Achieving High Rate and Long Cycle Performance of Na2FePO4F Cathode Through Co-Modification of Ti Doping and Carbon Coating.

Layered Na2FePO4F (NFPF) cathode material has received widespread attention due to its green nontoxicity, abundant raw materials, and low cost. However, its poor inherent electronic conductivity and sluggish sodium ion transportation seriously impede its capacity delivery and cycling stability. In this work, NFPF by Ti doping and conformal carbon layer coating via solid-state reaction is modified. The results of experimental study and density functional theory calculations reveal that Ti doping enhances intrinsic conductivity, accelerates Na-ion transport, and generates more Na-ion storage sites, and pyrolytic carbon from polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) uniformly coated on the NFPF surface improves the surface/interface conductivity and suppresses the side reactions. Under the combined effect of Ti doping and carbon coating, the optimized NFPF (marked as 5T-NF@C) exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, with a high capacity of 108.4 mAh g-1 at 0.2C, a considerable capacity of 80.0 mAh g-1 even at high current density of 10C, and a high capacity retention rate of 81.8% after 2000 cycles at 10C. When assembled into a full cell with a hard carbon anode, 5T-NF@C also show good applicability. This work indicates that co-modification of Ti doping and carbon coating makes NFPF achieve high rate and long cycle performance for sodium-ion batteries.

Exosomal miR-361-3p promotes the viability of breast cancer cells by targeting ETV7 and BATF2 to upregulate the PAI-1/ERK pathway.

BACKGROUND: Malignant progression is the major cause of poor prognosis in breast cancer (BC) patients. Plasma exosomal miRNAs have been reported to be involved in tumor progression, but their roles in BC remain unclear. METHODS: We performed plasma exosomal miRNA sequencing on 45 individuals, including healthy controls and nonmetastatic and metastatic BC patients. We examined the correlation between miRNA expression in tumor tissues and plasma exosomes in BC patients by qRT‒PCR. The effects of exosomal miR-361-3p on BC cells were determined by CellTiter-Glo, migration and wound healing assays. The target genes of miR-361-3p and downstream pathways were explored by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA knockdown, rescue experiments, and western blotting. We utilized murine xenograft model to further assess the impact of plasma exosomal miR-361-3p on the malignant progression of BC. RESULTS: We found that the expression level of plasma exosomal miR-361-3p gradually increased with malignant progression in BC patients, and the expression of miR-361-3p in plasma exosomes and BC tissues was positively correlated. Consistently, exosomal miR-361-3p enhanced the migration and proliferation of two BC cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3. Furthermore, our data showed that miR-361-3p inhibited two novel target genes, ETV7 and BATF2, to activate the PAI-1/ERK pathway, leading to increased BC cell viability. Finally, the consistency of the in vivo experimental results supported that elevated plasma exosomal miR-361-3p promote the malignant progression of BC. CONCLUSIONS: We found for the first time that plasma exosomal miR-361-3p was associated with malignant progression in BC patients. Mechanistically, exosomal miR-361-3p can enhance the migration and proliferation of BC cells by targeting the ETV7 and BATF2/PAI-1/ERK pathways. Our data suggest that plasma exosomal miR-361-3p has the potential to serve as a biomarker for predicting malignant progression in BC patients.

