Functional nanotransducer-mediated wireless neural modulation techniques.

Functional nanomaterials have emerged as versatile nanotransducers for wireless neural modulation because of their minimal invasion and high spatiotemporal resolution. The nanotransducers can convert external excitation sources (e.g., NIR light, X-rays, and magnetic fields) to visible light (or local heat) to activate optogenetic opsins and thermosensitive ion channels for neuromodulation. The present review provides insights into the fundamentals of the mostly used functional nanomaterials in wireless neuromodulation including upconversion nanoparticles, nanoscintillators, and magnetic nanoparticles. We further discussed the recent developments in design strategies of functional nanomaterials with enhanced energy conversion performance that have greatly expanded the field of neuromodulation. We summarized the applications of functional nanomaterials-mediated wireless neuromodulation techniques, including exciting/silencing neurons, modulating brain activity, controlling motor behaviors, and regulating peripheral organ function in mice. Finally, we discussed some key considerations in functional nanotransducer-mediated wireless neuromodulation along with the current challenges and future directions.

A Fabric-Based Strain Sensor with a Microbridge Structure and the Supercapacitor-Powered Integrated Sensing System.

Developing fabric-based strain sensors with high sensitivity and stability is in high demand for wearable electronics. Herein, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and polypyrrole (PPy) are coated on a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fabric as strain sensors. A microbridge structure, in which CNT bridges the stretching-induced cracks, has been designed for the TPU-CNT-PPy strain sensor. The microbridge structure can significantly enhance the electrical resilience, ensuring the improved sensitivity and stability of strain sensors. As a result, our TPU-CNT-PPy strain sensors deliver high sensitivity (GF = 231.5) with a broad working range (150%) and fast response and recovery time (166/195 ms). In addition, our TPU-CNT-PPy could also be used as flexible electrodes of the microsupercapacitors (MSCs) as a power supplier for the integrated sensing system. The TPU-CNT-PPy-based MSCs exhibit a high specific capacitance (460.3 mF cm-2 at 0.5 mA cm-2) and excellent cycling stability (96.69% capacitance retention for 10,000 charge/discharge cycles). Finally, we demonstrated an integrated sensing system using TPU-CNT-PPy as both MSCs and strain sensors, where the current signals of the sensors could be well detected via Bluetooth. This study offers a microbridge strategy to fabricate strain sensors with high sensitivity and stability and develops an integrated sensing system for the actual applications of wearable electronics.

General synthesis of ionic-electronic coupled two-dimensional materials.

Two-dimensional (2D) AMX2 compounds are a family of mixed ionic and electronic conductors (where A is a monovalent metal ion, M is a trivalent metal, and X is a chalcogen) that offer a fascinating platform to explore intrinsic coupled ionic-electronic properties. However, the synthesis of 2D AMX2 compounds remains challenging due to their multielement characteristics and various by-products. Here, we report a separated-precursor-supply chemical vapor deposition strategy to manipulate the chemical reactions and evaporation of precursors, facilitating the successful fabrication of 20 types of 2D AMX2 flakes. Notably, a 10.4 nm-thick AgCrS2 flake shows superionic behavior at room temperature, with an ionic conductivity of 192.8 mS/cm. Room temperature ferroelectricity and reconfigurable positive/negative photovoltaic currents have been observed in CuScS2 flakes. This study not only provides an effective approach for the synthesis of multielement 2D materials with unique properties, but also lays the foundation for the exploration of 2D AMX2 compounds in electronic, optoelectronic, and neuromorphic devices.

