Circular Polymer Designed by Regulating Entropy: Spiro-Valerolactone-Based Polyesters with High Gas Barriers and Adhesion Strength.

Enthalpy is often the focal point when designing monomers for polymer circularity, but much less is explored on how entropy can be exploited to create polymers with synergistic circularity and properties. Here, we design a series of spiro-lactones (SLs) with closed-chain cycloalk(en)yl substituents at the α,α-position of δ-valerolactone (δVL), which, when combined with the parent δVL and -α,α-dialkyl-substituted δVL with open-chain alkyl groups, provide a desired platform for exploring the circular polymer design by focusing on the entropy change of polymerization. These SLs exhibit finely balanced (de)polymerizability that is regulated chiefly by entropy differentiation, allowing both the facile synthesis of polyester PSLs ( up to 1000 kg mol) in a living fashion and selective depolymerization of the PSLs to completely recover monomers under mild conditions (using a recyclable catalyst at 100 °C).

Continuous atrial fibrillation monitoring using a wearable smartwatch: Using long-term Holter as reference.

Background: Wearables satisfactorily detect atrial fibrillation (AF) longer than 1 hour. Our study aims to evaluate smartwatch performances for long-term AF monitoring, including AF with short durations.

Methods: This prospective study enrolled AF patients from 2020 to 2023.

Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: Promising therapy for heart failure.

Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome characterized by the reduced capacity of the heart to adequately fill or eject blood. Currently, HF remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing a substantial burden on global healthcare systems. Recent advancements have highlighted the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in managing HF.

Effects of Novaluron Exposure on the Oviposition and Expression of Ovarian Development Related Genes in Silkworm, (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae).

(Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is an important economic insect, which mainly feeds on mulberry leaves and is widely used in many research fields. The growth and development of silkworm larvae are easily affected by the use of chemical insecticides such as novaluron, a benzoylurea insecticide. However, the effect of novaluron exposure on the reproduction of silkworms has not yet been studied.

Metabolic profiling of meningioma reveals novel subgroup-specific biologic insights and outcome dependencies.

Background: Our group and others have recently identified four molecular groups of meningioma, with unique underlying biology and outcomes. The relevance of group-specific metabolite profiles (particularly among hypermetabolic tumours), has not been explored.

Methods: We performed untargeted metabolic profiling of meningiomas representing each molecular group and WHO grade.