Proteomic analysis of mitochondria associated membranes in renal ischemic reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: The mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) communicate via contact sites known as mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs). Many important cellular functions such as bioenergetics, mitophagy, apoptosis, and calcium signaling are regulated by MAMs, which are thought to be closely related to ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI). However, there exists a gap in systematic proteomic research addressing the relationship between these cellular processes. METHODS: A 4D label free mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) from the human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2 cells) was conducted under both normal (N) and hypoxia/reperfusion (HR) conditions. Subsequent differential proteins analysis aimed to characterize disease-relevant signaling molecules. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was applied to total proteins and differentially expressed proteins, encompassing Biological Process (BP), Cell Component (CC), Molecular Function (MF), and KEGG pathways. Further, Protein-Protein Interaction Network (PPI) exploration was carried out, leading to the identification of hub genes from differentially expressed proteins. Notably, Mitofusion 2 (MFN2) and BCL2/Adenovirus E1B 19-kDa interacting protein 3(BNIP3) were identified and subsequently validated both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, the impact of MFN2 on MAMs during hypoxia/reoxygenation was explored through regulation of gene expression. Subsequently, a comparative proteomics analysis was conducted between OE-MFN2 and normal HK-2 cells, providing further insights into the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: A total of 4489 proteins were identified, with 3531 successfully quantified. GO/KEGG analysis revealed that MAM proteins were primarily associated with mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. Differential analysis between the two groups showed that 688 proteins in HR HK-2 cells exhibited significant changes in expression level with P-value < 0.05 and HR/N > 1.5 or HR/N < 0.66 set as the threshold criteria. Enrichment analysis of differentially expressed proteins unveiled biological processes such as mRNA splicing, apoptosis regulation, and cell division, while molecular functions were predominantly associated with energy metabolic activity. These proteins play key roles in the cellular responses during HR, offering insights into the IRI mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The validation of hub genes MFN2 and BNIP3 both in vitro and vivo was consistent with the proteomic findings. MFN2 demonstrated a protective role in maintaining the integrity of mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) and mitigating mitochondrial damage following hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, this protective effect may be associated with the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The proteins located in mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs) are implicated in crucial roles during renal ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI), with MFN2 playing a pivotal regulatory role in this context.

Pillar[5]arene-Based Ion-Pair Recognition for Encapsulation of a Stilbazolium-Type Dye with Enhanced Photophysical Properties and Nonlinear Optical Activity.

Constructing organic composite materials through molecular recognition has emerged as an important theme in materials science. Here we report an ion-pair recognition system involving the use of a propoxylated pillar[5]arene (PrP5) to modulate the solid-state photophysical properties of dye trans-4'-(dimethylamino)-N-methyl-4-stilbazolium hexafluorophosphate (DMASP). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the dye guest DMASP is encapsulated by PrP5 to form a 2 : 1 host-guest complex 2PrP5⸧DMASP in the crystalline state. The macrocyclic skeleton of PrP5 imposes restrictions on the intramolecular motions of the dye guest, leading to a significant enhancement of its fluorescence emission. Additionally, within the 2PrP5⸧DMASP complex crystal structure, DMASP molecules are found to display two possible opposite orientations in the one-dimensional channels formed by PrP5 molecules. This arrangement is believed to alter the overall solid-state packing structure of DMASP, thereby activating its nonlinear optical activity. This work not only reports a novel ion-pair molecular recognition system based on pillararenes but also provides valuable insights into the modulation of the crystalline state photophysical properties of organic dyes via cocrystal engineering.

Effect of different intensity exercises on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure : A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation has positive benefits for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), but the choice of exercise intensity has been controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of different exercise intensities on cardiopulmonary function and quality of life (QoL) of patients with CHF. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of different exercise intensities applied to patients with CHF were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases from inception to December 2021. Study selection and data extraction were performed simultaneously by two independent reviewers, using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database Scale (PEDro) for quality assessment of the included literature. The weighted mean differences (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) were calculated by employing a fixed or random effects model. Other statistical analyses included subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis. Quality of evidence was evaluated by the Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) method. RESULTS: Eight RCTs were included. Analyses reported no significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF; WMD = 0.47, 95% CI [-4.10, 5.03], p = 0.841), peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI [-0.03, 0.80], p = 0.069) and 6­min walking distance (6MWD) (WMD = 14.10, 95% CI [-9.51, 37.72], p = 0.242). Exercise interventions of varying intensity produced small-to-moderate beneficial effects on QoL (WMD = -4.99, 95% CI [-8.29, -1.68], p = 0.003), which appeared to be attenuated at long-term follow-up (WMD = 2.12, 95% CI [-2.91, 7.16], p = 0.409). CONCLUSION: High-intensity exercise does not have a significant advantage over moderate-intensity exercise in improving cardiopulmonary function and aerobic capacity in patients with CHF. Beneficial changes in QoL from high-intensity exercise also appeared to decrease during long-term follow-up, indicating a cumulative effect of the efficacy of high-intensity exercise.

