PANI-Coated VOx Nanobelts with Core-Shell Architecture for Flexible All-Solid-State Supercapacitor.

As a typical pseudocapacitor material, VOx possesses mixed valence states, making it an ideal electrode material for symmetric screen-printed supercapacitors. However, its high internal resistance and low energy density are the main hurdles to its widespread application. In this study, a two-dimensional PANI@VOx nanobelt with a core-shell architecture was constructed via a two-step route. This strategy involves the preparation of VOx using a solvothermal method, and a subsequent in situ polymerization process of the PANI. By virtue of the synergistic effect between the VOx core and the PANI shell, the optimal VOx@PANI has an enhanced conductivity of 0.7 ± 0.04 S/Ω, which can deliver a high specific capacitance of 347.5 F/g at 0.5 A/g, a decent cycling life of ~72.0%, and an outstanding Coulomb efficiency of ~100% after 5000 cycles at 5 A/g. Moreover, a flexible all-solid-state symmetric supercapacitor (VOx@PANI SSC) with an in-planar interdigitated structure was screen-printed and assembled on a nickel current collector; it yielded a remarkable areal energy density of 115.17 µWh/cm2 at an areal power density of 0.39 mW/cm2, and possessed outstanding flexibility and mechanical performance. Notably, a "Xiaomi" hygrothermograph (3.0 V) was powered easily by tandem SSCs with an operating voltage of 3.1 V. Therefore, this advanced pseudocapacitor material with core-shell architecture opens novel ideas for flexible symmetric supercapacitors in powering portable/wearable products.

Flexible High-Performance and Screen-Printed Symmetric Supercapacitor Using Hierarchical Rodlike V3O7 Inks.

The emergence of the Internet of things stimulates the pursuit of flexible and miniaturized supercapacitors. As an advanced technology, screen printing displays vigor and tremendous potential in fabricating supercapacitors, but the adoption of high-performance ink is a great challenge. Here, hierarchical V3O7 with rodlike texture was prepared via a facile template-solvothermal route; and the morphology, component, and valence bond information are characterized meticulously. Then, the screen-printed inks composed of V3O7, acetylene black, and PVDF are formulated, and the rheological behaviors are studied detailedly. Benefitting from the orderly aligned ink, the optimal screen-printed electrode can exhibit an excellent specific capacitance of 274.5 F/g at 0.3 A/g and capacitance retention of 81.9% after 5000 cycles. In addition, a flexible V3O7 symmetrical supercapacitor (SSC) is screen-printed and assembled on the Ag current collector, exhibiting a decent areal specific capacitance of 322.5 mF/cm2 at 0.5 mA/cm2, outstanding cycling stability of 90.8% even after 5000 cycles, satisfactory maximum energy density of 129.45 µWh/cm2 at a power density of 0.42 mW/cm2, and remarkable flexibility and durability. Furthermore, a single SSC enables the showing of an actual voltage of 1.70 V after charging, and no obvious self-discharge phenomenon is found, revealing the great applied value in supply power. Therefore, this work provides a facile and low-cost reference of screen-printed ink for large-scale fabrication of flexible supercapacitors.

Triglyceride-lowering therapy for the prevention of cardiovascular events, stroke, and mortality in patients with diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Triglyceride (TG)-lowering therapy is efficient for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population; however, for diabetic individuals, it is more controversial. The purpose of this study was to pool the results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to clarify whether the lowering of TG is beneficial for the prevention of CVD events, stroke, and mortality in subjects with diabetes. METHODS: MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials were searched to identify the relevant literature. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the association of triglyceride-lowering therapy with the prevention of CVD events, stroke, and mortality in diabetic patients. RESULTS: Overall, 19 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control groups, TG lowering was associated with a decreased risk of CVD events (RR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.95, p = 0.000) and CVD mortality (RR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.00, p = 0.047). There was no significant correlation between TG-lowering therapy and the incidence of stroke and all-cause mortality (RR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.86-1.02, p = 0.129 and RR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.93-1.01, p = 0.107, respectively). Subgroup analysis showed that the decreased CVD risk resulting from TG-lowering therapy was independent of age, sex, region, duration of follow-up, degree of TG reduction and glycemic control. CONCLUSIONS: TG-lowering therapy is associated with a reduction in CVD events and cardiovascular-specific mortality, but not in stroke and all-cause mortality. Future large, multicenter RCTs will further confirm these conclusions.

