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Targeting ferroptosis has attracted exponential attention to eradicate cancer cells with high iron‐dependent growth. Increasing the level of intracellular labile iron pool via small molecules and iron‐containing nanomaterials is an effective approach to induce ferroptosis but often faces insufficient efficacy due to the fast drug metabolism and toxicity issues on normal tissues. Therefore, developing a long‐acting and selective approach to regulate ferroptosis is highly demanded in cancer treatment. Herein, a lysosome‐targeted magnetic nanotorquer (T7‐MNT) is proposed as the mechanical tool to dynamically induce the endogenous Fe2+ pool outbreak for ferroptosis of breast cancer. T7‐MNTs target lysosomes via the transferrin receptor‐mediated endocytosis in breast cancer cells. Under the programmed rotating magnetic field, T7‐MNTs generate torques to trigger endogenous Fe2+ release by disrupting the lysosomal membrane. This magneto‐mechanical manipulation can induce oxidative damage and antioxidant defense imbalance to boost frequency‐ and time‐dependent lipid peroxidization. Importantly, in vivo studies show that T7‐MNTs can efficiently trigger ferroptosis under the magnetic field and play as a long‐acting physical inducer to boost ferrotherapy efficacy in combination with RSL3. It is anticipated that this dynamic targeted strategy can be coupled with current ferroptosis inducers to achieve enhanced efficacy and inspire the design of mechanical‐based ferroptosis inducers for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydration plays a crucial role in cement composites, but the traditional methods for measuring hydration heat face several limitations. In this study, we propose a machine learning-based approach to predict hydration heat at specific time points for three types of cement composites: ordinary Portland cement pastes, fly ash cement pastes, and fly ash–metakaolin cement composites. By adjusting the model architecture and analyzing the datasets, we demonstrate that the optimized artificial neural network model not only performs well during the learning process but also accurately predicts hydration heat for various cement composites from an extra dataset. This approach offers a more efficient way to measure hydration heat for cement composites, reducing the need for labor- and time-intensive sample preparation and testing. Furthermore, it opens up possibilities for applying similar machine learning approaches to predict other properties of cement composites, contributing to efficient cement research and production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure is a serious and life-threatening disease worldwide. Cadherin-11 (Cad-11) is highly expressed in the heart and closely associated with inflammation. There is currently limited understanding on how Cad-11 contributes to cardiac remodeling and its underline molecular mechanism. We found an increased expression of Cad-11 in biopsy heart samples from heart failure patients, suggesting a link between Cad-11 and heart failure. To determine the role of Cad-11 in cardiac remodeling, Cad-11-deficient mice were used in a well-established mouse transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model. Loss of Cad11 greatly improved pressure overload-induced LV structural and electrical remodeling. IL (interleukin)-6 production was increased following TAC in WT mice and this increase was inhibited in cadherin-11−/− mice. We further tested the effect of IL-6 on myocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in a primary culture system. The addition of hCad-11-Fc to cultured cardiac fibroblasts increased IL-6 production and fibroblast cell activation, whereas neutralizing IL-6 with an IL-6 antibody resulted in alleviating the fibroblast activation induced by hCad-11-Fc. On the other hand, cardiomyocytes were promoted to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy when cultured in condition media collected from cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by hCad-11-Fc.Similarly, neutralizing IL-6 prevented cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Finally, we found that MAPKs and CaMKII–STAT3 pathways were activated in both hCad-11-Fc stimulated fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes treated with hCad-11-Fc stimulated fibroblast condition medium. IL-6 neutralization inhibited such MAPK and CaMKII-STAT3 signaling activation. These data demonstrate that Cad-11 functions in pressure overload-induced ventricular remodeling through inducing IL-6 secretion from cardiac fibroblasts to modulate the pathophysiology of neighboring cardiomyocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposed a facile and eco-friendly modification method to graft CNTs onto titanium surface. • The interface between titanium and PEEK was interlinked by "coordination bridges" and CNTs network. • The interfacial shear strength between modified titanium and PEEK had an increment of 205.4 %. • The flexural