Aspartate all-in-one doping strategy enables efficient all-perovskite tandems.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells hold great promise in surpassing the Shockley-Queisser limit for single-junction solar cells1-3. However, the practical use of these cells is currently hampered by the subpar performance and stability issues associated with mixed tin-lead (Sn-Pb) narrow-bandgap perovskite subcells in all-perovskite tandems4-7. In this study, we focus on the narrow-bandgap subcells and develop an all-in-one doping strategy for them. We introduce aspartate hydrochloride (AspCl) into both the bottom poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) and bulk perovskite layers, followed by another AspCl posttreatment. We show that a single AspCl additive can effectively passivate defects, reduce Sn4+ impurities and shift the Fermi energy level. Additionally, the strong molecular bonding of AspCl-Sn/Pb iodide and AspCl-AspCl can strengthen the structure and thereby improve the stability of Sn-Pb perovskites. Ultimately, the implementation of AspCl doping in Sn-Pb perovskite solar cells yielded power conversion efficiencies of 22.46% for single-junction cells and 27.84% (27.62% stabilized and 27.34% certified) for tandems with 95% retention after being stored in an N2-filled glovebox for 2,000 h. These results suggest that all-in-one AspCl doping is a favourable strategy for enhancing the efficiency and stability of single-junction Sn-Pb perovskite solar cells and their tandems.

Glass Disorder Modulated Luminescence in Zero-Dimensional Antimony-Chloride Coplanar Dimers for Optical Anti-counterfeiting.

Zero-dimensional metal halides have received wide attention due to their structural diversity, strong quantum confinement, and associated excellent photoluminescence properties. A reversible and tunable luminescence would be desirable for applications such as anti-counterfeiting, information encryption, and artificial intelligence. Yet, these materials are underexplored, with little known about their luminescence tuning mechanisms. Here we report a pyramidal coplanar dimer, (TBA)Sb2Cl7 (TBA = tetrabutylammonium), showing broadband emission wavelength tuning (585-650 nm) by simple thermal treatment. We attribute the broad color change to structural disorder induced by varying the heat treatment temperatures. Increasing the heating temperature transitions the material from long-range ordered crystalline phase to highly disordered glassy phase. The latter exhibits stronger electron-phonon coupling, enhancing the self-trapped exciton emission efficiency. The work provides a new material platform for manifold optical anti-counterfeiting applications and sheds light on the emission color tuning mechanisms for further design of stimuli-responsive materials.

ZNF692 drives malignant development of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by promoting ALDOA-dependent glycolysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the malignancies with the worst prognosis worldwide, in the occurrence and development of which glycolysis plays a central role. This study uncovered a mechanism by which ZNF692 regulates ALDOA-dependent glycolysis in HCC cells. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA in HCC cell lines and a normal liver cell line. The influences of transfection-induced alterations in the expression of ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA on the functions of HepG2 cells were detected by performing MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell, cell scratch, and colony formation assays, and the levels of glucose and lactate were determined using assay kits. ChIP and luciferase reporter assays were conducted to validate the binding of ZNF692 to the KAT5 promoter, and co-IP assays to detect the interaction between KAT5 and ALDOA and the acetylation of ALDOA. ZNF692, KAT5, and ALDOA were highly expressed in human HCC samples and cell lines, and their expression levels were positively correlated in HCC. ZNF692, ALDOA, or KAT5 knockdown inhibited glycolysis, proliferation, invasion, and migration and promoted apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ZNF692 bound to the KAT5 promoter and promoted its activity. ALDOA acetylation levels were elevated in HCC cell lines. KAT5 bound to ALDOA and catalyzed ALDOA acetylation. ALDOA or KAT5 overexpression in the same time of ZNF692 knockdown, compared to ZNF692 knockdown only, stimulated glycolysis, proliferation, invasion, and migration and reduced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ZNF692 promotes the acetylation modification and protein expression of ALDOA by catalyzing KAT5 transcription, thereby accelerating glycolysis to drive HCC cell development.

