High wet-strength MXene/lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils composite films with Janus structure for electromagnetic shielding and Joule heating.

Developing MXene-based electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composite films with exceptional wet mechanical properties is crucial to address the limitation of conventional MXene-based EMI shielding composite films in humid environments. Herein, we present a fabrication strategy for Janus-structured MXene-based EMI shielding composite films with exceptional wet mechanical and Joule heating performances. Through depositing tannic acid-modified MXene (TM) on maleic anhydride-modified lignin-containing cellulose nanofibril (MLCNF) film using a scalable vacuum filtration and hot-pressing strategy.

Methoxy substitution in the α-carbon of lignin side-chain inhibits its condensation for light-colored lignin extraction.

Lignin is a natural macromolecular within woody plant. Its integrally isolation is a challenging because the conventional preparation causes its dark brown. Herein, we reported a method for extracting light-colored lignin using a mixed solvent of 1,4-dioxane and methanol in acidic conditions, achieved by introducing methoxy groups onto the α‑carbon of lignin side chains via nucleophilic substitution.

Achieving Uniform Phase Structure for Layer-by-Layer Processed Binary Organic Solar Cells with 20.2% Efficiency.

Layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition has become a facile and promising method to fabricate highly efficient organic solar cells (OSCs). However, characterization and optimization of 3D morphology remain a grand challenge for LBL-processed active layers, and their correlation with photovoltaic properties of OSC devices is not clear to date. Here, to address this issue, the morphology and its formation mechanisms of LBL-processed active layer based on the classical D18/L8-BO blend were investigated systematically.

Low-Volatility Fused-Ring Solid Additive Engineering for Synergistically Elongating Exciton Lifetime and Mitigating Trap Density Toward Organic Solar Cells of 20.5% Efficiency.

Volatile solid additives (VSAs) with single or fused-ring structures have attracted much attention for enhancing power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs). While the working mechanisms of high-volatility single-ring additives have been well studied, the influence of low-volatility fused-ring VSAs on molecular aggregations and exciton/carrier dynamics remains still unclear. Herein, 3,6-dibromothieno[3,2-b]thiophene (3,6TTBr) is selected as a representative low-volatility fused-ring VSA to elucidate its working mechanism.

Achieving Ultra-Long Cycle Life of Zn Anode Using ZnSn(OH) Coating Layer via Desolvation Effect and Uniform Zn Flux.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered as a promising energy storage system because of good safety, low cost, abundant resources, and environmental friendliness. However, the bottlenecks including dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion seriously limit their practical application. Herein, a novel ZnSn(OH) coating layer with rich hydroxyl groups is employed to achieve highly stable Zn anode.

Unraveling the chemosensory characteristics dependence of sauce-flavor baijiu on regionality using descriptive sensory analysis and quantitative targeted flavoromics.

Descriptive sensory analysis, headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-flame ionization detector and multivariate statistical analysis were used to elucidate the regional dependence of sauce-flavor baijiu (SFB). Although SFB samples from different regions couldn't be clearly classified by sensory profiles, they could be clearly divided into 5 groups in principal component analysis plot based on quantitative targeted flavoromics analysis. And then, the relationship between sensory attributes and volatile compounds were investigated by network analysis.

Using in situ untargeted flavoromics analysis to unravel the empty cup aroma of Jiangxiang-type Baijiu: A novel strategy for geographical origin traceability.

"Empty cup aroma" is an important characteristic and quality evaluation standard of Jiangxiang-type Baijiu (JXB). In this study, an in situ detection method for the empty cup aroma of JXB was established, and the authenticity and origin information of JXB were identified with an untargeted flavoromics strategy. The complex composition of JXB leads to slow ethanol volatilization, which is a potential method for identifying artificial JXB.

Enabling Stable Zn Anodes by Molecularly Engineering the Inner Helmholtz Plane with Amphiphilic Dibenzenesulfonimide Additive.

The notorious dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are considered as main barriers that hinder the stability of the Zn-metal anode. Herein, molecular engineering is conducted to optimize the inner Helmholtz plane with a trace of amphiphilic dibenzenesulfonimide (BBI) in an aqueous electrolyte. Both experimental and computational results reveal that the BBI binds strongly with Zn to form {Zn(BBI)(H O) } in the electrical double layer and reduces the water supply to the Zn anode.

