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To solve the oxygen dependence problem of photodynamic therapy (PDT), it is critical to explore photosensitizers that do not rely on O2 molecule to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, a stable cationic metal‐organic cage [Pd6(RuLoz3)8](BF4)28 (MOC‐88) that possesses high +28 charges is designed. The cage‐confined positive microenvironment enables efficient generation of hydroxyl radicals and improved yield of the singlet oxygen under one‐/two‐photon excitation, showing excellent performance to concurrently enhance Type‐II and O2‐independent‐Type‐I PDT. Moreover, the effective ROS production and robust lipid peroxidation trigger a series of signaling pathways (inflammasome, cyclic guanosine monophosphate–adenosine monophosphate synthase stimulator of interferon genes, and NF‐κB) to evoke PANoptosis and ferroptosis in tumor cells, enabling MOC‐88 to simultaneously cause the loss of cell membrane integrity, release a series of inflammatory cytokines and damage‐associated molecular patterns, stimulate the maturation and antigen presentation ability of dendritic cells, and ultimately activate T‐cell‐dependent adaptive immunity in vivo to inhibit tumor growth.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) ranks among the most prevalent congenital heart defects and poses a life-threatening risk if left undiagnosed. Herein, we utilized fetal HQ technology to improve the prenatal prediction of CoA. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 fetal cases with suspected aortic arch constriction, identified through prenatal ultrasound findings between November 2020 and March 2022 at the Department of Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University. According to the follow-up results, these cases were divided into two groups: 35 cases confirmed as CoA by postpartum surgery or induction, and 29 cases initially suspected of CoA prenatally but subsequently ruled outpostnatally. Additionally, 88 cases of normal fetuses were randomly selected as the control group. Both conventional M-mode ultrasound techniques and Fetal HQ software were utilized for fetal analysis across all groups. Parameters related to the heart were measured, including fetal 4-CV length, width, Global Spherical Index (GSI), Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE), areas and ratios of the left and right ventricles, as well as lengths and ratios of the left and right ventricles. Functional measurements of the left and right ventricles included ejection fraction (EF), fractional area change (FAC), global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional shortening (FS), end-diastolic diameter (ED), and sphericity index (SI). Left ventricular (LV)-GLS, LV-FAC, LV-EF, and LV-EF Z-score could potentially differentiate between true CoA and false CoA or normal groups and serve as potential indicators for the clinical diagnosis of CoA. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that LV-GLS and LV-EF Z-score have the greatest predictive power for CoA diagnosis. The segments 6-12 of FS in the confirmed CoA group were significantly lower than those in the false CoA and normal groups. Fetal HQ technology, by assessing changes in the size and shape of the heart, can provide relatively reliable parameter support for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal aortic coarctation.

Abstract As a unique type of supramolecular self‐assemblies, crystalline host‐guest aggregates have attracted extensive interests in multiple application fields. Herein, a crystalline host‐guest aggregate LIFM‐HG1 was obtained with curcubit[8]uril as the host and carboxypyridinium salt as the guest. Single‐crystal structural analysis indicates that the presence of abundant weak interactions in LIFM‐HG1 provides a rigid environment for the guest molecule and effectively blocks the external quenchers. Spectral analysis and theoretical calculations confirm the presence of robust triplet energy levels in LIFM‐HG1. Even more impressively, the intersystem crossing channels of the guest molecules are greatly opened up after the formation of the crystalline host‐guest aggregate, resulting in a large kisc of 6.70 × 107 s−1 at room temperature for LIFM‐HG1 (which is ∼0 for pure guest), leading to fascinating multichannel (including one‐photon, two‐photon, and X‐ray) excited LPL properties. In addition, the crystalline LIFM‐HG1 has a much higher triplet state luminescence efficiency under X‐ray and two‐photon excitation than that under single‐photon excitation (AP/AF = 86.8, 44.8, 10.7 under the three circumstances, respectively). And the phosphorescent emission intensity of LIFM‐HG1 is 27.6 times higher than that of the crystalline guest under X‐ray excitation. As a result, LIFM‐HG1 shows a long afterglow retention time under both single‐ and two‐photon excitation, and an impressive afterglow retention time of 1 s under X‐ray excitation. Furthermore, the excellent lysosomal targeting and low cytotoxicity by the formation of host‐guest aggregate makes LIFM‐HG1 promising to be used as a novel lysosomal‐targeted two‐photon excited phosphorescent tracer.