Invited review: Camel milk and gut health-Understanding digestibility and the effect on gut microbiota.

Camel milk (CM), known for its immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antidiabetic properties, is a natural healthy food. It is easily digestible due to the high levels of ß-casein and diverse secreted antibodies, exhibiting superior antibacterial and antiviral activities compared with bovine milk. ß-casein is less allergic and more digestible because it is more susceptible to digestive hydrolysis in the gut; therefore, higher levels of ß-casein make CM advantageous for human health. Furthermore, antibodies help the digestive system by destroying the antigens, which are then overwhelmed and digested by macrophages. The connection between the gut microbiota and human health has gained substantial research attention, as it offers potential benefits and supports disease treatment. The gut microbiota has a vital role in regulating the host's health because it helps in several biological functions, such as protection against pathogens, immune function regulation, energy harvesting from digested foods, and reinforcement of digestive tract biochemical barriers. These functions could be affected by the changes in the gut microbiota profile, and gut microbiota differences are associated with several diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel disorder, mental illness, allergy, and obesity. This review focuses on the digestibility of CM components, particularly protein and fat, and their influence on gut microbiota modulation. Notably, the hypoallergenic properties and small fat globules of CM contribute to its enhanced digestibility. Considering the rapid digestion of its proteins under conditions simulating infant gastrointestinal digestion, CM exhibits promise as a potential alternative for infant formula preparation due to the high ß-/αs-casein ratio and protective proteins, in addition to the absence of ß-lactoglobulin.

Comparison between ultrasound-guided intertransverse process and erector spinae plane blocks for breast cancer surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Clinical comparisons between intertransverse process block (ITPB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) are lacking. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare their blocking profile and clinical efficacy in breast cancer surgery. DESIGN: Randomised, blinded, active-controlled superiority trial. SETTING: A tertiary hospital in China from 20 February to 31 July 2023. PATIENTS: Sixty-eight females undergoing unilateral breast cancer surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomised to receive either ITPB performed at T2-6 (5 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine per level) or ESPB at T4 (25 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine). General anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia were standardised. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the number of blocked dermatomes at anterior T2-7, assessed 45 min after block completion, with a predefined superiority margin of 1.5 dermatomes. The important secondary outcome was the worst resting pain scores (11-point numerical rating scale) within 30 min in the recovery room, which was tested following a gatekeeping procedure. Other secondary outcomes included resting pain scores at various time points, use of rescue analgesics, opioid consumption, patient satisfaction, recovery quality score, and adverse effects within 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The ITPB group showed a median [q1, q3] of 5 [4, 6] blocked dermatomes at anterior T2-7, whereas the ESPB group had 1 [0, 4], with a median difference of 4 (95% confidence interval (CI), 3 to 4); the lower 95% CI limit exceeded the predefined superiority margin of 1.5 (superiority P < 0.001). Worst resting pain scores within 30 min in the recovery room in the ITPB group were 1 [0, 2] vs. 3 [1, 4] in the ESPB group, with a median difference of -1 (95% CI, -2 to 0; P = 0.004). Patients in the ITPB group required fewer rescue analgesics within 30 min in the recovery room than did those in the ESPB group. No other clinically relevant results were observed in the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although ITPB demonstrated more consistent anterior dermatomal spread and improved immediate postoperative analgesia compared to ESPB, no additional benefits were identified for breast cancer surgery. Future studies may investigate the potential of ITPB for surgical anaesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2300068454).

Effects of Fermentation with Kombucha Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts on Antioxidant Activities, Bioactive Compounds and Sensory Indicators of Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza Beverages.

