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Cheng-Hsiu Lu,1– 3 Yi-An Chen,4,5 Chien-Chih Ke,6– 8 Sain-Jhih Chiu,5 Fong-Shya Jeng,5 Chao-Cheng Chen,4 Ya-Ju Hsieh,6– 8 Bang-Hung Yang,4,9 Chi-Wei Chang,9 Feng-Sheng Wang,2,3,10,11 Ren-Shyan Liu1,4,9,12 1Industrial Ph.D. Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; 2Core Facility for Phenomics and Diagnostics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 3Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 4Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; 5Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei, Taiwan; 6Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 7Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 8Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 9PET Center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 10Center for Mitochondrial Research and Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 11Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; 12Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cheng Hsin Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanCorrespondence: Chien-Chih Ke; Ren-Shyan Liu Email ccke@kmu.edu.tw; rsliuvgh@gmail.comIntroduction: Osteoporosis is a result of an imbalance in bone remodeling. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been considered as a potentially promising treatment for osteoporosis. However, the therapeutic effect, genetic alterations, and in vivo behavior of exogenous EVs for osteoporosis in mice models remain poorly understood.Methods: A multiplexed molecular imaging strategy was constructed by micro-positron emission tomography (μPET)/computed tomography (CT), μCT, and optical imaging modality which reflected the osteoblastic activity, microstructure, and in vivo behavior of EVs, respectively. RNA sequencing was used to analyze the cargo of EVs, and the bone tissues of ovariectomized (OVX) mice post EV treatment.Results: The result of [18F]NaF μPET showed an increase in osteoblastic activity in the distal femur of EV-treated mice, and the bone structural parameters derived from μCT were also improved. In terms of in vivo behavior of exogenous EVs, fluorescent dye-labeled EVs could target the distal femur of mice, whereas the uptakes of bone tissues were not significantly different between OVX mice and healthy mice. RNA sequencing demonstrated upregulation of ECM-related genes, which might associate with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, in line with the results of microRNA analysis showing that mir-21, mir-29, mir-221, and let-7a were enriched in Wharton’s jelly-MSC-EVs and correlated to the BMP and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of exogenous WJ-MSC-EVs in the treatment of osteoporosis was successfully assessed by a multiplexed molecular imaging strategy. The RNA sequencing demonstrated the possible molecular targets in the regulation of bone remodeling. The results highlight the novelty of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of EV-based treatment for osteoporosis.Keywords: Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells, extracellular vesicles, osteoporosis, [18F]NaF, RNA sequencing

Yao An Shen,1,* Ing Luen Shyu,2,* Maggie Lu,3 Chun Lin He,4 Yen Mei Hsu,2 Hsiang Fa Liang,3 Chih Peng Liu,3 Ren Shyan Liu,5,6 Biing Jiun Shen,7 Yau Huei Wei,1 Chi Mu Chuang2,4 1Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, 2Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, 3Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, 4Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 5Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, 6National PET/Cyclotron Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; 7Division of Psychology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore *These authors contributed equally to the work Abstract: The current enhanced permeability and retention (EPR)-based approved nanomedicines have had little impact in terms of prolongation of overall survival in patients with cancer. For example, the two Phase III trials comparing Doxil®, the first nanomedicine approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, with free doxorubicin did not find an actual translation of the EPR effect into a statistically significant increase in overall survival but did show less cardiotoxicity. In the current work, we used a two-factor factorial experimental design with intraperitoneal versus intravenous delivery and nanomedicine versus free drug as factors to test our hypothesis that regional (intraperitoneal) delivery of nanomedicine may better increase survival when compared with systemic delivery. In this study, we demonstrate that bypassing, rather than exploiting, the EPR effect via intraperitoneal delivery of nanomedicine harboring a sustained-release function demonstrates dual pharmacokinetic advantages, producing more efficient tumor control and suppressing the expression of stemness markers, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis signals, and multidrug resistance in the tumor microenvironment. Metastases to vital organs (eg, lung, liver, and lymphatic system) are also better controlled by intraperitoneal delivery of nanomedicine than by standard systemic delivery of the corresponding free drug. Moreover, the intraperitoneal delivery of nanomedicine has the potential to replace hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy because it shows equal efficacy and lower toxicity. In terms of efficacy, exploiting the EPR effect may not be the best approach for developing a nanomedicine. Because intraperitoneal chemotherapy is a type of regional chemotherapy, the pharmaceutical industry might consider the regional delivery of nanomedicine as a valid alternative pathway to develop their nanomedicine(s) with the goal of better tumor control in the future. Keywords: enhanced permeability and retention effect, liposome, paclitaxel, ovarian cancer

Shen YA, Shyu IL, Lu M, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2015; 10:2485–2502.The authors advise that Figure 2B on page 2490 contains the incorrect image for the EP group. The correct Figure 2B image is shown below.Read the original article

The gold-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 3 H -benzo[ e ]isoindoles ( 3 ) from a mixture of isoxazole ( 2 ) and diynamides ( 1 ) is described. This tandem catalysis involves two separate steps: (i) initial synthesis of 2-(3-pyrrolyl)-1-alkynylbenzenes and (ii) a novel alkyne/pyrrole coupling reaction through pyrrole dearomatization. Our control experiments reveal the cooperative action of the gold catalyst and isoxazole cocatalyst to enable the novel alkyne/pyrrole coupling leading to a 1,2-acyl shift.