Early smoking lead to worse prognosis of COPD patients: a real world study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking remains a major risk factor for the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Due to the adolescent smoking associated with worse health state, the age, at which an individual started smoking, might play a key role in shaping the trajectory of COPD development and the severity. METHODS: We conducted an observational study from September 2016 through January 2023 of eligible patients hospitalized with COPD. Patients who started smoking during the alveolar development stage (ADS, smoking initiation ≤ 24 years old) were defined as early smoking patients, and patients who started smoking after ADS (smoking initiation > 24 years old) were defined as late smoking patients. We collected demographic and clinical data characterizing the patients and documented their condition from hospital discharge to follow-up. The primary endpoints were short-term (within one year), 3-year, and long-term (beyond 3 years) all-cause mortality after discharge. RESULTS: Among 697 COPD patients, early smoking patients had a lower smoking cessation rate (P < 0.001) and a higher smoking index (P < 0.001) than late smoking patients. Although adjusted smoking index, early smoking patients still had poorer lung function (P = 0.023), thicker left ventricular diameters (P = 0.003), higher frequency of triple therapy use during stable stage (P = 0.049), and more acute exacerbations in the past year before enrollment (P < 0.05). Survival analysis showed that they had a higher risk of death after discharge within three years (P = 0.004) and beyond three years (P < 0.001). Furthermore, even in early smoking COPD patients who quit smoking after adjusting the smoking index had poorer lung function (P < 0.05) and thicker left ventricular diameters (P = 0.003), and survival analysis also showed that they had a higher long-term mortality rate (P = 0.010) and shorter survival time (P = 0.0128). CONCLUSION: Early smoking COPD patients exhibited multiple adverse clinical outcomes, including heavy cigarette addiction, compromised pulmonary function, augmented left ventricular diameter, and elevated mortality risk. Additional, smoking cessation could not bring enough improvement of health state in early smoking COPD patients as late smoking COPD patients. Consequently, early intervention and specialized cessation approaches for younger smokers are of paramount importance in this context.

Errors and Adherence to Inhaled Medications in Chinese Adults with COPD.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to inhaled medications is key to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) control and management. OBJECTIVE: To assess errors and adherence to inhalation therapy in COPD patients, and identify potential factors associated with poor adherence. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2022, to November 30, 2022, in 24 hospital outpatient departments in different cities of Hunan Province, China. Adherence to inhaled medications was measured using the 10-item Test of Adherence Inventory, and the results were expressed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: A total of 2218 clinically confirmed adult COPD patients completed the questionnaires, and 1423 patients with more than a 3-month history of inhalation therapy were analyzed. This study found that 61.3% of patients made one or more use errors. Not holding the breath after inhalation or holding the breath for less than 3 s had the highest reporting rate (30.7%). A considerable proportion of patients (66.6%) demonstrated suboptimal adherence to inhaled medications. Patients who resided in rural areas (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.12-1.88), used dual therapy (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.05-2.05), and exhibited common use errors (OR 3.02, 95% CI 2.39-3.82) were more likely to present suboptimal adherence. Patients with CAT (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test) score < 10 (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.94), a junior high school education and above (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.94), and duration of inhaled medication use > 3 years (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.47-0.83) were associated with better adherence. CONCLUSION: Suboptimal adherence to inhaled medications and many inhalation therapy errors were identified among COPD patients. Common use errors in inhaled medications, CAT score, and education background were predictive of and influenced adherence to inhaled medications. It is necessary to strengthen training in Chinese patients about inhaler use and follow-up intensively with patients throughout treatment, especially for patients with risk factors.

