Metabolic Syndrome as a Risk Factor of Endometrial Cancer: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study of 2.8 Million Women in South Korea.

Background: A positive relationship was reported between metabolic syndrome and the risk of endometrial cancer. Studies on the relationship between metabolic syndrome and endometrial cancer have been mainly conducted in post-menopausal women. We aimed to investigate the risk of endometrial cancer according to metabolic syndrome and menopausal status using the Korean nationwide population-based cohort.

Highly Crystalline Perovskite-Based Photovoltaics via Two-Dimensional Liquid Cage Annealing Strategy.

Rendering a high crystalline perovskite film is integral to achieve superior performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, we established a two-dimensional liquid cage annealing system, a unique methodology for remarkable enhancement in perovskite crystallinity. During thermal annealing for crystallization, wet-perovskite films were suffocated by perfluorodecalin with distinctively low polarity, nontoxic, and chemically inert characteristics.

Hazard potential of perovskite solar cell technology for potential implementation of "safe-by-design" approach.

The perovskite solar cell (PSC) is a rapidly advancing solar technology with high efficiencies and low production costs. However, as the PSC contains methylammonium lead iodide (CHNHPbI, MAPbI) in the light-harvesting active layer, addressing the safety issue of PSCs is an important prerequisite for its commercialization. In this study, the potential hazards of the PSC were investigated with consideration of Pb species released from PSC using an ecotoxicity, cytotoxicity, chronic toxicity, and genotoxicity battery assay.

Superfast Room-Temperature Activation of SnO Thin Films via Atmospheric Plasma Oxidation and their Application in Planar Perovskite Photovoltaics.

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has now exceeded 20%; thus, research focus has shifted to establishing the foundations for commercialization. One of the pivotal themes is to curtail the overall fabrication time, to reduce unit cost, and mass-produce PSCs. Additionally, energy dissipation during the thermal annealing (TA) stage must be minimized by realizing a genuine low-temperature (LT) process.

RBPJ mediates uterine repair in the mouse and is reduced in women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (uRPL) is associated with repeated embryo loss and endometrial repair with elevated endometrial expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ. Notch signaling through its transcription factor recombination signal binding protein Jκ (RBPJ) regulates mechanisms including the immune response and repair after tissue injury. Initially, null mutation of RBPJ in the mouse uterus ( PgrRbpj; Rbpj c-KO) results in subfertility, but we have found that these mice become infertile after pregnancy as a result of dysfunctional postpartum uterine repair, including delayed endometrial epithelial and myometrial regeneration.

A New Energy-Saving Catalytic System: Carbon Dioxide Activation by a Metal/Carbon Catalyst.

The conversion of CO into useful chemicals is an attractive method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to produce sustainable chemicals. However, the thermodynamic stability of CO means that a lot of energy is required for its conversion into chemicals. Here, we suggest a new catalytic system with an alternative heating system that allows minimal energy consumption during CO conversion.

Paintable Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells with Engineered Perovskite/Carbon Interface Using Carbon Nanotubes Dripping Method.

Paintable carbon electrode-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are of particular interest due to their material and fabrication process costs, as well as their moisture stability. However, printing the carbon paste on the perovskite layer limits the quality of the interface between the perovskite layer and carbon electrode. Herein, an attempt to enhance the performance of the paintable carbon-based PSCs is made using a modified solvent dripping method that involves dripping of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which is dispersed in chlorobenzene solution.

Distinct activation of Cu-MOR for direct oxidation of methane to methanol.

NO activation of Cu-MOR enhanced methanol production at elevated temperatures, to a greater extent than activation by O under optimal conditions. The increase in methanol production by NO activation was attributed to the facile formation of an active copper center with no formation of inactive intermediate species.

Large Grain-Based Hole-Blocking Layer-Free Planar-Type Perovskite Solar Cell with Best Efficiency of 18.20.

