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Scintillators can convert the ionizing radiation into visible light and are crucial in X/γ‐ray detectors. Commercial detectors often use multiple scintillators with photodetector arrays, where optical crosstalk can degrade the performance. Chiral scintillators, emitting circularly polarized light, offer a promising solution for regulating the direction of light propagation to enhance X‐ray detecting merits. Here novel chiral metal‐organic polymers have been developed via photopolymerization, using chiral polymeric monomers and 0D Mn(II)‐based organic‐metal halide hybrid scintillators, achieving luminescence dissymmetry factors (glum) of 5.823 × 10−2 and −2.877 × 10−2. Two such scintillators, (atpp)2MnCl4·0.5H2O (MnCl4−1) and (atpp)2MnBr4 (MnBr4−2), exhibit excellent X‐ray scintillation rooted in tetrahedral [MnX4]2− crystal field. Compound MnBr4−2, with heavier bromine atoms, shows superior performance with a detection limit of 0.117 µGyair s−1, compared to 0.330 µGyair s−1 of MnCl4−1, both surpassing the medical diagnostic standard of 5.50 µGyair s−1. The chiral metal‐organic polymer film derived from MnBr4−2 has achieved a resolution up to 14.84 lp mm−1, exceeding medical standards for dental (2.0 lp mm−1) and breast cancer (10.0 lp mm−1) imaging. These advancements in chiral scintillators hold significant promise for high‐resolution X‐ray medical imaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical encryption technology attracts considerable attention in the field of information encryption, information storage, and anti‐counterfeiting. However, optical encryption based on conventional on/off mode still faces issues such as low scalability, ease of cracking, and poor storage capacity; multi‐dimensional and high storage capacity information encryption systems are thus needed. Herein, a programmable information encryption circuit system is demonstrated by constructing a delay light‐emitting diode (LED) array using multi‐color phosphorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) with versatile lifetimes. The CNDs show adjustable luminescence wavelength and lifetime from 192 to 1148 ms. The programmable delay luminescent circuit provides an intricate framework for meticulously integrating an LED array, enabling the creation of intricate patterns or alphanumeric codes. These intricate designs are engineered to serve as a component of an encryption system, which can be deciphered and unveiled under a specific delay time range. This study demonstrates the feasibility and superiority of the system as a new type of information anti‐counterfeiting encryption technology, providing a new concept for exploring the field of integrated circuit anti‐counterfeiting and encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) acts as a pathogenic inflammatory response to mediate ranges of conditions such as epilepsy, septic shock, ischemia, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and mass spectrometry. HMGB1 promotes inflammation during sterile and infectious damage and plays a crucial role in disease development. Mobilization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm is the first important step in the release of HMGB1 from activated immune cells. Here, we demonstrated that Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) physically interacts with and deacetylates HMGB1 at 43 lysine residue at nuclear localization signal locations, strengthening its interaction with HMGB1 and causing HMGB1 to be localized in the cytoplasm. These discoveries are the first to shed light on the SIRT2 nucleoplasmic shuttle, which influences HMGB1 and its degradation, hence revealing novel therapeutic targets and avenues for neuroinflammation treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt‐free and spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) cathodes commonly suffer from undesirable solvent decomposition, serious transition‐metal dissolution, and unstable cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) layers, incurring rapid capacity decay at high voltages and low temperatures. Herein, these issues are well addressed by utilizing fluorinated solvents with a low coordination number and ethyl propionate with a low melting point. A Li2CO3/LiF‐rich heterostructured CEI layer, which possesses good electron blocking capability of LiF, fast Li+ transport kinetics of Li2CO3 and good mechanical stability, is generated by the synergistic decomposition of hybrid solvents. The robust, homogeneous, and well‐balanced CEI layers subsequently prevent catalyzed parasitic side reactions, prohibit transition‐metal dissolution, and ensure fast interfacial reaction kinetics crossover to the LNMO cathode, thus improving its cycling stability. Consequently, the LNMO cathode delivers a high‐capacity retention of 95.8% over 500 cycles at 25 °C and 97.5% after 180 cycles at −20 °C. This work provides an encouraging alternative to design the high‐voltage and low‐temperature electrolyte for pushing the ongoing research to stabilize Co‐free LNMO materials toward practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the competitive performance at room temperature, the development of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) is still hindered by sluggish electrochemical reaction kinetics and unstable electrode/electrolyte interphase under subzero environments. Herein, a low‐concentration electrolyte, consisting of 0.5M NaPF6 dissolving in diethylene glycol dimethyl ether solvent, is proposed for SIBs working at low temperature. Such an electrolyte generates a thin, amorphous, and homogeneous cathode/electrolyte interphase at low temperature. The interphase is monolithic and rich in organic components, reducing the limitation of Na+ migration through inorganic crystals, thereby facilitating the interfacial Na+ dynamics at low temperature. Furthermore, it effectively blocks the unfavorable side reactions between active materials and electrolytes, improving the structural stability. Consequently, Na0.7Li0.03Mg0.03Ni0.27Mn0.6Ti0.07O2//Na and hard carbon//Na cells deliver a high capacity retention of 90.8 % after 900 cycles at 1C, a capacity over 310 mAh g−1 under −30 °C, respectively, showing long‐term cycling stability and great rate capability at low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superenhancers drive abnormal gene expression in tumors and promote malignancy. However, the relationship between superenhancer‐associated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and abnormal metabolism is unknown. This study identifies a novel lncRNA, fatty acid synthesis‐related lncRNA (FASRL), whose expression is driven by upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) through its superenhancer. FASRL promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, FASRL binds to acetyl‐CoA carboxylase 1 (ACACA), a fatty acid synthesis rate‐limiting enzyme, increasing fatty acid synthesis via the fatty acid metabolism pathway. Moreover, the expression of FASRL, USF1, and ACACA is increased, and their high expression indicates a worse prognosis in HCC patients. In summary, USF1 