Efficacy and safety of preoperative biliary drainage in patients with Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) has been proposed as a strategy to manage the complications associated with biliary obstruction in hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients. However, the efficacy and safety of PBD in remain controversial, even in clinical guidelines. This meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of PBD in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Effects of faecal microbiota transplantation supplemented with inulin on early immunity and immune organ histomorphology in chickens.

1. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a technique that promotes gut microbiota diversity and abundance by transplantation of faeces into a recipient's gastrointestinal tract multiple routes.2.

Interfacial-Design Mediated Construction of Hybrid Multicompartment Architectures with Layered Physicochemical Barriers for Separately Sequestration of Oxidation-Reduction Molecules and Their Redox Reaction Regulation.

Hybrid multicompartment artificial architectures, inherited from different compartmental systems, possess separate microenvironments that can perform different functions. Herein, a hybrid compartmentalized architecture via hybridizing ferritin nanocage (Fn) with non-aqueous droplets using aminated-modified amphiphilic gelatin (AGEL) is proposed, which enables the generation of compartmentalized emulsions with hybrid multicompartments. The resulting compartmentalized emulsions are termed "hybrasome".

Boosted Scavenger-Free Overall Nitrogen Photofixation with Molybdenum Incorporated Bismuth-Rich Oxychlorides.

The design of highly efficient photocatalysts to photoreduce nitrogen (N) to ammonia (NH) under mild conditions is extremely challenging. In this work, various molar ratio of molybdenum (Mo) is incorporated into BiOCl via a hydrothermal process. The resulting Mo-doped BiOCl exhibits remarkable solar-driven activity for N photo fixation without any scavengers or sacrificial agents.

MoSe/BiSe Heterostructure Immobilized in N-Doped Carbon Nanosheets Assembled Flower-Like Microspheres for High-Rate Sodium Storage.

A key challenge for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) lies in identifying suitable host materials capable of accommodating large Na ions while addressing sluggish chemical kinetics. The unique interfacial effects of heterogeneous structures have emerged as a critical factor in accelerating charge transfer and enhancing reaction kinetics. Herein, MoSe/BiSe composites integrated with N-doped carbon nanosheets are synthesized, which spontaneously self-assemble into flower-like microspheres (MoSe/BiSe@N-C).

Molecular Chain Interpenetration-Enabled High Interfacial Compatibility of Ionic and Electronic Conductors for Stretchable Ionic Devices.

Ionic devices find applications such as flexible electronics and biomedicines and function by exploiting hybrid circuits of mobile ions and electrons. However, the poor interfacial compatibility of hard electronic conductors with soft ionic conductors in ionic devices leads to low deformability, sensitivity, electromechanical responses, and stability. Herein, an interpenetrating interface between silicone-modified polyurethane/carbon nanotube electronic conductors and ionoelastomers in an ionic device using in situ polymerization is fabricated.

Compression-Durable Soft Electronic Circuits Enabled by Embedding Self-Healing Biphasic Liquid-Solid Metal Into Microstructured Elastomeric Channels.

Compression strongly degrades the electrical conductivity of the liquid-metal-based circuits because the liquid state is prone to be squashed. Here, a new compressible and stretchable biphasic liquid-solid self-healing circuit is proposed by filling GalnSn-BilnSn biphasic metal into micropillar-embedded channels. The underlying BilnSn solid alloy layer serves as a compression resistance layer, while the upper GalnSn liquid metal layer enables the real-time filling of the cracks in the solid layer under large deformations, resulting in autonomous self-healing and maintenance of conductivity under both stretching and compression.

UCNPs@PVP-Hemin-GOx@CaCO Nanoplatform for Ferroptosis Self-Amplification Combined with Calcium Overload.

Due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME), current tumor treatments cannot achieve satisfactory results. A nanocomposite material, UCNPs@PVP-Hemin-GOx@CaCO (UPHGC NPs) is developed that responds to the TME and controls release to achieve multimodal synergistic therapy in tumor tissues. UPHGC NPs mediate photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and starvation therapy (ST) synergistically, ultimately inducing self-amplification of ferroptosis.

Enhanced Hot/Free Electron Effect for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Based on 3D/2D Graphene/MXene Composite.

