Alkyl effects on charge recombination in copper electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells: Insights for targeted molecular design towards high performance.

Two quinoxaline dyes utilized in copper-electrolyte-based dye-sensitized solar cells (Cu-DSSCs) are theoretically investigated to analyze the impact of alkyl chains on dye performance. The investigation shows that ZS4, known for its record efficiency of up to 13.2 %, exhibits higher electron coupling and fewer binding sites for dye-[Cu(tmby)2]2+ interaction compared to ZS5. Contrary to common belief, alkyl chains are found to not only provide shielding but also hinder the interaction between dye and [Cu(tmby)2]2+ by influencing the optimal conformation of dyes, thereby impeding the charge recombination process. It is crucial to consider the influence of alkyl chains on dye conformation when discussing the relationship between dye structure and performance, rather than oversimplifying it as often done traditionally. Building on these findings, eight dyes are strategically designed by adjusting the position of the alkyl chain to further decrease charge recombination compared to ZS4. Theoretical evaluation of these dyes reveals that changing the alkyl chain on the nitrogen atom from 2-ethylhexyl (ZS4) to 1-hexylheptyl (D3-2) not only reduces the charge recombination rate but also enhances light harvesting ability. Therefore, D3-2 shows potential as a candidate for experimental synthesis of high-performance Cu-DSSCs with improved efficiency.

Haploinsufficiency of intraflagellar transport protein 172 causes autism-like behavioral phenotypes in mice through BDNF.

INTRODUCTION: Primary cilia are hair-like solitary organelles growing on most mammalian cells that play fundamental roles in embryonic patterning and organogenesis. Defective cilia often cause a suite of inherited diseases called ciliopathies with multifaceted manifestations. Intraflagellar transport (IFT), a bidirectional protein trafficking along the cilium, actively facilitates the formation and absorption of primary cilia. IFT172 is the largest component of the IFT-B complex, and its roles in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) have been appreciated with unclear mechanisms. OBJECTIVES: We performed a battery of behavioral tests with Ift172 haploinsufficiency (Ift172+/-) and WT littermates. We use RNA sequencing to identify the genes and signaling pathways that are differentially expressed and enriched in the hippocampus of Ift172+/- mice. Using AAV-mediated sparse labeling, electron microscopic examination, patch clamp and local field potential recording, western blot, luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and neuropharmacological approach, we investigated the underlying mechanisms for the aberrant phenotypes presented by Ift172+/- mice. RESULTS: Ift172+/- mice displayed excessive self-grooming, elevated anxiety, and impaired cognition. RNA sequencing revealed enrichment of differentially expressed genes in pathways relevant to axonogenesis and synaptic plasticity, which were further confirmed by less spine density and synaptic number. Ift172+/- mice demonstrated fewer parvalbumin-expressing neurons, decreased inhibitory synaptic transmission, augmented theta oscillation, and sharp-wave ripples in the CA1 region. Moreover, Ift172 haploinsufficiency caused less BDNF production and less activated BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway through transcription factor Gli3. Application of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone, a potent small molecular TrkB agonist, fully restored BDNF-TrkB signaling activity and abnormal behavioral phenotypes presented by Ift172+/- mice. With luciferase and chip assays, we provided further evidence that Gli3 may physically interact with BDNF promoter I and regulate BDNF expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that Ift172 per se drives neurotrophic effects and, when defective, could cause neurodevelopmental disorders reminiscent of autism-like disorders.

Recombinant ferritin-based nanoparticles as neoantigen carriers significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Tumor neoantigen peptide-based vaccines, systemic immunotherapies that enhance antitumor immunity by activating and expanding antigen-specific T cells, have achieved remarkable results in the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. However, how to effectively deliver neoantigens to induce robust antitumor immune responses remains a major obstacle. RESULTS: Here, we developed a safe and effective neoantigen peptide delivery system (neoantigen-ferritin nanoparticles, neoantigen-FNs) that successfully achieved effective lymph node targeting and induced robust antitumor immune responses. The genetically engineered self-assembled particles neoantigen-FNs with a size of 12 nm were obtained by fusing a neoantigen with optimized ferritin, which rapidly drainage to and continuously accumulate in lymph nodes. The neoantigen-FNs vaccine induced a greater quantity and quality of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and resulted in significant growth control of multiple tumors, dramatic inhibition of melanoma metastasis and regression of established tumors. In addition, no obvious toxic side effects were detected in the various models, indicating the high safety of optimized ferritin as a vaccine carrier. CONCLUSIONS: Homogeneous and safe neoantigen-FNs could be a very promising system for neoantigen peptide delivery because of their ability to efficiently drainage to lymph nodes and induce efficient antitumor immune responses.

