All-angle unidirectional flat-band acoustic metasurfaces.

Flat bands have empowered novel phenomena such as robust canalization with strong localization, high-collimation and low-loss propagation. However, the spatial symmetry protection in photonic or acoustic lattices naturally forces flat bands to manifest in pairs aligned at an inherently specific angle, resulting in a fixed bidirectional canalization. Here, we report an acoustic flat-band metasurface, allowing not only unidirectional canalization at all in-plane angles but also robust tunability in band alignment.

Two-Level Spatially Localized Proximity Labeling for Cross-Biological-Hierarchy Measurement and Manipulation.

Proximity labeling (PL) has emerged as a powerful technique for the in situ elucidation of biomolecular interaction networks. However, PL methods generally rely on single-biological-hierarchy control of spatial localization at the labeling site, which limits their application in multi-tiered biological systems. Here, we introduced another enzymatic reaction upstream of an enzyme-based PL reaction and targeted the two enzymes to markers indicating different biological hierarchies, establishing a two-level spatially localized proximity labeling (P2L) platform for in situ molecular measurement and manipulation.

Integrative bioinformatics analysis reveals CGAS as a ferroptosis-related signature gene in sepsis and screens the potential natural inhibitors of CGAS.

Sepsis is a fatal organ dysfunction characterized by the simultaneous hyperinflammation and immunosuppression. Nowadays, the early precision intervention of sepsis is challenging. Ferroptosis is involved in the development of sepsis.

Bathing with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate versus routine care for preventing surgical site infections after pancreatic surgery: a single centre randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: To investigate whether bathing with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) reduces the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing routine pancreatic surgery.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted at a large-volume pancreatic centre between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2022. Patients undergoing clean-contaminated pancreatic surgery were enrolled and randomised into an intervention arm (bathing with a 2% CHG wipe) and a control arm (routine care, soap and water).

Hypoxia-induced degradation of FTO promotes apoptosis by unmasking RACK1-mediated activation of MTK1-JNK1/2 pathway.

Introduction: Hypoxia, a condition characterized by inadequate oxygen supply to tissues, triggers various cellular responses, including apoptosis. The RNA demethylase FTO has been shown to exert anti-apoptotic effects, but its functions independent of RNA demethylase-particularly those involving protein-protein interactions-during hypoxia remain unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the cytoprotective mechanism of FTO in preventing apoptosis under hypoxic stress.

Development of a fluorescent probe based on the cyanine skeleton for the detection of PhSH.

In this study, a cyanine skeleton fluorescent parent core was designed based on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) principle, and 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was used as the specific recognition site for phenylthiophene (PhSH). The probe showed a fluorescence transition from colorless to red under 410 nm excitation, which had the characteristics of fast response, high selectivity, low detection limit (55 nM), and the fluorescence intensity showed a positive linear correlation with PhSH concentration in the range of 0-100 μM (R = 0.9921).

Striking Improvement of N Selectivity in NH Oxidation Reaction on FeO-Based Catalysts via SiO Doping.

The emission of NH has been reported to pose a serious threat to both human health and the environment. To efficiently eliminate NH, catalysts for the selective catalytic oxidation of NH (NH-SCO) have been intensively studied. FeO-based catalysts were found to exhibit superior NH oxidation activity; however, the low N selectivity made it less attractive in practical applications.

The effect of hot air treatment on volatile compounds in nectarine fruit and the regulation of glycosidically bound compounds by sugar.

In order to investigate the impact of hot air (HA) treatment on the sugars and volatiles in postharvest nectarine fruit, nectarines were treated with HA at 40 °C for 4 h and stored at 1 °C for 35 days. Changes of sugars, free and glycosidically bound volatiles, β-glucosidase (β-Glu) activity, and the gene expression of UGT (UDP-glucosyltransferase) in nectarine fruit were determined. The results showed that compared with CK, HA treatment delayed the firmness decline of 48.

