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It is necessary to develop excellent sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection from the perspective of environmental protection and human health. Luminescent lanthanide metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have many advantages such as porosity, luminescence, and structural controllability, making them very suitable as luminescent sensing materials. Based on a functional oriented strategy, novel Ln‐MOFs are successfully constructed and their structure and properties are characterized in detail. A series of vapor luminescence sensing tests have shown that Eu/Tb doped L1‐Eu0.1/Tb0.9 not only exhibits high selectivity for alcohols, especially ethanol vapor, but also has high sensitivity and extremely low detection limit (9.76 mg L−1). To the knowledge, there are no reports on ratio luminescence sensors based on Ln‐MOFs for ethanol vapor, especially those with such excellent performance. Crystal structure determination demonstrates that ethanol binds to the framework through multiple hydrogen bonding interactions, altering the energy transfer efficiency between Tb3+ and Eu3+ to achieve ratio luminescence detection. In addition, L1‐Eu0.1/Tb0.9 has good repeatability, the prepared thin film sensing material also demonstrates the advantages of portability and processability. This work can provide some experience for the development of VOCs sensing materials with better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study aimed to comparatively analyse the functional properties of the spray drying particles prepared from the noble scallop (Chlamys nobilis) mantle protein‐pectin hydrated mixtures. And the microstructural characteristics of the particles were assessed by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electronic microscopy, and SDS‐PAGE to detect critical changes. The results showed that the solubility of enzymatically extracted protein was significantly improved by spray drying after pectin hydration (AP‐LMP and AP‐HMP), from 76.77% (AP) to 97.87% (AP‐LMP) and 97.13% (AP‐HMP), respectively. And the spray drying water‐extracted protein (HP) after pectin hydration (HP‐LMP and HP ‐HMP) exhibited a greater emulsifying property, from 103.10 m2/g (HP) to 145.55 ± 0.92 m2/g (HP‐LMP) and 200.29 ± 1.16 m2/g (HP‐HMP). The spray drying after pectin hydration had successfully enhanced emulsifying and rheological properties when compared with AP and HP. The results of SDS‐PAGE showed more protein participated in the formation of macromolecule and FT‐IR spectra demonstrated the formation of protein‐pectin spray drying particles facilitated not only by electrostatic interactions but also by covalent binding via Maillard reaction, made a closely compatible protein structure verified by the improvement of fluorescence intensity. This work is expected to provide a theoretical basic data for the development and application of scallop mantle extracted proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the ability of rare‐earth (RE) silicates to resist molten calcium–magnesium–aluminosilicate (CMAS) at high temperature, a novel high‐entropy (4RE0.25)2Si2O7/(4RE0.25)2SiO5 (RE = Y, Yb, Er, and Sc) multiphase ceramic was prepared by a two‐step process. During sintering, (4RE0.25)2SiO5 can react with SiO2 at the grain boundaries of (4RE0.25)2Si2O7, which can not only purify the grain boundary but also promote the growth of the original (4RE0.25)2Si2O7 grains, thereby significantly improving the ability to resist molten CMAS corrosion at high temperature. After corroding at 1500°C for 48 h, the reaction layer of the multiphase ceramic was only 55 μm thick. Our results confirm that the high‐entropy RE silicate multiphase ceramics represent an effective way to improve the ability to resist molten CMAS corrosion at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 0.94Mg(1‐3x/2)CexTiO3−0.06(Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 (MCexT−CST, 0≤x≤0.01) composite ceramics were prepared at a low temperature of 1175°C by using the 50‐nm‐sized powders. The effects of Ce3+ doping on crystalline phase, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of MCexT−CST were studied. A main ilmenite (Mg,Ce)TiO3 phase and a minor perovskite (Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 phase coexist well with the appearance of impurity MgTi2O5 phase in MCexT−CST. The dielectric properties of MCexT−CST are affected by the molecular polarizability, the impurity phase, and the Ce3+ doping. The replacement of Mg2+ by high valence Ce3+ could effectively inhibit the formation of oxygen vacancy, resulting in the enhancement of Q×f. When x = 0.005, MCexT−CST exhibits microwave dielectric properties with a moderate εr of 21.5, a high Q×f of 67 000 GHz, and a near‐zero τf of −0.74 ppm/°C. The results reveal that the Ce3+ substitution is a prospective approach to optimize the microwave dielectric properties of MgTiO3‐based ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Notch1 activation mediated by γ-secretase is critical for angiogenesis. GeneCards database predicted that Caspase-4 (CASP4, with murine ortholog CASP11) interacts with presenilin-1, the catalytic core of γ-secretase. Therefore, we investigated the role of CASP4/11 in angiogenesis.Experimental Approach: In vivo, we studied the role of Casp11 in several angiogenesis mouse models using Casp11 wild-type and knockout mice. In vitro, we detected the effects of CASP4 on endothelial functions and Notch signalling by depleting or overexpressing CASP4 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The functional domain responsible for the binding of CASP4 and presenilin-1 was detected