Serotonergic transmission plays differentiated roles in the rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects of ketamine.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The emerging antidepressant effects of ketamine have inspired tremendous interest in its underlying neurobiological mechanisms, although the involvement of 5-HT in the antidepressant effects of ketamine remains unclear. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The chronic restraint stress procedure was performed to induce depression-like behaviours in mice. OFT, FST, TST, and NSFT tests were used to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of ketamine. Tph2 knockout or depletion of 5-HT by PCPA and 5,7-DHT were used to manipulate the brain 5-HT system. ELISA and fibre photometry recordings were used to measure extracellular 5-HT levels in the brain. KEY RESULTS: 60 min after injection, ketamine (10 mg·kg-1, i.p.) produced rapid antidepressant-like effects and increased brain 5-HT levels. After 24 h, ketamine significantly reduced immobility time in TST and FST tests and increased brain 5-HT levels, as measured by ELISA and fibre photometry recordings. The sustained (24 h) but not rapid (60 min) antidepressant-like effects of ketamine were abrogated by PCPA and 5,7-DHT, or by Tph2 knockout. Importantly, NBQX (10 mg·kg-1, i.p.), an AMPA receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the effect of ketamine on brain 5-HT levels and abolished the sustained antidepressant-like effects of ketamine in naïve or CRS-treated mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This study confirms the requirement of serotonergic neurotransmission for the sustained antidepressant-like effects of ketamine, which appears to involve AMPA receptors, and provides avenues to search for antidepressant pharmacological targets.

Intricate microbe-plant-metabolic remodeling mediated by intercropping enhances the quality of Panax quinquefolius L.

Improving the cultivation mode and technology for traditional Chinese medicine has become important for its sustainable development. Monoculture enhances plant diseases, which decreases yield and quality. Intercropping is an effective measure to counterbalance that negative effect. In this study, we focused on Panax quinquefolium L. (ginseng) and four treatments were set up: the control without intercropping, P. quinquefolius + ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), P. quinquefolius + red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and P. quinquefolius + ryegrass + red clover. An LC-MS/MS system was used to detect the changes in the P. quinquefolius secondary metabolites, and high-throughput sequencing technology was used to determine the changes in the P. quinquefolius' rhizosphere soil microorganisms. Ginsenoside content, soil enzyme activities, and arbuscular mycorrhizal infection rate of P. quinquefolius were also measured using HPLC, ELISA kits, and microscopy, respectively. Co-intertia and Pearson's analysis were performed to explore the relationship between the metabolites and the P. quinquefolius microorganisms. Intercropping significantly increased the content of ginsenoside metabolites and recruited a large number of beneficial bacteria to the P. quinquefolius rhizosphere. The P. quinquefolius secondary metabolites were associated with the rhizosphere microbial community. For example, the dominant microorganisms, such as Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi, played a key role in promoting the synthesis of ginsenoside Rd and (20R) ginsenoside Rg3 by P. quinquefolius. Intercropping led to changes in the P. quinquefolius secondary metabolites by driving and reshaping the rhizosphere microorganisms. These findings revealed the potential application of intercropping for improving the quality of P. quinquefolius.

DCC in the cerebral cortex is required for cognitive functions in mouse.

