Interface Modulation by Macromolecules for Enhancing the Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells.

Both high-power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability are critical needs for a reliable perovskite solar cell (PSC). In this work, a polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer is employed to enhance the efficiency and stability of double-cation-based PSCs via different fabrication scenarios. Based on our experimental results and numerical analysis, the application of a thin layer of PAMAM macromolecules at the interface of the perovskite absorber and the hole transport layer gives rise to enhanced performance, including both efficiency and stability due to reduced interface defects and lower carrier recombination.

CdP QDs emitting in the SWIR through overgrowth of cadmium phosphide clusters.

CdP quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for short-wave infrared (SWIR) applications. Producing QDs with SWIR emission and sharp spectral features is challenging. In this study, we show that overgrowth of CdP clusters extends the emission of CdP QDs into the SWIR.

Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells Achieved via Rapid Photonic Annealing of all Stacking Layers: Unveiling the Crystallization Energy Window.

In this study, we report high-performance perovksite solar cells (PSCs) with rapid photonic annealing (RPA) of all stacking layers, enabled by ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) sources, to replace lengthy and energy-intensive thermal annealing (TA). The UV-LED annealing technique allows for layer-specific annealing, where the selected light source provides a precise UV wavelength for maximizing the amount of light absorption by the target layer. The disparity in optical absorption between the target layer and the underlying films allows the stack of the underlying films to remain relatively unaffected, making this process ideal for heating sensitive substrates.

Associations between Life's Essential 8 and liver function: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Life's Essential 8 (LE8) score, developed by the American Heart Association, assesses cardiovascular health using eight components: diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep health, body mass index, lipids, blood glucose, and blood pressure. Liver function is a critical indicator of overall health, with impairments linked to numerous chronic diseases. While the LE8 score has been extensively studied in relation to cardiovascular outcomes, its association with liver function remains underexplored.

Analysis of Metal-Organic Framework and Polyamide Interfaces in Membranes for Water Treatment and Antibacterial Applications.

Integrating biocidal nanoparticles (NPs) into polyamide (PA) membranes shows promise for enhancing resistance to biofouling. Incorporating techniques can tailor thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for specific water purification applications. In this study, silver-based metal-organic framework Ag-MOFs (using silver nitrate and 1,3,5-benzentricarboxylic acid as precursors) are incorporated into PA membranes via three different methods: i) incorporation, ii) dip-coating, and iii) in situ ultrasonic techniques.

Impact of dietary selenium and blood concentration on liver function: a population-based study.

Background: Evidence on the association between selenium and liver function parameters is limited and controversial.

Methods: Data on dietary selenium intake, blood selenium concentration, and liver function parameters were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2020. Associations between selenium (dietary intake and blood concentration) and liver function parameters [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the ALT/AST ratio, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] were assessed using multivariate linear regression models.

Evaluating the effect of green tea intake on cardiovascular diseases: A Mendelian randomization study in European and East Asian populations.

Previous research shows that more than 70% of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are attributed to modifiable risk factors. Here, we investigated relationship between consumption of green tea in European and East Asian populations and risk of CVDs using Mendelian randomization (MR). Instrumental variables for green tea intake were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of 64,949 Europeans and 152,653 East Asians.

Quantitative MALDI-MS and Imaging of Fungicide Pyrimethanil in Strawberries with 2-Nitrophloroglucinol as an Effective Matrix.

This work explores the use of 2-nitrophloroglucinol (2-NPG) as a matrix for quantitative analysis of the fungicide Pyrimethanil (PYM) in strawberries using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and imaging. 2-NPG was selected for PYM analysis for optimum sensitivity and precision compared to common matrices α-cyano-4-hydroxylcinnamic acid (CHCA) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB). PYM-sprayed strawberries were frozen 0, 1, 3, and 4 days after treatment and sectioned for MALDI imaging.

Gardenin A treatment attenuates inflammatory markers, synuclein pathology and deficits in tyrosine hydroxylase expression and improves cognitive and motor function in A53T-α-syn mice.

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are widespread in the Parkinson's disease (PD) brain and contribute to the synaptic degradation and dopaminergic cell loss that result in cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction. The polymethoxyflavone Gardenin A (GA) has been shown to activate the NRF2-regulated antioxidant pathway and inhibit the NFkB-dependent pro-inflammatory pathway in a Drosophila model of PD. Here, we evaluate the effects of GA on A53T alpha-synuclein overexpressing (A53TSyn) mice.

Diet-derived circulating antioxidants and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: a Mendelian randomization study and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding the impact of circulating antioxidants on the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, our intent was to investigate the causal relationship between circulating antioxidants and IBD using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Methods: Instrumental variables for absolute circulating antioxidants (ascorbate, retinol, lycopene, and β-carotene) and circulating antioxidant metabolites (α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, ascorbate, and retinol) were screened from published studies.

Nitro Indole Derivatives as Novel Dual-Polarity Matrices for MALDI Mass Spectrometry and Imaging with Broad Applications.

A new matrix framework is presented in this study for the improved ionization efficiency of complex mixtures by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry/imaging. Five nitro indole (NI) derivatives [3-methyl-4-nitro-1H-indole (3,4-MNI), 3-methyl-6-nitro-1H-indole (3,6-MNI), 2,3-dimethyl-4-nitro-1H-indole (2,3,4-DMNI), 2,3-dimethyl-6-nitro-1H-indole (2,3,6-DMNI), and 4-nitro-1H-indole (4-NI)] were synthesized and shown to produce both positive and negative ions with a broad class of analytes as MALDI matrices. NI matrices were compared to several common matrices, such as 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), alpha-cyano-4-hydroxylcinnamic acid (CHCA), sinapinic acid (SA), 1,5-diaminonaphthelene (1,5-DAN), and 9-aminoacridine (9-AA), for the analysis of lipid, peptide, protein, glycan, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) compounds.