Kombucha is a well-known fermented beverage traditionally made from black tea infusion. Recent studies have focused on finding alternative materials to create novel kombucha beverages with various health benefits. In this study, we prepared and evaluated two novel kombucha beverages using Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza as materials. The effects of fermentation with the residue of these plants on the kombucha were also investigated. The antioxidant activities, total phenolic contents, and concentrations of the bioactive compounds of the kombucha beverages were determined by the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity test, ferric-reducing antioxidant power test, Folin-Ciocalteu method, and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The results revealed that the kombucha beverages made with Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza had strong antioxidant capacities and abundant phenolic contents. Additionally, the kombucha fermented with Rhodiola rosea residue had higher FRAP, TEAC and TPC values than that fermented without residue. On the other hand, the Salvia miltiorrhiza kombucha fermented with residue had similar FRAP and TEAC values but lower TPC values compared to that fermented without residue. The correlation analysis showed that gallic acid, salidroside, and tyrosol were responsible for the antioxidant abilities and total phenolic contents of the Rhodiola rosea kombucha, and salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B contributed to the antioxidant abilities of the Salvia miltiorrhiza kombucha. Furthermore, the kombucha fermented with Rhodiola rosea residue had the highest sensory scores among the kombucha beverages studied. These findings suggest that Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza are suitable for making novel kombucha beverages with strong antioxidant abilities and abundant phenolic contents, which can be used in preventing and managing oxidative stress-related diseases.

Tradeoff between productivity and stability across above- and below-ground communities.

An 11-year nitrogen addition experiment reveals that for both plants and soil microorganisms, the ruderal strategists had higher productivity but lower stability, while the tolerant strategists had higher stability and lower productivity, leading to the tradeoff between productivity and stability within and across above- and below-ground communities.

[Relationship Between Cerebrovascular Reactivity and Depression in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease].

Objective To investigate the relationship between cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) and emotional disorders in the patients undergoing continuous hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD).Methods The clinical data of the ESRD patients undergoing continuous hemodialysis were collected.Anxiety and depression of the patients were assessed by the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Beck depression inventory,respectively.The cerebral hemodynamic changes during the breath holding test were monitored by transcranial Doppler sonography,and the breath-holding index (BHI) was calculated.The BHI≥0.69 and BHI<0.69 indicate normal CVR and abnormal CVR,respectively.Binary Logistic regression was employed to analyze the factors affecting the depressive state of ESRD patients.Results The group with abnormal CVR exhibited higher total cholesterol level (P=0.010),low density lipoprotein level (P=0.006),and incidence of depression (P=0.012) than the group with normal CVR.Compared with the non-depression group,the depression group displayed prolonged disease course (P=0.039),reduced body mass index (P=0.048),elevated HAMA score (P=0.001),increased incidence of anxiety (P<0.001),decreased BHI (P=0.015),and increased incidence of abnormal CVR (P=0.012).Binary Logistic regression analysis indicated anxiety as a contributing factor (OR=22.915,95%CI=2.653-197.956,P=0.004) and abnormal CVR as a risk factor (OR=0.074,95%CI=0.008-0.730,P=0.026) for depression.Conclusion Impaired CVR could pose a risk for depression in the patients with ESRD.

Nanoencapsulation-Induced Second Harmonic Generation in Pillararene-Based Host-Guest Complex Cocrystals.

The features of molecularly preferable centrosymmetric arrangements exclude organic nonlinear optical (NLO) materials for second harmonic generation (SHG) when used in the solid and crystalline states, which greatly limits their applications in optoelectronic devices. Herein, a pillar[5]arene (BrP5) is used as the macrocyclic host to encapsulate NLO molecules, 4-[4'-methoxystyryl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide (OM), 4-[2'-(5'-(dimethylamino)thiophen-2'-yl)vinyl]-1-methylpyridinium iodide (DAST), and 4-methoxy-ß-nitrostyrene (MNS), to alter the solid-state packing of these NLO molecules and manipulate their centrosymmetric arrangements. BrP5 forms 2:1 host-guest complexes with OM and DAST, while it forms a 1:1 host-guest complex with MNS. Experimental results show that the pillar[5]arene and each of these three NLO guests form a nanocapsule architecture along with an overall centrosymmetric crystal structure. However, the random orientation of OM and DAST molecules inside the 2:1 host-guest complex nanocapsules breaks the local centrosymmetric arrangement of the NLO molecules, resulting in strong SHG. On the contrary, for BrP5⊃MNS, the MNS molecules inside the pillar[5]arene cavities are unable to break the centrosymmetry. They have only one determined orientation in the one-dimensional (1D) channels of BrP5, while other MNS molecules in adjacent channels have the opposite direction. The centrosymmetry of the dipolar chains is strictly maintained with the cancellation of nonlinear polarization, resulting in the quenching of SHG. Furthermore, an ultrasound-induced host-guest crystallization method is developed for the fast preparation of these host-guest composite materials with NLO activity. This work opens a new way to construct solid-state organic NLO materials, which have potential in high-power lasers, optical switches, and imaging applications.