Room-Temperature Magnetic-Induced Circularly Polarized Photoluminescence in Two-Dimensional Er2O2S.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with spin polarization have great potential for achieving next-generation spintronic applications. However, spin polarization of 2D materials is usually produced at a cryogenic temperature because of thermal fluctuations, which severely hinder their further applications. Here, we report room-temperature intrinsic magnetic-induced circularly polarized photoluminescence (PL) in 2D Er2O2S flakes. The geff factor of 2D Er2O2S stays at around -6.3 from the liquid He temperature limit to room temperature, which is independent of temperature. This anomalous phenomenon in Er2O2S is totally different from previous materials, which all have a decreasing Zeeman splitting with increasing temperature resulting from thermal fluctuations. The anomalous temperature-dependent magnetic-induced circularly polarized PL originates from the weak electron-phonon coupling in 2D Er2O2S, which has been proven by both the temperature-dependent Raman and theoretical calculations. This work sheds light on the understanding and manipulation of 2D materials for practical spintronic applications.

Testosterone synthesis was inhibited in the testis metabolomics of a depression mouse model.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a common emotional disorder. Previous studies have suggested that depression is associated with the central nervous system. Recent studies have suggested that reduced testosterone level is the core inducement of depression. Testis is the vital organ for the synthesis of testosterone. How does testis mediate depression is still unknown. OBJECTIVES: We adopted a classical depression model of mouse caused through chronic mild stress (CMS). The metabolomics liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was adopted to analyse the influence of CMS on testis metabolism. Then we confirmed the possible abnormal metabolism of the testis in depression mice by pathway analysis and molecular biological technique. RESULTS: Compared with control mice, 16 differential metabolites were found in CMS mice by multivariate statistical analysis. In comparison with control mice, CMS mice showed higher levels for campesterol, ribitol, citric acid, platelet activating factor, guanosine, cytosine and xanthine and lower levels for docosahexaenoic acid, hippuric acid, creatine, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, l-carnitine, acetyl carnitine and propionyl carnitine. The pathway analysis indicated that these differential metabolites are associated with steroid hormone synthesis, purine metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism. In addition, we also first discovered that testicular morphology in depression mice was damaged and steroid hormone synthetases (including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage) were inhibited. CONCLUSION: These findings may be helpful to parse molecular mechanisms of pathophysiology of depression. It also pointed out the direction to search for potential therapy schedules for male depression and provide novel insights into exploring the pathogenesis of male depression.

Fluorinated Polymer Donors for Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells.

The rapid development of narrow-bandgap nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) has boosted the efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs) over 19 %. The new features of high-performance NFAs, such as visible-NIR light absorption, moderate the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMO), and high crystallinity, require polymer donors with matching physical properties. This emphasizes the importance of methods that can effectively tune the physical properties of polymers. Owning to very small atom size and strongest electronegativity, the fluorination has been proved the most efficient strategy to regulate the physical properties of polymer donors, including frontier energy level, absorption coefficient, dielectric constant, crystallinity and charge transport. Owing to the success of fluorination strategy, the vast majority of high-performance polymer donors possess one or more fluorine atoms. In this review, the fluorination synthetic methods, the synthetic route of well-known fluorinated building blocks, the fluorinated polymers which are categorized by the type of donor or acceptor units, and the relationships between the polymer structures, properties, and photovoltaic performances are comprehensively surveyed. We hope this review could provide the readers a deeper insight into fluorination strategy and lay a strong foundation for future innovation of fluorinated polymers.

The bioreduction of U(VI) and Pu(IV): Experimental and thermodynamic studies.