Abstract Five new polychlorinated bibenzyls (1–5) along with 3 known compounds (6–8) were isolated from the stems and leaves of Rhododendron minutiflorum. The chemical structures of all the isolates were determined by spectroscopic methods, and compounds 1 and 2 were further verified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1–5 were halogenated compounds which bear three to five chlorine atoms in their chemical structures. Biologically, compounds 2, 5 and 6 showed varying degrees of toxicity toward the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) with LD50 values 27.15, 17.02 and 16.20 mg/L, respectively. These values were comparable to the positive control matrine (LD50 = 11.86 mg/L), which were calculated using observations on day 6. Meanwhile, compound 4 had α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 17.87 ± 0.74 μM. Graphical Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the surgical morbidity and obstetric outcomes following in-pregnancy or pre-pregnancy laparoscopic abdominal cerclage (LAC) for patients who were diagnosed with refractory cervical insufficiency or had a short cervix. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing LAC between May 2017 and May 2019 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital. The patients were diagnosed with refractory cervical insufficiency based upon a previous failed transvaginal cervical cerclage (TVC), or had a short cervix who were considered unsuitable for a TVC after a previous cervical procedure. All patients were followed-up after surgery with transperineal ultrasonography until May 2020. Subsequently, surgical and obstetric data were collected and analyzed. Results: In total, 44 patients underwent LAC, with 8 patients in-pregnancy and 36 pre-pregnancy. For the patient with pre-pregancy LAC, the pregnancy rate was 80.6% (29/36), including 3 patients with first-trimester loss, 1 patient with an ectopic pregnancy, and 25 patients with a delivery. For the remaining 7 patients, 3 did not conceive, and another 4 had no pregnancy plans. All the patients with in-pregnancy LAC had a delivery. The “take-home baby” rate was 89.2% (33/37), with a live-birth rate of 100% and a neonatal survival rate of 100% for both patients with in-pregnancy and pre-pregnancy LAC. For patients with in-pregnancy LAC, 75.0% (6/8) patients delivered at ≥37 wk of gestation, 12.5% (1/8) delivered between 34 and 36+6 wk, and 12.5% (1/8) delivered between 28 and 33+6 wk. For patients with pre-pregnancy LAC, 80.0% (20/25) patients delivered at ≥37 wk of gestation, 16.0% (4/25) delivered between 34 and 36+6 wk, and 4.0% (1/25) delivered between 28 and 33+6 wk. No adverse-event intra-operative or post-operative sequelae were noted. Conclusions: LAC is an effective and safe procedure that results in remarkable obstetric outcomes for women with refractory cervical insufficiency, or with a short cervix who are considered unsuitable for a TVC. The success rate of in-pregnancy or pre-pregnancy LAC depends on a full evaluation of patients, a proper peri-operative management and close follow-up.

Abstract China accounts for 25% of the global greening. There are temporal and spatial differences of China’s greening and intrinsic driving forces. Thus, it is crucial to determinize the contributions of human activities and climate change on greening at region scale. The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region (BTHR) is one of the most active areas with human activities in China. It is necessary to explore negative or positive impacts of human activities on the regional greening or browning under climate change. A time series of annual vegetation coverage from satellite data was selected to quantify regional greening in the BTHR from 2000 to 2019 and their responses to climate change and human activities. Results showed generally widespread greening over the last 20 years at an average increased rate of 0.036 decade−1 in vegetation coverage (P

Summary: Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) is a novel tick-borne segmented RNA virus that is closely related to un-segmental RNA virus in evolution. It has been confirmed that JMTV could be a causative agent of human disease. In this study, a total of 3658 ticks were sampled from 7 provinces of China and then divided into 545 pools according to the location and species. QRT-PCR and nested PCR were performed to confirm the presence of JMTV. The results showed JMTV was identified in 5 out of 7 provinces with an average infection rate of 1.4% (51/3658). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all JMTV strains identified in this study were closely related to each other and formed a well-supported sub-lineage. Our results provide molecular evidence of JMTV in different species of ticks from endemic and non-endemic regions and demonstrate that JMTV, as a natural foci pathogen, may be widely distributed all over China.