Near-infrared (NIR) emitting phosphors draw much attention because they show great applicability and development prospects in many fields. Herein, a series of inverse spinel-type structured LiGa5O8 phosphors with a high concentration of Cr3+ activators is reported with a dual emission band covering NIR-I and II regions. Except for strong ionic exchange interactions such as Cr3+-Cr3+ and Cr3+ clusters, an intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) process between aggregated Cr ion pairs is proposed as the mechanism for the ~1210 nm NIR-II emission. Comprehensive structural and luminescence characterization points to IVCT between two Cr3+ being induced by structural distortion and further enhanced by irradiation. Construction of the configurational energy level diagram enabled elucidation of this transition within the IVCT process. Therefore, this work provides insight into the emission mechanism within the high Cr3+ concentration system, revealing a new design strategy for NIR-II emitting phosphors to promote its response., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Na-O 2 batteries have emerged as promising candidates due to their high theoretical energy density (1,601 Wh kg -1 ), the potential for high energy storage efficiency, and the abundance of sodium in the earth's crust. Considering the safety issue, quasi-solid-state composite polymer electrolytes are among the promising solid-state electrolyte candidates. Their higher mechanical toughness provides superior resistance to dendritic penetration compared with traditional liquid electrolytes. The flexibility of the composite polymer electrolyte matrix allows it to conform to various battery configurations and considerably reduces safety concerns related to the combustion risks associated with conventional liquid electrolytes. In this study, we employed poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NaTFSI) as the polymer matrix and sodium ion-conducting agent, respectively. We incorporated nanosized NZSP (25 wt %) to create the composite polymer electrolyte membrane. This CPE design facilitates ion conduction pathways through both sodium salt and NZSP. By utilizing a liquid electrolyte infiltration method, we successfully enhanced its ionic conductivity, achieving an ionic conductivity of 10 -4 S cm -1 at room temperature.

Perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction is a significant concern for population health, impacting postoperative recovery and increasing the financial burden on patients. With an increasing number of surgical procedures being performed, the prevention and management of perioperative neurocognitive dysfunction have garnered significant attention. While factors such as age, lifestyle, genetics, and education are known to influence the development of cognitive dysfunction, recent research has highlighted the role of the gut microbiota in neurological health. An increased abundance of pro-inflammatory gut microbiota can trigger and worsen neuroinflammation, neuronal cell damage, and impaired cellular autophagy. Moreover, the inflammation-promoting gut microbiota can disrupt immune function, impair neuroautophagy, and affect the production and circulation of extracellular vesicles and neurotransmitters. These factors collectively play a role in the onset and advancement of cognitive impairment. This narrative review delves into the molecular mechanisms through which gut microbiota and their derivatives contribute to cognitive impairment, focusing on the impact of anesthesia surgery, changes in gut microbial populations, and perioperative cognitive impairment associations. The study suggests that alterations in the abundance of various bacterial species and their metabolites pre- and post-surgery may be linked to postoperative cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the potential of probiotics or prebiotics in addressing cognitive impairment is discussed, offering a promising avenue for investigating the treatment of perioperative neurocognitive disorders., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Selective separation of ethylene and ethane (C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 ) is a formidable challenge due to their close molecular size and boiling point. Compared to industry-used cryogenic distillation, adsorption separation would offer a more energy-efficient solution when an efficient adsorbent is available. Herein, a class of C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 separation adsorbents, doped carbon molecular sieves (d-CMSs) is reported which are prepared from the polymerization and subsequent carbonization of resorcinol, m-phenylenediamine, and formaldehyde in ethanol solution. The study demonstrated that the polymer precursor themselves can be a versatile platform for modifying the pore structure and surface functional groups of their derived d-CMSs. The high proportion of pores centered at 3.5 Å in d-CMSs contributes significantly to achieving a superior kinetic selectivity of 205 for C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 separation. The generated pyrrolic-N and pyridinic-N functional sites in d-CMSs contribute to a remarkable elevation of Henry selectivity to 135 due to the enhancement of the surface polarity in d-CMSs. By balancing the synergistic effects of kinetics and thermodynamics, d-CMSs achieve efficient separation of C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 . Polymer-grade C 2 H 4 of 99.71% purity can be achieved with 75% recovery using the devised d-CMSs as reflected in a two-bed vacuum swing adsorption simulation., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Artificial intelligence (AI) edge devices prefer employing high-capacity nonvolatile compute-in-memory (CIM) to achieve high energy efficiency and rapid wakeup-to-response with sufficient accuracy. Most previous works are based on either memristor-based CIMs, which suffer from accuracy loss and do not support training as a result of limited endurance, or digital static random-access memory (SRAM)-based CIMs, which suffer from large area requirements and volatile storage. We report an AI edge processor that uses a memristor-SRAM CIM-fusion scheme to simultaneously exploit the high accuracy of the digital SRAM CIM and the high energy-efficiency and storage density of the resistive random-access memory memristor CIM. This also enables adaptive local training to accommodate personalized characterization and user environment. The fusion processor achieved high CIM capacity, short wakeup-to-response latency (392 microseconds), high peak energy efficiency (77.64 teraoperations per second per watt), and robust accuracy (<0.5% accuracy loss). This work demonstrates that memristor technology has moved beyond in-lab development stages and now has manufacturability for AI edge processors.

