2D Tellurium Films Based Self-Drive Near Infrared Photodetector.

To reduce the amount of energy consumed in integrated circuits, high efficiency with the lowest energy is always expected. Self-drive device is one of the options in the pursuit of low power nanodevices. It is a typical strategy to form an internal electric field by constructing a heterojunction in self-drive semiconductor system. Here, a two-step method is proposed to prepare high quality centimeter-sized 2D tellurium (Te) thin film with hall mobility as high as 37.3 cm2 V-1 s-1, and the 2D Te film is further assembled with silicon to form a heterojunction for self-drive photodetector, which can realize effective detection from visible to near infrared bands. The photodetectivity of the heterojunctions can reach 1.58×1011 Jones under the illumination of 400 nm@ 1.615 mW/cm2 and 2.08×108 Jones under the illumination of 1550 nm@ 1.511 mW/cm2 without bias. Our experiments demonstrate the potential of 2D tellurium thin films for wide band and near infrared integrated device applications.

Synthesis and Study of Steering of Azido-tetrazole Behavior in Tetrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine-Based Energetic Materials.

Tetrazoles and their derivatives are essential for compound synthesis due to their versatility, effectiveness, stability in air, and cost-efficiency. This has stimulated interest in developing techniques for their production. In this work, four compounds, tetrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5-amine (1), N-(4-azidopyrimidin-2-yl)nitramide (2), tetrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5(6H)-one (3), and tetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-5-amine (4), were obtained from commercially available reagents and straightforward synthetic methodologies. These new compounds were characterized by infrared (IR), 13C, and 1H NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The solvent, temperature, and electron-donating group (EDG) factors that were responsible for the steering of azido-tetrazole equilibrium in all compounds were also studied. In addition, the detonation performance of the target compounds was calculated by using heats of formation (HOFs) and crystal densities. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to examine the intermolecular interactions of the four synthesized compounds. The results show that the excellent properties of 1-4 are triggered by ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, and π-π stacking interactions, indicating that these compounds have the potential to be used in the development of high-performance energetic materials. Additionally, DFT analysis is in support of experimental results, which proved the effect of different factors that can influence the azido-tetrazole equilibrium in the synthesized pyrimidine derivatives in the solution.

Exploring the biomarkers and potential therapeutic drugs for sepsis via integrated bioinformatic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by an excessive inflammatory response to an infection, associated with high mortality. However, the regulatory mechanism of sepsis remains unclear. RESULTS: In this study, bioinformatics analysis revealed the novel key biomarkers associated with sepsis and potential regulators. Three public datasets (GSE28750, GSE57065 and GSE95233) were employed to recognize the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Taking the intersection of DEGs from these three datasets, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed 537 shared DEGs and their biological functions and pathways. These genes were mainly enriched in T cell activation, differentiation, lymphocyte differentiation, mononuclear cell differentiation, and regulation of T cell activation based on GO analysis. Further, pathway enrichment analysis revealed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in Th1, Th2 and Th17 cell differentiation. Additionally, five hub immune-related genes (CD3E, HLA-DRA, IL2RB, ITK and LAT) were identified from the protein-protein interaction network, and sepsis patients with higher expression of hub genes had a better prognosis. Besides, 14 drugs targeting these five hub related genes were revealed on the basis of the DrugBank database, which proved advantageous for treating immune-related diseases. CONCLUSIONS: These results strengthen the new understanding of sepsis development and provide a fresh perspective into discriminating the candidate biomarkers for predicting sepsis as well as identifying new drugs for treating sepsis.

Precision Delivery of Dual Immune Inhibitors Loaded Nanomodulator to Reverse Immune Suppression for Combinational Photothermal-Immunotherapy.

Although photothermal therapy (PTT) can noninvasively kill tumor cells and exert synergistic immunological effects, the immune responses are usually harmed due to the lack of cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) pre-infiltration and co-existing of intricate immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), including the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)/cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47)/regulatory T cells (Tregs)/M2-macrophages overexpression. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase inhibitor (NLG919) or bromodomain extra-terminal inhibitor (OTX015) holds great promise to reprogram suppressive TME through different pathways, but their collaborative application remains a formidable challenge because of the poor water solubility and low tumor targeting. To address this challenge, a desirable nanomodulator based on dual immune inhibitors loaded mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles is designed. This nanomodulator exhibits excellent biocompatibility and water solubility, PTT, and bimodal magnetic resonance/photoacoustic imaging abilities. Owing to enhanced permeability and retention effect and tumor acidic pH-responsiveness, both inhibitors are precisely delivered and locally released at tumor sites. Such a nanomodulator significantly reverses the immune suppression of PD-L1/CD47/Tregs, promotes the activation of CTLs, regulates M2-macrophages polarization, and further boosts combined therapeutic efficacy, inducing a strong immunological memory. Taken together, the nanomodulator provides a practical approach for combinational photothermal-immunotherapy, which may be further broadened to other "immune cold" tumors.