Abstract Background Unresponsive thin endometrium caused by Asherman syndrome (AS) is the major cause of uterine infertility. However, current therapies are ineffective. This study is to evaluate the effect of transplantation with collagen scaffold/umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (CS/UC-MSCs) on this refractory disease. Methods Eighteen infertile women with unresponsive thin endometrium, whose frozen–thawed embryo transfers (FETs) were cancelled due to reduced endometrial thickness (ET ≤ 5.5 mm), were enrolled in this before and after self-control prospective study. Hysteroscopic examination was performed to confirm no intrauterine adhesions, then twenty million UC-MSCs loaded onto a CS were transplanted into the uterine cavity in two consecutive menstrual cycles. Then uterine cavity was assessed through hysteroscopy after two transplants. FETs were performed in the following cycle. Pregnancy outcomes were followed up. Endometrial thickness, uterine receptivity and endometrial angiogenesis, proliferation and hormone response were compared before and after treatment. Results Sixteen patients completed the study. No treatment-related serious adverse events occurred. Three months after transplantation, the average ET increased from 4.08 ± 0.26 mm to 5.87 ± 0.77 mm (P < 0.001). Three of 15 patients after FET got pregnant, of whom 2 gave birth successfully and 1 had a miscarriage at 25 weeks’ gestation. One of 2 patients without FET had a natural pregnancy and gave birth normally after transplantation. Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased micro-vessel density, upregulated expression of Ki67, estrogen receptor alpha, and progesterone receptor, indicating an improvement in endometrial angiogenesis, proliferation, and response to hormones. Conclusion CS/UC-MSCs is a promising and potential approach for treating women with unresponsive thin endometrium caused by AS. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03724617 . Registered on 26 October 2018—prospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/

Abstract Background Isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis (IPE) is rare, accounting for 1.5–2% of all cases of infective endocarditis. Herein, we describe a case of isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis with rapid progression in a 28-year-old male. Unlike most patients reported previously who were cured with only anti-infective therapy, without surgery at an early stage, multiple complications occurred in this patient in less than 2 weeks. Case presentation The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary valve endocarditis with blood cultures showing Staphylococcus aureus and echocardiography revealing 2 masses (measuring 14*13 mm、11*16 mm in size). Only 12 days later, acute massive pulmonary embolism occurred. Then, repeated echocardiography revealed multiple masses attached to the pulmonary valve with severe pulmonary insufficiency and the possibility of pulmonary valve destruction. Finally, pulmonary valve replacement, vegetation removal, and right pulmonary thromboendarterectomy together with resection of the middle and lower lobes of the right lung were performed. Conclusions The role of surgery at an early stage might need to be reconsidered, and it may be viable to combine medical and surgical approaches.

This study investigated the phenotype and function of natural killer T (NKT) cells infiltrating cervical cancer tissues, in an attempt to understand the regulation of NKT cells by cervical cancer cells. Forty-two patients with cervical cancer were included. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the percentage of NKT cells in tumour tissues and its correlation with clinical staging and lymphatic metastasis. The expression of surface receptor and effector molecules on infiltrating NKT cells was determined. The changes of the phenotype, subtype and cytotoxicity of NKT cells were investigated. The regulation of NKT cells by cervical cancer cells was investigated by co-culture with HeLa or SiHa cells. The effect of TGF-β1 on NKT activity regulated by cervical cancer cells was studied. The results showed that the infiltration of NKT cells in cervical cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in tumour-adjacent tissues, and the degree of infiltration was negatively correlated with the progression of the disease. The activity and killing effect of infiltrating NKT were inhibited in cervical cancer tissues, leading to increase of CD4+NKT cells and decrease of CD8−CD4−NKT cells. The activity of NKT cells was down-regulated by co-culture with cervical cancer cells, but subtypes of NKT cells were not altered. Cervical cancer cells inhibited the function of NKT cells by secreting TGF-β1. The study demonstrates that the infiltration of NKT cells in cervical cancer tissues is increased significantly and negatively correlated with tumour progression.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a widespread outbreak of highly pathogenic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is therefore important and timely to characterize interactions between the virus and host cell at the molecular level to understand its disease pathogenesis. To gain insights, we performed high-throughput sequencing that generated time-series data simultaneously for bioinformatics analysis of virus genomes and host transcriptomes implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our analysis results showed that the rapid growth of the virus was accompanied by an early intensive response of host genes. We also systematically compared the molecular footprints of the host cells in response to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Upon infection, SARS-CoV-2 induced hundreds of up-regulated host genes hallmarked by a significant cytokine production, followed by virus-specific host antiviral responses. While the cytokine and antiviral responses triggered by SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV were only observed during the late stage of infection, the host antiviral responses during the SARS-CoV-2 infection were gradually enhanced lagging behind the production of cytokine. The early rapid host responses were potentially attributed to the high efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells, underscored by evidence of a remarkably up-regulated gene expression of TPRMSS2 soon after infection. Taken together, our findings provide novel molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying the infectivity and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2.