strength (210.0 %), and ILSS (95.2 %) of modified CF/PEEK-Ti composites were significantly enhanced. The primary challenge of fiber metal laminates (FMLs) is the insufficient interfacial adhesion between metal and resin, which impedes the realization of the full potential. To address this issue, a two-step strategy has been proposed: firstly, via the cerium coordination-based approach, followed by grafting carbon nanotubes onto the titanium surface. This modification enhances the interfacial behavior between titanium sheets and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), resulting in increased roughness and wettability on the titanium surface, facilitating tight contact between PEEK and titanium sheets while reducing defects at the interface. Compared to CF/PEEK-sandblasted Ti, the modified CF/PEEK-Ti composites exhibit significantly enhanced interfacial shear strength, equivalent flexural strength, and interlaminate shear strength with an increase of 205.4 % (39.4 MPa), 133.3 % (1434.3 MPa) and 95.2 % (93.7 MPa), respectively. Additionally, the failure mode has shifted from interfacial failure to cohesive failure. The interface enhancement mechanism can be attributed to the synergistic effects of coordination bonding, mechanical interlocking, and multiple interactions. This facile two-step modification method demonstrates the potential to enhance the interfacial properties of CF/PEEK-Ti composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart hydrogels which can respond to external stimuli have been widely focused with increasing interest. Thereinto, magnetic-responsive hydrogels that are prepared by embedding magnetic nanomaterials into hydrogel networks are more advantageous in biomedical applications due to their rapid magnetic response, precisely temporal and spatial control and non-invasively remote actuation. Upon the application of an external magnetic field, magnetic hydrogels can be actuated to perform multiple response modes such as locomotion, deformation and thermogenesis for therapeutic purposes without the limit of tissue penetration depth. This review summarizes the latest advances of magnetic-responsive hydrogels with focus on biomedical applications. The synthetic methods of magnetic hydrogels are firstly introduced. Then, the roles of different response modes of magnetic hydrogels played in different biomedical applications are emphatically discussed in detail. In the end, the current limitations and future perspectives for magnetic hydrogels are given. [Display omitted] • The recent advances of magnetic hydrogels in biomedical applications are summarized. • The design and synthetic strategies of magnetic hydrogels are summarized. • Magnetic hydrogels can perform multiple response modes under external magnetic fields. • Magnetic hydrogels hold the promise as remotely controlled micro-/nanorobots in theranostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of 1,3,5-(iPr2PO)3C6H3 with Co2(CO)8 leads to the isolation of a POCOP-type mononuclear pincer complex {κP,κC,κP-2,4,6-(iPr2PO)3C6H2}Co(CO)2 (1) or a tetranuclear species {κP-{κP,κC,κP-2,4,6-(iPr2PO)3C6H2}Co(CO)2}2Co2(CO)6 (2), depending on the ligand to cobalt ratio employed. The latter compound can be an impurity during the synthesis of {2,6-(iPr2PO)2-4-Me2N-C6H2}Co(CO)2, when the ligand precursor 5-(dimethylamino)resorcinol is contaminated with phloroglucinol due to incomplete monoamination. Similarly, the reaction of 1,3,5-(iPr2PO)3C6H3 with NiCl2 in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine provides {κP,κC,κP-2,4,6-(iPr2PO)3C6H2}NiCl (3) bearing an appended phosphinite group. Structures 1–3 have been studied by X-ray crystallography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES Limited data exist on the characteristics of atypical epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in early-stage lung cancer. Our goal was to elucidate the associations with outcomes and recurrence patterns in resected stage I lung adenocarcinoma harbouring atypical EGFR mutations. METHODS Eligible patients between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively identified and grouped into exon20 insertion mutations and major atypical mutations, which included G719X, L861Q and S768I. Disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated in the entire cohort and stratified by radiologic characteristics. Recurrence patterns were investigated and compared between groups. A competing risk model was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of recurrence. RESULTS A total of 710 patients were finally included. Among them, 289 (40.7%) patients had exon 20 insertion mutations and 421 (59.3%) patients had major atypical mutations. There was no significant difference regarding DFS (P  = 0.142) between groups in the entire cohort. The interaction between mutation subtype and the presence of ground-glass opacities was significant (hazard ratio 2.00, 95% confidence interval 1.59–2.51, P  < 0.001), indicating DFS between exon 20 insertion mutations