Chromosome-level genome provides insight into the evolution and conservation of the threatened goral (Naemorhedus goral).

BACKGROUND: Gorals Naemorhedus resemble both goats and antelopes, which prompts much debate about the intragenus species delimitation and phylogenetic status of the genus Naemorhedus within the subfamily Caprinae. Their evolution is believed to be linked to the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). To better understand its phylogenetics, the genetic information is worth being resolved. RESULTS: Based on a sample from the eastern margin of QTP, we constructed the first reference genome for Himalayan goral Naemorhedus goral, using PacBio long-read sequencing and Hi-C technology. The 2.59 Gb assembled genome had a contig N50 of 3.70 Mb and scaffold N50 of 106.66 Mb, which anchored onto 28 pseudo chromosomes. A total of 20,145 protein-coding genes were predicted in the assembled genome, of which 99.93% were functionally annotated. Phylogenetically, the goral was closely related to muskox on the mitochondrial genome level and nested into the takin-muskox clade on the genome tree, rather than other so-called goat-antelopes. The cladogenetic event among muskox, takin and goral occurred sequentially during the late Miocene (~ 11 - 5 Mya), when the QTP experienced a third dramatic uplift with consequent profound changes in climate and environment. Several chromosome fusions and translocations were observed between goral and takin/muskox. The expanded gene families in the goral genome were mainly related to the metabolism of drugs and diseases, so as the positive selected genes. The Ne of goral continued to decrease since ~ 1 Mya during the Pleistocene with active glaciations. CONCLUSION: The high-quality goral genome provides insights into the evolution and valuable information for the conservation of this threatened group.

Heteroepitaxial Growth to Construct Hexagonal/Hexagonal ß-NaYF4:Yb,Tm/Cs4PbBr6 Multi-Code Emitting Core/Shell Nanocrystals.

Synthesis of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)-metal halide perovskites (MHPs) heterostructure is garnered immense attentions due to their unparalleled photophysical properties. However, the obvious difference in their structural forms makes it a huge challenge. Herein, hexagonal ß-NaYF4 and hexagonal Cs4PbBr6 are filtrated to construct the UCNP/MHP heterostructural luminescent material. The similarity in their crystal structures facilitate the heteroepitaxial growth of Cs4PbBr6 on the surface of ß-NaYF4 NPs, leading to the formation of high-quality ß-NaYF4:Yb,Tm/Cs4PbBr6 core/shell nanocrystals (NCs). Interestingly, this heterostructure endows the core/shell NCs with typically narrow-band green emission centered at 524 nm under 980 nm excitation, which should be attributed to the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from Tm3+ to Cs4PbBr6. It is noteworthy that the FRET efficiency of ß-NaYF4:Yb,Tm/Cs4PbBr6 core/shell NCs (58.33%) is much higher than that of the physically mixed sample (1.84%). In addition, the reduced defect density, lattice anchoring effect, as well as diluted ionic bonding proportion induced by the core/shell structure further increase the excellent water-resistance and thermal cycling stability of Cs4PbBr6. These findings open up a new way to construct UCNP/MHP heterostructure with better multi-code luminescence performance and stability and promote its wide optoelectronic applications.

Surface and Interface Engineering for Highly Stable CsPbBr3/ZnS Core/Shell Nanocrystals.

Shelling with chalcogenides on the surface of lead halide perovskite (LHP) nanocrystals (NCs) is believed to be an effective approach to increase their stability under high-moisture/aqueous conditions, which is important for LHP NC-based optoelectronic devices. However, it is still a challenge to prepare high-quality LHP/chalcogenide core/shell NCs with moisture/aqueous stability. In this work, a surface-defect-induced strategy is carried out to facilitate the adsorption of Br- ions and subsequently Zn2+ ions to preform a bipolar surface, which reduces the energy barrier at the CsPbBr3/ZnS interface and promotes the epitaxial growth of the ZnS shell layer. The aqueous stability of the as-received NCs shows an increase of over 12 times compared to that of the original one. Likewise, Mn2+ ions are introduced to further reduce the geometric symmetry mismatch and defect density at the CsPbBr3/ZnS interface. Interestingly, aqueous stability characterizations illustrate negligible degradation even after 230 min of ultrasonication, suggesting their outstanding stability. This work proposes an effective approach to prepare high-quality LHP/chalcogenide core/shell NCs, which possess great potential in the fabrication of stable optoelectronic devices.

Two-Dimensional Hybrid Perovskite with High-Sensitivity Optical Thermometry Sensors.