Amyloid and Tau as cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in anti-N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroinfection is associated with the deposition of amyloid-beta (Aß) peptides, and subsequent decrease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid levels. However, whether autoimmune encephalitis involves extracellular deposition of Aß peptides in the brain is unreported. METHODS: We examined CSF amyloid and tau values in adults with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDAR-E). Forty-two patients with NMDAR-E, 35 patients with viral and bacterial neuroinfections, and 16 controls were included. We measured CSF Aß1-42 (cAß1-42), Aß1-40 (cAß1-40), t-Tau (ct-Tau), and p-Tau181 (cp-Tau181) levels and assessed their efficacies regarding differential diagnosis and predicting prognosis. RESULTS: NMDAR-E patients had lower cAß1-42 levels; however, they were higher than those of patients with bacterial meningitis. ct-Tau levels in NMDAR-E patients were lower than those in patients with neuroinfections. No changes were observed in controls. cAß1-42 and ct-Tau were combined as an excellent marker to distinguish NMDAR-E from neuroinfections. cAß1-42 levels in NMDAR-E patients were positively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores. We observed an inverse relationship between cAß1-42 levels and modified Rankin Scale scores. Patients with poor outcomes exhibited low cAß1-42 levels and high levels of several blood parameters. cAß1-42 was the highest quality biomarker for assessing NMDAR-E prognosis. Correlations were found between cAß1-42 and some inflammatory indicators. CONCLUSION: cAß1-42 was decreased in NMDAR-E patients. cAß1-42 levels indicated NMDAR-E severity and acted as a biomarker for its prognosis. Combining cAß1-42 and ct-Tau levels could serve as a novel differential diagnostic marker for NMDAR-E.

Probing the Atomistic Reaction Pathways in CuO/C Catalysts.

CuOx/C catalysts have been used in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx because of the exceptional low-temperature denitration (de-NOx) activity. A fundamental understanding of the reaction between CuO and C is critical for controlling the component of CuOx/C and thus optimizing the catalytic performance. In this study, a transmission electron microscope equipped with an in situ heating device was utilized to investigate the atomic-scale reaction between CuO and C. We report two reaction mechanisms relying on the volume ratio between C and CuO: (1) The reduction from CuO to Cu2O (when the ratio is < ∼31%); (2) the reduction of CuO into polycrystalline Cu (when the ratio is > ∼34%). The atomistic reduction pathway can be well interpreted by considering the diffusion of O vacancy through the first-principle calculations. The atomic-scale exploration of CuO/C offers ample prospects for the design of industrial de-NOx catalysts in the future.

[Research progress on the relationship between neural synchronization activity and memory consolidation during non-rapid eye movement sleep].

Neural synchronization activity is considered a key aspect of information processing in the nervous system. Local synchronization within different frequency ranges and inter-regional synchronization are ubiquitous and related to various behavioral and cognitive functions. As memory is a higher cognitive function of the brain, the formation and consolidation of memory are closely related to neural synchronization activity. This article provides an overview of the research progress on the relationship between neural synchronization activity and memory consolidation, focusing primarily on the neuro-oscillatory activities across multiple brain regions during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in vivo, as well as the synchronous burst activity in cultured neural networks in vitro. Finally, we analyzed the existing issues in current research and provided a perspective on future relevant studies.

Pseudo-Elasticity and Variable Electro-Conductivity Mediated by Size-Dependent Deformation Twinning in Molybdenum Nanocrystals.

Deformation twinning merits attention because of its intrinsic importance as a mode of energy dissipation in solids. Herein, through the atomistic electron microscopy observations, the size-dependent twinning mechanisms in refractory body-centered cubic molybdenum nanocrystals (NCs) under tensile loading are shown. Two distinct twinning mechanisms involving the nucleation of coherent and inclined twin boundaries (TBs) are uncovered in NCs with smaller (diameter < ≈5 nm) and larger (diameter > ≈5 nm) diameters, respectively. Interestingly, the ultrahigh pseudo-elastic strain of ≈41% in sub-5 nm-sized crystals is achieved through the reversible twinning mechanism. A typical TB cross-transition mechanism is found to accommodate the NC re-orientation during the pseudo-elastic deformation. More importantly, the effects of different types of TBs on the electrical conductivity based on the repeatable experimental measurements and first-principles calculations are quantified. These size-dependent mechanical and electrical properties may prove essential in advancing the design of next-generation flexible nanoelectronics.

A Tri-Enzyme Cascade for Efficient Production of L-2-Aminobutyrate from L-Threonine.

