Despite the high expectation of deformable and see‐through displays for future ubiquitous society, current light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) fail to meet the desired mechanical and optical properties, ...mainly because of the fragile transparent conducting oxides and opaque metal electrodes. Here, by introducing a highly conductive nanofibrillated conducting polymer (CP) as both deformable transparent anode and cathode, ultraflexible and see‐through polymer LEDs (PLEDs) are demonstrated. The CP‐based PLEDs exhibit outstanding dual‐side light‐outcoupling performance with a high optical transmittance of 75% at a wavelength of 550 nm and with an excellent mechanical durability of 9% bending strain. Moreover, the CP‐based PLEDs fabricated on 4 µm thick plastic foils with all‐solution processing have extremely deformable and foldable light‐emitting functionality. This approach is expected to open a new avenue for developing wearable and attachable transparent displays.
Deformable and see‐through polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) are developed by using a highly conductive nanofibrillated conducting polymer (CP) as both ultraflexible transparent anode and cathode. The CP‐based PLEDs fabricated on plastic foils with all‐solution processing exhibit outstanding dual‐side light‐outcoupling performance and rollable/foldable light‐emitting functionality with a high optical transmittance of 75% at a wavelength of 550 nm.
Quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucuronide (Q-3-G), the glucuronide conjugate of quercetin, has been reported as having anti-inflammatory properties in the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages, as well as ...anticancer and antioxidant properties. Unlike quercetin, which has been extensively described to possess a wide range of pharmacological activities including skin protective effects, the pharmacological benefits and mechanisms Q-3-G in the skin remained to be elucidated. This study focused on characterizing the skin protective properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, of Q-3-G against UVB-induced or H
O
-induced oxidative stress, the hydration effects, and antimelanogenesis activities using human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and melanoma (B16F10) cells. Q-3-G down-regulated the expression of the pro-inflammatory gene and cytokine such as
(
) and
in H
O
or UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. We also showed that Q-3-G exhibits an antioxidant effect using free radical scavenging assays, flow cytometry, and an increased expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2- related factor 2 (Nrf2). Q-3-G reduced melanin production in α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced B16F10 cells. The hydration effects and mechanisms of Q-3-G were examined by evaluating the moisturizing factor-related genes, such as
,
, and
. In addition, Q-3-G increased the phosphorylation of c-Jun, Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 4 (MKK4), and TAK1, involved in the MAPKs/AP-1 pathway, and the phosphorylation of IκBα, IκB kinase (IKK)-α, Akt, and Src, involved in the NF-κB pathway. Taken together, we have demonstrated that Q-3-G exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, moisturizing, and antimelanogenesis properties in human keratinocytes and melanoma cells through NF-κB and AP-1 pathways.
Ginseng is widely used for its promising healing and restorative properties as well as for its possible tonic effect in traditional medicine. Nowadays, many studies focus on purified individual ...ginsenoside, an important constituent in ginseng, and study its specific mechanism of action instead of whole-plant extracts on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Of the various ginsenosides, purified ginsenosides such as Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Re, and Rd are the most frequently studied. Although there are many reports on the molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of CVDs, many concerns exist in their application. This review discusses current works on the countless pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in the area of CVDs. Results: Both in vitro and in vivo results indicate that ginseng has potentially positive effects on heart disease through its various properties including antioxidation, reduced platelet adhesion, vasomotor regulation, improving lipid profiles, and influencing various ion channels. To date, approximately 40 ginsenosides have been identified, and each has a different mechanism of action owing to the differences in chemical structure. This review aims to present comprehensive information on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of ginseng, especially in the control of hypertension and cardiovascular function. In addition, the review also provides an insight into the opportunities for future research and development on the biological activities of ginseng.