Optical thermometry has gained significant attention due to its remarkable sensitivity and noninvasive, rapid response to temperature changes. However, achieving both high absolute and relative temperature sensitivity in two-dimensional perovskites presents a substantial challenge. Here, we propose a novel approach to address this issue by designing and synthesizing a new narrow-band blue light-emitting two-dimensional perovskite named (C8H12NO2)2PbBr4 using a straightforward solution-based method. Under excitation of near-ultraviolet light, (C8H12NO2)2PbBr4 shows an ultranarrow emission band with the full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of only 19 nm. Furthermore, its luminescence property can be efficiently tuned by incorporating energy transfer from host excitons to Mn2+. This energy transfer leads to dual emission, encompassing both blue and orange emissions, with an impressive energy transfer efficiency of 38.3%. Additionally, we investigated the temperature-dependent fluorescence intensity ratio between blue emission of (C8H12NO2)2PbBr4 and orange emission of Mn2+. Remarkably, (C8H12NO2)2PbBr4:Mn2+ exhibited maximum absolute sensitivity and relative sensitivity values of 0.055 K-1 and 3.207% K-1, respectively, within the temperature range of 80-360 K. This work highlights the potential of (C8H12NO2)2PbBr4:Mn2+ as a promising candidate for optical thermometry sensor application. Moreover, our findings provide valuable insights into the design of narrow-band blue light-emitting perovskites, enabling the achievement of single-component dual emission in optical thermometry sensors.

In Situ Self-Assembled 1D/3D Mixed-Dimensional Perovskite Heterostructures for Efficient White Light Emission.

Mixed-dimensional perovskite (MDP) heterostructures are promising optoelectronic semiconductors. Yet, the current preparation methods involve complex experimental procedures and material compatibility constraints, limiting their widespread applications. Here, we present a one-step room temperature solution-based approach to synthesize a range of 1D C4N2H14PbBr4 and 3D APbBr3 (A = Cs+, MA+, FA+) self-assembled MDP heterostructures exhibiting high-efficiency white light-emitting properties. The ultra-broadband emission results from the synergy between the self-captured blue broadband emission from 1D perovskites and the green emission of 3D perovskites, covering the entire visible-light spectrum with a full width at half-maximum exceeding 170 nm and a remarkable photoluminescence quantum yield of 26%. This work establishes a novel prototype for the preparation of highly luminescent MDP heterostructures, offering insights for future research and industrialization in the realm of white light LEDs.

New Fiberoptic Choledochoscopy-guided Percutaneous Transhepatic Choledochoscope Lithotomy Combined with Dual-frequency Laser Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Intractable Hepatolithiasis.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of new fiberoptic cholangioscopy-guided percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscope lithotomy (PTCSL) combined with dual-frequency laser lithotripsy for the treatment of intractable hepatolithiasis. Methods: Eighty patients with intractable hepatolithiasis who received treatment in the Second Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine from December 2020 to December 2022 were grouped according to the surgical methods. Forty-two patients who received hepatectomy were divided into the control group, 38 patients who received new fiber-optic choledochoscope-guided PTCSL combined with dual-frequency laser lithotripsy were divided into the observation group, and the treatment results of the two groups were compared. Results: The operation time, postoperative pain duration, and hospital stay of the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group, and intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower than that of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < .05). Seven days after surgery, the total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and albumin (ALB) levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The stone residual rate of 7.89% in the observation group was significantly lower than that of 26.19% in the control group (χ2=4.625, P < .05). The difference in biliary bleeding rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (χ2=0.427, P > .05). Conclusion: Overall results of new fiber-optic choledochoscope-guided PTCSL combined with dual-frequency laser lithotripsy for the treatment of intractable hepatolithiasis.

Interfacial engineering of halide perovskites and two-dimensional materials.

Recently, halide perovskites (HPs) and layered two-dimensional (2D) materials have received significant attention from industry and academia alike. HPs are emerging materials that have exciting photoelectric properties, such as a high absorption coefficient, rapid carrier mobility and high photoluminescence quantum yields, making them excellent candidates for various optoelectronic applications. 2D materials possess confined carrier mobility in 2D planes and are widely employed in nanostructures to achieve interfacial modification. HP/2D material interfaces could potentially reveal unprecedented interfacial properties, including light absorbance with desired spectral overlap, tunable carrier dynamics and modified stability, which may lead to several practical applications. In this review, we attempt to provide a comprehensive perspective on the development of interfacial engineering of HP/2D material interfaces. Specifically, we highlight the recent progress in HP/2D material interfaces considering their architectures, electronic energetics tuning and interfacial properties, discuss the potential applications of these interfaces and analyze the challenges and future research directions of interfacial engineering of HP/2D material interfaces. This review links the fields of HPs and 2D materials through interfacial engineering to provide insights into future innovations and their great potential applications in optoelectronic devices.