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a highly heritable mental disorder, and genome-wide association studies have identified the association between deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) and SZ. Previous study has shown a lowered expression of DCC in the cerebral cortex of SZ patient. In this study, we identified novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of DCC statistically correlated with SZ. Based on these, we generated DCC conditional knockout (CKO) mice and explored behavioral phenotypes in these mice. We observed that deletion of DCC in cortical layer VI but not layer V led to deficits in fear and spatial memory, as well as defective sensorimotor gating revealed by the prepulse inhibition test (PPI). Critically, the defective sensorimotor gating could be restored by olanzapine, an antipsychotic drug. Furthermore, we found that the levels of p-AKT and p-GSK3α/ß were decreased, which was responsible for impaired PPI in the DCC-deficient mice. Finally, the DCC-deficient mice also displayed reduced spine density of pyramidal neurons and disturbed delta-oscillations. Our data, for the first time, identified and explored downstream substrates and signaling pathway of DCC which supports the hypothesis that DCC is a SZ-related risky gene and when defective, may promote SZ-like pathogenesis and behavioral phenotypes in mice.

Droplet-based single-cell sequencing: Strategies and applications.

Notable advancements in single-cell omics technologies have not only addressed longstanding challenges but also enabled unprecedented studies of cellular heterogeneity with unprecedented resolution and scale. These strides have led to groundbreaking insights into complex biological systems, paving the way for a more profound comprehension of human biology and diseases. The droplet microfluidic technology has become a crucial component in many single-cell sequencing workflows in terms of throughput, cost-effectiveness, and automation. Utilizing a microfluidic chip to encapsulate and profile individual cells within droplets has significantly improved single-cell research. Therefore, this review aims to comprehensively elaborate the droplet microfluidics-assisted omics methods from a single-cell perspective. The strategies for using droplet microfluidics in the realms of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics analyses are first introduced. On this basis, the focus then turns to the latest applications of this technology in different sequencing patterns, including mono- and multi-omics. Finally, the challenges and further perspectives of droplet-based single-cell sequencing in both foundational research and commercial applications are discussed.

Association of ambient air pollutant mixtures with IVF/ICSI-ET clinical pregnancy rates during critical exposure periods.