Causal association between dietary factors and esophageal diseases: A Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, our objective was to determine whether there was a causal association between dietary factors and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's esophagus (BE), or esophageal cancer (EC).

Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for eighteen types of dietary intake were obtained from the UK Biobank. GWAS data for GERD, BE, and EC were sourced from the FinnGen consortium.

Gardenin A improves cognitive and motor function in A53T-α-syn mice.

Unlabelled: Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are widespread in the Parkinson's disease (PD) brain and contribute to the synaptic degradation and dopaminergic cell loss that result in cognitive impairment and motor dysfunction. The polymethoxyflavone Gardenin A (GA) has been shown to activate the NRF2-regulated antioxidant pathway and inhibit the NFkB-dependent pro-inflammatory pathway in a model of PD. Here, we evaluate the effects of GA on A53T alpha-synuclein overexpressing (A53TSyn) mice.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress related genome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies therapeutic genes for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is an important pathophysiological mechanism in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). ERS-related genes may be influenced by genetic factors and intestinal inflammation. However, the role of ERS as a trigger or potential etiological factor for UC and CD is unclear, as the expression of ERS-related genes in UC and CD may be the cause or subsequent changes in intestinal inflammation.

GardeninA confers neuroprotection against environmental toxin in a Drosophila model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease is an age-associated neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from the midbrain. Epidemiological studies have implicated exposures to environmental toxins like the herbicide paraquat as major contributors to Parkinson's disease etiology in both mammalian and invertebrate models. We have employed a paraquat-induced Parkinson's disease model in Drosophila as an inexpensive in vivo platform to screen therapeutics from natural products.

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence and Spectroelectrochemistry Characteristics of Blue Photoluminescence Perovskite Quantum Dots.

Lead-based perovskite MAPbX (MA = CHNH, X = Cl and Br) has shown great potential benefits to advance modern optoelectronics and clean energy harvesting devices. Poor structural stability is one of the major challenges of MAPbX perovskite materials to overcome to achieve desired device performance. Here, we present the electrochemical stability study of CHNHPbClBr quantum dots (QDs) by electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroelectrochemistry methods.

The active fraction from the tuber of inhibits melanoma B16 cells metastasis LPS-induced and .

This study was to identify anti-metastatic active fractions and compounds of (). The results indicated that 50 µg/mL ethyl acetate fraction () can dramatically inhibit mouse melanoma B16 cells migration and invasion . In B16 cells pulmonary and hepatic metastasis assays, 50 µg/mL alleviated mouse lung and liver weights, the number of metastatic nodules and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in mouse serum and organs.

Sparstolonin B improves neurological outcomes following intracerebral hemorrhage in mice.

Inflammation serves an important role in inducing secondary injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). It has been demonstrated that sparstolonin B (SsnB) is able to attenuate the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in sepsis. Mouse ICH models were used to explore the efficacy of SsnB on the ICH-induced inflammatory response.

Inhibition of p38 and ERK1/2 pathways by Sparstolonin B suppresses inflammation-induced melanoma metastasis.

Background: Cancer related inflammation plays a fatal role in the metastatic process, which can foster tumor growth, angiogenesis and dissemination. Sparstolonin B (SsnB), derived from Chinese medicine of the tubers of Scirpus yagara, is a TLR2 and TLR4 antagonists. It has exhibited multiple activities of anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity and anti-hepatitis.

Citric Acid Capped Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as an Effective MALDI Matrix for Polymers.

A new matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry matrix is proposed for molecular mass determination of polymers. This matrix contains an iron oxide nanoparticle (NP) core with citric acid (CA) molecules covalently bound to the surface. With the assistance of additives, the particulate nature of NPs allows the matrix to mix uniformly with polar or nonpolar polymer layers and promotes ionization, which may simplify matrix selection and sample preparation procedures.

Interleukin-23 Secreted by Activated Macrophages Drives γδT Cell Production of Interleukin-17 to Aggravate Secondary Injury After Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Neuroinflammation plays a key role in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced secondary brain injury, but the specific roles of peripheral inflammatory cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of macrophages, T lymphocytes, and the cytokines they secrete as potential targets for treating secondary brain injury after ICH.

Methods And Results: Our results showed that peripheral macrophages and T lymphocytes successively infiltrated the brain, with macrophage counts peaking 1 day after ICH and T-lymphocyte counts peaking after 4 days.

New isocoumarin and stilbenoid derivatives from the tubers of Sparganium stoloniferum (Buch.-Ham.).

A new isocoumarin derivative 8,5'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-4-phenyl-5,2'-oxidoisocoumarin (1) and a new stilbenoid derivative methyl 5-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzofuran-4-carboxylate (2) together with nine known compounds (3-11) were isolated from the tubers of Sparganium stoloniferum Buch.-Ham..

Chemical constituents from the tubers of Scirpus yagara and their anti-inflammatory activities.

A new natural compound, dehydrophyllodulcin (1) was isolated from the tubers of Scirpus yagara, together with 11 known compounds. Among them, compounds 2, 5-8, and 10-12 were isolated from this plant for the first time. (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and 2D NMR data of compound 1 are first reported in this article, though it was synthesized in 1996.

Simultaneous HPLC Quantitative Analysis of Nine Bioactive Constituents in Scirpus Yagara Ohwi. (Cyperaceae).

The tuber of Scirpus yagara Ohwi. (Cyperaceae) has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Several chemical constituents isolated from it possess a variety of physiologically activities such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant.