Effectiveness of video-based psychiatric rehabilitation for patients with early-phase schizophrenia spectrum: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study aimed to establish a comprehensive set of recovery-oriented rehabilitation programs for individuals with schizophrenia, comparing the efficacy of video-based rehabilitation to traditional face-to-face interventions. The primary objective was to assess whether video-based rehabilitation could serve as a viable alternative for individuals with schizophrenia residing in remote areas. METHODS: A randomized controlled study was used to recruit 80 patients with schizophrenia in a stable post-hospitalization stage following discharge. Participants were categorized into three groups: 24 in the control group, 21 in the face-to-face group, and 35 in the remote group. Assessment parameters included psychiatric symptoms, social skills, family function and self-stigma. RESULTS: A total of 68 participants completed the program. The findings indicated significant differences (p < .05) between the control group and intervention group, particularly in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP). CONCLUSIONS: The rehabilitation program, tailored for patients in the early phase of the schizophrenia spectrum, demonstrates both effectiveness and feasibility in enhancing clinical symptoms and social functions. Notably, interventions conducted via video proved to be equally effective as those administered face-to-face.

MXene-Based Soft Humidity-Driven Actuator with High Sensitivity and Fast Response.

Soft actuators possessing notable mechanical deformations, high sensitivity, and fast response speed play a crucial role in various applications, such as artificial muscles, soft robots, and intelligent devices. In this study, a smart humidity-driven actuator was successfully fabricated by utilizing MXene/cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/LiCl (MCL) through vacuum-assisted filtration with fast response speed and high sensitivity. Utilizing the excellent humidity responsiveness of MXene/CNF and the robust hygroscopicity of LiCl, the synergistic effect of these materials enhances the hygroscopic properties and response speed of the actuator. The MCL actuator demonstrates excellent actuation performance, fast deformation, and reliable cyclic stability. To illustrate the extensive potential of the soft actuator, a range of applications, from bionic devices to soft grippers and crawling actuators, are showcased. Remarkably, the crawling actuator demonstrates sustained crawling motion without necessitating a humidity switch, relying on the humidity gradient from water droplets, and exhibits spontaneous directional motions within a certain range, which makes it a promising prospect in the field of soft robotics.

Organic Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conductors Based on Tunable and Functional Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Copolymers.

Organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) are being explored in applications such as bioelectronics, biosensors, energy conversion and storage, and optoelectronics. OMIECs are largely composed of conjugated polymers that couple ionic and electronic transport in their structure as well as synthetic flexibility. Despite extensive research, previous studies have mainly focused on either enhancing ion conduction or enabling synthetic modification. This limited the number of OMIECs that excel in both domains. Here, a series of OMIECs based on functionalized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) copolymers that combine efficient ion/electron transport with the versatility of post-functionalization were developed. EDOT monomers bearing sulfonic (EDOTS) and carboxylic acid (EDOTCOOH) groups were electrochemically copolymerized in different ratios on oxygen plasma-treated conductive substrates. The plasma treatment enabled the synthesis of copolymers containing high ratios of EDOTS (up to 68%), otherwise not possible with untreated substrates. This flexibility in synthesis resulted in the fabrication of copolymers with tunable properties in terms of conductivity (2-0.0019 S/cm) and ion/electron transport, for example, as revealed by their volumetric capacitances (122-11 F/cm3). The importance of the organic nature of the OMIECs that are amenable to synthetic modification was also demonstrated. EDOTCOOH was successfully post-functionalized without influencing the ionic and electronic transport of the copolymers. This opens a new way to tailor the properties of the OMIECs to specific applications, especially in the field of bioelectronics.

The effect of early weight-bearing and later weight-bearing rehabilitation interventions on outcomes after ankle fracture surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to analyse the effect of early weight bearing versus late weight bearing on rehabilitation outcomes after ankle fractures, which primarily include ankle function scores, time to return to work/daily life and complication rates. METHODS: The China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Science and Technology Journal, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The focus was on identifying randomised controlled trials centred on early weight-bearing interventions for post-operative ankle fracture rehabilitation. All databases were searched for eligible studies published within the period from database inception to 20 June 2023. The eligible studies were screened according to the inclusion criteria. Study quality was evaluated using the methodology recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for the Systematic Evaluation of Interventions. Two authors independently performed the literature search and data extraction. Eligible studies were subjected to meta-analyses using Review Manager 5.3. Based on the time points at which post-operative ankle function was reported in the studies included in this paper, we decided to perform a meta-analysis of ankle function scores at 6 weeks post-operatively, 12 weeks post-operatively, 24-26 weeks post-operatively and 1 year post-operatively. RESULTS: A total of 11 papers, comprising 862 patients, were included. Meta-analysis indicated that patients receiving early weight-bearing interventions, which referred to weight-bearing for 6 weeks post-operatively, experienced enhancements in ankle function scores (Olerud-Molander score, AOFAS score or Baird-Jackson score) at various post-operative milestones: 6 weeks (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49-0.88 and p < 0.01), 12 weeks (SMD = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.22-0.92 and p < 0.01) and the 24-26 weeks range (SMD = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.20-0.85 and p < 0.01). The results of subgroup analyses revealed that the effects of early weight-bearing interventions were influenced by ankle range-of-motion exercises. Additionally, early weight bearing allows patients to return to daily life and work earlier, which was evaluated by time when they resumed their preinjury activities (MD = -2.74, 95% CI: -3.46 to -2.02 and p < 0.01), with no distinct elevation in the incidence of complications (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 0.85-2.61 and p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that early weight bearing is effective in improving ankle function among post-operative ankle fracture patients and allows patients to return to daily life earlier. Significantly, the safety profile of early weight bearing remains favourable, with no higher risk of complications than late weight bearing.

Evaluating the clinical utility of semi-quantitative luciferase immunosorbent assay using Treponema pallidum antigens in syphilis diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

To assess the clinical applicability of a semi-quantitative luciferase immunosorbent assay (LISA) for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens TP0171 (TP15), TP0435 (TP17), and TP0574 (TP47) in diagnosing and monitoring syphilis. LISA for detection of anti-TP15, TP17, and TP47 antibodies were developed and evaluated for syphilis diagnosis using 261 serum samples (161 syphilis, 100 non-syphilis). Ninety serial serum samples from 6 syphilis rabbit models (3 treated, 3 untreated) and 110 paired serum samples from 55 syphilis patients were used to assess treatment effects by utilizing TRUST as a reference. Compared to TPPA, LISA-TP15, LISA-TP17, and LISA-TP47 showed a sensitivity of 91.9%, 96.9%, and 98.8%, specificity of 99%, 99%, and 98%, and AUC of 0.971, 0.992, and 0.995, respectively, in diagnosing syphilis. Strong correlations (rs = 0.89-0.93) with TPPA were observed. In serial serum samples from rabbit models, significant differences in the relative light unit (RLU) were observed between the treatment and control group for LISA-TP17 (days 31-51) and LISA-TP47 (day 41). In paired serum samples from syphilis patients, TRUST titres and the RLU of LISA-TP15, LISA-TP17, and LISA-TP47 decreased post-treatment (P < .001). When TRUST titres decreased by 0, 2, 4, or ≥8-folds, the RLU decreased by 17.53%, 31.34%, 48.62%, and 72.79% for LISA-TP15; 8.84%, 17.00%, 28.37%, and 50.57% for LISA-TP17; 22.25%, 29.79%, 51.75%, and 70.28% for LISA-TP47, respectively. Semi-quantitative LISA performs well for syphilis diagnosis while LISA-TP17 is more effective for monitoring syphilis treatment in rabbit models and clinical patients.

Design of Vif-Derived Peptide Inhibitors with Anti-HIV-1 Activity by Interrupting Vif-CBFß Interaction.