This work reports an efficient synthesis of novel benzo[7,8]indolizino[2,3,4,5- ija ]quinazoline derivatives between 2-(2-ethynylaryl)acetonitriles 1 and anthranils 2. The synthetic approach involves the initial formation of 7-formylindole intermediates that can be implemented by DBU to activate a novel indole-nitrile-aldehyde cyclization.

Most photocatalytic and photovoltaic devices operate under broadband, constant illumination. Electron and hole dynamics in these devices, however, are usually measured by using ultrafast pulsed lasers in a narrow wavelength range. In this work, we use excited-state X-ray theory originally developed for transient X-ray experiments to study steady-state photomodulated X-ray spectra. We use this method to attempt to extract electron and hole distributions from spectra collected at a nontime-resolved synchrotron beamline. A set of plasmonic metal core-shell nanoparticles is designed as the control experiment because they can systematically isolate photothermal, hot electron, and thermalized electron-hole pairs in a TiO 2 shell. Steady-state changes in the Ti L 2,3 edge are measured with and without continuous-wave illumination of the nanoparticle's localized surface plasmon resonance. The results suggest that within error the quasi-equilibrium carrier distribution can be determined even from relatively noisy data with mixed excited-state phenomena. Just as importantly, the theoretical analysis of noisy data is used to provide guidelines for the beamline development of photomodulated steady-state spectroscopy.

In recent years, lithium oxygen batteries (Li-O 2 ) have received considerable research attention due to their extremely high energy density. However, the poor conductivity and ion conductivity of the discharge product lithium peroxide (Li 2 O 2 ) result in a high charging overpotential, poor cycling stability, and low charging rate. Therefore, studying and improving catalysts is a top priority. This study focuses on the commonly used heterogeneous catalyst ruthenium (Ru). The local distribution of this catalyst is controlled by using sputtering technology. Moreover, X-ray nanodiffraction is applied to observe the relationship between the decomposition of Li 2 O 2 and the local distribution of Ru. Results show that Li 2 O 2 decomposes homogeneously in liquid systems and heterogeneously in solid-state systems. This study finds that the catalytic effect of Ru is related to electrolyte decomposition and that its soluble byproducts act as electron acceptors or redox mediators, effectively reducing charging overpotential but also shortening the cycle life.

To date, all-inorganic lead halide perovskite quantum dots have emerged as promising materials for photonic, optoelectronic devices, and biological applications, especially in solar cells, raising numerous concerns about their biosafety. Most of the studies related to the toxicity of perovskite quantum dots (PeQDs) have focused on the potential risks of hybrid perovskites by using zebrafish or human cells. So far, the neurotoxic effects and fundamental mechanisms of PeQDs remain unknown. Herein, a comprehensive methodology is designed to investigate the neurotoxicity of PeQDs by using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. The results show that the accumulation of PeQDs mainly focuses on the alimentary system and head region. Acute exposure to PeQDs results in a decrease in locomotor behaviors and pharyngeal pumping, whereas chronic exposure to PeQDs causes brood decline and shortens lifespan. In addition, some abnormal issues occur in the uterus during reproduction assays, such as vulva protrusion, impaired eggs left in the vulva, and egg hatching inside the mother. Excessive reactive oxygen species formation is also observed. The neurotoxicity of PeQDs is explained by gene expression. This study provides a complete insight into the neurotoxicity of PeQD and encourages the development of novel nontoxic PeQDs., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

In recent years, the development of electric vehicles and environmental concerns have made necessary improvements in the energy density and safety of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, the development of all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs) has become imperative. One advantage of ASSLIBs is their potential for downsizing with the use of lithium metal as the anode. However, in this study, a garnet-type solid electrolyte (Li 6.75 La 3 Zr 1.75 Ta 0.25 O 12 ) was used, which has low reactivity with lithium metal. Thus, interface modification using CaCl 2 was employed to form a Li-Ca-Cl composite anode. The interfacial resistance was remarkably reduced to 7 Ω cm 2 , and the symmetric cell exhibited stable cycling for 1200 h at room temperature and a current density of 0.1 mA cm -2 . The voltage ranged from ±15 to ±16 mV. The full cell demonstrated a high initial discharge capacity of 149.2 mA h g -1 and a Coulombic efficiency of 98.0% while maintaining a discharge capacity retention of 91.3% after 100 cycles. These findings lay a solid foundation for future commercial applications as interface modification was achieved through a simple spin-coating process using low-cost CaCl 2 (0.7 USD g -1 ).

Two distinct reaction chemoselectivities were reported for the reactions of α-aryldiazo ketone with 1,3-diphenylcyclopentadiene using gold catalyst and phosphine additives, respectively. In the presence of gold catalyst, α-aryldiazo ketone forms gold carbenes initially that are trapped with this 1,3-disubstituted cyclopentadiene to afford C-H insertion products. In the presence of P(C 6 F 5 ) 3 additive, α-aryldiazo ketone forms diarylketenes initially at elevated temperature, which are further stabilized by P(C 6 F 5 ) 3 to secure their entity before proceeding to unprecedented [4C + 2C] cycloadditions.

