Modularly Precise Construction of B,N-Embedded Large-Sized Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Nanographene.

A modular "fjord-stitching" reverse strategy has been disclosed to successfully prepare two large-sized B,N-embedded nanographenes: BN-TBTi and BN-TBTo. These two compounds both exhibit excellent stability, nonzero-bandgap and decent photoluminescence quantum yield. Single crystal structure of BN-TBTo features a large C78B2N4 π-skeleton with length and width of approximately 2.4 and 1.5 nm, respectively.

Endogenous H2O2 Self-Replenishment and Sustainable Cascades Enhance the Efficacy of Sonodynamic Therapy.

Purpose: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), with its high tissue penetration and noninvasive advantages, represents an emerging approach to eradicating solid tumors. However, the outcomes of SDT are typically hampered by the low oxygen content and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Accordingly, we constructed a cascade nanoplatform to regulate the TME and improve the anti-tumor efficiency of SDT. Methods: In this study, we rationally design cascade nanoplatform by incorporating immunostimulant hyaluronic acid (HA) and sonosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) on the polydopamine nanocarrier that is pre-doped with platinum nanozymes (designated Ce6/Pt@PDA-HA, PPCH). Results: The cascade reactions of PPCH are evidenced by the results that HA exhibits reversing immunosuppressive that converts M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages in situ, while producing H2O2, and then platinum nanozymes further catalyze the H2O2 to produce O2, and O2 produces abundant singlet oxygen (1O2) under the action of Ce6 and low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), resulting in a domino effect and further amplifying the efficacy of SDT. Due to its pH responsiveness and mitochondrial targeting, PPCH effectively accumulates in tumor cells. Under LIFU irradiation, PPCH effectively reverses immunosuppression, alleviates hypoxia in the TME, enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and enhances SDT efficacy for eliminating tumor cells in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, an in vivo dual-modal imaging including fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging achieves precise tumor diagnosis. Conclusion: This cascade nanoplatform will provide a promising strategy for enhancing SDT eradication against tumors by modulating immunosuppression and relieving hypoxia.

Precise Regulation of Emission Maxima and Construction of Highly Efficient Electroluminescent Materials with High Color Purity.

Advanced multiple resonance induced thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters have emerged as a privileged motif for applications in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), because they furnish highly tunable TADF characteristics and high color purity emission. Herein, based on the unique nitrogen-atom embedding molecular engineering (NEME) strategy, a series of compounds BN-TP-Nx (x=1, 2, 3, 4) have been customized. The nitrogen-atom anchored at different position of triphenylene hexagonal lattice entails varying degrees of perturbation to the electronic structure. The newly-constructed emitters have demonstrated the precise regulation of emission maxima of MR-TADF emitters to meet the actual industrial demand, and further enormously enriched the MR-TADF molecular reservoir. The BN-TP-N3-based OLED exhibits ultrapure green emission, with peak of 524 nm, full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 33 nm, Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.23, 0.71), and maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 37.3 %.

Synthesis and Theoretical and Photophysical Study on a Series of Neutral Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Donor-Metal-Accepter Configuration.

In order to construct a new type of ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes with activated triplet metal-centered (3MC) states, as well as stabilized triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) states, conducive to fine emissive performances, Ru-1, Ru-2, Ru-3, and Ru-4 were synthesized. Compared with the [Ru(terpyridine)2]2+ prototype (0.25 ns), this series of ruthenium(II) terpyridine complexes exhibit lengthened excited state lifetime (43.3 ns for Ru-1, 52.7 ns for Ru-2, 43.6 ns for Ru-3, and 53.4 ns for Ru-4). Interfragment charge transfer analysis illustrates the electron transfer direction of the four complexes, manifesting their intramolecular charge transfer characteristic. When excited, their lowest-lying triplet states are assigned as 3MLCT based on spin-density surface distribution. The singlet excited states and 3MLCT states were thoroughly studied by UV-visual absorption and nanosecond time-resolved transient absorption spectra, respectively. Photoluminescence spectra revealed their weak broadband near-infrared emission at room temperature and red phosphorescence at 77 K. The low molecular weight and the good thermal stability make Ru-1 and Ru-2 suitable for vaporization coating, while the fine solubility in common organic solvents makes Ru-3 and Ru-4 suitable for solution processing. Furthermore, the intrinsic electroneutrality and favorable energy levels endow them with new potential to be applied in the optoelectronic field.

Precise Functionalization of a Multiple-Resonance Framework: Constructing Narrowband Organic Electroluminescent Materials with External Quantum Efficiency over 40.

