Fluorination-mediated polarization engineering in block copolymers for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Porous polymers have emerged as promising candidates for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution, but their structural rigidity and crosslinking pose significant challenges, often leading to charge recombination and inadequate water/polymer interfaces. This study introduces novel block copolymers (BCPs) comprising a rigid pyrene core and various fluorinated benzene structures coupled with flexible diethyl ether-based hydrophilic units. By computationally predicting monomer structures and dipoles, the relationship between structure and function in these BCPs is examined, particularly focusing on local charge delocalization.

Synthesis and performance optimization of CsPbBr/CdS core/shell lead halide perovskite nanocrystals by an ion exchange method.

All-inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have excellent optoelectronic properties and promising applications. Improving the stability of inorganic halide NCs and optimizing their photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY) has become an urgent task. Constructing core-shell structures is an effective method to improve the environmental stability and PLQY, however, realizing core-shell structured perovskite NCs with good dispersion and multiple perovskites encapsulated within the shell material remains challenging.

Regulating superstructures of conjugated polymers towards enhanced and stable photocatalytic hydrogen evolution via covalent crosslinking and complementary supramolecular self-assembly.

The modulation of microstructures in conjugated polymers represents a viable strategy for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency, albeit hampered by complex processing techniques. Here, we present an uncomplicated, template-free method to synthesize polymeric photocatalysts, namely BCN(x)@PPy, featuring a hollow nanotube-nanocluster core-shell superstructure. This configuration is realized through intramolecular covalent crosslinking and synergistic intermolecular donor-acceptor (D-A) interactions between phenylene pyrene (PPy, D) nanotubes and poly([1,1'-biphenyl]-3-carbonitrile) (PBCN, A) nanoclusters.

Fluorescence Detection of Pb in Environmental Water Using Biomass Carbon Quantum Dots Modified with Acetamide-Glycolic Acid Deep Eutectic Solvent.

In this study, a novel green fluorescent probe material, nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs), was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal synthesis method using walnut green skin as a carbon source and acetamide-glycolic acid deep eutectic solvent (AGADES) as a modifier. By covalent coupling, the amide chromophore in AGADES is designed to cover the surface of walnut green skin carbon quantum dots (W-CQDs), forming a fluorescence energy resonance effect and improving the fluorescence performance of the carbon quantum dots. The prepared N-CQDs have a uniform particle size distribution, and the fluorescence quantum efficiency has increased from 12.

Solvent-modulated luminescence of carbon dots for ion sensing and fingerprint detection.

Since carbon dots (CDs) with good water solubility are preferred by researchers and biological applications, a hydrothermal method was used to synthesize green fluorescent CDs with an excitation-independent peak at 526 nm using deionized water as the solvent and neutral red as the carbon source. To achieve spectral modulation, the pH of the solvent was adjusted with KOH to obtain orange CDs (O-CDs) in an alkaline environment, with the emission peak red-shifted to 630 nm. The water-soluble CDs were prepared for multidimension sensing as Fe sensing (on/off).

Visible light to the second near-infrared light-harvesting donor-acceptor-donor-acceptor-type terpolymers for boosted photocatalytic hydrogen evolution via dual-sulfone-acceptor engineering.

Developing visible to near-infrared light-absorbing conjugated polymer photocatalysts is crucial for enhancing solar energy utilization efficiency, as most conjugated organic polymers only absorb light in the visible range. In this work, we firstly developed a novel thiophene S,S-dioxide (TDO) monomer with the stronger electron-withdrawing character, and then prepared a series of donor-acceptor-donor-acceptor-type (D-A-D-A-type) conjugated terpolymers (THTDB-1-THTDB-5) by statistically adjusting the molar ratio of two sulfone-based acceptor monomers, dibenzothiophene-S,S-dioxide (BTDO, A) and TDO (A). These terpolymers demonstrate a gradually expanding absorption range from visible light to the second near-infrared (Vis-to-NIR-II) region with the gradual increase of the TDO contents in the polymer skeleton, showcasing excellent absorption properties and efficient light-capturing capabilities.

Selective detection of ionic liquid fluorescence probes for visual colorimetry of different metal ions.

At present, the fast distinction of different metal ions in pure water media is not only a great challenge, but also drives the protection of water quality in environmental water bodies. In this paper, a novel ionic liquid fluorescent probe Glycolic Acid-L-Arginine (GA-L-Arg) was rationally created and designed through an in-depth study of ionic liquids. It is also used as an innovative multi-ion fluorescent probe for colorimetric detection and separate identification of Fe and Co in aqueous solutions of various metal ions.

Preparation of carbon quantum dots from ionic liquid modified biomass for the detection of Fe and Pd in environmental water.

A new type of green carbon quantum dots (ILB-CQDs) was prepared by hydrothermal method using ionic liquid as a modifier and grape skin as carbon source, and was obtained from hydrogen-bonded lattice structure ionic liquid preparation, which makes the CQDs in a ring-like stable structure with a stability period of more than 90 day. There is also the catalytic effect of the ionic liquid on cellulose, which makes the prepared CQDs show good advantages, such as uniform particle size, high quantum yield (26.7%), and very good fluorescence performance.

Is maxillary diastema an appropriate site for implantation in rats?