Garnet-type solid-state electrolytes are among the most reassuring candidates for the development of solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMB) because of their wide electrochemical stability window and chemical feasibility with lithium. However, issues such as poor physical contact with Li metal tend to limit their practical applications. These problems were addressed using β-SiC as an additive to the Li anode, resulting in improved wettability over Li 6.75 La 3 Zr 1.75 Ta 0.25 O 12 (LLZTO) and establishing an improved interfacial contact. At the Li-SiC|LLZTO interface, intimacy was induced by a lithiophilic Li 4 SiO 4 phase, whereas robustness was attained through the hard SiC phase. The optimized Li-SiC|LLZTO|Li-SiC symmetric cell displayed a low interfacial impedance of 10 Ω cm 2 and superior cycling stability at varying current densities up to 5800 h. Moreover, the modified interface could achieve a high critical current density of 4.6 mA cm -2 at room temperature and cycling stability of 1000 h at 3.5 mA cm -2 . The use of mechanically superior materials such as SiC as additives for the preparation of a composite anode may serve as a new strategy for robust garnet-based SSLMB., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Single-atom nanozymes (SANs) are the latest trend in biomaterials research and promote the application of single atoms in biological fields and the realization of protein catalysis in vivo with inorganic nanoparticles. Carbon quantum dots (CDs) have excellent biocompatibility and fluorescence properties as a substrate carrying a single atom. It is difficult to break through pure-phase single-atom materials with quantum dots as carriers. In addition, there is currently no related research in the single-atom field in the context of oral cancer, especially head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This research developed a lipid surface-coated nanozyme combined with CDs, single-atomic gold, and modified lipid ligands (DSPE-PEG) with transferrin (Tf) to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma. The study results have demonstrated that surface-modified single-atom carbon quantum dots (m-SACDs) exhibit excellent therapeutic effects and enable in situ image tracking for diagnosing and treating head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC).

The development of intermolecular [2+2] cycloadditions between allenamides and diarylketenes is described. α-Aryldiazo arylketones are employed as ketene precursors that react smoothly with allenamides in the presence of a P(C 6 F 5 ) 3 promoter. High diastereoselectivity (dr > 20 : 1) with endo-regioselectivity can be achieved when two aryl groups of ketenes have opposite electronic properties. The role of P(C 6 F 5 ) 3 is to increase the reaction yields, but also enhancing stereoselectivity.

Next-generation lithium-ion batteries must have high energy density and safety, making the development of all-solid-state batteries imperative. One of the biggest advantages of an all-solid-state lithium-ion battery (ASSLIB) is that its alloy uses lithium metal as an anode while ignoring its flammability and other dangers. Herein, high-conductivity garnet-type Li 6.75 La 3 Zr 1.75 Ta 0.25 O 12 (LLZTO) was chosen as the solid electrolyte part of an all-solid-state battery. A composite anode was formed by melting Li and MXene-MAX together, reducing the interface impedance from 566 to 55 Ω cm 2 . The Li-MXene|LLZTO|LFP full battery displayed a high initial discharge capacity of 163.0 mAh g -1 and a Coulombic efficiency of 97.0% and maintained 90.2% of its discharge capacity over 100 cycles, but it did not maintain a good overpotential. Therefore, the synergistic effect of Li-MXene-Pt will highly improve the performance of the full battery because of its high initial discharge capacity of 150.0 mAh g -1 and Coulombic efficiency of 95.5%, discharge capacity maintained at 93.3% over 100 cycles, and low overpotential of 0.04 V.

The high-voltage spinel LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) cathode material with high energy density, low cost, and excellent rate capability has grabbed the attention of the field. However, a high-voltage platform at 4.7 V causes severe oxidative side reactions when in contact with the organic electrolyte, leading to poor electrochemical performance. Furthermore, the contact between the liquid electrolyte and LNMO leads to Mn dissolution during cycles. In this work, we applied the sol-gel method to prepare Li 3 InCl 6 -coated LNMO (LIC@LNMO) to address the mentioned problems of LNMO. By introducing a protective layer of halide-type solid-state electrolyte on LNMO, we can prevent direct contact between LNMO and electrolyte while maintaining good ionic conductivity. Thus, we could demonstrate that 5 wt % LIC@LNMO exhibited a good cycle performance with a Coulombic efficiency of 99% and a capacity retention of 80% after the 230th cycle at the 230th cycle at 1C at room temperature.

Upgraded technology has realized miniaturization and promoted transformation in each field. Miniaturized light-emitting diode (LED) chips enable higher resolution and create a full sense of immersion in displays. Porous GaN is a structure that can reduce excitation light leakage and enhance the light conversion efficiency. Perovskite quantum dots with the highest optical density as candidate materials for loading in pores can significantly decrease the aggregation phenomenon and increase the path of light absorption. Here, the porous tunability is explored by electrochemical etching under a range of voltages, concentrations, and etching times with acid and base electrolytes, such as oxalic acid and potassium hydroxide. Based on scanning electron microscopy images, the distribution of the pores and the morphology of pore channels can be distinguished under acid and base etching. Larger pore sizes and distorted channels (∼680 nm) are presented on the oxalic acid-etched GaN chip. In contrast, smaller pore sizes and straight-deeper channels (∼5650 nm) are demonstrated on the GaN by potassium hydroxide etching. Therefore, the hybrid nanostructure is etched by oxalic acid and potassium hydroxide, separately. The green and red light conversion efficiencies of perovskite quantum dots pumped by a blue LED can be improved by 3 and 10 times, respectively, resulting in a color gamut of approximately 124%.