and major atypical mutations may be different among subsolid and solid tumours. Survival analysis consistently revealed no significant difference in subsolid tumours (P  = 0.680), but favourable DFS of exon 20 insertion mutations in solid tumours (P  = 0.037). Furthermore, patients with exon 20 insertion mutations had a lower risk of developing bone metastases did those with radiologic solid tumours (Gray's test, P  = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS Exon 20 insertion mutations were correlated with favourable DFS and lower incidence of bone metastases in radiologic solid lung adenocarcinomas harbouring atypical EGFR mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weak interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber (CF) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a longstanding problem that hinders the applications of CF/PEEK composites. To solve this problem, a mixture sizing agent containing hydroxylated boron nitride (BNO) and polyetherimide (PEI) is synthesized to coat CF. In this study, BNO is synthesized via the liquid exfoliation method. The interfacial adhesion between CF and PEEK is improved using a mixture sizing layer of BNO and PEI on CF. The synergistic effects of hydrogen bonding, π-π interaction and good compatibility are evaluated to remarkably increase the miscibility and mechanical interlocking, ultimately enhancing the thermal conductivity, mechanical and tribological properties. Therefore, the PEI-BNO sizing layer on CF has proven to have great potential for high-performance CF/PEEK composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the flexural performance of hollow structural section (HSS) steel corner column to H-beam joints, varying beam depth to width ratio, cyclic load paths, and weld leg size. Finite element analysis (FEA) models were successfully validated in the failure mode, hysteresis behavior, stress distribution, and shear deformation. Parametric analysis of 27 FEA models extended the test variables to the column width to thickness ratio (D / t), beam depth to width ratio (h / b), axial load ratio (n), loading ratio (M w / M s), and loading paths at beam ends. The analysis results indicated that the bending capacity of the corner column connections decreased with D / t and n increase but increased with h / b increase. In addition, the coupling effect degraded the bearing capacity of corner column joints, which was most significant at a loading ratio of 1:1. Finally, calculation formulae for the flexural capacity of corner joints were proposed for comparison with the FEA results. • A study on the flexural behavior of steel corner connection subjected to biaxial cyclic loadings was conducted • Parametric analysis is taken under cyclic loading for exploring the impacts of different parameters on the flexural performance. • The calculation formulae to the flexural capacity of steel corner connection is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are strongly affected by the fiber-matrix interface performance. Here, we report a mussel-inspired nondestructive method to introduce carbon nanotube (CNT) onto carbon fiber (CF) surface using polydopamine (PDA) via π-π interaction and covalent bonding. The analysis of the surface morphologies, chemical properties, and the wettability of CF reveal that the functionalized CF exhibit an increased roughness and better wettability with epoxy matrix. Mechanically, the modification improves the tensile strength of CF by 14.73%, while the interfacial shear strength and interlaminar shear strength of modified CF/epoxy composite are enhanced by 89.72% and 55.44%, respectively. The enhancement mechanism could be attributed to the interpenetrating ultra-adhesive PDA molecules and CNTs network, which provide the synergistic effects of π-π interaction, hydrogen bonding, covalent bonding, and mechanical interlocking at the interface. As a result, the applied load can be effectively transferred from resin to CFs. This study provides a convenient and environment-friendly surface treatment approach to improve the interfacial and mechanical properties of CFRP composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four specimens were conducted under the cyclic loadings. • Transfer sleeves could improve the seismic behavior and restrain excessive deformation. • The outer annular stiffeners had limited contribution to the deformation of joints. Based on the cyclic loading of four concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) column-to-beam joints implanted by steel rebars, the paper studies the effects of different sectional sizes of middle columns and the configuration of transfer sleeve on the connection behavior. The failure mode, hysteretic behavior, skeleton curve, stiffness degradation, bearing capacity degradation, energy dissipation capacity, and strain distribution of all specimens were analyzed. The results showed that the plastic deformation was mainly concentrated at the column-column connections, especially at the