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Combinational therapy such as taking tranexamic acid while using laser treatment has been proved potential efficacy by many experiments. However, there is few research which contains large samples and consistent observations.We evaluated clinical efficacy and safety of a new systemic treatment of drug-laser-photon therapy.Retrospective and randomized investigator-blinded study of 75 patients with mixed type melasma was analyzed. At each visit, standardized photographs were taken using VISIA. Modified melasma area and severity index (mMASI) scores were marked using photographs by two dermatologists.The mMASI score decreased significantly from 6.92 to 3.84 after the treatment. The VISIA analyze right cheek data shows: Spots (from 49.67 ± 3.43 to 56.09 ± 3.31), UV spots (from 41.39 ± 24.45 to 44.56 ± 25.86), and Brown spots (from 23.97 ± 17.89 to 28.16 ± 21.28) are statistically increased (p = 0.035, p = 0.018, p = 0.07). All patients feel varying degrees of improvement, about 10.17% felt very much improved, 30.51% felt much improved (51%-75%), 45.76% felt moderately improved (26%-50%), and 13.56% felt little improved (1%-25%).This study was no control group.The efficacy and safety profile of the combination of drug-laser-photon therapy systemic treatment in melasma patients has been proved. It has potential possibility to become a new, reliable, widely suitable therapy strategy.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have shown tremendous potential for optoelectronic applications. Ion migration within the crystal and across heterointerfaces, however, imposed severe problems with material degradation and performance loss in devices. Encapsulating hybrid perovskite with a thin physical barrier can be essential for suppressing the undesirable interfacial reactions without inhibiting the desirable transport of charge carriers. Here, we demonstrated that nanoscale, pinhole-free Al

Although solid-state lithium (Li)-metal batteries promise both high energy density and safety, existing solid ion conductors fail to satisfy the rigorous requirements of battery operations. Inorganic ion conductors allow fast ion transport, but their rigid and brittle nature prevents good interfacial contact with electrodes. Conversely, polymer ion conductors that are Li-metal-stable usually provide better interfacial compatibility and mechanical tolerance, but typically suffer from inferior ionic conductivity owing to the coupling of the ion transport with the motion of the polymer chains1–3. Here we report a general strategy for achieving high-performance solid polymer ion conductors by engineering of molecular channels. Through the coordination of copper ions (Cu2+) with one-dimensional cellulose nanofibrils, we show that the opening of molecular channels within the normally ion-insulating cellulose enables rapid transport of Li+ ions along the polymer chains. In addition to high Li+ conductivity (1.5 × 10−3 siemens per centimetre at room temperature along the molecular chain direction), the Cu2+-coordinated cellulose ion conductor also exhibits a high transference number (0.78, compared with 0.2–0.5 in other polymers2) and a wide window of electrochemical stability (0–4.5 volts) that can accommodate both the Li-metal anode and high-voltage cathodes. This one-dimensional ion conductor also allows ion percolation in thick LiFePO4 solid-state cathodes for application in batteries with a high energy density. Furthermore, we have verified the universality of this molecular-channel engineering approach with other polymers and cations, achieving similarly high conductivities, with implications that could go beyond safe, high-performance solid-state batteries. By coordinating copper ions with the oxygen-containing groups of cellulose nanofibrils, the molecular spacing in the nanofibrils is increased, allowing fast transport of lithium ions and offering hopes for solid-state batteries.