Preparation and characterization of carboxymethyl chitosan/pullulan composite film incorporated with eugenol and its application in the preservation of chilled meat.

To solve the problem of easy spoilage of chilled meat during storage, we fabricated a novel composite film using carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS)/pullulan (Pul)/eugenol (E) by casting method. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the films were better when the CMCS/Pul ratio was 2.5/2.5. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that intermolecular hydrogen bonds were formed among E, CMCS, and Pul, which was consistent with the rheological test results. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images showed that eugenol was well dispersed in the CMCS/Pul matrix. The addition of eugenol significantly increased the antibacterial properties and antioxidant properties. Moreover, when 5% eugenol was added, the water vapor permeability (WVP) of the film reduced to 2.41 × 10-11 g/m·s·Pa. Finally, the freshness of the chilled meat wrapped with the eugenol-containing composite film was prolonged, thereby offering a potential alternative to synthetic materials.

Characterization of wine volatile compounds from different regions and varieties by HS-SPME/GC-MS coupled with chemometrics.

HS-SPME/GC-MS and aroma descriptive analysis were used to gain insights into the volatile and sensory details of 99 red wine samples collected from four varieties in five regions. The general volatile fingerprints of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wine samples in Xinjiang and Ningxia regions were similar, even though chemometric models could not discriminate between them. The main drivers of the diversity were secondary metabolites of grape such as terpenes, benzene-derivatives, and ketones. Fermentation-derivatives (esters and alcohols) were also responsible for region and variety-related differences in wines. Analysis of volatile compounds also showed that the primary factor accounting for diversity in wines in this study was region rather than variety. These results highlight the sensory attributes and volatiles of different regions and varieties, and provide a quantitative basis for screening for differential metabolites and potential markers in wines.

The effects of regions and the wine aging periods on the condensed tannin profiles and the astringency perceptions of Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

This study sought to determine the effects of wine-producing regions and aging periods on the astringency and chemistry of condensed tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon dry red wines. A wine quality study was performed with 5 vintages of 32 Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced in four Chinese wine-producing regions, Hebei (H), Xinjiang (X), Inner Mongolia (NM), and Ningxia (NX). Condensed tannin profiles were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The (-)-epicatechin as the terminal subunit (tEC) is the major differential component between regions. Correlation analysis revealed that condensed tannin concentration and composition significantly affected the sensory evaluation of astringency. Condensed tannin concentrations were significantly and negatively correlated with wine aging periods. However, no significant correlation was found between aging periods and condensed tannin subunits (as mole%) composition. The current findings enhance the understanding of condensed tannins' chemical and astringency characteristics in Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Effect of Occupational Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Thyroid Gland of Workers: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the biological effects of occupational extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure on the thyroid gland. METHODS: We conducted a prospective analysis of 85 workers (exposure group) exposed to an ELF-EMF (100 µT, 10-100 Hz) produced by the electromagnetic aircraft launch system and followed up on thyroid function indices, immunological indices, and color Doppler images for 3 years. Additionally, 116 healthy volunteers were randomly selected as controls (control group), the thyroid function of whom was compared to the exposure group. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in thyroid function between the exposure and control groups. During the follow-up of the exposure group, the serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) level was found to slowly decrease and free thyroxine (FT4) level slowly increase with increasing exposure time. However, no significant difference was found in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) over the three years, and no significant difference was observed in the FT3, FT4 and TSH levels between different exposure subgroups. Furthermore, no significant changes were observed in thyroid autoantibody levels and ultrasound images between subgroups or over time. CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to ELF-EMF may promote thyroid secretion of T4 and inhibit deiodination of T4 to T3. ELF-EMF has no significant effect on thyroid immune function and morphology.

Template-Free Preparation of α-Ni(OH)2 Nanosphere as High-Performance Electrode Material for Advanced Supercapacitor.