This review article discusses the recent advances in rechargeable metal-CO 2 batteries (MCBs), which include the Li, Na, K, Mg, and Al-based rechargeable CO 2 batteries, mainly with nonaqueous electrolytes. MCBs capture CO 2 during discharge by the CO 2 reduction reaction and release it during charging by the CO 2 evolution reaction. MCBs are recognized as one of the most sophisticated artificial modes for CO 2 fixation by electrical energy generation. However, extensive research and substantial developments are required before MCBs appear as reliable, sustainable, and safe energy storage systems. The rechargeable MCBs suffer from the hindrances like huge charging-discharging overpotential and poor cyclability due to the incomplete decomposition and piling of the insulating and chemically stable compounds, mainly carbonates. Efficient cathode catalysts and a suitable architectural design of the cathode catalysts are essential to address this issue. Besides, electrolytes also play a vital role in safety, ionic transportation, stable solid-electrolyte interphase formation, gas dissolution, leakage, corrosion, operational voltage window, etc. The highly electrochemically active metals like Li, Na, and K anodes severely suffer from parasitic reactions and dendrite formation. Recent research works on the aforementioned secondary MCBs have been categorically reviewed here, portraying the latest findings on the key aspects governing secondary MCB performances.

Family members and friends play an important supportive role in the management of chronic illnesses like diabetes, which often require substantial lifestyle changes. Some studies suggest that there may be racial differences in the kinds of support people receive, though little research has examined this idea within a chronic illness context. The current research takes a qualitative approach to examining similarities and differences between Black and White individuals with type 2 diabetes in the dimensions of support received from their family members, with a particular focus on better understanding more intrusive forms of support, such as unsolicited and overprotective support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (N = 32) to characterize differences in support received by Black and White individuals with type 2 diabetes. The results of the thematic analysis suggested that unsolicited and overprotective support were not universally perceived to be negative, as previous work on White populations seemed to suggest. Rather, if the support provided was perceived as inhibiting autonomy, it was generally undesired by participants from both racial groups-however, for Black participants, knowing that the support was provided out of love could make it more acceptable. The analysis also revealed several underexplored dimensions of received support, including the directiveness of support and the tone used to deliver support. The current study provides an initial step towards grounding social support theory in the experiences of marginalized populations and will inform further development of a culturally sensitive measure of social support for individuals with chronic illness., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Naqvi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

The rapid change in population, environment, and climate is accompanied by the food crisis. As a new type of farming, indoor agriculture opens the possibility of addressing this crisis in the future. In this study, a phosphor-converted light-emitting diode (pc-LED), as energy-saving lighting for indoor agriculture, was used to evaluate the response and effect on the growth of Lactuca sativa . Red phosphors, SrLiAl 3 N 4 :Eu 2+ (SLA) and CaAlSiN 3 :Eu 2+ (CASN), were characterized and analyzed with crystal structure, morphology, and optical properties. Eu 2+ -doped phosphors provided the red emission of around 650 nm which is highly matched with the absorption of chlorophyll. Under the same luminescence intensity, broader emission of CASN pc-LED demonstrated a 100% increase of photosynthetically active photon flux density and 130% promotion of plant weight than the SLA pc-LED, which reflected the positive result of the carbon fixation. The chlorophyll and nitrate responses have also revealed the effect of broader red light on indoor agriculture.

The effects of the co-addition of fungal agents and biochar on physicochemical properties, odor emissions, microbial community structure, and metabolic functions were investigated during the in-situ treatment of food waste. The combined addition of fungal agents and biochar decreased cumulative NH 3 , H 2 S, and VOCs emissions by 69.37%, 67.50%, and 52.02%, respectively. The predominant phyla throughout the process were Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Combined treatment significantly impacted the conversion and release of nitrogen from the perspective of the variation of nitrogen content between different forms. FAPROTAX analysis revealed that the combined application of fungal agents and biochar could effectively inhibit nitrite ammonification and reduce the emission of odorous gases. This work aims to clarify the combined effect of fungal agents and biochar on odor emission and provide a theoretical basis for developing an environmentally friendly in-situ efficient biological deodorization (IEBD) technology., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The early prediction of overall survival (OS) in patients with lung cancer brain metastases (BMs) after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) can facilitate patient management and outcome improvement. However, the disease progression is influenced by multiple factors, such as patient characteristics and treatment strategies, and hence satisfactory performance of OS prediction remains challenging. Accordingly, we proposed a deep learning approach based on comprehensive predictors, including clinical, imaging, and genetic information, to accomplish reliable and personalized OS prediction in patients with BMs after receiving GKRS. Overall 1793 radiomic features extracted from pre-GKRS magnetic resonance images (MRI), clinical information, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status were retrospectively collected from 237 BM patients who underwent GKRS. DeepSurv, a multi-layer perceptron model, with 4 different aggregation methods of radiomics was applied to predict personalized survival curves and survival status at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The model combining clinical features, EGFR status, and radiomics from the largest BM showed the best prediction performance with concordance index of 0.75 and achieved areas under the curve of 0.82, 0.80, 0.84, and 0.92 for predicting survival status at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. The DeepSurv model showed a significant improvement (p < 0.001) in concordance index compared to the validated lung cancer BM prognostic molecular markers. Furthermore, the model provided a novel estimate of the risk-of-death period for patients. The personalized survival curves generated by the DeepSurv model effectively predicted the risk-of-death period which could facilitate personalized management of patients with lung cancer BMs., (© 2023. Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine.)

