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The creation of new molecules with specific structural motifs is a primary goal in synthetic chemistry. In this context, cyclobutanes (CBs), the highly strained ring systems, are of great interest because of their wide applications from pharmaceutical chemistry to materials science. The [2+2] photocycloaddition is the most straightforward approach for CBs; however, access to fully substituted cyclobutanes presents a significant challenge due to the steric hindrance imposed by eight substituents. Here, we report an efficient synthesis of structurally unique, octa‐substituted cyclobutanes from stiff‐stilbene precursors, which is enabled by adaptable anion coordination through hydrogen bonding networks. The synthesized spiro‐benzocyclopentyl‐substituted cyclobutanes are confirmed by single‐crystal structures. DFT calculations indicate that these cyclobutanes have high ring‐strain energies (~20.1 kcal/mol) and can be completely converted back to stiff‐stilbenes. Such a reversible cycloaddition/reversion process offers a promising platform for applications in responsive and energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: (1)  The thickness and interface structure of the multilayer ceramic layers were optimized using the finite element method, which significantly saved the cost of experiments.(2)  The failure mechanism and thickness selection range of the multilayer coatings were determined, providing theoretical guidance for the coating process.(3)  The effects of different roughness on the magnitude and distribution of interfacial residual stresses were investigated to provide theoretical guidance for the selection of interfacial roughness of thermal sprayed coatings. Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) prepared using the atmospheric plasma spraying method fail mainly due to coating delamination caused by thermal mismatch in the absence of high temperature assessment. In this study, the thickness optimization of multiple ceramic layers in a TBCs and the influence of the interface structure on the residual stress of the coating were investigated using a finite element simulation method. The results showed that varying the thickness of each layer of a TBCs with multiple ceramic layers affects the distribution and magnitude of the residual stress of the coating. Therefore, a reasonable range of thickness for each layer can be determined. The thickness of the bonding layer should be 110 μm, the thickness of YSZ layer should be about 270 μm, the thickness of tantalate layer should be about 70 μm, and the thickness of Al2O3-YAG layer should be about 100 μm. Simultaneously, the results show that a rough interface can be more effective in reducing the relief of stress concentrations compared to a smooth interface, but the stress values increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supramolecular gels with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) are recognized as excellent chemosensors. The combination of gelators and metal ions gives rise to a synergistic effect, which induces functional behaviors of anions and amino acids. The 3,4,5-tris(hexadecyl) benzoyl hydrazine functionalized naphthalimide gelator (G) with multi self-assembly driving forces was devised and synthesized. G could self-assemble into a stable supramolecular organogel (OG) in cyclohexanol solution with blue-green AIE. Notably, the OG could coordinate with different metal ions through coordination bonds to form a series of metallogels (OGMs). In addition, these metallogels (OGMs) could selectively sense various anions (I−, N3−, CN−) and amino acids (L-Trp and L-His) via synergistic coordination interaction between target ions/amino acids and pre-assembling metal ions in OGMs. Therefore, a six-membered anion and amino acid sensor array based on supramolecular metallogels (OGMs) was successfully constructed. Moreover, anion/amino acid responsive films based on supramolecular metallogels (OGMs) were prepared, which could be used as fluorescence anti-counterfeiting and encryption materials. Therefore, the supramolecular metallogels will be of great application value in the detection of anions and amino acids and as smart materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sterile inflammation (SI) of the urinary tract is a common problem requiring serious consideration after prostatectomy. This study mainly focuses on the role of the reactive oxygen species–NLR family, pyrin domain‐containing 3 (ROS–NLRP3) signaling pathway in SI after thulium laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP). Urinary cytokines were determined in patients who received TmLRP, and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was detected in the resected tissues. The involvement of ROS signaling in HSP70‐induced inflammation was explored in THP‐1 cells with or without N‐acetyl‐ l‐cysteine (NAC) pretreatment. The function of NLRP3 and Caspase‐1 was determined by Western blot analysis, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction. These phenomena and mechanisms were verified by the beagle models that received TmLRP. Clinical urine samples after TmLRP showed high expression of inflammatory factors and peaked 3–5 days after surgery. The high expression of HSP70 in the resected tissues was observed. After HSP70 stimulation, the expression of ROS, NLRP3, Caspase‐1, and interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) increased significantly and could be reduced by ROS inhibitor NAC. The expression of IL‐1β and IL‐18 could be inhibited by NLRP3 or Caspase‐1 inhibitors. In beagle models that received TmLRP, HSP70, NLRP3, Caspase‐1, IL‐1β, and IL‐18 were highly expressed in the wound tissue or urine, and could also be reduced by NAC pretreatment. Activation of the ROS–NLRP3 signaling pathway induces SI in the wound after prostatectomy. Inhibition of this pathway may be effective for clinical prevention and treatment of SI and related complications after prostatectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemorrhoids are among the most common and frequently encountered chronic anorectal diseases in anorectal surgery. They are venous clusters formed by congestion, expansion, and flexion of the venous plexus in the lower part of the rectum. Mixed hemorrhoids bleed easily and recurrently, and this can result in severe anemia. Hence, they may have a negative effect on the health of the patient and surgical treatment is required. Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy has been widely used since 1937 for the treatment of grade III and IV hemorrhoids. However, most patients experience different degrees of postoperative pain that may cause anxiety., Aim: To assess the factors influencing pain scores and quality of life (QoL) in patients with mixed hemorrhoids post-surgery., Methods: The clinical data of patients with mixed hemorrhoids who underwent Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy were collected retrospectively. The basic characteristics of the enrolled patients with mixed hemorrhoids were recorded, and based on the Goligher clinical grading system, the hemorrhoids were classified as grades III or IV. The endpoint of this study was the disappearance of pain in all patients. Quantitative data were presented as mean ± SD, such as age, pain score, and QoL score. Student's t -test was used to compare the groups., Results: A total of 164 patients were enrolled. The distribution of the visual analog scale pain scores of all patients at 3, 7, 14 and 28 d after surgery showed that post-surgery pain was significantly reduced with the passage of time. Fourteen days after the operation, the pain had completely disappeared in some patients. Twenty-eight days after the surgery, none of the patients experienced any pain. Comparing the World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF self-reporting questionnaire scores of patients between 14 and 28 d after surgery, we observed that the quality-of-life scores of the patients post-surgery had significantly improved. There were six items that were compared at 14- and 28-d post-surgery. The mean QoL score 28 d after surgery (4.79 ± 0.46) was higher than that at 14 d post-surgery (3.79 ± 0.57). The mean health condition score 28 d after surgery (4.80 ± 0.41) was also higher than that at 14 d post-surgery (4.01 ± 0.62). The mean physical health score 28 d after surgery (32.10 ± 2.96) was significantly higher than that at 14 d post-surgery (23.41 ± 2.85). The mean psychological health score 28 d after surgery (27.22 ± 1.62) was significantly higher than that at 14 d post-surgery (21.37 ± 1.70). The mean social relations score 28 d after surgery (12.21 ± 1.59) was significantly higher than that at 14 d post-surgery (6.32 ± 1.66). The mean surrounding environment score 28 d after surgery (37.13 ± 2.88) was significantly higher than that at 14 d post-surgery (28.42 ± 2.86). The differences in quality-of-life scores at day 14 and day 28 post-surgery were observed to be statistically significant ( P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy can significantly improve the postoperative QoL of patients. Age, sex, and the number of surgical resections were important factors influencing Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: We declare that there is no disclosure of any interest relationship., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)