"Twisted" Terpolymer Donor Enabling High-Performance Intrinsically Stretchable Organic Solar Cells.

Intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells (is-OSCs) hold great potential for next-generation wearable power generators. Currently, high-efficiency polymeric donor materials are based on rigid planar conjugated backbones, which limits their mechanical robustness and creates a trade-off between photovoltaic performance and stretchability. To simultaneously improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and mechanical robustness of is-OSCs, we develop a series of ductile PM-BOX% terpolymers by incorporating different amounts (X = 5, 10, and 20) of 3-butyloctyl-thiophene (ThBO) units into PM6 backbone.

Generation of Maternal Mutants Using zpc:cas9 Knock-in Zebrafish.

Oogenesis and early embryonic development are critically dependent on maternally derived mRNAs and proteins. Eliminating these maternal factors necessitates homozygous mutations in female zebrafish, often resulting in lethal or infertile phenotypes, which prevent the acquisition of maternal mutant embryos. Our previous work introduced a rapid approach to bypass zygotic lethality through oocyte-specific genome editing.

Dual Control of the Ocean Current and Terrestrial Inputs on GDGT-Based Sea Surface Temperature Reconstructions in the High-Deposition Marginal Sea.

Understanding past climate variations is essential for predicting future climate scenarios. Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) are valuable proxies for reconstructing past climates, yet their applicability in dynamic, high-deposition environments, such as continental marginal seas, remains uncertain. In this study, we analyzed GDGT distributions in 20 surface sediment samples collected along a longitudinal transect (121° 58' 48″ E) spanning different latitudes in the Southern Yellow Sea (SYS), China.

Unraveling the Impact of Organic Cation Dipole Moment on Rashba Spin-Splitting in 2D Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskites.

Rashba spin-splitting in hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) holds great potential for spintronic applications. However, strategies for controlling Rashba spin-splitting in these materials remain underexplored. Here, we find organic cation dipole moments play a pivotal role in modulating Rashba effects.

Flexible-Linked Oligomeric Acceptors: Precise Synthesis and Enhanced Photovoltaic/Mechanical Properties for Stretchable Devices.

Intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells (IS-OSCs) are among the most promising technologies for wearable power applications. However, the development of electron acceptors that simultaneously meet the demands for high performance and mechanical stretchability remains a significant challenge. In this study, we creatively synthesized three oligomeric acceptors with flexible linkers (2YF-Br, 4YF-T, and 6YF-BT) and achieved both high efficiency and mechanical robustness in IS-OSCs.

Targeting casein kinase 2 and ubiquitin-specific protease 7 to modulate RUNX2-mediated osteogenesis in chronic kidney disease.

Objective: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) frequently leads to Mineral Bone Disorder (MBD), which significantly affects patient quality of life due to bone fragility and metabolic disturbances. This study investigates the role of Casein Kinase 2 (CK2) and Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 7 (USP7) in modulating Runt-related Transcription Factor 2 (RUNX2)-driven osteogenesis in a CKD-MBD mouse model.

Methods: A CKD-MBD mouse model was established using 5/6 nephrectomy.

Spin detector for panchromatic circularly polarized light detection.

Circularly polarized light (CPL) detection is crucial for optical communication, bioimaging and quantum computing. However, CPL detectors based on chiral low-dimensional perovskites face a trade-off between optoelectronic performance and CPL discrimination, and typically exhibit a CPL response within a narrow spectral range. Here, we overcome these limitations by integrating three-dimensional (3D) and chiral-two-dimensional (2D) perovskites.

Rbm24a dictates mRNA recruitment for germ granule assembly in zebrafish.

The germ granules are ribonucleoprotein (RNP) biomolecular condensates that determine the fate of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and serve as a model for studying RNP granule assembly. Here, we show that the maternal RNA-binding protein Rbm24a is a key factor governing the specific sorting of mRNAs into germ granules. Mechanistically, Rbm24a interacts with the germ plasm component Buc to dictate the specific recruitment of germ plasm mRNAs into phase-separated condensates.

Prkra dimer senses double-stranded RNAs to dictate global translation efficiency.

Double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), known as conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns, activate the integrated stress response via interferon-induced protein kinase R (PKR), leading to global translation inhibition. However, the interferon system is inactive in pluripotent cells, leaving the mechanisms of dsRNA sensing and translational control unclear. In this study, we utilized early zebrafish embryos as a model of pluripotent cells and discovered a PKR-independent blockage of translation initiation by dsRNA stimulation.

Broad-Spectrum ROS/RNS Scavenging Catalase-Loaded Microreactors for Effective Oral Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation along the gastrointestinal tract with excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) generation. Here, catalase (CAT)-containing microreactor capsules with long-lasting broad-spectrum ROS/RNS-scavenging capability are developed for the treatment of IBD. In this design, CAT is encapsulated in the dense hydrogel network of calcium alginate (ALG) microspheres, which provides long-term protection of CAT activity in protease-rich intestinal environment.

Characterization of gut microbiota and metabolites in renal transplant recipients during COVID-19 and prediction of one-year allograft function.

Background: The gut-lung-kidney axis is pivotal in immune-related kidney diseases, with gut dysbiosis potentially exacerbating the severity of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in recipients of kidney transplant. This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiome and metabolome in renal transplant recipients with COVID-19 pneumonia over a one-year follow-up period.

Methods: A total of 30 renal transplant recipients were enrolled, comprising 17 with COVID-19 pneumonia, six with mild COVID-19, and seven without COVID-19.

