Uncovering pleiotropic loci in allergic rhinitis and leukocyte traits through multi-trait GWAS.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a nasal inflammation triggered by the immune system's response to airborne allergens, with white blood cells playing a crucial role in the development of allergic symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the genetic correlations between AR and various blood traits in European and East Asian populations using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC). By leveraging GWAS summary statistics, we identified significant genetic overlap between AR and eosinophil counts in both populations.

Engineering bonding sites enables uniform and robust self-assembled monolayer for stable perovskite solar cells.

The efficiency of perovskite solar cells has recently been dramatically improved by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), but forming uniform, dense and especially stable SAM remains a challenge. The hydroxyl groups on indium tin oxide (ITO) serve as the bonding sites for the SAM molecule, directly determining the distribution and anchoring stability of SAM. We developed a solution-based strategy to fully hydroxylate the ITO in as fast as 15 s.

Modular access to alkylfluorides via radical decarboxylative-desulfonylative gem-difunctionalization.

Fluorine-containing compounds hold pivotal importance in life sciences. Recent decades have witnessed significant research efforts toward developing practical fluorination methods. Radical-mediated decarboxylative fluorination has proven to be a robust approach for incorporating diverse monofluoroalkyl groups.

Unraveling the Operation Degradation Mechanism of Positive Bias Interface in Perovskite Solar Cells.

The interfaces of perovskite film are most susceptible to degradation during perovskite solar cell (PSC) operation. Previous efforts mainly focused on the degradation pathways of either independent upper or buried interfaces, while thorough and meticulous consideration of the disparity in electrical bias and light field difference between these interfaces during operation still remains unexplored. Herein, it is uncovered that the electrical bias significantly influences the operation degradation of perovskite interfaces in both n-i-p and p-i-n PSCs.

Preparation of Cyclic Olefin Polymers via Group Transfer Radical Cyclopolymerization for High Performance in Anode-Free Batteries.

Cyclic olefin polymers (COPs) are of high importance in optical and medical materials. These materials are typically synthesized via ring-opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene derivatives, using metallocene catalysts, followed by high-pressure hydrogenation catalyzed by noble metals. However, the complex synthetic processes, the continuous use of expensive catalysts, and the need to remove metal residues remain substantial barriers in COP production.

Preparation of Degradable and Sequence-Controlled Aliphatic Polysulfones by Group Transfer Radical Polymerization.

The incorporation of sulfur atoms into polymer backbones for the synthesis of sulfur-containing polymers, such as aliphatic polysulfones, not only enhances degradability but also imparts many distinctive properties to these materials. Traditional synthetic methods encounter substantial challenges in achieving sequence-controlled aliphatic polysulfones with high molecular weights (MW), which significantly limits their applications. We report a novel approach for synthesizing aliphatic polysulfones using the strategy of sulfonyl radical-mediated group transfer radical polymerization (GTRP).

Room-temperature continuous-wave pumped exciton polariton condensation in a perovskite microcavity.

Microcavity exciton polaritons (polaritons) as part-light part-matter quasiparticles garner considerable attention for Bose-Einstein condensation at elevated temperatures. Recently, halide perovskites have emerged as promising room-temperature polaritonic platforms because of their large exciton binding energies and superior optical properties. However, currently, inducing room-temperature nonequilibrium polariton condensation in perovskite microcavities requires optical pulsed excitations with high excitation densities.

Switchable Radical Polymerization of α-Olefins via Remote Hydrogen Atom or Group Transfer for Enhanced Battery Performance.

Introducing polar groups into non-polar polyolefins can significantly enhance the important properties of materials. However, producing polyolefin backbones consisting of polar blocks remains elusive, due to the substantial difference of reactivity ratios between polar and non-polar olefin monomers in radical polymerization or the poisoning of transition-metal catalysts by polar groups in coordination polymerization. Herein we present a practical way for the preparation of polyethylene-based polymers with distinct polar groups by radical polymerization of α-olefins.

Causal correlations between inflammatory proteins and heart failure: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

Aims: Inflammation plays a critical role in both the development and progression of heart failure (HF), which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the causality between specific inflammation-related proteins and HF risk remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the genetically supported causality between inflammatory proteins and HF using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Group transfer radical polymerization for the preparation of carbon-chain poly(α-olefins).

Radical polymerization is a powerful technique for producing a variety of polymeric materials. However, the chain transfer reaction impedes the formation of polymers from many common α-olefins such as propene and 1-butene using this method. Consequently, poly(α-olefins) are predominantly produced via coordination polymerization.

Exploring the mediating role of calcium homeostasis in the association between diabetes mellitus, glycemic traits, and vascular and valvular calcifications: a comprehensive Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: The interplay between diabetes mellitus (DM), glycemic traits, and vascular and valvular calcifications is intricate and multifactorial. Exploring potential mediators may illuminate underlying pathways and identify novel therapeutic targets.

Methods: We utilized univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to investigate associations and mediation effects.

Indium Tin Oxide Induced Internal Positive Feedback and Indium Ion Transport in Perovskite Solar Cells.

