Exosomes are a subset of extracellular vesicles that carry specific combinations of proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites, and lipids. Mounting evidence suggests that exosomes participate in ...intercellular communication and act as important molecular vehicles in the regulation of numerous physiological and pathological processes, including cancer development. Exosomes are released by various cell types under both normal and pathological conditions, and they can be found in multiple bodily fluids. Moreover, exosomes carrying a wide variety of important macromolecules provide a window into altered cellular or tissue states. Their presence in biological fluids renders them an attractive, minimally invasive approach for liquid biopsies with potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, prediction, and surveillance. Due to their biocompatibility and low immunogenicity and cytotoxicity, exosomes have potential clinical applications in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. Here, we summarize recent advances in various technologies for exosome isolation for cancer research. We outline the functions of exosomes in regulating tumor metastasis, drug resistance, and immune modulation in the context of cancer development. Finally, we discuss prospects and challenges for the clinical development of exosome-based liquid biopsies and therapeutics.
Quantum walks are powerful kernels in quantum computing protocols, and possess strong capabilities in speeding up various simulation and optimization tasks. One striking example is provided by ...quantum walkers evolving on glued trees1, which demonstrate faster hitting performances than classical random walks. However, their experimental implementation is challenging, as this involves highly complex arrangements of an exponentially increasing number of nodes. Here, we propose an alternative structure with a polynomially increasing number of nodes. We successfully map such graphs on quantum photonic chips using femtosecond-laser direct writing techniques in a geometrically scalable fashion. We experimentally demonstrate quantum fast hitting by implementing two-dimensional quantum walks on graphs with up to 160 nodes and a depth of eight layers, achieving a linear relationship between the optimal hitting time and the network depth. Our results open up a scalable path towards quantum speed-up in classically intractable complex problems.
Bifacial photovoltaic (PV) technology has received considerable attention in recent years due to the potential to achieve higher annual energy yield compared to its monofacial counterpart. Higher ...annual energy yield is a crucial factor (even more than to further reduce the module costs) because, with the use of higher power PV modules, the high BOS (Balance of System) costs can be reduced, resulting in the lowest LCOE (levelised cost of energy). The International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) predicts an upward trend for the shares of crystalline silicon (c-Si) bifacial PV cells and modules in the global PV market in the next decade,
i.e.
, more than 35% in 2028. Two key enabling factors have been identified to promote the widespread use of c-Si bifacial PV devices, namely the bifacial PV performance measurement method/standard for indoor characterisation and comprehensive simulation models for outdoor performance characterisation. Both will increase the bankability of bifacial PV technology. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art of the c-Si bifacial PV performance characterisation and simulation is presented. First, an overview of the indoor characterisation of c-Si bifacial PV cells and modules is presented, followed by an overview of the outdoor characterisation of c-Si bifacial PV modules and the draft technical specification, IEC TS 60904-1-2. The second part of this paper reviews the current status of bifacial PV performance modelling, which includes the three primary sub-models: optical, electrical, and thermal models. This paper also provides an overview of the required future research to address the challenges associated with the characterisation and simulation of c-Si bifacial PV devices.
This paper presents a review on crystalline silicon bifacial PV performance characterisation and simulation to facilitate new research developments for bifacial PV technology and implementation in the global market.
The sensitive response of the nematic graphene oxide (GO) phase to external stimuli makes this phase attractive for extending the applicability of GO and reduced GO to solution processes and ...electro-optic devices. However, contrary to expectations, the alignment of nematic GO has been difficult to control through the application of electric fields or surface treatments. Here, we show that when interflake interactions are sufficiently weak, both the degree of microscopic ordering and the direction of macroscopic alignment of GO liquid crystals (LCs) can be readily controlled by applying low electric fields. We also show that the large polarizability anisotropy of GO and Onsager excluded-volume effect cooperatively give rise to Kerr coefficients that are about three orders of magnitude larger than the maximum value obtained so far in molecular LCs. The extremely large Kerr coefficient allowed us to fabricate electro-optic devices with macroscopic electrodes, as well as well-aligned, defect-free GO over wide areas.
Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1), inducing T cell exhaustion to facilitate immune escape of tumor cells, is upregulated by interleukin 6 (IL‐6) in T cell lymphoma and ovarian cancer. The ...purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of IL‐6 and PD‐L1 in thyroid cancer, and whether IL‐6 regulates PD‐L1 expression. As a result, IL‐6 and PD‐L1 were highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that tumor size, distant metastasis, and risk stratification were significantly associated with IL‐6 expression (P < .05), and multifocality, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, risk stratification, and IL‐6 expression were identified as the independent predictors of PD‐L1 expression (P < .05). The invasiveness of thyroid cancer was significantly enhanced after IL‐6 treatment or PD‐L1 overexpression. PD‐L1 positive rate correlated with IL‐6 expression in cancer tissues (P < .001), and after IL‐6 treatment, the PD‐L1 expression in TPC‐1 and BCPAP significantly increased. The mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) and the Janus‐activated kinase (JAK)–signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathways were activated by IL‐6, and the IL‐6–induced PD‐L1 expression decreased after treatment with these two signaling pathway inhibitors. Knockdown of transcription factors c‐Jun and stat3 suppressed the expression of PD‐L1 induced by IL‐6, and these two factors could bind to PD‐L1 gene promoter directly and promote its transcription. It is concluded that IL‐6 and PD‐L1 are overexpressed in thyroid cancer and are related to tumor invasiveness. IL‐6 upregulates PD‐L1 expression through the MAPK and JAK‐STAT3 signaling pathways, which function via transcription factors c‐Jun and stat3.
