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Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an aggressive and devastating cancer due to its metastasis induced by increased invasion. Lentinan is a polysaccharide exerting antitumor roles in multiple cancers, including lung cancer. However, the influence of lentinan on cell invasion in NSCLC remains unclear. Cell invasion was detected by transwell analysis. Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) levels were measured through immunofluorescence staining. The markers arginase‐1 (Arg‐1), CD206 and interleukin (IL)‐10 (IL‐10) of M2 macrophages, Wnt3a, and β‐catenin levels were measured by western blot or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Lentinan did not affect cell viability and proliferation in NSCLC cells. Lentinan suppressed cell invasion and reduced the expression and secretion of MMP9. Lentinan attenuated also M2 polarization of tumor‐associated macrophages. Moreover, lentinan mitigated the M2 macrophage conditioned medium‐mediated cell invasion and MMP9 alterations in NSCLC cells. Lentinan inhibited the activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in NSCLC cells. The activated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway reversed the suppressive effects of lentinan on cell invasion and MMP9 level in NSCLC cells. In conclusion, lentinan reduces cell invasion in NSCLC cells by inhibiting the M2 polarization of tumor‐associated macrophages and the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal priming of reef corals can enhance their heat tolerance; however, the legacy effects of heat stress during parental brooding on larval resilience remain understudied. This study investigated whether preconditioning adult coral Pocillopora damicornis to high temperatures (29°C and 32°C) could better prepare their larvae for heat stress. Results showed that heat‐acclimated adults brooded larvae with reduced symbiont density and shifted thermal performance curves. Reciprocal transplant experiments demonstrated higher bleaching resistance and better photosynthetic and autotrophic performance in heat‐exposed larvae from acclimated adults compared to unacclimated adults. RNA‐seq revealed strong cellular stress responses in larvae from heat‐acclimated adults that could have been effective in rescuing host cells from stress, as evidenced by the widespread upregulation of genes involved in cell cycle and mitosis. For symbionts, a molecular coordination between light harvesting, photoprotection and carbon fixation was detected in larvae from heat‐acclimated adults, which may help optimize photosynthetic activity and yield under high temperature. Furthermore, heat acclimation led to opposing regulations of symbiont catabolic and anabolic pathways and favoured nutrient translocation to the host and thus a functional symbiosis. Notwithstanding, the improved heat tolerance was paralleled by reduced light‐enhanced dark respiration, indicating metabolic depression for energy saving. Our findings suggest that adult heat acclimation can rapidly shift thermal tolerance of brooded coral larvae and provide integrated physiological and molecular evidence for this adaptive plasticity, which could increase climate resilience. However, the metabolic depression may be maladaptive for long‐term organismal performance, highlighting the importance of curbing carbon emissions to better protect corals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ponerorchis wolongensis, a new orchid species from the Hengduan Mountains, western Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated here based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. Morphologically, the new species is similar to P. capitata, but they can easily be differentiated by the number of leaves and flowers, the shape of leaves, and the mid‐lobe of the labellum. Phylogenetically, based on seven DNA sequences, the new species is more close to P. sichuanica, but these two species are very different in both growth habit and morphological characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of large and complex supramolecular architectures through self‐assembly is at the forefront of contemporary coordination chemistry. Notwithstanding great success in various systems using anionic bridges (e.g., O2− or S2−) or organic ligands (e.g., pyridine or carboxylate ligands), the assembly of large cyanide‐bridged clusters with increasing nuclearity remains a formidable synthetic challenge. In this study, it is achieved in preparing two heterometallic cyanometallate clusters with unprecedented complexity, [Fe20Co20] (1) and [Fe12Co15] (2), by creating the "flexibility" through a versatile ligand of bis((1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)methylene)hydrazine (H2L) and low‐coordinate cobalt. Complex 1 features a super‐square array of four cyanide‐bridged [Fe4Co4] cube subunits as the corners that are interconnected by four additional [FeCo] units, resulting in a torus‐shaped architecture. Complex 2 contains a lantern‐like core‐shell cluster with a triple‐helix kernel of [Co3L3] enveloped by a [Fe12Co12] shell. The combined structure analysis and mass spectrometry study reveal a hierarchical assembly mechanism, which sheds new light on constructing cyanometallate nanoclusters with atomic precision. Moreover, complex 1 undergoes a thermally induced electron‐transfer‐coupled spin transition (ETCST) between the diamagnetic {FeIILS(µ‐CN)CoIIILS} and paramagnetic {FeIIILS(µ‐CN)CoIIHS} configurations (LS = low spin, HS = high spin) above room temperature, representing the largest molecule displaying electron transfer and spin transition characteristic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here an excellent trimodality imaging‐guided synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT)/photodynamic therapy (PDT)/chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is proposed. To this end, a mixed‐metal Cu/Zn‐metal‐organic framework (MOF) is first assembled at room temperature on a nano‐scale. Interestingly, heating the MOF results in a Cu+/2+‐coexisting hollow porous structure. Subsequent