One of the major functions of the accessory protein Vif of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is to induce the degradation of APOBEC3 (A3) family proteins by recruiting a Cullin5-ElonginB/C-CBFß E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to facilitate viral replication. Therefore, the interactions between Vif and the E3 complex proteins are promising targets for the development of novel anti-HIV-1 drugs. Here, peptides are designed for the Vif-CBFß interaction based on the sequences of Vif mutants with higher affinity for CBFß screened by a yeast surface display platform. We identified two peptides, VMP-63 and VMP-108, that could reduce the infectivity of HIV-1 produced from A3G-positive cells with IC50 values of 49.4 µM and 55.1 µM, respectively. They protected intracellular A3G from Vif-mediated degradation in HEK293T cells, consequently increasing A3G encapsulation into the progeny virions. The peptides could rapidly enter cells after addition to HEK293T cells and competitively inhibit the binding of Vif to CBFß. Homology modeling analysis demonstrated the binding advantages of VMP-63 and VMP-108 with CBFß over their corresponding wild-type peptides. However, only VMP-108 effectively restricted long-term HIV-1 replication and protected A3 functions in non-permissive T lymphocytes. Our findings suggest that competitive Vif-derived peptides targeting the Vif-CBFß interaction are promising for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

MTH1 inhibition synergizes with ROS-inducing agents to trigger cervical cancer cells undergoing parthanatos.

Cervical cancer cells possess high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS); thus, increasing oxidative stress above the toxicity threshold to induce cell death is a promising chemotherapeutic strategy. However, the underlying mechanisms of cell death are elusive, and efficacy and toxicity issues remain. Within DNA, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) is the most frequent base lesion repaired by 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1)-initiated base excision repair. Cancer cells also express high levels of MutT homolog 1 (MTH1), which prevents DNA replication-induced incorporation of 8-oxoG into the genome by hydrolyzing 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine 5'-triphosphate (8-oxo-dGTP). Here, we revealed that ROS-inducing agents triggered cervical cancer to undergo parthanatos, which was mainly induced by massive DNA strand breaks resulting from overwhelming 8-oxoG excision by OGG1. Furthermore, the MTH1 inhibitor synergized with a relatively low dose of ROS-inducing agents by enhancing 8-oxoG loading in the DNA. In vivo, this drug combination suppressed the growth of tumor xenografts, and this inhibitory effect was significantly decreased in the absence of OGG1. Hence, the present study highlights the roles of base repair enzymes in cell death induction and suggests that the combination of lower doses of ROS-inducing agents with MTH1 inhibitors may be a more selective and safer strategy for cervical cancer chemotherapy.

Crown Ether Electrolyte Induced Li2O2 Amorphization for Low Polarization and Long Lifespan Li-O2 batteries.

Lithium-oxygen batteries possess an extremely high theoretical energy density, rendering them a prime candidate for next-generation secondary batteries. However, they still face multiple problems such as huge charge polarization and poor cycle life, which lay a significant gap between laboratory research and commercial applications. In this work, we adapt 15-crown-5 ether (C15) as solvent to regulate the generation of discharge products in lithium-oxygen batteries. The coronal structure endows C15 with strong affinity to Li+, firmly stabilizes the intermediate LiO2 and discharge product Li2O2. Thus, the crystalline Li2O2 is amorphized into easily decomposable amorphous products. The lithium-oxygen batteries assembled with 0.5 M C15 electrolyte show an increased discharge capacity from 4.0 mAh cm-2 to 5.7 mAh cm-2 and a low charge overpotential of 0.88 V during the whole lifespan at 0.05 mA cm-2. The batteries with 1 M C15 electrolyte can cycle stably for 140 cycles. Furthermore, the amorphous characteristic of Li2O2 product is preserved when matched with redox mediators such as LiI, with the charge polarization further decreasing to 0.74 V over a cycle life of 190 cycles. This provides new possibilities for electrolyte design to promote Li2O2 amorphization and reduce charge overpotential in lithium-oxygen batteries.

Comprehensive landscape and future perspectives of non-coding RNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, a bibliometric analysis from 2008 to 2023.

