High-peak-power long-wave infrared BaGa4Se7 optical parametric oscillator with 6.7-13.9†µm widely tunable range.

A high-peak-power, widely tunable range long-wave infrared optical parametric oscillator (OPO) based on the BaGa4Se7 (BGSe) crystal is demonstrated in this Letter. Pumped by a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser, a high-peak-power of 0.15 MW was achieved at 9.8 µm with a pulse width of 5.0 ns. At 11.0 µm, a high beam quality of M2x = 4.1 and M2y = 3.3 was achieved. By rotating the BGSe crystal, a broad tuning range of 6.7-13.9 µm was realized. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis was conducted to elucidate the reasons behind the improvement in beam quality in the x-direction as the wavelength of the idler wave increases.

Bombyx mori UFL1 facilitates BmNPV proliferation by regulating host cell apoptosis through PERK.

Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1) is attached to protein substrates through the sequential activity of an E1 (UBA5)-E2 (UFC1)-E3 (UFL1) cascade. UFL1 is the E3 ligase for UFMylation in vertebrates. However, there have been no studies on UFL1 in silkworm to date. In this study, we identified a UFL1 ortholog in Bombyx mori genome. Spatio-temporal expression profiles showed that BmUFL1 expression was high in the midgut, epidermis, and testis and in the pupa-adult stage. BmUFL1 knockdown inhibited B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) proliferation, while BmUFL1 overexpression promoted BmNPV proliferation. Mechanically, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) signaling and cell apoptosis are involved in BmUFL1-regulated BmNPV proliferation. Overall, these results suggest that BmUFL1 facilitates BmNPV proliferation in silkworm.

Supine transfer test-induced changes in cardiac index predict fluid responsiveness in patients without intra-abdominal hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The reversible maneuver that mimics the fluid challenge is a widely used test for evaluating volume responsiveness. However, passive leg raising (PLR) does have certain limitations. The aim of the study is to determine whether the supine transfer test could predict fluid responsiveness in adult patients with acute circulatory failure who do not have intra-abdominal hypertension, by measuring changes in cardiac index (CI). METHODS: Single-center, prospective clinical study in a 25-bed surgery intensive care unit at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Thirty-four patients who presented with acute circulatory failure and were scheduled for fluid therapy. Every patient underwent supine transfer test and fluid challenge with 500 mL saline for 15-30 min. There were four sequential steps in the protocol: (1) baseline-1: a semi-recumbent position with the head of the bed raised to 45°; (2) supine transfer test: patients were transferred from the 45° semi-recumbent position to the strict supine position; (3) baseline-2: return to baseline-1 position; and (4) fluid challenge: administration of 500 mL saline for 15-30 min. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded at each step with arterial pulse contour analysis (ProAQT/Pulsioflex). A fluid responder was defined as an increase in CI ≥ 15% after fluid challenge. The receiver operating characteristic curve and gray zone were defined for CI. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were fluid challenge. The r value of the linear correlations was 0.73 between the supine transfer test- and fluid challenge-induced relative CI changes. The relative changes in CI induced by supine transfer in predicting fluid responsiveness had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 (95% confidence interval 0.72-0.97) and predicted a fluid responder with 76.5% (95% confidence interval 50.1-93.2) sensitivity and 88.2% (95% confidence interval 63.6-98.5) specificity, at a best threshold of 5.5%. Nineteen (55%) patients were in the gray zone (CI ranging from -3 and 8 L/min/m2). CONCLUSION: The supine transfer test can potentially assist in detecting fluid responsiveness in patients with acute circulatory failure without intra-abdominal hypertension. Nevertheless, the small threshold and the 55% gray zone were noteworthy limitation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Predicting fluid responsiveness with supine transition test (ChiCTR2200058264). Registered 2022-04-04 and last refreshed on 2023-03-26, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=166175 .

