Enhancing Crystallization in Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells Using Thermally Conductive 2D Boron Nitride Nanosheet Additive.

Controlling crystallization and grain growth is crucial for realizing highly efficient hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, enhanced PSC photovoltaic performance and stability by accelerating perovskite crystallization and grain growth via 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheet additives incorporated into the active perovskite layer are demonstrated. In situ X-ray scattering and infrared thermal imaging during the perovskite annealing process revealed the highly thermally conductive hBN nanosheets promoted the phase conversion and grain growth in the perovskite layer by facilitating a more rapid and spatially uniform temperature rise within the perovskite film. Complementary structural, physicochemical, and electrical characterizations further showed that the hBN nanosheets formed a physical barrier at the perovskite grain boundaries and the interfaces with charge transport layers, passivating defects, and retarding ion migration. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of the PSC is improved from 17.4% to 19.8%, along with enhanced device stability, retaining ≈90% of the initial efficiency even after 500 h ambient air storage. The results not only highlight 2D hBN as an effective additive for PSCs but also suggest enhanced thermal transport as one of the pathways for improved PSC performance by 2D material additives in general.

Screening for newborn fatty acid oxidation disorders in Chongqing and the follow-up of confirmed children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics, gene mutations and prognosis of fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) in newborns in Chongqing. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 35 374 newborns for screening of FAOD in the Neonatal Screening Center of Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from July 2020 to February 2022. The acylcarnitine spectrum was detected by tandem mass spectrometry, the positive children in primary screening were recalled within 2 weeks, and the diagnosis of FAOD was confirmed by urine organic acid measurement, blood biochemistry testing and genetic analysis. The confirmed children were given early intervention, treatment and followed-up. RESULTS: Among 35 374 newborns, there were 267 positive children in primary screening, with a positive rate of 0.75%. Five children with FAOD were diagnosed by gene detection, with an incidence rate of 1/7075. Among them, there were 3 cases of primary carnitine deficiency (PCD, 1/11 791), 1 case of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD, 1/35 374) and 1 case of very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD, 1/35 374). The c.1400C>G and c.338G>A were the common mutations of SLC22A5 gene in 3 children with PCD, while c.621G>T was a novel mutation. There were no clinical manifestations during the follow-up period in 2 children with supplementation of L-carnitine. Another child with PCD did not follow the doctor's advice of L-carnitine treatment, and had acute attack at the age of 6 months. The child recovered after treatment, and developed normally during the follow-up. The detected ACADS gene mutations were c.417G>C and c.1054G>A in child with SCADD, who showed normal intelligence and physical development without any clinical symptoms. The mutations of ACADVL gene were c.1349G>A and c.1843C>T in child with VLCADD, who showed acute attack in the neonatal period and recovered after treatment; the child was fed with milk powder rich in medium-chain fatty acids and had normal development during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of FAOD in Chongqing area is relatively high. PCD is the most common type, and the clinical phenotype of VLCADD is serious. After early diagnosis through neonatal screening, standardized treatment and management is followed, most of FAOD children can have good prognosis.

Gut microbiota combined with metabolomics reveals the metabolic profile of the normal aging process and the anti-aging effect of FuFang Zhenshu TiaoZhi(FTZ) in mice.

The aging process is accompanied by changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between gut microbiota and the metabolome at different ages, as well as the anti-aging effect of FTZ, which is an effective clinical prescription for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and diabetes. METHODS: In the present study, mice were randomly divided into different age and FTZ treatment groups. The aging-relevant behavioral phenotype the levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acids, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and cytokine TNF-α,IL-6, IL-8 in the serum were measured. Changes of serum metabolties were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). Gut microbiota were identified using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: Our results indicated that with age, the aging-relevant behavioral phenotype appeared, glucose and lipid metabolism disordered, secretion levels of cytokine TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 increased.The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio changed with age, first increasing and then decreasing, and the microbial diversity and the community richness of the aging mice were improved by FTZ. The abundance of opportunistic bacteria decreased (Lactobacillus murinus, Erysipelatoclostridium), while the levels of protective bacteria such as Butyricimonas, Clostridium and Akkermansia increased. Metabolic analysis identified 24 potential biomarkers and 10 key pathways involving arachidonic acid metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism. Correlation analysis between the gut microbiota and biomarkers suggested that the relative abundance of protective bacteria was negatively correlated with the levels of leukotriene E4, 20-HETE and arachidonic acid, which was different from protective bacteria. CONCLUSION: Shifts of gut microbiota and metabolomic profiles were observed in the mice during the normal aging process, and treatment with FTZ moderately corrected the aging, which may be mediated via interference with arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism and gut microbiota in mice.