Mechanically Compatible Sealing of Hydrogel with Coherent Interface.

Long-term operation of hydrogels relies on protective coatings to avoid water swelling or evaporation, but these protections often cause substantial decreases in overall softness and stretchability. Here, a mechanically compatible seal with a coherent interfacial design is developed to encapsulate hydrogels. This seal is made from polybutylene (PIB) and polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH) blended poly(styrene-isobutylene-styrene) (SIBS).

A universal packaging substrate for mechanically stable assembly of stretchable electronics.

Stretchable electronics commonly assemble multiple material modules with varied bulk moduli and surface chemistry on one packaging substrate. Preventing the strain-induced delamination between the module and the substrate has been a critical challenge. Here we develop a packaging substrate that delivers mechanically stable module/substrate interfaces for a broad range of stiff and stretchable modules with varied surface chemistries.

Mapping the developmental potential of mouse inner ear organoids at single-cell resolution.

Inner ear organoids recapitulate development and are intended to generate cell types of the otic lineage for applications such as basic science research and cell replacement strategies. Here, we use single-cell sequencing to study the cellular heterogeneity of late-stage mouse inner ear organoid sensory epithelia, which we validated by comparison with datasets of the mouse cochlea and vestibular epithelia. We resolved supporting cell sub-types, cochlear-like hair cells, and vestibular type I and type II-like hair cells.

Enhancing humification and microbial interactions during co-composting of pig manure and wine grape pomace: The role of biochar and FeO.

Phenol-rich wine grape pomace (WGP) improves the conversion of pig manure (PM) into humic acid (HA) during composting. However, the impact of using combinations of FeO and biochar known to promote compost maturation remains uncertain. This research explored the individual and combined influence of biochar and FeO during the co-composting of PM and WGP.

Structural optimization of BODIPY photosensitizers for enhanced photodynamic antibacterial activities.

Enhancing the interactions between photosensitizers and bacteria is key to developing effective photodynamic antibacterial agents. However, the influence of different structures on the therapeutic effects has not been systematically investigated. Herein, 4 BODIPYs with distinct functional groups, including the phenylboronic acid (PBA) group and pyridine (Py) cations, were designed to explore their photodynamic antibacterial activities.

Structural Engineering of Ionic MOF@COF Heterointerface for Exciton-Boosting Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Filter.

Sunlight-driven photocatalytic filters against pathogenic bioaerosols have attracted a lot of interest. However, developing an efficient interception system that shows enhanced visible-light harvesting, controllable charge dynamic, and boosted ROS generation remains a grand challenge. Here, we designed an ionic ZIF-8@iCOF nanocomposite as a sunlight-driven photocatalytic filter through elaborate structural engineering of the heterointerface between ZIF-8 and cationic iCOF layers.

Different Stepwise Growth Mechanism of AIE-Active Tetraphenylethylene-Functionalized Metal-Organic Frameworks on Au(111) and Cu(111) Surfaces.

Fabricating tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with aggregation- induced emission on surfaces and understanding the growth mechanism have not yet been pursued. Herein, MOFs constructed via the Ullmann-type reaction of a -symmetry TPE derivative (-BrTBE) on Au(111) and Cu(111) surfaces were thoroughly investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. On a Au(111) surface, -BrTBE molecules formed the self-assembled pattern at 298 K.

Effect of biochar addition on copper and zinc passivation pathways mediated by humification and microbial community evolution during pig manure composting.

The mobility and bioavailability of Cu and Zn are the main threats associated with the land application of pig manure (PM) compost products. This study investigated the impacts of biochar (BC) concentration on passivation of Cu and Zn associated with the compost maturity. The results indicated that 15% and 10% BC favoured the passivation of Cu and Zn, respectively.

Multivariate Strategy Preparation of Nanoscale Ru-Doped Metal-Organic Frameworks with Boosted Photoactivity for Bioimaging and Reactive Oxygen Species Generation.