Background: Implantology or implant dentistry is growing fast during last four decades. Facing the growing demand of implant treatment, there are extreme challenges to clinicians and researchers. First is peri-implantitis with remarkable prevalence.

Periodontal disease, tooth loss and dementia: Is there a link? A systematic review.

Background: It has been suggested that dementia is caused by neuronal damage due to chronic inflammation from peripheral sources such as the oral cavity in periodontal disease.

Objective: The aim of our review was to assess the risk of dementia or cognitive impairment associated with chronic periodontitis and multiple tooth loss.

Materials And Methods: An extensive search of electronic databases of articles on the relation between periodontitis, tooth loss and dementia published on or before April 2016 was conducted.

[Spatial heterogeneity of natural regeneration in a spruce-fir mixed broadleaf-conifer forest in Changbai Mountains].

Based on fieldwork on a plot of 60 m x 60 m in the Changbai Mountain area of Northeast China in August 2012, the spatial distribution pattern and heterogeneity of natural regeneration in the spruce-fir mixed broadleaf-conifer forest were analyzed using semi-variograms, fractal dimensions and Kriging interpolation methods. The results showed that Abies nephrolepis and Acer mono were the most common regeneration species, accounting for 87.4% of the total.

EphA3 functions are regulated by collaborating phosphotyrosine residues.

Ephrin ligands interact with Eph receptors to regulate a wide variety of biological and pathological processes. Recent studies have identified several downstream pathways that mediate the functions of these receptors. Activation of the receptors by ephrin binding results in the phosphorylation of the receptor tyrosine residues.

Mapping the epithelial-cell-binding domain of the Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans autotransporter adhesin Aae.

The Gram-negative periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) binds selectively to buccal epithelial cells (BECs) of human and Old World primates by means of the outer-membrane autotransporter protein Aae. We speculated that the exposed N-terminal portion of the passenger domain of Aae would mediate binding to BECs. By using a series of plasmids that express full-length or truncated Aae proteins in Escherichia coli, we found that the BEC-binding domain of Aae was located in the N-terminal surface-exposed region of the protein, specifically in the region spanning amino acids 201-284 just upstream of the repeat region within the passenger domain.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) potentiates hydrogen peroxide toxicity in T98G astrocytoma cells by suppression of anti-oxidative and growth factor gene expression.

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria with proved role in pathogenesis of sepsis. Brain injury was observed with both patients dead from sepsis and animal septic models. However, in vitro administration of LPS has not shown obvious cell damage to astrocytes and other relative cell lines while it does cause endothelial cell death in vitro.

A highly sensitive and specific system for large-scale gene expression profiling.

Background: Rapid progress in the field of gene expression-based molecular network integration has generated strong demand on enhancing the sensitivity and data accuracy of experimental systems. To meet the need, a high-throughput gene profiling system of high specificity and sensitivity has been developed.

Results: By using specially designed primers, the new system amplifies sequences in neighboring exons separated by big introns so that mRNA sequences may be effectively discriminated from other highly related sequences including their genes, unprocessed transcripts, pseudogenes and pseudogene transcripts.

Hypocellularity in myelodysplastic syndrome is an independent factor which predicts a favorable outcome.

Hypocellular myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) represents only a small portion of MDS, of which, the clinical significance has not been well-defined. By using currently accepted age-adjusted criteria to define hypocellularity as <30% in patients <70 years old, and <20% in >70 years old, we identified 163 (15.5%) hypocelluar MDS from 1049 consecutive adult MDS patients over an 11-year period (1995-2006).

A second Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans autotransporter adhesin exhibits specificity for buccal epithelial cells in humans and Old World primates.

Previous work showed that the Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans adhesin Aae demonstrated species specificity and tissue tropism to buccal epithelial cells (BECs) derived from humans and Old World primates, but a second, lower-affinity adhesin was noted. This study was designed to determine if Omp100 (also known as ApiA), a surface-expressed A. actinomycetemcomitans adhesin, is that second adhesin and if so to investigate its tissue tropism and species specificity.

Influenza virus inhibits ENaC and lung fluid clearance.

Fluid-free alveolar space is critical for normal gas exchange. Influenza virus alters fluid transport across respiratory epithelia producing rhinorrhea, middle ear effusions, and alveolar flooding. However, the mechanism of fluid retention remains unclear.

Cryptdin 3 forms anion selective channels in cytoplasmic membranes of human embryonic kidney cells.

Cryptdins are antimicrobial peptides secreted by Paneth cells located at the base of intestinal crypts. In addition to their antimicrobial function, cryptdins may also regulate salt and water secretion by intestinal epithelial cells. Recent work with short-circuit current measurements indicated that at least one cryptdin peptide, cryptdin 3, induces apical conductance(s) in Cl(-) secretory, including cystic fibrosis, epithelia.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) stimulates epithelial sodium channel activity in A6 cells.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) is a membrane lipid found in all eukaryotic cells, which regulates many important cellular processes, including ion channel activity. In this study, we used inside-out patch clamp technique, immunoprecipitation, and Western blot analysis to investigate the effect of PIP(2) on epithelial sodium channel activity in A6 cells. A6 cells were cultured in media supplemented with 1.