Anisotropic Plasmon Resonance in TiCT MXene Enables Site-Selective Plasmonic Catalysis.

The ever-growing interest in MXenes has been driven by their distinct electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. In this context, further revealing their physicochemical attributes remains the key frontier of MXene materials. Herein, we report the anisotropic localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features in TiCT MXene as well as site-selective photocatalysis enabled by the photophysical anisotropy.

Evaluation of left atrial function and the relationship between left atrial stiffness index and exercise capacity in hypertension-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Objective: The left atrial stiffness index (LASI) holds significance in the atrioventricular coupling function and heart failure progression. To assess left atrial function and evaluate the relationship between LASI and exercise capacity in hypertension-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HT-HFpEF).

Methods: The study involved 62 healthy subjects and 163 patients with HT (112 patients in simple HT group and 51 patients in HT-HFpEF group).

Supine bicycle stress echocardiography at low altitude for identification of susceptibility to acute mountain sickness.

Background: Exposure to high altitude may unpredictably lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS). The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of AMS at low altitude by exercise stress echocardiography (ESE).

Methods: A total of 40 healthy adults were enrolled and underwent comprehensive supine bicycle ESE at low altitude, including pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), right ventricular (RV) area index at the end of diastole (RVEDAi), B-lines, and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter.

Retrograded starch as colonic delivery carrier of taxifolin for treatment of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.

Taxifolin, a natural dihydroflavonol compound, possesses notable anti-inflammatory properties and regulatory effects on intestinal microbiota. In this study, gelatinized-retrograded corn starch (GCS) was utilized as a carrier for colonic delivery of taxifolin, and its therapeutic efficacy against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice were systematically investigated. Taxifolin can integrate into the helical structure of starch, and the formation of GCS-Taxifolin complexes (GCS-Tax) significantly delayed the release of taxifolin in vitro.

Unveiling the Gold Facet Effect in Selective Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural and Hydrogen Production.

Direct oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxylic acid (HMFCA), crucial for medical supply production, is hindered by overoxidation. We synthesized gold nanomaterials with distinct single-crystal facets, {111} in octahedra (OC), {100} in nanocubes (NCs), and {110} in rhombic dodecahedra (RD), to investigate the facet-dependent HMF oxidation. The Au RD achieved the spontaneous oxidation of HMF to HMFCA with stoichiometric hydrogen production, maintaining 95% carbon balance, 91% yield, and 98% selectivity.

Manipulating chiral photon generation from plasmonic nanocavity-emitter hybrid systems: from weak to strong coupling.

By confining light into a deep subwavelength scale to match the characteristic dimension of quantum emitters, plasmonic nanocavities can effectively imprint the light emission with unique properties in terms of intensity, directionality, as well as polarization. In this vein, achiral quantum emitters can generate chiral photons through coupling with plasmonic nanocavities with either intrinsic or extrinsic chirality. As an important metric for the chiral-photon purity, the degree of circular polarization (DCP) is usually tuned by various scattered factors such as the nanocavity design, the emitter type, and the coupling strategy.

A colorimetric strategy and smartphone-based test strip for the detection of glucose based on the peroxidase activity of a hemin-derived nanozyme.

Nanozymes are nanomaterials with catalytic properties similar to enzymes and offer advantages over natural enzymes such as lower cost, ease of storage, and convenience for large-scale preparation. Thus, they have received increasing attention and are extensively applied in fields such as chemistry, sensing, food, environment, and medicine. Herein, a hemin-derived nanozyme (Hemin-CDs) was prepared using hemin as the precursor and used to substitute the natural horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for colorimetric detection.

Collaborative teaching among ultrasonographers, anesthesiologists, and vascular surgeons: its unique role in specialty training for vascular surgeons in developing countries.

This study explored the unique role of collaborative teaching among ultrasonographers, anesthesiologists, and vascular surgeons in the training of vascular surgeons in developing countries. Using qualitative research methods, data were collected through in-depth interviews and observations to analyze the improvement in ultrasound operational skills and basic anesthesia skills among trainees, as well as their satisfaction with collaborative teaching. The results indicate that collaborative teaching significantly enhances trainees' professional skills and interdisciplinary collaboration abilities, gaining widespread recognition from trainees.