Two dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks have demonstrated unique photophysical properties compared to their bulk analogs. Here, the authors demonstrate that exfoliation of 2D MOFs can suppress interlayer exciton-related emission, allowing for modulation of the overall emission color and switching of optical memory states.

Fast and sensitive detection of water molecules in organic solvents and gases remains an important challenge. Here, Pan and co-workers design a metal-organic framework capable of ultrafast and reversible water sensing by photoluminescence switching via an excited state intramolecular proton transfer mechanism.

A series of Ln3+-metal centered complexes, Ln(TTA)3(DPPI) (Ln = La, 1; Ln = Eu, 2; Ln = Tb, 3; or Ln = Gd, 4) [(DPPI = N-(4-(1H-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)phenyl)-N-phenylbenzenamine) and (TTA = 2-Thenoyltrifluoroacetone)] have been synthesized and characterized. Among which, the Eu3+-complex shows efficient purity red luminescence in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution, with a Commission International De L’ Eclairage (CIE) coordinate at x = 0.638, y = 0.323 and ΦEuL = 38.9%. Interestingly, increasing the amounts of triethylamine (TEA) in the solution regulates the energy transfer between the ligand and the Eu3+-metal center, which further leads to the luminescence color changing from red to white, and then bluish-green depending on the different excitation wavelengths. Based on this, we have designed the IMPLICATION logic gate for TEA recognition by applying the amounts of TEA and the excitation wavelengths as the dual input signal, which makes this Eu3+-complex a promising candidate for TEA-sensing optical sensors.

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising route to hydrogen generation from renewable solar power. Here, the authors report a hydrogen-evolving photochemical molecular device based on a self-assembled coordination cage, which simultaneously incorporates multiple photosensitizing and catalytic metal centres.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are one of the main components of biofilm, prompting biofilm to form a cohesive three-dimensional framework. Numerous methods are available to help characterize the properties and the structural, chemical and physical organizations of EPS during the biofilm formation process. This review highlights key techniques from different disciplines that have been successfully applied in-situ and non-destructively to describe the complex composition and distribution of EPS in biofilm, especially microscopic, spectroscopic, and the combination of multi-disciplinary methods that can provide new insights into the complex structure/function correlations in biofilms. Among them, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is emphasized, and its principles, applications, advantages, and limitations are summarized. Multidisciplinary techniques have been developed and recommended to study EPS during the biofilm formation process, providing more in-depth insights into the composition and spatial distributions of EPS, so as to improve our understanding of the role EPS plays in biofilms ultimately.

Homochiral molecular capsules offer potential applications in chiral separation and stereospecific catalysis. Here, by pre-resolution of Δ/Λ-metalloligand precursors, the authors are able to assemble enantiopure supramolecular cages capable of stereoselective host-guest behaviour.

The photodegradation of benzothiazole (BTH) in wastewater with the coexistence of iron oxides and oxalic acid under UV light irradiation was investigated. Results revealed that an effective heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like system could be set up for BTH abatement in wastewater under UV irradiation without additional H2O2, and 88.1% BTH was removed with the addition of 2.0 mmol l−1 oxalic acid and 0.2 g l−1 α-Fe2O3 using a 500 W high-pressure mercury lamp (365 nm). The degradation of BTH in the photo-Fenton-like system followed the first-order kinetic model. The photoproduction of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) in different systems was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Identification of transformation products by using liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution tandem mass spectrometry provided information about six transformation products formed during the photodegradation of BTH. Further insight was obtained by monitoring concentrations of the sulfate ion (SO42−) and nitrate ion (NO3−), which demonstrated that the intermediate products of BTH could be decomposed ultimately. Based on the results, the potential photodegradation pathway of BTH was also proposed.

A tetradentate symmetric ligand bearing both coordination and hydrogen bonding sites, N1,N3-bis(1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-ethylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (H2bbepd) was utilized to synthesize a series of transition metal complexes, namely [Co(H2bbepd)(H2O)2]·2ClO4 (1), [Cu(H2bbepd)(OTs-)]·OTs- (2),[Cu(bbepd)(CH3OH)] (3), [Cd(H2bbepd)(NO3)2]·CH3OH (4), [Cd(H2bbepd)(CH3OH)Cl]·Cl (5), and [Cd(bbepd)(CH3OH)2] (6). These complexes show similar discrete pincer-like coordination units, possessing different arrangements of hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor sites. With or without the aid of uncoordinated anions and solvent molecules, such mononuclear units have been effectively involved in the construction of hierarchical hydrogen bonding assemblies (successively via level I and level II), leading to discrete binuclear ring (complex 2), one-dimensional chain or ribbon (complexes 3, 4 and 6) and two-dimensional layer (complexes 1 and 5) aggregates.