Photocatalytic hydrogen production through water splitting represents a promising strategy to store solar energy as chemical energy. Current photocatalysts primarily focus on traditional semiconductor materials, such as metal oxides, sulfides, nitrides, g-CN, etc. However, these materials often suffer from large bandgap and fast charge recombination, which limit sunlight utilization and result in unsatisfactory photon conversion efficiency.

Shape-Controlled Reversible Li Plating-Stripping for Stable and High-Rate Anode-Free Lithium Metal Batteries.

Anode-free lithium metal batteries are promising toward high-energy-density power sources with low-cost, but their practical applications are challenged by poor cycling stability and low rate capability. Herein, a shape change-free and lithium-free anode that well controls the reversible Li plating-stripping is reported, which is composed of a highly-ordered hollow ZnO matrix with a surface-coated lithium-phosphorus-oxynitride (LiPON) layer. The ZnO matrix supplies sufficient cavities and lithiophilic sites to facilitate uniform Li plating/stripping within the hollow cavity, while the LiPON layer maintains stable solid-electrolyte interphase from mechanical and electrochemical damage.

Electronic Configuration-Modulated Dual-Active Nanocomposite NiAlO for Promoting Plastic-To-Green Hydrogen.

Chemical upcycling of plastic waste to produce green H has emerged as a promising avenue. Highly efficient and robust NiAlO catalysts with dual active nanocomposite (NiO-NiAlO) through a facile electronic configuration modulation strategy are synthesized for the decomposition-catalytic steam reforming (DCSR) of plastic wastes for enhancing H production while alleviating carbon deposition. Of these dual-active nanocomposite catalysts, NiAlO-800 presents the highest proportions of Ni cations and oxygen vacancies, contributing to the enhance structural stability and catalytic activity.

Bio-Inspired Retina by Regulating Ion-Confined Transport in Hydrogels.

The effective and precise processing of visual information by the human eye primarily relies on the diverse contrasting functions achieved through synaptic regulation of ion transport in the retina. Developing a bio-inspired retina that uses ions as information carriers can more accurately replicate retina's natural signal processing capabilities, enabling high-performance machine vision. Herein, an ion-confined transport strategy is proposed to construct a bio-inspired retina by developing artificial synapses with inhibitory and excitatory contrasting functions.

Enhanced Tumor Ablation and Immune Activation Via Irreversible Electroporation and Functionalized Vermiculite Nanosheets.

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a minimally invasive, non-thermal tumor ablation technique that induces nanoscale membrane perforation, leading to immunogenic cell death (ICD). However, IRE alone is limited by uneven electric field attenuation, incomplete tumor ablation, and the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment. To address these challenges, a multifunctional nanomaterial, vermiculite nanosheets/calcium peroxide nanosheets (VMT/CaO NSs), is developed to enhance the efficacy of IRE.

On-Chip Non-Volatile Reconfigurable Phase Change Topological Photonics.

Programmable on-chip terahertz (THz) topological photonic devices are poised to address the rising need for high-capacity data systems, offering broad bandwidth, minimal loss, and reconfigurability. However, current THz topological chips rely on volatile tuning mechanisms that require continuous power to function. Here, a nonvolatile, programmable THz topological silicon chip is demonstrated that integrates a waveguide-cavity coupled system with phase-change material, GeSbTe (GST), enabling persistent and efficient functionality without constant power input.

Unraveling the impact of congenital deafness on individual brain organization.

Research on brain plasticity, particularly in the context of deafness, consistently emphasizes the reorganization of the auditory cortex. But to what extent do all individuals with deafness show the same level of reorganization? To address this question, we examined the individual differences in functional connectivity (FC) from the deprived auditory cortex. Our findings demonstrate remarkable differentiation between individuals deriving from the absence of shared auditory experiences, resulting in heightened FC variability among deaf individuals, compared to more consistent FC in the hearing group.

A Novel Coating-Extrusion Method Enabled, High Energy, Power Density, and Scalable Production in Monolithically Integrated Energy Storage Fibers.

The rise of wearable electronics demands flexible energy storage solutions like flexible fiber energy storage devices (FESDs), known for their flexibility and portability. However, it remains difficult for existing fabrication methods (typically, finite-coating, thermal-drawing, and solution-extrusion) to simultaneously achieve desirable electrochemical performances and fast production of FESDs. Here, a new scalable coating-extrusion method is developed, utilizing a novel extruded spinneret with tapered apertures to create dual pressure zones.