The Omicron variant is sweeping the world, which displays striking immune escape potential through mutations at key antigenic sites on the spike protein, making broad-spectrum SARS-CoV-2 prevention or therapeutical strategies urgently needed. Previously, we have reported a hACE2-targeting neutralizing antibody 3E8, which could efficiently block both prototype SARS-CoV-2 and Delta variant infections in prophylactic mouse models, having the potential of broad-spectrum to prevent SARS-CoV-2. However, preparation of monoclonal neutralizing antibodies is severely limited by the time-consuming process and the relative high cost. Here, we utilized a modified VEEV replicon with two subgenomic (sg) promoters engineered to express the light and heavy chains of the 3E8 mAb. The feasibility and protective efficacy of replicating mRNA encoding 3E8 against Omicron infection in the hamster were demonstrated through the lung targeting delivery with the help of VEEV-VRP. Overall, we developed a safe and cost-effective platform of broad-spectrum to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Organic electrodes are advantageous for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries owing to their high theoretical capacities, diverse functionalities, and environmental compatibility. Understanding the working mechanism of organic electrodes is vital to strategic materials design. However, due to lack of suitable characterization tools, it has been challenging to probe the reaction processes of organic electrodes in real-time. Here, non-destructive in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was performed on a model organic electrode, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, to directly follow the redox reactions in real-time. In order to minimize interfering signals from other parts of the batteries than the TCNQ electrode of interest, two sets of batteries are fabricated and studied with in situ EPR: (1) a LiCoO2//Li4Ti5O12 full-cell battery to determine the EPR signal evolution of additives and electrolytes; (2) a LiCoO2//TCNQ battery, and the difference in the observed EPR signals reflects purely the redox reactions of TCNQ upon lithiation and delithiation. A two-electron reversible redox reaction is delineated for TCNQ. TCNQ dimers form during the first electron injection upon lithiation and followed by the break-down of the dimers and associated electron coupling to produce massive delocalized electrons, resulting in increased EPR signal during the 2nd electron injection. Reversible trends are observed during electron ejection upon delithiation. In situ EPR is very sensitive to electron activities, thus is a powerful tool to follow redox reactions of organic electrodes, allowing for improved fundamental understanding of how organic electrodes work and for informed design of high-performance organic materials for energy storage.

For most organisms, molecular oxygen is indispensable for normal physiological metabolism; in humans, prolonged hypoxia in tissues can induce many diseases, exemplified by cardiovascular disease, chronic wounds, and tissue necrosis. Therefore, the oxygen in our environment is vital for life. As a main source of oxygen in the natural world that transforms light energy into chemical energy and oxygen, photosynthesis has been widely studied in scientific research and used in production of food, fuel, and medicine. In recent years, photosynthesis has become more closely involved in biomedicine and has been widely used in photodynamic therapy, tissue regeneration, transplantation, and in treatment of specific diseases. This review summarizes innovative applications of photosynthesis in biomedical research and highlights the theory and implications of clinical treatment for specific diseases.

Lithium chalcogenide materials have been studied less than other alkali metal analogs and are of interest as ion conductors and semiconductors capable of thermal neutron detection. Herein, we descr...

Manganese-rich layered oxide materials hold great potential as low-cost and high-capacity cathodes for Na-ion batteries. However, they usually form a P2 phase and suffer from fast capacity fade. In this work, an O3 phase sodium cathode has been developed out of a Li and Mn-rich layered material by leveraging the creation of transition metal (TM) and oxygen vacancies and the electrochemical exchange of Na and Li. The Mn-rich layered cathode material remains primarily O3 phase during sodiation/desodiation and can have a full sodiation capacity of ca. 220 mAh g-1 . It delivers ca. 160 mAh g-1 specific capacity between 2-3.8 V with >86 % retention over 250 cycles. The TM and oxygen vacancies pre-formed in the sodiated material enables a reversible migration of TMs from the TM layer to the tetrahedral sites in the Na layer upon de-sodiation and sodiation. The migration creates metastable states, leading to increased kinetic barrier that prohibits a complete O3-P3 phase transition.

Argyrodites, with fast lithium-ion conduction, are promising for applications in rechargeable solid-state lithium-ion batteries. We report a new compositional space of argyrodite superionic conduct...

Polymer-based hybrid electrolytes are a promissing class of materials for solid-state batteries due to their mechanical, physico-chemical and electrochemical properties. This paper gives an in-depth overview of possible ionic conduction mechanisms essential for good battery performance, and related relevant contemporary materials. The materials' preparation and characterization techniques are given in the light of necessity for deeper understanding of the structure–property relationship in such composites.

We report the discovery of a new superprotonic compound, Cs7(H4PO4)(H2PO4)8, or CPP, which forms at elevated temperatures from the reaction of CsH2PO4 and CsH5(PO4)2. The structure, solved using high-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction and confirmed by high-temperature 31P NMR spectroscopy, crystallizes in space group Pm3n and has a lattice constant of 20.1994(9) A at 130 °C. The unit cell resembles a 4 × 4 × 4 superstructure of superprotonic CsH2PO4, but features an extraordinary chemical moiety, rotationally disordered H4PO4+ cations, which periodically occupy one of every eight cation sites. The influence of this remarkable cation on the structure, thermodynamics, and proton transport properties of the CPP phase is discussed. Notably, CPP forms at a temperature of 90 °C, much lower than the superprotonic transition temperature of 228 °C of CsH2PO4, and the compound does not appear to have an ordered, low-temperature form. Under nominally dry conditions, the material is stable against dehydration to ∼151 °C, and this results in a particularly wide region of stability of a superprotonic material in the absence of active humidification. The conductivity of Cs7(H4PO4)(H2PO4)8 is moderate, 5.8 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 140 °C, but appears nevertheless facilitated by polyanion (H2PO4-) group reorientation.