The experimental and thermodynamic bioreduction of U(VI)aq and Pu(IV)am was studied in order to more accurately predict their transport velocities in groundwater and assess the contamination risks to the associated environments. The results obtained in this study emphasize the impact of carbonate-calcium and humic acids at 7.1 and anoxic solutions on the rate and extent of U(VI)aq and Pu(IV)am bioreduction by Shewanella putrefaciens. We found that the bioreduction rate of U(VI)aq became slow in the presence of NaHCO3/CaCl2. The more negative standard redox potentials of the ternary complexes of U(VI)-Ca2+-CO32- accounted for the decreased rate of bioreduction, e.g., [Formula: see text]  = -0.6797 V ≪ [Formula: see text]  = 0.3862 V. The bioreduction of Pu(IV)am seemed feasible, while humic acids accepted the adequate extracellular electrons secreted by S. putrefaciens, and the redox potential of Eh(HAox/HAred) was lower than Eh(PuO2(am)/Pu3+), e.g., Eh(HAox/HAred) ≦ Eh(PuO2(am)/Pu3+) if humic acids accepted ≧ 7.952 × 10-7 mol of electrons. The standard redox potentials, Eho(PuO2(am)/Pu3+) = 0.9295 V ≫ [Formula: see text]  = -0.6797 V, cannot explain the reduction extent of Pu(IV)am (8.9%), which is notably smaller than that of U(VI)aq (74.9%). In fact, the redox potential of Pu(IV)am was distinctly negative under the experimental conditions of trace-level Pu(IV)am (∼2.8 × 10-9 mol/L Pu(IV) if Pu(IV)am was completely dissolved), e.g., Eh(PuO2(am)/Pu3+) = -0.1590 V (α(Pu3+) = 10-10 mol/L, pH = 7.1). Therefore, the chemical factor of Pu3+ activity, leading to a rapid drop in Eh(PuO2(am)/Pu3+) at trace-level Pu(IV)am, was responsible for the relatively small reduction extent of Pu(IV)am.

Three new Furano-lactones from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus nidulans.

Three new furano-lactones, asperilactones A-C (1-3), and two known compounds silvaticol (4) and violaceic acid (5) were isolated from an ethanol extract of Aspergillus nidulans, a fungus isolated from the Annelida Whitmania pigra Whitman (Haemopidae). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopy, ECD calculations, comparing optical rotation values, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Asperilactone A (1) represented the first example of furano-lactone with an unusual 2-thia-6-oxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane ring system. Asperilactones A and B showed weak toxicity against the HL-60 and RKO.

Real-world tobacco cessation practice in China: findings from the prospective, nationwide multicenter China National Tobacco Cessation Cohort Study (CNTCCS).

Background: Tobacco cessation is proven to be the most effective and cost-effective strategy for smokers to reduce their risk of smoking-related disease and premature death. Providing effective, efficient, safe, and patient-centred tobacco cessation treatment to reach those who need them is a significant challenge. To date, only a few nationwide studies in China have assessed the overall clinical care practice and treatment outcome of tobacco cessation. Methods: This a prospective, nationwide, multicenter, cohort study covering all Eastern China, Northwest China, Central China, North China, Southwest China, Northeast China, and South China. Participants who were current smokers aged 18-85 years attending clinic for smoking cessation were included. All the participants were treated with 3-month cessation treatment and followed up for 3 months. Data were collected prospectively using online system. The primary outcome was 7-day point abstinence rate at 24 weeks, validated biochemically by an expired carbon monoxide level of less than 10 ppm. The participants lost to follow-up or not providing validation were included as non-abstainers. Findings: A representative sample of 3557 participants were recruited and 2943 participants were included into this analysis. These participants had mean age of 53.05 years, and 94.8% were males, with 75.8% showing symptoms of tobacco dependence. A total of 965 (32.8%) participants were treated with Bupropion + behavioural counselling, followed by 935 (31.8%) with behavioural counselling, 778 (26.4%) with Varenicline + behavioural counselling, 135 (4.6%) with alternative treatments + behavioural counselling, and 130 (4.4%) with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) + behavioural counselling. After 3-month treatment and 3-month follow-up, 21.74% of the participants quit smoking at 24 weeks. In the multivariable-adjusted analyses, quitting smoking was significantly associated with female, higher socioeconomic status, poor health condition, different treatment received, and less smoking intensity. The tobacco cessation treatment varied widely across different areas of China. In particular, the areas with higher usage of cessation medication were associated with better cessation treatment outcome. Interpretation: The CNTCCS is the first large-scale nationwide cohort study of smoking cessation in China. Rich data collected from this prospective cohort study provided the opportunity to evaluate the clinical practice of tobacco cessation treatment in China. Funding: Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) Initiative for Innovative Medicine (CAMS 2021-I2M-1-010), Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Key Program (2022ZXJ03C02), and National Key R&D Program of China (grant no. 2017YFC1309400).