Synthesis of two novel tin carboxylate clusters (RSn) 6 (R'CO 2 ) 8 O 4 Cl 2 is described, and their structures have been characterized by X-ray diffraction. These clusters have irregular ladder geometry to form very smooth films with small surface roughness (RMS <0.7 nm) over a large domain. EUV lithography can be used to resolve half pitches (HPs) in the order of 15-16 nm with line width roughness (LWR = 4.5-6.0 nm) using small doses (20-90 mJ cm -2 ). Cluster 1 (R = n -butyl; R'CO 2 = 2-methyl-3-butenoate) contains only a radical precursor and cluster 2 (R = vinyl, R'CO 2 = 2-methylbutyrate) bears both a radical precursor and an acceptor; the latter is much better than the former in EUV and e-beam photosensitivity. For these clusters, the mechanisms of EUV irradiation have been elucidated with high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HRXPS) and reflective Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). At low EUV doses, two clusters undergo a Sn-Cl bond cleavage together with a typical decarboxylation to generate carbon radicals. The n -butyl groups of cluster 1 are prone to cleavage whereas the vinyl-Sn bonds of species 2 are inert toward EUV irradiation; participation of radical polymerization is evident for the latter., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

All-solid-state batteries with solid ionic conductors packed between solid electrode films can release the dead space between them, enabling a greater number of cells to stack, generating higher voltage to the pack. This Review is focused on using high-voltage cathode materials, in which the redox peak of the components is extended beyond 4.7 V. Li-Ni-Mn-O systems are currently under investigation for use as the cathode in high-voltage cells. Solid electrolytes compatible with the cathode, including halide- and sulfide-based electrolytes, are also reviewed. Discussion extends to the compatibility between electrodes and electrolytes at such extended potentials. Moreover, control over the thickness of the anode is essential to reduce solid-electrolyte interphase formation and growth of dendrites. The Review discusses routes toward optimization of the cell components to minimize electrode-electrolyte impedance and facilitate ion transportation during the battery cycle., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: Conventionally, the judgment of whether small pulmonary nodules are invasive is mainly made by thoracic surgeons according to the chest computed tomography (CT) features of patients. However, there are limits to how much useful information can be obtained from this approach. A large number of feature information was extracted from CT images by CT radiomics. The machine learning algorithm was used to construct models based on radiomic characteristics to predict the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with a good prediction accuracy., Methods: A total of 416 patients with pathologically confirmed preinvasive lesions and LUAD after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from February 2020 to February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to random classification, patients were divided into 2 groups. The RadCloud platform was used to extract radiomics features, and the most relevant radiomics features were selected by continuous dimension reduction method. Then, 6 machine learning algorithms were used to establish and verify the prediction model of small lung nodular adenocarcinoma invasiveness. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive performance., Results: There were 78 cases of pre-invasive lesions and 226 cases of invasive lesions in the training group, and 34 cases of pre-invasive lesions and 78 cases of invasive lesions in the validation group. In the training group, the AUC values of the 6 models were all more than 0.914, the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.857-1.00, the sensitivity was equal or more than 0.87, and the specificity was equal or more than 0.85. In the validation group, the AUC values of the 6 models were all equal or more than 0.732, the 95% CI was 0.651-1.00, the sensitivity was equal or more than 0.7, and the specificity was more than 0.77., Conclusions: Machine learning algorithms were used to construct models to predict the invasiveness of small nodular LUAD based on radiomics features, which it could provide more evidence for doctors to make diagnoses and more personalized treatment plans for patients., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tlcr.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tlcr-23-82/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Translational Lung Cancer Research. All rights reserved.)

With the relay process of Ag(I)/Au(I) catalysts, a one-pot synthesis of skeletally rearranged (1-hydroxymethylidene)indene derivatives from 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes and α-diazo esters is described. This cascade sequence involves Au(I)-catalyzed 5- endo-dig attack of highly enolizable aldehydes at the tethered alkynes, leading to carbocyclizations with a formal 1,3-hydroxymethylidene transfer. On the basis of density functional theory calculations, the mechanism likely involves formation of cyclopropylgold carbenes, followed by an appealing 1,2-cyclopropane migration.