It is of important strategic significance to develop high-efficiency narrowband organic electroluminescent materials that can be employed to fabricate ultrahigh-definition displays with wide color gamut. This topic implies a great challenge to molecular design and synthesis, especially for the development of universality, diversity, scalability, and robustness of molecular architectonics. In this work, a synthetic methodology is demonstrated for functionalizing brominated BN-containing multiple-resonance (MR) frameworks with multifarious functional groups, such as donors, acceptors, and moieties without obvious push-pull electron properties. The m-DPAcP-BNCz-based organic light-emitting diode (OLED) exhibits green emission with a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 28 nm and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 40.6%. The outstanding performance of m-DPAcP-BNCz is attributed to the perfect integration of the inherent advantages of the MR framework and the donor-acceptor configuration, which can not only achieve bathochromic shift and narrowband emission, but also obtain high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (ΦPL ) and horizontal emitting dipole orientation ratio (Θ// ). This straightforward and efficient approach provides insightful guidance for the construction and enrichment of more high-efficiency narrowband emitters.

Over than three-year follow-up results of thermal ablation for papillary thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This study is a meta-analysis based on evidence-based medicine to explore the long-term (≥3 years) efficacy of thermal ablation in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for studies published during the time between the establishment of the databases through June 2022. We included 13 non-randomized-controlled trials (non-RCTs) that reported the application of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation in PTC. We excluded studies that were repeated publications, research without full text, contained incomplete information, lacked data extraction, involved animal experiments, reviews, and systematic reviews. STATA 15.1 software was used to analyze the data. Results: Tumor volume after thermal ablation at 3-year follow-up was significantly lower than pre-ablation (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -1.06, 95% CI: -1.32~-0.80). The pooled results indicated that the maximum diameter after thermal ablation at 3-year follow-up was significantly lower than pre-ablation (SMD = -1.93, 95% CI: -12.13~-1.73). The pooled results indicated that volume reduction rate (VRR) after thermal ablation at 3-year follow-up was 98.91% (95% CI: 97.98-99.83%), and complete disappearance rate (CDR) after thermal ablation at 3-year follow-up was 83% (95% CI: 67-94%). In addition, the incidence of newly discovered mPTC and lymph node metastases after thermal ablation was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.0-1.0%) and 0.0% (95% CI: 0.0-0.0%), respectively. Conclusion: Overall, the long-term (≥3 years) efficacy of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation in the treatment of PTC was significant, with favorable disease progression. Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation can be considered an alternative approach for patients with PTC who refuse surgery or are unable to undergo surgery.

Efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of US-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) via a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases for studies published during the time between the establishment of the database through October 2021. We included a 10 non-randomized controlled trial (non-RCT) that reported the application of US-guided RFA in PTMC. The sample size of patients totaled 1279. We evaluated the ablation efficacy by analyzing the volume reduction rate (VRR), complete disappearance rate (CDR) and recurrence rate of PTMC treated by RFA. We analyzed all data using STATA version 15.1 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). RESULTS: Our pooled results proved RFA treatment significantly reduces the volume of tumors (Weighted Mean Difference [WMD] = -103.20, 95% CI: -111.93 - -94.48, p = 0.000). We also found the VRR at 12 months after RFA was 93.27% (95% CI: 84.68-101.86), and the CDR at 12 months after RFA was 64% (95% CI: 39-89%). Additionally, pooled results showed the incidence of mPTC residue in ablation area, newly discovered mPTC and lymph node metastases after RFA treatment were respectively 0.3% (95% CI: -0.1-0.7%), 2.5% (95% CI: 1.1-3.9%) and 1.0% (95% CI: 0.2-1.9%), and the incidence of complications after RFA treatment was 1.8% (95% CI: 0.7-3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: US-guided RFA is effective and safe for treating PTMC. It could be an excellent alternative to the existing treatment options.

Constructing Organic Electroluminescent Material with Very High Color Purity and Efficiency Based on Polycyclization of the Multiple Resonance Parent Core.

Multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) compounds have set off an upsurge of research because of their tremendous application prospects in the field of wide color gamut display. Herein, we propose a novel MR-TADF molecular construction paradigm based on polycyclization of the multiple resonance parent core, and construct a representative multiple resonance polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (MR-PAH) based on the para-alignment of boron and nitrogen atoms into a six-membered ring (p-BNR). Through the retrosynthesis analysis, a concise synthesis strategy with wide applicability has been proposed, encompassing programmed sequential boron esterification, Suzuki coupling and Scholl oxidative coupling. The target model molecule BN-TP shows green fluorescence with an emission peak at 523 nm and a narrow full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 34 nm. The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) employing BN-TP as an emitter exhibits ultrapure green emission with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.26, 0.70), and achieves a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 35.1 %.

Achieving 37.1% Green Electroluminescent Efficiency and 0.09 eV Full Width at Half Maximum Based on a Ternary Boron-Oxygen-Nitrogen Embedded Polycyclic Aromatic System.

Herein, a ternary boron-oxygen-nitrogen embedded polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with multiple resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF), namely DBNO, is developed by adopting the para boron-π-boron and para oxygen-π-oxygen strategy. The designed molecule presents a vivid green emission with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (96 %) and an extremely narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 19 nm/0.09 eV, which surpasses all previously reported green TADF emitters to date. In addition, the long molecular structure along the transition dipole moment direction endows it with a high horizontal emitting dipole ratio of 96 %. The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) based on DBNO reveals a narrowband green emission with a peak at 504 nm and a FWHM of 24 nm/0.12 eV. Particularly, a significantly improved device performance is achieved by the TADF-sensitization (hyperfluorescence) mechanism, presenting a FWHM of 27 nm and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 37.1 %.