Programmable Physical Unclonable Functions Using Randomly Anisotropic Two-Dimensional Flakes.

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) have been developed as promising strategies for secure authentication. Conventional strategies of PUFs have a limitation in the aspect of security for their static single channel. The introduction of polarization will endow a static PUF with many dynamic transformations based on polarized properties. Herein, high-security PUFs based on the polarized luminescence of chaotic luminescent patterns are fabricated by anisotropic rare earth (RE) material Er3O4Cl flakes. These derivatives under different polarizations show strong randomness (with similarity of the same PUF as high as 97%, while that for different PUFs is as low as 44%), which further widens the security and capacity of PUFs. Polarized luminescence control of Er3O4Cl patterns gives freedom to the PUFs and ensures a high encoding capacity of 2380000. Furthermore, we build a convolutional neural network (CNN) to realize fast intelligent authentication by extracting image features for convolution operation with a very high accuracy of 99.8% and fast classification speed in only 5 epochs.

The Influence of Social Exclusion on High School Students' Depression: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Purpose: High school students face various pressures such as academic and interpersonal relationships, which can easily lead to depression. Social exclusion is one of the important influencing factors for adolescent depression, but there is still limited research on the mechanisms of the impact that social exclusion has on depression. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of social exclusion on depression among high school students, as well as the mediating role of thwarted belongingness and the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal. Methods: Researchers assessed 1041 high school students using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Adolescent Social Exclusion Scale, Interpersonal Needs Scale, and Emotion Regulation Scale. Results: (1) Social exclusion was negatively associated with cognitive reappraisal (r = -0.224, p < 0.001), and positively associated with thwarted belongingness and depression (r = 0.657, 0.490, p <0.001). Thwarted belongingness was positively associated with depression (r = 0.617, p <0.001), and negatively associated with cognitive reappraisal (r = -0.325, p <0.001). Cognitive reappraisal was negatively associated with depression (r = -0.280, p < 0.01). (2) Social exclusion could directly predict depression, 95% CI [0.08, 0.21]. Thwarted belongingness played a partial mediating role between social exclusion and depression, 95% CI [0.30, 0.40]. (3) Cognitive reappraisal moderated the predictive effect of thwarted belongingness on depression. Conclusion: Social exclusion can influence depression through thwarted belongingness and cognitive reappraisal, and educators can reduce depression by decreasing thwarted belongingness and promoting the use of cognitive reappraisal strategies by high school students.

Transmission of HCoV-OC43 to pet hamsters.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a significant group of pathogens that pose a serious threat to both human and animal health, with some being zoonotic and displaying frequent cross-species transmission. Human CoV-OC43 (HCoV-OC43) is one of the four common human CoVs that can cause seasonal mild to moderate respiratory diseases in humans. In this study, we identified HCoV-OC43 for the first time in two asymptomatic pet hamsters, which share a high similarity with the human-derived HCoV-OC43 strain, suggesting potential cross-species transmission of HCoV-OC43 to pet hamsters. The finding emphasizes the need to strengthen pathogen monitoring of livestock and pets in close contact with humans to provide early warning of public safety.

Effect of comprehensive nursing intervention on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of comprehensive nursing intervention on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHOD: A total of 130 patients with PCOS admitted to our hospital from April 2021 to March 2023 were selected as the research subjects. They were evenly divided according to a random number table method. The control group received routine care for the patients, while the study group received comprehensive care for the patients. The IVF, pregnancy outcomes, negative emotional changes, serum and follicular fluid (FF) amyloid-related protein and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels of the 2 groups of patients were compared. RESULT: The data on IVF rate and pregnancy rate in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (P < .05). The SAS and SDS scores of the study group patients after intervention were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < .05). After intervention, the levels of serum and FF amyloid associated protein and CRP in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Patients with PCOS who receive comprehensive care can increase their probability of IVF, improve their pregnancy outcomes, and have a positive significance in reducing negative emotions.