With magnesium being a cost-effective anode metal compared to the other conventional Li-based anodes in the energy market, it could be a capable source of energy storage. However, Mg-O 2 batteries have struggled its way to overcome the poor cycling stability and sluggish reaction kinetics. Therefore, Ru metallic nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced as a cathode for Mg-O 2 batteries, which are known for their inherent electronic properties, large surface area, and increased crystallinity to favor remarkable oxygen reduction reactions and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR and OER). Also, we deployed a first-of-its-kind, conducive mixed electrolyte (CME) (2 M Mg(NO 3 ) 2 :1 M Mg(TFSI) 2 /diglyme). Hence, this synergistic incorporation of CME-based Ru/CNT Mg-O 2 batteries could unleash long cycle life with low overpotential, excellent reversibility, and high ionic conductivity and also reduces the intrinsic corrosion behavior of Mg anodes. Correspondingly, this novel amalgamation of CME with Ru/CNT cathode has displayed superior cyclic stability of 65 cycles and a maximum discharge potential of 25 793 mAh g -1 with a small overvoltage plateau of 1.4 V, noticeably subjugating the findings of conventional single electrolyte (CSE) (1 M Mg(TFSI) 2 /diglyme). This CME-based Ru/CNT Mg-O 2 battery design could have a significant outcome as a future battery technology.

All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLIBs) have attracted much attention owing to their high energy density and safety and are known as the most promising next-generation LIBs. The biggest advantage of ASSLIBs is that it can use lithium metal as the anode without any safety concerns. This study used a high-conductivity garnet-type solid electrolyte (Li 6.75 La 3 Zr 1.75 Ta 0.25 O 12 , LLZTO) and Li-Ga-N composite anode synthesized by mixing melted Li with GaN. The interfacial resistance was reduced from 589 to 21 Ω cm 2 , the symmetry cell was stably cycled for 1000 h at a current density of 0.1 mA cm -2 at room temperature, and the voltage range only changed from ±30 to ±40 mV. The full cell of Li-Ga-N|LLZTO|LFP exhibited a high first-cycle discharge capacity of 152.2 mAh g -1 and Coulombic efficiency of 96.5% and still maintained a discharge capacity retention of 91.2% after 100 cycles. This study also demonstrated that Li-Ga-N had been shown as two layers. Li 3 N shows more inclined to be closer to the LLZTO side. This method can help researchers understand what interface improvements can occur to enhance the performance of all-solid-state batteries in the future.

Catalyst-free synthesis of 3(2 H )-furanone derivatives has been achieved from metal-free cross-coupling of α-diazo ester and α-aryldiazo ketones. This reaction sequence comprises a prior Wolff rearrangement of α-aryldiazo ketones to 2-arylketenes, which are trapped in situ with α-diazo esters to form cyclopropanones before undergoing oxa-Nazarov cyclization.

This work reports cascade cyclization between 1-allenyl-2-alkynylbenzenes and nitrosoarenes. When these two components reacted alone under N 2 , N,O-functionalized indane-fused isoxazolidines 3 were obtained selectively. DFT calculations verify that this reaction sequence involves unprecedented nitrone/alkyne cycloadditions, followed by diradical rearrangement.

Erbium (Er) complexes are used as optical gain materials for signal generation in the telecom C-band at 1540 nm, but they need a sensitizer to enhance absorption. Na + substitution for Ag + and Bi 3+ doping at the In 3+ site is a possible strategy to enhance the broadband emission of Cs 2 AgInCl 6 , which could be used as a sensitizer for energy transfer to rare-earth elements. Herein, self-trapped exciton (STE) energy transfer to Er 3+ at 1540 nm in double perovskite is reported. An acid precipitation method was used to synthesize Cs 2 AgInCl 6 and its derivatives with Er 3+ , Bi 3+ , and Na + . Bare Cs 2 AgInCl 6 :Er emission signals were found to be weak at 1540 nm, but Bi 3+ doping increased them by 12 times, and Bi 3+ and Na + doping increased signal intensity by up to 25 times. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy characterized a decrease in axial symmetry over the Er 3+ ions after the substitutions of Na + and Bi 3+ in Cs 2 AgInCl 6 at low temperatures (<7 K) for the first time. Moreover, an increase in pressure compressed the structure, which tuned the STE transition for free exciton emission, and a further increase in pressure distorted the cubic phase above 70 kbar.

This paper reports an AlGaN-based ultraviolet-B light-emitting diode (UVB-LED) with a peak wavelength at 293 nm that was almost free of efficiency droop in the temperature range from 298 to 358 K. Its maximum external quantum efficiencies (EQEs), which were measured at a current density of 88.6 A cm -2 , when operated at 298, 318, and 338 K were 2.93, 2.84, and 2.76%, respectively; notably, however, the current droop (J-droop) in each of these cases was less than 1%. When the temperature was 358 K, the maximum EQE of 2.61% occurred at a current density of 63.3 A cm -2 , and the J-droop was 1.52%. We believe that the main mechanism responsible for overcoming the J-droop was the uniform distribution of the concentrations of injected electrons and holes within the multiple quantum wells. Through the subtle design of the p-type AlGaN layer, with the optimization of the composition and doping level, the hole injection efficiency was enhanced, and the Auger recombination mechanism was inhibited in an experimental setting.