CT Signs and Differential Diagnosis of Peripheral Lung Cancer and Inflammatory Pseudotumor: A Meta-Analysis.

We aimed to systematically evaluate the imaging features of peripheral lung cancer and inflammatory pseudotumor. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database (Wanfang), and Chinese Biomedical Network (CBM) were searched to collect relevant studies on CT image comparison of peripheral lung cancer and inflammatory pseudotumor. The search time was from database establishment to July 15, 2021. The search language was limited to Chinese and English. Data from the literature were screened and extracted, and meta-analysis was performed using Stata 16.0 software. A total of 8 cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis, including 675 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the lesion size of inflammatory pseudotumor was greater than that of peripheral lung cancer, and the difference had statistical significance [SMD = 0.29, 95% CI (0.01, 0.58), P < 0.05]. The difference in HU value between inflammatory pseudotumor and peripheral lung cancer CT had no statistical significance [SMD = -0.09, 95% CI (-0.79, 0.60), P > 0.05]. The HU value of enhanced CT of inflammatory pseudotumor was higher than that of peripheral lung cancer, and the difference had statistical significance [SMD = 0.75, 95% CI (0.15, 1.34), P < 0.05]. The incidence of calcification of inflammatory pseudotumor was significantly higher than that of peripheral lung cancer, and the difference had statistical significance [RR = 2.85, 95% CI (1.33, 6.11), P < 0.05]. The incidence of long hair puncture sign of inflammatory pseudotumor was lower than that of peripheral lung cancer, and the difference had statistical significance [RR = 0.49, 95% CI (0.24, 0.97), P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference between inflammatory pseudotumor and peripheral lung cancer in terms of cavity incidence, vacuole sign, pleural indentation, and bronchial inflation sign (P > 0.05). Based on the available literature evidence, it can be found that there are differences in the CT signs between peripheral lung cancer and inflammatory pseudotumor, and the lesion size, HU value on enhanced CT, incidence of calcification, and incidence of burr sign may be important indicators for differentiating peripheral lung cancer from inflammatory pseudotumor.

CircNPM1 strengthens Adriamycin resistance in acute myeloid leukemia by mediating the miR-345-5p/FZD5 pathway.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with poor long-term outcomes. Numerous studies claim that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are important regulators in AML progression. This study intended to explore the role of circNPM1 in AML development and drug chemoresistance. The expression of circNPM1 and miR-345-5p was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cellular activities, including cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycle, migration and invasion, were monitored using colony formation assay, flow cytometry assay and transwell assay, respectively. The relationship between miR-345-5p and circNPM1 or Frizzled-5 (FZD5) was predicted by the bioinformatics tool starBase and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. CircNPM1 was abundantly expressed in serum samples from AML patients and AML cell lines. CircNPM1 silence or miR-345-5p restoration repressed colony formation, cell migration and invasion, contributed to cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and weakened Adriamycin (ADM) resistance of AML cells. MiR-345-5p was a target of circNPM1 and was downregulated in AML serum and cells. MiR-345-5p deficiency reversed the effects of circNPM1 silence. Further, FZD5 was targeted by miR-345-5p, and circNPM1 regulated FZD5 expression by adsorbing miR-345-5p. FZD5 overexpression could block the function of miR-345-5p restoration. CircNPM1 might be a vital regulator for ADM chemoresistance in AML cells, which partly depended on the role of the miR-345-5p/FZD5 axis. Our study presents the view that circNPM1 degradation may be a key strategy in AML resistance therapy.

High-dose atorvastatin improves vascular endothelial function in patients with leukoaraiosis.

OBJECTIVE: Leukoaraiosis (LA), as an age-related white matter degeneration, is mainly caused by chronic ischemia. Our study aims to explore the efficacy of different doses of atorvastatin (ATV) in the vascular endothelial function in patients with LA. METHODS: Our study enrolled 402 LA patients who were then randomly included as control or treated with ATV (10 mg), ATV (20 mg), or ATV (30 mg). The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were detected by enzyme colorimetric assay. The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, reactive hyperemia index (RHI), endothelin-1 (ET-1) content, and nitric oxide (NO) level were tested by latex agglutination test, peripheral arterial tonometry technology, radioimmunoassay, and nitrate reductase assay, respectively. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of ATV treatment, the levels of TC, LDL-C, and HS-CRP decreased significantly, and the trends were demonstrated in a more significant way with the increases of dose of ATV. The treatment with ATV at different doses elevated NO level and RHI and declined ET-1 content. Gastrointestinal reaction, muscular pain, and increased aminopherase were observed after treatment with the ATV at different doses with more obvious symptoms detected accompanied by the increase of the dose. The RHI was in negative correlation with the ET-1 and HS-CRP while in positive correlation with NO. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that ATV can significantly improve the vascular endothelial function in LA patients with a dose-dependent effect.