Unconventional (anti)ferroelectricity in van der Waals group-IV monochalcogenides.

Fundamentally, ferroelectrics must belong to a noncentrosymmetric space group, limiting the exploration of more new ferroelectric materials. We circumvent this limitation by triggering structure distortion and inducing ferroelectricity in centrosymmetric van der Waals group-IV monochalcogenide GeSe semiconductor that features unexpected intrinsic out-of-plane antiferroelectricity. Double-type and single-type hysteresis loops from electric measurements, bonding distortion observed in in-situ atomic imaging, and perpendicular polarization uncovered by first-principles calculations, confirm the intrinsic out-of-plane antiferroelectricity and the antiferroelectric-ferroelectric transition induced by the vertical external electric-field.

Antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with asthma.

Background: Viral infections constitute a primary trigger for asthma exacerbations. While vaccines protect against viral infections by eliciting a Th1 immune response, the impact of the asthmatic immune milieu which is characterized by Th2 cytokine dominance and elevated IgE levels on post-vaccination antibody production remains elusive. Therefore, vaccination protocols tailored to asthma patients need to be formulated.

Empathy and Mental Health of Preschool Teachers: A Latent Profile Analysis.

Purpose: This research, grounded in the self-other oriented empathy theoretical framework, aimed to explore the classification of empathy and its relationship with mental health among preschool teachers.

Methods: A total of 4345 preschool teachers participated in the study. Mental health was assessed using the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), and empathy was measured with the Chinese version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI-C).

Topologically Engineered High- Quasi-BIC Metasurfaces for Enhanced Near-Infrared Emission in PbS Quantum Dots.

Enhancing photoluminescence (PL) efficiency in colloidal quantum dots is pivotal for next-generation near-infrared photodetectors, imaging systems, and photonic devices. Conventional methods, especially metal-based plasmonic structures, suffer from large optical losses, which limits their practical use. Here, we introduce a quasi-bound state in the continuum (quasi-BIC) metasurface on a silicon-on-insulator platform, tailored to provide high-quality factor resonances with minimized losses.

Analysis of Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Impact and Mechanism on Broncho-Pulmonary Dysplasia.

Objective: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of alveolar epithelial cells is an important mechanism for the onset and development of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is involved in the development and repair of injury in many organs, particularly the lung. The role of FGF2 in BPD is currently unclear.

Relationship of adiponectin, leptin and reproductive endocrine hormones with insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome patients with normal BMI.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the correlation of adiponectin (APN) and leptin (LEP), reproductive endocrine hormones with insulin resistance (IR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with normal body mass index (BMI).

Methods: Totally 160 PCOS patients were categorized into the Normal BMI (BMI: 18.5-25 kg/m,  = 62) and High BMI (BMI > 25 kg/m,  = 98) groups.

Development a risk prediction nomogram for multidrug-resistant bacterial and fungal infection in gastrointestinal fistula patients during the perioperative period.

Background: This study aims to develop a risk prediction model for multidrug-resistant bacterial and fungal infections in patients with gastrointestinal fistulas during the perioperative period.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Anhui No. 2 Provincial People's Hospital from January 2022 to July 2024.

Comparative proteotranscriptomic analysis of four carpenter moth species reveals key salivary proteins related to feeding adaptations.

Salivary proteins play a crucial role in insects, facilitating nutrient acquisition and regulating complex interactions with host plants. However, most research has focused on pierce-sucking insects, leaving chewing insects, such as caterpillars largely unexplored. Carpenter moths (Cossidae) are important destructive wood bores whose larvae cause significant damage to forestry.

Designable Electrochemiluminescence Patterning for Renewable and Enhanced Bioimaging.

Electrochemical imaging enables an in-depth analysis of the interface heterogeneity and reaction kinetics of single entities. However, electrode passivation during electrochemical reactions decreases the active sites and harms the long-term stability. Here, we introduce a method using laser-induced photothermal effects to restore the electrochemical activity, which is particularly displayed as enhanced micrometric patterns in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) microscopy.

Beyond Moiré with Spatial Frequency Mastery via δ-Function Expansion Metasurface.