There remains tremendous interest in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in the solar energy field; the certified power conversion efficiency (PCE) now exceeds 20%. Along with research focused on enhancing PCE, studies are also underway concerning PSC commercialization. It is crucial to simplify the fabrication process and reduce the production cost to facilitate commercialization.

Real-Time Optical Monitoring of Pt Catalyst Under the Potentiodynamic Conditions.

In situ monitoring of electrode materials reveals detailed physicochemical transition in electrochemical device. The key challenge is to explore the localized features of electrode surfaces, since the performance of an electrochemical device is determined by the summation of local architecture of the electrode material. Adaptive in situ techniques have been developed for numerous investigations; however, they require restricted measurement environments and provide limited information, which has impeded their widespread application.

Hierarchical MoS2 tubular structures internally wired by carbon nanotubes as a highly stable anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a typical two-dimensional material, is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries because it has three times the theoretical capacity of graphite. The main challenges associated with MoS2 anodes are the structural degradation and the low rate capability caused by the low intrinsic electric conductivity and large strain upon cycling. Here, we design hierarchical MoS2 tubular structures internally wired by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to tackle these problems.

Fabrication of silica nanotubes with an anisotropic functionality as a smart catalyst supporter.

An anisotropic nanomaterial with different internal and external functionalities can serve as a versatile nanocarrier for smart nanocatalysts. Anisotropically functionalized silica nanotubes were prepared using a vapor phase synthesis (VPS) method with anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as the hard template. The anisotropically functionalized silica nanotubes were used for the olefination of aryl iodide by embedded palladium nanoparticles and the highest olefination efficiency was 99%.

Insights into the Li Diffusion Dynamics and Nanostructuring of H2Ti12O25 To Enhance Its Li Storage Performance.

Dodecatitanate H2Ti12O25 crystal has a condensed layered structure and exhibits noteworthy Li storage performance that makes it an anode material with great potential for use in Li-ion batteries. However, an unknown Li diffusion mechanism and a sluggish level of Li dynamics through elongated diffusion paths inside this crystal has impeded any forward development in resolving its limited rate capability and cyclic stability. In this study, we investigated the Li diffusion dynamics inside the H2Ti12O25 crystal that play an essential role in Li storage performance.

Amino-terminal arginylation targets endoplasmic reticulum chaperone BiP for autophagy through p62 binding.

We show that ATE1-encoded Arg-transfer RNA transferase (R-transferase) of the N-end rule pathway mediates N-terminal arginylation of multiple endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-residing chaperones, leading to their cytosolic relocalization and turnover. N-terminal arginylation of BiP (also known as GRP78), protein disulphide isomerase and calreticulin is co-induced with autophagy during innate immune responses to cytosolic foreign DNA or proteasomal inhibition, associated with increased ubiquitylation. Arginylated BiP (R-BiP) is induced by and associated with cytosolic misfolded proteins destined for p62 (also known as sequestosome 1, SQSTM1) bodies.

A folic acid conjugated silica-titania porous hollow nanosphere for improved topical photodynamic therapy.

The folic acid conjugated hollow nanosphere is used to encapsulate protoporphyrin IX and is utilized for photodynamic therapy. This system represents a 3.33 times higher photodynamic efficiency than previous protoporphyrin IX-based systems.

Design and implementation of fluidic micro-pulleys for flow control on centrifugal microfluidic platforms.

Microfluidic discs have been employed in a variety of applications for chemical analyses and biological diagnostics. These platforms offer a sophisticated fluidic toolbox, necessary to perform processes that involve sample preparation, purification, analysis, and detection. However, one of the weaknesses of such systems is the uni-directional movement of fluid from the disc center to its periphery due to the uni-directionality of the propelling centrifugal force.

Akt confers cisplatin chemoresistance in human gynecological carcinoma cells by modulating PPM1D stability.

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) and cervical cancer (CECA) are lethal gynecological malignancies. Cisplatin (CDDP) and platinum derivatives are first line chemotherapeutics and their resistance impedes successful treatment. Understanding the molecular dysregulation underlying chemoresistance is important in developing rational therapeutic strategies.