Investigations into lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) has focused primarily on the initial conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) to Li2S2. However, the subsequent solid–solid reaction from Li2S2 ...to Li2S and the Li2S decomposition process should be equally prioritized. Creating a virtuous cycle by balancing all three chemical reaction processes is crucial for realizing practical LSBs. Herein, amorphous Ni3B in synergy with carbon nanotubes (aNi3B@CNTs) is proposed to implement the consecutive catalysis of S8(solid) → LiPSs(liquid) → Li2S(solid) →LiPSs(liquid). Systematic theoretical simulations and experimental analyses reveal that aNi3B@CNTs with an isotropic structure and abundant active sites can ensure rapid LiPSs adsorption‐catalysis as well as uniform Li2S precipitation. The uniform Li2S deposition in synergy with catalysis of aNi3B enables instant/complete oxidation of Li2S to LiPSs. The produced LiPSs are again rapidly and uniformly adsorbed for the next sulfur evolution process, thus creating a virtuous cycle for sulfur species conversion. Accordingly, the aNi3B@CNTs‐based cell presents remarkable rate capability, long‐term cycle life, and superior cyclic stability, even under high sulfur loading and extreme temperature environments. This study proposes the significance of creating a virtuous cycle for sulfur species conversion to realize practical LSBs.
Virtuous cycle for consecutive electrocatalysis. Specifically, the binary sulfiphilic aNi3B with isotropic structure enables a rapid/uniform LiPSs adsorption. Meanwhile, the superior catalytic capability and ionic/electronic conductivity synergistically facilitated the fast/homogeneous Li2S precipitation. Uniform Li2S deposition helps fully oxidize it to LiPSs, which are quickly and uniformly adsorbed for the next sulfur evolution, creating a virtuous cycle for sulfur species conversion.
Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines and is reported to have a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological applications. Ginseng may also be potentially valuable in treating ...cardiovascular diseases. Research concerning cardiovascular disease is focusing on purified individual ginsenoside constituents of ginseng to reveal specific mechanisms instead of using whole ginseng extracts. The most commonly studied ginsenosides are Rb1, Rg1, Rg3, Rh1, Re, and Rd. The molecular mechanisms and medical applications of ginsenosides in the treatment of cardiovascular disease have attracted much attention and been the subject of numerous publications. Here, we review the current literature on the myriad pharmacological functions and the potential benefits of ginseng in this area. In vitro investigations using cell cultures and in vivo animal models have indicated ginseng's potential cardiovascular benefits through diverse mechanisms that include antioxidation, modifying vasomotor function, reducing platelet adhesion, influencing ion channels, altering autonomic neurotransmitters release, and improving lipid profiles. Some 40 ginsenosides have been identified. Each may have different effects in pharmacology and mechanisms due to their different chemical structures. This review also summarizes results of relevant clinical trials regarding the cardiovascular effects of ginseng, particularly in the management of hypertension and improving cardiovascular function.
Hemophilia A is an X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutations in the F8 gene, which encodes the blood coagulation factor VIII. Almost half of all severe hemophilia A cases result from two gross ...(140-kbp or 600-kbp) chromosomal inversions that involve introns 1 and 22 of the F8 gene, respectively. We derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with these inversion genotypes and used CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases to revert these chromosomal segments back to the WT situation. We isolated inversion-corrected iPSCs with frequencies of up to 6.7% without detectable off-target mutations based on whole-genome sequencing or targeted deep sequencing. Endothelial cells differentiated from corrected iPSCs expressed the F8 gene and functionally rescued factor VIII deficiency in an otherwise lethal mouse model of hemophilia. Our results therefore provide a proof of principle for functional correction of large chromosomal rearrangements in patient-derived iPSCs and suggest potential therapeutic applications.
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•CRISPR-Cas9 and targeted sgRNAs can revert large inversions in hemophilia A iPSCs•Endothelial cells derived from corrected iPSCs express correctly spliced Factor VIII•Transplantation of corrected iPSCs can rescue injury mortality in hemophiliac mice•Whole-genome and targeted deep sequencing did not detect off-target mutations
Park et al. used CRISPR-Cas9 in patient iPSCs to correct two large inversions that are the most common underlying mutations for severe hemophilia, and they show that the correction is functional by rescuing lethality in hemophiliac mice using iPSC-derived endothelial cells.
Abstract Background Blood loss occurs significantly more frequently during total hip and knee arthroplasty than among any other type of orthopedic operation, which can sometimes lead to requiring a ...blood transfusion. Although allogeneic blood transfusion has been identified as a risk factor for postoperative surgical-site infection following arthroplasty, results are inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic meta-analysis to investigate whether having an allogeneic blood transfusion significantly increases the risk for surgical-site infection, particularly after total hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis using random-effect models. Using an electronic database search, we selected 6 studies that included data on 21,770 patients and among these studies compared the postoperative infection rate between an allogeneic blood-transfusion exposure group and a nonexposure group. We calculated the pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the groups. Results The prevalences of surgical-site infections in our pooled analyses were 2.88% and 1.74% for the transfusion and nontransfusion groups, respectively. The allogeneic blood transfusion group had a significantly higher frequency of surgical-site infections based on pooled analysis using a random-effect model (pooled odds ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-2.40, P = .002). Conclusion Allogeneic blood transfusion is a significant risk factor for increasing the surgical-site infection rate after total hip and knee arthroplasty.
