We report a 2-family cluster of persons infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the city of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China, during January 2020. The infections resulted ...from contact with an infected but potentially presymptomatic traveler from the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province.
Currently, there is no strong evidence of the well-established biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we aimed to reveal the heterogeneity of ...tumour microenvironment (TME) through virtual microdissection of gene expression profiles. An immune-enriched subtype was identified in 38% (43/113) of patients, which was characterized by significant enrichment of immune cells or immune responses. The remaining patients were therefore classified as a non-Immune Subtype (non-IS), which exhibited highly proliferative features. Then we identified a tumour immune evasion state within the immune-enriched subtype (18/43, 42%), in which high expression of exclusion- and dysfunction-related signatures was observed. These subgroups were designated the Evaded and Active Immune Subtype (E-IS and A-IS), respectively. We further demonstrated that A-IS predicted favourable survival and improved ICI response as compared to E-IS and non-IS. In summary, this study introduces the novel immune subtypes and demonstrates their feasibility in tailoring immunotherapeutic strategies.
Tim-3, a member of the novel Tim (T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain) family, has been reported to negatively regulate the immune responses against viral infection and had implications for ...autoimmune disease. However, the nature and role of Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells in human tumors remain largely unknown. In the present study, we characterized Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells in 100 specimens from human hepatocellular, cervical, colorectal and ovarian carcinoma patients. Compared with peripheral blood and nontumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, the lymphocytes isolated from the corresponding tumor tissues of hepatocellular, cervical, colorectal and ovarian carcinoma patients contained significantly greater proportion of Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells. The majority of tumor-derived Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells exhibited an impaired capacity to produce IFN-γ and IL-2, but expressed higher levels of CD25, Foxp3, CTLA-4 and GITR than their Tim-3(-) CD4 T cell counterparts. In contrast, most Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells isolated from the paired nontumor tissues and peripheral blood did not express these molecules. Moreover, tumor-derived Tim-3(+) CD4 T cells, but not tumor-derived Tim-3(-) CD4 T cells, significantly suppressed the proliferation of autologous CD8(+) T cells in vitro. Notably, multi-color immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy demonstrated that Tim-3(+)Foxp3(+)CD4(+) cells were preferentially distributed in the tumor nest rather than the peritumoral stroma of hepatocellular carcinoma. Together, our data indicate that Tim-3-expressing CD4 T cells in human tumors could represent the functional regulatory T cells which contribute to the formation of the immune-suppressive tumor micromilieu.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic and progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia, is a fatal lung disease with a median survival time of 3–5 years. Problems in accurate diagnosis, poor ...prognosis, limited clinical therapy, and high mortality rate together demonstrate that the development of efficient therapeutic strategies for IPF is an important future endeavor. Deeper understanding of pathogenesis and identification of biomarkers and pathways involved might lead in the future to the emergence of some agents as novel therapeutics for IPF. This review article presents the pathogenesis, therapeutic interventions, treatment approaches, and strategies employed for the design of antifibrotic agents for the treatment of IPF along with the patent literature from the past 10 years. With a dozen antifibrotic agents possessing exciting preclinical potential in the armory, it seems certain that some of them will advance to clinical stage investigations. The results of clinical trials for some of the new agents are also awaited to assess their benefits in terms of efficacy and survival benefits.
Aqueous zinc metal batteries have garnered unprecedented attention owing to their high theoretical specific capacity, appropriate redox potential, and remarkable sustainability. Nevertheless, the ...intractable issues induced by the notorious Zn dendrite growth and serious interfacial side reactions significantly impede their large‐scale utilization. Inducing Zn to electrodeposit through parallel arrangement mode is critical to realizing dendrite‐free Zn metal anodes (ZMAs). To realize this purpose, a unique polymeric molecular design strategy through chemically grafting a thin polyanthraquinone (PAQ) overlayer on the Zn surface in the manner of spontaneous polymerization reaction of anthraquinone diazonium tetrafluoroborate (AQN2+BF4−) is proposed firstly. Impressively, thus‐derived PAQ overlayer as an artificial protective layer can constrain the Zn2+ ions 2D diffusion and homogenize the electric field and Zn2+ ions concentration distribution, further guiding preferential growth along the Zn(002) plane. Assisted by the PAQ overlayer, the dendrite growth, H2 evolution reaction, and Zn corrosion on ZMAs are suppressed effectively. Accordingly, such polymeric molecular modified ZMAs ensure a remarkably high Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% at 4 mA cm−2 and achieve a long cycling lifespan up to 1750 h at 1 mA cm−2 and superior rate capability. This work provides a new insight into designing an interface protective layer for achieving highly stable ZMAs.
A unique polymeric molecular design strategy through chemical grafting of a thin polyanthraquinone overlayer on the Zn anode surface in the manner of spontaneous polymerization reaction of anthraquinone diazonium tetrafluoroborate (AQN2+BF4−) is first proposed to constrain Zn2+ 2D diffusion and realize the oriented growth of (002) crystal plane, then successfully suppressing the dendrite growth and H2 evolution reaction.
Cerebral amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) accumulation resulting from an imbalance between Aβ production and clearance is one of the most important causes in the formation of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order ...to preserve the maintenance of Aβ homeostasis and have a notable AD therapy, achieving a method to clear up Aβ plaques becomes an emerging task. Herein, we describe a self-destructive nanosweeper based on multifunctional peptide-polymers that is capable of capturing and clearing Aβ for the effective treatment of AD. The nanosweeper recognize and bind Aβ via co-assembly through hydrogen bonding interactions. The Aβ-loaded nanosweeper enters cells and upregulates autophagy thus promoting the degradation of Aβ. As a result, the nanosweeper decreases the cytotoxicity of Aβ and rescues memory deficits of AD transgenic mice. We believe that this resourceful and synergistic approach has valuable potential as an AD treatment strategy.