L-2-aminobutyrate (L-ABA) is an important chiral drug intermediate with a key role in modern medicinal chemistry. Here, we describe the development of an efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of L-ABA in a tri-enzymatic cascade in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using a cost-effective L-Thr. Low activity of leucine dehydrogenase from Bacillus thuringiensis (BtLDH) and unbalanced expression of enzymes in the cascade were major challenges. Mechanism-based protein engineering generated the optimal triple variant BtLDHM3 (A262S/V296C/P150M) with 20.7-fold increased specific activity and 9.6-fold increased kcat /Km compared with the wild type. Optimizing plasmids with different copy numbers regulated enzymatic expression, thereby increasing the activity ratio (0.3 : 1:0.6) of these enzymes in vivo close to the optimal ratio (0.4 : 1 : 1) in vitro. Importing the optimal triple mutant BtLDHM3 into our constructed pathway in vivo and optimization of transformation conditions achieved one-pot conversion of L-Thr to 130.2 g/L L-ABA, with 95 % conversion, 99 % e.e. and 10.9 g L-1 h-1 productivity (the highest to date) in 12 h on a 500 mL scale. These results describe a potential biosynthesis approach for the industrial production of L-ABA.

Icariin restrains NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated Th2 immune responses and ameliorates atopic dermatitis through modulating a novel lncRNA MALAT1/miR-124-3p axis.

CONTEXT: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized with hyperactivation of type 2 T helper (Th2) immune responses. Icariin is a flavonoid glucoside with anti-inflammatory activities, which has been used to treat multiple diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates the underlying mechanisms by which icariin regulates Th2 responses and AD development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were induced by DNFB to establish AD models, and injected with or without 10 mg/kg icariin for 2 weeks (i.p., daily). CD4+T cells were induced by Th2 condition to simulate AD in vitro, and also treated with or without 100 µM icariin. RESULTS: Icariin ameliorated AD-like skin lesion, manifested as a significant decrease in dermatitis scores (from 8.00 ± 1.00 to 3.67 ± 0.58), serum IgE levels (from 3119.15 ± 241.81 to 948.55 ± 182.51 ng/mL), epidermal thickness (from 93.86 ± 4.61 to 42.67 ± 2.48 µm) and infiltration of mast cells (from 60.67 ± 3.21 cells to 36.00 ± 2.65 cells). Also, icariin inactivated NLRP3 inflammasome, inhibited Th2 skewing, reduced lncRNA MALAT1 expression, but elevated miR-124-3p expression in vivo and in vitro. MALAT1 increased NLRP3 expression through targeting miR-124-3p. Knockdown of MALAT1 repressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and mitigated Th1/Th2 imbalance in Th2-conditioned CD4+T cells, whereas both MALAT1 overexpression and miR-124-3p inhibition ablated the inhibitory effects of icariin on Th2 immune responses. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The findings further improve our understanding of the mechanism by which icariin affects AD progression, and highlights the potential of icariin in the treatment of AD.

Reliability and validity test and application of the Chinese version of the Feeling of Satisfaction with Inhaler. / ä¸­æ–‡ç‰ˆå¸å ¥è¯ç‰©æ»¡æ„åº¦é‡è¡¨çš„ä¿¡æ•ˆåº¦æ£€éªŒåŠåº”ç”¨.

OBJECTIVES: Inhaler satisfaction is an important factor affecting inhaler adherence and the efficacy of inhalers in chronic airway diseases. Using a scientific and effective method to assess patients' satisfaction with inhalers is of great significance for improving clinical outcomes. The Feeling of Satisfaction with Inhaler-10 (FSI-10) is specifically designed to assess patients' inhaler satisfaction in chronic airway diseases, but the application research on this scale is not available in China. This study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of FSI-10, describe the current status of inhaler satisfaction and discuss the associated variables in Chinese patients with chronic airway disease. METHODS: Based on the English version of FSI-10, items of the Chinese version of FSI-10 were determined after forward⁃backward translation and cultural adaption. Totally, 322 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma were enrolled from the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June to October 2022. We collected associated clinical variables and inhaler satisfaction using the Chinese version of FSI-10. The content validity of the scale was expressed by content validity index (CVI) and the construct validity was analyzed by exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The reliability of the scale was expressed by Cronbach's α coefficient, the split-half reliability and test-retest reliability. A multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine variables related to inhaler satisfaction. RESULTS: The reliability and validity analysis showed that the CVI was 0.983. One factor was extracted from the Chinese version of FSI-10 and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 73.114%. The Cronbach's α of the scale was 0.913, the Guttman's half-reliability coefficient was 0.905, and the test-retest reliability was 0.727 (P<0.001). In addition, the total score of the scale for patients was 38.92±4.26 points and the proportion of high satisfaction (the score of FSI-10≥40) in patients with COPD was significantly lower than that in asthma patients (71.3% vs 87.9%, P<0.01). Older age (age≥70 years) was a risk factor of lower inhaler satisfaction and asthma diagnosis was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of FSI-10 has good reliability and validity in patients with COPD and asthma, which may be further promoted and applied in patients with chronic airway disease in China. Doctors should regularly evaluate the inhaler satisfaction of patients with chronic airway diseases, especially for those elder or with severe symptoms and a long course of illness.

