Machine-Learning Models With Multiple Imputation With Sequential Nearest Neighbors Imputation for Predicting the Prognosis of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients.

Objectives: The prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is heterogeneous. The study aimed to investigate the prognostic factors of ISSNHL and develop machine-learning models with multiple imputation to predict the prognosis of ISSNHL.

Design: A retrospective study was undertaken on a cohort of 600 patients with ISSNHL who underwent standardized treatment protocols.

Engineering Nitrogen/Carbonyl MR-TADF Emitters: Spiro-Lock and Tert-Butyl Synergy in Narrowband Blue Emission.

Multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters with rigid planar structures are promising for their exceptional color purity and outstanding device efficiency. However, as an important MR unit, rigidly interlocked nitrogen/carbonyl-based blue materials often face challenges like spectral broadening, red-shifting, and reduced efficiency compared to nitrogen/boron system. Herein, a peripheral modification strategy incorporating tert-butyl groups via a spiro-lock framework is used to synthesize four molecules: QAO-TF, TQAO-TF, TQAO-F, and TSOQ.

Advancing Beyond 800 Nm: Highly Stable Near-Infrared Thermally Activated Delayed Lasing Triggered by Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer Process.

Near-infrared (NIR) organic lasers have undergone rapid development in recent years, but still facing challenges in lowering the threshold and improving the stability. Herein, to overcome these challenges, a "two in one" strategy involving the integration of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) activity in a single molecule is proposed. Specifically, a donor-acceptor-donor type TADF material 2,6-bis[4-(diphenylamino)phenyl]-1,5-dihydroxyanthraquinone (TPA-DHAQ) with an ESIPT-active moiety as the acceptor, is designed and synthesized, based on which, a NIR organic laser at 820 nm with an exceptionally low threshold of 6.

Prognostic Factors of Hearing Improvement for EES and MES in Attic Cholesteatoma.

Objective: The surgical strategy of cholesteatomas is still controversial. This study aimed to compare the hearing improvement and determine the prognostic factors between endoscopic and microscopic ear surgery for attic cholesteatoma via a multicenter retrospective study.

Methods: This retrospective study included 169 patients with attic cholesteatoma who received endoscopic ear surgery (EES) or microscopic ear surgery (MES) from 12 otorhinolaryngology centers.

Enhancing Light Outcoupling Efficiency via Anisotropic Low Refractive Index Electron Transporting Materials for Efficient Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

Thanks to the extensive efforts toward optimizing perovskite crystallization properties, high-quality perovskite films with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield are successfully achieved. However, the light outcoupling efficiency of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) is impeded by insufficient light extraction, which poses a challenge to the further advancement of PeLEDs. Here, an anisotropic multifunctional electron transporting material, 9,10-bis(4-(2-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole-1-yl)phenyl) anthracene (BPBiPA), with a low extraordinary refractive index (n) and high electron mobility is developed for fabricating high-efficiency PeLEDs.

[Specialist consensus on endoscopic surgery of the middle ear mastoid].

This article discusses otoscopic middle ear mastoid surgery from multiple perspectives. Firstly, it discusses the indications and contraindications for surgery from the nature of the lesion and the imaging manifestations; secondly, it recommends the applicable equipment and describes the surgical approach in detail; finally, it summarizes the principles of the management of the operative cavity of the mastoid process in the middle ear from the perspectives of function and reconstruction. The purpose of this article is to illustrate otoscopic middle ear mastoid surgery with the aim of providing reference or guidance for performing related surgeries.

An Amorphization-Engineered Catalyst for Electrocatalytic Reduction of Nitric Oxide to Ammonia.

Electrocatalytic NO-to-NH conversion (NORR) provides a fascinating route toward the eco-friendly and valuable production of NH. In this study, amorphous FeS (a-FeS) is first demonstrated as a high-efficiency catalyst for the NORR, showing a maximum FE of 92.5% with a corresponding NH yield rate of 227.

Introducing Spiro-locks into the Nitrogen/Carbonyl System towards Efficient Narrowband Deep-blue Multi-resonance TADF Emitters.

The current availability of multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) materials with excellent color purity and high device efficiency in the deep-blue region is appealing. To address this issue in the emerged nitrogen/carbonyl MR-TADF system, we propose a spiro-lock strategy. By incorporating spiro functionalization into a concise molecular skeleton, a series of emitters (SFQ, SOQ, SSQ, and SSeQ) can enhance molecular rigidity, blue-shift the emission peak, narrow the emission band, increase the photoluminescence quantum yield by over 92 %, and suppress intermolecular interactions in the film state.