Recently developed CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, and I) perovskite quantum dots (QDs) hold great potential for various applications owing to their superior optical properties, such as tunable emissions, high ...quantum efficiency, and narrow linewidths. However, poor stability under ambient conditions and spontaneous ion exchange among QDs hinder their application, for example, as phosphors in white‐light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs). Here, a facile two‐step synthesis procedure is reported for luminescent and color‐tunable CsPbX3–zeolite‐Y composite phosphors, where perovskite QDs are encapsulated in the porous zeolite matrix. First zeolite‐Y is infused with Cs+ ions by ion exchange from an aqueous solution and then forms CsPbX3 QDs by diffusion and reaction with an organic solution of PbX2. The zeolite encapsulation reduces degradation and improves the stability of the QDs under strong illumination. A WLED is fabricated using the resulting microscale composites, with Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) color coordinates (0.38, 0.37) and achieving 114% of National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) and 85% of the ITU‐R Recommendation BT.2020 (Rec.2020) coverage.
A synthesis procedure for luminescent perovskite quantum dots embedded in zeolite‐Y crystals is presented. The structural and optical properties of the resulting composites are characterized in detail. Zeolite embedding improves the stability of perovskite quantum dots to degradation. Finally, the composites are used to produce a white‐light‐emitting diode with wide color gamut.
Solid-state lithium metal batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to existing liquid Li-ion batteries and can power the future storage market considering their higher energy outputs and ...better safety. Among various solid electrolytes, polymer electrolytes have received more attention due to their potential advantages, including wide electrochemical windows, ease of processing, low interface impedance and low cost. Polymeric electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a well-known polymer matrix have been extensively studied because of their highly flexible EO segments in the amorphous phase that can provide channels for lithium ion transport. However, obtaining a PEO-based solid electrolyte with high Li ion conductivity and without sacrificing mechanical strength is still a huge challenge. In this study, polymethylhydrogen-siloxane (PMHS) with low glass transition temperature and good flexibility was blended into the PEO to optimize ion transportation by the solution casting technique. The hybrid electrolyte membrane with 40% PMHS exhibited high ionic conductivity (2.0 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 80 °C), large electrochemical windows (5.2 V), a high degree of flexibility, and thermal stability. When assembling a Li/LiFePO4 battery, a reversible capacity close to 140 mA h g-1 (0.1 C) at 60 °C was delivered. In addition, a cell with this polymer electrolyte exhibits excellent stability. These results demonstrate that solid polymer electrolyte systems are eligible for next-generation high energy density all-solid-state lithium ion batteries.
Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a new class of porous crystalline materials, have attracted great interest as a promising candidate for sustainable energy and environmental remediation. In this ...study, ZIF-8, a versatile MOF based on imidazolate ligands, was selected as a photocatalyst to decompose methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. The influence factors, kinetics, and mechanism of photocatalytic MB degradation and stability of ZIF-8, were also studied. The results revealed that the ZIF-8 photocatalyst exhibited efficiently photocatalytic activity for MB degradation under UV irradiation, which was confirmed through the detection of hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) by a fluorescence method. The MB degradation over the ZIF-8 photocatalyst followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics model. ZIF-8 worked effectively over a wide pH range from 4.0 to 12.0, and showed both high adsorption capacity and degradation efficiency for MB in a strong alkaline environment. The enhanced efficiency in a strong alkaline environment resulted from the higher charged ZIF-8 (pH > pH pzc ) and the elevated yield of ˙OH facilitated by increased OH − concentration. The possible pathway of photocatalytic degradation of MB in ZIF-8 was proposed. The results indicated that ZIF-8 can be used as a highly efficient photocatalyst to decompose organic pollutants.
After application in electric vehicles, spent LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries are typically decommissioned. Traditional recycling methods face economic and environmental constraints. Therefore, direct ...regeneration has emerged as a promising alternative. However, irreversible phase changes can significantly hinder the efficiency of the regeneration process owing to structural degradation. Moreover, improper storage and treatment practices can lead to metamorphism, further complicating the regeneration process. In this study, a sustainable recovery method is proposed for the electrochemical repair of LFP batteries. A ligand‐chain Zn‐complex (ZnDEA) is utilized as a structural regulator, with its ─NH─ group alternatingly facilitating the binding of preferential transition metal ions (Fe3+ during charging and Zn2+ during discharging). This dynamic coordination ability helps to modulate volume changes within the recovered LFP framework. Consequently, the recovered LFP framework can store more Li‐ions, enhance phase transition reversibility between LFP and FePO4 (FP), modify the initial Coulombic efficiency, and reduce polarization voltage differences. The recovered LFP cells exhibit excellent capacity retention of 96.30% after 1500 cycles at 2 C. The ligand chain repair mechanism promotes structural evolution to facilitate ion migration, providing valuable insights into the targeted ion compensation for environmentally friendly recycling in practical applications.
The introduction of the ligand chain within the Zn complex dynamically modulates the variational structure, enlarging the main framework of LFP and expediting the de‐intercalation of Li+. This process revitalizes the composition, structure, and electrochemical performance of LFP, restoring them to levels comparable to that of newly produced LFP even under severe degradation conditions during the operation of regenerated batteries.
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