Although it is one of the promising candidates for pseudocapacitance materials, Ni(OH)2 is confronted with poor specific capacitance and inferior cycling stability. The design and construction of three-dimensional (3D) nanosphere structures turns out to be a valid strategy to combat these disadvantages and has attracted tremendous attention. In this paper, a 3D α-Ni(OH)2 nanosphere is prepared via a facile and template-free dynamic refluxing approach. Significantly, the α-Ni(OH)2 nanosphere possesses a high specific surface area (119.4 m2/g) and an abundant porous structure. In addition, the as-obtained α-Ni(OH)2 electrodes are investigated by electrochemical measurements, which exhibit a high specific capacitance of 1243 F/g at 1 A/g in 6 M KOH electrolyte and an acceptable capacitive retention of 40.0% after 1500 charge/discharge cycles at 10 A/g, which can be attributed to the sphere's unique nanostructure. Furthermore, the as-assembled Ni(OH)2-36//AC asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) yields a remarkable energy density of 26.50 Wh/kg, with a power density of 0.82 kW/kg. Notably, two ASCs in series can light a 2.5 V red lamp sustainably for more than 60 min, as well as power an LED band with a rated power of 25 W. Hence, this 3D α-Ni(OH)2 nanosphere may raise great potential applications for next-generation energy storage devices.

A siRNA targets and inhibits a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 infections including Delta variant.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants has altered the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and raised some uncertainty on the long-term efficiency of vaccine strategy. The development of new therapeutics against a wide range of SARS-CoV-2 variants is imperative. We, here, have designed an inhalable siRNA, C6G25S, which covers 99.8% of current SARS-CoV-2 variants and is capable of inhibiting dominant strains, including Alpha, Delta, Gamma, and Epsilon, at picomolar ranges of IC50 in vitro. Moreover, C6G25S could completely inhibit the production of infectious virions in lungs by prophylactic treatment, and decrease 96.2% of virions by cotreatment in K18-hACE2-transgenic mice, accompanied by a significant prevention of virus-associated extensive pulmonary alveolar damage, vascular thrombi, and immune cell infiltrations. Our data suggest that C6G25S provides an alternative and effective approach to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Synthetic Strategy for Construction of Highly Congested Tetracyclic Core (6-5-7-4) of Harziane Diterpenoids.

The structurally intriguing tetracyclic core of complex harziane diterpenoid was constructed in 14 steps from commercially available 3-ethoxycyclohex-2-en-1-one. The key steps were a Mn/Cu-mediated oxidative 1,3-dicarbonyl radical cascade cyclization reaction, which diastereoselectively formed the core of dimethylbicyclo[3.2.1]octane structure, and a Au-catalyzed diastereoselective formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition for construction of the harziane diterpenoid tetracyclic framework. The developed method paves the way for achieving total synthesis of this type of complex natural product.

An Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Patient Survived Without Hepatic Artery Flow Due to Thrombosis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), a serious complication after orthotopic liver transplantation, almost always leads to morbidity and mortality without urgent revascularization or retransplantation, especially if HAT occurs within a few days after transplantation. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein we describe a case report of an orthotopic liver transplantation patient surviving without hepatic artery flow due to HAT on postoperative day 1. Reanastomosis, thrombectomy, and intra-arterial thrombolysis were performed, but only retrograde arterial flow by Doppler ultrasound, not by angiography, could be demonstrated in the hepatic artery. This case report is in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the Declaration of Istanbul. CONCLUSION: Based on the evidence from this patient, we believe that patients with failed revascularization can experience a long-term survival with conservative treatment. Retransplantation should be evaluated based on laboratory findings because graft function in individual patients can recover.

Sequential vs concurrent adjuvant chemotherapy of anthracycline and taxane for operable breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Whether a sequential or concurrent regimen of anthracyclines and taxanes is superior for breast cancer is controversial. We compared the efficacy of two regimens in patients with operable breast cancer based on all relevant published data of phase III randomized controlled trials. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases was performed up to May 2020. Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the different efficacy on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) for the two chemotherapy regimens. Subgroup analyses were further carried out in terms of node status and anthracycline selection. RESULTS: Compared to the concurrent regimen, the sequential regimen did not improve the DFS or OS in the population studied. Subgroup analysis showed that in node-positive patients, the sequential regimen had better DFS, but not OS, than the concurrent regimen. In sequential regimen, patients who received doxorubicin and taxanes had improved DFS and OS than patients who were administered epirubicin and taxanes. Furthermore, for patients who received doxorubicin and taxanes, compared to the sequential regimen, fewer cycles (4 cycles) of concurrent treatment resulted in a worse DFS and OS, which can be rescued by more cycles (6 cycles). CONCLUSIONS: The sequential regimen of anthracyclines and taxanes for patients with operable breast cancer did not yield a significant benefit in DFS or OS over the concurrent regimen. The sequential regimen, however, provided a better DFS than concurrent regimen for node-positive patients. Interestingly, further subgroup analysis showed that for node-positive patients who were given doxorubicin and taxanes, more cycles (6 cycles) of the concurrent regimen may rescue the efficacy for fewer cycles (4 cycles).