upper-middle column connection. The cross-sectional dimensions of the middle column had a slight effect on the bending capacity of the connection, while the transfer sleeve enhanced on it. The outer annular stiffeners and webs bolted with the steel beam had limited contribution to the deformation of column-to-beam joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brittle fracture is one of the principal disincentives to limit the use of ultrahigh-strength steels in tall buildings. This paper proposes a novel column-to-column connection without full penetration welding in reinforced concrete-filled steel tubular composite columns. The paper describes an experimental investigation into the flexural behavior of the proposed RCFST column-to-column connection, in which the steel was manufactured using ultrahigh-strength steel grades H-SA700 and USD 685. Four specimens with varying configurations of reinforcing steel bars (separated type or gathered type) and column shapes (square or circular) were tested under four-point bending to evaluate the failure modes, flexural capacity, and deformation capacity. The results show that the gathered type of configuration of reinforcing steel bars can effectively improve the flexural capacities while having a negligible effect on the strain distribution of steel tubes or steel bars. Besides, the column type was found to significantly influence the strain distribution of the steel tube. The design formulae show accuracy and reliability and could be applied to assess the yield and ultimate strength of the proposed new connections. • The flexural behavior of novel column-to-column connection manufactured by high strength steel was evaluated. • Four specimens with varying configurations of reinforcing steel bars and column types were tested. • Gathered type of configuration of reinforcing steel bars can effectively improve the flexural capacities. • Column type affects the strain distribution of the steel tube significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac fibrosis, a well-known major pathological process that ultimately leads to heart failure, has attracted increasing attention and focus in recent years. A large amount of research indicates that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in cardiac fibrosis, but little is known about the specific function and mechanism of the lncRNA NEAT1 in the progression of cardiac fibrosis to heart failure. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the lncRNA NEAT1 is upregulated in patients with heart failure. Similarly, the expression of Neat1 was also increased in the left ventricular tissue of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgery mice and cardiac fibroblasts treated with TGF-β1. Further, gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments showed that silencing of Neat1 attenuated cardiac fibrosis, while overexpression of Neat1 with adenovirus significantly aggravated the in vitro progression of fibrosis. With regard to the underlying mechanism, our experiments showed that Neat1 recruited EZH2 to the promoter region of Smad7 through physical binding of EZH2 to the promoter region, as a result of which Smad7 expression was inhibited and the progression of cardiac fibrosis was ultimately exacerbated. We found that the introduction of shNeat1 carried by adeno-associated virus-9 significantly ameliorated cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction caused by TAC surgery in mice. Overall, our study findings demonstrate that the lncRNA Neat1 accelerates the progression of cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction by recruiting EZH2 to suppress Smad7 expression. Thus, NEAT1 may serve as a target for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using mechanical cues for cancer cells can realize precise control and efficient therapeutic effects. However, the cell cycle-specific response for dynamic mechanical manipulation is barely investigated. Here, RGD-modified iron oxide nanomanipulators were utilized as the intracellular magneto-mechanical transducers to investigate the mechanical impacts on the cell cycle under a dynamic magnetic field for cancer treatment. The G2/M phase was identified to be sensitive to the intracellular magneto-mechanical modulation with a synergistic treatment effect between the pretreatment of cell cycle-specific drugs and the magneto-mechanical destruction, and thus could be an important mechanical-targeted phase for regulation of cancer cell death. Finally, combining the cell cycle-specific drugs with magneto-mechanical manipulation could significantly inhibit glioma and breast cancer growth in vivo. This intracellular mechanical stimulus showed cell cycle-dependent cytotoxicity and could be developed as a spatiotemporal therapeutic modality in combination with chemotherapy drugs for treating deep-seated tumors. The G2/M phase with the specific mechanical structure and redox environment was determined as the best sensitive stage to the intracellular magneto-mechanical