High Performance Inverted RbCsFAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Interface Engineering and Defects Passivation.

Lead halide-based perovskites solar cells (PSCs) are intriguing candidates for photovoltaic technology due to their high efficiency, low cost, and simple fabrication processes. Currently, PSCs with efficiencies of >25% are mainly based on methylammonium (MA)-free and bromide (Br) free, formamide lead iodide (FAPbI3 )-based perovskites, because MA is thermally unstable due to its volatile nature and Br incorporation will induce blue shift in the absorption spectrum. Therefore, MA-free, Br-free formamidine-based perovskites are drawing huge research attention in recent years. The hole transporting layer (HTL) is crucial in fabricating highly efficient and stable inverted p-i-n structured PSCs by enhancing charge extraction, lowering interfacial recombination, and altering band alignment, etc. Here, this work employs a NiOx /PTAA bi-layer HTL combined with GuHCl (guanidinium hydrochloride) additive engineering and PEAI (phenylethylammonium iodide) passivation strategy to optimize the charge carrier dynamics and tune defects chemistry in the MA-free, Br-free RbCsFAPbI3 -based perovskite absorber, which boosts the device efficiency up to 22.78%. Additionally, the device retains 95% of its initial performance under continuous 1 sun equivalent LED light illumination at 45 °C for up to 500 h.

Recent Progress in Azobenzene-Based Supramolecular Materials and Applications.

Azobenzene-containing small molecules and polymers are functional photoswitchable molecules to form supramolecular nanomaterials for various applications. Recently, supramolecular nanomaterials have received enormous attention in material science because of their simple bottom-up synthesis approach, understandable mechanisms and structural features, and batch-to-batch reproducibility. Azobenzene is a light-responsive functional moiety in the molecular design of small molecules and polymers and is used to switch the photophysical properties of supramolecular nanomaterials. Herein, we review the latest literature on supramolecular nano- and micro-materials formed from azobenzene-containing small molecules and polymers through the combinatorial effect of weak molecular interactions. Different classes including complex coacervates, host-guest systems, co-assembled, and self-assembled supramolecular materials, where azobenzene is an essential moiety in small molecules, and photophysical properties are discussed. Afterward, azobenzene-containing polymers-based supramolecular photoresponsive materials formed through the host-guest approach, polymerization-induced self-assembly, and post-polymerization assembly techniques are highlighted. In addition to this, the applications of photoswitchable supramolecular materials in pH sensing, and CO2 capture are presented. In the end, the conclusion and future perspective of azobenzene-based supramolecular materials for molecular assembly design, and applications are given.

Synthesis, biological and molecular docking studies of pyrimidine-derived bioactive Schiff bases.

Pyrimidine which is an important constituent of the genetic material of deoxyribonucleic acid, is identified with a large number of biological activities. Based on this, pyrimidine-derived Schiff bases (1-6) of hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde were synthesized by using the condensation method. In addition, the molecular docking studies against topoisomerase II DNA gyrase, human hematopoietic cell kinase, urate oxidase from Aspergillus flavus, and cyclin-dependent kinase 8 to explore the antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, and anticancer properties respectively and binding affinities through bioinformatics approaches to determine the interaction among active molecules with the receptor. Hence, the computational docking analyses identified that all synthesized pyrimidine Schiff bases (1-6) are active and exhibited better binding affinities as compared to the standard drugs. Furthermore, all the prepared materials were characterized by using nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and elemental analysis. Additionally, the phase-transition and thermal decomposition temperatures were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermo-gravimetric analysis measurements. Moreover, the structures of pyrimidine-derived Schiff bases 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were also confirmed by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction technique. The pyrimidine-derived Schiff bases 5 possess significant antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal, and anticancer agent properties which confirms its promising biological activities over standard drugs.

Herbal Formulation Comprised of Methanol Extracts of Tribulus terristris L. and Zingiber officinale Roscoe Has Antihypertensive Effects.

