Synergistic Design of UV Nonlinear Optical Crystals: Harnessing Flexible π-Conjugated Anions and Guanidinium Cations for Enhanced Performance.

Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials are vital for advanced optical applications, particularly in the laser industry. While borate-based NLO crystals have been extensively studied, recent research has expanded to novel materials featuring flexible organic π-conjugated systems. In this work, we report the synthesis of a new ultraviolet NLO crystal [C(NH)][NH(CHCOO)], which crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric monoclinic space group (No.

(CNH)HCNS: Trithiocyanurate Exhibiting Giant Optical Anisotropy via Weak Interaction-Mediated Functional Module Alignment.

There is an immediate demand for identifying birefringent materials that possess substantial optical anisotropy to meet the requirements of photonic applications. Optimizing the orientation of functional modules to achieve enormous anisotropy is essential for enhancing the linear optical properties of birefringent materials. In this research, the arrangement of anionic groups was regulated by the hydrogen bonds formed between group (CNH) and (HCNS) groups, and coupled with the synergistic effect of the repulsive force between the same groups, this resulted in the design and synthesis of the first metal-free trithiocyanurate ultraviolet (UV) birefringent crystal (CNH)HCNS.

Hydrogen-Bond-Directed Modular Assembly of Polar Chains for Rational Construction of UV Nonlinear Optical Crystals.

Non-centrosymmetric (NCS) materials underpin a host of emerging technologies-from high-power lasers to optical communications and sensors-yet their targeted design remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we introduce a "Hydrogen-Bond-Directed Modular Assembly" strategy for the rational construction of ultraviolet (UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals. In this strategy, programmable hydrogen-bonding schemes serve as a predictive handle to propagate local asymmetry into a macroscopic polar network.

[C(NH)]Y(HCOO): Constructing 3D Framework for Guanidine-Based UV Nonlinear Optical Crystals with Good Performance.

The guanidine group, [C(NH)], is a promising π-conjugated unit for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. However, its saturated amino coordination typically leads to weak hydrogen bond interaction and zero-dimensional structures, limiting the stability and mechanical strength. Herein, we propose a design strategy that constructs a non-centrosymmetric (NCS) three-dimensional (3D) framework for [C(NH)] by utilizing (HCOO) and rare-earth cations and successfully synthesizes a novel 3D guanidine-based compound, [C(NH)]Y(HCOO), which not only effectively immobilizes the [C(NH)] but also induces an NCS arrangement.

Scattering Intensity Regulation via Intrinsic S Vacancies in [CuS▫] Motif for Optimized Initial Thermoelectric Performance in Cu─Sb─S System.

The Cu─Sb─S system has garnered significant attention as thermoelectric (TE) material due to the low lattice thermal conductivity (κ), cost-effectiveness, and low toxicity. Herein, an intrinsic switch is demonstrated to optimize the initial properties before doping, which controls the intensity of phonon and carrier scattering simultaneously. The degree of filling of the S-site at the co-vertex junction of the [CuS] triangles plays a crucial role in determining both electrical and thermal transport properties.

Physical exercise and epigenetic modifications in skeletal muscle, brain, and heart.

The origins of many diseases can be traced to the dynamic interplay of genetic predispositions and environmental exposures post-birth. Epigenetic modifications have recently gained prominence as a significant mediator between genetic information and environmental factors, influencing the occurrence and progression of disease. There is a burgeoning body of evidence supports that physical exercise, acting as an external environmental stimulus, exerts a discernible impact on major epigenetic modifications, including histone modifications, DNA methylation, RNA methylation, and non-coding RNA.

Engineering an Excellent β-BaBO-Inspired UV Nonlinear Optical Material Through Secondary Building Unit Substitution.

The development of nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals with tailored properties has been a long-standing pursuit, yet remains challenging to achieve. Herein, we report the successful synthesis of a novel high-performance UV NLO material, Li[Be(OH)(CHO)]·7HO (LBOC), by substituting the [BO] functional building units (FBUs) in the classic β-BaBO (β-BBO) with meticulously designed [Be(OH)(CHO)] secondary building units (SBUs). The [Be(OH)(CHO)] SBUs within LBOC preserve the ordered arrangement of the [BO] FBUs found in β-BBO, enabling LBOC to inherit the strong second harmonic generation (SHG) response from β-BBO.

KLF5 enhances CXCL12 transcription in adipose-derived stem cells to promote endothelial progenitor cells neovascularization and accelerate diabetic wound healing.

Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been shown to accelerate diabetic wound healing by promoting neovascularization, though the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to explore whether ADSCs influence endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) function to enhance diabetic wound healing.

Methods: Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were isolated from patient adipose tissue and cultured under normal and high glucose (HG) conditions.