by mutagenesis and co-immunoprecipitation.Key Results: Casp11 deficiency impaired adult angiogenesis in ischaemic hindlimbs, melanoma xenografts and Matrigel plugs, but not the developmental angiogenesis of retina. Bone marrow transplantation revealed that the pro-angiogenic effect depended on CASP11 derived from non-haematopoietic cells. CASP4 expression was induced by inflammatory factors and CASP4 knockdown decreased cell viability, proliferation, migration and tube formation in HUVECs. Mechanistically, CASP4/11 deficiency increased Notch1 activation in vivo and in vitro, while CASP4 overexpression repressed Notch1 signalling in HUVECs. Moreover, CASP4 knockdown increased γ-secretase activity. The γ-Secretase inhibitor DAPT restored the effects of CASP4 siRNA on Notch1 activation and angiogenesis in HUVECs. Notably, the catalytic activity of CASP4/11 was dispensable. CASP4 directly interacted with presenilin-1 through the caspase recruitment domain (CARD).Conclusions and Implications: These findings reveal a critical role of CASP4/11 in adult angiogenesis and make this molecule a promising therapeutic target for angiogenesis-related diseases in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Non‐invasive hepatic steatosis algorithms are recommended in detecting metabolic‐associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in epidemiological studies. However, the diagnostic accuracy of these models is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of five common models in a national survey population. Methods: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) datasets were used in this study. The fatty liver index (FLI), hepatic steatosis index (HSI), non‐alcoholic liver disease‐liver fat score (NAFLD‐LFS), the steato text (ST), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of MAFLD in the general population was 31.2%. The proportion of MAFLD estimated using the NAFLD‐LFS (30.8%) was the closest to the real number, whereas the ST model (66.1%) significantly overestimated the prevalence of MAFLD in this cohort. The FLI (36.9%) and HSI models (38.5%) also slightly overestimated the prevalence of MAFLD in the study population. The FLI had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) value (0.793) among all models, with a sensitivity of 57.0%, a specificity of 83.8%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 67.3%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 77.0%. The combination of the original algorithm with additional metabolic dysfunction criteria did not improve the diagnostic efficiency. The discriminative ability for MAFLD in all models was lower in participants with a normal body mass index (BMI). Conclusions: Non‐invasive models, especially the FLI, have satisfactory diagnostic performance in detecting MAFLD. However, models in people with normal BMIs require further development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Root resorption is an unavoidable side effect of orthodontic tooth movement. The mechanism of root resorption is similar to bone resorption; the odontoclasts share similar characteristics with osteoclasts (OCs). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) such as miR‐155‐5p play an important role in OC differentiation, but the underlying molecular mechanism of miR‐155‐5p in this process is not fully understood. We found that the miR‐155‐5p seed sequences were complementary to a sequence conserved in the 3‐untranslated region of CXCR2 mRNA. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism underlying the effect of miR‐155‐5p on OC differentiation by targeting CXCR2. Materials and methods: In this study, we divided the orthodontic patients into mild, moderate, and severe groups according to the severity of root resorption. The gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients in different groups was collected, and the expression levels of dentin phosphoprotein (DPP) were detected by ELISA, and the expression levels of CXCR2 and miR‐155‐5p in GCF were detected by real‐time quantitative PCR (qRT‐PCR). The relationship between miR‐155‐5p and CXCR2 was verified by double luciferase. We analyzed changes of CXCR2 and miR‐155‐5p expression after transfection of miR‐155‐5p mimic and inhibitor into RAW264.7 cells induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) through qRT‐PCR and western blotting. The effect of miR‐155‐5p on OC differentiation was evaluated by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. QRT‐PCR and western blotting were used to analyze expression of the osteoclastic bone resorption‐related enzymes carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA II), matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), and cathepsin K. To further confirm the direct targeting effect of CXCR2 by miR‐155‐5p, we blocked CXCR2 using si‐CXCR2 in RANKL‐induced RAW264.7 cells. Results: Dentin phosphoprotein levels were consistent with the trend of miR‐155‐5p changes, and the trend of CXCR2 expression was opposite to miR‐155‐5p changes. miR‐155‐5p can be directly targeted to act on CXCR2. The expression of miR‐155‐5p was significantly downregulated in differentiated OCs. MiR‐155‐5p inhibited OC differentiation, and downregulated CA II, MMP‐9, and cathepsin K expression at the protein and mRNA levels. Conclusions: In summary, the results of this study suggested that miR‐155‐5p inhibited OC differentiation by targeting CXCR2, thus reducing root resorption in orthodontics. MiR‐155‐5p can be used as an effective target for avoiding or reducing the degree of root resorption in orthodontic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R‐spondins (Rspos) are endogenous ligands of leucine‐rich repeat‐containing