People prefer to use medicinal plants rather than chemical compounds because they are low cost and have fewer adverse events. Zingiber officinale Roscoe is a natural dietary rhizome with anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. Tribulus terrestris L. has been used for the treatment of impotence, to enhance sexual drive and performance and for its diuretic and uricosuric effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of 2 extracts, Tribulus terristris and Zingiber officinale (TZ) for antioxidant, enzyme modulation, liver function, kidney function, blood profile and anti-hypertensive effects, which may pave the way for possible therapeutic applications. Antioxidant potential was measured with the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate free radical method antioxidant assay (DPPH) and kojic acid was used as the standard drug for tyrosine inhibition assay. The effect of TZ on biochemical parameters of the liver (alanine transferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], total serum protein, total serum albumin, serum bilirubin), kidney (blood urea and creatinine) and hematology (hemoglobin, red blood cells [RBC], platelets, thin-layer chromatography, neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) of Wister rats were studied by administering 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg-1 body weight TZ dose orally for 28 days. Antihypertensive effects were measured by the invasive method. The results showed that the scavenging percentage of TZ was 78.5 to 80.4, with an IC50 value of 1166.7 µg/ ml and tyrosinase inhibition was 72% compared with 93% for kojic acid. Different doses (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg) did not show an increase in serum biomarkers of liver and renal parameters. A significant increase in hemoglobin, erythrocytes, hematocrit, white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocytes with no significant increase/decrease in platelet count was observed but blood pressure was significantly decreased. Therefore, we concluded that TZ is safe and can be used in the treatment of hypertension.

Renal tumoural calcinosis: Extensive and multifocal form.

Renal tumoural calcinosis is rare, but the incidence is rising with increasing life expectancy due to dialysis. Whole body skeletal scintigraphy with 99mTc- MDP is a sensitive method to detect sites of osseous involvement. We share an interesting image of the bone scan, in a patient with extensive renal tumoural calcinosis.

Gallbladder Emulating Hepatic Haemangioma On Gastrointestinal Bleed Scan.

Tc-99m labelled erythrocyte scan is a sensitive method for detection of gastrointestinal (GI) bleed and liver haemangioma but false positive results can occur, as in this case gallbladder is visualized which is not a common finding. Single­photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT-CT) is helpful to avoid such false­positive results.

68Ga-PSMA PET-CT and PSMA score affecting therapeutic decision-making in high-risk prostatic carcinoma.

Purpose: This research study was conducted to evaluate the impact of (68Ga)-tagged prostatic-specific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT), compare its role with conventional radiology in early staging of high-risk prostate cancer, and calculate the PSMA score evaluating its usefulness in 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT reporting in our patient population. Material and methods: 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT of 65 high-risk cases of prostate cancer was performed for staging purpo-ses. Any change in disease stage was noted after 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT findings and PSMA score leading to a change in the management plan. Results: Change in disease stage post-PSMA imaging was seen in 39% cases, high PSMA score (03) was noted in > 80% of upstaged cases, while low score (0) and (1) was seen in 65% and 35% down-staged individuals, respectively. Change in therapeutic decision-making was observed in 32% (21) of patients. Conclusions: 68Ga-PSMA PET-CT scans have a significant influence on the planned clinical management of high-risk prostate cancer patients; hence, they can be utilized as a replacement for radiological imaging tools, particularly in the detection of pelvic nodal and distant metastatic disease. PSMA score can be considered as an effective tool in standardized reporting of 68Ga-PSMA imaging.

In-situ TiO2-x decoration of titanium carbide MXene for photo/sono-responsive antitumor theranostics.

BACKGROUND: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a noninvasive therapeutic modality that involves sonosensitizers and low-intensity ultrasound. However, owing to the rapid recombination of charge carriers, most of the sonosensitizers triggered poor reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, resulting in unsatisfactory sonodynamic therapeutic effects. RESULTS: Herein, a photo/sono-responsive nanoplatform was developed through the in-situ systhesis of TiO2-x on the surface of two-dimensional MXene (titanium carbide, Ti3C2) for photoacoustic/photothermal bimodal imaging-guided near-infrared II (NIR-II) photothermal enhanced SDT of tumor. Because of several oxygen vacancies and smaller size (~ 10 nm), the in-situ formed TiO2-x nanoparticles possessed narrow band gap (2.65 eV) and high surface area, and thus served as a charge trap to restrict charge recombination under ultrasound (US) activation, resulting in enhanced sonodynamic ROS generation. Moreover, Ti3C2 nanosheets induced extensive localized hyperthermia relieves tumor hypoxia by accelerating intratumoral blood flow and tumor oxygenation, and thus further strengthened the efficacy of SDT. Upon US/NIR-II laser dual-stimuli, Ti3C2@TiO2-x nanoplatform triggered substantial cellular killing in vitro and complete tumor eradication in vivo, without any tumor recurrence and systemic toxicity. CONCLUSION: Our work presents the promising design of photo/sono-responsive nanoplatform for cancer nanotheranostics.