STUDY QUESTION: Does exposure to a mixture of ambient air pollutants during specific exposure periods influence clinical pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF/ICSI-embryo transfer (ET) cycles? SUMMARY ANSWER: The specific exposure period from ET to the serum hCG test was identified as a critical exposure window as exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2) or a combination of air pollutants was associated with a decreased likelihood of clinical pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Exposure to a single pollutant may impact pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing ART. However, in daily life, individuals often encounter mixed pollution, and limited research exists on the effects of mixed air pollutants and the specific exposure periods. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: This retrospective cohort study involved infertile patients who underwent their initial IVF/ICSI-ET cycle at an assisted reproduction center between January 2020 and January 2023. Exclusions were applied for patients meeting specific criteria, such as no fresh ET, incomplete clinical and address information, residency outside the 17 cities in the Sichuan Basin, age over 45 years, use of donor semen, thin endometrium (<8 mm) and infertility factors unrelated to tubal or ovulation issues. In total, 5208 individuals were included in the study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: Daily average levels of six air pollutants (fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), SO2, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3)) were acquired from air quality monitoring stations. The cumulative average levels of various pollutants were determined using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method across four distinct exposure periods (Period 1: 90 days before oocyte retrieval; Period 2: oocyte retrieval to ET; Period 3: ET to serum hCG test; Period 4: 90 days before oocyte retrieval to serum hCG test). Single-pollutant logistic regression, two-pollutant logistic regression, Quantile g-computation (QG-C) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were employed to evaluate the influence of pollutants on clinical pregnancy rates. Stratified analyses were executed to discern potentially vulnerable populations. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The clinical pregnancy rate for participants during the study period was 54.53%. Single-pollutant logistic models indicated that for PM2.5 during specific exposure Period 1 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.70-0.99) and specific exposure Period 4 (aOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69-0.98), and SO2 in specific exposure Period 3 (aOR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.99), each interquartile range (IQR) increment exhibited an association with a decreased probability of clinical pregnancy. Consistent results were observed with dual air pollution models. In the multi-pollution analysis, QG-C indicated a 12% reduction in clinical pregnancy rates per IQR increment of mixed pollutants during specific exposure Period 3 (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79-0.99). Among these pollutants, SO2 (33.40%) and NO2 (33.40%) contributed the most to the negative effects. The results from BKMR and QG-C were consistent. Stratified analysis revealed increased susceptibility to ambient air pollution among individuals who underwent transfer of two embryos, those with BMI ≥ 24 kg/m2 and those under 35 years old. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: Caution was advised in interpreting the results due to the retrospective nature of the study, which was prone to selection bias from non-random sampling. Smoking and alcohol, known confounding factors in IVF/ICSI-ET, were not accounted for. Only successful cycles that reached the hCG test were included, excluding a few patients who did not reach the ET stage. While IDW was used to estimate pollutant concentrations at residential addresses, data on participants' work locations and activity patterns were not collected, potentially affecting the accuracy of exposure prediction. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Exposure to a mixture of pollutants, spanning from ET to the serum hCG test (Period 3), appeared to be correlated with a diminished probability of achieving clinical pregnancy. This association suggested a potential impact of mixed pollutants on the interaction between embryos and the endometrium, as well as embryo implantation during this critical stage, potentially contributing to clinical pregnancy failure. This underscored the importance of providing women undergoing ART with comprehensive information to comprehend the potential environmental influences and motivating them to adopt suitable protective measures when feasible, thereby mitigating potential adverse effects of contaminants on reproductive health. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work received support from the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2023YFC2705900), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 82171664, 81971391, 82171668), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing Municipality of China (Nos. CSTB2022NSCQ-LZX0062, CSTB2023TIAD-KPX0052) and the Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering (No. 2021KFKT013). The authors report no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Lipid-lowering effects of gefarnate in statin-treated patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) faces dual challenges: the aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury, and the residual cardiovascular risk after statin treatment. Geraniol acetate (Gefarnate) is an anti-ulcer drug. It was reported that geraniol might participate in lipid metabolism through a variety of pathways. The aim of this study was to assess the lipid-lowering effects of gefarnate in statin-treated CAD patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia. METHODS: In this prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled trial, 69 statin-treated CAD patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia were randomly assigned to gefarnate group and control group, received gefarnate (100 mg/3 times a day) combined with statin and statin alone, respectively. At baseline and after one-month treatment, the levels of plasma triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol were tested. RESULTS: After one-month gefarnate treatment, triglyceride level was significantly lowered from 2.64 mmol/L to 2.12 mmol/L (P = 0.0018), LDL-C level lowered from 2.7 mmol/L to 2.37 mmol/L (P = 0.0004), HDL-C level increased from 0.97 mmol/L to 1.17 mmol/L (P = 0.0228). Based on statin therapy, gefarnate could significantly reduce the plasma triglyceride level (P = 0.0148) and increase the plasma HDL-C level (P = 0.0307). Although the LDL-C and total cholesterol levels tended to decrease, there was no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of gefarnate to statin reduced triglyceride level and increased HDL-C level to a significant extent compared to statin alone in CAD patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia. This suggested that gefarnate might provide the dual benefits of preventing gastrointestinal injury and lipid lowering in CAD patients.

Photo-electrochemical sensor based on BiOI/ZnIn2S4 heterojunction for detecting hydrogen peroxide and dopamine.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) detection as a potential development strategy for hydrogen peroxide and dopamine sensors has received extensive attentions. Herein, BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X (X = n (BiOI)/n(ZnIn2S4)) heterojunction was synthesized using various molar ratios via a two-step method. A series of characterization techniques were employed to analyze the composition, surface structure, valence state, and optical properties of BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X. The results show that BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X perform significantly better than both BiOI and ZnIn2S4. Furthermore, BiOI/ZnIn2S4-9% exhibits superior visible light absorption capacity and photocurrent response among all of the BiOI/ZnIn2S4-X tested. Therefore, a PEC sensor was developed using BiOI/ZnIn2S4-9% for the detection of hydrogen peroxide and dopamine. The linear detection range for hydrogen peroxide spans from to 1 ~ 40,000 µM, with the LOD of 0.036 µM (S/N = 3). For dopamine, the corresponding values are 2 ~ 250 µM for the linear detection range, and 0.017 µM for the LOD, respectively. The sensor exhibits demonstrates excellent stability, reproducibility and resistance to interference, enabling the detection of real samples and thus holds promising application potential.