Newly identified lineages of porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus exhibit respiratory phenotype.

Swine pathogens have a long history of zoonotic transmission to humans, occasionally leading to sustained outbreaks or pandemics. Through a retrospective epidemiological study of swine populations in China, we describe novel lineages of porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) complex coronaviruses (CoVs) that cause exclusively respiratory symptoms with no signs of the neurological symptoms typically associated with classical PHEV infection. Through large-scale epidemiological surveillance, we show that these novel lineages have circulated in at least eight provinces in southeastern China. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses of twenty-four genomes identified two major viral lineages causing respiratory symptoms with extensive recombination within them, between them, and between classical PHEV and the novel respiratory variant PHEV (rvPHEV) lineages. Divergence times among the sampled lineages in the PHEV virus complex date back to 1886-1958 (mean estimate 1928), with the two major rvPHEV lineages separating approximately 20 years later. Many rvPHEV viruses show amino acid substitutions at the carbohydrate-binding site of hemagglutinin esterase (HE) and/or have lost the cysteine required for HE dimerization. This resembles the early adaptation of human CoVs, where HE lost its hemagglutination ability to adapt to growth in the human respiratory tract. Our study represents the first report of the evolutionary history of rvPHEV circulating in swine and highlights the importance of characterizing CoV diversity and recombination in swine to identify pathogens with outbreak potential that could threaten swine farming.

Griseofulvin analogues from the fungus Penicillium griseofulvum and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Six griseofulvin analogues named penigriseofulvins A - F (1-6), including three undescribed compounds and three undescribed natural products, were isolated from the fungus Penicillium griseofulvum. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by NMR spectroscopic analyses, HRESIMS, and X-ray diffraction experiments. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity, of which compounds 1 and 4 showed potential anti-inflammatory effects in RAW264.7 macrophages and ulcerative colitis mice.

Target-activated multivalent sensing platform for improving the sensitivity and selectivity of Hg2+ detection.

Sensitivity and selectivity are critical parameters to evaluate the performance of sensors. For trace detection, it remains a challenge to design a new sensor that achieves high sensitivity and selectivity simultaneously. Here, we present a target-activated dual Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme (MNAzyme) that served as a simple sensing model to explore the multivalency in improving the analytical sensitivity and selectivity for target detection. Mercury ion (Hg2+), a notorious toxic metal ion, was selected as a model target. In the presence of Hg2+, the thymine-rich regions of the hairpin probe and primer could hybridize to form a stable duplex via the thymine-Hg2+-thymine structure. Then, an intact enzyme sequence was exposed and two separate enzyme fragments were close to each other, generating a dual MNAzyme. Benefiting from the localized high-concentration of the enzyme strand, the dual MNAzyme showed a remarkable improvement in binding stability. The catalytic rate constant of the dual MNAzyme was theoretically 1.60 times higher than that of the monomeric counterpart, and the sensitivity and selectivity had 4.50 and 1.44-fold enhancement, respectively. When the dual MNAzyme was used for sensor applications, the limit of detection was determined to be 0.04 and 0.2 nM via UV-vis spectrophotometer and naked eye, respectively. Meanwhile, the method offered desirable selectivity toward Hg2+ against other metal ions. With the advantages of simple operation, high sensitivity, and desirable selectivity, the developed multivalent sensing platform could be easily expanded in the future for the on-site detection of other low-abundance analytes.

Pegriseofamines A-E: Five cyclopiazonic acid related indole alkaloids from the fungus Penicillium griseofulvum.

Five new cyclopiazonic acid related indole alkaloids, pegriseofamines A-E (1-5), were isolated from the fungus Penicillium griseofulvum. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined by NMR, HRESIMS, quantum-chemical calculation, and X-ray diffraction experiments. Among them, pegriseofamine A (1) possesses an undescribed 6/5/6/7 tetracyclic ring system generated by the fusion of an azepine and an indole unit via a cyclohexane, and the postulated biosynthetic origin of 1 was discussed. Compound 4 could relieve liver injury and prevent hepatocyte apoptosis in ConA-induced autoimmune liver disease.