heating treatment is used to integrate Mn2+ and MnO2 in the presence of manganese(II) acetylacetonate. The hollow composite achieves efficient loading of a photosensitizer, indocyanine green (ICG). Under laser irradiation, the aggregated ICG achieves photothermal imaging and PTT. Once released in the tumor site, ICG exhibits fluorescence imaging and PDT capacity. Cu+/Mn2+ ions perform Fenton‐like reaction with H2O2 to produce cytotoxic •OH for the enhanced CDT. Cu2+/MnO2 scavenge glutathione to improve the reactive oxygen species‐based therapy, while the formed Mn2+ ions enable "turn on" magnetic resonance imaging. Significantly, O2 is produced from the catalytic decomposition of endogenous H2O2 to improve ICG‐mediated PDT. Moreover, photothermal‐induced local hyperthermia accelerates •OH generation to enhance CDT. This synergistic drug‐free antitumor strategy realizes high treatment efficacy and low side effects on normal tissues. Thus, this mixed‐metal MOF is an efficient strategy to realize hollow structures for multi‐function integration to improve therapeutic capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Decline in physical function is associated with older age. Healthcare utilization and expenditures related to physical functioning declines will likely increase as the proportion of the population of older adults rises. This study evaluated resource utilization associated with differences in physical functioning in a nationally representative sample of older adults. DESIGN: A retrospective panel study nationally representative for 26 809 552 older adults in the United States. SETTING: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2013 to 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged 70 years or older who completed both rounds of the Self‐Administered Questionnaire in MEPS. MEASUREMENTS: Physical Component Score (PCS) from the Short‐Form Health Survey as a measure of physical functioning was stratified into quartiles. Healthcare utilization (count of medical visits by setting) and total expenditures were assessed during and after the PCS measurements. Generalized linear mixed models, adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates, estimated the relationship between healthcare utilization and physical functioning. RESULTS: The lowest functional status (Q1) was associated with significantly increased healthcare utilization of emergency department, inpatient, home health, outpatient, and total medical visits compared with the three higher quartiles groups (P <.001, all). When compared with the lowest functioning group (Q1), the percentage savings for direct healthcare expenditures were 26.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.8‐41.7) in Q2, 50.1% (95% CI = 35.6‐61.4) in Q3, and 65.2% (95% CI = 54.7‐73.2) in Q4. Similarly, there were 10.4% (95% CI = 9.2‐11.7), 11.9% (95% CI = 10.5‐13.6), and 14.0% (95% CI = 2.2%‐15.9%) reductions in total medical visits, respectively. CONCLUSION: Lower physical functioning was associated with higher healthcare utilization and expenditures. These estimates are conservative because they do not capture long‐term care utilization due to the nature of MEPS. These results can be used to benchmark other healthcare resource benefits of interventions to maintain or improve physical functioning in older adults in noninstitutionalized settings. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:266–271, 2020 See related editorial by Resnick et al. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is considered to be the only means to preserve fertility for prepubertal girls and women whose cancer treatment cannot be postponed. However, ovarian tissues are inevitably damaged by oxidative stress during cryopreservation, which threatens follicle survival and development, and thus affects female fertility. Therefore, reducing tissue oxidative stress injury is one of the major challenges to achieving efficient cryopreservation of ovarian tissues, especially for whole ovaries. Here, we proposed a new method to improve the antioxidant capacity of whole ovaries during cryopreservation, static magnetic field assisted thawing. The results demonstrated that the antioxidant capacity of the ovarian tissue was significantly improved by static magnetic field treatment. In addition, ovarian tissue allograft transplantation was carried out, which successfully achieved vascular regeneration and maintained follicular development. The findings of this study not only provide a new reference for the preservation of female fertility, but also is a major step forward in the cryopreservation of tissues and organs. It will have good application prospects in the field of assisted reproduction and cryo‐biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the treatment outcome of craniopharyngioma at a neurosurgery centre in Hong Kong over an 18-year period. Patients and Methods The study design was a retrospective review of patients with craniopharyngioma. Clinical records of all patients with histologically-confirmed craniopharyngioma during the period from January 1998 to December 2015 at a neurosurgery centre in Hong Kong were reviewed. Outcome measures included recurrence, morbidities and mortalities. Results From January 1998 to December 2015, 13 patients with histologically-diagnosed craniopharyngioma were identified. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 75 per cent (9/12) of primary craniopharyngiomas; a total of 25 per cent (3/12) had recurrence requiring reoperation, which was comparable to the 24.5 per cent reported in the literature. Morbidities included visual field defect (16.7 per cent), visual acuity deficit (8.3 per cent) and endocrinopathy (83.3 per cent). All patients with adjuvant radiotherapy in the present study had no tumour recurrence or progression. There was no perioperative mortality. Conclusion The treatment outcome of craniopharyngioma at a regional neurosurgical centre in Hong Kong had a recurrence rate comparable to the international standard. Consistent with other reported studies, postoperative morbidities are high with GTR. Further large-scale, randomized, controlled trials are needed to demonstrate a superior long-term outcome from a more conservative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Poor mechanical and water barrier properties of starch‐based films severely restrict their applications as packaging materials. In this study, glycerol was combined with various small molecular esters (SMEs) with different molecular structures to plasticize high‐content starch/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (80/20, w/w) films (SPFs) prepared by extrusion blowing. The effects of co‐plasticization on the physicochemical properties and film‐forming mechanism of SPFs were investigated. RESULTS: The addition of glycerides to SPFs reduced intermolecular interaction, increased molecular chain mobility, and decreased glass transition, melting temperatures, and crystallinity. Mechanical and water barrier properties of SPFs were improved significantly with the co‐plasticization of glycerol and SMEs. The incorporation of triacetate glyceride increased tensile strength of SPFs by 54% and the water contact angle by up to 95°. The SPF with diacetate glyceride exhibited the minimum water vapor permeability, which decreased by 39%. CONCLUSION: The levels of hydrophilic/hydrophobic groups in SMEs and their molecular weights were essential for the plasticizing effects. Glycerides tended to infiltrate into starch for effective plasticization compared with citrates. The combination of glycerol and glycerides had better plasticizing effects on starch. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The engineering of intermolecular interaction is challenging but critical for magnetically switchable molecules. Here, we prepared two cyanide‐bridged [Fe4Co4] cube complexes via the alkynyl‐ and alcohol‐functionalized trispyrazoyl capping ligands. The alkynyl‐functionalized complex 1 exhibited a thermally‐induced incomplete metal‐to‐metal electron transfer (MMET) behaviour at around 220 K, while the mixed alkynyl/alcohol‐functionalized cube of 2 showed a complete and abrupt MMET behaviour at 232 K. Remarkably, both compounds showed a long‐lived photo‐induced metastable state up to 200 K. The crystallographic study demonstrated that the incomplete transition of 1 was likely due to the possible elastic frustration originating from the competition between the anion‐propagated elastic interactions and inter‐cluster alkynyl‐alkynyl & CH‐alkynyl interactions, whereas the latter are eliminated in 2 as a result of the partial substitution by the alcohol‐functionalized ligand. Additionally, the introduction of chemically distinguishable cobalt centers within the cube unit of 2 did not lead to a two‐step but a one‐step transition, possibly because of the strong ferroelastic intramolecular interaction through the cyanide bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The engineering of intermolecular interaction is challenging but critical for magnetically switchable molecules. Here, we prepared two cyanide‐bridged [Fe4Co4] cube complexes via the alkynyl‐ and alcohol‐functionalized trispyrazoyl capping ligands. The alkynyl‐functionalized complex 1 exhibited a thermally‐induced incomplete metal‐to‐metal electron transfer (MMET) behaviour at around 220 K, while the mixed alkynyl/alcohol‐functionalized cube of 2 showed a complete and abrupt MMET behaviour at 232 K. Remarkably, both compounds showed a long‐lived photo‐induced metastable state up to 200 K. The crystallographic study demonstrated that the incomplete transition of 1 was likely due to the possible elastic frustration originating from the competition between the anion‐propagated elastic interactions and inter‐cluster alkynyl‐alkynyl & CH‐alkynyl interactions, whereas the latter are eliminated in 2 as a result of the partial substitution by the alcohol‐functionalized ligand. Additionally, the introduction of chemically distinguishable cobalt centers within the cube unit of 2 did not lead to a two‐step but a one‐step transition, possibly because of the strong ferroelastic intramolecular interaction through the cyanide bridges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is closely associated with cognitive decline, the precise neurobiological mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully elucidated. Connectome studies have identified a primary‐to‐transmodal gradient in functional brain networks that support the spectrum from sensation to cognition. However, whether connectome gradient structure is altered as WMH progresses and how this alteration is associated with WMH‐related cognitive decline remain unknown. Methods: A total of 758 WMH individuals completed cognitive assessment and resting‐state functional MRI (rs‐fMRI). The functional connectome gradient was reconstructed based on rs‐fMRI by using a gradient decomposition framework. Interrelations among the spatial distribution of WMH, functional gradient measures, and specific cognitive domains were explored. Results: As the WMH volume increased, the executive function (r = −0.135, p = 0.001) and information‐processing speed (r = −0.224, p = 0.001) became poorer, the gradient range (r = −0.099, p = 0.006), and variance (r = −0.121, p < 0.001) of the primary‐to‐transmodal gradient reduced. A narrower gradient range (r = 0.131, p = 0.001) and a smaller gradient variance (r = 0.136, p = 0.001) corresponded to a poorer executive function. In particular, the relationship between the frontal/occipital WMH and executive function was partly mediated by gradient range/variance of the primary‐to‐transmodal gradient. Conclusions: These findings indicated that WMH volume, the primary‐to‐transmodal gradient, and cognition were interrelated. The detrimental effect of the frontal/occipital WMH on executive function was partly mediated by the decreased differentiation of the connectivity pattern between the primary and transmodal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: We aimed to determine whether preprocedural renal function affects the outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and whether this effect is modified by the onset‐to‐reperfusion time (OTR) and mediated by collateral status. Methods: Eligible patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) who underwent MT between August 2018 and August 2020 were reviewed. The main outcome was good functional outcome [defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 0–2] at 3 months. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between renal function and good functional outcome. A moderation analysis and the Johnson‐Neyman technique were performed to assess the interaction between renal function and OTR to predict the outcome of AIS patients with MT. Results: Among 100 enrolled patients, 36 (36%) exhibited good functional outcome. A decreased preprocedural estimated glomerular filtration rate (pre‐eGFR) was significantly associated with worse functional outcome [adjusted OR, 1.059 (1.012–1.108); p, 0.014], and this effect was partly mediated by collateral circulation. An interaction between OTR and pre‐eGFR on functional outcome was observed (P for interaction, 0.22), and pre‐eGFR only had a significant effect on functional outcome when OTR exceeded 455.8 min. Moreover, the adverse effect of OTR on functional outcome became no longer significant when the pre‐eGFR was higher than 89.0 mL/min/1.73 mL/min/1.73 m². Conclusions: Renal function was related to functional outcome at 3 months, and this relationship could be modified by OTR. The results suggested that reducing OTR and improving collateral circulation may mitigate the adverse effect of reduced kidney function on functional outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many factors may affect reproduction of animal‐pollinated species. In this study, the effects of pollen limitation, attractive traits (flower number, plant height and flower width) and flowering phenological traits (flowering onset, duration and synchrony) on female reproduction, as well as the patterns of variation in fruit and seed production within plants, were investigated in Paeonia ostii "Feng Dan" over two flowering seasons (2018 and 2019). Fruit set was very high (90%), and pollen supplementation did not increase fruit and seed production in either year, indicating no pollen limitation. Fruit set, ovule number per fruit and mean individual seed weight per fruit were not affected by any of the six attractive and phenological traits in either year, whereas seed number per fruit was related to the three attractive traits in one or both years. Seed number per plant was positively affected by the three attractive traits and best explained by flower number in both years, but the effect of each of the three phenological traits on seed number per plant differed between years. Within plants, the fruit set, ovule number, seed set and seed number per fruit declined from early‐ to late‐opening flowers, presumably because of resource preemption, but the mean individual seed weight did not vary across the flowering sequence. Our study shows that attractive traits of Paeonia ostii "Feng Dan" are more important than flowering phenological traits in the prediction of total seed production per plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational design of artificial solid‐state nanopores is of great importance in the discovery of intriguing ion transport phenomena. 2D metal–organicframework (2D MOF) nanosheets with single crystallinity, aligned nanochannels, ultrathin thickness, and diverse functionalities are highly potential solid‐state nanopores. An electrophoretic method is developed to successfully fabricate MOF nanopores supported by SiNx substrate, which is confirmed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. A giant gap around 4 V together with ionic current rectification is discovered in nonlinear voltage‐activated current‐voltage curves, revealing the synergy of the hydrophobic effect and charge effect in MOF nanopores. The charge effect embodies the different contribution current which results from the enrichment and depletion of ions in MOF nanopores by COMSOL simulation. Moreover, 2D MOF nanosheets with different surface charges, hydrophobicity, and pore sizes demonstrate the universality of nanopore fabrication and further confirm the synergistic mechanism. The nonlinear ion transport in the ultrathin MOF nanosheets will provide an opportunity to explore further applications in solid‐state nanopores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional chemically cross‐linked polymer materials may cause severe environmental pollution and economic losses due to the difficulty of recycling. Vitrimers containing reversible dynamic covalent bonds are processable, recyclable, and self‐healing. In this article, a bio‐based epoxy resin curing agent is synthesized by hydrolysis using cellulose as raw material. The results show that the epoxy vitrimers with the best ratio have a lower topological transition temperature and a fast relaxation time at 140 °C. After soaking in solvent for 90 days, the gel content of the material is greater than 81%. The glass transition temperature of the sample measured by differential scanning calorimetry （DSC) is 83 °C. It also has a high initial decomposition temperature (350 °C) with good flexibility and solvent resistance, showing its good performance as a coating paint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on a study which described the changing behavior in the common horse tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata. Attachment of the tapeworm to the cecal wall rather than at the ileocecal junction; Rate of paralysis; Suggestion that the change in behavior is not associated with the development of resistance to pyrantel.

