Developing eco-friendly high-performance piezoceramics without lead has become one of the most advanced frontiers in interdisciplinary research. Although potassium sodium-niobate {(K,Na)NbO
3
, KNN} ...based ceramics are believed to be one of the most promising lead-free candidates, the relatively inferior piezoelectric properties and strong temperature dependency have hindered their development for more than 50 years since being discovered in the 1950s. It was not until 2014 that our group initially proposed a new phase boundary (NPB) that simultaneously improved the piezoelectric properties and temperature stability of non-textured KNN-based ceramics to the level of partly lead-based ceramics. The NPB has been then proved by some researchers and believed to pave the way for "
lead-free at last
" proposed by E. Cross (
Nature
, 2004,
432
, 24). However, the understanding of the NPB is still in its infancy, leaving many controversies, including the phase structure and physical mechanisms at the NPB as well as the essential difference when compared with other phase boundaries. In this context, we systematically summarized the origin and development of the NPB, focusing on the construction, structure and intrinsic trait of the NPB, the effects of the NPB on the performance, and the validity and related incipient devices of the NPB. Particularly, we concluded the phase structure and domain structure locating at the NPB, analyzed the physical mechanisms in depth, proposed the possible methods to further improve the performance at the NPB, and demonstrated the validity and scope of the NPB as well as the device application. Finally, we gave out our perspective on the challenges and future research of KNN-based ceramics with NPB. Therefore, we believe that this review could promote the understanding of the NPB and guide the future work of KNN-based ceramics.
A review of the newly emerging "new phase boundary" in potassium sodium niobate-based ceramics with high performance.
Magnetism, originating from the moving charges and spin of elementary particles, has revolutionized important technologies such as data storage and biomedical imaging, and continues to bring forth ...new phenomena in emergent materials and reduced dimensions. The recently discovered two-dimensional (2D) magnetic van der Waals crystals provide ideal platforms for understanding 2D magnetism, the control of which has been fueling opportunities for atomically thin, flexible magneto-optic and magnetoelectric devices (such as magnetoresistive memories and spin field-effect transistors). The seamless integration of 2D magnets with dissimilar electronic and photonic materials opens up exciting possibilities for unprecedented properties and functionalities. We review the progress in this area and identify the possible directions for device applications, which may lead to advances in spintronics, sensors, and computing.
Aberrant expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in breast cancer cells is associated with lung relapse, but the role of VCAM-1 as a mediator of metastasis has remained unknown. We ...report that VCAM-1 provides a survival advantage to breast cancer cells that infiltrate leukocyte-rich microenvironments such as the lungs. VCAM-1 tethers metastasis-associated macrophages to cancer cells via counter-receptor α4-integrins. Clustering of cell surface VCAM-1, acting through Ezrin, triggers Akt activation and protects cancer cells from proapoptotic cytokines such as TRAIL. This prosurvival function of VCAM-1 can be blocked by antibodies against α4-integrins. Thus, newly disseminated cancer cells expressing VCAM-1 can thrive in leukocyte-rich microenvironments through juxtacrine activation of a VCAM-1–Ezrin-PI3K/Akt survival pathway.
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► Breast cancer cells expressing VCAM-1 have a survival advantage in the lungs ► Macrophage binding to VCAM-1 on cancer cells triggers Akt survival signal via Ezrin ► VCAM-1 primes cancer cells for residence in leukocyte-rich microenvironments ► Blocking the VCAM-1-α4-integrin interaction enhances cancer cell death
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) have been extensively studied. Their pleotropic roles were observed in multiple steps of tumor progression and metastasis, ...and sometimes appeared to be inconsistent across different studies. In this review, we collectively discussed many lines of evidence supporting the mutual influence between cancer cells and TAMs/TANs. We focused on how direct interactions among these cells dictate co-evolution involving not only clonal competition of cancer cells, but also landscape shift of the entire tumor microenvironment (TME). This co-evolution may take distinct paths and contribute to the heterogeneity of cancer cells and immune cells across different tumors. A more in-depth understanding of the cancer-TAM/TAN co-evolution will shed light on the development of TME that mediates metastasis and therapeutic resistance.