Although high power conversion efficiency of over 14% has been achieved using nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), securing their insensitive device performance to the ...thickness of the photoactive layer remains an indispensable requirement for their successful commercialization via printing technologies. In this study, by synthesizing a new series of ITIC‐based NFAs having alkyl or alkoxy groups, it is found that the bulk heterojunction morphology dependence on the thickness of the photoactive layer becomes more severe as the difference in the surface energy of the donor and acceptor increases. It is believed that this observation is the origin that yields the device performance dependence on the thickness of the photoactive layer. Through sensitive control of the surface energy of these ITIC‐based NFAs, it is demonstrated that thickness‐insensitive OPVs can be achieved even using a doctor blade technique under air without using any additives. It is believed that present approach provides an important insight into the design of photoactive materials and morphology control for the printable OPVs using NFAs.
The difference in the surface energy of the donor and acceptor is the origin to determine the sensitivity of bulk heterojunction morphology to the thickness of a photoactive layer. By delicately controlling the surface energy of nonfullerene acceptors via side chain engineering, thickness‐insensitive organic photovoltaics are demonstrated using a doctor blade technique under air without using any additives.
Implantable devices are vital in healthcare, enabling continuous monitoring, early disease detection, informed decision-making, enhanced outcomes, cost reduction, and chronic condition management. ...These devices provide real-time data, allowing proactive healthcare interventions, and contribute to overall improvements in patient care and quality of life. The success of implantable devices relies on the careful selection of materials and manufacturing methods. Recent materials research and manufacturing advancements have yielded implantable devices with enhanced biocompatibility, reliability, and functionality, benefiting human healthcare. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in implantable medical devices, emphasizing the importance of material selection and manufacturing methods, including biocompatibility, self-healing capabilities, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, and conductivity. It explores various manufacturing techniques such as microfabrication, 3D printing, laser micromachining, electrospinning, screen printing, inkjet printing, and nanofabrication. The paper also discusses challenges and limitations in the field, including biocompatibility concerns, privacy and data security issues, and regulatory hurdles for implantable devices.
•Materials and manufacturing choices for the success of implantable devices, focusing on biocompatibility, reliability, and functionality.•Advancements in materials and manufacturing improving biocompatibility, reliability, and functionality of implantable devices.•Manufacturing techniques such as microfabrication, 3D printing, nanofabrication, and ongoing innovations in the field.•Challenges include biocompatibility, privacy, and regulatory hurdles in implantable device development.
Addition of 1–4 wt.% lithium into a conventional Al–Cu–Mg alloy allows lower density and higher mechanical properties, which are attractive for aerospace applications. In this study, fundamental ...investigations including phase and microstructure evolution, resulting in strengthening, of the AA2195 are conducted to observe a possibility of production with commercial level. Precipitation sequence and kinetics during post-annealing were evaluated with variations of temperature and holding time. Microstructures revealed formation and evolution in representative precipitates including θ (Al2Cu), ß′ (Al3Zr), and T (AlxLiyCu) series. Aluminum alloys have low hardness, modulus, and strength before aging, but precipitates such as θ′ (Al2Cu), ß′ (Al3Zr), and T1 (Al2LiCu) show enhanced mechanical properties of AA2195 tempered because of their interaction with dislocation. However, longer holding time and higher annealing temperature result in significant decreases in mechanical properties due to the presence of incoherent precipitates (θ phase) and coarsening of the precipitates via grain-boundary diffusion. In the current study, the tensile strength of 560 MPa was obtained with post-heat treatment without work hardening. This value has never been achieved in other studies. The maximum strength was reported as 500 MPa without a work hardening process.
•A relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties to post annealing AA2195.•A formation and dissolution of the precipitates were observed for various treatment.•An optimum post-annealing condition was obtained.
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