Constructing Molybdenum Phosphide@Cobalt Phosphide Heterostructure Nanoarrays on Nickel Foam as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Overall Water Splitting.

The construction of multi-level heterostructure materials is an effective way to further the catalytic activity of catalysts. Here, we assembled self-supporting MoS@Co precursor nanoarrays on the support of nickel foam by coupling the hydrothermal method and electrostatic adsorption method, followed by a low-temperature phosphating strategy to obtain MoP@CoP/NF electrode materials. The construction of the MoP@CoP heterojunction can lead to electron transfer from the MoP phase to the CoP phase at the phase interface region, thereby optimizing the charge structure of the active sites.

Analysis of the Effect of Mixed Fermentation on the Quality of Distilled Jujube Liquor by Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Flavor Sensory Description.

Distilled jujube liquor is an alcoholic beverage made from jujube, which has a unique flavor and a sweet taste. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of mixed fermentation on the quality of distilled jujube liquor by comparing the performance of mixed fermentation between , and . The results showed that there were significant differences in the quality of the jujube liquor between the combined strains.

Amorphous K-Buserite Microspheres for High-Performance Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries and Hybrid Supercapacitors.

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) and Zn-ion hybrid supercapacitors (AZHSCs) are considered promising energy-storage alternatives to Li-ion batteries due to the attractive merits of low-price and high-safety. However, the lack of suitable cathode materials always hinders their large-scale application. Herein, amorphous K-buserite microspheres (denoted as K-MnO ) are reported as cathode materials for both AZIBs and AZHSCs, and the energy-storage mechanism is systematically revealed.

Mesenchymal stem cells rejuvenate cardiac muscle through regulating macrophage polarization.

We have shown that the effects of transplantation of CD146+ mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on myocardial regeneration after myocardial infarction (MI) exceeds the effects of transplantation of MSCs, likely resulting from reduction of aging-associated cellular reactive oxygen species in injured cardiac muscle cells (CMCs). Since the role of macrophages in the MSC-mediated recovery of heart function after MI remains unclear, this question was thus addressed in the current study. We found that transplantation of MSCs did not alter the total number of the macrophages in the injured heart, but induced their polarization towards a M2-phenotype.

Mesenchymal stem cells rejuvenate cardiac muscle after ischemic injury.

Previous studies have shown that transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhances myocardial regeneration after myocardial infarction (MI), primarily resulting from the production and release of trophic growth factors and cytokines by MSCs. However, effects of MSCs or a subtype of MSCs on the ageing of injured cardiac muscle cells (CMCs) are limitedly known. Here, we addressed this question.

Mitral valve repair with the "respect" approach in dialysis-dependent patients: a single-center experience.

Background: Morbidity and mortality risks in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing mitral valve surgery are high; however, little is known regarding the risks and results of mitral valve repair in these patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of dialysis-dependent patients who underwent mitral valve repair with the "respect" approach between April 2012 and April 2015 in our institution.

Results: All five identified patients survived and their data were included in the analysis.

Interleukin 18 promotes myofibroblast activation of valvular interstitial cells.

Background: Calcific aortic valve disease is the main heart valve disease in the elderly. Valvular interstitial cells (VICs) play an important role in the process of valve calcification. Interleukin 18 (IL-18) is expressed in stenosis aortic valves and is positively related with the clinical severity of aortic stenosis.

Development of decellularized aortic valvular conduit coated by heparin-SDF-1α multilayer.

Background: Decellularization can reduce the immune response to aortic valve allograft tissue, but the thrombogenicity and in vivo remolding of these grafts remain controversial. The aim of the present study was to modify the surface of decellularized valvular conduits with heparin-stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) polyelectrolyte multilayer film and to test the thrombogenicity and biocompatibility in vitro and recellularization in vivo.

Methods: The donor aortic valvular conduits were decellularized with a combination of different detergents and were coated with heparin and SDF-1α alternately to form a polyelectrolyte multilayer.

MicroRNA-92a inhibition attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced myocardiocyte apoptosis by targeting Smad7.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate a lot of physiological and pathological processes, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Recent studies reported that knockdown of miR-92a could attenuate ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial injury. In the present study, we examined the potential anti-apoptotic effects of miR-92a in a rat myocardiocyte cell line, and the possible role of Smad7 in such actions.