Chinese Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Primary Care (2024).

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a drug-induced disease that not only complicates the treatment of the primary disease but may also lead to acute liver failure or even death in severe cases. Drugs commonly used in primary care, such as anti-infective agents and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are major causes of DILI. In addition, a large elderly population, comorbidities, and combination therapy with multiple drugs increase the risk of DILI in primary care.

Direct-Ink-Writing Printed Stretchable Eutectic Gallium-Indium Antenna for Robust Wireless Communication.

Stretchable antennas represent a pivotal innovation in enhancing wireless interconnection and driving the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Eutectic Gallium-Indium (EGaIn) is an ideal conductor for stretchable antennas. However, the inherent high surface tension and fluidity of EGaIn make the patterning low-precision, time-consuming, and failure-prone.

Eye-Drop Nano-Formulation of Catalase Self-Assembled with Thiolated Chitosan for Effective Treatment of Dry Eye Disease.

Dry eye disease (DED), the most prevalent ophthalmological condition worldwide, can cause severe ocular discomfort and even visual impairment. Effective yet safe therapeutics for severe DED are still highly demanded. Herein, considering the important role of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in triggering DED, an eye-drop nano-formulation of catalase (CAT) self-assembled with cysteine-modified chitosan (CS-Cys) is designed for DED treatment.

High-Performance Intrinsically-Stretchable Organic Solar Cells Enabled by Electron Acceptors with Flexible Linkers.

Intrinsically stretchable organic solar cells (IS-OSCs) are emerging as promising candidates for powering next-generation wearable electronics. However, developing molecular design strategies to achieve both high efficiency and mechanical robustness in IS-OSCs remains a significant challenge. In this work, we present a novel approach by synthesizing a dimerized electron acceptor (DY-FBrL) that enables rigid OSCs with a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.

Engineering Surface Tension of Active Layer Solutions to form Uniform Films on Water Surface for Large-Area Flexible Organic Photovoltaic Modules.

Fabricating large-area uniform thin (about 100 nm) active layer films via solution processing is still challenging to realize efficient scalable organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules. In this work, we report a method to fabricate large-area active layer films with the help of Marangoni force via engineering the surface tension of their solutions. Silicone oil was first adopted as an additive to substantially reduce surface tension of the active layer solutions from 34.

Experimental Investigation of the Efficacy of Preemptive Tilting Seats in mitigating Carsickness.

Carsickness (CS) experienced by vehicle passengers is a critical unsolved challenge that impacts existing human-driven vehicles and may limit the adoption of future autonomous vehicles. If CS is reduced, then passengers can perform productive tasks during their commutes. Prior research has demonstrated that a preemptively triggered tilting seat system (TSS), i.

Mechanically robust and stretchable organic solar cells plasticized by small-molecule acceptors.

Emerging wearable devices would benefit from integrating ductile photovoltaic light-harvesting power sources. In this work, we report a small-molecule acceptor (SMA), also known as a non-fullerene acceptor (NFA), designed for stretchable organic solar cell (-OSC) blends with large mechanical compliance and performance. Blends of the organosilane-functionalized SMA BTP-Si4 with the polymer donor PNTB6-Cl achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of >16% and ultimate strain (ε) of >95%.

The Process of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Different Ecological Zones of Qingtu Lake in the Arid-Semi-Arid Region of Western China.

As a vital component of the global carbon pool, soils in arid and semi-arid regions play a significant role in carbon sequestration. In the context of global warming, increasing temperatures and moisture levels promote the transformation of barren land into wetlands, enhancing carbon sinks. However, the overdevelopment of oases and excessive extraction of groundwater lead to the opposite effect, reducing carbon sequestration.

Generation of Zebrafish Maternal Mutants via Oocyte-Specific Knockout System.

Maternal mRNAs and proteins are produced during oogenesis by more than 60% of zebrafish genes. They are indispensable for fertilization and early embryogenesis. Generation and analysis of the maternal mutant is the most direct way to characterize the maternal function of the specific gene.

Expediting the development of robust 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer models using innovative combined in vivo and in vitro strategies.

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a cornerstone in colorectal cancer therapy, but resistance has compromised its efficacy, necessitating detailed research into resistance mechanisms. Traditional methods for developing 5-FU-resistant cell lines are lengthy, unstable, and often unrepresentative of clinical scenarios.

Methods: We devised a rapid approach to create 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer cells using an integrated in vivo/in vitro methodology.

Exosomes: Key Factors in Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis and Drug Resistance.

Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of death among gynecological cancers, largely due to its propensity for peritoneal metastasis and the development of drug resistance. This review concentrates on the molecular underpinnings of these two critical challenges. We delve into the role of exosomes, the nano-sized vesicles integral to cellular communication, in orchestrating the complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment that facilitate metastatic spread and thwart therapeutic efforts.

[Molecular study of a case with variant of RHCE*ce allele in haplotype dce resulting in weakened e antigen].

Objective: To explore the Rh genotype for a female with RhD(-) blood type and its molecular basis.

Methods: A 26-year-old female who had attended the outpatient clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in August 2019 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the proband and her parents for Rh phenotyping with gel card method.

Association between gynecologic cancer and Alzheimer's disease: a bidirectional mendelian randomization study.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) manifests with a higher rate of occurrence in women. Previous epidemiological studies have suggested a potential association between AD and gynecological cancers, but the causal relationship between them remains unclear. This study aims to explore the causal link between 12 types of gynecological cancers and AD using a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.