Perceived stress and prenatal depression symptoms among couples with gestational diabetes mellitus: The mediating role of dyadic coping.

PROBLEM: No studies have been conducted to examine the relationships between perceived stress, positive/negative dyadic coping, and prenatal depression symptoms in Chinese couples with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). BACKGROUND: GDM is a stressful event for pregnant women and their partners, which may result in clinically significant prenatal depression symptoms in couples. AIM: This study aims to examine the relationships and differences in perceived stress, positive/negative dyadic coping, and prenatal depression symptoms between Chinese pregnant women with GDM and their partners and to explore the mediating role of positive/negative dyadic coping. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, from January to October 2021. 402 pairs of GDM couples completed the questionnaires, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Chinese version of the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Dyadic data was analyzed using the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. FINDINGS: 37.6 % of pregnant women with GDM and 24.6 % of their partners experienced clinically significant prenatal depression symptoms. Depression symptoms in couples mutually influence each other. Perceived stress was directly or indirectly related to their and partners' prenatal depression symptoms in GDM couples, with negative dyadic coping acting as a mediator. Maternal negative dyadic coping was also a partner-mediator. DISCUSSION: The findings of the present study may provide healthcare professionals with a better understanding of the effect of the interpersonal interaction between the couples as a dyad on prenatal depression symptoms in Chinese context. CONCLUSION: There were intrapersonal and interpersonal associations among perceived stress, negative dyadic coping, and prenatal depression symptoms in pregnant women with GDM and their partners. It suggests a need for screening clinically significant prenatal depression symptoms and decreasing perceived stress and negative dyadic coping among couples with GDM with a focus on pregnant women with GDM.

Genomic Regions Associated with Growth and Reproduction Traits in Pink-Eyed White Mink.

In mink breeding, balanced selection for growth and reproductive features is essential because these traits are contradictory. The variables of total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), and body weight (BW) are highly valuable in terms of their importance in mink production. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive these features could offer vital insights into their genetic compositions. In the present study, the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes of 219 minks were obtained via double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq). Following several rounds of screening, about 2,415,121 high-quality SNPs were selected for a genome-wide association study (GWAS). The GWAS was used to determine BW and reproductive traits in pink-eyed white mink. It was suggested that SLC26A36, STXBP5L, and RPS 29 serve as potential genes for the total number of kits born (TNB), while FSCB, PDPN, NKX 2-1, NFKB 1, NFKBIA, and GABBR1 are key genes for the number born alive (NBA). Moreover, RTTN, PRPF31, MACROD1, and KYAT1 are possible BW genes based on association results and available functional data from gene and mammalian phenotype databases. These results offer essential information about the variety of mink and theoretical principles for applying mink breeds.

STK40 inhibits trophoblast fusion by mediating COP1 ubiquitination to degrade P57Kip2.

BACKGROUND: The syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) layer in the placenta serves as a crucial physical barrier separating maternal-fetal circulation, facilitating essential signal and substance exchange between the mother and fetus. Any abnormalities in its formation or function can result in various maternal syndromes, such as preeclampsia. The transition of proliferative villous cytotrophoblasts (VCT) from the mitotic cell cycle to the G0 phase is a prerequisite for VCT differentiation and their fusion into SCT. The imprinting gene P57Kip2, specifically expressed in intermediate VCT capable of fusion, plays a pivotal role in driving this key event. Moreover, aberrant expression of P57Kip2 has been linked to pathological placental conditions and adverse fetal outcomes. METHODS: Validation of STK40 interaction with P57Kip2 using rigid molecular simulation docking and co-immunoprecipitation. STK40 expression was modulated by lentivirus in BeWo cells, and the effect of STK40 on trophoblast fusion was assessed by real-time quantitative PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, and cell viability and proliferation assays. Co-immunoprecipitation, transcriptome sequencing, and western blot were used to determine the potential mechanisms by which STK40 regulates P57Kip2. RESULTS: In this study, STK40 has been identified as a novel interacting protein with P57Kip2, and its expression is down-regulated during the fusion process of trophoblast cells. Overexpressing STK40 inhibited cell fusion in BeWo cells while stimulating mitotic cell cycle activity. Further experiments indicated that this effect is attributed to its specific binding to the CDK-binding and the Cyclin-binding domains of P57Kip2, mediating the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of P57Kip2. Moreover, abnormally high expression of STK40 might significantly contribute to the occurrence of preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: This study offers new insights into the role of STK40 in regulating the protein-level homeostasis of P57Kip2 during placental development.