Effects of safety pattern, cabin ergonomics, and sleep on work-related stress and burnout of city and transit bus drivers in Lahore, Pakistan.

The health and working environment of bus drivers is compromised in low-middle-income countries like Pakistan which leads to burnout and excessive Road Traffic Crashes. Hence, this study delves into factors affecting their safe operations from health and work environment perspectives and measures their associated stress and Burnout level. In a study of four hundred and ninety-nine (499), 86% city and 14% transit bus drivers are surveyed through a questionnaire. Stress is estimated for city and transit bus drivers, using the Effort/Reward Imbalance Model (ERI) of Siegrist, and burnout is calculated using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). For the determination of important determinants, descriptive and regression analyses are conducted. Findings show that stress has emerged as a negative factor for the physical and psychological health of city and transit bus drivers. Results based on bus drivers' responses suggest that organisational awareness and emphasis on health and safety levels can significantly reduce driver stress and burnout. Practitioner Summary: This study explores burnout and work-related stress of bus drivers in Lahore (Pakistan). City and transit bus drivers were interviewed through a questionnaire, containing three sections, using different subjective ratings based upon their past reliability. Results indicate that stress in bus drivers emerged as a physical and psychological health-damaging factor.

A "Self-Checking" pH/Viscosity-Activatable NIR-II Molecule for Real-Time Evaluation of Photothermal Therapy Efficacy.

We present a second near-infrared (NIR-II) self-checking molecule, LET-1052, for acidic tumor microenvironment (TME) turn-on photothermal therapy (PTT), followed by viscosity based therapeutic efficacy evaluation by itself in two independent channels, denoted as "self-checking" strategy. In acidic TME, LET-1052 was protonated and turned on NIR-II absorption for PTT under 1064 nm laser irradiation. Subsequently, PTT-induced cellular death increases intracellular viscosity, which inhibited the intramolecular rotation of LET-1052, resulting in the enhancement of NIR-I fluorescence for real-time evaluation of PTT efficacy. After PTT of tumor-bearing mice for different periods of NIR-II laser irradiation, NIR-I fluorescence in the tumor region showed positive correlation with tumor growth inhibition rate, demonstrating reliable and prompt prediction of PTT efficacy. The strategy may be expanded for instant evaluation of other therapeutic modalities for personalized medicine.

Evaluation of cardio protective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and CNS depressant activity of Grewia asiatica L. fruit extract.

Grewia asiatica L. is a potential medicinal plant used for various diseases in traditional medicine. Current study was aimed to evaluate the cardio protective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and CNS depressant activities of Grewia asiatica L. fruit extract. In cardio protective activity myocardial injury was produced by injection of Isoproterenol (200 mg/kg, s.c), G. asiatica 250 and 500mg/kg treated groups significantly (p<0.05) decreased the level of serum AST, ALT, LDH and CKMB, hence produced cardio protective effect. In analgesic activities G. asiatica produced significant (p<0.05) analgesic effects in acetic acid induced writhing, formalin, paw pressure and tail immersion test. G. asiatica at 250 and 500mg/kg oral dose, significantly (p<0.05) reduced the rat paw edema in carrageen an induced rat paw edema test. G. asiatica extract also produced significant CNS depressant effects in open field, hole board and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time. Findings of the current study suggest that G. asiatica fruit extract showed potential pharmacological effects and can be utilized in alternative medicine.

Biodegradable Self-Assembled Ultrasmall Nanodots as Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species Scavengers for Theranostic Application in Acute Kidney Injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently triggered by abundant reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) and leads to high morbidity and mortality in clinic. Unfortunately, the current clinical treatment options are only limited to supportive care, and hence, the development of nano-antioxidants with high kidney enrichment is an attractive novel strategy for AKI management. Herein, self-assembled ultrasmall nanodots are reported that consist of iron ion, gallic acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (denoted as FGP nanodots) as broad-spectrum RONS scavengers to alleviate both glycerinum- and cis-platinum- induced AKI in mice. Ultrasmall FGP nanodots (≈3.5 nm) offer efficient protection in vitro and reduce cellular apoptosis after H2 O2 stimulation by eliminating various RONS including hydroxyl radical (·OH), superoxide anion (·O2- ), nitric oxide (NO), and peroxynitrite (ONOO- ), etc. In vivo duplex magnetic resonance/fluorescence imaging demonstrates preferential accumulation of FGP nanodots in the kidneys with rapid renal clearance through urine. Importantly, FGP nanodots exhibit remarkable RONS consumption in vivo with enhanced biocompatibility and biodegradability, resulting in superior therapeutic effect than small molecule drug (Amifostine) in two AKI mouse models. This study presents the promising potential of ultrasmall self-assembled FGP nanodots as imaging contrast agent and broad-spectrum antioxidant nanomedicine for AKI theranotics.