Objectives: Summarize the progress and hot topic evolution of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) research in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in recent years and predict future research directions. Methods: Relevant articles from the Web of Science until 31 October 2023 were obtained. Bibliometric analysis of included articles was performed using software (VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix). The volume and citation of publications, as well as the country, institution, author, journal, keywords of the articles were used as variables to analyze the research trends and hot spot evolution. Results: 1,118 literature from 2008 to 2023 were retrieved from database, with 25 countries/regions, 793 institutions, 5,426 authors, 261 journals involved. Global cooperation was centered on China, Japan, and the United States. Zhengzhou University, an institution from China, had the highest publication. The most prolific author was Guo Wei, and the most prolific journal was Oncology Letters. Analysis of keywords revealed that the research in this field revolved around the role of ncRNAs in the occurrence, development, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ESCC, mainly including micro RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and then circular RNAs. Conclusion: Overall, research on ncRNAs in ESCC remains strong. Previous research has mainly focused on the basic research, with a focus on the mechanism of ncRNAs in the occurrence, development, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ESCC. Combining current research with emerging disciplines to further explore its mechanisms of action or shifting the focus of research from preclinical research to clinical research based on diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, will be the main breakthrough in this field in the future.

Supramolecular Interactions Induce Dynamics in Metal-Organic Layers to Selectively Separate Acetylene from Carbon Dioxide.

We report the synthesis and structural characterization of a 2D metal-organic framework with AB-packing layers, [Co2(pybz)2(CH3COO)2]·DMF (Co2, pybz= 4-(4-pyridyl)benzoate), containing a stable (4,4)-grid network fabricated by paddle-wheel nodes, ditopic pybz, and acetate ligands. After removal of the guest, the layer structure is retained but reorganized into an ABCD packing mode in the activated phase (Co2a). Consequently, the intralayer square windows (7.2 × 5.0 Å2) close, while the interlayer separation is decreased slightly from 3.69 to 3.45 Å, leaving a narrow gap. Importantly, the dangling methyl group of the acetate with H-bonds to the adjacent layers and also the well-distributed π-π interactions between the aromatic rings of neighboring layers facilitate the structural stability. These weak supramolecular interactions further allow for favorable dynamic exfoliation of the layers, which promotes efficient adsorption of C2H2 (41.6 cm3 g-1) over CO2 with an adsorption ratio of 6.3 (0.5 bar, 298 K). The effective separation performance of equimolar C2H2/CO2 was verified by cycling breakthrough experiments and was even tolerable to moisture (R.H = 52%). DFT calculations, in situ PXRD, and PDF characterization reveal that the favorable retention of C2H2 rather than that of CO2 is due to its H-bond formation with the paddle-wheel oxygen atoms that triggers the increase in interlayer separation during C2H2 adsorption.

mRNA-Seq of testis and liver tissues reveals a testis-specific gene and alternative splicing associated with hybrid male sterility in dzo.

Alternative splicing (AS) plays an important role in the co-transcription and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression during mammalian spermatogenesis. The dzo is the male F1 offspring of an interspecific hybrid between a domestic bull (Bos taurus ♂) and a yak (Bos grunniens ♀) which exhibits male sterility. This study aimed to identify the testis-specific genes and AS associated with hybrid male sterility in dzo. The iDEP90 program and rMATS software were used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEG) and differential alternative splicing genes (DSG) based on RNA-seq data from the liver (n = 9) and testis (n = 6) tissues of domestic cattle, yak, and dzo. Splicing factors (SF) were obtained from the AmiGO2 and the NCBI databases, and Pearson correlation analysis was performed on the differentially expressed SFs and DSGs. We focused on the testis-specific DEGs and DSGs between dzo and cattle and yak. Among the top 3,000 genes with the most significant variations between these 15 samples, a large number of genes showed testis-specific expression involved with spermatogenesis. Cluster analysis showed that the expression levels of these testis-specific genes were dysregulated during mitosis with a burst downregulation during the pachynema spermatocyte stage. The occurrence of AS events in the testis was about 2.5 fold greater than in the liver, with exon skipping being the major AS event (81.89% to 82.73%). A total of 74 DSGs were specifically expressed in the testis and were significantly enriched during meiosis I, synapsis, and in the piRNA biosynthesis pathways. Notably, STAG3 and DDX4 were of the exon skipping type, and DMC1 was a mutually exclusive exon. A total of 36 SFs were significantly different in dzo testis, compared with cattle and yak. DDX4, SUGP1, and EFTUD2 were potential SFs leading to abnormal AS of testis-specific genes in dzo. These results show that AS of testis-specific genes can affect synapsis and the piRNA biosynthetic processes in dzo, which may be important factors associated with hybrid male sterility in dzo.