Ln(HCOO) (Ln = Y, Gd, Ce, and La) With Triangular Configuration Exhibits Excellent UV Nonlinear Optical Performance.

Identifying an ideal structure is essential for developing outstanding nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals, which typically involve the selection of microscopic functional building blocks (FBUs) and constructing excellent crystal structures. This often presents significant challenges. Herein, the long-neglected π-conjugated [HCOO] is selected as the UV NLO-active FBU, and a series of isomorphic anhydrous rare earth formates, Ln(HCOO) (Ln = Y, Gd, Ce, and La) with the space group R3m, are synthesized and characterized.

Discovery of Potent Dengue Virus NS2B-NS3 Protease Inhibitors Among Glycyrrhizic Acid Conjugates with Amino Acids and Dipeptides Esters.

This study investigated a library of known and novel glycyrrhizic acid (GL) conjugates with amino acids and dipeptide esters, as inhibitors of the DENV NS2B-NS3 protease. We utilized docking algorithms to evaluate the interactions of these GL derivatives with key residues (His51, Asp75, Ser135, and Gly153) within 10 Å of the DENV-2 NS2B-NS3 protease binding pocket (PDB ID: 2FOM). It was found that compounds and exhibited unique binding patterns, forming hydrogen bonds with Asp75, Tyr150, and Gly153.

Design of High-Performance Infrared Nonlinear Optical PAsS with Perfectly Aligned Polar Molecular Cage via a Bipolar-Axis-Symmetry Coupling Strategy.

Strong polar molecular cages have recently emerged as novel functional building units for high-performance infrared nonlinear optical (IR NLO) crystals. However, these highly polar molecular cages often arrange themselves in a way that cancels out their polarity, leading to a more energetically stable state. As a result, most cage crystal formations tend to crystallize in centrosymmetric space groups, which conflicts with the primary requirement for NLO crystals.

Achieving strong optical nonlinearity and wide bandgap of pnictides via ionic motif-driven directed assembly of covalent groups.

Noncentrosymmetric (NCS) pnictides are indispensable for nonlinear optics, ferroelectrics, magnetic Weyl electronics, etc., areas, yet their structure design remains a substantial challenge. By using asymmetric ionic unit-driven covalent groups orienting and rigidity-flexibility coupling dual strategy, we successfully design and synthesize four NCS pnictides: [SrBr][MSiP] (M = Mg, Cd) and [BaBr][MSiP] (M = Ga, In), which exhibit strong second harmonic generation effects (5.

Induction of human stem cells into ameloblasts by reaggregation strategy.

Background: Human epithelium-derived stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) possess the capability to support tooth formation and differentiate into functional enamel-secreting ameloblasts, making them promising epithelial-component substitutes for future human tooth regeneration. However, current tissue recombination approaches are not only technically challenging, requiring precise induction procedures and sophisticated microsurgery, but also exhibit low success rates in achieving tooth formation and ameloblastic differentiation.

Methods: Suspended human keratinocyte stem cells (hKSCs) or cells from three hiPSC lines were directly mixed with dissociated embryonic mouse dental mesenchymal cells (mDMCs) that possess odontogenic potential in different proportions and reaggregated them to construct bioengineered tooth germs.

Assessing the inhibitory effects of some secondary amines, thioureas and 1,3-dimethyluracil conjugates of (-)-cytisine and thermopsine on the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including pneumonia and death. This beta coronavirus has a 30-kilobase RNA genome and shares about 80 % of its nucleotide sequence with SARS-CoV-1. The replication/transcription complex, essential for viral RNA synthesis, includes RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, nsp12) enhanced by nsp7 and nsp8.

Cleft Palate Induced by Augmented Fibroblast Growth Factor-9 Signaling in Cranial Neural Crest Cells in Mice.

Although enhanced fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling has been demonstrated to be crucial in many cases of syndromic cleft palate caused by tongue malposition in humans, animal models that recapitulate this phenotype are limited, and the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Mutations in with the effect of either loss- or gain-of-function effects have been identified to be associated with cleft palate in humans. Here, we generated a mouse model with a transgenic allele specifically activated in cranial neural crest cells, aiming to elucidate the gain-of-function effects of in palatogenesis.

EuSiP: An Inorganic Supramolecular Nonlinear Optical Crystal Exhibiting Strong Second-Harmonic Generation Response.

Inorganic supramolecular compounds are the emergent class of infrared (IR) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. However, the reported inorganic supramolecular IR NLO pnictides are still scarce. In this work, a new inorganic supramolecular IR NLO phosphide, EuSiP, has been synthesized using the metal salt flux method.

Dimensional Regulation in Metal-Free Perovskites by Compositional Engineering to Achieve Record Low X-Ray Detection Limits.