Preparation and characterization of W/O/W purple potato anthocyanin nanoparticles: Antioxidant effects and gut microbiota improvement in rats.

Purple potato anthocyanins (PPAs) are recognized for their broad physiological activities, including significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, and gut microbiota-regulating effects. However, their limited bioavailability in biological systems restricts the full realization of these potentials. In order to improve the bioavailability of PPA, this paper established and optimized the preparation process of W/O/W purple potato anthocyanin nanoparticles (PPA-NPs).

HIF1A/PCDH7 axis mediates fatty acid synthesis and metabolism to inhibit lung adenocarcinoma anoikis.

Background: Aberrantly expressed PCDH7 participates in the malignant progression of many cancers. PCDH7 has been newly discovered as a risk factor in lung cancer, but its functional study in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been conducted yet. This study aimed to investigate the functional role of PCDH7 in LUAD.

Anoxic seagrass leaf environments as potential hotspots for toxin production and NO emission.

Epiphytes on seagrass leaves can render parts of the leaf phyllosphere anoxic in darkness owing to leaf/epiphyte respiration and O diffusion constraints. In such anoxic microenvironments, anaerobic microbes can potentially produce phytotoxins and greenhouse gases, but the actual occurrence of such processes in seagrass epiphytic biofilms remain uncertain. We used microsensors to measure O, NO, NO and HS concentration gradients, as well as NO and O dynamics within epiphytic biofilms on seagrass (Zostera marina) leaves under changing environmental conditions.

Comparative study of myocardial perfusion and coronary flow velocity reserve derived from adenosine triphosphate stress myocardial contrast echocardiography in coronary lesions with no/mild stenosis.

Background: Qualitative myocardial perfusion (QMP) derived from myocardial contrast echocardiography reflects the capillary flow, while coronary flow velocity reserve from Doppler spectrum (D-CFVR) of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is used to assess coronary microvascular function, particularly after excluding severe epicardial coronary stenosis. The present study aimed to assess the relationship of QMP and D-CFVR in detecting coronary microvascular disease (CMVD) by using adenosine triphosphate stress myocardial contrast echocardiography (ATP stress MCE).

Methods And Results: Seventy-two patients (mean age: 54.

Efficacy and safety of perioperative, neoadjuvant, or adjuvant immunotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Neoadjuvant (NE), adjuvant (AD), and perioperative (PE) immunotherapies have gained validation in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) trials. However, a comprehensive assessment of their comparative efficacy and safety is lacking.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of NE, AD, and PE immunotherapies in early-stage NSCLC.

Identifying patients who benefit more from perioperative immunotherapy combinations for resectable non-small cell lung cancer based on clinical and molecular characteristics: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Purpose: This study aims to identify patient subgroups who benefit more from perioperative immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (IO-CT) based on clinical and molecular characteristics in resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on perioperative IO-CT were searched. Beneficial differences of IO-CT regimens across different patient subgroups were assessed by pooling trial-specific ratios in event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), pathological complete response (pCR), and major pathological response (MPR).

Ultrahigh Energy Storage in (Ag,Sm)(Nb,Ta)O Ceramics with a Stable Antiferroelectric Phase, Low Domain-Switching Barriers, and a High Breakdown Strength.

AgNbO (AN) antiferroelectrics (AFEs) are regarded as a promising candidate for high-property dielectric capacitors on account of their high maximum polarization, double polarization-electric field (-) loop characteristics, and environmental friendliness. However, high remnant polarization () and large polarization hysteresis loss from room-temperature ferrielectric behavior of AN and low breakdown strength () cause small recoverable energy density () and efficiency (η). To solve these issues, herein, we have designed Sm and Ta co-doped AgNbO.

