Controlled Synthesis of Perovskite Nanocrystals at Room Temperature by Liquid Crystalline Templates.

Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) are promising active materials because of their outstanding optoelectronic properties, which are finely tunable via size and shape. However, previous synthetic methods such as hot-injection and ligand-assisted reprecipitation require a high synthesis temperature or provide limited access to homogeneous PNCs, leading to the present lack of commercial value and real-world applications of PNCs. Here, we report a room-temperature approach to synthesize PNCs within a liquid crystalline antisolvent, enabling access to PNCs with a precisely defined size and shape and with reduced surface defects.

Autophagy activation in response to cigarette smoke: Exploring the disparity in laryngeal cancer incidence and outcomes between sexes in South Korea.

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer (LC) presents a significant health challenge globally, with smoking being a major risk factor. Interestingly, LC incidence in females is significantly lower than in males; however, female smokers are more likely to develop Reinke edema (RE) than LC. This study sought to investigate whether autophagy, a major mechanism for RE development, acts as a defense mechanism in laryngeal tissue against cigarette exposure and suppresses LC development in females who smoke.

Novel FRET-based Immunological Synapse Biosensor for the Prediction of Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T Cell Function.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. CARs are activated at the immunological synapse (IS) when their single-chain variable fragment (scFv) domain engages with an antigen, allowing them to directly eliminate cancer cells. Here, an innovative IS biosensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) for the real-time assessment of CAR-IS architecture and signaling competence is presented.

Analyzing the Impact of Diesel Exhaust Particles on Lung Fibrosis Using Dual PCR Array and Proteomics: YWHAZ Signaling.

Air pollutants are associated with exacerbations of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and airway inflammation. Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) can induce and worsen lung diseases. However, there are insufficient data to guide polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array proteomics studies regarding the impacts of DEPs on respiratory diseases.

Amorphous Fluorinated Acrylate Polymer Dielectrics for Flexible Transistors and Logic Gates with High Operational Stability.

Fluorinated amorphous polymeric gate-insulating materials for organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) not only form hydrophobic surfaces but also significantly reduce traps at the interface between the organic semiconductor and gate insulator. Therefore, these polymeric materials can enhance the OTFT's operation stability. In this study, we synthesized a new polymeric insulating material series composed of acrylate and fluorinated functional groups (with different ratios) named MBHCa-F and used them as gate insulators for OTFTs and in other applications.

Thermal Properties of Polymer Hole-Transport Layers Influence the Efficiency Roll-off and Stability of Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

While the performance of metal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) has rapidly improved in recent years, their stability remains a bottleneck to commercial realization. Here, we show that the thermal stability of polymer hole-transport layers (HTLs) used in PeLEDs represents an important factor influencing the external quantum efficiency (EQE) roll-off and device lifetime. We demonstrate a reduced EQE roll-off, a higher breakdown current density of approximately 6 A cm, a maximum radiance of 760 W sr m, and a longer device lifetime for PeLEDs using polymer HTLs with high glass-transition temperatures.

Origins of Photoluminescence Instabilities at Halide Perovskite/Organic Hole Transport Layer Interfaces.

Metal halide perovskites are promising for optoelectronic device applications; however, their poor stability under solar illumination remains a primary concern. While the intrinsic photostability of isolated neat perovskite samples has been widely discussed, it is important to explore how charge transport layers─employed in most devices─impact photostability. Herein, we study the effect of organic hole transport layers (HTLs) on light-induced halide segregation and photoluminescence (PL) quenching at perovskite/organic HTL interfaces.

Corrigendum: Distinct Immune Response at 1 Year Post-COVID-19 According to Disease Severity.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.

Overexpression of V-ATPase B2 attenuates lung injury/fibrosis by stabilizing lysosomal membrane permeabilization and increasing collagen degradation.

Excessive oxidative stress causes lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), which leads to cell death. Vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) is the enzyme responsible for pumping H into the cytosol and thus maintaining intracellular pH. Previously, we reported that V-ATPase B2 subunit expression is upregulated in the TiO-exposed lung epithelium.

Precision Control of Programmable Actuation of Thermoresponsive Nanocomposite Hydrogels with Multilateral Engineering.

Hydrogels capable of stimuli-responsive deformation are widely explored as intelligent actuators for diverse applications. It is still a significant challenge, however, to "program" these hydrogels to undergo highly specific and extensive shape changes with precision, because the mechanical properties and deformation mechanism of the hydrogels are inherently coupled. Herein, two engineering strategies are simultaneously employed to develop thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAm)-based hydrogels capable of programmable actuation.

Molecular Engineering of Printed Semiconducting Blends to Develop Organic Integrated Circuits: Crystallization, Charge Transport, and Device Application Analyses.