Cesarean Scar Pregnancies Treated by Uterine Artery Chemotherapy Embolization Combined With Ultrasound-Guided Dilation and Curettage: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) treatment by comparing uterine artery chemotherapy embolization (UACE) combined with dilation and curettage (D&C) with or without ultrasound guidance. METHODS: CSP patients treated with UACE combined with D&C from January 2013 to December 2020 at Shuguang Hospital, affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into groups A and B according to whether D&C was guided by ultrasound. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients with CSP diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound were included in this study, whose gestational age was <8 weeks. There were no significant differences in the basic clinical characteristics of the two groups. The success rates of the 2 groups were no significant difference, 100% (27/27) in group A and 85.7% (18/21) in group B. The maximal intraoperative blood loss of group A was 100 mL and that of group B was 150 mL. There was no uterine perforation during the operation. Ultrasound guidance can shorten the D&C operation time, reduce intraoperative bleeding during D&C, and decrease the residual rate of trophoblastic tissue after D&C. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance can improve the safety and efficiency of UACE combined with D&C in the treatment of CSP and reduce its complications. We believe it is an optimal treatment for CSP patients who do not plan to have children in the future.

Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations in Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The timely recognition of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) remains a challenge. This study aimed to observe the CBF changes via TCD during sepsis and explore their possible predictive value in SAE. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, septic patients were enrolled and classified according to the diagnosis of SAE into two groups: SAE group and non-SAE group. Then SAE patients were further divided into subgroup A (the type with agitation) and subgroup B (the type with depressed consciousness) based on their clinical manifestations. The clinical profiles and TCD parameters within 24 hours of onset were compared between groups and subgroups. RESULTS: Exactly 198 septic patients were enrolled including 65 patients in SAE group (36 male/29 female with a median age of 70) and 133 patients in non-SAE group (75 male/58 female with a median age of 67). Significant elevated peak-systolic velocity (VS; 107 [69-138] cm/s vs 85 [69-101] cm/s, P = .002) of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) and pulsatility index (PI; left: 0.99 [0.81-1.34] vs 0.89 [0.76-1.00], P < .001; right: 0.99 [0.77-1.21] vs 0.88 [0.78-1.03], P = .007) of bilateral MCAs were found in SAE group compared with non-SAE group. In subgroup analysis, subgroup A (the type with agitation) showed significantly increased VS/VM/VD and lower PI/RI of bilateral MCAs compared with subgroup B (the type with depressed consciousness). The cerebral blood flow volume of subgroup A were obviously higher than subgroup B [858.7 (729.1,876.9) mL/s vs 380.9 (373.3,447.4) mL/s, P < .001]. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the abnormal CBF among SAE and found different types of CBF alterations were related to different clinical features. VS and PI might help clinicians to early identify different types of SAE.

Atomic Insight into the Local Structure and Microenvironment of Isolated Co-Motifs in MFI Zeolite Frameworks for Propane Dehydrogenation.

Embedding metal species into zeolite frameworks can create framework-bond metal sites in a confined microenvironment. The metals sitting in the specific T sites of zeolites and their crystalline surroundings are both committed to the interaction with the reactant, participation in the activation, and transient state achievement during the whole catalytic process. Herein, we construct isolated Co-motifs into purely siliceous MFI zeolite frameworks (Co-MFI) and reveal the location and microenvironment of the isolated Co active center in the MFI zeolite framework particularly beneficial for propane dehydrogenation (PDH). The isolated Co-motif with the distorted tetrahedral structure ({(≡SiO)2Co(HO-Si≡)2}, two Co-O-Si bonds, and two pseudobridging hydroxyls (Co···OH-Si) is located at T1(7) and T3(9) sites of the MFI zeolite. DFT calculations and deuterium-labeling reactions verify that the isolated Co-motif together with the MFI microenvironment collectively promotes the PDH reaction by providing an exclusive microenvironment to preactivate C3H8, polarizing the oxygen in Co-O-Si bonds to accept H* ({(≡SiO)CoHδ- (Hδ+O-Si≡)3}), and a scaffold structure to stabilize the C3H7* intermediate. The Co-motif active center in Co-MFI goes through the dynamic evolutions and restoration in electronic states and coordination states in a continuous and repetitive way, which meets the requirements from the series of elementary steps in the PDH catalytic cycle and fulfills the successful catalysis like enzyme catalysis.

Prone positioning improves ventilation-perfusion matching assessed by electrical impedance tomography in patients with ARDS: a prospective physiological study.