How to incorporate chromophores into MOFs is a key for the development of multifunctional photoactive systems. The poor internalization by cancer cells and low efficiency of ROS generation hamper the potential clinic application of Ru-based molecular agents. In this work, a nanoscale Ru-doped metal-organic framework Hf-UiO-Ru (Hf-Ru) with framework-boosted photoactivities was prepared a multivariate strategy for use in bioimaging and ROS generation.

Stepwise on-surface synthesis of thiophene-based polymeric ribbons by coupling reactions and the carbon-fluorine bond cleavage.

The rational synthesis of thiophene-based cross-coupled polymers on surfaces has been attracting more attention recently. Here, we report the stepwise activation of 5,5'-(2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene)bis(2-bromothiophene) as a precursor to synthesize thiophene-based polymeric ribbons on the Au(111) surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy studies showed that the precursor adopted different conformations in the self-assembled structure, organometallic species, and covalent polymers.

Matrigel is required for efficient differentiation of isolated, stem cell-derived otic vesicles into inner ear organoids.

Inner ear organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells could be a useful model system to study development, disease, and regeneration. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the size, morphology, and efficiency of organoid production using standard protocols. Greater control of the culture microenvironment could decrease heterogeneity and increase the yield of organoids.

Conformation modification of terthiophene during the on-surface synthesis of pure polythiophene.

On-surface coupling under ultra-high vacuum is employed as a versatile approach to synthesize pure polythiophene from a 5,5''-dibromo-2,2':5',2''-terthiophene (DBTT) precursor and the corresponding temperature-dependent stepwise reaction mechanism is systematically studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). After thermal deposition of the precursor onto a Au(111) surface that is kept at room temperature, a triangle-like pattern and a linear self-assembled pattern are formed with different molecular coverages through BrBrS halogen bonds and BrBr type-I contact bonds, respectively. In the self-assembled nanostructures, the thiophene units adopt trans-conformation.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of APE1 associated with risk and prognosis of vitiligo in a Han Chinese population.

Background: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of apurinic/apyrimidinicendonuclease 1 (APE1), which has been implicated in cancers and the DNA base excision repair (BER) process, have not been thoroughly investigated in association with the risks of oxidative stress-related vitiligo.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate associations between APE1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms 141T >G and 1349T >G and risk and prognosis of vitiligo.

Material And Methods: From June 2013 to June 2015, a total of 460 vitiligo patients were randomly recruited as a case group; 200 of these patients received narrow bound ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) treatment.

A Wide-Bandgap Conjugated Polymer Based on Quinoxalino[6,5-f ]quinoxaline for Fullerene and Non-Fullerene Polymer Solar Cells.

A wide-bandgap conjugated polymer, PNQx-2F2T, based on a ring-fused unit of quinoxalino[6,5-f  ]quinoxaline (NQx), is synthesized for use as electron donor in polymer solar cells (PSCs). The polymer shows intense light absorption in the range from 300 to 740 nm and favorable energy levels of frontier molecular orbitals. The polymer has afforded decent device performance when blended with either fullerene-based acceptor [6,6]-phenyl-C -butylric acid methyl ester ([70]PCBM) or non-fullerene acceptor 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone-methyl))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-n-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d: 2',3'-d']-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b']dithiophene (IT-M).

MicroRNA-29a Inhibits Growth, Migration and Invasion of Melanoma A375 Cells in Vitro by Directly Targeting BMI1.

Background/aims: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors, with increasing incidence, poor prognosis, and lack of any effective targeted therapies. Abnormal expression of miR-29a has been found in several types of cancers, including melanoma. In this study, experiments were performed to investigate the role of miR-29a in melanoma, and the molecular mechanism by which miR-29a represses melanoma.

High-Performance Ternary Nonfullerene Polymer Solar Cells with Both Improved Photon Harvesting and Device Stability.