Pillararene-Based Variable Stoichiometry Co-Crystallization: A Versatile Approach to Diversified Solid-State Superstructures.

Variable stoichiometry co-crystals are important in solid-state supramolecular chemistry as they allow studies of structure-property relationships while permitting the synthesis of new scaffolds using identical synthons. In this work, we extend the concept of variable stoichiometry co-crystals into the realm of pillararene chemistry and show that this permits the rational construction of a diverse set of supramolecular structures in the solid state. Specifically, we report a series of variable stoichiometry co-crystals based on pillar[n]arenes and tetracyanobenzene (TCNB) and show that the combination of in-cavity complexation by pillar[n]arenes (n = 5,6) and outside binding with TCNB allows several types of co-crystals with different self-assembled superstructures to be isolated. The variable stoichiometry co-crystals of this study display different solid-state physicochemical properties, including colors and luminescence features. Among these pillar[n]arene-based co-crystals, we discovered unique crystallographic architectures wherein two sets of individual host-guest complexes co-exist in the solid state. These mixed co-crystal systems allow for vapochromic-based detection of n-bromoalkanes. This work highlights a new strategy for the construction of self-assembled superstructures in the solid state and for tuning their intrinsic characteristics, including their luminescent and substrate-responsive features.

1D Gradient-Weighted Class Activation Mapping, Visualizing Decision Process of Convolutional Neural Network-Based Models in Spectroscopy Analysis.

Being characterized by the self-adaption and high accuracy, the deep learning-based models have been widely applied in the 1D spectroscopy-related field. However, the "black-box" operation and "end-to-end" working style of the deep learning normally bring the low interpretability, where a reliable visualization is highly demanded. Although there are some well-developed visualization methods, such as Class Activation Mapping (CAM) and Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM), for the 2D image data, they cannot correctly reflect the weights of the model when being applied to the 1D spectral data, where the importance of position information is not considered. Here, aiming at the visualization of Convolutional Neural Network-based models toward the qualitative and quantitative analysis of 1D spectroscopy, we developed a novel visualization algorithm (1D Grad-CAM) to more accurately display the decision-making process of the CNN-based models. Different from the classical Grad-CAM, with the removal of the gradient averaging (GAP) and the ReLU operations, a significantly improved correlation between the gradient and the spectral location and a more comprehensive spectral feature capture were realized for 1D Grad-CAM. Furthermore, the introduction of difference (purity or linearity) and feature contribute in the CNN output in 1D Grad-CAM achieved a reliable evaluation of the qualitative accuracy and quantitative precision of CNN-based models. Facing the qualitative and adulteration quantitative analysis of vegetable oils by the combination of Raman spectroscopy and ResNet, the visualization by 1D Grad-CAM well reflected the origin of the high accuracy and precision brought by ResNet. In general, 1D Grad-CAM provides a clear vision about the judgment criterion of CNN and paves the way for CNN to a broad application in the field of 1D spectroscopy.

Macrocycle-Based Solid-State Supramolecular Polymers.