Green-Solvent-Processed All-Polymer Solar Cells with Enhanced Efficiency and Stability through Molecular Design and Side-Chain Engineering.

Green-solvent-processed all-polymer solar cells (AP-SCs) are regarded as an excellent candidate for renewable energy due to their better stability and eco-friendly features. Two polymers, PYF-U and PYF-BO, have been designed by introducing a Y-series derivative with difluoro-substituted dicyanindenone units and a difluorobenzotriazole derivative as the first and second electron-deficient (A) units, respectively. The introduction of two additional F atoms on dicyanindenone units leads to a more coplanar backbone because of noncovalent interactions.

A General Strategy for Exceptionally Robust Conducting Polymer-Based Bioelectrodes with Multimodal Capabilities Through Decoupled Charge Transport Mechanisms.

Bioelectrodes function as a critical interface for signal transduction between living organisms and electronics. Conducting polymers (CPs), particularly poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate), are among the most promising materials for bioelectrodes, due to their electrical performance, high compactness, and ease of processing, but often suffer from degradation or de-doping even in some common environments (e.g.

High-Capacity Volumetric Methane Storage in Hyper-Cross-Linked Porous Polymers via Flexibility Engineering of Building Units.

Adsorbed natural gas (ANG) storage is emerging as a promising alternative to traditional compressed and liquefied storage methods. However, its onboard application is restricted by low volumetric methane storage capacity. Flexible porous adsorbents offer a potential solution, as their dense structures and unique gate-opening effects are well-suited to enhance volumetric capacity under high pressures.

Recent Advances in Biomolecule-Engineered Metal-Organic Frameworks (Bio-MOFs): From Design, Bioengineering, and Structural/functional Regulation to Biocatalytic Applications.

Biomolecule-engineered metal-organic frameworks (Bio-MOFs) are designed by incorporating biomolecules into or onto MOFs through covalent and non-covalent interactions. These composite frameworks exhibit unique catalytic and biological activities, making them highly suitable for various biocatalytic applications. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the material design, bioengineering methods, structural and functional regulation techniques, and biocatalytic applications of Bio-MOFs.

Negative Enthalpy Doping Stabilizes P2-Type Oxides Cathode for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries.

P2-type NaNiMnO (NNMO) as cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) largely suffers from continuous accumulation of local stress caused by destructive structural evolution and irreversible oxygen loss upon cycling, leading to rapid capacity degradation. Herein, a strategy of negative enthalpy doping (NED), wherein transition metal (TM) sites are substituted with 0.01 mol each Sn, Sb, Cu, Ti, Mg, and Zn to increase the stability of the TM layers, is proposed.

Investigating the role of eight SNPs in for COPD susceptibility in the Chinese elderly population.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly in China. Genetic predisposition is a recognized risk factor for COPD, with emerging as a promising candidate gene due to its involvement in smoking behavior and lung function. This study aimed to investigate the association between eight SNPs and COPD susceptibility in the Chinese elderly population.

Correlation between periodontal status, whole salivary interleukin-1beta levels and oral yeasts carriage among individuals with varying ranges of body mass index.

The aim was to assess the correlation between periodontal status, whole salivary interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) levels and oral yeasts carriage (OYC) among individuals with varying ranges of body mass index (BMI).  Material and method: The weight, waist circumference (WC), and height of individuals were assessed. Participants were categorized into three groups: Group-1 - normal weight (18.

Porous Silicon Nanoneedles Efficiently Deliver Adenine Base Editor to Correct a Recurrent Pathogenic COL7A1 Variant in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Base editing, a CRISPR-based genome editing technology, enables precise correction of single-nucleotide variants, promising resolutive treatment for monogenic genetic disorders like recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). However, the application of base editors in cell manufacturing is hindered by inconsistent efficiency and high costs, contributed by suboptimal delivery methods. Nanoneedles have emerged as an effective delivery approach, enabling highly efficient, non-perturbing gene therapies both in vitro and in vivo.

Exploring the Dual Nature of Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems: A Review of Environmental Benefits and Risk Challenges.

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) are acknowledged as both productive and environmentally sustainable, with notable potential to optimize resource use, enhance ecosystem services, and boost crop yields. However, manure application, a critical component of ICLS, may amplify negative environmental impacts, particularly the risks associated with emerging pollutants, which remain underexplored and insufficiently understood. This comprehensive review seeks to thoroughly evaluate the environmental benefits of ICLS.