Activation of TFEB protects against diabetic vascular calcification by improving autophagic flux and activating Nrf2 antioxidant system.

Autophagic flux blockade and excessive oxidative stress play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular calcification (VC). Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is an important regulator of many autophagy-lysosomal related components, which is mainly involved in promoting autophagy process in cells. Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant system is considered as one of the key pathways in response to intracellular oxidative stress.

Intramolecular Cyclization and Energetic Group Modifications for Thermally Stable and Low-Sensitivity Monocyclic Dinitromethyl Zwitterionic Pyrazoles.

Zwitterionic energetic materials offer a unique combination of high performance and stability, yet their synthesis and stability enhancement remain key challenges. In this study, we report the synthesis of a highly stable (dinitromethyl-functionalized zwitterionic compound, 1-(amino(iminio)methyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)dinitromethanide (), with a thermal decomposition temperature of 215 °C, surpassing that of most previously reported energetic monocyclic zwitterions ( < 150 °C). This compound was synthesized via intramolecular cyclization of a trinitromethyl-functionalized hydrazone precursor.

Delayed Versus Atypical Speech Sound Development: A Markedness-Based Analysis of Speech Sound Disorder in Cantonese.

Purpose: Speech sound disorder (SSD) is one of the major speech disorders in school-age children. Given the heterogeneity in terms of subtypes within SSD, there is a need to develop techniques for a quick identification of these subtypes. Furthermore, given the paucity of studies from children with SSD from Cantonese-speaking homes and a noted prevalence of SSDs in Cantonese-speaking children, it becomes even more important to investigate the subtypes of SSDs in Cantonese-speaking children.

Hepatotoxicity of Three Common Liquid Crystal Monomers in : Differentiation of Actions Across Different Receptors and Pathways.

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) of different chemical structures were widely detected in various environmental matrices. However, their health risk evaluation is lacking. Herein, three representative LCMs were selected from 74 LCM candidates upon literature review and acute cytotoxicity evaluation, then were exposed to the three LCMs for 42 days at doses of 0.

Feasibility study for evaluating cervical intervertebral disc degeneration using axial diffusion tensor imaging.

Background: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the main cause of neck pain. Although conventional magnetic resonance imaging can detect morphological changes in intervertebral disc degeneration, it cannot provide accurate and objective evaluations. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reflects the microstructural changes in tissues by describing the diffusion of water molecules.

Associations of Exposure to 56 Serum Trace Elements with the Prevalence and Severity of Acute Myocardial Infarction: Omics, Mixture, and Mediation Analysis.

Several studies have reported associations between specific heavy metals and essential trace elements and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, there is limited understanding of the relationships between trace elements and AMI in real-life co-exposure scenarios, where multiple elements may interact simultaneously. This cross-sectional study measured serum levels of 56 trace elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

New evidence finds young people in Mainland China are now bicultural.

This study reports new evidence that young people in Mainland China are now bicultural. We followed the established method of testing biculturalism by priming participants with images from two different cultures and measuring whether those images activate different thought styles. First, we replicated findings from 25 years ago that college students in Hong Kong are bicultural (Study 1).

CO-templated [LnNi] heterometallic compounds for enhanced magnetocaloric effects at low fields.

In the history of magnetochemistry development, lanthanide-transition (3d-4f) heterometallic compounds have been considered an attractive candidate for magnetic refrigerants. Herein, a series of heterometallic compounds have been designed and templated by CO anions, that is, {[LnNi(L)(CO)(HO)]·HO} [Ln = Gd (. Gd2Ni) = Sm (.

Selective Degradation of TEADs by a PROTAC Molecule Exhibited Robust Anticancer Efficacy In Vitro and In Vivo.

Genetic mutations in components of the Hippo pathway frequently lead to the aberrant activation of TEADs, which is often associated with cancer. Consequently, TEADs have been actively pursued as therapeutic targets for diseases driven by TEAD overactivation. In this study, we report two series of TEAD PROTACs based on CRBN binders and VHL binders.