Supramolecular polymers, generated by connecting monomers through noncovalent interactions, have received considerable attention over the past years, as they provide versatile platforms for developing diverse aesthetically pleasing polymeric structures with promising applications in a variety of fields, such as medicine, catalysis, and sensing. In the development of supramolecular polymers, macrocyclic hosts play a very important role. Benefiting from their abundant host-guest chemistry and self-assembly characteristics, macrocycles themselves or their host-guest complexes can self-assemble to form well-ordered supramolecular polymeric architectures including pseudopolyrotaxanes and polyrotaxanes. The integration of these topological structures into supramolecular polymeric materials also imbues them with some unforeseen functions. Current interest in macrocycle-based supramolecular polymers is mostly focused on the development of supramolecular soft materials in solution or gel-state, in which the dynamic nature of noncovalent interactions endows supramolecular polymers with a wealth of "smart" properties, such as multiresponsiveness and self-repair capabilities. While preparation of macrocycle-derived supramolecular polymers in the solid state is a relatively challenging but intriguing prospect, they are an important part of the field of supramolecular polymers. On one hand, the construction of macrocycle-based solid-state supramolecular polymers enables us to obtain new materials with novel properties and functions such as mechano-responsiveness. On the other hand, the molecular structures and arrangements in these materials are well-identified by X-ray crystallography techniques, offering a direct visual representation of the supramolecular polymerization process. The analysis of the role of noncovalent interactions in these architectures allows us to design more sophisticated and elegant supramolecular polymers in a highly rationalized and controllable manner. This Account serves to summarize the research progress on macrocycle-based solid-state supramolecular polymers (MSSPs), including the contributions toward this field made by our group. For constructing MSSPs, the key point is to control noncovalent interactions. Thus, in this Account, we primarily classify these MSSPs by different noncovalent interactions involved to connect the monomers, including metal-ligand interactions, host-guest interactions, π···π stacking, and halogen bonding. These noncovalent interactions are highly associated with the structures and functions of the resultant MSSPs. For instance, using metal-ligand interactions as driving forces, metal clusters can be introduced in MSSPs which afford systems with solid-state luminescence or proton conduction properties; supramolecular polymerization using macrocycle-based host-guest interactions can modulate the molecular arrangement of some specific molecules in the solid state, which further influences their solid-state properties; π···π stacking interactions and halogen bonding give chemists more choice to design MSSPs with various elements. The role of macrocyclic hosts in MSSPs is also revealed in these descriptions. Finally, the remaining challenges are identified for further development of future prospects. We hope that this Account can inspire new discoveries in the realm of supramolecular functional systems and offer new opportunities for the construction of supramolecular architectures and solid-state materials.

Pillar[5]arene-Based Fluorescent Supramolecular Polymers Without Conventional Chromophores.

Fluorescent supramolecular polymers have garnered significant attention due to their successful integration of supramolecular polymers and fluorescence, offering vast potential for applications in sensing, imaging, optoelectronics, and photonics. In this study, we present a novel supramolecular polymer based on P5-OH, derived from mono-substituted pillararene macrocycles. Notably, these formed supramolecular polymeric aggregates exhibit a prominent blue emission, representing a rare instance of fluorescent polymers devoid of conventional chromophores. Furthermore, through the modification of alkyl chain ending groups attached to pillar[5]arenes, slight shifts in the emission peak could be observed. This research expands the scope of functional supramolecular polymeric systems utilizing pillararenes, providing valuable insights for the design of innovative luminescent materials and optical devices.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with HER2-low breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Low human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression is an emerging concept in breast cancer that is defined as immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1 + or IHC 2 + and negative in situ hybridization (ISH) but has been poorly investigated. The aim of our study was to determine the frequency of low HER2 expression among HER2-negative breast cancers and compare the clinicopathological features and prognosis of HER2-low patients with those of HER2-zero patients. METHODS: We collected the data of 684 patients with primary HER2-negative breast cancer who underwent surgery between January 2012 and September 2021 from our self-built database. Clinicopathological features, recurrence-free interval (RFI) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were compared between HER2-low and HER2-zero (IHC 0) patients. RESULTS: Among the 684 patients, 512 (74.9%) patients had low HER2 expression, and 172 (25.1%) patients had zero HER2 expression. The average age was 57.7 ± 12.6 years, 472 (69.0%) patients were aged < 65 years, and 212 (31.0%) patients were aged ≥ 65 years. Compared to HER2-zero tumors, HER2-low tumors had a higher proportion of hormone receptor (HR)-positive cases (89.6% vs. 75.6%, P < 0.001) and a lower rate of histological grade III cases (29.4% vs. 38.8%, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that low HER2 expression was associated with prolonged RFI in breast cancer patients, especially in HR + breast cancer patients (P = 0.028) and < 65-year-old breast cancer patients (P = 0.000). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low HER2 expression was a low-risk factor for RFI (HR: 0.531, 95% CI: 0.292-0.967, P = 0.038) but had no influence on BCSS (P = 0.272). CONCLUSIONS: HER2-low tumors had a higher proportion of HR positivity and a lower rate of histological grade III than HER2-zero tumors. Low HER2 expression seemed to be a protective factor for RFI, especially in patients with HR + and those younger than 65 years.