KT and Nuo sorghum are planted in saline‐alkali (SA) soil (KT‐S, Nuo11‐S) and nonsaline‐alkali (NSA) soil (KT‐S, Nuo11‐NS) to demonstrate the impact of SA stress on the structure and properties of sorghum starch. SA decreases the amylose content (27.57%–20.43%) but increases the B2 + B3 chain content of branched amylopectin (18.86%–19.57%) in KT, in contrast to Nuo. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) results confirms the crystallinity of sorghum starch, and the degree of ordering in semicrystalline lamellae is arranged as follows: Nuo11‐S > Nuo11‐NS > KT‐S > KT‐NS. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirms that SA improves thermal stability of starch granules. The noodles made of sorghum starch exhibit significant hydrolysis resistance compared to common noodles, and a higher hydrolysis rate is shown in SA‐starch noodles. Overall, it is essential to understand the fine structure and physicochemical properties of starch isolated from sorghum planted in different soils to help determine its appropriate applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rich functionalities have been identified for domain walls (DWs, naturally occurring interfaces in ferroics), e.g., enhanced conductance and photovoltaic effect, which specify the interest in their internal structure. The dimension/width and type are of particular interest, which is the carrier of their functionality. Recent attention has been focused on head‐to‐head or tail‐to‐tail charged DWs with greatly enhanced conductivity compared to the inner domains, which are found to be an order of magnitude thicker (tens of unit cells) than normal neutral DWs. In this study, ultrathin non‐Ising charged DWs are found, where polarization switched their direction within 2–3 unit cells in self‐assembled BiFeO3 nanocrystals. An analytical model and finite element method simulation are used to interpret the origin of this phenomenon, i.e., electrostatic constraints linked to DW configurations in a ferroelectric. This study indicates that as an intrinsic property, the width of the ferroic DWs varies with different electrostatic constraints and must be taken into consideration during its applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of polysubstituted pyrroles were rapidly synthesized in moderate to good yields via catalyst‐free one‐pot three‐component reaction of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds with primary amines and nitrostyrenes by using liquid‐assisted grinding. This protocol provides several advantages over the conventional chemical synthesis, such as simple work‐up procedure, wide substrate scope, short reaction time, and environmental friendliness. Structures of polysubstituted pyrroles were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and ESI‐MS studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study aimed to analyze the potential association between cognition reserve (CR) components, including education, working activity, and leisure time activity, and cognitive function in subjects with white matter hyperintensities (WMH). The study also explored the role of the frontoparietal control network (FPCN) in such association. Methods: White matter hyperintensities subjects with and without cognitive impairment (CI) were evaluated with multimodal magnetic resonance imaging, neuropsychological testing, and CR survey. FPCN patterns were assessed with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex seed‐based functional connectivity analysis. Results: Education was positively associated with cognitive function in WMH subjects with or without CI, whereas working activity and leisure time activity were positively associated with cognitive function only in those without CI. Similarly, education was associated with bilateral FPCN in both WMH groups, whereas working activity and leisure time activity were associated with bilateral FPCN mainly in the group without CI. Furthermore, FPCN partially mediated the association between education and cognitive function in both WMH groups. Conclusion: Education showed a positive impact on cognitive function in WMH subjects regardless of their cognitive status, whereas working activity and leisure time activity exhibited beneficial effects only in those without CI. The FPCN mediated the beneficial effect of education on cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we disclose a fast (ON time ∼50 μs and OFF time ∼25 μs at 55 °C), high‐contrast, continuous phase modulator without fringe field effect (FFE). The phase modulator uses the Kerr effect of vertically aligned deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystals (VADHFLCs). Specifically, FFE is a long‐term problem for nematic liquid crystals (NLCs). In this article, we are disclosing, for the first‐time found, that no FFE exists for VADHFLCs, even for phase modulator with 1‐μm pixel pitch. It is an attractive feature for ultra‐high‐resolution display and photonic applications. Moreover, the Kerr constant is 88 nm/V2, and the contrast ratio is larger than 1000:1. It is a promising candidate for high‐PPI augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) displays, wavelength selective switch (WSS), hologram, adaptive optics, and LiDARs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate whether visceral obesity is associated with certain histological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma ( RCC) in a multicentre Chinese cohort. Patients and Methods A kidney tumour database was created using three tertiary centres in China; 487 patients were enrolled presenting with localised RCC and complete computer tomography ( CT)/magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) information. A single-slice CT image was used to measure the area of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues in each patient. Statistical methods were used to analyse clear-cell RCC ( ccRCC) and non-clear-cell RCC (non- ccRCC) as they relate to visceral fat area ( VFA) and other risk factors, such as age, gender, tumour size, diabetes, hypertension, total fat area ( TFA) and body mass index ( BMI). Results In all, 418 patients had a ccRCC subtype and 69 had a non- ccRCC subtype. For all the patients with RCC, the mean VFA was 102 cm2, while mean BMI was 24 kg/m2. The mean VFA was greater in ccRCC than non- ccRCC patients by 25 cm2. There were significant differences in the mean VFA and TFA between patients with ccRCC and those with non- ccRCC. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of VFA was more important than the effects of BMI and Type 2 diabetes on pathology prediction. In patients with a normal BMI, those with a higher quartile of VFA were more likely to develop ccRCC than those with a low VFA. Conclusions Increased visceral fat was found to be associated with ccRCC and the significance of VFA outweighed the effects of BMI and Type 2 diabetes for the prediction of RCC pathology in multivariate analyses. As a result, VFA could constitute a primary explanation for the link between obesity and ccRCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin has been reported to promote the expression of programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) in some cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism through which PD‐L1 is transcriptionally regulated by cisplatin in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remains largely unknown. In the present study, we found that the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), p‐Akt, p‐ERK, and PD‐L1 was increased in cisplatin‐treated SNU‐368 and SNU‐739 cells. HGF stimulation also increased PD‐L1 expression in these cells. Moreover, Inhibition of HGF/c‐MET, PI3K/Akt, and MEK/ERK signaling pathways can dramatically block cisplatin or HGF‐induced PD‐L1 expression in SNU‐368 and SNU‐739 cells. In vivo, combination PHA665752 with cisplatin significantly reduced tumor weight with increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells in the tumor. Taken together, our study suggested that HGF/c‐Met axis‐induced the activation of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways contributes to cisplatin‐mediated PD‐L1 expression. These findings may provide an alternative avenue for the treatment of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of advanced electrical and electronic devices and the requirement of environmental protection, lead‐free dielectric capacitors with excellent energy storage performance have aroused great attention. However, it is a great challenge to achieve both large energy storage density and high efficiency simultaneously in dielectric capacitors. This work investigates the energy storage performance of sol‐gel‐processed (K,Na)NbO3‐based lead‐free ferroelectric films on silicon substrates with compositions of 0.95(K0.49Na0.49Li0.02)(Nb0.8Ta0.2)O3‐0.05CaZrO3‐x mol% Mn (KNN‐LT‐CZ5‐x mol% Mn). The appropriate amount of Mn‐doping facilitates the coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases, suppresses the leakage current, and considerably enhances the breakdown strengths of KNN‐LT‐CZ5 films. Consequently, large recoverable energy storage density up to 64.6 J cm−3 with a high efficiency of 84.6% under an electric field of 3080 kV cm−1 are achieved in KNN‐LT‐CZ5‐5 mol% Mn film. This, to the best of our knowledge, is superior to the majority of both the lead‐based and lead‐free films on silicon substrates and thus demonstrates great potentials of (K,Na)NbO3‐based lead‐free films as dielectric energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT)‐based piezoelectric ceramics are important functional materials for various electromechanical applications, including sensors, actuators, and transducers. High piezoelectric coefficient and mechanical quality factor are essential for the resonant piezoelectric application. However, since these properties are often inversely proportional, simultaneously high performances are hard to achieve, consequently, a wide range of applications are strongly restricted. In the present study, exceptionally well‐balanced performances are achieved in PZT‐based ceramics via innovative defect engineering, which involves multi‐scale coordination among defect dipole, domain‐wall density, and grain boundary. These materials are superior to many state‐of‐the‐art commercial counterparts, which can potentially satisfy high‐end requirements for advanced electromechanical applications, such as energy harvesting, structural health monitoring, robotic sensors, and actuator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orientation modulation of ferroelectric materials is a suitable method to optimize material performance. Textured Bi1‐xSmxFeO3 thin films (near the rhombohedral‐orthorhombic (R‐O) phase boundary, that is, x = 0, 0.1, 0.12, 0.14, and 0.16) were fabricated using the sol‐gel process by introducing a LaNiO3 (LNO) seed layer. Structural and ferroelectric characterizations were used to investigate the effect of texturing on the Sm doping‐induced R‐O phase transition of the BiFeO3 thin films. It was found that a phase transition occurred from the rhombohedral to the orthorhombic structure with increasing Sm content in the nontextured polycrystalline films, resulting in an R‐O phase boundary at x = 0.12. In contrast, the R‐O phase boundary in the textured films was more diffuse, indicating a two‐phase coexistence in a boarder range of Sm doping levels (x = 0.12‐0.16). This discrepancy was attributed to the complexity of the stress status in thin films. The dielectric and electrical properties of the nontextured and textured samples were investigated. The current study shows that the phase boundary in ferroelectric thin films can be altered by diverse means, thus providing insights into potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore characteristics of urinary stone composition in China, and determine the effects of gender, age, body mass index (BMI), stone location, and geographical region on stone composition. Patients and methods: We prospectively used Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy to analyse stones from consecutive patients presenting with new‐onset urolithiasis at 46 hospitals in seven geographical areas of China, between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2015. Chi‐squared tests and logistic regression analyses were used to determine associations between stone composition and gender, age, BMI, stone location, and geographical region. Results: The most common stone constituents were: calcium oxalate (CaOx; 65.9%), carbapatite (15.6%), urate (12.4%), struvite (2.7%), and brushite (1.7%). CaOx and urate stones occurred more frequently in males, whereas carbapatite and struvite were more common in females (P < 0.01). CaOx and carbapatite were more common in those aged 30–50 and 20–40 years than in other groups. Brushite and struvite