Bioinspired Photo-Thermal Catalytic System using Covalent Organic Framework-based Aerogel for Synchronous Seawater Desalination and H2O2 Production.

Efficient utilization of solar energy is widely regarded as a crucial solution to addressing the energy crisis and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Coupling photothermal and photochemical conversion can effectively improve solar energy utilization yet remains challenging. Here, inspired by the photosynthesis system in green plants, we report herein an artificial solar energy converter (ASEC) composed of light-harvesting units as solar collector and oriented ionic hydrophilic channels as reactors and transporters.

Solvothermally optimizing AgTe/AgS composites with high thermoelectric performance and plasticity.

Silver-based fast ionic conductors show promising potential in thermoelectric applications. Among these, AgS offers unique high plasticity but low electrical conductivity, whereas AgTe exhibits high intrinsic electrical conductivity yet faces limitations due to high thermal conductivity and poor plasticity. Developing a composite thermoelectric material that combines the benefits of both is therefore essential.

Reconstructive Phase Transition Enables Abnormal Negative Thermal Quenching of Photoluminescence in a 1D Hybrid Perovskite.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) have attracted enormous attention owing to their intriguing structural tunability and diverse functional properties. Reconstructive phase transitions, involving the breaking and reconstruction of chemical bonds, have rarely been found in such materials; however, these features may induce many intriguing physical properties in optics, ferroelectrics, ferromagnetics, and so forth. Here, we utilized the weak and switchable coordination bonds of HETMA-MnCl (HETMA = (2-hydroxyethyl) trimethylammonium) to construct a 1D hybrid perovskite employing a neutral framework.

Chemerin loss-of-function attenuates glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion in exercised obese mice.

Aims: To investigate the role of chemerin reduction in mediating exercise-induced Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion and the amelioration of pancreatic β-cell function in obesity.

Materials And Methods: Obesity models were established using wild-type and chemerin systemic knockout mice, followed by 8 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise training. Serum chemerin levels, GLP-1 synthesis, glucose tolerance, pancreatic β-cell function, structure, and apoptosis were assessed.

Olfactory Network Disruptions as Mediators of Cognitive Impairment in De Novo Parkinson's Disease.

Objectives: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by olfactory dysfunction (OD) and cognitive deficits at its early stages, yet the link between OD and cognitive deficits is also not well-understood. This study aims to examine the changes in the olfactory network associated with OD and their relationship with cognitive function in de novo PD patients.

Methods: A total of 116 drug-naïve PD patients and 51 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for this study.

Overcoming the cognition-reality gap in robot-to-human handovers with anisotropic variable force guidance.

Object handover is a fundamental task for collaborative robots, particularly service robots. In in-home assistance scenarios, individuals often face constraints due to their posture and declining physical functions, necessitating high demands on robots for flexible real-time control and intuitive interactions. During robot-to-human handovers, individuals are limited to making perceptual judgements based on the appearance of the object and the consistent behaviour of the robot.

: Empowering artificial intelligence for respiratory diseases diagnosis based on electronic health records, a multicenter study.

Respiratory diseases pose a significant global health burden, with challenges in early and accurate diagnosis due to overlapping clinical symptoms, which often leads to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. To address this issue, we developed , an artificial intelligence (AI)-based diagnostic system that utilizes natural language processing (NLP) to extract key clinical features from electronic health records (EHRs) for the accurate classification of respiratory diseases. This study employed a large cohort of 31,267 EHRs from multiple centers for model training and internal testing.

The role of SFRP1 in human dermal papilla cell growth and its potential molecular mechanisms as a target in regenerative therapy.

Background: Secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) inhibits Wnt signaling and is differentially expressed in human hair dermal papilla cells (DPCs). However, the specific effect of SFRP1 on cell function remains unclear. Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) representing telomerase activity was found highly active around the hair dermal papilla.