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are important greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances. Thus, a thorough understanding of their atmospheric fate is essential for preventing and controlling atmospheric pollution. Herein, the atmospheric transformation mechanism of CF3CH2CClF2 (HCFC-235fa) by the OH radical and the Cl atom was carried out at the dual-level of CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p). The reaction rate coefficients were calculated using the multistructural canonical variational transition state theory with small curvature tunneling (MS-CVT/SCT) at 200–1000 K. The kMS-CVT/SCT(CF3CH2CClF2 + OH) and kMS-CVT/SCT(CF3CH2CClF2 + Cl) values are 9.05 × 10−15 and 1.95 × 10−17 cm³ molecule−1 s−1 at 297 K, respectively. The results show that the role of OH is more important than Cl in the degradation of CF3CH2CClF2. The atmospheric lifetimes (83 days–77.93 years), ozone destruction potential (0.001–0.023), and global warming potentials (GWP100 = 21.06–5157.35) of CF3CH2CClF2 were assessed, and these results indicate that CF3CH2CClF2 is atmospherically persistent and environmentally unfriendly. The evolution mechanisms of CF3C·HCClF2, CF3C(OO˙)HCClF2, and CF3C(O˙)HCClF2 in the presence of O2, HO2˙, and NO were investigated and discussed. The resulting products of CF3CH2CClF2 are mostly highly oxidized multi-functional compounds in the forms of aldehydes, ketones, and organic nitrates. A computational assessment of acute and chronic toxicities was performed at three levels of nutrition in order to improve the understanding of the potential toxicity of CF3CH2CClF2 and its degradation products to the aquatic environment. The acidification potential of CF3CH2CClF2 was calculated to be 1.141 and presumed to contribute to the formation of acid rain. The results may contribute to describing HCFCs' atmospheric fate, persistence, and environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of LiF‐rich cathode‐electrolyte interphase is highly desirable for wide‐temperature battery, but its application is hindered by the unwanted side reactions associated with conventional method of introducing fluorinated additives. Here, we developed an additive‐free strategy to produce LiF‐rich cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) by low‐temperature formation cycling. Using LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2 as a model cathode, the atomic ratio of LiF in the CEI formed at −5 °C is about 17.7 %, enhanced by ~550 % compared to CEI formed at 25 °C (2.7 %). The underlying mechanism is uncovered by both experiments and theoretic simulation, indicating that the decomposition of LiPF6 to LiF is transformed into spontaneous and exothermic on positively charged cathode surface and lowering the temperature shift chemical equilibrium towards the formation of LiF‐rich CEI. Superior to conventional fluorinated additives, this approach is free from unwanted side reactions, imparting batteries with both high‐temperature (60 °C) cyclability and low‐temperature rate performance (capacity enhanced by 100 % at 3 C at −20 °C). This low‐temperature formation cycling to construct LiF‐rich CEI is extended to various cathode systems, such as LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2, LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, demonstrating the versatility and potential impact of our strategy in advancing the performance and stability of wide‐temperature batteries and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Co-based organic skeleton was combined with graphene oxide (GO) as a precursor, Ni2+ hydrolysis etching was introduced, and finally, NiCo-LDH/GO was obtained. The final composite electrode material NiCo2S4/rGO was obtained by high-temperature vulcanization. The introduction of MOFs and rGO significantly increased the specific surface area of the material and made it have excellent electrochemical properties. The specific capacitance of the composite NiCo2S4/20rGO reaches an astonishing 272.5 mAh g−1 when the current density is 1 A g−1. In addition, at a large current of 10 A g−1, the specific capacitance of the material can also reach 139.5 mAh g−1, and after a long cycle of 5000 cycles at such a current density, the capacity remains at the original 73.2%. With NiCo2S4/20rGO electrode material as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode, the hybrid supercapacitor is assembled. At an energy density of 56.9 Wh kg−1, its power density reaches an excellent 799 W kg−1, and it still has a capacity retention rate of 74% at a current density of 10 A g−1. The excellent properties of composites demonstrated in this work open up new possibilities for high-quality energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]