Positively Photo-Responsive Adsorption Over Binary Copper Porphyrin Framework and Graphene Film Sorbents.

Photo-responsive adsorption has emerged as a vibrant area because it provides a promising route to reduce the energy consumption of the traditional adsorption separation. However, the current methodology to fabricate photo-responsive sorbents is still subject to the photo-deforming molecular units. In this study, a new initiative of photo-dissociated electron-hole pairs is proposed to generate amazing adsorption activity, and prove its feasibility. Employing CuPP [PP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin] framework nanosheets compounded with graphene, binary film (BF) sorbents are successfully fabricated. The paradigmatic BF nanostructure brings about efficiently photo-excited electron-hole pairs with durable enough lifetime to meet the needs of microscopic adsorption equilibrium, which ultimately alters the electron density distribution of adsorption surface, and thus markedly modulates the adsorption activity. Therefore, an amazing photo-enhanced adsorption capability for the index gas CO can be gotten. Once exposed to the visible-light at 420 nm, the CO adsorption capacity (0 °C, 1 bar) is risen from 0.23 mmol g-1 in the darkness to 1.66 mmol g-1, changed by + 622%. This is essentially different from majority of current photo-responsive sorbents based on photo-deforming molecular units, of which adsorption capability is only decreased with photo-induction, and the maximum rate of change reported is just -54%.

Chemomechanical damage prediction from phase-field simulation video sequences using a deep-learning-based methodology.

Understanding the failure mechanisms of lithium-ion batteries is essential for their greater adoption in diverse formats. Operando X-ray and electron microscopy enable the evaluation of concentration, phase, and stress heterogeneities in electrode architectures. Phase-field models are commonly used to capture multi-physics coupling including the interplay between electrochemistry and mechanics. However, very little has been explored regarding developing predictive models that would forecast imminent failure. This study explores the application of convolutional long short-term memory networks for damage prediction in cathode materials using video sequence from phase-field simulations as a proxy for video microscopy. Two models are examined making use of, respectively, the damage video only and the damage and hydrostatic stress videos combined. We use customized quantitative metrics to compare the performance of the models. Our work demonstrates the outstanding capability of deep learning models using limited data to predict fracture behavior of battery materials, including crack propagation angle and length.

The association of early pregnancy dyslipidemia with preterm birth in twin pregnancies: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maternal lipid metabolism has been implicated in elevating the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, which is a particularly significant concern in twin pregnancies. However, the precise relationship between early pregnancy dyslipidemia and the risk of preterm birth (PTB) in twin pregnancies remains unclear. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included women with twin pregnancies between January 2018 and December 2023. Early pregnancy blood lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), were examined. Dyslipidemia was diagnosed based on the diagnostic criteria outlined in the 2016 guidelines for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults. PTB was defined as birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association of early pregnancy dyslipidemia with PTB in twin pregnancies. RESULTS: A total of 613 women with twin pregnancies were included, and 141 women were complicated with dyslipidemia. The incidence of PTB < 37 weeks was significantly higher in the dyslipidemia group compared to the group without dyslipidemia (64.5% vs. 50.4%, P = 0.003). After adjusting for confounding factors, dyslipidemia was positively associated with PTB < 37 weeks (adjusted odds ratio: 1.71; 95% confidence interval: 1.13-2.58). However, these associations varied depending on the chorionicity and mode of conception of the twins. The positive associations between early pregnancy dyslipidemia and PTB < 37 weeks remained significant only in spontaneously conceived (SC) or dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies. No statistically significant associations were observed between dyslipidemia and the other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Early pregnancy dyslipidemia was positively associated with PTB < 37 weeks in twin pregnancies, and this association remained significant in SC or DCDA twin pregnancies. Comprehensive lipid profile assessment in the first trimester may be beneficial for patients' monitoring and implementing interventions to mitigate adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Cardiac Tissues in a Rodent Model of Coronary Microembolization.

