A Flexible Humidity Sensor with Wide Range, High Linearity, and Fast Response Based on Ultralong Na2Ti3O7 Nanowires.

A flexible humidity sensor with wide sensing range, superior sensitivity, high linearity, and advanced response/recovery capabilities is extremely desirable for practical applications in human body-related (HBR) monitoring and human-machine interaction (HMI). However, the practical sensor lacks a versatile nanomaterial integrated with sensing capabilities and mechanical flexibility to meet the criteria. Herein, a comprehensive flexible humidity sensor with ultralong Na2Ti3O7 nanowires (>120 µm) is subtly constructed for the first time. Owing to the distinguish nanowires network structure, the sensor exhibits wide sensing range (11-95% RH), high sensitivity (>103), high linearity (R2 > 0.98), and fast response/recovery capability (8.9/2.1 s), as well as excellent respiratory stability (>5000 s). In addition, the Na2Ti3O7-based humidity sensor demonstrates superior flexibility and antibacteria capabilities, and exhibits diverse applications in respiration monitoring, noncontact detection, as well as dynamic interactive display. This work provides a multifunctional humidity sensor with excellent practicability, suggesting the great potential in next-generation human-related flexible/wearable devices.

Ultrathin Mo2S3 Nanowire Network for High-Sensitivity Breathable Piezoresistive Electronic Skins.

Flexible piezosensing electronic skins (e-skins) have attracted considerable interest owing to their applications in real-time human-health monitoring, human-machine interactions, and soft bionic robot perception. However, the fabrication of piezosensing e-skins with high sensitivity, biological affinity, and good permeability at the same time is challenging. Herein, we designed and synthesized Mo2S3 nanowires by inserting ∞1[Mo2+S] chains between MoS2 interlayers. The resulting Mo2S3 nanowires feature high conductivity (4.9 × 104 S m-1) and a high aspect ratio (∼200). An ultrathin (∼500 nm) Mo2S3 nanowire network was fabricated using a simple liquid/liquid interface self-assembly method, showing high piezoresistive sensitivity (5.65 kPa-1), a considerably low pressure detection limit (0.08 Pa), and gratifying air permeability. Moreover, this nanowire network can be directly attached to human skin for real-time human pulse detection, finger movement monitoring, and sign language recognition, exhibiting excellent potential for health monitoring and human-machine interactions.

Caged-Cation-Induced Lattice Distortion in Bronze TiO2 for Cohering Nanoparticulate Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalysts.

Defect engineering provides a promising approach for optimizing the trade-off between support structures and active nanoparticles in heterojunction nanostructures, manifesting efficient synergy in advanced catalysis. Herein, a high density of distorted lattices and defects are successfully formed in bronze TiO2 through caging alkali-metal Na cations in open voids (Na-TiO2(B)), which could efficiently cohere nanoparticulate electrocatalysts toward alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The RuMo bimetallic nanoparticles could directionally anchor on Na-TiO2(B) with a certain angle of ∼22° due to elimination of the lattice mismatch, thus promoting uniform dispersion and small sizing of supported nanoparticles. Moreover, caging Na ions could significantly enhance the hydrophilicity of the substrate in RuMo/Na-TiO2(B), leading to the strengthening synergy of water dissociation and hydrogen desorption. As expected, this Na-caged nanocomposite catalyst rich with structural perturbations manifests a 6.4-fold turnover frequency (TOF) increase compared to Pt/C. The study provides a paradigm for designing stable nano-heterojunction catalysts with lattice-distorted substrates by caging cations toward advanced electrocatalytic transformations.

Literature analysis on asparagus roots and review of its functional characterizations.

Asparagus root (AR) is utilized globally as a traditional herbal medicine because it contains various bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and minerals. The composition profiles of AR are strongly affected by its botanical and geographical origins. Although minerals and heavy metals are minor constituents of AR, they play a crucial role in determining its quality and efficacy. A comprehensive classification of AR, its phytochemistry, and its pharmacology were reviewed and interpreted herein. Potentially eligible articles (in English) were identified through an electronic search of the Web of Science database (2010-2022) and Google (2001-2022). We used the primary search term "Asparagus roots" combined with the words "pharmacology," "bioactive compounds," "physicochemical properties," and "health benefits" to find the relevant literature. We screened the titles, keywords, and abstracts of the publications obtained from the database. A full copy of the article was obtained for further assessment if deemed appropriate. Different asparagus species might potentially be used as herbal medicines and functional foods. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds as valuable secondary metabolites. The dominant class of bioactive compounds in AR is flavonoids. Furthermore, AR displayed significant pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects, as shown in animal and human studies. This review provides a valuable resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of Asparagus root as a functional ingredient for the pharmaceutical and food industries. In addition, it is anticipated that this review will provide information to healthcare professionals seeking alternative sources of critical bioactive compounds.