Down-regulation of LncRNA 2900052N01Rik inhibits LPS-induced B cell function in vitro.

B cells play a crucial role in immune responses. The main functions include B cell protective antibody production, inflammation reduction, activation and proliferation. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to act as important regulators of many pathological processes. However, few lncRNAs have been reported to affect B cell function. In this study, we explored the expression and role of lncRNA 2900052N01Rik (lnc-290) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced B cells purified from mouse spleens in vitro. Here, we confirmed that lnc-290 was highly expressed in B cells stimulated by LPS. Knockdown of lnc-290 inhibited the expression of CD69/CD86 and the growth of B cells. Moreover, down-regulated lnc-290 reduced B cell differentiation and immunoglobulin production in vitro. In addition, we found that lnc-290 regulated LPS-induced B cell activation via the NF-κB/ERK pathways. Interestingly, abnormal lnc-290 expression did not alter the B cell activation or proliferation induced by IL-4 or CD40/CD40L. Accordingly, these results indicated, for the first time, that lnc-290 down-regulation inhibits LPS-induced B cell proliferation, activation and differentiation by blocking the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway. Together, the in vitro data demonstrate that lnc-290 participated in the inflammation and tissue damage mediated by LPS-activated B cells.

Dye-loaded mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles for multimodal tumor theranostics with enhanced immunogenic cell death.

BACKGROUND: Tumor phototherapy especially photodynamic therapy (PDT) or photothermal therapy (PTT), has been considered as an attractive strategy to elicit significant immunogenic cell death (ICD) at an optimal tumor retention of PDT/PTT agents. Heptamethine cyanine dye (IR-780), a promising PDT/PTT agent, which can be used for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence/photoacoustic (PA) imaging guided tumor phototherapy, however, the strong hydrophobicity, short circulation time, and potential toxicity in vivo hinder its biomedical applications. To address this challenge, we developed mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles (MPDA) with excellent biocompatibility, PTT efficacy, and PA imaging ability, facilitating an efficient loading and protection of hydrophobic IR-780. RESULTS: The IR-780 loaded MPDA (IR-780@MPDA) exhibited high loading capacity of IR-780 (49.7 wt%), good physiological solubility and stability, and reduced toxicity. In vivo NIR fluorescence and PA imaging revealed high tumor accumulation of IR-780@MPDA. Furthermore, the combined PDT/PTT of IR-780@MPDA could induce ICD, triggered immunotherapeutic response to breast tumor by the activation of cytotoxic T cells, resulting in significant suppression of tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the as-developed compact and biocompatible platform could induce combined PDT/PTT and accelerate immune activation via excellent tumor accumulation ability, offering multimodal tumor theranostics with negligible systemic toxicity.

Prussian blue-based theranostics for ameliorating acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) with high mortality rates is associated with an excess of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) within kidney tissues. Recently, nanomedicine antioxidant therapy has been used to alleviate AKI. Herein, we synthesized ultrasmall Prussian blue nanozymes (PB NZs, 4.5 nm) as theranostic agents for magnetic resonance (MR)/photoacoustic (PA) dual-modal imaging guided AKI treatment. RESULTS: PB NZs exhibited multi-enzyme mimetic abilities, promoting the effective elimination of RONS both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, benefiting from their imaging contrast properties, the rapid renal accumulation of PB NZs was verified by in vivo PA/MR dual-modal imaging. Due to their excellent enrichment in the kidney and unique multi-enzyme mimetic abilities, ultrasmall PB NZs displayed superior AKI treatment efficacy compared with that of amifostine in two clinically relevant types of AKI induced murine models (either by rhabdomyolysis or cisplatin). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested ultrasmall PB NZs, as nanozyme theranostics, have great potential for AKI management.

Corrigendum to "Ultrasmall platinum nanozymes as broad-spectrum antioxidants for theranostic application in acute kidney injury" [Chem. Eng. J. 409 (2020) 127371].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.127371.].