Multimode Luminesce Tailoring PMA4Na(In,Sb)Cl8 Organic-inorganic Hybrid Metal Halide via Rigid Benzene Ring Induced Local Lattice Distortion.

Low dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide materials have attracted extensive attention due to their superior optoelectronic properties. However, low photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) caused by parity-forbidden transition hinder their further application in optoelectronic devices. Herein, a novel yellow-emitting PMA4Na(In,Sb)Cl8 (C7H10N+, PMA+) low-dimensional OIMHs single crystal with a PLQY as high as 88% was successfully designed and synthesized, originating from the fact that the doping of Sb3+ effectively relaxes the parity-forbidden transition by strong spin-orbit (SO) coupling and Jahn-Teller (JT) interaction. The as-prepared crystal shows an efficient dual emission peaking 495 and 560 nm at low temperature, which are ascribed to different levels of 3P1 → 1S0 transitions of Sb3+ in [SbCl6]3- octahedral caused by JT deformation. Moreover, wide-range luminescence tailoring from cyan to orange can be achieved through adjusting excitation energy and temperature because of flexible [SbCl6]3- octahedral in the PNIC lattice. Based on a relative stiff lattice environment, the 560 nm yellow emission under 350 nm light excitation exhibits abnormal anti-thermal quenching from 8 to 400 K owing to the suppression of non-radiative transition. The multimode luminescence regulation enriches PMA4Na(In,Sb)Cl8 great potential in the field of optoelectronics such as temperature sensing,  low temperature anti-counterfeiting and WLED applications.

Downregulation of circ-STK39 suppresses pancreatic cancer progression by sponging mir-140-3p and regulating TRAM2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is amongst the most lethal gastrointestinal tumors, which is the seventh leading reason of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs), which is a new type of endogenous noncoding RNA (ncRNA), can mediate tumor progression in diverse tumor types including PC. Whereas precise roles regarding circRNAs and their underlying regulatory mechanisms in PC remain unknown. METHODS: In the current study, we employed next generation sequencing (NGS) to characterize abnormally expressed circRNAs among PC tissues. Next, we assessed expression levels of one identified circRNA, circ-STK39, in PC cell lines and tissues. Then, using bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter, Transwell migration, EdU and CCK-8 assays, we examined the regulatory mechanisms and targets of circ-STK39. Finally, our group explored the circ-STK39 role in PC tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. RESULTS: Our team discovered that circ-STK39 expression increased in PC tissues and cells, suggesting that circ-STK39 may have a role in PC progression. Downregulation of circ-STK39 inhibited PC proliferation and migration. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter outcomes demonstrated that TRAM2 and miR-140-3p were circ-STK39 downstream targets. TRAM2 overexpression reversed the miR-140-3p overexpression effects upon migration, proliferation and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). CONCLUSION: In this regard, we showed that circ-STK39 downregulation led to decreased migration, proliferation and the EMT of PC via the miR-140-3p/TRAM2 axis.

Wrapping gastroduodenal artery stump with the teres hepatis ligament to prevent postpancreatectomy hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) stump erosion hemorrhage is a fatal complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aimed to determine whether GDA stump wrapping with the teres hepatis ligament during pancreaticoduodenectomy decreased the incidence of postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH). METHODS: We reviewed 307 patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy between March 2019 and June 2022. The patients were divided into two groups according to application of GDA stump wrapping with the teres hepatis ligament: GDA wrapping group (165 patients) and no-wrapping group (142 patients). The perioperative data were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The clinical characteristics were balanced between the two groups. Grades B and C PPH and GDA-stump-related hemorrhage were significantly reduced in the GDA wrapping group compared with the no-wrapping group (PPH B/C, 13.4% vs 6.1%, P = 0.029; GDA hemorrhage, 5.6% vs 0.6%, P = 0.014). No difference was observed in the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula, biliary leak, intra-abdominal abscess, delayed gastric emptying, 90-day mortality, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Wrapping GDA stump with the teres hepatis ligament reduced the incidence of GDA-stump-related PPH. Therefore, the wrapping technique is a simple and effective strategy to prevent PPH. Prospective studies are needed to confirm the benefit of this procedure.