ConspectusTransparent conducting oxides (TCOs) are inorganic electrical conductors with optical band gaps greater than 3.3 eV. TCOs have been extensively explored in functional windows, touch screen applications, transparent displays, solar cells, and even electronic circuits. Amorphous metal oxide (a-MO) semiconductors are a TCO class that has made impressive progress since the first 2004 demonstration of their utility as the semiconducting layer in thin-film transistors (TFTs). Their excellent counterintuitive electron mobilities in the amorphous state fill the performance gap between amorphous silicon and polysilicon, widening TFT applicability to high-value products such as high-resolution flat panel displays and emerging flexible/wearable electronics. The possibility of solution processing MO "inks" from air-stable precursors, via roll-to-roll and high-throughput printing, further expands their appeal. However, most MO TFTs fabricated using solution-processing require postdeposition film annealing at elevated temperatures (400 °C) to ensure high-quality films and stable charge transport. Thus, MO fabrication on and TFT integration with inexpensive and typically temperature-sensitive flexible polymer substrates remains challenging, as does reducing MO processing times to those acceptable for high-throughput semiconductor circuit manufacture. Consequently, new MO film processing methodologies are being developed to meet these requirements. Among them, science-based combustion synthesis (CS) and polymer doping are promising complementary approaches to optimize materials quality and manufacturing efficiency; they are the topic of this Account.This Account summarizes the progress in CS and MO polymer doping research, made largely at Northwestern University over the past decade, to create high-performance MO TFTs. Regarding CS, we begin with an overview of combustion precursor chemistry that strongly affects the resulting film quality and device performance. Then, single fuel and dual fuel combustion syntheses for diverse MO systems are discussed. Representative examples highlight recent advances, with a focus on the relationship between (co)fuel-oxidizer types/amounts, thermal behavior, film microstructure, and TFT performance. Next, the discussion focuses on polymer doping of several MO matrices as a new approach to achieve semiconducting MO compositions with excellent performance and mechanical flexibility. Thus, the effect of the polymer architecture and content in the MO precursor formulations on the MO film composition, microstructure, electronic structure, and charge transport are discussed. The concluding remarks highlight challenges and emerging opportunities.

Solid electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and good stability are advantageous over the current liquid electrolytes in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Argyrodites, Li6PS5X (X ​= ​Cl, Br, or I), with ionic conductivities on the order of mS/cm have attracted tremendous attention. However, the high potential of argyrodites in fast ion conduction is far from being reached. Significant enhancement in ion conduction relies on the fundamental understanding of the contributing factors for fast ion transport. Here, we have systematically prepared highly conductive Li-deficient Li6−xPS5−xCl1+x and examined the influence of Li-deficiency and Cl substitution of S on ion transport using impedance spectroscopy, solid-state NMR, and first-principles calculations. With increased Cl content, the amount of Cl− at S2− (4d) sites increases, forming a dominant 1S3Cl (4d) configuration. In addition, Li+ redistributes with significantly higher mobility. As a result, the activation energy for Li-ion transport decreases, and the conductivity increases to 17 ​mS/cm at 25 ​°C when x equals 0.7 (Li5.3PS4.3Cl1.7). This work not only reports a record ionic conductivity of Cl-containing argyrodites-type fast Li-ion conductors, but also provides new insights into anion disorder-induced ion transport, which has a wide and universal appeal in the development of fast ion conductors and mixed-anion functional materials.

Establishing structure–property correlations is of paramount importance to materials research. The ability to selectively detect observable magnetization from transitions between quantized spin states of nuclei makes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy a powerful probe to characterize solids at the atomic level. In this article, we review recent advances in NMR techniques in six areas: spectral resolution, sensitivity, atomic correlations, ion dynamics, materials imaging, and hardware innovation. In particular, we focus on the applications of these techniques to materials research. Specific examples are given following the general introduction of each topic and technique to illustrate how they are applied. In conclusion, we suggest future directions for advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy and imaging in interdisciplinary research.