BACKGROUND: The physiological effects of prone ventilation in ARDS patients have been discussed for a long time but have not been fully elucidated. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has emerged as a tool for bedside monitoring of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion, allowing the opportunity to obtain data. This study aimed to investigate the effect of prone positioning (PP) on ventilation-perfusion matching by contrast-enhanced EIT in patients with ARDS. DESIGN: Monocenter prospective physiologic study. SETTING: University medical ICU. PATIENTS: Ten mechanically ventilated ARDS patients who underwent PP. INTERVENTIONS: We performed EIT evaluation at the initiation of PP, 3 h after PP initiation and the end of PP during the first PP session. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The regional distribution of ventilation and perfusion was analyzed based on EIT images and compared to the clinical variables regarding respiratory and hemodynamic status. Prolonged prone ventilation improved oxygenation in the ARDS patients. Based on EIT measurements, the distribution of ventilation was homogenized and dorsal lung ventilation was significantly improved by PP administration, while the effect of PP on lung perfusion was relatively mild, with increased dorsal lung perfusion observed. The ventilation-perfusion matched region was found to increase and correlate with the increased PaO2/FiO2 by PP, which was attributed mainly to reduced shunt in the lung. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged prone ventilation increased dorsal ventilation and perfusion, which resulted in improved ventilation-perfusion matching and oxygenation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04725227. Registered on 25 January 2021.

Macroscopic Self-Evolution of Dynamic Hydrogels to Create Hollow Interiors.

A solid-to-hollow evolution in macroscopic structures is challenging in synthetic materials. A fundamentally new strategy is reported for guiding macroscopic, unidirectional shape evolution of materials without compromising the material's integrity. This strategy is based on the creation of a field with a "swelling pole" and a "shrinking pole" to drive polymers to disassemble, migrate, and resettle in the targeted region. This concept is demonstrated using dynamic hydrogels containing anchored acrylic ligands and hydrophobic long alkyl chains. Adding water molecules and ferric ions (Fe3+ ) to induce a swelling-shrinking field transforms the hydrogels from solid to hollow. The strategy is versatile in the generation of various closed hollow objects (for example, spheres, helix tubes, and cubes with different diameters) for different applications.

CXCL16/CXCR6 is involved in LPS-induced acute lung injury via P38 signalling.

Although several chemokines play key roles in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI), the roles of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 16 (CXCL16) and its receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor type 6 (CXCR6) in ALI pathogenesis remain to be elucidated. The mRNA and protein expression of CXCL16 and CXCR6 was detected after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation with or without treatment with the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). Lung injury induced by LPS was evaluated in CXCR6 knockout mice. CXCL16 level was elevated in the serum of ALI patients (n = 20) compared with healthy controls (n = 30). CXCL16 treatment (50, 100, and 200 ng/mL) in 16HBE cells significantly decreased the epithelial barrier integrity and E-cadherin expression, and increased CXCR6 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and p38 phosphorylation. Knockdown of CXCR6 or treatment with the p38 inhibitor SB203580 abolished the effects of CXCL16. Moreover, treatment of 16HBE cells with LPS (5, 10, 20 and 50 µg/mL) significantly increased CXCL16 release as well as the mRNA and protein levels of CXCL16 and CXCR6. The effects of LPS treatment (20 µg/mL) were abolished by treatment with PDTC. The results of the luciferase assay further demonstrated that PDTC treatment markedly inhibited the activity of the CXCL16 promoter. In conclusion, CXCL16, whose transcription was enhanced by LPS, may be involved in ROS production, epithelial barrier dysfunction and E-cadherin down-regulation via p38 signalling, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of ALI. Importantly, CXCR6 knockout or inhibition of p38 signalling may protect mice from LPS-induced lung injury by decreasing E-cadherin expression.

Optoregulated Biointerfaces to Trigger Cellular Responses.

Optoregulated biointerfaces offer the possibility to manipulate the interactions between cell membrane receptors and the extracellular space. This Invited Feature Article summarizes recent efforts by our group and others during the past decade to develop light-responsive biointerfaces to stimulate cells and elicit cellular responses using photocleavable protecting groups (PPG) as our working tool. This article begins by providing a brief introduction to available PPGs, with a special focus on the widely used o-nitrobenzyl family, followed by an overview of molecular design principles for the control of bioactivity in the context of cell-material interactions and the characterization methods to use in following the photoreaction at surfaces. We present various light-guided cellular processes using PPGs, including cell adhesion, release, migration, proliferation, and differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, this Invited Feature Article closes with our perspective on the current status and future challenges of this topic.