drives FASRL transcription via a superenhancer. FASRL binding to ACACA increases fatty acid synthesis and lipid accumulation to mechanistically exacerbate HCC. FASRL may serve as a novel prognostic marker and treatment target in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral oxindoles are important chemical scaffolds found in many natural products, and their enantioselective synthesis thus attracts considerable attention. Highly diastereo‐ and enantioselective synthetic methods for constructing C3 quaternary oxindoles have been well‐developed. However, the efficient synthesis of chiral 3‐substituted tertiary oxindoles has been rarely reported due to the ease of racemization of the tertiary stereocenter via enolization. Therefore, we herein report on the multicomponent assembly (from N‐aryl diazoamides, aldehydes, and enamines/indoles) of complex oxindoles by enantioselective cooperative catalysis. These reactions proceed under mild conditions and show broad substrate scope, affording the desired coupling products (>90 examples) with good to excellent stereocontrol. Additionally, this research also demonstrates the synthetic potential of this annulation by constructing the 6,6,5‐tricyclic lactone core structure of Speradine A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Drought is a major environmental stress that severely affects plant growth and crop productivity. FRIGIDA (FRI) is a key regulator of flowering time and drought tolerance in model plants. However, little is known regarding its functions in woody plants, including citrus. Thus, we explored the functional role of the citrus FRI ortholog (CiFRI) under drought. Drought treatment induced CiFRI expression. CiFRI overexpression enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis and citrus, while CiFRI suppression increased drought susceptibility in citrus. Moreover, transcriptomic profiling under drought conditions suggested that CiFRI overexpression altered the expression of numerous genes involved in the stress response, hormone biosynthesis, and signal transduction. Mechanistic studies revealed that citrus dehydrin likely protects CiFRI from stress‐induced degradation, thereby enhancing plant drought tolerance. In addition, a citrus brassinazole‐resistant (BZR) transcription factor family member (CiBZR1) directly binds to the CiFRI promoter to activate its expression under drought conditions. CiBZR1 also enhanced drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis and citrus. These findings further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the CiFRI‐mediated drought stress response in citrus. Significance Statement: Citrus FRIGIDA (CiFRI) regulates drought tolerance. Citrus dehydrin protects CiFRI from stress‐induced degradation, thereby enhancing plant drought tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Patrinia villosa Juss. (P. villosa) is a beneficial wild vegetable, which is widely distributed in Asia and North America. It can be made into a salad, used as greens in porridge and soup for its fresh smells and highly nutritious. Chemical investigation of P. villosa led to the isolation, purification and identification of one new iridoid glycoside (1) along with nineteen known lignans (2–20). Their structures were established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses. All compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant activities by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. Based on the results, P. villosa could be used as a new natural antioxidant in food industries and biomedical applications. Practical applications: Fresh fruits and vegetables are important sources of natural antioxidants, which can protect human from oxidative damage. Patrinia villosa Juss. (P. villosa) is a beneficial wild vegetable, and it is rich in many macroelements, microelements, and vitamins, which possess health‐promoting properties. As a functional food, P. villosa has also been used to treat a number of diseases including chronic gastritis, mumps, tonsillitis, and gynecological conditions for hundreds years. In the article, one new iridoid glycoside along with nineteen known lignans were obtained from P. villosa and their antioxidant activities were evaluated by three different assays. The results can be expected to develop new natural antioxidant from P. villosa in food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia‐induced angiogenesis by TACE is linked to treatment failure; however, whether the chemotherapeutic damage of TACE to HCC could increase tumor angiogenesis has not been explored. The molecular effects of chemotherapy‐damaged HCC cells on the neo‐angiogenesis were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The expression of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) was significantly upregulated in HCC cells exposed to chemotherapeutic agents. GDF15 from chemotherapy‐damaged HCC cells promoted the in vitro proliferation, migration, and tube formation of endothelial cells. The pro‐angiogenic effect of GDF15 was through the activation of Src and its downstream AKT, MAPK, and NF‐κB signaling, which was blocked by thalidomide. The use of thalidomide significantly attenuated the in vivo chemotherapy‐damaged HCC cells‐promoted angiogenesis in nude mice. In conclusion, the chemotherapeutic damage in TACE to HCC could promote tumor angiogenesis via the increased release of GDF15. Thalidomide could reverse these pro‐angiogenic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid disorder are essential promoters in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney injury in diabetes mellitus type 2. Berberine ( BBR) has been reported to have beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy, but its action mechanism is still unclear. The present study was designed to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of BBR in a type 2 diabetic nephropathy rat model induced by a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin injection. The diabetic rats were treated with or without BBR by gavage for 20 weeks and examined by serology, 24-h albuminuria, histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analyses. Results showed that treatment with BBR significantly reduced serum levels of blood glucose and lipids, inhibited urinary excretion of albumin, and attenuated renal histological injuries in diabetic rats. Berberine treatment also inhibited renal inflammation, which was associated with inactivation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cell signalling. As a result, the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 β, tumour necrosis factor- α) and chemokine (monocyte chemotactic protein-1) was blocked. In addition, BBR treatment also inactivated transforming growth factor- β/Smad3 signalling and suppressed renal fibrosis, including expression of fibronectin, collagen I, and collagen IV. The present study reveals that BBR is a therapeutic agent for attenuating type 2 diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell-driven renal inflammation and transforming growth factor- β/Smad3 signalling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]