Effects and mechanisms of natural products on Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in elderly people with a high incidence rate and complicated pathogenesis, and causes progressive cognitive deficit and memory impairment. Some natural products and bioactive compounds from natural sources show great potential in the prevention and treatment of AD, such as apple, blueberries, grapes, chili pepper, Monsonia angustifolia, cruciferous vegetables, Herba epimedii, Angelica tenuissima, Embelia ribes, sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa, green tea, Puer tea, Amanita caesarea and Inonotus obliquus, via reducing amyloid beta (Aß) deposition, decreasing Tau hyperphosphorylation, regulating cholinergic system, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis and ameliorating inflammation. This review mainly summarizes the effects of some natural products and their bioactive compounds on AD with the potential molecular mechanisms.

Current extraction, purification, and identification techniques of tea polyphenols: An updated review.

Tea, as a beverage, has been reputed for its health benefits and gained worldwide popularity. Tea polyphenols, especially catechins, as the main bioactive compounds in tea, exhibit diverse health benefits and have wide applications in the food industry. The development of tea polyphenol-incorporated products is dependent on the extraction, purification, and identification of tea polyphenols. Recent years, many green and novel extraction, purification, and identification techniques have been developed for the preparation of tea polyphenols. This review, therefore, introduces the classification of tea and summarizes the main conventional and novel techniques for the extraction of polyphenols from various tea products. The advantages and disadvantages of these techniques are also intensively discussed and compared. In addition, the purification and identification techniques are summarized. It is hoped that this updated review can provide a research basis for the green and efficient extraction, purification, and identification of tea polyphenols, which can facilitate their utilization in the production of various functional food products and nutraceuticals.

Effects and mechanisms of tea on obesity.

Obesity has become a global health concern. It increases the risk of several diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and certain cancers, which threatens human health and increases social economic burden. As one of the most consumed beverages, tea contains various phytochemicals with potent bioactive properties and health-promoting effects, such as antioxidant, immune-regulation, cardiovascular protection and anticancer. Tea and its components are also considered as potential candidates for anti-obesity. Epidemiological studies indicate that regular consumption of tea is beneficial for reducing body fat. In addition, the experimental studies demonstrate that the potential anti-obesity mechanisms of tea are mainly involved in increasing energy expenditure and lipid catabolism, decreasing nutrient digestion and absorption as well as lipid synthesis, and regulating adipocytes, neuroendocrine system and gut microbiota. Moreover, most of clinical studies illustrate that the intake of green tea could reduce body weight and alleviate the obesity. In this review, we focus on the effect of tea and its components on obesity from epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies, and discuss their potential mechanisms.

Dietary sources, health benefits, and risks of caffeine.

Dietary intake of caffeine has significantly increased in recent years, and beneficial and harmful effects of caffeine have been extensively studied. This paper reviews antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of caffeine as well as its protective effects on cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cancers, and neurodegenerative and liver diseases. In addition, we summarize the side effects of long-term or excessive caffeine consumption on sleep, migraine, intraocular pressure, pregnant women, children, and adolescents. The health benefits of caffeine depend on the amount of caffeine intake and the physical condition of consumers. Moderate intake of caffeine helps to prevent and modulate several diseases. However, the long-term or over-consumption of caffeine can lead to addiction, insomnia, migraine, and other side effects. In addition, children, adolescents, pregnant women, and people who are sensitive to caffeine should be recommended to restrict/reduce their intake to avoid potential adverse effects.