[Chemical constituents, biological activities and clinical applications of artemisia rupestris].

Artemisia rupestris is a traditional medicine in Uygur and Kazak in Xinjiang Province, mainly distributed in the territory of Xinjiang Altai area, Tianshan mountains and the Kunlun mountains, growing at an altitude of 1 500 to 4 000 meters of grassland and forest areas. As the broad research on chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, the effective components of A. rupestris have attracted the interest to make up new drugs. Based on the latest research from A. rupestris, identification and geographic distribution, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, clinical applications were summarized in this article, in the view of Medicinal Ethnobotany. At the same time, some suggestions were proposed for future research.

[Influences of inferior mesenteric artery types and Riolan artery arcade absence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influences of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) types and Riolan artery arcade absence on the incidence of anastomotic leakage(AL) after laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer. METHODS: Clinical data of 116 local advanced rectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic resection in The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2012 to December 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. IMA and Riolan artery arcade were examined by preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA) reconstruction. The influences of IMA type, Riolan artery arcade absence and ligation site (high or low) on AL were analyzed by Logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of IMA types(I(-IIII() was 57.8%(67/116), 10.3%(12/116), 31.0%(36/116) and 0.9%(1/116), respectively. Riolan artery arcade absence was found in 60.3%(70/116). Eight (6.9%) patients suffered from AL. IMA type III( had significantly higher AL incidence as compared to other IMA types [19.4%(7/36) vs. 1.2%(1/80), P=0.001]. Meanwhile, patients with Riolan artery arcade absence also had significantly higher AL incidence[11.4%(8/70) vs. 0.0%(0/46), P=0.030]. However, the difference in AL incidence between high and Low IMA ligation was not statistically significant [8.0%(7/87) vs. 3.4%(1/29), P=0.531]. Seven of these 8 AL patients were found in IMA type III( with Riolan artery arcade absence and high ligation. Multivariate analysis showed that IMA type III( (P=0.001) and Riolan artery arcade absence (P=0.002) were independent risk factors of AL. CONCLUSIONS: IMA type III( with Riolan artery arcade absence increases AL incidence significantly in laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer. IMA type and Riolan aretry arcade absence or not contribute to the selection of IMA ligation site in the operation. For the colorectal cancer patients with IMA type III( and Riolan artery arcade absence, selective low IMA ligation with root lymph node dissection should be recommended.

[Efficacy comparison of laparoscopic versus open distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph dissection for advanced gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes between laparoscopic and open distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph dissection for advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: Clinical data of 377 cases of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and 301 cases of open distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph dissection at the Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University from January 2004 to June 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were followed up until September 2015. Surgical outcomes, postoperative complications and long-term survival were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with conventional open group, laparoscopic group was associated with lower intraoperative blood loss [(125±89) ml vs. (290±161) ml, t=-15.942, P=0.000], shorter time to oral intake [(2.9±0.7) days vs. (4.1±1.6) days, t=-12.120, P=0.000], quicker bowel function retum[(2.7±1.4) days vs. (3.6±1.6) days, t=-7.804, P=0.000], shorter postoperative hospital stay [(7.7±3.6) days vs. (10.1±4.1) days, t=-8.107, P=0.000]. In addition, there were no significant differences in the operative time[(207±57) minutes vs. (202±43) minutes, P>0.05], number of retrieved lymph nodes(33±13 vs. 31±15, P>0.05), resection margin length(P>0.05) between two groups. The postoperative complication morbidity in laparoscopic group was significantly lower than that in open group[7.2%(22/377) vs. 12.6%(38/301), χ(2)=5.762, P=0.016]. Within perioperative period, 7 patients underwent operation again due to complication and 1 case died of peritoneal bleeding in laparoscopic group; 6 patients underwent re-operation and 2 cases died of peritoneal infection with hepatic failure and lung infection with respiratory failure. During the median follow-up of 86 months (range from 3-140 months), relapse occurred in 171(45.4%) patients and 183(48.5%, among them, 156 cases died of primary disease) patients died in laparoscopic group; relapse occurred in 140(46.5%) patients and 151(50.2%, among them, 127 cases died of primary disease) patients died in open group. The difference in overall 5-year survival rate between two groups was not statistically significant (51.5% vs. 49.8%, χ(2)=0.142, P=0.706). No significant difference was seen in 5-year disease-free survival rate (49.1% vs. 47.8%, χ(2)=0.062, P=0.803). Stratified analysis based on TNM stage also showed no significant difference in 5-year overall or disease-free survival rate(both P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph dissection for advanced gastric cancer has better short-term efficacy and similar long-tern efficacy as compared to open surgery.