Transnasal-brain delivery of nanomedicines for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have become a serious global health problem as the population ages. Traditionally, treatment strategies for NDs have included oral and intravenous administration; however, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can prevent drugs from reaching the brain, rendering the treatment incomplete and the effect unsatisfactory. Additionally, the prolonged or excessive use of drugs that can cross the BBB can damage liver and kidney function.

Design and Synthesis of Red Through-Space Charge Transfer Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters with Donor/Acceptor/Donor Stacking.

Red through-space charge transfer thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TSCT TADF) materials named SAF36DCPP and SAF27DCPP with sandwiched structures were synthesized. Single crystals indicated that the intramolecular C-H···π interactions play a vital role in rigidifying the sandwiched structure, which results in a fluorescence yield of 63% for SAF36DCPP compared to 40% for SAF27DCPP. Organic light-emitting diodes with SAF36DCPP as the emitter realized a maximum external quantum efficiency of 16.

Efficient Near-Infrared Electroluminescence from Lanthanide-Doped Perovskite Quantum Cutters.

Perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) deliver size- and composition-tunable luminescence of high efficiency and color purity in the visible range. However, attaining efficient electroluminescence (EL) in the near-infrared (NIR) region from PeNCs is challenging, limiting their potential applications. Here we demonstrate a highly efficient NIR light-emitting diode (LED) by doping ytterbium ions into a PeNCs host (Yb  : PeNCs), extending the EL wavelengths toward 1000 nm, which is achieved through a direct sensitization of Yb ions by the PeNC host.

Bifunctional Electron-Transporting Agent for Red Colloidal Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes.

Indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots have enabled light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that are heavy-metal-free, narrow in emission linewidth, and physically flexible. However, ZnO/ZnMgO, the electron-transporting layer (ETL) in high-performance red InP/ZnSe/ZnS LEDs, suffers from high defect densities, quenches luminescence when deposited on InP, and induces performance degradation that arises due to trap migration from the ETL to the InP emitting layer. We posited that the formation of Zn traps on the outer ZnS shell, combined with sulfur and oxygen vacancy migration between ZnO/ZnMgO and InP, may account for this issue.

Discovery of a first-in-class orally available HBV cccDNA inhibitor.

Background & Aims: The persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in infected hepatocytes is the major barrier preventing viral eradication with existing therapies in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Therapeutic agents that can eliminate cccDNA are urgently needed to achieve viral eradication and thus HBV cure.

Methods: A phenotypic assay with HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) was employed to screen for novel cccDNA inhibitors.

Multidentate Molecule Anchoring Halide Perovskite Surface and Regulating Crystallization Kinetics toward Efficient Light-Emitting Diodes.

Functional passivators are conventionally utilized in modifying the crystallization properties of perovskites to minimize the non-radiative recombination losses in perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs). However, the weak anchor ability of some commonly adopted molecules has limited passivation ability to perovskites and even may desorb from the passivated defects in a short period of time, which bring about plenty of challenges for further development of high-performance PeLEDs. Here, a multidentate molecule, formamidine sulfinic acid (FSA), is introduced as a novel passivator to perovskites.

The value of inflammatory biomarkers in the occurrence and prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is one of the common emergencies in otorhinolaryngology. Several studies have shown that chronic inflammation is associated with its onset and prognosis. However, the association between some inflammatory biomarkers and SSNHL is still unclear.

Carbonyl-Containing Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters for Narrow-Band Electroluminescence.

Carbonyl-containing derivatives show enduring vitality in the field of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials; they can realize high device efficiency by using both singlet and triplet excitons for electroluminescence. Recently, a system based on fused ketone/amine exhibited huge potential for constructing multi-resonance TADF (MR-TADF) emitters, which exhibit higher narrow-band emission than conventional TADF emitters with twisted donor-acceptor (D-A) structure. Herein, we summarize current research progress in both traditional and MR-type ketone derivatives with TADF characteristics for introducing the molecular design strategy of maintaining high device efficiency while keeping narrow-band emission profile.

Highly Efficient Sky-Blue π-Stacked Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitter with Multi-Stimulus Response Properties.