The interspecific hybrid offspring of a domestic bull (Bos taurus) and a yak (Bos grunniens) display heterosis in meat and milk production. The hybrid offspring are particularly adaptable to the harsh environments of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, the male F1 to F3 offspring of this interspecies hybrid are infertile, and spermatogenesis is arrested at meiosis preventing the prolonged utilization of the benefits of heterosis. This study aimed to identify the testis-specific genes and alternative splicing (AS) associated with hybrid male sterility using RNA-Seq data from the liver and testis tissues of domestic cattle, yaks, and their F1 offspring (dzo). The expression of the testis-specific genes became disordered during mitosis and meiosis in dzo. Their testis-specific genes with AS events were enriched during synapsis and in the piRNA biosynthetic processes. In addition, we identified the potential splicing factors associated with abnormal testis-specific AS gene expression in dzo. These results reveal the important role of AS in the meiotic arrest of dzo.

Different metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zr) decorated Cu/CeO2 catalysts for efficient CO oxidation in a rich CO2/H2 atmosphere.

In this work, CuM/CeO2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zr) catalysts with a low Cu content of 1 wt% were purposely designed and prepared using the co-impregnation method. The samples were characterized using various techniques (TG-DTA, XRD, N2-adsorption/desorption measurements, H2-TPR, XPS and Raman spectroscopy) and CO preferential oxidation (CO-Prox) under H2/CO2-rich conditions was performed. The results have shown that enhanced catalytic performance was achieved upon the introduction of Mn, Co and Ni, and little impact was observed with Zr doping, but Fe showed a negative effect, as compared with the Cu/CeO2 catalyst. Characterization data revealed that the M doping strongly changed the surface composition, revealing the decreased Cu/Ce ratios on the surface, which could be accounted for by the formation of more M/Cu-O-Ce solid solution, or strong Cu-M interactions. When Mn was used, the obtained CuMn/CeO2 catalyst revealed the highest concentration of the oxygen vacancies and Ce3+ ions, which could be correlated well with its superior catalytic performance. Compared with the Cu/CeO2 catalyst, the CO conversion rate increased by 24.7% at a low temperature of 90 °C over the CuMn/CeO2 catalyst. At 130 °C, the maximum CO conversion was 94.7% and the CO2 selectivity was 78.9%. Conversely, the Fe doped Cu/CeO2 catalyst demonstrated the poorest catalytic activity, which was due to the blockage effect of Fe species on Cu showing a high Fe/Cu ratio of 1.9 on the surface.

Regulating Metal Centers of MOF-74 Promotes PEO-Based Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based electrolytes have been extensively studied for all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries due to their excellent film-forming capabilities and low cost. However, the limited ionic conductivity and poor mechanical strength of the PEO-based electrolytes cannot prevent the growth of undesirable lithium dendrites, leading to the failure of batteries. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are functional materials with a periodic porous structure that can improve the electrochemical performance of PEO-based electrolytes. However, the enhancement effect of MOFs with different metal centers and the interaction mechanism with PEO remain unclear. Herein, MOF-74s with Cu or Ni centers are prepared and used as fillers of PEO-based electrolytes. Adding 15 wt % of Cu-MOF-74 to the PEO-based electrolyte (15%Cu-MOF/P-Li) effectively improves the ionic conductivity, lithium transference number, and mechanical strength of the PEO-based electrolyte simultaneously. Furthermore, the ordered pore channels of Cu-MOF-74 provide uniform Li-ion transport pathways, facilitating homogeneous Li+ deposition. As a result, the lithium symmetric cell with 15%Cu-MOF/P-Li shows stable cycles for 1080 h at 0.1 mA cm-2 and 0.1 mAh cm-2, and the Li | 15% Cu-MOF/P-Li | LFP full cell exhibits a long cycle life up to 200 cycles at 60 °C and 0.5 C, with a capacity retention rate of 89.7%.

