective for patients with onset of ischemic stroke to receive emergency stenting during bridging therapy, without increasing the risk of hemorrhagic transformation and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conductive poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) films with good transparency and great flexibility are highly demanded in various areas. A facile method is employed to produce conductive films with UV-blocking properties. The direct addition of tannic acids (TAs) powders into PEDOT:PSS aqueous suspension lead to the enhancement of electrical conductivity of TA:PEDOT:PSS (TAPE) films. This improvement owes to the conformation change of the PEDOT chains from benzoid to quinoid configuration. Further investigations revealed the absence of phase separation in the highest conductive TAPE film. TAPE films are smoother and thicker than the pristine PEDOT:PSS film owing to the high density and good solubility of TAs. The absorbance increases with the increase of the TA content in TAPE films. The core levels of oxygen and sulfur atoms in PEDOT and PSS have been studied, which illustrate the composition of TAPE films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary vein (PV) data are commonly measured on multiplanar image reformation (MPR) images and volume rendering (VR) images. Purpose: To compared and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of PV data based on VR images and MPR images. Material and Methods: A total of 94 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with imaging data were included in the study. The respective image postprocessing time and the three surgical interventionists' preferences for the two images were recorded. A paired t -test or chi-square test was used to compare their difference, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the data values including the maximal and minimal ostial diameters of the left superior PV (LSPV), the left inferior PV (LIPV), the right superior PV (RSPV), and the right inferior PV (RIPV) obtained by VR and MPR images (P > 0.05). Yet, the mean postprocessing time of VR images (15.10 ± 3.05 min) was shorter compared to MPR images (16.54 ± 2.60 min) (t = 22.84, P < 0.05). All three surgical interventionists preferred VR images (accounted for 85.1%, 86.2%, and 84.0%, respectively), and there was no statistical difference in the degree of image preference among the three (chi-square = 0.596, P = 0.963). Conclusion: PV data measurement could be performed on both VR and MRP images; however, the data on VR images were more intuitive and more accessible for interventional surgeons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Emerging evidences have shown a close interplay between obesity, diabetes, and intestinal flora disturbance. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, exemplified by sitagliptin, is highly efficacious in treating type 2 diabetes (T2DM), yet little is known if sitagliptin exerts beneficial effects on microbiota associated with obesity and T2DM. We evaluated changes of gut microbiota following the induction of obesity and T2DM in a streptozotocin treated high fat/high carbohydrate fed (HF/HC-STZ) rat model and explored the effect of sitagliptin on gut microbiota for HF/HC-STZ rats. Methods. Sitagliptin was administered via oral gavage to diabetic rats. Fecal DNA extraction and 454 pyrosequencing based on analysis of 16S rRNA genes was utilized to determine the overall structure of microbiota in fecal DNA samples. Results. Results showed that, at the level of phylum, there was higher abundance of Firmicutes and Tenericutes and less abundance of Bacteroidetes in obese rats compared to their lean counterparts. At the level of genus, short-chain fatty acid- (SCFA-) producing bacteria, Blautia, Roseburia, and Clostridium, and probiotics Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and so forth were identified significantly different from each other among conditions. Conclusion. Marked shifts of the gut microbiota structure were observed in the rats during development of glucose intolerance. Intestinal flora changed in the process of glucose intolerance, and treatment of sitagliptin moderately corrected the dysbiosis of microbiota in T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The all‐inorganic nature of CsPbI3 perovskites allows to enhance stability in perovskite devices. Research efforts have led to improved stability of the black phase in CsPbI3 films; however, these strategies—including strain and doping—are based on organic‐ligand‐capped perovskites, which prevent perovskites from forming the close‐packed quantum dot (QD) solids necessary to achieve high charge and thermal transport. We developed an inorganic ligand exchange that leads to CsPbI3 QD films with superior phase stability and increased thermal transport. The atomic‐ligand‐exchanged QD films, once mechanically coupled, exhibit improved phase stability, and we link this to distributing strain across the film. Operando measurements of the temperature of the LEDs indicate that KI‐exchanged QD films exhibit increased thermal transport compared to controls that rely on organic ligands. The LEDs exhibit a maximum EQE of 23 % with an electroluminescence emission centered at 640 nm (FWHM: ≈31 nm). These red LEDs provide an operating half‐lifetime of 10 h (luminance of 200 cd m−2) and an operating stability that is 6× higher than that of control devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The all‐inorganic nature of CsPbI3 perovskites allows to enhance stability in perovskite devices. Research efforts have led to improved stability of the black phase in CsPbI3 films; however, these strategies—including strain and doping—are based on organic‐ligand‐capped perovskites, which prevent perovskites from forming the close‐packed quantum dot (QD) solids necessary