Multifunctional Ag-decorated porous TiO2 nanofibers in dye-sensitized solar cells: efficient light harvesting, light scattering, and electrolyte contact.

Designing the photoanode structure in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is vital to realizing enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, novel multifunctional silver-decorated porous titanium dioxide nanofibers (Ag/pTiO2 NFs) made by simple electrospinning, etching, and chemical reduction processes are introduced. The Ag/pTiO2 NFs with a high surface area of 163 m(2)  g(-1) provided sufficient dye adsorption for light harvesting.

Reconstituting ring-rafts in bud-mimicking topography of model membranes.

During vesicular trafficking and release of enveloped viruses, the budding and fission processes dynamically remodel the donor cell membrane in a protein- or a lipid-mediated manner. In all cases, in addition to the generation or relief of the curvature stress, the buds recruit specific lipids and proteins from the donor membrane through restricted diffusion for the development of a ring-type raft domain of closed topology. Here, by reconstituting the bud topography in a model membrane, we demonstrate the preferential localization of cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-enriched microdomains in the collar band of the bud-neck interfaced with the donor membrane.

A tailored catalyst for the sustainable conversion of glycerol to acrolein: mechanistic aspect of sequential dehydration.

Developing a catalyst to resolve deactivation caused from coke is a primary challenge in the dehydration of glycerol to acrolein. An open-macropore-structured and Brønsted-acidic catalyst (Marigold-like silica functionalized with sulfonic acid groups, MS-FS) was synthesized for the stable and selective production of acrolein from glycerol. A high acrolein yield of 73% was achieved and maintained for 50 h in the presence of the MS-FS catalyst.

Highly conductive, flexible and scalable graphene hybrid thin films with controlled domain size as transparent electrodes.

Highly conductive, transparent, flexible and scalable graphene hybrid thin films with controlled domain size were successfully fabricated via a mechanochemical method, screen printing and pressure-assisted reduction process.

High-performance Hg(2+) FET-type sensors based on reduced graphene oxide-polyfuran nanohybrids.

A new type of field-effect transistor (FET) sensor, based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-polyfuran (PF) nanohybrids, was strategically developed. The sensing transducer exhibited a rapid response (<1 s) and high sensitivity (10 pM) in a liquid-ion-gated FET-type Hg(2+) sensor. Excellent Hg(2+) discrimination in heavy metal mixtures was also monitored in real time.

Graphene size control via a mechanochemical method and electroresponsive properties.

Highly dispersible graphene oxide (GO) sheets of uniform submicrometer size were successfully fabricated from pristine graphite using a simple mechanochemical process. The GO flake morphology was transformed into a spherical form, and the density was decreased slightly via the ball-milling process. Ball-milled GO can be used as an electrorheological (ER) material because of its small particle size, low conductivity, and outstanding dispersibility in silicone oil.

Urchin-like polypyrrole nanoparticles for highly sensitive and selective chemiresistive sensor application.

Urchin-like polypyrrole (U_PPy) nanoparticles with various diameters were fabricated using a dual-nozzle electrospray and vapor deposition polymerization (VDP). Metal oxide nanoneedle-decorated PPy (FePPy) particles were fabricated as starting materials for deposition of a PPy layer on the metal oxide surface. The FePPy particles were prepared by heating and stirring an aqueous solution of the metal precursor and electrosprayed PPy (E_PPy) particles with nucleated sites on the surface.

SiO(2) /TiO(2) hollow nanoparticles decorated with Ag nanoparticles: enhanced visible light absorption and improved light scattering in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Hollow SiO2 /TiO2 nanoparticles decorated with Ag nanoparticles (NPs) of controlled size (Ag@HNPs) were fabricated in order to enhance visible-light absorption and improve light scattering in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). They exhibited localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and the LSPR effects were significantly influenced by the size of the Ag NPs. The absorption peak of the LSPR band dramatically increased with increasing Ag NP size.