regulation for cancer treatment. The G2/M phase could be a mechanical-targeted phase for synergistic therapy by combing the magneto-mechanical destruction with the cancer cell cycle-specific drugs. [Display omitted] • G2/M phase shows the best sensitivity to the intracellular magneto-mechanical regulation. • The mechanosensitivity of G2/M phase is related to cytoskeleton dynamics and redox environment. • G2/M phase is a mechanical-targeted phase for the synergistic mechano-chemical cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the adhesion between metal sheet and resin is an important issue for the development of high-performance fiber metal laminates (FMLs). In this study, a novel rare-earth surface modification is applied for the first time to enhance the interfacial bonding strength of titanium sheets and polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that cerium element could form coordination bonds at the interfaces between metallic titanium and resin. The surface wettability of titanium sheet is boosted, which is beneficial to PEEK infiltration and physical adhesion improvement. Meanwhile, with the existence of coordination bonds at the interface, the interfacial shear strength between titanium and PEEK, and the flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength of CF/PEEK-Ti laminates are enhanced significantly. Therefore, the cerium surface modification method proposed in this study has great potentials for FMLs, which provides a new strategy for generating chemical bond at interfaces between metal and resin. [Display omitted] • Proposed a novel and facile rare-earth surface modification method. • The interface between titanium and PEEK was bonded by rare-earth coordination. • The single lap shear strength of rare-earth modified interface between titanium and PEEK had an increment of 178.0%. • The flexural strength (180.0%), and ILSS (40.0%) of rare-earth modified CF/PEEK-Ti composites were significantly enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the inert carbon fiber (CF) surface and the poor wettability of CF with poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK), the fiber-matrix interface bonding of CF/PEEK composite is relatively weak, which limits the mechanical performance of the composite. Herein, a complex sizing agent containing Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene, carbon nanotube (CNT), and a dual compatibilizer of polyetherimide (PEI) was fabricated to graft on the CF surface. Compared with desized CF, the modified CF/PEEK composites showed a remarkable increase in flexural strength, flexural modulus, and interlaminar shear strength of 74.16%, 63.76%, and 62.79%, respectively. The improvement could be ascribed to the synergistic effects of multiple interactions, micromechanical interlockings, and substantially improved interfacial affinity by the hybrid grafting of MXene, CNT, and PEI. We also found that the interfacial failure mechanism changes from adhesive failure to cohesive failure with such a 1D/2D coating strategy. This facile and scalable approach demonstrates its potential for effectively improving fiber-matrix interfacial properties in CF/PEEK composites. [Display omitted] •A hierarchical structure containing 2D MXene, 1D CNT, and a dual compatibilizer of PEI was constructed on the CF surface. • The tensile strength of modified CF showed an appreciable improvement of 12.02%. • The ILSS (62.79%), flexural strength (74.16%), and flexural modulus (63.76%) of modified CF/PEEK composites were significantly enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac fibrosis is an important pathological process in many diseases. Wdr5 catalyzes the trimethylation of lysine K4 on histone H3. The effects of Wdr5 on the cardiac fibrosis phenotype and the activation or transformation of cardiac fibroblasts were investigated by Ang-II-infused mice by osmotic mini-pump and isolated primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. We found that the Wdr5 expression and histone H3K4me3 modification were significantly increased in Ang-II-infused mice. By stimulating primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts with Ang II, we detected that the expression of Wdr5 and H3K4me3 modification were also significantly increased. Two Wdr5-specific inhibitors, and the lentivirus that transfected Sh-Wdr5, were used to treat primary mouse cardiac fibroblasts, which not only inhibited the histone methylation by Wdr5 but also significantly reduced the activation and migration ability of Ang-II-treated fibroblasts. To explore its mechanism, we found that the inhibition of Wdr5 increased the expression of P53, P21. Cut&Tag-qPCR showed that the inhibition of Wdr5 significantly reduced the enrichment of H3K4me3 in the Mdm2 promoter region. For in vivo experiments, we finally proved that the Wdr5 inhibitor OICR9429 significantly reduced Ang-II-induced cardiac fibrosis and increased the expression of P21 in cardiac fibroblasts. Inhibition of Wdr5 may mediate cardiac fibroblast cycle