Organic materials with multi-stimulus response (MSR) properties have demonstrated many potential and practical applications. Herein, a π-stacked thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) material with multi-stimulus response (MSR) properties, named SDMAC, was designed and synthesized using distorted 9,9-dimethyl-10-phenyl-9,10-dihydroacridine as a donor. SDMAC possesses a rigid π-stacked configuration with intramolecular through-space interactions and exhibits aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE), solvatochromic, piezochromic, and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) under different external stimuli.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Affects Functional Connectivity of the Auditory Cortex, Parahippocampal Gyrus and Inferior Prefrontal Gyrus in Tinnitus Patients.

Background: Tinnitus can interfere with a patient's speech discrimination, but whether tinnitus itself or the accompanying sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) causes this interference is still unclear. We analyzed event-related electroencephalograms (EEGs) to observe auditory-related brain function and explore the possible effects of SNHL on auditory processing in tinnitus patients.

Methods: Speech discrimination scores (SDSs) were recorded in 21 healthy control subjects, 24 tinnitus patients, 24 SNHL patients, and 27 patients with both SNHL and tinnitus.

In Situ Inorganic Ligand Replenishment Enables Bandgap Stability in Mixed-Halide Perovskite Quantum Dot Solids.

Instability in mixed-halide perovskites (MHPs) is a key issue limiting perovskite solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One form of instability arises during the processing of MHP quantum dots using an antisolvent to precipitate and purify the dots forming surface traps that lead to decreased luminescence, compromised colloidal stability, and emission broadening. Here, the introduction of inorganic ligands in the antisolvents used in dot purification is reported in order to overcome this problem.

Organic Branched Heterostructures with Optical Interconnects for Photonic Barcodes.

Optical interconnects exhibit superior potential in the precise regulation of photon transmission for organic photonic circuits. However, the rational design of well-defined organic heterostructures toward active optoelectronics remains challenging. Herein, we designed organic branched heterostructures (OBHs) with accurate spatial organization for optical interconnection.

Hippo/YAP signaling pathway protects against neomycin-induced hair cell damage in the mouse cochlea.

The Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway has been shown to be able to maintain organ size and homeostasis by regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The abuse of aminoglycosides is one of the main causes of sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). However, the role of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway in cochlear hair cell (HC) damage protection in the auditory field is still unclear.

Efficient and Spectrally Stable Blue Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes Employing a Cationic π-Conjugated Polymer.

Metal halide perovskite semiconductors have demonstrated remarkable potentials in solution-processed blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the unsatisfied efficiency and spectral stability responsible for trap-mediated non-radiative losses and halide phase segregation remain the primary unsolved challenges for blue perovskite LEDs. In this study, it is reported that a fluorene-based π-conjugated cationic polymer can be blended with the perovskite semiconductor to control film formation and optoelectronic properties.

Over 800 nm Emission via Harvesting of Triplet Excitons in Exciplex Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

Triplet excitons can be utilized upon introduction of phosphors into exciplexes, and such a scenario has been studied in the development of high-performance near-infrared (NIR) organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). To generate exciplexes in an emitting layer (EML) in the device, commercially available phosphors bis(2-phenylpyridinato-N,C')iridium(acetylacetonate) [Ir(ppy)acac] and iridium(III) bis(4-phenylthieno[3,2-]pyridinato-N,C')acetylacetonate (PO-01) were selected as donor components; in addition, a new designed fluorescent molecule, 3-([1,1':3',1″-terphenyl]-5'-yl)acenaphtho[1,2-]quinoxaline-9,10-dicarbonitrile (AQDC-tPh), and recently reported 3-([1,1':3',1″-terphenyl]-5'-yl)acenaphtho[1,2-]pyrazine-8,9-dicarbonitrile (APDC-tPh) were selected as acceptor components. An OLED with PO-01:AQDC-tPh blends as the EML has realized NIR emission at 750 nm and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of >0.

Harvesting triplet excitons for near-infrared electroluminescence via thermally activated delayed fluorescence channel.

Near-infrared (NIR) emission is useful for numerous practical applications, such as communication, biomedical sensors, night vision, etc., which encourages researchers to develop materials and devices for the realization of efficient NIR organic light-emitting devices. Recently, the emerging organic thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters have attracted wide attention because of the full utilization of electron-generated excitons, which is crucial for achieving high device efficiency.