Surface- and Strain-Mediated Reversible Phase Transformation in Quantum-Confined ZnO Nanowires.

The phase stability of ZnO in a quantum-confinement size regime (sub-2-nm) remains fiercely debated. Applying in situ (scanning) transmission electron microscopy, we present the atomistic view of the phase transitions from the original wurtzite structure to an intermediate body-centered tetragonal and h-MgO structure under tensile strain in quantum-confined ZnO nanowires. Strikingly, such structural transitions are reversible after releasing the stress. Further theoretical calculations mirror the transition pathway and provide basic insight into the overall landscape regarding surface- and strain-dependent phase transition behavior. Our results provide the critical piece to solve the puzzle in phase stability of ZnO, which may prove essential for advancing a variety of nanotechnologies, e.g., quantum-dot light-emitting devices.

[Molecular Mechanism and family research of a pedigree with B(A).06 subtype].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the serological and genotypic characteristics of a pedigree with B(A).06 subtype. METHODS: Serological methods was used to identify the ABO phenotypes. Exons 6 and 7 of the ABO gene and flanking regions were subjected to direct sequencing and TA clonal sequencing in order to determine the genotype of individuals with inconsistent results for forward and reverse serological typing. RESULTS: Among 12 individuals from 4 generations, 5 were identified with a AwB phenotype, along with a c.803C>G mutation in exon 7 of the B allele, which was named as B(A).06. The B(A).06/O.01.01 phenotype may be easily missed due to its weak anti-A antibody in the serum upon initial serological test. CONCLUSION: A B(A).06 subtype family was identified. The serological phenotype of individuals carrying the B(A).06 allele may be affected by the opposite DNA strand.

Lead-Free Direct Band Gap Double-Perovskite Nanocrystals with Bright Dual-Color Emission.

Lead-free double-perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), that is, Cs2AgIn xBi1- xCl6 ( x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 0.9), that can be tuned from indirect band gap ( x = 0, 0.25, and 0.5) to direct band gap ( x = 0.75 and 0.9) are designed. Direct band gap NCs exhibit 3 times greater absorption cross section, lower sub-band gap trap states, and >5 times photoluminescence quantum efficiency (PLQE) compared to those observed for indirect band gap NCs (Cs2AgBiCl6). A PLQE of 36.6% for direct band gap NCs is comparable to those observed for lead perovskite NCs in the violet region. Besides the band edge violet emission, the direct band gap NCs exhibit bright orange (570 nm) emission. Density functional theory calculations suggesting forbidden transition is responsible for the orange emission, which is supported by time-resolved PL and PL excitation spectra. The successful design of lead-free direct band gap perovskite NCs with superior optical properties opens the door for high-performance lead-free perovskite optoelectronic devices.

Differential Proteomic Analysis of Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-Induced Liver Fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a common pathological feature of many chronic liver diseases. To characterize the entire panorama of proteome changes in dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis, isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based differential proteomic analysis is performed with DMN-induced liver fibrosis rats. A total of 4155 confidently identified proteins are found, with 365 proteins showing significant changes (fold changes of >1.5 or < 0.67, p < 0.05). In metabolic activation, proteins assigned to drug metabolism enzymes (e.g., CYP2D1) change, suggesting that the liver protection mechanism is activated to relieve DMN toxicity. In addition, the altered proteins of immune response and oxidative stress may activate hepatic stellate cells. Glucose metabolism disorder in DMN model rats is demonstrated by a decrease in key enzymes (e.g., ACSL1) in fatty acid metabolism, a tricabolic acid cycle-related enzyme (SDH), glycogenolysis enzyme, and gluconeogenesis enzymes (PC, PCKGC) and by an increase in glycolysis enzymes (e.g., HXK1). Meanwhile, alterations in iron and calcium ion homeostasis proteins are observed. Our results also show that mitochondrial dysfunction may be involved in DMN hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, these altered liver proteins in the DMN model and control rats provide data for understanding the functional mechanism of liver fibrosis.