Development and validation of a novel HPLC-UV method for simultaneous determination of azathioprine metabolites in human red blood cells.

A rapid, specific and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography with tunable ultraviolet detection method was developed to simultaneously determine azathioprine metabolites, 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) and 6-methyl mercaptopurine riboside (6-MMPr) in human red blood cells. Erythrocyte lysate sample was precipitated by perchloric acid under the protection of dithiothreitol, with 6-TGN and 6-MMPr being acid hydrolyzed to produce 6-thioguanine (6-TG) and 6-methymercaptopurine (6-MMP). A Waters Cortecs C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 2.7 µm) was used for chromatographic separation with a water (containing 0.01 mol/L ammonium acetate and 0.2% acetic acid)/methanol linear gradient at a flow rate of 0.45 mL/min in a 5.5 min. UV detection wavelengths were 340 nm for 6-TG, 303 nm for 6-MMP and the IS (5-bromouracil). The calibration curves fitted a least squares model (weighed 1/x 2) from 0.15 to 15 µmol/L for 6-TG (r 2  = 0.9999) and from 1 to 100 µmol/L for 6-MMP (r 2  = 0.9998). This method was validated according to the FDA bioanalytical method validation guidance and ICH M10 bioanalytical method validation and study sample analysis guidance for industry, and successfully utilized in ten IBD patients receiving azathioprine therapy.

Exploration of the psychometric properties of the novel General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) for chronic illness patients.

OBJECTIVE: Many related scales have been developed and applied to measure patients' medication adherence, but the research on the psychometric characteristics of the scale still requires further studies. This study aims to provide further validation of the GMAS scale by using Rasch analysis and to make targeted recommendations for scale improvement. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using secondary data. 312 Chinese adult patients were recruited from two tertiary hospitals and one community health service center in Tianjin to complete a questionnaire containing the GMAS, from January to June 2020. Participants included to have at least one chronic condition and also have been on medication for more than 3 months, but excluded patients with major life-threatening illnesses (e.g. heart failure, cancer), cognitive impairments preventing clear expression and significant communication difficulties. Rasch analysis was used to explore the psychometric properties of the GMAS scale. Key indicators including unidimensionality, validity and reliability, differential item functioning and degree of fit with Rasch model are validated. RESULTS: After fitting the Rasch model for the first time, 56 samples poorly fitting the model were deleted. The remaining 256 samples were used for Rasch analysis. The results show that GMAS can fit the Rasch model well, which proves that the scale has favourable psychometric characteristics. But some items had differential item functioning in whether patients have comorbidities. CONCLUSION: The GMAS was found to be useful as a screening tool for patients' medication adherence problems reported, except some issues to be addressed for further improvement of the scale.

A Multifluorination Strategy Toward Wide Bandgap Polymers for Highly Efficient Organic Solar Cells.

Creating new electron-deficient unit is highly demanded to develop high-performance polymer donors for non-fullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). Herein, we reported a multifluorinated unit 4,5,6,7-tetrafluoronaphtho[2,1-b : 3,4-b']dithio-phene (FNT) and its polymers PFNT-F and PFNT-Cl. The advantages of multifluorination: (1) it enables the polymers to exhibit low-lying HOMO (≈-5.5 eV) and wide band gap (≈2.0 eV); (2) the short interactions (F⋅⋅⋅H, F⋅⋅⋅F) endow the polymers with properties of high film crystallinity and efficient hole transport; (3) well miscibility with NFAs that leads to a more well-defined nanofibrous morphology and face-on orientation in the blend films. Therefore, the PFNT-F/Cl : N3 based OSCs exhibit impressive FF values of 0.80, and remarkable PCEs of 17.53 % and 18.10 %, which make them ranked the best donor materials in OSCs. This work offers new insights into the rational design of high-performance polymers by multifluorination strategy.