Redox-Responsive and Thermoresponsive Supramolecular Nanosheet Gels with High Young's Moduli.

Supramolecular gels made from 2D building blocks are emerging as one of the novel multifunctional soft materials for various applications. This study reports on a class of supramolecular nanosheet gels formed through a reversible self-assembly process involving both intramolecular folding and intermolecular self-assembly of poly[oligo(ethylene glycol)-co-(phenyl-capped bithiophenes)]. Such hierarchical self-assembled structure allows the gels to switch between sol and gel states under either redox or thermostimulus. Moreover, the gels illustrate high Young's moduli, compared to their controls that are made from the same oligo(ethylene glycol) and phenyl-capped bithiophenes blocks but have highly covalent-crosslinked structures. The example might open a window for emerging supramolecular 2D materials to develop mechanically robust and stimuli-responsive soft materials without compromising their intrinsic functions.

Comparison of Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy Guided by Ultrasound and Bronchoscopy in Critically Ill Obese Patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) with ultrasound (US) or bronchoscopic guidance for critically ill patients, notably obese patients. METHODS: This work was a retrospective study. The study included mechanically ventilated patients who underwent PDT from August 2013 to July 2015 in the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Zhongshan Hospital. The patients were classified according to the different guidance methods during tracheotomy and their body mass index in the following 4 groups: normal bronchoscopy group, normal US group, obese bronchoscopy group, and obese US group. The parameters, including operation time, number of punctures, intraoperative and postoperative complications, duration of the intensive care unit stay, hospitalization time, and mortality, were recorded and compared between groups. RESULTS: Compared with the obese bronchoscopy group, the obese US group had a significantly shorter PDT operation time (mean ± SD, 12.8 ± 4.8 versus 16.2 ± 4.4 minutes; P = .026), fewer punctures (P = .011), and a lesser amount of intraoperative hemorrhage (12.1 ± 4.6 versus 16.8 ± 4.3 mL; P = .009). There were no significant differences in these parameters between the normal US and normal bronchoscopy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided PDT significantly reduced the number of punctures and the operation time compared with bronchoscopy-guided PDT, and it decreased intraoperative hemorrhage in critically ill obese patients. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy with US guidance was a faster, safer, and more accurate method of airway management.

Naringenin Regulates CFTR Activation and Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Sputum symptoms are commonly seen in the elderly. This study aimed to identify an efficacious expectorant treatment stratagem through evaluating the secretion-promoting activation and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression of the bioactive herbal monomer naringenin. METHODS: Vectorial Cl- transport was determined by measuring short-circuit current (ISC) in rat airway epithelium. cAMP content was measured by ELISA in primary cultured epithelial cells and Calu-3 cells. CFTR expression in Calu-3 cells was determined by qPCR. RESULTS: Addition of naringenin to the basolateral side of the rat airway led to a concentration-dependent sustained increase in ISC. The current was suppressed when exposed to Cl--free solution or by bumetanide, BaCl2, and DPC but not by DIDS and IBMX. Forskolin-induced ISC increase and CFTRinh-172/MDL-12330A-induced ISC inhibition were not altered by naringenin. Intracellular cAMP content was significantly increased by naringenin. With lipopolysaccharide stimulation, CFTR expression was significantly reduced, and naringenin dose-dependently enhanced CFTR mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that naringenin has the ability to stimulate Cl- secretion, which is mediated by CFTR through a signaling pathway by increasing cAMP content. Moreover, naringenin can increase CFTR expression when organism CFTR expression is seriously hampered. Our data suggest a potentially effective treatment strategy for sputum.