Purpose: Coronary microembolization (CME) can result in cardiac dysfunction, severe arrhythmias, and a reduced coronary flow reserve. Impairment of mitochondrial energy metabolism has been implicated in the progression and pathogenesis of CME; however, its role remains largely undetermined. This study aimed to explore alterations in mitochondria-related genes in CME. Methods: A rat model of CME was successfully established by injecting plastic microspheres into the left ventricle. The cardiac tissues of the two groups were sequenced and mitochondrial functions were assessed. Results: Using RNA-Seq, together with GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, we identified 3822 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CME rats compared to control rats, and 101 DEGs were mitochondria-related genes. Notably, 36 DEGs were up-regulated and 65 DEGs were down-regulated (CME vs control). In particular, the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and mitochondrial electron transport were obviously down-regulated in the CME group. Functional analysis revealed that CME mice exhibited marked reductions in ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), by contrast, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was much higher in CME mice than in controls. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation suggested that eight hub genes including Cmpk2, Isg15, Acsl1, Etfb, Ndufa8, Adhfe1, Gabarapl1 and Acot13 were down-regulated in CME, whereas Aldh18a1 and Hspa5 were up-regulated. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that dysfunctions in mitochondrial activity and metabolism are important mechanisms for CME, and mitochondria-related DEGs may be potential therapeutic targets for CME.

Unveiling the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) extracted from coastal algae and river on the photooxidation of arsenite.

The coastal environment is an important ecosystem connecting land and sea, and arsenite (As(III)) in coastal seawater can seriously affect human health through the food chain. However, the effects of dissolved organic matter (DOM) extracted from coastal algae and rivers on As(III) photooxidation remain unclear. Results show that coastal algal DOM (CA-DOM) is significantly more effective than Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) in photooxidation of As(III), with a rate 8.3 times higher after correcting for light screening effects. CA-DOM accelerates As(III) photooxidation mainly through the 3DOM⁎ pathway, contributing 78.7 % to the process, whereas 3NOM⁎ contributes only 37.2 % for SRNOM. CA-DOM consists primarily of low-excited tyrosine and tryptophan-like protein substances, whereas SRNOM consists of humic and fulvic acid-like substances. Thus, CA-DOM exhibits a higher steady-state concentration of 3DOM⁎, and the 3DOM⁎ reacts much faster with As(III) than the 3NOM⁎. The increase in CA-DOM concentration can significantly accelerate the photooxidation of As(III), whereas the effect of SRNOM concentration is negligible. Increased salinity can accelerate As(III) photooxidation for all types of DOM. Our results provide new insights into the role of DOM from different sources in the photooxidation of As(III) in the natural environment or engineering applications.

McWRKY43 Confers Cold Stress Tolerance in Michelia crassipes via Regulation of Flavonoid Biosynthesis.

WRKY transcription factor (TF) plays a crucial role in plant abiotic stress response, but it is rarely reported in Michelia crassipes. Our studies have found that the transcription factor McWRKY43, a member of the IIc subgroup, is strongly upregulated under cold stress. In this study, we cloned the full length of McWRKY43 to further investigate the function of McWRKY43 in resistance to cold stress and its possible regulatory pathways in M. crassipes. Under cold stress, the seed-germination rate of transgenic tobacco was significantly higher than that of the wild type, and the flavonoid content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and proline content of transgenic tobacco seedlings were significantly increased, which promoted the expression of flavonoid pathway structural genes. In addition, the transient transformation of McWRKY43 in the M. crassipes leaves also found the accumulation of flavonoid content and the transcription level of flavonoid structural genes, especially McLDOX, were significantly increased under cold stress. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay showed that McWRKY43 could bind to McLDOX promoter, and the transcription expression of McLDOX was promoted by McWRKY43 during cold stress treatment. Overall, our results indicated that McWRKY43 is involved in flavonoid biosynthetic pathway to regulate cold stress tolerance of M. crassipes, providing a basis for molecular mechanism of stress resistance in Michelia.