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Perylene diimide derivatives (PDIs) have potential applications in organic semiconductor devices owing to their high absorption coefficients and chemical persistency. However, molecular aggregation and inferior thermal stability limit their preparation and application as color-film devices. In addressing this issue, we designed a series of PDIs by introducing different steric hindrance group (propyl isobutyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (propyl isobutyl POSS), isoctyl, and 2-octyldodecyl) at the terminal position and electron-donating group (alkoxy, alkyl-substituted phenoxy or alkylamino) at the bay position. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that the substitution of propyl isobutyl POSS at the terminal position and electron-donating groups (2,4-di- tert- butylphenoxy, tert -butyloxy, and diethylamino) at bay position of the perylene chromophore had synergistic effect on reducing the aggregation of PDIs, and the bay substitution could achieve PDIs with different colors due to the connection of the substituent group with the conjugated system of the PDIs. Based on the results of calculation, four low-aggregated multi-color PDIs were synthesized for the first time. Their color films displayed excellent photo-thermal stability because of the introduction of propyl isobutyl POSS moieties (T d > 230 °C, color difference Δ E < 3). This work provides important insights into the design of multi-color PDIs with low aggregation and high photo-thermal stabilities, which holds great promise for the organic electronics research field. • The steric expansion of POSS substituents promoted the good anti-aggregation effect of PDI dyes. • The dihedral angle and absorption spectrum of POSS-substituted PDI dyes were regulated by the electron-donating effect of the bay substituents, which showed good solubility and different colors. • The POSS-substituted PDI-PMMA composite films display good photostability and thermal stability, which was superior to commercial color films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of irreversible on/off switching materials is a potential strategy for unidirectional capture and encapsulation of pollutants, preventing the pollutant leakage problem resulting from the reversible dissolution of flocculants. Herein, a thermo-irreversible on/off switch starch (TISS) is prepared through modifying starch by etherification grafting glycidyl phenyl ether and 2,4-bis(dimethylamino)-6-chloro-[1,3,5]-triazine. It breaks the dissolution/precipitation dynamic equilibrium across heating–cooling cycles by thermal-induced irreversible coil-to-globule self-assembly of polymer chains, resulting in a 50-fold decrease in polymer solubility. Particularly, TISS shows a superior double-locking effect on pollutants and flocculants through its unique irreversible conformation memory capability, leading to a high-quality reuse water. 99.9 % of reactive brilliant red dye and 97.9 % of TISS remain fixed within sludge flocs even after prolonged immersion in cold water at 24 °C for 60 days. Furthermore, direct recycling and reuse of dye-bath energy can be realized through the isothermal flocculation and dyeing method, showing a 75 % decrease in energy consumption after three cycles compared to traditional dyeing techniques. This work presents a novel approach to constructing an irreversible pollutant delivery system using thermo-irreversible on/off switch starch, addressing the problems of high energy dissipation and water quality fluctuations during wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by FVIII gene deficiency, which may result in spontaneous joint hemorrhages or life-threatening bleeding. Currently, cell-based gene therapy via ex vivo transduction of transplantable cells with integrating gene-expressing vectors offers an attractive treatment for HA. In present study, we targeted an expression cassette of B-domain-deleted FVIII into the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) by transfection with a nonviral targeting plasmid pHrn. The targeted hESCs clone could be expanded and retained the main pluripotent properties of differentiation into three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, under defined induction conditions, the targeted hESCs could differentiated into functional mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hepatocytes, as validated by relevant specific cell markers and functional examination. Tumorgenesis assay demonstrated that these cells are relatively safe for future applications. Analysis on gene expression revealed that exogenous FVIII mRNA and FVIII proteins were both present in differentiated MSCs and hepatocytes. These results indicated that through gene targeting at hESCs rDNA locus a persistent cell source of transplantable genetic-modified cells can be accomplished for HA therapy. • Targeting FVIII into hESCs rDNA locus using nonviral vector for HA therapy. • Differentiation of genetic-modified hESCs into MSCs and hepatocytes. • Derived MSCs and hepatocytes stably secret exogenous FVIII protein. • The strategy provided transplantable cells for HA therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical discoloration and non-discoloration materials have received intensive interest and have been strongly developed over the past few years for anti-counterfeiting, sensing, and packaging. However, the fabrication of mechanical response materials with both angle-dependent and angle-independent structural colors remains challenges. Large-area mechanochromic bilayer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film with both angle-dependent and angle-independent structural colors have been prepared by using bottom-up bar-coating. The long-range disordered and short-range ordered polystyrene (PS) nanoarrays