Mastering spatial frequency manipulation within momentum space is pivotal yet challenging, particularly in mitigating moiré patterns that significantly impair image quality across diverse applications. Conventional methods often require trade-offs in spatial resolution or fall short of completely eradicating unwanted frequencies, further burdened by complex post-processing demands. In this work, a novel coherent δ-function expansion technique implemented through an all-silicon metasurface, affording unparalleled synergistic control over arbitrarily selected spatial frequencies via refined k-space amplitude and phase modulations is introduced.

Integrated scanning electrochemical cell microscopy platform with local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using a preamplifier.

Local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS) has emerged as a technique to characterize local electrochemical processes on heterogeneous surfaces. However, current LEIS heavily relies on lock-in amplifiers that have a poor gain effect for weak currents, limiting the achievements of high-spatial imaging. Herein, an integrated scanning electrochemical cell microscopy is developed by directly collecting the alternating current (AC) signal through a preamplifier.

Variation profiles, formation mechanisms, and emission risks of brominated flame retardant compounds during cement kiln co-processing of hexabromocyclododecane-containing waste.

Cement kiln co-processing technique has been suggested as a promising disposal method for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)-containing construction wastes. However, concerns persist regarding the potential emissions of secondary brominated flame retardant (BFR) compounds. To address this, we conducted both field and laboratory experiments to elucidate the emission characteristics and formation mechanisms of BFRs during the co-processing of HBCD-containing waste in cement kilns.

Mechanisms of hepatic and renal injury in lipid metabolism disorders in metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of metabolic abnormalities that identifies people at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. MetS is characterized by lipid disorders, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) are thought to be the common hepatic and renal manifestations of MetS following abnormal lipid metabolism. This paper reviews the molecular mechanisms of lipid deposition in NAFLD and DKD, highlighting the commonalities and differences in lipid metabolic pathways in NAFLD and DKD.

Genetic characteristics of human parainfluenza viruses 1-4 associated with acute lower respiratory tract infection in Chinese children, during 2015-2021.

Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are a significant cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) among young children and elderly individuals worldwide. The four types of HPIVs (HPIV1-4) can cause recurrent infections and pose a significant economic burden on health care systems globally. However, owing to the limited availability of complete genome sequences, the genetic evolution of these viruses and the development of vaccines and antiviral treatments are hampered.

Priority Organic Pollutant Monitoring Inventory and Relative Risk Reduction Potential for Solid Waste Incineration.

Incineration is a promising sustainable treatment method for solid waste. However, the ongoing revelation of new toxic pollutants in this process has become a controversial issue impeding its development. Thus, identifying and regulating high-risk pollutants emerge as pivotal strides toward reconciling this debate.

J147 treatment protects against traumatic brain injury by inhibiting neuronal endoplasmic reticulum stress potentially via the AMPK/SREBP-1 pathway.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is recognized as a crucial contributor to the progression of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to assess the potential of J147, a novel neurotrophic compound, in alleviating ER stress by modulating related signaling pathways, thereby promoting functional recovery in TBI. To this end, adult mice underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury to induce TBI, followed by oral administration of J147 one-hour post-injury, with daily dosing for 3 to 7 days.

Effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 on the Crosstalk between Intestinal Stem Cells and Microbiota in a Simulated Weightlessness Mouse Model.

Exposure to the space microenvironment has been found to disrupt the homeostasis of intestinal epithelial cells and alter the composition of the microbiota. To investigate this in more detail and to examine the impact of ginsenoside Rb1, we utilized a mouse model of hindlimb unloading (HU) for four weeks to simulate the effects of microgravity. Our findings revealed that HU mice had ileum epithelial injury with a decrease in the number of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and the level of cell proliferation.

LPG 18:0 is a general biomarker of asthma and inhibits the differentiation and function of regulatory T-cells.

Background: The diagnosis, severity assessment, and development of therapeutic strategies for asthma are crucial aspects of disease management. Since biomarkers are reliable tools in disease management, we aimed to identify and explore asthma-associated biomarkers and investigate their mechanisms.

Methods: Lipidomics was used to profile serum glycerophospholipids in asthmatic patients and controls.