The frequency-dependent capacitance of low-temperature solution-processed metal oxide (MO) dielectrics typically yields unreliable and unstable thin-film transistor (TFT) performance metrics, which hinders the development of next-generation roll-to-roll MO electronics and obscures intercomparisons between processing methodologies. Here, capacitance values stable over a wide frequency range are achieved in low-temperature combustion-synthesized aluminum oxide (AlOx) dielectric films by fluoride doping. For an optimal F incorporation of ∼3.7 atomic % F, the F:AlOx film capacitance of 166 ± 11 nF/cm2 is stable over a 10-1-104 Hz frequency range, far more stable than that of neat AlOx films (capacitance = 336 ± 201 nF/cm2) which falls from 781 ± 85 nF/cm2 to 104 ± 4 nF/cm2 over this frequency range. Importantly, both n-type/inorganic and p-type/organic TFTs exhibit reliable electrical characteristics with minimum hysteresis when employing the F:AlOx dielectric with ∼3.7 atomic % F. Systematic characterization of film microstructural/compositional and electronic/dielectric properties by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time-of-fight secondary ion mass spectrometry, cross-section transmission electron microscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy reveal that fluoride doping generates AlOF, which strongly reduces the mobile hydrogen content, suppressing polarization mechanisms at low frequencies. Thus, this work provides a broadly applicable anion doping strategy for the realization of high-performance solution-processed metal oxide dielectrics for both organic and inorganic electronics applications.

The centrosymmetric polymorph of KNaNbOF5 undergoes a reconstructive transition from a rare A-site vacancy ordered perovskite to a unique nonperovskite high-temperature phase. Previously, the high ...

High ionic conductivity of solid electrolytes is key to achieving high-power all-solid-state rechargeable batteries. The superionic argyrodite family is among the most conductive Li-ion conductors....

Li1+2xZn1–xPS4 was computationally predicted to have superionic conductivity of over 50 mS/cm. However, experimental efforts so far have only yielded ionic conductivities on the order of 10–4 S/cm,...

BACKGROUND The incidence of short stature in KBG syndrome is relatively high. Data on the therapeutic effects of growth hormone (GH) on children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature in the previous literature has not been summarized. CASE SUMMARY Here we studied a girl with KBG syndrome and collected the data of children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature from previous studies before and after GH therapy. The girl was referred to our department because of short stature. Physical examination revealed mild dysmorphic features. The peak GH responses to arginine and clonidine were 6.22 and 5.40 ng/mL, respectively. The level of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) was 42.0 ng/mL. Genetic analysis showed a c.2635 dupG (p.Glu879fs) mutation in the ANKRD11 gene. She received GH therapy. During the first year of GH therapy, her height increased by 0.92 standard deviation score (SDS). Her height increased from -1.95 SDS to -0.70 SDS after two years of GH therapy. There were ten children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature who received GH therapy in reported cases. Height SDS was improved in nine (9/10) of them. The mean height SDS in five children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature increased from -2.72 ± 0.44 to -1.95 ± 0.57 after the first year of GH therapy (P = 0.001). There were no adverse reactions reported after GH treatment. CONCLUSION GH treatment is effective in our girl and most children with KBG syndrome accompanied by short stature during the first year of therapy.

Li+ -conducting oxides are considered better ceramic fillers than Li+ -insulating oxides for improving Li+ conductivity in composite polymer electrolytes owing to their ability to conduct Li+ through the ceramic oxide as well as across the oxide/polymer interface. Here we use two Li+ -insulating oxides (fluorite Gd0.1 Ce0.9 O1.95 and perovskite La0.8 Sr0.2 Ga0.8 Mg0.2 O2.55 ) with a high concentration of oxygen vacancies to demonstrate two oxide/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based polymer composite electrolytes, each with a Li+ conductivity above 10-4 S cm-1 at 30 °C. Li solid-state NMR results show an increase in Li+ ions (>10 %) occupying the more mobile A2 environment in the composite electrolytes. This increase in A2-site occupancy originates from the strong interaction between the O2- of Li-salt anion and the surface oxygen vacancies of each oxide and contributes to the more facile Li+ transport. All-solid-state Li-metal cells with these composite electrolytes demonstrate a small interfacial resistance with good cycling performance at 35 °C.