Intrinsic Instability of Cs2In(I)M(III)X6 (M = Bi, Sb; X = Halogen) Double Perovskites: A Combined Density Functional Theory and Experimental Study.

Recently, there has been substantial interest in developing double-B-cation halide perovskites, which hold the potential to overcome the toxicity and instability issues inherent within emerging lead halide-based solar absorber materials. Among all double perovskites investigated, In(I)-based Cs2InBiCl6 and Cs2InSbCl6 have been proposed as promising thin-film photovoltaic absorber candidates, with computational examination predicting suitable materials properties, including direct bandgap and small effective masses for both electrons and holes. In this study, we report the intrinsic instability of Cs2In(I)M(III)X6 (M = Bi, Sb; X = halogen) double perovskites by a combination of density functional theory and experimental study. Our results suggest that the In(I)-based double perovskites are unstable against oxidation into In(III)-based compounds. Further, the results show the need to consider reduction-oxidation (redox) chemistry when predicting stability of new prospective electronic materials, especially when less common oxidation states are involved.

Effect of the grafting ratio of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) on thermally responsive polymer brush surfaces.

Four kinds of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted silicas with different grafting ratios and the same grafting density were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization. The chemical groups in the stationary phase was verified by FTIR spectroscopy, and the content of elements was measured by elemental analysis. The grafting ratio of thermoresponsive chromatographic materials was measured by thermogravimetric analysis and was 2.36-21.10% mg/m2 . The retention behaviors of the stationary phase with different grafting ratios were evaluated by separating five kinds of steroids and ten kinds of different hydrophobic properties compounds. With the increase in grafting ratio, the retention time of analytes was prolonged in high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that grafting ratio had a significant influence on the separation effect under the same grafting density. And the optimal grafting ratio of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) was 5.81-13.15%.

Herbal Formula, Baogan Yihao (BGYH), Prevented Dimethylnitrosamine(DMN)-Induced Liver Injury in Rats.

Preclinical Research Baogan Yihao (BGYH) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of chronic liver diseases. In this study, the effects of BGYH on dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis were investigated using a rat model. BGYH alleviate liver damage, as indicated by decreased levels of AST, ALT, γ-GT, and AKP. BGYH also prevented collagen deposition and reduced pathological tissue injury in liver tissue. In fibrosis, high levels of α-SMA and TGF-ß in liver tissue were markedly attenuated by BGYH. The inhibitory effect of BGYH on HSC-T6 proliferation demonstrated that BGYH exhibited significant hepatoprotective and antifibrogenic effects on DMN-induced liver injury. These findings suggest that BGYH may have therapeutic potential in the prevention and therapy of liver fibrosis. Drug Dev Res 78 : 155-163, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical Origin of the Stability Difference between Copper(I)- and Silver(I)-Based Halide Double Perovskites.

Recently, CuI - and AgI -based halide double perovskites have been proposed as promising candidates for overcoming the toxicity and instability issues inherent within the emerging Pb-based halide perovskite absorbers. However, up to date, only AgI -based halide double perovskites have been experimentally synthesized; there are no reports on successful synthesis of CuI -based analogues. Here we show that, owing to the much higher energy level for the Cu 3d10 orbitals than for the Ag 4d10 orbitals, CuI atoms energetically favor 4-fold coordination, forming [CuX4 ] tetrahedra (X=halogen), but not 6-fold coordination as required for [CuX6 ] octahedra. In contrast, AgI atoms can have both 6- and 4-fold coordinations. Our density functional theory calculations reveal that the synthesis of CuI halide double perovskites may instead lead to non-perovskites containing [CuX4 ] tetrahedra, as confirmed by our material synthesis efforts.