give the bilayer film angle-independent structural color. Meanwhile, the surface wrinkling triggered by stretching generates angle-dependent structural color. Moreover, PS nanoarray cracks and surface wrinkles caused by tensile increase the scattering effect of the bilayer film and decrease the transmittance of the light. Importantly, pressure-induced surface structure rearrangements can deprive wrinkling behavior. The pressure-encoded invisible complex information can be displayed reversibly by stretching. It has potential application value in complex information coding, display, and smart window. [Display omitted] • The bilayer large-area structure color film can be easily and quickly prepared by using bottom-up bar-coating. • The rigid PS nanoarrays show non-discoloration and the wrinkles display discoloration during the straining process. • The bilayer film has both angle-dependent and angle-independent structural colors. • We confirmed that pressure-induced surface structure rearrangements can deprive wrinkling behavior. • PS nanoarray cracks and wrinkles caused by tensile increase the scattering effect of the bilayer film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificially constructed noniridescent structural colors originating from the coherent scattering of visible light have attracted widespread interest and show great potential in color-related fields. In this paper, the vivid noniridescent structural colors on white fabric with robust structural stability are fabricated by a fast screen printing technique and it is easy to achieve large-scale production and multi-color pattern output with a multistep printing process. The obtained noniridescent structural colors on various substrates have high color visibility. Meanwhile, polyacrylate (PA) as the waterborne adhesive in the printing paste system greatly enhances structural stability, which is subsequently confirmed by laundering and rubbing tests. The innovative and environmentally friendly dyeing technology exhibits great potential applications in textile coloring and other color-related fields. • A green coloring method based on fast screen printing technology. • Large-scale production and multi-color pattern output. • The great potential of industrial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the potential association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and chromosomally aberrant miscarriage during treatment with assisted reproductive technology (ART).Design: A retrospective, single-center study.Setting: University-affiliated reproductive center.Patient(s): A total of 328 patients sent their first trimester miscarried chorionic villus for genetic examination after ART in our center from January 2013 to September 2016, of which 119 cases were women with PCOS and 209 were non-PCOS controls. No known definite miscarriage-related concomitants existed in any study subject.Intervention(s): Single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis was performed on all collected samples.Main Outcome Measure(s): Frequency of aberrant karyotype of miscarried conceptus and the correlation between PCOS and chromosomally aberrant miscarriage.Result(s): A total of 173 (52.7% of 328) conceptuses were identified as chromosomally aberrant by single nucleotide polymorphism array. Chromosomal aberrations were more frequent in conceptuses from PCOS patients compared with controls (61.3% vs. 47.8%). Furthermore, both univariate and multivariable analysis identified PCOS as a risk factor for an embryo/fetus to be chromosomally abnormal, with odds ratios of 1.957 (95% confidence interval, 1.067-3.590) and 2.008 (95% confidence interval, 1.038-3.883), respectively.Conclusion(s): Women with PCOS were at an increased risk of miscarrying a chromosomally aberrant embryo/fetus compared with non-PCOS controls during ART. Mechanisms require further investigation. Preimplantation genetic screening might be an effective approach to decrease the risk of spontaneous miscarriage for women with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the association between leukocyte telomere length and the risk of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA).Design: The mean leukocyte telomere length (LTL) among men with NOA, obstructive azoospermia (OA), and normospermic subjects was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We used logistic regression to investigate the association between LTL and the risk of NOA after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI). Partial correlation analysis was also used to evaluate the relationship of clinical parameters with the mean LTL among men with OA and NOA.Setting: Reproductive medicine center.Patients(s): A total of 866 men, including 270 normospermic controls, 247 OA and 349 NOA patients.Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): Leukocyte telomere length.Result(s): The mean relative LTL of men with NOA was significantly shorter than that of those with OA and in normospermic controls (odds ratio [OR] 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64-0.98 vs. OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.70-1.24 vs. OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.83-1.22), respectively). Subjects with shorter telomeres (lowest tertile) had a significantly higher risk of NOA than those with longer telomeres (highest tertile). Interestingly, we also found that a low relative LTL was associated with poor efficiency of spermatogenesis using the Johnsen score after testis biopsy and histopathology in azoospermic patients, after adjusting for patient age and BMI.Conclusion(s): This is the first report that short LTL is associated with NOA, shedding light on an important biological pathway involved in the etiology of this form of male factor infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]