Utilizing the manipulation of perovskite dimensions has been proven as an effective approach in regulating perovskite properties. Nevertheless, achieving precise control over the dimensions of perovskites within the same system poses a significant challenge. In this study, we introduce a sophisticated method to attain precise dimensional control in metal-free perovskites (MFPs), specifically through the process of octahedron tailoring by compositional engineering.

Overexpression of in cranial neural crest cells recapitulates Pierre Robin sequence in mice.

The pivotal role of FGF18 in the regulation of craniofacial and skeletal development has been well established. Previous studies have demonstrated that mice with deficiency in exhibit severe craniofacial dysplasia. Recent clinical reports have revealed that the duplication of chromosome 5q32-35.

Molecular Crystals Constructed by Polar Molecular Cages: A Promising System for Exploring High-performance Infrared Nonlinear Optical Crystals.

Polar molecular crystals, with their densely stacked polar nonlinear optical (NLO) active units, are favored for their large second harmonic generation (SHG) responses and birefringence. However, their potential for practical applications as Infrared (IR) NLO materials has historically been underappreciated due to the weak inter-molecular interaction forces that may compromise their physicochemical properties. In this study, we propose molecular crystals with polar molecular cages as a treasure-house for the development of superior IR NLO materials and a representative system, binary chalcogenide molecular crystals, composed of [P S ] (n=3-9) polar molecular cages, is introduced.

Inhibition of dengue viruses by N-methylcytisine thio derivatives through targeting viral envelope protein and NS2B-NS3 protease.

Dengue virus (DENV) is a significant global health threat, causing millions of cases worldwide each year. Developing antiviral drugs for DENV has been a challenging endeavor. Our previous study identified anti-DENV properties of two (-)-cytisine derivatives contained substitutions within the 2-pyridone core from a pool of 19 (-)-cytisine derivatives.

Downregulated BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling causes emphysema via dysfunction of alveolar type II epithelial cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-Smad1/5/8 signaling plays a crucial regulatory role in lung development and adult lung homeostasis. However, it remains elusive whether BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of emphysema. In this study, we downregulated BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling by overexpressing its antagonist Noggin in adult mouse alveolar type II epithelial cells (AT2s), resulting in an emphysematous phenotype mimicking the typical pathological features of human emphysema, including distal airspace enlargement, pulmonary inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and impaired lung function.

Mg(C O H )(H O) : A New Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Material Derived from KBe BO F with High Performance and Excellent Water-Resistance.

Acquiring high-performance ultraviolet (UV) nonlinear optical (NLO) materials that simultaneously exhibit a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) coefficients, as short as possible SHG phase-matching (PM) wavelength and non-hygroscopic properties has consistently posed a significant challenge. Herein, through multicomponent modification of KBe BO F (KBBF), an excellent UV NLO crystal, Mg(C O H )(H O) , was successfully synthesized in malonic system. This material possesses a unique 2D NLO-favorable electroneutral [Mg(C O H ) (H O) ] layer, resulting in the rare coexistence of a strong SHG response of 3×KDP (@1064 nm) and short PM wavelength of 200 nm.

Sr(NHSO)(NO)·HO: An Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Material Exhibiting Strong Second-Harmonic Generation Response and Sufficient Birefringence.

Second-harmonic generation (SHG) response and birefringence stand as fundamental optical properties for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Up to now, engineering a strong SHG response and substantial birefringence in the sulfamate system has proven to be exceedingly challenging. A novel noncentrosymmetric compound, Sr(NHSO)(NO)·HO, has been meticulously designed by introducing the (NO) group characterized by significant polarizability anisotropy and hyperpolarizability into the polar non-π-conjugated (NHSO) system.

Design of the Ionic Organic Nonlinear Optical Material NH [LiC H(CH )O ] with Ultrawide Band Gap and Moderate Birefringence.

Ionic organic crystals containing organic planar π-conjugated units has become one of the hot spots as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. However, although this type of ionic organic NLO crystals commonly have remarkable second harmonic generation (SHG) responses, they also suffer from overlarge birefringences and relatively small band gaps that be hardly beyond 6.2 eV.

CsMg(HCNS)·8HO: An Excellent Birefringent Material with Giant Optical Anisotropy in π-Conjugated Trithiocyanurate.

The design of giant birefringence was performed by adjusting cations to make parallel and compact alignments of π-conjugated (HCNS), where = 1 and 2) groups with large polarizability anisotropy. Finally, the first mixed alkali/alkali-earth-metal trithiocyanurates, AB(HCNS)·HO (A = K, Rb, Cs; B = Mg, Sr; = 5-8, 12), were designed and synthesized successfully. Importantly, CsMg(HCNS)·8HO () and KSr(HCNS)·5HO () possess large birefringences of 0.