Antrodia Cinnamomea Attenuates Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis by Suppressing NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation In Vitro and In Vivo.

Blockade of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been shown to be effective in halting the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Antrodia cinnamomea is a well-known indigenous medicine used by Taiwanese aboriginal tribes. However, its effect on NASH remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the mechanistic insight of Antrodia cinnamomea extract (ACE) in both in vitro and in vivo models of NASH. Murine RAW264.7 macrophages and human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells were treated with the indicated concentration of ACE 30 minutes prior to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. Levels of inflammatory markers, NLRP3 inflammasome, components, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers were analyzed by Western blotting. For the in vivo experiments, male C57BL/6 mice weighing 21-25 g were fed a methionine/choline deficient (MCD) diet along with vehicle or ACE (100 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days. The serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) levels of the mice were measured. The liver tissues from the mice underwent histological analysis (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and the levels of inflammatory markers, NLRP3 inflammasome components, and autophagy-related proteins were evaluated. ACE significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro and in vivo. In addition, ACE attenuated the severity of MCD-induced steatohepatitis, reduced the levels of oxidative stress markers, and ameliorated inflammatory responses, but restored autophagic flux. Based on these findings, Antrodia cinnamomea could be developed into an anti-non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/NASH agent.

Highly efficient synthesis of non-planar macrocycles possessing intriguing self-assembling behaviors and ethene/ethyne capture properties.

It has been a challenging topic and perpetual task to design and synthesize covalent macrocycles with characteristic self-assembling behaviors and excellent host-guest properties in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we present a family of macrocyclic diphenylamine[n]arenes (DPA[n]s, n = 3-7) consisting of methyldiphenylamine units through a facile one-pot synthesis strategy. Unlike many other reported macrocyclic arenes, the resultant non-planar DPA[n]s feature intrinsic π-π stacking interactions, interesting self-assembling behaviors and ethene/ethyne capture properties. Specifically, strong multiple intermolecular edge-to-face aromatic interactions in DPA[3] have been systematically investigated both in solid and solution states. The intriguing findings on the intermolecular edge-to-face stacking interaction mode in the macrocycle would further highlight the importance of noncovalent π-π interaction in supramolecular self-assembly. This study will also shed light on the macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry and, we expect, will provide a direction for design and synthesis of covalent macrocycles in this area.

LncRNA ADAMTS9-AS1, as prognostic marker, promotes cell proliferation and EMT in colorectal cancer.

The long non-coding RNA antisense 1 ADAMTS9-AS1 has been reported to predict the survival in several tumors, including bladder cancer and breast cancer. However, the clinical significance and biological behaviors of ADAMTS9-AS1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) have not been reported yet. In this study, the expression of ADAMTS9-AS1 was measured in CRC tissues and cell lines using quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The clinical significance of ADAMTS9-AS1 was evaluated with Chi-squared test, Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis in CRC patients. CCK8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and transwell assay were used to explore the biological function of ADAMTS9-AS1 knockdown in CRC cell lines (SW1116 and HT29). We further explore the role of ADAMTS9-AS1 in vivo though xenograft tumor assay. Our data showed that ADAMTS9-AS1 expression level was significantly up-regulated in CRC tissues and cell lines compared with corresponding controls. High ADAMTS9-AS1 level was associated with TNM stage, lymph node invasion and worse survival prognosis. Depletion of ADAMTS9-AS1 significantly suppressed cell proliferation, G1/S transition, migration and invasion, as well as suppressed CDK4/Cyclin D1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). To sum up, these findings illustrated that ADAMTS9-AS1 might be a promising therapeutic target and prognostic factor for CRC.

Radical-Induced Hierarchical Self-Assembly Involving Supramolecular Coordination Complexes in Both Solution and Solid States.

