Lithium niobate thin film electro-optic modulator.

The linear electro-optic effect offers a valuable means to control light properties via an external electric field. Lithium niobate (LN), with its high electro-optic coefficients and broad optical transparency ranges, stands out as a prominent material for efficient electro-optic modulators. The recent advent of lithium niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) wafers has sparked renewed interest in LN for compact photonic devices.

Clinical Maternal and Neonatal Features in COVID-19 Infected Pregnancies in Tianjin, China.

Purpose: Outbreak of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic, leading to over 6 million deaths worldwide. Pregnant women suffer from a higher risk facing the pandemic COVID-19, while their related clinical information is limited.

Methods: The clinical information of SARS-CoV-2 positive (n = 30) and negative pregnant women (n = 134) in Tianjin First Central Hospital (from November 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023) were collected.

Bidirectional embodied association between debt and physical burden.

There is a Chinese proverb saying that "when the debts are paid, the body feels light." From the perspective of embodied cognition, there may be a connection between indebtedness and the sensation of physical burden. However, the relationship between the two aspects has not been fully examined.

Principle Design of C-C Coupling Pathway Towards Highly Selective C2 Products Using Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction:A Review.

Photocatalytic conversion of environmental CO2 into valuable fuels is expected to alleviate fossil fuel and pollution problems. However, intricate product-reaction pathways complicate the regulation of product selectivity. Most studies in this field have focused on increasing productivity rather than on controlling product formation.

Step forward: implementation and evaluation of STEPS program to optimize postpartum hemorrhage management in vaginal deliveries.

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide, particularly in resource-limited settings. Enhancing maternal safety in relation to PPH requires optimizing care protocols, continuous monitoring, and timely interventions. However, integrating these methodologies into vaginal delivery practices remains underexplored.

Enhanced waste-to-biomass conversion and reduced nitrogen emissions for black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) through modifying protein to energy ratio.

The appropriate protein to energy ratio (P/E ratio) has played a crucial role in maximizing waste-to-biomass conversion and minimizing nitrogen emissions. Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens, BSFL), capable of converting organic wastes into nutrient-rich biomass, it has the potential to become an innovative solution to reduce environmental impacts and optimize waste resource utilization. However, the appropriate P/E ratio for BSFL in the waste treatment process has remained unknown so far.

Novel organophosphate esters and their transformation products in offshore sediment from Eastern China: Occurrence, temporal trend, and risk assessment.

Offshore sediment serves as an important sink for traditional organophosphate esters (TOPEs) originating from terrestrial sources. However, the contamination characteristics of novel OPEs (NOPEs) and their hydrolyzed and hydroxylated transformation products (Di- and OH-OPEs) in marine sediment are still unknown. In this study, 34 OPE-associated contaminants were measured in six offshore sediment cores (71 samples) collected from Eastern China.

Machine learning-based prediction and model interpretability analysis for algal growth affected by microplastics.

Microplastics (MPs), the plastic debris smaller than 5 mm, are ubiquitous in waterbodies and have been shown to be toxic to aquatic organisms, especially to microalgae. The aim of this study is to use machine learning models to predict the effects of MPs on algal growth and to evaluate the relative importance of different features (MP properties, algal characteristics, and experimental conditions) through model interpretability analysis. Based on literature search, 408 samples were collected as inputs for the models.

Elevated urinary levels of primary aromatic amines in residents from e-waste dismantling area: Associations with oxidative stress and kidney injury.

Currently, the adverse effects of carcinogenic primary aromatic amines (PAAs) released from electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling activities on human health remain unclear. Therefore, this study examined the urinary concentrations of 28 PAAs in residents living in both e-waste dismantling and control areas, and the median concentrations (unit: μg/g Cre) of aniline (ANI) (1.06 vs.

Single-cell data-driven design of armed oncolytic virus and combination therapy to activate a cooperative innate-adaptive immunity against cancer.

Oncolytic viruses have been considered promising cancer immunotherapies. However, oncovirotherapy agents impart durable responses in only a subset of cancer patients. Thus, exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous responses in patients can provide guidance to develop more effective oncolytic virus therapies.

Wearable equipment-based telemedical management via multiparameter monitoring on cardiovascular outcomes in elderly patients with chronic coronary heart disease: an open-labelled, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: The prevalence of chronic coronary heart diseases (CHDs) increases with age in the elderly, which represents one of the top-ranked causes of death and disease burden.

Methods: This study aimed to investigate the management efficiency of telemedicine based on the remote multiparameter monitoring in elderly patients with CHD. A total of 1248 elderly patients diagnosed with CHD were enrolled.

Activated carbon and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate as electron shuttles for enhancing carbon and nitrogen removal from simultaneous methanogenesis, Feammox and denitrification system.

Anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) and activated carbon (AC) were employed as exogenous electron shuttles (ESs) for enhancing the performance of an integrated simultaneous methanogenesis, Feammox, and denitrification (SMFD) system treating fish sludge. The addition of AQDS and AC led to an increased total nitrogen removal efficiency by 30.2 % and 66.

Comparison of indoor and outdoor atmospheric organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) from the petrochemical industrial area in North China: Occurrence, gas-PM distribution, source appointment and health implications.

The consumption of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) has surged significantly recent years since global banning of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Industrial activity is an important source of OPFRs, however there are few studies on OPFRs contamination in the indoor and outdoor atmosphere of industrial areas. A study was conducted to analyze contamination of 15 OPFRs individuals in both indoor and outdoor air and PM of living and industrial sites of the petrochemical industrial area (outdoor and indoor sites of living area was LO and LI, outdoor and indoor sites of industrial area was IO and II).