Solution-based printing has contributed to the facile deposition of various types of materials, including the building blocks of printed electronics. In particular, solution-processable organic semiconductors (OSCs) are regarded as one of the most fascinating candidates for the fabrication of printed electronics. Herein, we report electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet-printed p- and n-type OSCs, namely 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS-PEN) and 6,13-bis((triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl)-5,7,12,14-tetraazapentacene (TIPS-TAP), and their use as single-OSC layers and as OSC mixed p-n layers to fabricate solution-processed p-, n-, and ambipolar-type organic field-effect transistors (OFETs).

Broad humoral and cellular immunity elicited by one-dose mRNA vaccination 18 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: Practical guidance is needed regarding the vaccination of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals in resource-limited countries. It includes the number of vaccine doses that should be given to unvaccinated patients who experienced COVID-19 early in the pandemic.

Methods: We recruited COVID-19 convalescent individuals who received one or two doses of an mRNA vaccine within 6 or around 18 months after a diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Distinct Immune Response at 1 Year Post-COVID-19 According to Disease Severity.

Background: Despite the fact of ongoing worldwide vaccination programs for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), understanding longevity, breadth, and type of immune response to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still important to optimize the vaccination strategy and estimate the risk of reinfection. Therefore, we performed thorough immunological assessments 1 year post-COVID-19 with different severity.

Methods: We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples at 1 year post-COVID-19 in patients who experienced asymptomatic, mild, and severe illness to assess titers of various isotypes of antibodies (Abs) against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, phagocytic capability, and memory B- and T-cell responses.

Persistent Antibody Responses Up to 18 Months After Mild Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection.

Background: Humoral immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may wane rapidly in persons recovered from mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but little is known about the longevity.

Methods: Serum samples were obtained 8, 12, and 18 months after infection from 20 patients with mild COVID-19. The binding activities of serum antibodies (immunoglobulin [Ig]A, IgG, and IgM) against SARS-CoV-2 antigens of the Wuhan-1 reference strain (wild-type) and the B.

Electrohydrodynamic-Jet-Printed Phthalimide-Derived Conjugated Polymers for Organic Field-Effect Transistors and Logic Gates.

A π-conjugated polymer semiconductor, PBDTTTffPI, was synthesized for use as an organic semiconductor suitable for electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing technology. Bulky alkylation of the polymer gave PBDTTTffPI good solubility in several organic solvents. EHD jet printing using PBDTTTffPI ink produced direct patterns of polymer semiconductors while maintaining smooth surface morphologies and crystal structures similar to those of spin-coated PBDTTTffPI films.

Mass-Synthesized Solution-Processable Polyimide Gate Dielectrics for Electrically Stable Operating OFETs and Integrated Circuits.

Polyimides (PIs) are widely utilized polymeric materials for high-temperature plastics, adhesives, dielectrics, nonlinear optical materials, flexible hard-coating films, and substrates for flexible electronics. PIs can be facilely mass-produced through factory methods, so the industrial application value is limitless. Herein, we synthesized a typical poly(amic acid) (PAA) precursor-based solution through an industrialized reactor for mass production and applied the prepared solution to form thin films of PI using thermal imidization.

Epitope-Paratope Interaction of a Neutralizing Human Anti-Hepatitis B Virus PreS1 Antibody That Recognizes the Receptor-Binding Motif.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global health burden that causes acute and chronic hepatitis. To develop an HBV-neutralizing antibody that effectively prevents HBV infection, we previously generated a human anti-preS1 monoclonal antibody (1A8) that binds to genotypes A-D and validated its HBV-neutralizing activity in vitro. In the present study, we aimed to determine the fine epitope and paratope of 1A8 to understand the mechanism of HBV neutralization.

Improvement of Biophysical Properties and Affinity of a Human Anti-L1CAM Therapeutic Antibody through Antibody Engineering Based on Computational Methods.

The biophysical properties of therapeutic antibodies influence their manufacturability, efficacy, and safety. To develop an anti-cancer antibody, we previously generated a human monoclonal antibody (Ab417) that specifically binds to L1 cell adhesion molecule with a high affinity, and we validated its anti-tumor activity and mechanism of action in human cholangiocarcinoma xenograft models. In the present study, we aimed to improve the biophysical properties of Ab417.

Titanium dioxide particles modulate epithelial barrier protein, Claudin 7 in asthma.

Epithelial barrier dysfunction is involved in allergic inflammation and asthma, due to increased exposure of sub-epithelial tissues to inhaled allergens and air pollutants. The tight junction proteins claudins (CLDNs) are important regulators of paracellular permeability. CLDN7 is expressed in the alveolar epithelium; however, its contribution to airway barrier function remains unclear.