Efficiency and stability of polymer solar cells (PSCs) are the two most significant decisive factors for the purpose of actual applications. Here, highly efficient and stable ternary PSCs were fabricated by incorporating two well-compatible polymer donors (poly[4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[1,2- b;4,5- b0]dithiophene-2,6-diyl- alt-(4-(2-ethylhexyl)-3-fluorothieno[3,4- b]thiophene-)-2-carboxylate-2-6-diyl] and poly[[9-(1-octylnonyl)-9 H-carbazole-2,7-diyl]-2,5-thiophenediyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-4,7-diyl-2,5-thiophenediyl]) with one narrow band gap nonfullerene acceptor (3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone)-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3- d:2',3'- d']- s-indaceno[1,2- b:5,6- b']dithiophene)). It is found that Förster resonance energy transfer acts as an efficient pathway to further strengthen photon harvesting in this ternary system, which results in a significant improvement in current density ( J) without sacrificing the strong absorption of binary blends in the near-infrared region.

Gadd45a gene silencing by RNAi promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis and senescence in skin squamous cell carcinoma through the p53 signaling pathway.

Skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is generally considered as nonaggressive lesions and mainly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Gadd45a is a key component protecting skin against UV-induced tumors. For that, the study aims to investigate the mechanism of Gadd45a gene silencing on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence in nude mice with skin SCC through the p53 signaling pathway.

WITHDRAWN: MiR-29a Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of Melanoma A375 Cells by Directly Targeting Bmi1.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher

Nanofibrous scaffolds for the guidance of stem cell-derived neurons for auditory nerve regeneration.

Impairment of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) of the auditory nerve is a major cause for hearing loss occurring independently or in addition to sensory hair cell damage. Unfortunately, mammalian SGNs lack the potential for autonomous regeneration. Stem cell based therapy is a promising approach for auditory nerve regeneration, but proper integration of exogenous cells into the auditory circuit remains a fundamental challenge.

Chikusetsu (CHI) triggers mitochondria-regulated apoptosis in human prostate cancer via reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

The prostate cancer prognosis is still not fully understood. Chikusetsu saponin Iva (CHI), isolated from Aralia taibaiensis, shows anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, in our study, we attempted to explore the efficiency and the possible molecular mechanism by which CHI may suppress prostate cancer.

microRNA-130a Promotes Human Keratinocyte Viability and Migration and Inhibits Apoptosis Through Direct Regulation of STK40-Mediated NF-κB Pathway and Indirect Regulation of SOX9-Meditated JNK/MAPK Pathway: A Potential Role in Psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. The aim of this study was to determine a potential role of microRNA (miR)-130a in psoriasis, and underlying mechanism. Expression levels of miR-130a in psoriasis specimens and normal skin tissues were analyzed.

Haptoglobin protein and mRNA expression in psoriasis and its clinical significance.

The present study aimed to explore the association between haptoglobin protein and mRNA expression and psoriasis. A total of 138 patients with psoriasis that were undergoing therapy at Linyi People's Hospital (Linyi, China) between January 2011 and January 2015 were enrolled in the present study. The mRNA expression levels of haptoglobin were detected by in situ hybridization; immunohistochemistry was used to detect haptoglobin protein expression; and double‑labeling immunofluorescence was used to count Langerhans cells; western blotting was also conducted to determine protein expression.

Adenovirus siMDM2 and NDRG2 Gene Therapy Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common skin cancers. In the present study, we explored the effects of depletion of murine double minute gene 2 (MDM2) together with overexpression of N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) on cutaneous SCC. In order to achieve high efficiency of gene knockdown and overexpression in SCC-13 cells, recombinant adenovirus carrying siMDM2 and NDRG2 expression construct was produced.

Donor-acceptor-type copolymers based on a naphtho[1,2-c:5,6-c]bis(1,2,5-thiadiazole) scaffold for high-efficiency polymer solar cells.

Four donor-acceptor-type low-bandgap conjugated polymers based on a naphtho[1,2-c:5,6-c]bis(1,2,5-thiadiazole) (NT) acceptor and different donors bridged by a bithiophene spacer have been synthesized through Suzuki or Stille polymerization reactions. Fluorene (F), carbazole (Cz), alkylidene fluorene (AF), and benzodithiophene (BDT) were selected as the donor units to produce a series of new conjugated polymers. Owing to the different electron-donating ability of the donor units, the energy levels, absorption spectra, bandgaps, and carrier mobilities of the resulting polymers were systematically tuned.