Long-lasting chemiluminescence-based portable biosensor for POCT of food contaminant azodicarbonamide.

Azodicarbonamide (ADA) in flour products is easily converted to semicarbazide which greatly threatens human health. Herein, a long-lasting chemiluminescence (CL)-based biosensor was developed for quantitative point-of-care testing (POCT) of ADA. The threonine (Thr)-functionalized Cu-hemin MOFs (Cu-hemin@Thr) could induce persistent CL of luminol with excellent stability.

Deciphering the inhibition mechanisms of microplastics on the full-stage sludge anaerobic digestion via enrichment to anaerobic microbes and toxicity of released compounds.

Increasingly accumulated microplastics (MPs) in sludge could affect the sludge treatment process, while the contributions and mechanisms of MP particles and the released organic matters (MP-DOM) are not fully understood. To fill this gap, this study systematically investigates the effects and mechanisms of MPs on sludge anaerobic digestion. In the presence of MPs, the hydrolysis and acidogenesis of organic matters and methanogenesis all decreased due to the inhibition on the activity of anaerobic microorganisms and key enzymes.

Insights into relationship of oxidative potential of particles in the atmosphere and entering the human respiratory system with particle size, composition and source: A case study in a coastal area in Northern China.

Oxidative potential (OP) of particulate matter (PM) is an important indicator of its health effects. However, the relationship between OP and its key influencing factors remains unclear. In this study, size-segregated PM samples were collected in Qingdao, China, with major components and OP of PM thoroughly examined.

Localized COUP-TFII pDNA Delivery Modulates Stem/Progenitor Cell Differentiation to Enhance Endothelialization and Inhibit Calcification of Decellularized Allografts.

Decellularized allografts have emerged as promising candidates for vascular bypass grafting, owing to their inherent bioactivity and minimal immunogenicity. However, graft failure that results from suboptimal regeneration and pathological remodeling has hindered their clinical adoption. Recent advances in vascular biology highlight the pivotal role of COUP-TFII in orchestrating endothelial identity, angiogenesis, safeguarding against atherosclerosis, and mitigating vascular calcification.

Harnessing the rhizosphere sponge to smooth pH fluctuations and stabilize contaminant retention in biofiltration system.

Fluctuating pH conditions can affect heavy metal mobility, thereby limiting the efficiency of biofiltration systems (BS). To address this, we developed an innovative rhizosphere sponge, biochar-based bioreactor (RBB), designed to stabilize Cd removal across a pH range of 5 to 9. RBB consistently outperformed the control, achieving a notable 91.

Inhibiting intracellular CD28 in cancer cells enhances antitumor immunity and overcomes anti-PD-1 resistance via targeting PD-L1.

Deciphering mechanisms for cancer immune escape may provide targets for improving immunotherapy efficacy. By in vivo genome-wide CRISPR loss-of-function screening in a mouse model of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), we uncovered a non-classical function of Cd28 in cancer cells to promote immune escape. Knocking out Cd28 in cancer cells increased infiltration of type I conventional DC (cDC1) and activated tumor-specific CD8 T cells, and pharmaceutical inducible knockdown of Cd28 inhibited pre-established tumor growth and overcame anti-PD-1 resistance in vivo.

Chiral Metal-Free Anti-Perovskite with Strong Chiroptical Nonlinearity.

The nonlinear chiroptical properties of chiral metal halide perovskite has attracted substantial attention in recent years. In order to overcome the inherent limitations of metal halide, such as high costs, potential toxicity, challenges with recycling, especially the limited laser-induced damage threshold (LDT), we have successfully constructed the first chiral metal-free anti-perovskite, with the aim of utilizing it in second harmonic generation-circular dichroism (SHG-CD). Moreover, the anti-perovskite composed entirely of small organic ions typically display a more extensive transparent window, which could contribute a high LDT.

DCP1A, a MEK substrate, regulates the self-renewal and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.

Mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitors are widely applied to maintain pluripotency, while prolonged MEK inhibition compromises the developmental potential of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). To understand the mechanism of MEK in pluripotency maintenance, we first demonstrated that MEK regulates gene expression at post-transcriptional steps. Consistently, many of the 66 MEK substrates identified by quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis are involved in RNA processing.

Deep learning-based prediction of tumor aggressiveness in RCC using multiparametric MRI: a pilot study.

Objective: To investigate the value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-invasive method to predict the aggressiveness of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by developing a convolutional neural network (CNN) model and fusing it with clinical characteristics.

Methods: Multiparametric abdominal MRI was performed on 47 pathologically confirmed RCC patients between 2019 and 2023. Preoperative MRI was performed on all patients to assess their clinical characteristics.

Gentiopicroside Alleviates Atherosclerosis by Suppressing Reactive Oxygen Species-Dependent NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Vascular Endothelial Cells via SIRT1/Nrf2 Pathway.

Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of gentiopicroside (GPS) against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in endothelial cells, aiming to reduce atherosclerosis.

Methods: Eight-week-old male ApoE-deficient mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10 per group): the vehicle group and the GPS treatment group. Both groups were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks.

Electroreductive Cross-Coupling Reactions: Carboxylation, Deuteration, and Alkylation.

ConspectusElectrochemistry has been used as a tool to drive chemical reactions for more than two centuries. With the help of an electrode and a power source, chemists are provided with a system whose potential can be precisely dialed in. The theoretically infinite redox range renders electrochemistry capable of oxidizing or reducing some of the most tenacious compounds.

Phillygenin regulates the colorectal cancer tumor microenvironment by inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha.

Unlabelled: The tumor microenvironment (TME) is important in the recurrence and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Phillygenin is an effective component of that has long been used in cancer therapy. The mechanism by which phillygenin regulates the TME remains unknown.