To explore a new supramolecular interaction as the main driving force to induce hierarchical self-assembly (HSA) is of great importance in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we present a radical-induced HSA process through the construction of well-defined rhomboidal metallacycles containing triphenylamine (TPA) moieties. The light-induced radical generation of the TPA-based metallacycle has been demonstrated, which was found to subsequently drive hierarchical self-assembly of metallacycles in both solution and solid states. The morphologies of nanovesicle structures and nanospheres resulting from hierarchical self-assembly have been well-illustrated by using TEM and high-angle annular dark-field STEM (HAADF-STEM) micrographs. The mechanism of HSA is supposed to be associated with the TPA radical interaction and metallacycle stacking interaction, which has been supported by the coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. This study provides important information to understand the fundamental TPA radical interaction, which thus injects new energy into the hierarchical self-assembly of supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs). More interestingly, the stability of TPA radical cations was significantly increased in these metallacycles during the hierarchical self-assembly process, thereby opening a new way to develop stable organic radical cations in the future.

[Role of BET Bromodomain in Hematopoietic Differentiation from hESCs].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of bromodomain and extra terminal (BET) bromodomain in hematopoietic differentiation from human enbryonic stem cells (hESC). METHODS: The effect of BET hematopoietic inhibitor I-BET151 on hematopoietic differentiation from hESC was detected by using a monolayer hematopoietic defferentiation model, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and real-time PCR; moreover the role of I-BET151 in process of hematopoietic differentiation was explored by adding I-BET151 in different differentiation stages. RESULTS: The analysis results of immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and real-time PCR showed that I-BET 151 significantly inhibited the generation of CD43 positive hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). It was found that the addition of I-BET 151 in different stages, including APLNR+ lateral plate mesoderm production, CD34+CD31+ hemogenic endothelium (HEP) generation and endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition, significantly suppressed the generation of CD43 positive hematopoietic progenitor cells. CONCLUSION: I-BET 151 inhibites hematopoietic differentiation from hESCs at several stages, suggesting that the BET bromodomain plays important roles in multiple stages of hematopoietic differentiation from hESCs.

[DMSO Promotes Hematopoietic Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the hematopoietic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). METHODS: The role of DMSO in hematopoietic differentiation of hESC was investigated by using a established stepwise hematopoietic differentiation system from hESC, immunofluorescouse assay and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the window phase of DMSO action was explored by adding it to the different stage of hematopoietic differentiation. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis showed that DMSO significantly promoted the generation of CD43+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). The flow cytometry demonstrated that DMSO profoundly promoted the generation of APLNR+ lateral plate mesoderm cells and CD31+CD34+ hemogenic endothelium progenitors (HEP). The addition of DMSO in the window phase of lateral plate mesoderm cell generation could markedly improve the generation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. CONCLUSION: DMSO promotes hematopoietic differentiation of hESC through enhancing the generation of APLNR positive lateral plate mesoderm cells. The addition of DMSO in the window phase of lateral plate mesoderm cell generation can significantly improve the generation of hematopoietic progenitor cells.

MicroRNA-448 promotes multiple sclerosis development through induction of Th17 response through targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, and its pathogenesis remains largely unclear. Much attention has been paid to the role of microRNAs (miRs) in regulation of autoimmune disease. Here, we found, for the first time, that miR-448 expression was significantly increased in periphery blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS, and its expression positively correlated with the disease severity. We further demonstrated that CD4+ T cells, especially the Th17 lineage, were the major source of miR-448 expression. Using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we further verified that miR-448 could enhance Th17 differentiation, characterized by up-regulated expression levels of IL-17A and RORγt. Interleukin (IL)-1ß as a potent driver of pathogenic Th17 cells was able to strongly induce miR-448 expression in CD4+ T cells through activating NF-κB pathway. Additionally, we identified that miR-448 directly targeted protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2), which has been known as an anti-inflammatory player with capacity to suppress Th17 differentiation. We also observed markedly decreased expression of PTPN2 in PBMC and CSF of MS patients. Our results suggest that miR-448 might promote Th17 differentiation in MS and thus aggravate the disease through inhibiting PTPN2.

Bioinspired Asymmetric Synthesis of Hispidanin†A.

The first enantiospecific synthesis of hispidanin A (4), a dimeric diterpenoid from the rhizomes of Isodon hispida, was achieved with a longest linear sequence of 12 steps in 6.5 % overall yield. A key component is the use of the abundant and naturally occurring diterpenoids (+)-sclareolide and (+)-sclareol as starting materials, which enables the gram-scale preparation of the key intermediates totarane (1) and s-trans-12E,14-labdadien-20,8ß-olide (2). Subsequently a thermal or an erbium-catalyzed intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction of totarane (1) with labdadienolide (2) provide convergent and rapid access to the natural product hispidanin A (4). The synthetic studies have offered significant impetus for the efficient construction of these architecturally complex natural products.