Glucocorticoid attenuates acute lung injury through induction of type 2 macrophage.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are severe inflammatory lung diseases. Methylprednisolone (MP) is a common drug against inflammation in clinic. In this study, we aim to investigate the protective effect of MP on ALI and potential mechanisms. METHODS: Male BABL/c mice were injected through tail vein using lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg) with or without 5 mg/kg MP. Lung mechanics, tissue injury and inflammation were examined. Macrophage subsets in the lung were identified by flow cytometry. Macrophages were cultured from bone marrow of mice with or without MP. Then, we analyzed and isolated the subsets of macrophages. These isolated macrophages were then co-cultured with CD4+ T cells, and the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was examined. The expression of IL-10 and TGF-ß in the supernatant was measured. The Tregs immunosuppression function was examined by T cell proliferation assay. To disclose the mechanism of the induction of Tregs by M2c, we blocked IL-10 or/and TGF-ß using neutralizing antibody. RESULTS: Respiratory physiologic function was significantly improved by MP treatment. Tissue injury and inflammation were ameliorated in the MP-treated group. After MP treatment, the number of M1 decreased and M2 increased in the lung. In in vitro experiment, MP promoted M2 polarization rather than M1. We then induced M1, M2a and M2c from bone marrow cells. M1 induced more Th17 while M2 induced more CD4+CD25+Fxop3+ Tregs. Compared with M2a, M2c induced more Tregs, and this effect could be blocked by anti-IL-10 and anti-TGF-ß antibodies. However, M2a and M2c have no impact on Tregs immunosuppression function. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, MP ameliorated ALI by promoting M2 polarization. M2, especially M2c, induced Tregs without any influence on Tregs immunosuppression function.

Electrochemically durable thiophene alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers.

Thiophene-based redox-active self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were prepared on gold substrates. The alkanethiol derivatives of 1TPh-OC12SH and ETPh-OC12SH contain thiophene (1T) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (ET) units, respectively, with unprotected (nonsubstituted) thiophene α-carbons. PhETPh-OC12SH contains the ET unit, and all thiophene carbons are protected. Using these thiophene alkanethiol derivatives, we characterized the effect of thiophene carbon protection on the redox behavior of the thiophene SAMs by cyclic voltammetry. The formation of SAMs was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and reflective IR. The IR peaks in the fingerprint region were assigned with the help of DFT calculations. Although 1TPh-OC12SH and ETPh-OC12SH SAMs lost their electrochemical activity during the first anodic scan, PhETPh-OC12SH SAMs are stable and maintain their electrochemical activity for at least 1200 redox cycles.

The Effects of Food Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds on the Gut Microbiota: A Comprehensive Review.

It is now widely recognized that gut microbiota plays a critical role not only in the development and progression of diseases, but also in its susceptibility to dietary patterns, food composition, and nutritional intake. In this comprehensive review, we have compiled the latest findings on the effects of food nutrients and bioactive compounds on the gut microbiota. The research indicates that certain components, such as unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, and protein have a significant impact on the composition of bile salts and short-chain fatty acids through catabolic processes, thereby influencing the gut microbiota. Additionally, these compounds also have an effect on the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides, as well as the abundance of specific species like Akkermansia muciniphila. The gut microbiota has been found to play a role in altering the absorption and metabolism of nutrients, bioactive compounds, and drugs, adding another layer of complexity to the interaction between food and gut microbiota, which often requires long-term adaptation to yield substantial outcomes. In conclusion, understanding the relationship between food compounds and gut microbiota can offer valuable insights into the potential therapeutic applications of food and dietary interventions in various diseases and health conditions.

MAMILNet: advancing precision oncology with multi-scale attentional multi-instance learning for whole slide image analysis.