were most common amongst those aged <20 and >70 years. The detection rate of urate increased with age, whilst cystine decreased with age. Obese patients were more likely to have urate stones than carbapatite or brushite stones (P < 0.01). CaOx, carbapatite, brushite, and cystine stones were more frequently found in the kidney than other types, whereas urate and struvite were more frequent in the bladder (P < 0.01). Stone composition varied by geographical region. Conclusions: The most common stone composition was CaOx, followed by carbapatite, urate, struvite, and brushite. Stone composition differed significantly in patients grouped by gender, age, BMI, stone location, and geographical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FLNC‐related myofibrillar myopathy could manifest as autosomal dominant late‐onset slowly progressive proximal muscle weakness; involvements of cardiac and/or respiratory functions are common. We describe 34 patients in nine families of FLNC‐related myofibrillar myopathy in Hong Kong ethnic Chinese diagnosed over the last 12 years, in whom the same pathogenic variant c.8129G>A (p.Trp2710*) was detected. Twenty‐six patients were symptomatic when diagnosed; four patients died of pneumonia and/or respiratory failure. Abnormal amorphous material or granulofilamentous masses were detected in half of the cases, with mitochondrial abnormalities noted in two‐thirds. We also show by haplotype analysis the founder effect associated with this Hong Kong variant, which might have occurred 42 to 71 generations ago or around Tang and Song dynasties, and underlain a higher incidence of myofibrillar myopathy among Hong Kong Chinese. The late‐onset nature and slowly progressive course of the highly penetrant condition could have significant impact on the family members, and an early diagnosis could benefit the whole family. Considering another neighboring founder variant in FLNC in German patients, we advocate development of specific therapies such as chaperone‐based or antisense oligonucleotide strategies for this particular type of myopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To determine the correct ShangRing size for paediatric circumcision using the no-flip technique.Methods: A cohort of 104 boys (from 6 to 14 years) underwent ShangRing circumcision at Ningbo First Hospital, China. The patients were randomly divided into three groups according to the different methods used for choosing the ring size. For Group A, the ring size was chosen using the ShangRing measuring tape; for Group B, ring size was chosen based on the diameter of penis measured using a self-designed scale plate; and for Group C, ring size was chosen based on the diameter of the glans measured using the self-designed scale plate. The surgery duration, foreskin dorsal slit rate, intra-operative and post-surgery pain score, pain duration, post-surgery ring detachment duration, pain score for ring detachment, complication rate and satisfaction rate were compared.Results: Group A had the highest dorsal slit rate and the longest surgical period. There were no significant differences in intra-/post-surgery pain or ring detachment duration among the three groups. The post-surgery oedema rate and foreskin asymmetry occurrence rate was the highest in Group A at 40.62 and 21.88%, respectively. Group C had the highest satisfaction rate (97.14%), with a significant difference from Group A (75.00%). Oedema and asymmetry of the foreskin increased, while the satisfaction rate simultaneously decreased when a larger ShangRing was chosen.Conclusions: The size of the ShangRing should be chosen in accordance with the diameter of the glans in paediatric ShangRing circumcision using the no-flip technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the efficiency, cost, and time for examination of one-stop-shop gadoxetic acid disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preoperative evaluation for parent donors by comparing with multidetector computer tomography combined with conventional MR cholangiopancreatography (MDCT-MRCP). Materials and methods: Forty parent donors were evaluated with MDCT-MRCP, and the other 40 sex-, age-, and weight-matched donors with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. Anatomical variations and graft volume determined by pre- and intra-operative findings, costs and time for imaging were recorded. Image quality was ranked on a 4-point scale and compared between both groups. Results: Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI provided better image quality than MDCT-MRCP for the depiction of portal veins and bile ducts by both reviewers (p < 0.05), hepatic veins by one reviewer (p < 0.05), rather hepatic arteries by both reviewers (p < 0.01). Sixty-nine living donors proceeded to liver donation with all anatomical findings accurately confirmed by intra-operative findings. The "in-room" time of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI was 12 min longer than MDCT-MRCP. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI was cheaper than MDCT-MRCP (US $519.72 vs. US$631.85). Conclusion: One-stop-shop Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI has similar diagnostic accuracy as MDCT-MRCP and can provide additional benefit in terms of costs and convenience in preoperative evaluation for parent donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 ( 4E-BP1) is an important factor regulating protein translation. It also impacts proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and the cell cycle of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between 4E-BP1 and human immune status, recognizing immunomodulatory molecules involved in the overexpression of 4E-BP1. Methods A lentivirus expression system was used to overexpress 4E-BP1 in the H1299 cell line. Western blot was performed to investigate the expression level of 4E-BP1 and P- 4E-BP1, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to quantify gene expression of immunomodulatory molecules. Results The expression level of 4E-BP1 increased significantly after lentivirus infection ( P < 0.05). Overexpression of 4E-BP1 upregulated the expression of interleukin ( IL)-1β ( P < 0.05), IL-5 ( P < 0.001), IL-23 ( P < 0.001), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β ( P < 0.001), Eota-3 ( P < 0.05), and MCP-4 ( P < 0.05). Most of the increases were observed at the seventh day. The variation trend of IL-10, cell division cycle protein 2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and phosphatase and tensin homolog was not clear. Conclusion Overexpression of 4E-BP1 altered immune status by upregulating the expression of a series of immunomodulatory molecules, indicating that 4E-BP1 could serve as a potential therapeutic target against cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered patterns of DNA methylation are key features of cancer. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC) has the highest incidence in Southern China. Aberrant methylation at the promoter region of tumor suppressors is frequently reported in NPC; however, genome-wide methylation changes have not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, we systematically analyzed methylome data in 25 primary NPC tumors and nontumor counterparts using a high-throughput approach with the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip. Comparatively, we examined the methylome data of 11 types of solid tumors collected by The Cancer Genome Atlas ( TCGA). In NPC, the hypermethylation pattern was more dominant than hypomethylation and the majority of de novo methylated loci were within or close to CpG islands in tumors. The comparative methylome analysis reveals hypermethylation at chromosome 6p21.3 frequently occurred in NPC (false discovery rate; FDR=1.33 × 10−9), but was less obvious in other types of solid tumors except for prostate and Epstein-Barr virus ( EBV)-positive gastric cancer ( FDR<10−3). Bisulfite pyrosequencing results further confirmed the aberrant methylation at 6p in an additional patient cohort. Evident enrichment of the repressive mark H3K27me3 and active mark H3K4me3 derived from human embryonic stem cells were found at these regions, indicating both DNA methylation and histone modification function together, leading to epigenetic deregulation in NPC. Our study highlights the importance of epigenetic deregulation in NPC. Polycomb Complex 2 ( PRC2), responsible for H3K27 trimethylation, is a promising therapeutic target. A key genomic region on 6p with aberrant methylation was identified. This region contains several important genes having potential use as biomarkers for NPC detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cover image is based on the Special Section Paper I Microsecond high-contrast continuous 2.25 phase modulation based on non-linear Kerr effect of vertically aligned deformed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal i by Zheng-Nan Yuan et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/jsid.1123. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT The purpose of this project was to investigate the effects of virtual versus physical manipulation using a simulation-based laboratory activity (SBL) and a microcomputer-based laboratory activity (MBL). Both the SBL and the MBL used computers to collect, graph, and analyze data. A major difference was that the MBL allowed the students to manipulate physical materials, whereas in the SBL activity they manipulated virtual materials. In this quasi-experimental design, two 11th-grade classes ( N = 68) at an urban public high school in Taipei were assigned to the SBL and MBL settings. The participants conducted the Boyle's law experiment without having done any relevant prior experiment. Their science concepts, performance of inquiry tasks, and attitudes toward the SBL/MBL were examined by pre- and postconceptual tests, an inquiry-based lab manual, and postlaboratory interviews. The results showed that both groups performed equally well and had remarkable gains in their pre- to posttest learning achievement. Nevertheless, physical manipulation may have contributed to inquiry practices such as creating practical ideas for conducting and improving the experiment and interpreting the data and may have increased the enjoyment of the laboratory. This study concludes that virtual manipulation is as effective as physical manipulation in learning physics concepts, but that the former gives learners some naïve expectations and induces certain learning strategies that seem to lead to mindless planning and conducting of experiments and hinders them from generating ideas to improve experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substituents significantly affect optical properties of organic compounds. In this study, a series of organic compounds were synthesized. Ultraviolet-visible and cyclic voltammetry spectra were determined. The relationships between the number of π electron in an aryl ring and the redshift (and molecular orbital energy levels) were studied. To investigate mechanisms of the bromine substituent effects, theoretical calculations were carried out. Ultraviolet-visible spectra of bromine-containing compounds exhibit obvious redshifts (0.04-0.17 eV) of the maximal absorption wavelengths and enhanced absorbance (11%-57%) compared with corresponding reference compounds. The lowest unoccupied and highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels of compounds containing bromine substituents are 0.05 to 0.60 and 0.02 to 0.40 eV lower than that of corresponding reference compounds. On the whole, the redshifts and the reduced molecular orbital energy levels caused by bromine substituent decrease with the increase in the number of π electron in an aryl ring. The effects would be attributed to strong p-π conjugation between p electron in the bromine substituent and π electrons in aryl rings. Therefore, this paper suggests a useful way for tuning optical absorption and molecular orbital energy levels of aryl compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This novel copper-catalyzed coupling of 2-ethynylanilines, cyclic amino acids, and aromatic aldehydes provides a facile approach to a wide variety of indolyl pyrrolidines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]