G‐protein‐coupled receptor 4 (LGR4). Rspos‐LGR4 signaling plays important roles in embryogenesis, gastrointestinal homeostasis, and food intake. Here, we investigated the impacts of Rspos‐LGR4 on hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Rspo1/3 and Lgr4 knockdown mice were used to investigate the impacts of Rspo1/3‐LGR4 on hepatic cholesterol synthesis. AMPKα agonist, antagonist, and shRNA were used to explore the downstream targets of Rspos‐LGR4 signaling. In our study, we reported that LGR4, Rspo1, and Rspo3 were highly expressed in hepatocytes and their expressions were sensitive to energy states. Rspo1 and Rspo3 reversed OA‐induced cholesterol synthesis, accompanying with increased the phosphorylation of AMPKα Thr172, reduced SREBP2 nuclear translocation, and Srebf2 mRNA expression. Conversely, hepatic LGR4 knockdown increased hepatic cholesterol synthesis and decreased the phosphorylation of AMPKα both in vitro and in vivo. Activation or inhibition of AMPKα significantly abolished the effects of LGR4 deficiency or Rspos, respectively, on cholesterol synthesis. Knockdown of AMPKα1 or/and AMPKα2 repressed Rspos‐induced inhibition on cholesterol synthesis. Our study indicates that Rspo1/Rspo3‐LGR4 signaling in hepatocytes suppresses cholesterol synthesis via the AMPKα‐SREBP2 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a novel concept proposed in 2020, the utility of which has not been tested and validated in real world. We aimed to compare the characteristics of MAFLD and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: The data was retrieved from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of the United States, which is an unbiased survey dataset and frequently used for the study of fatty liver disease. Results: A total of 13 083 cases with completed ultrasonography and laboratory data were identified from the NHANES III database. MAFLD was diagnosed in 4087/13 083 (31.24%) participants, while NAFLD in 4347/13 083 (33.23%) amongst the overall population and 4347/12 045 (36.09%) in patients without alcohol intake and other liver diseases. Compared with NAFLD, MAFLD patients were significantly older, had higher BMI level, higher proportions of metabolic comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension) and higher HOMA‐IR, lipid and liver enzymes. MAFLD patients with alcohol consumption were younger than those without, and more likely to be male. They had less metabolic disorder but higher liver enzymes. There were more cases with advance fibrosis in MAFLD patients with alcohol consumption. Conclusion: MAFLD definition is more practical for identifying patients with fatty liver disease with high risk of disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical and thermal transport controlled by growth mode can be used to optimize thermoelectric properties of ZnO:Al films, which was adjusted by the re‐evaporation of Zn and Al via substrate temperatures. The growth modes include equiaxed crystal, columnar crystal and coexistence of both crystals. In the ZnO:Al film, equiaxed crystals improve the carrier mobility and reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. Thus, the carrier mobility and thermal conductivity are tuned by the ratio of equiaxed crystals to columnar crystals. The carrier mobility is dependent on the growth‐mode‐related defects of oxygen vacancies, zinc interstitials and the substitutional dopant of Al. Improved thermoelectric properties with a power factor of 198.45 µW m−1 K−2 at 510 K were achieved. This study presents a film with the structure of an equiaxed‐crystal buffer layer to enhance its thermoelectric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory predicts Cu‐doped ZnO (ZnO:Cu) has p‐conductivity; however, this has only been demonstrated in a small number of experimental and mechanistic studies. In this paper, ZnO:Cu films were grown in situ with varying Cu content, prepared using radiofrequency atomic source–assisted molecular‐beam vapor deposition. The results indicate that ZnO:Cu films with dopant of Cu2+ only had n‐type behavior. As the Cu content increased, Cu+ was the major dopant and the ZnO:Cu films had p‐type behavior. However, excess Cu dopant resulted in the formation of second phases of Cu2O and Cu–Zn. The formation of a Cu–Zn phase increased the content of Zn vacancy, thus increasing hole concentration. Stronger alloy scattering decreased carrier mobility. Therefore, Cu+ dopant and Zn vacancy give ZnO:Cu films p‐conductivity properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transdermal delivery of therapeutic biomolecules (including peptides) can avoid enzymatic digestion that occurs in the oral route. (Polyethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based microneedles, with good biocompatibility, are easily fabricated through photo-polymerization with a precisely controlled structure. It has successfully been used for the transdermal delivery of small molecule drugs such as 5-fluorouracil. However, the delivery of peptide-based therapeutics using this platform is seldom reported. This is because of the potential damage to the peptide during the photo-polymerization process of PEGDA. Herein, we introduce a method to load PEGDA microneedles with peptides without compromising peptide potency. Using gap junction inhibitor (Gap 26) as an example, the peptide was loaded into PEGDA microneedles through the swelling effect of PEGDA in the aqueous solution. The peptide-loaded microneedles were applied to a keloid scar model and exhibited inhibition expression of collagen I, a predominant marker of keloid scar, demonstrating its potential therapeutic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]