arrest through the Mdm2/P53/P21 pathway and alleviate cardiac fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which BRD4 play a role in atrial fibrillation (AF). We used a discovery-driven approach to detect BRD4 expression in the atria of patients with AF and in various murine models of atrial fibrosis. We used a BRD4 inhibitor (JQ1) and atrial fibroblast (aFB)-specific BRD4-knockout mice to elucidate the role of BRD4 in AF. We further examined the underlying mechanisms using RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses in vitro, to identify key downstream targets of BRD4. We found that BRD4 expression is significantly increased in patients with AF, with accompanying atrial fibrosis and aFB differentiation. We showed that JQ1 treatment and shRNA-based molecular silencing of BRD4 blocked ANG–II–induced extracellular matrix production and cell-cycle progression in aFBs. BRD4-related RNA-seq and ChIP-seq analyses in aFBs demonstrated enrichment of a subset of promoters related to the expression of profibrotic and proliferation-related genes. The pharmacological inhibition of BRD4 in vivo or in aFB-specific BRD4-knockout in mice limited ANG–II–induced atrial fibrosis, atrial enlargement, and AF susceptibility. Our findings suggest that BRD4 plays a key role in pathological AF, at least partially by activating aFB proliferation and ECM synthesis. This study provides mechanistic insights into the development of BRD4 inhibitors as targeted antiarrhythmic therapies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK) possesses excellent biocompatibility and similar elastic modulus as bones but suffers from poor osseointegration; usually, the addition of hydroxyapatite (HA) is considered as an effective way to improve the osseointegration of PEEK implant interface. To investigate the effect of HA content and particle size on the mechanical behaviors and osteogenesis in vitro of PEEK‐HA composites, the PEEK‐HA specimens with variable HA content and particle size have been fabricated by powder mixing‐heat press method and characterized by mechanical and biological tests. The results showed that the tensile/bending strength and elongation at break of PEEK‐HA are significantly impaired as the increasing HA amount, but the modulus improves. The compressive strength and modulus are improved as the increasing amount of HA. The PEEK‐HA with smaller HA particle size possesses higher‐performance tensile/bending and lower‐performance compressive properties. In osteogenesis tests in vitro, the results reveal that the cells amount attached on the substrate rises and the cells flatten more evenly with numerous cytoplasmic processes on greater area with the increasing HA content and decreasing particle size. The PEEK‐HA group that HA content is 20 wt% and particle size is 20 nm exhibits optimal‐performance osteogenesis in vitro, while maintaining sufficient mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia nowadays. The occurrence of AF is closely associated with obesity. Cadherin‐11 (Cad‐11), as a member of the cadherin family, can make a contribution to diet‐induced obesity and it will be informative to know whether Cad‐11 exerts its effects on atrial remodeling and AF vulnerability in a diet‐induced obesity model. In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of Cad‐11 was significantly upregulated in the left atrium of AF patients with obesity and mice following 16 weeks of high‐fat diet (HFD) feeding. Further confirmed that Cad‐11 could regulate the activity of atrial fibroblasts by participating in inducing proinflammatory cytokines production. At animal levels, we found that although there was a lack of statistical difference in body weight, Cad‐11−/− mice could markedly improve impaired glucose tolerance and hyperlipidemia. Adverse atrial structural remodeling, including atrial enlargement, inflammation, and fibrosis provoked by HFD feeding were mitigated in Cad‐11−/− mice. Mechanistically, Cad‐11 activated mitogen‐activated protein kinases and nuclear factor‐κB for interleukin‐6 production in atrial fibroblasts that may contribute to the atrial fibrosis process in obesity‐related AF, suggesting Cad‐11 might be a new therapeutic target for obesity‐related AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weak interfacial adhesion caused by the low wettability of carbon fiber (CF) and inert polyetheretherketone (PEEK) hinders the great application potential of CF/PEEK composites. In this study, the interface between CF and PEEK was modified by coating hydroxylated PEEK grafted onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (M-HPEEK). Modified CFs by M-HPEEK sizing had rougher surfaces with more polar groups, showing decreased contact angle and increased surface energy. The wettability of these CFs was enhanced, beneficial to PEEK infiltration and physical adhesion improvement. As a result, the interlaminar shear strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus of modified CF/PEEK composites were increased by 73.0% (84.7 