Background: Whole Slide Image (WSI) analysis, driven by deep learning algorithms, has the potential to revolutionize tumor detection, classification, and treatment response prediction. However, challenges persist, such as limited model generalizability across various cancer types, the labor-intensive nature of patch-level annotation, and the necessity of integrating multi-magnification information to attain a comprehensive understanding of pathological patterns. Methods: In response to these challenges, we introduce MAMILNet, an innovative multi-scale attentional multi-instance learning framework for WSI analysis. The incorporation of attention mechanisms into MAMILNet contributes to its exceptional generalizability across diverse cancer types and prediction tasks. This model considers whole slides as "bags" and individual patches as "instances." By adopting this approach, MAMILNet effectively eliminates the requirement for intricate patch-level labeling, significantly reducing the manual workload for pathologists. To enhance prediction accuracy, the model employs a multi-scale "consultation" strategy, facilitating the aggregation of test outcomes from various magnifications. Results: Our assessment of MAMILNet encompasses 1171 cases encompassing a wide range of cancer types, showcasing its effectiveness in predicting complex tasks. Remarkably, MAMILNet achieved impressive results in distinct domains: for breast cancer tumor detection, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.8872, with an Accuracy of 0.8760. In the realm of lung cancer typing diagnosis, it achieved an AUC of 0.9551 and an Accuracy of 0.9095. Furthermore, in predicting drug therapy responses for ovarian cancer, MAMILNet achieved an AUC of 0.7358 and an Accuracy of 0.7341. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study underscore the potential of MAMILNet in driving the advancement of precision medicine and individualized treatment planning within the field of oncology. By effectively addressing challenges related to model generalization, annotation workload, and multi-magnification integration, MAMILNet shows promise in enhancing healthcare outcomes for cancer patients. The framework's success in accurately detecting breast tumors, diagnosing lung cancer types, and predicting ovarian cancer therapy responses highlights its significant contribution to the field and paves the way for improved patient care.

Non-Equilibrium Assembly of Atomically-Precise Copper Nanoclusters.

Accurate structure control in dissipative assemblies (DSAs) is vital for precise biological functions. However, accuracy and functionality of artificial DSAs are far from this objective. Herein, a novel approach is introduced by harnessing complex chemical reaction networks rooted in coordination chemistry to create atomically-precise copper nanoclusters (CuNCs), specifically Cu11(µ9-Cl)(µ3-Cl)3L6Cl (L = 4-methyl-piperazine-1-carbodithioate). Cu(I)-ligand ratio change and dynamic Cu(I)-Cu(I) metallophilic/coordination interactions enable the reorganization of CuNCs into metastable CuL2, finally converting into equilibrium [CuL·Y]Cl (Y = MeCN/H2O) via Cu(I) oxidation/reorganization and ligand exchange process. Upon adding ascorbic acid (AA), the system goes further dissipative cycles. It is observed that the encapsulated/bridging halide ions exert subtle influence on the optical properties of CuNCs and topological changes of polymeric networks when integrating CuNCs as crosslink sites. CuNCs duration/switch period could be controlled by varying the ions, AA concentration, O2 pressure and pH. Cu(I)-Cu(I) metallophilic and coordination interactions provide a versatile toolbox for designing delicate life-like materials, paving the way for DSAs with precise structures and functionalities. Furthermore, CuNCs can be employed as modular units within polymers for materials mechanics or functionalization studies.

Conformal and conductive biofilm-bridged artificial Z-scheme system for visible light-driven overall water splitting.

Semi-artificial Z-scheme systems offer promising potential toward efficient solar-to-chemical conversion, yet sustainable and stable designs are currently lacking. Here, we developed a sustainable hybrid Z-scheme system capable for visible light-driven overall water splitting by integrating the durability of inorganic photocatalysts with the interfacial adhesion and regenerative property of bacterial biofilms. The Z-scheme configuration is fabricated by drop casting a mixture of photocatalysts onto a glass plate, followed by the growth of biofilms for conformal conductive paste through oxidative polymerization of pyrrole molecules. Notably, the system exhibited scalability indicated by consistent catalytic efficiency across various sheet areas, resistance observed by remarkable maintaining of photocatalytic efficiency across a range of background pressures, and high stability as evidenced by minimal decay of photocatalytic efficiency after 100-hour reaction. Our work thus provides a promising avenue toward sustainable and high-efficiency artificial photosynthesis, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable energy solutions.

Light-triggered cross-linking of alginates with caged Ca2+.

A strategy to light-trigger ionic cross-linking of alginates by incorporating a photosensitive Ca2+ cage (nitr-T) is presented. Upon irradiation, free Ca2+ was released, and this caused gelation of the alginate solution. Addition of Ca2+ "on-demand" allowed us to obtain homogeneous alginate (ALG) gels using concentrated initial ALG solutions (10%), not possible with other ionic gelation approaches. The cross-linking degree and derived mechanical properties of the hydrogel were modulated by the exposure dose. The light-mediated cross-linked alginate hydrogel displayed a significant improvement in the mechanical properties and homogeneity when compared to mixtures of alginate and soluble Ca2+ at comparable concentrations.