The therapeutic effect and possible mechanisms of alginate oligosaccharide on metabolic syndrome by regulating gut microbiota.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disease condition incorporating the abnormal accumulation of various metabolic components, including overweight or abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and abnormal glucose tolerance, hypertension, atherosclerosis, or dyslipidemia. It has been proved that the gut microbiota and microbial-derived products play an important role in regulating lipid metabolism and thus the onset and development of MetS. Previous studies have demonstrated that oligosaccharides with prebiotic effects, such as chitosan oligosaccharides, can regulate the structure of the microbial community and its derived products to control weight and reduce MetS associated with obesity.

Unraveling the Origin of Reverse Plasmonic Circular Dichroism from Discrete Bichiral Au Nanoparticles.

Bichiral plasmonic nanoparticles exhibited intriguing geometry-dependent circular dichroism (CD) reversal; however, the crucial factor that dominates the plasmonic CD is still unclear. Combined with CD spectroscopy and theoretical multipole analysis, we demonstrate that plasmonic CD originates from the excitation of electric quadrupolar plasmons. Moreover, a comparative study of two distinct quadrupolar modes reveals the correlation between the sign of the CD and the local geometric handedness at the plasmonic hotspots, thereby establishing a structure-property relationship in bichiral nanoparticles.

Integrated gold nanorods-based dual-signal platform for accurate total antioxidant capacity assessment in food samples.

Accurate assessment of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in food is crucial for evaluating nutritional quality and potential health benefits. This study aims to enhance the sensitivity and reliability of TAC detection through a dual-signal method, combining colorimetric and photothermal signals. Gold nanorods (AuNRs) were utilized to establish a dual-signal method duo to the colorimetric and photothermal properties.

Short-term intermittent hypoxia exposure for dyspnea and fatigue in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: A randomized controlled study.

Background: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is incurring a huge health and economic burden worldwide. There is currently no effective treatment or recommended drug for PASC.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a hospital in China.

Immunohistochemistry identifies E-cadherin, N-cadherin and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as predictors of stage I non-small cell lung carcinoma spread through the air spaces (STAS), and the combinations as prognostic factors.

Background: Spread through air spaces (STAS) is one of the multiple modes of lung cancer dissemination, yet its molecular and clinicopathological characterization remains poorly studied. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adhesion molecule expression levels on the incidence of STAS and postoperative recurrence in stage I lung cancer patients undergoing radical resection.

Methods: E-cadherin, P-cadherin, N-cadherin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were analyzed retrospectively using immunohistochemistry in patients undergoing radical resection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Synthesis of novel polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoclusters exhibiting ultraviolet-A fluorescence and their application in multiple sensing.

Cupric ions (Cu), pyrophosphate (PPi), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are involved in a variety of biochemical processes such as DNA replication, cellular metabolism and play an important role in human growth and development. It is of great significance to establish a method for the sensitive detection of Cu, PPi and ALP. In this work, polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoclusters (PEI-AgNCs) were successfully synthesized by a one-pot method using hydrazine sulfate as reductant, exhibiting a unique strong fluorescence emission in the near-ultraviolet region at ∼339 nm.

Thyroid dysfunction in the wake of Omicron: understanding its role in COVID-19 severity and mortality.

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 can invade the thyroid gland. This study was to delineate the risk of thyroid dysfunction amidst the prevalence of the Omicron variant, and to investigate the correlation between thyroid function and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. The study also aimed to ascertain whether thyroid dysfunction persisted during COVID-19 recovery phase.

The inhibitory activity of Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract and its major flavonoid components on pancreatic lipase.

Inhibition of pancreatic lipase (PL) is a strategy to prevent obesity. The inhibitory effects of Flos Sophorae Immaturus (FSI) extract and its main flavonoid components, rutin and quercetin, on PL were investigated. The contents of rutin and quercetin in FSI extract were 44.

Bioluminescence-optogenetics-mediated gene therapy in a sleep-disordered breathing mouse model.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) incurs a huge individual, societal, and economic burden. Specific and selective targeting of hypoglossal motor neurons could be an effective means to treat OSA. Bioluminescent-optogenetics (BL-OG) is a novel genetic regulatory approach in which luminopsins, fusion proteins of light-generating luciferase and light-sensing ion channels, increase neuronal excitability when exposed to a suitable substrate.