Stability is the most pressing challenge hindering the commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and previous efforts focused more on enhancing the resistance of PSCs to external stimulus. Here, we found that the indium tin oxide (ITO) will deteriorate the photovoltaic performance of PSCs through positive feedback cycles. Specifically, the perovskite degradation products will cross the electron transport layer to chemically etch the electrode ITO to generate In, which will migrate upwards into the perovskite film.

Hemoadhican-Based Bioabsorbable Hydrogel for Preventing Postoperative Adhesions.

Postoperative peritoneal adhesions are a prevalent clinical issue following abdominal and pelvic surgery, frequently resulting in heightened personal and societal health burdens. Traditional biomedical barriers offer limited benefits because of practical challenges for doctors and their incompatibility with laparoscopic surgery. Hydrogel materials, represented by hyaluronic acid gels, are receiving increasing attention.

Quasi-type-II Cu-In-Zn-S/Ni-MOF heterostructure with prolonged carrier lifetime for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Visible-driven photocatalytic hydrogen production using narrow-bandgap semiconductors has great potential for clean energy development. However, the widespread use of these semiconductors is limited due to problems such as severe charge recombination and slow surface reactions. Herein, a quasi-type-II heterostructure was constructed by combining bifunctional Ni-based metal-organic framework (Ni-MOF) nanosheets with BDC (1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid) linker coupled with Cu-In-Zn-S quantum dots (CIZS QDs).

Hydrogel Based on Riclin Cross-Linked with Polyethylene Glycol Diglycidyl Ether as a Soft Filler for Tissue Engineering.

Hydrogels composed of natural polysaccharides have been widely used as filling materials, with a growing interest in medical cosmetology and skin care. However, conventional commercial dermal fillers still have limitations, particularly in terms of mechanical performance and durability . In this study, a novel injectable and implantable hydrogel with adjustable characteristics was prepared from succinoglycan riclin by introducing PEG diglycidyl ether as a cross-linker.

Cuproptosis gene-related, neural network-based prognosis prediction and drug-target prediction for KIRC.

Background: Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), as a common case in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), has the risk of postoperative recurrence, thus its prognosis is poor and its prognostic markers are usually based on imaging methods, which have the problem of low specificity. In addition, cuproptosis, as a novel mode of cell death, has been used as a biomarker to predict disease in many cancers in recent years, which also provides an important basis for prognostic prediction in KIRC. For postoperative patients with KIRC, an important means of preventing disease recurrence is pharmacological treatment, and thus matching the appropriate drug to the specific patient's target is also particularly important.

Colloidal CsBr Nanocrystals Triggered Inorganic Cation and Anion Exchange Enables High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells.

Achieving longitudinal doping of specific ions by surface treatment remains a challenge for perovskite solar cells, which are often limited by dopant and solvent compatibility. Here, with the flowing environment created by CsBr colloidal nanocrystals, ion exchange is induced on the surface of the perovskite film to enable the homogeneous distribution of Cs and gradient distribution of Br simultaneously at whole depth of the film. Meanwhile, assisted by long-chain organic ligands, the excess PbI on the surface of perovskite film is converted to a more stable quasi-2D perovskite, which realizes effective passivation of defects on the surface.

Hemoadhican, a Tissue Adhesion Hemostatic Material Independent of Blood Coagulation.

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is a leading cause of death, emphasizing the need for novel hemostatic agents. Here, a novel hemostatic polysaccharide hemoadhican (HD) is screened out by analyzing the rheological properties of screened material mixed blood sludges, which is prepared by mixing polysaccharide granules and whole blood to mimic the coagulation in vitro. HD is produced by a bacterial isolate Paenibacillus sp.

Establishment and Validation of a New Analysis Strategy for the Study of Plant Endophytic Microorganisms.

Amplicon sequencing of bacterial or fungal marker sequences is currently the main method for the study of endophytic microorganisms in plants. However, it cannot obtain all types of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, etc., in samples, nor compare the relative content between endophytic microorganisms and plants and between different types of endophytes.

The Clinical Value of Prenatal Ultrasonography in the Differential Diagnosis of Fetal Suprarenal Space-Occupying Lesions.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the value of prenatal ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of fetal space-occupying lesions in the adrenal gland.

Methods: Thirty-six fetuses with adrenal gland space-occupying lesions diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography between January 2019 and July 2021 were included in this retrospective study. The clinical data, ultrasonographic features, treatments, and prognoses of the fetuses were analyzed.

Distant metastasis without regional progression in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: case report and pooled analysis of literature.

Background: Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) represents the majority of bladder neoplasms. It is unusual for NMIBC metastasizing distantly without regional progression, namely metastatic NMIBC (mNMIBC), which is still poorly understood and easily omitted based on current management policies. So far, description of mNMIBC is limited to a few case reports.

Initial satisfying experience of total retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy: a retrospective comparative research.

Background: Radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) is the principal method for treatment of high-risk upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). The transperitoneal approach is associated with poor disease progression, but the distal ureter-bladder cuff (DUBC) resection through retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach is difficult. This study proposed a modulated RNU technique, namely, total retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (tRLRNU), with its advantages of DUBC resection and requiring fewer trocars etc.