Identification of groundwater pollution sources and health risk assessment in the Fengshui mining area of Central Shandong, China.

The crux of groundwater protection lies in a profound understanding of the sources of pollutants and their impacts on human health. This study selected 47 groundwater samples from the Fengshui mining area in central Shandong Province, China, employing advanced hydrogeochemical techniques, positive matrix factorization (PMF), and Monte Carlo analysis methods, aimed at unveiling the characteristics, origins, and health risks of water pollutants. The results indicated that the majority of samples exhibited a slightly alkaline nature. Notably, the concentrations of fluoride (F-) and nitrate (NO3-) exceeded China's safety standards in 40.43% and 23.40% of the samples, respectively. Moreover, a water quality index (WQI) below 50 was observed in approximately 68.09% of the sites, suggesting that the water quality in these areas generally met acceptable levels. However, regions with higher WQI values were predominantly located in the northern and southern parts of the mining area. PMF analysis revealed that regional geological and industrial activities were the primary factors affecting water quality, followed by mining discharges, fundamental geological and agricultural processes, and leachate enrichment activities. The health risk assessment highlighted the heightened sensitivity of the youth demographic to fluoride, with a more pronounced non-carcinogenic risk compared to nitrate, affecting about 31.89% of the youth population. Hence, it is imperative for local authorities and relevant departments to take prompt actions to remediate groundwater contamination to minimize public health risks.

Miniaturized and untethered McKibben muscles based on photothermal-induced gas-liquid transformation.

Pneumatic artificial muscles can move continuously under the power support of air pumps, and their flexibility also provides the possibility for applications in complex environments. However, in order to achieve operation in confined spaces, the miniaturization of artificial muscles becomes crucial. Since external attachment devices greatly hinder the miniaturization and use of artificial muscles, we propose a light-driven approach to get rid of these limitations. In this study, we report a miniaturized fiber-reinforced artificial muscle based on mold editing, capable of bending and axial elongation using gas-liquid conversion in visible light. The minimum volume of the artificial muscle prepared using this method was 15.7 mm3 (d = 2 mm, l = 5 mm), which was smaller than those of other fiber-reinforced pneumatic actuators. This research can promote the development of non-tethered pneumatic actuators for rescue and exploration, and create the possibility of miniaturization of actuators.

Quorum sensing-induced transition from colloidal waves to Turing-like patterns in chemorepulsive active colloids.

The study of active systems, especially in the presence of a chemical background field, is garnering significant attention. Traditionally, the self-propelled velocity of active colloids was assumed to be constant, independent of the local density of colloids. In this work, we introduce a chemotactic active system that features quorum sensing (QS), wherein particles act as chemorepellents. Interestingly, these particles lose their activity in regions of high local particle density. Our findings reveal that QS leads to a transition from an oscillatory colloidal wave to a Turing-like pattern, with the observation of an intermediate state. With the variation of the sensing threshold, both the mean oscillation frequency of the system and the number of clusters exhibit non-monotonic dependence. Furthermore, the QS-induced pattern differs markedly from systems without QS, primarily due to the competitive interplay between diffusion and chemotaxis. The dynamics of this phenomenon are explained using a coarse-grained mean field model.

Resonant Tunneling-Enhanced Photoresponsivity in a Twisted Graphene van der Waals Heterostructure.

Leveraging its ultrahigh carrier mobility, zero-bandgap linear dispersion, and extremely short response time, graphene exhibits remarkable potential in ultrafast broad-band photodetection. Nonetheless, the inherently low responsivity of graphene photodetectors, due to the low photogenerated carrier density, significantly impedes the development of practical devices. In this study, we present an improved photoresponse within a graphene-hexagonal boron nitride-graphene vertical tunnel junction device, where the crystallographic orientation of the two graphene electrodes is aligned. Through meticulous device structure design and the adjustment of bias and gate voltages, we observe a 2 orders of magnitude increase in tunneling photocurrent, which is attributed to the momentum-conserving resonant electron tunneling. The enhanced external photoresponsivity is evident across a wide temperature and spectral range and achieves 0.7 A/W for visible light excitation. This characteristic, coupled with the device's negative differential conductance, suggests a novel avenue for highly efficient photodetection and high-frequency, logic-based optoelectronics using van der Waals heterostructures.

The XCL1-Mediated DNA Vaccine Targeting Type 1 Conventional Dendritic Cells Combined with Gemcitabine and Anti-PD1 Antibody Induces Potent Antitumor Immunity in a Mouse Lung Cancer Model.

With the advent of cancer immunotherapy, there is a growing interest in vaccine development as a means to activate the cellular immune system against cancer. Despite the promise of DNA vaccines in this regard, their effectiveness is hindered by poor immunogenicity, leading to modest therapeutic outcomes across various cancers. The role of Type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1), capable of cross-presenting vaccine antigens to activate CD8+T cells, emerges as crucial for the antitumor function of DNA vaccines. To address the limitations of DNA vaccines, a promising approach involves targeting antigens to cDC1 through the fusion of XCL1, a ligand specific to the receptor XCR1 on the surface of cDC1. Here, female C57BL/6 mice were selected for tumor inoculation and immunotherapy. Additionally, recognizing the complexity of cancer, this study explored the use of combination therapies, particularly the combination of cDC1-targeted DNA vaccine with the chemotherapy drug Gemcitabine (Gem) and the anti-PD1 antibody in a mouse lung cancer model. The study's findings indicate that fusion antigens with XCL1 effectively enhance both the immunogenicity and antitumor effects of DNA vaccines. Moreover, the combination of the cDC1-targeted DNA vaccine with Gemcitabine and anti-PD1 antibody in the mouse lung cancer model demonstrates an improved antitumor effect, leading to the prolonged survival of mice. In conclusion, this research provides important support for the clinical investigation of cDC1-targeting DNA vaccines in combination with other therapies.

A systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis of fMRI studies on acupuncture at LR 3.

Objectives: The acupoint LR3 (Taichong) is frequently utilized in clinical acupuncture. However, its underlying neural mechanisms remain not fully elucidated, with speculations suggesting its close association with specific brain activity patterns. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken across several online databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Database. Two independent researchers handled the study selection, quality assessment, and data extraction processes. Using the seed-based d-mapping meta-analysis approach, we evaluated the brain regions activated by LR3 acupuncture in healthy subjects. Subsequent subgroup analysis was stratified by fMRI types, and regression analyses were performed considering the duration of acupuncture, depth of needle insertion, and needle diameter. The identified active brain regions were then intricately projected onto large-scale functional networks. Results: A total of 10 studies met the criteria for inclusion, encompassing 319 healthy right-handed participants. The meta-analysis indicates that acupuncture at the LR3 activates regions such as the right postcentral gyrus, left thalamus, left middle frontal gyrus, and right superior frontal gyrus. Additionally, meta-regression analysis highlights that increased acupuncture duration correlates with progressively intensified activation of the right superior frontal gyrus. Subgroup analysis posits that variations in the type of fMRI employed might account for heterogeneity in the pooled results. Concurrently, functional network analysis identifies the primary activated regions as aligning with the Basal ganglia network, Auditory network, Left executive control network, Posterior salience network, Right executive control network, and Sensorimotor networks. Conclusion: Acupuncture at the LR3 in healthy subjects selectively activates brain regions linked to pain perception, emotional processing, and linguistic functions. Extending the needle retention duration intensifies the activation of the right superior frontal gyrus. These findings enrich our comprehension of the neurobiological underpinnings of acupuncture's role in pain mitigation and emotional regulation.