IL‐6 and PD‐L1 are highly expressed in thyroid cancer and correlate with disease aggressiveness. IL‐6 activates the MAPK and JAK‐STAT3 signaling pathways in thyroid cancer. In addition, IL‐6 promotes PD‐L1 transcription through the MAPK and JAK‐STAT3 signaling pathways, which function via transcription factors c‐Jun and stat3.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) butyrate and propionate are metabolites from dietary fiber's fermentation by gut microbiota that can affect differentiation or functions of T cells, macrophages and ...dendritic cells. We show here that at low doses these SCFAs directly impact B cell intrinsic functions to moderately enhance class-switch DNA recombination (CSR), while decreasing at higher doses over a broad physiological range, AID and Blimp1 expression, CSR, somatic hypermutation and plasma cell differentiation. In human and mouse B cells, butyrate and propionate decrease B cell Aicda and Prdm1 by upregulating select miRNAs that target Aicda and Prdm1 mRNA-3'UTRs through inhibition of histone deacetylation (HDAC) of those miRNA host genes. By acting as HDAC inhibitors, not as energy substrates or through GPR-engagement signaling in these B cell-intrinsic processes, these SCFAs impair intestinal and systemic T-dependent and T-independent antibody responses. Their epigenetic impact on B cells extends to inhibition of autoantibody production and autoimmunity in mouse lupus models.
Electromagnetic radiation is an important environmental factor. It has a potential threat to public health and ecological environment. However, the mechanism by which electromagnetic radiation exerts ...these biological effects remains unclear. In this study, the effect of Microcystis aeruginosa under electromagnetic radiation (1.8 GHz, 40 V/m) was studied by using transcriptomics. A total of 306 differentially expressed genes, including 121 upregulated and 185 downregulated genes, were obtained in this study. The differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the ribosome, oxidative phosphorylation and carbon fixation pathways, indicating that electromagnetic radiation may inhibit protein synthesis and affect cyanobacterial energy metabolism and photosynthesis. The total ATP synthase activity and ATP content significantly increased, whereas H
K
-ATPase activity showed no significant changes. Our results suggest that the energy metabolism pathway may respond positively to electromagnetic radiation. In the future, systematic studies on the effects of electromagnetic radiation based on different intensities, frequencies, and exposure times are warranted; to deeply understand and reveal the target and mechanism of action of electromagnetic exposure on organisms.
Quasi‐solid aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) based on flexible hydrogel electrolytes are promising substitutions of lithium‐ion batteries owing to their intrinsic safety, low cost, eco‐friendliness ...and wearability. However, it remains a challenge to lower the freezing point without sacrificing the fundamental advantages of hydrogel electrolytes such as conductivity and mechanical properties. Herein, an all‐around hydrogel electrolyte is constructed through a convenient energy dissipation strategy via the rapid and reversible intramolecular/intermolecular ligand exchanges between Zn2+ and alterdentate ligands. The as‐obtained hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, high Zn‐ion conductivity (38.2 mS cm−1), good adhesion (19.1 kPa), and ultra‐low freezing point (−97 °C). Due to the alterdentate ligands help to improve the zinc ion solvation structure and guide uniform Zn deposition, the Zn||Zn symmetric cells show stable plating/stripping behavior and long‐term cycle stability. The Zn||V2O5 full cells exhibit large capacity of 230.6 mAh g−1 and high capacity retention of 75.2% after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, flexible AZIBs operate stably even under extreme conditions including low temperature (−40 °C) and large bending angle (180°). The mechanically damage‐resistant hydrogel can also be utilized in flexible strain sensors. This work offers a facile strategy for developing mechanically deformation‐resistant, dendrite‐free, and environmentally adaptable AZIBs.
A high‐performance hydrogel electrolyte system for quasi‐solid flexible aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) is achieved via intermolecular ligand exchange of highly dynamic Zn(Al‐Hbimcp)22+, thereby contributing to the improvement of zinc‐ion solvation structure and promoting uniform Zn deposition. The as‐prepared AZIBs operate stably even under extreme conditions including low temperature (−40 °C) and large bending angle (180°).
Graphene and its derivatives have exhibited wide potential applications in electronics, structural engineering and medicine. However, over utilization and untreated discharge may cause its ...distribution into environmental as well as biological chain, which raised the concerns of potential health risk as a potential hazard. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that graphene derivatives induce lung fibrosis in vivo, so overall goal of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the pulmonary fibrotic responses of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), using in vitro assays. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has profound effect on development of pulmonary fibrosis. Herein, we evaluated the EMT effect of rGO samples on A549 cells. Firstly, rGO penetrated through the A549 cells membrane into the cytosol by endocytosis and located in late endosome and/or lysosomes observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and were well tolerant by cells. Secondly, rGO promoted the cell migration and invasion capacities at lower doses (below 10 μg/ml), but significantly inhibited the capacities at 20 μg/ml. Moreover, rGO-induced EMT were evidenced by decreased expression of epithelial marker like E-cadherin, β-catenin, Smad4 and increased expression of mesenchymal markers like Vimentin, VEGF-B, TWIST1. Based on our findings, it is supposed that rGO can effectively induce EMT through altering epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in A549 cells.
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