Background: Thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss repair is a commonly used method for treating pectus excavatum, which has always been performed under tracheal intubation and general anesthesia. However, general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation can produce intubation and anesthetic drug related complications. In non-intubation anesthesia, laryngeal mask is used instead of tracheal intubation without muscle relaxants and small doses of sedative and analgesic drugs. Therefore, non-intubation anesthesia can reduce complications and speed up postoperative recovery. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical impact of these two anesthesia methods on thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss repair for the treatment of pectus excavatum., Methods: A total of 115 pectus excavatum patients who underwent thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss procedure repair in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Yunnan First People's Hospital from January 2017 to January 2022 were included. All subjects in this study underwent thoracoscopic assisted Nuss repair in the same thoracic surgical team. According to different anesthesia methods, they were divided into non-intubation anesthesia group (n=62) and intubation anesthesia group (n=53). The intubation time, intraoperative mean heart rate, postoperative complications, postoperative first oral food intake, water intake, ambulation, defecation time, postoperative blood drawing results, postoperative hospital stay and total hospitalization cost were compared between the two groups., Results: There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and preoperative examination indexes between the two groups, which were comparable. Compared with the intubation anesthesia group, the non-intubation anesthesia group had less anesthesia intubation time, lower intraoperative mean heart rate, less postoperative complications, such as pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and lung infection. In the non-intubation anesthesia group, the first time to eat, drink, get out of bed, and defecate were all earlier. Routine blood results 24 h after surgery indicated that the non-intubation anesthesia group had lower white blood cell, neutrophil and lymphocyte, an earlier postoperative discharge time, and lower total hospitalization expenses., Conclusions: Non-intubation anesthesia in thoracoscopic-assisted Nuss procedure for the repair of pectus excavatum can make the postoperative recovery of patients faster and has better safety and efficacy., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://jtd.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/jtd-22-1150/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2022 Journal of Thoracic Disease. All rights reserved.)

Background: De novo lipogenesis is upregulated in many cancers, and targeting it represents a metabolic approach to cancer treatment. However, the treatment response is unpredictable because lipogenic activity varies greatly among individual tumors, thereby necessitating the assessment of lipogenic activity before treatment. Here, we proposed an imaging probe, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with dual tracers combining 11 C-acetate and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG), to assess the lipogenic activity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and predict the response to lipogenesis-targeted therapy., Methods: We investigated the association between 11 C-acetate/ 18 F-FDG uptake and de novo lipogenesis in three HCC cell lines (from well-differentiated to poorly differentiated: HepG2, Hep3B, and SkHep1) by examining the expression of lipogenic enzymes: acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY). The glycolysis level was determined through glycolytic enzymes: pyruvate dehydrogenase expression (PDH). On the basis of the findings of dual-tracer PET/CT, we evaluated the treatment response to a lipase inhibitor (orlistat) in cell culture experiments and xenograft mice., Results: Dual-tracer PET/CT revealed the lipogenic activity of various HCC cells, which was positively associated with 11 C-acetate uptake and negatively associated with 18 F-FDG uptake. This finding represents the negative association between 11 C-acetate and 18 F-FDG uptake. Because these two tracers revealed the lipogenic and glycolytic activity, respectively, which implies an antagonism between lipogenic metabolism and glucose metabolism in HCC. In addition, dual-tracer PET/CT not only revealed the lipogenic activity but also predicted the treatment response to lipogenesis-targeted therapy. For example, HepG2 xenografts with high 11 C-acetate but low 18 F-FDG uptake exhibited high lipogenic activity and responded well to orlistat treatment, whereas SkHep1 xenografts with low 11 C-acetate but high 18 F-FDG uptake exhibited lower lipogenic activity and poor response to orlistat., Conclusion: The proposed non-invasive dual-tracer PET/CT imaging can reveal the lipogenesis and glycolysis status of HCC, thus providing an ideal imaging probe for predicting the therapeutic response of HCC to lipogenesis-targeted therapy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Tsao, Jhou, Ke, Chang, Chang, Yang, Huang, Shih and Liu.)

This study presents the impact of temperature and pressure on AlN:Mn 2+ luminescence kinetics. Unusual behavior of Mn 2+ optical properties during UV excitation is observed, where a strong afterglow luminescence of Mn 2+ occurs even at low temperatures. When the temperature increases, the contribution of the afterglow luminescence is further enhanced, causing a significant increase in the luminescence intensity. The observed phenomena may be explained by an energy diagram in which the O N -V Al complex in AlN:Mn 2+ plays a key role. Hence the O N -V Al complex defect in AlN:Mn 2+ plays a double role. When the O N -V Al defect is located close to Mn 2+ ions, it is responsible for transferring excitation energy directly to Mn 2+ ions. However, when the O N -V Al defect complex is located far from Mn 2+ ions, its excited state level acts as an electron trap responsible for afterglow luminescence. Additionally, three models have been tested to explain the structure of the emission spectrum and the strong asymmetry between the excitation and emission spectra. From the most straightforward configuration coordinate diagram through the configuration coordinate diagram model assuming different elastic constants in the excited and ground-states ending by a model based on the Jahn-Teller effect. We proved that only the Jahn-Teller effect in the excited 4 T 1 electronic state with spin-orbit coupling could fully explain the observed phenomena. Finally, high-pressure spectroscopic results complemented by the calculations of Racah parameters and the Tanabe-Sugano diagram are presented.