to achieve high charge and thermal transport. We developed an inorganic ligand exchange that leads to CsPbI3 QD films with superior phase stability and increased thermal transport. The atomic‐ligand‐exchanged QD films, once mechanically coupled, exhibit improved phase stability, and we link this to distributing strain across the film. Operando measurements of the temperature of the LEDs indicate that KI‐exchanged QD films exhibit increased thermal transport compared to controls that rely on organic ligands. The LEDs exhibit a maximum EQE of 23 % with an electroluminescence emission centered at 640 nm (FWHM: ≈31 nm). These red LEDs provide an operating half‐lifetime of 10 h (luminance of 200 cd m−2) and an operating stability that is 6× higher than that of control devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The all‐inorganic nature of CsPbI3 perovskites allows to enhance stability in perovskite devices. Research efforts have led to improved stability of the black phase in CsPbI3 films; however, these strategies—including strain and doping—are based on organic‐ligand‐capped perovskites, which prevent perovskites from forming the close‐packed quantum dot (QD) solids necessary to achieve high charge and thermal transport. We developed an inorganic ligand exchange that leads to CsPbI3 QD films with superior phase stability and increased thermal transport. The atomic‐ligand‐exchanged QD films, once mechanically coupled, exhibit improved phase stability, and we link this to distributing strain across the film. Operando measurements of the temperature of the LEDs indicate that KI‐exchanged QD films exhibit increased thermal transport compared to controls that rely on organic ligands. The LEDs exhibit a maximum EQE of 23 % with an electroluminescence emission centered at 640 nm (FWHM: ≈31 nm). These red LEDs provide an operating half‐lifetime of 10 h (luminance of 200 cd m−2) and an operating stability that is 6× higher than that of control devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are of interest for optoelectronic applications owing to their tunable properties and ease of processing. Large‐diameter CQDs offer optical response in the infrared (IR), beyond the bandgap of c‐Si and perovskites. The absorption coefficient of IR CQDs (≈104 cm−1) entails the need for micrometer‐thick films to maximize the absorption of IR light. This exceeds the thickness compatible with the efficient extraction of photogenerated carriers, a fact that limits device performance. Here, CQD bulk heterojunction solids are demonstrated that, with extended carrier transport length, enable efficient IR light harvesting. An in‐solution doping strategy for large‐diameter CQDs is devised that addresses the complex interplay between (100) facets and doping agents, enabling to control CQD doping, energetic configuration, and size homogeneity. The hetero‐offset between n‐type CQDs and p‐type CQDs is manipulated to drive the transfer of electrons and holes into distinct carrier extraction pathways. This enables to form active layers exceeding thicknesses of 700 nm without compromising open‐circuit voltage and fill factor. As a result, >90% charge extraction efficiency across the ultraviolet to IR range (350–1400 nm) is documented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite‐based light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are now approaching the upper limits of external quantum efficiency (EQE); however, their application is currently limited by reliance on lead and by inadequate color purity. The Rec. 2020 requires Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates of (0.708, 0.292) for red emitters, but present‐day perovskite devices only achieve (0.71, 0.28). Here, lead‐free PeLEDs are reported with color coordinates of (0.706, 0.294)—the highest purity reported among red PeLEDs. The variation of the emission spectrum is also evaluated as a function of temperature and applied potential, finding that emission redshifts by <3 nm under low temperature and by <0.3 nm V−1 with operating voltage. The prominent oxidation pathway of Sn is identified and this is suppressed with the aid of H3PO2. This strategy prevents the oxidation of the constituent precursors, through both its moderate reducing properties and through its forming complexes with the perovskite that increase the energetic barrier toward Sn oxidation. The H3PO2 additionally seeds crystal growth during film formation, improving film quality. PeLEDs are reported with an EQE of 0.3% and a brightness of 70 cd m−2; this is the record among reported red‐emitting, lead‐free PeLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To establish the technique of intratumoral combination therapy of radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFH) with herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-TK/GCV) gene therapy for rat ovarian cancers. This study consisted of three parts: (1) in vitro experiments to establish the ‘proof of principal’ that combination of RFH and HSV-TK gene therapy has the synergistic effect on human ovarian cancer cells; (2) creation of bioluminescence imaging-detectable rat ovarian cancer model; and (3) in vivo experiments using this rat model to validate the technical feasibility of the combination therapy. Cells and nude rats were divided into four groups: (i) combination therapy (HSV-TK/GCV + RFH); (ii) RFH; (iii) HSV-TK/GCV; and (iv) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Data were analyzed using Dunnett t-test or Kruskal–Wallis test. Cell proliferation assay demonstrated significantly greater reduction in viable cells with the combination therapy [0.52 (0.43, 0.61)] compared to other treatments [RFH 0.90 (0.84, 0.96), HSV-TK/GCV 0.71 (0.53, 0.88), PBS 1 (1, 1); p <.05]. For 24 rat models with bioluminescence imaging-detectable orthotopic ovarian cancer (n = 6 per group), optical imaging demonstrated significantly decreased relative bioluminescence signal with the combination therapy [0.81 (0.52, 1.08)] compared to other treatments [RFH 3.60 (2.34, 4.86), HSV-TK/GCV 2.21 (1.71, 2.71), PBS 3.74 (3.19, 4.29); p <.001]. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated the smallest relative tumor volume with the combination therapy [0.78 (0.45, 1.11) versus 3.50 (2.67, 4.33), 2.10 (0.83, 3.37), 3.70 (1.79, 5.61); p <.05]. The feasibility of intratumoral RFH-enhanced HSV-TK/GCV gene therapy was established on a unique rat model with molecular imaging-detectable orthotopic ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Zeolites Ag/Cd-4A and Ni-5A were well-regulated via low transition-metal doping. • Separation of C 3 H 6 and C 2 H 4 from C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 /C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 mixture is achieved. • Deformation of C 2 H 4 and C 3 H 6 occurs during passing through the 8MR of Ag/Cd-4A. • Ag/Cd-4A and Ni-5A adsorption beds can be well desorbed via using CO 2 purging. There is great interest in adsorptive separation of light olefins from alkanes with the same carbon number. However, previous investigations mainly focused on binary olefin/alkane mixtures or always produced mixed olefin from multiple components. Adsorptive separation of single-component olefins from mixtures containing multiple olefins is of practical importance but still a big challenge in industry. Present work provides an approach to the successive separation of C 3 H 6 and C 2 H 4 from a mixture of C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 /C 3 H 6 /C 3 H 8 using tandem twin fixed beds filled with two well-regulated zeolites LTA. The adsorbents of Ni-5A and Ag/Cd-4A were post-synthesized via low transition-metal doping into zeolites LTA and employed to separate the C 3 H 6 and C 2 H 4 from the quaternary mixture. The Ni-5A attains a C 3 H 6 uptake of 2.25 mmol/g and a C 3 H 6 /C 2 H 4 Henry selectivity of 10.4, while the Ag/Cd-4A exhibits a C 2 H 4 adsorption capacity of 3 mmol/g and a C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 Henry selectivity of 1015.5. Furthermore, the molecule sieving of C 2 H 4 is mainly determined by the micropore size of adsorbent, and the selective adsorption of C 3 H 6 over C 2 H 4 is largely attributed to the strong guest – host interactions with the metal sites. In addition, both the Ag/Cd-4A and Ni-5A adsorption beds can be well desorbed via CO 2 purging. The DFT calculations reveal the molecular deformation of C 2 H 4 and C 3 H 6 during passing through the 8MR of Ag/Cd-4A and the competitive adsorption affinity of Ni-5A towards C 3 H 6. The present process of tandem fixed beds coupled with well-regulated zeolite adsorbents provide an efficient strategy for the adsorptive separation of the mixtures of olefins and alkanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity occurring during the early onset of stroke is not only a consequence of, but also contributes to the further progression of stroke. Although it has been well documented that brain microvascular endothelial cells and astrocytes play a critical role in the maintenance of BBB integrity, pericytes, sandwiched between endothelial cells and astrocytes, remain poorly studied in the pathogenesis of stroke. Our findings demonstrated that treatment of human brain microvascular pericytes with sodium cyanide (NaCN) and glucose deprivation resulted in increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via the activation of tyrosine kinase Src, with downstream activation of mitogen activated protein kinase and PI3K/Akt pathways and subsequent translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus. Conditioned medium from NaCN-treated pericytes led to increased permeability of endothelial cells, and this effect was significantly inhibited by VEGF-neutralizing antibody. The in vivo relevance of these findings was further corroborated in the stroke model of mice wherein the mice, demonstrated disruption of the BBB integrity and concomitant increase in the expression of VEGF in the brain tissue as well as in the isolated microvessel. These findings thus suggest the role of pericyte-derived VEGF in modulating increased permeability of BBB during stroke. Understanding the regulation of VEGF expression could open new avenues for the development of potential therapeutic targets for stroke and other neurological disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease whose incidence continues to grow rapidly, and it is one of the most serious and critical public health problems. Diabetes complications, especially atherosclerosis-related chronic vascular complications, are a serious threat to human life and health. Growing evidence suggests that dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors, beyond their role in improving glycemic control, are helpful in ameliorating endothelial dysfunction in humans and animal models of T2DM. In fact, DPP4 inhibitors have been shown by successive studies to play a protective effect against vascular complications. On one hand, in addition to their hypoglycemic effects, DPP4 inhibitors participate in the control of atherosclerotic risk factors by regulating blood lipids and lowering blood pressure. On the other hand, DPP4 inhibitors exert anti-atherosclerotic effects directly through multiple mechanisms, including improving endothelial cell dysfunction, increasing circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPCs) levels, regulating mononuclear macrophages and smooth muscle cells, inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress and improving plaque instability. Herein, we review the beneficial roles of DPP4 inhibitors in atherosclerosis as detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]