The unclear Li+ local environment and Li+ conduction mechanism in solid polymer electrolytes, especially in a ceramic/polymer composite electrolyte, hinder the design and development of a new composite electrolyte. Moreover, both the low room-temperature Li+ conductivity and large interfacial resistance with a metallic lithium anode of a polymer membrane limit its application below a relatively high temperature. Here we have identified the Li+ distribution and Li+ transport mechanism in a composite polymer electrolyte by investigating a new solid poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based NASICON-LiZr2(PO4)3 composite with 7Li relaxation time and 6Li → 7Li trace-exchange NMR measurements. The Li+ population of the two local environments in the composite electrolytes depends on the Li-salt concentration and the amount of ceramic filler. A composite electrolyte with a [EO]/[Li+] ratio n = 10 and 25 wt % LZP filler has a high Li+ conductivity of 1.2 × 10-4 S cm-1 at 30 °C and a low activation energy owing to the additional Li+ in the mobile A2 environment. Moreover, an in situ formed solid electrolyte interphase layer from the reaction between LiZr2(PO4)3 and a metallic lithium anode stabilized the Li/composite-electrolyte interface and reduced the interfacial resistance, which provided a symmetric Li/Li cell and all-solid-state Li/LiFePO4 and Li/LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cells a good cycling performance at 40 °C.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a promising biomedical tool for application to wound healing. However, there is limited scientific evidence that confirms its efficacy to inhibit scar formation. This study aims to investigate the role of non-thermal plasma in scar formation. Two full-thickness dorsal cutaneous wounds of rats were treated with either a non-thermal helium plasma jet or helium. It was determined that the non-thermal plasma jet accelerated the wound healing process from 5 days after surgery (day 5: 41.27% ± 2.351 vs 54.7% ± 5.314, p

We report a novel hierarchical microstructure in the PbSe–CdSe system, which collectively contributes to significant enhancement in thermoelectric performance, with ZTave ∼ 0.83 across the 400–923 K temperature range, the highest reported for p-type, Te-free PbSe systems. We have investigated the local atomic structure as well as the microstructure of a series of PbSe–xCdSe materials, up to x = 10%. We find that the behavior of the Cd atoms in the octahedral rock salt sites is discordant and results in off-center displacement and distortion. Such off-centered Cd in the PbSe matrix creates (1) L–Σ electronic energy band convergence, (2) a flattened L band, both contributing to higher Seebeck coefficients, and (3) enhanced phonon scattering, which leads to lower thermal conductivity. These conclusions are supported by photoemission yield spectroscopy in air (PYSA), solid state 111Cd, 77Se NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Above the solubility limit (>6%CdSe), we also observe endotaxial CdSe nano-precipitates with core–shell architecture formed in PbSe, whose size, distribution and structure gradually change with the Cd content. The nano-precipitates exhibit a zinc blende crystal structure and a tetrahedral shape with significant local strain, but are covered with a thin wurtzite layer along the precipitate/matrix interface, creating a core–shell structure embedded in PbSe. This newly discovered architecture causes a further reduction in lattice thermal conductivity. Moreover, potassium is found to be an effective p-type dopant in the PbSe–CdSe system, leading to an enhanced power factor, a maximum ZT of ∼1.4 at 923 K for Pb0.98K0.02Se–6%CdSe.

A novel glass-ceramic solid electrolyte Li10P3S12I is synthesized, which delivers a high ionic conductivity of 6.4 mS/cm at 25 °C and a low activation energy of 0.26 eV. Li10P3S12I also exhibits significantly enhanced stability and low interfacial resistance against Li metal compared with thiophosphates. Tracer-exchange Li NMR reveals that lithium ions transport preferably through the glass phase and glass-ceramic interface in Li10P3S12I. Careful control of the synthesis process to avoid complete crystallization helps stabilize the highly Li-conductive phase.

The nitroxyl radical 1-methyl-2-azaadamantane N-oxyl (Me-AZADO) exhibits magnetic bistability arising from a radical/dimer interconversion. The transition from the rotationally disordered paramagnetic plastic crystal, Me-AZADO, to the ordered diamagnetic crystalline phase, (Me-AZADO)2, has been conclusively demonstrated by crystal structure determination from high-resolution powder diffraction data and by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The phase change is characterized by a wide thermal hysteresis with high sensitivity to even small applied pressures. The molecular dynamics of the phase transition from the plastic crystal to the conventional crystalline phase has been tracked by solid-state (1H and 13C) NMR and EPR spectroscopies.