Many cancer types metastasize to bone. This propensity may be a product of genetic traits of the primary tumour in some cancers. Upon arrival, cancer cells establish interactions with various ...bone-resident cells during the process of colonization. These interactions, to a large degree, dictate cancer cell fates at multiple steps of the metastatic cascade, from single cells to overt metastases. The bone microenvironment may even influence cancer cells to subsequently spread to multiple other organs. Therefore, it is imperative to spatiotemporally delineate the evolving cancer-bone crosstalk during bone colonization. In this Review, we provide a summary of the bone microenvironment and its impact on bone metastasis. On the basis of the microscopic anatomy, we tentatively define a roadmap of the journey of cancer cells through bone relative to various microenvironment components, including the potential of bone to function as a launch pad for secondary metastasis. Finally, we examine common and distinct features of bone metastasis from various cancer types. Our goal is to stimulate future studies leading to the development of a broader scope of potent therapies.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Blockade of angiogenesis can retard tumour growth, but may also paradoxically increase metastasis. This paradox may be resolved by vessel normalization, which involves increased pericyte coverage, ...improved tumour vessel perfusion, reduced vascular permeability, and consequently mitigated hypoxia. Although these processes alter tumour progression, their regulation is poorly understood. Here we show that type 1 T helper (T
1) cells play a crucial role in vessel normalization. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that gene expression features related to vessel normalization correlate with immunostimulatory pathways, especially T lymphocyte infiltration or activity. To delineate the causal relationship, we used various mouse models with vessel normalization or T lymphocyte deficiencies. Although disruption of vessel normalization reduced T lymphocyte infiltration as expected, reciprocal depletion or inactivation of CD4
T lymphocytes decreased vessel normalization, indicating a mutually regulatory loop. In addition, activation of CD4
T lymphocytes by immune checkpoint blockade increased vessel normalization. T
1 cells that secrete interferon-γ are a major population of cells associated with vessel normalization. Patient-derived xenograft tumours growing in immunodeficient mice exhibited enhanced hypoxia compared to the original tumours in immunocompetent humans, and hypoxia was reduced by adoptive T
1 transfer. Our findings elucidate an unexpected role of T
1 cells in vasculature and immune reprogramming. T
1 cells may be a marker and a determinant of both immune checkpoint blockade and anti-angiogenesis efficacy.
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IJS, KISLJ, NUK, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
A molecule produced by the metabolism of proteins and fats has been found to accumulate in the blood of older people, and to endow cancer cells with the ability to spread from one site in the body to ...others.
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IJS, KISLJ, NUK, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
8.
Nano-domains in lead-free piezoceramics: a review Lv, Xiang; Zhang, Xi-xiang; Wu, Jiagang
Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability,
05/2020, Volume:
8, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Reducing or even prohibiting the use of toxic lead in electronic devices has become one of the most cutting-edge topics in various disciplines. The recently proposed phase boundary engineering endows ...lead-free piezoceramics with comparable performances to that of some lead-based piezoceramics. However, the enhancement in performance hinges on the coexistence of multi-phases and complex domain structures, particularly the occurrence of nano-domains and polar nanoregions (PNRs). Although nano-domains have been significantly studied in lead-based piezoceramics, understanding the nano-domains and PNRs in lead-free piezoceramics is in its infancy and needs a systematic summary and in-depth analysis. Herein, we summarize the nano-domains and PNRs in three representative lead-free piezoceramics (
i.e.
, potassium sodium niobate, barium titanate, and sodium bismuth titanate), focusing on their effects on macro performance. First, we introduce the foundation and tools for the observation of the domains. Then, we summarize the variations in the nano-domains with phase structure, electric field, and temperature, and their effects on performance including piezoelectricity, strain, temperature stability, aging, and fatigue. Finally, we present our perspectives on the future of nano-domains, concentrating on nano-domain engineering. Therefore, this review can help better understand the nano-domains and PNRs in lead-free piezoceramics, and be used for the further development of high-performance lead-free piezoceramics.
A systematic review summarizing and analyzing the role of recently observed nano-domains and polar nanoregions (PNRs) in lead-free piezoceramics.
How organ-specific metastatic traits arise in primary tumors remains unknown. Here, we show a role of the breast tumor stroma in selecting cancer cells that are primed for metastasis in bone. ...Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in triple-negative (TN) breast tumors skew heterogeneous cancer cell populations toward a predominance of clones that thrive on the CAF-derived factors CXCL12 and IGF1. Limiting concentrations of these factors select for cancer cells with high Src activity, a known clinical predictor of bone relapse and an enhancer of PI3K-Akt pathway activation by CXCL12 and IGF1. Carcinoma clones selected in this manner are primed for metastasis in the CXCL12-rich microenvironment of the bone marrow. The evidence suggests that stromal signals resembling those of a distant organ select for cancer cells that are primed for metastasis in that organ, thus illuminating the evolution of metastatic traits in a primary tumor and its distant metastases.
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•The primary tumor stroma can determine organ-specific metastatic tropism•CAFs in breast tumors select for bone metastatic cells•CAF-rich tumors mimic the CXCL12-rich microenvironment of the bone marrow•CAF-derived CXCL12 and IGF1 select for high Src activity, a bone metastatic trait
Noncancerous mesenchymal cells in certain breast tumors can influence the direction of metastasis. The cells secrete growth factors that also abound in bone marrow, favoring accumulation of cancer cells that thrive on these factors both in the primary tumor microenvironment and in the bone marrow.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Recently, the subradiant states of one-dimensional two-level atom chains coupled to light modes were found to have decay rates obeying a universal scaling, and an unexpected fermionic character of ...the multiply excited subradiant states was discovered. In this Letter, we theoretically obtain the singly excited subradiant states, and by eliminating the superradiant modes, we demonstrate a relation between the multiply excited subradiant states and the Tonks-Girardeau limit of the Lieb-Liniger model which explains the fermionic behavior. In addition, we identify a new family of subradiant states with correlations different from the fermionic ansatz.
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CMK, CTK, FMFMET, IJS, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
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