MPa), 163.2% (906.2 MPa), and 84.8% (58.4 GPa), respectively. An improved interface with stress transferring was proved by the interface debonding failure changed to fiber crack and resin yield. M-HPEEK sizing is considered as a promising modification method to optimize the interface performance of composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open in new tab Download slide Open in new tab Download slide OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of lung window (LW) and mediastinal window (MW) settings on the clinical T classifications and prognostic prediction of patients with subsolid nodules. METHODS Seven hundred and nineteen surgically resected subsolid nodules were reviewed, grouping into pure ground-glass nodules (n  = 179) or part-solid nodules (n  = 540) using LW. Interobserver agreement on nodule classifications was assessed via kappa-value, and predictive performance of the solid portion measurement in LW and MW for pathological invasiveness and malignancy were compared using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. Cox regression was used to identify prognostic factors. Prognostic significance of T classifications based on LW (c[l]T) and MW (c[m]T) was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier method after propensity score matching. The performance of c(m)T for discrimination survival was estimated via the concordance index (C-index), net reclassification improvement and integrated-discrimination improvement. RESULTS By adopting MW, 124 part-solid nodules were reclassified as pure ground-glass nodules, and interobserver agreement improved to 0.917 (95% confidence interval 0.888–0.946). The solid portion size under MW more strongly predicted pathological invasiveness (P  =   0.030), but did not better predict pathological malignancy. For remaining 416 part-solid nodules, c(l)T and c(m)T were both independent risk factors. c(m)T led to T classifications shifts in 321 nodules (14 upstaged and 307 downstaged) with no significant prognostic difference existing between the shifted c(m)T and matching c(l)T group after propensity score matching. The corrected C-index was improved to 0.695 (0.620–1.000) when adopting c(m)T with no significant difference in net reclassification improvement (P  =   0.098) and integrated-discrimination improvement (P  =   0.13) analysis. CONCLUSIONS As there is no significant benefit provided by MW in evaluating clinical T classification and prognosis, the current usage of LW is appropriate for assessing subsolid nodules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), a group of oxygen derived radicals and derivatives, can induce cancer cell death via elevated oxidative stress. A spatiotemporal approach with safe and deep‐tissue penetration capabilities to elevate the intracellular ROS level is highly desirable for precise cancer treatment. Here, a mechanical‐thermal induction therapy (MTIT) strategy is developed for a programmable increase of ROS levels in cancer cells via assembly of magnetic nanocubes integrated with alternating magnetic fields. The magneto‐based mechanical and thermal stimuli can disrupt the lysosomes, which sequentially induce the dysfunction of mitochondria. Importantly, intracellular ROS concentrations are responsive to the magneto‐triggers and play a key role for synergistic cancer treatment. In vivo experiments reveal the effectiveness of MTIT for efficient eradication of glioma and breast cancer. By remote control of the force and heat using magnetic nanocubes, MTIT is a promising physical approach to trigger the biochemical responses for precise cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weak interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix needs to be improved for obtaining good mechanical properties of carbon fiber/polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composites due to the inert nature of both components. Organic sizing is a typical interface improvement method, but it is harmful to both the human and local environment. Here, a two-step process is proposed to modify PEEK for preparing an environmentally friendly water-based sizing agent, involving taking the ketone reduction via NaBH 4 and then an esterification reaction with phosphoric acid. This PEEK derivative has good thermal stability, and its dispersion in water is stable for one month. It improves the interface between CF and PEEK by increasing the wettability and surface roughness of CFs, ultimately enhancing the mechanical properties of composites. The two-step process of fabricating the PEEK derivative may have potentials in the industrial application of the polyaryletherketone family. [Display omitted] • Proposing a novel and facile two-step modification route on PEEK. • Preparing eco-friendly water-based phosphorylated PEEK sizing agent. • Excellent dispersion stability of phosphorylated PEEK in water over one month. • Enhancing interface between CF and PEEK by phosphorylated PEEK sizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]