Search

Abstract Studies seem to show that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a more time-efficient protocol for weight loss, compared with moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Our aim was to compare the acute effects of energy expenditure (EE) matched HIIT vs. MICT on excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and substrate metabolism in male college students with obesity. Twenty-one untrained male college students (age, 22 ± 3 years; body fat, 28.4 ± 4.5%) completed two acute interventions (~ 300 kcal) on a treadmill in a randomized order: (1) HIIT: 3 min bouts at 90% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) with 2 min of recovery at 25% of VO2max; (2) MICT: 60% of VO2max continuous training. EPOC and substrate metabolism were measured by indirect calorimetry during and 30 min after exercise. Results showed that EPOC was higher after HIIT (66.20 ± 14.36 kcal) compared to MICT (53.91 ± 12.63 kcal, p = 0.045), especially in the first 10 min after exercise (HIIT: 45.91 ± 9.64 kcal and MICT: 34.39 ± 7.22 kcal, p = 0.041). Lipid oxidation rate was higher after HIIT (1.01 ± 0.43 mg/kg/min) compared to MICT (0.76 ± 0.46 mg/kg/min, p = 0.003). Moreover, the percentage of energy from lipid was higher after HIIT (37.94 ± 14.21%) compared to MICT (30.09 ± 13.54%, p = 0.020). We conclude that HIIT results in greater total EE and EPOC, as well as higher percentage of energy from lipid during EPOC than EE matched MICT in male college students with obesity.

Abstract Nanoclusters with atomically precise structures and discrete energy levels are considered as nanoscale semiconductors for artificial intelligence. However, nanocluster electronic engineering and optoelectronic behavior have remained obscure and unexplored. Hence, we create nanocluster photoreceptors inspired by mantis shrimp visual systems to satisfy the needs of compact but multi-task vision hardware and explore the photo-induced electronic transport. Wafer-scale arrayed photoreceptors are constructed by a nanocluster-conjugated molecule heterostructure. Nanoclusters perform as an in-sensor charge reservoir to tune the conductance levels of artificial photoreceptors by a light valve mechanism. A ligand-assisted charge transfer process takes place at nanocluster interface and it features an integration of spectral-dependent visual adaptation and circular polarization recognition. This approach is further employed for developing concisely structured, multi-task, and compact artificial visual systems and provides valuable guidelines for nanocluster neuromorphic devices.

Abstract Outstanding charge transport in molecular crystals is of great importance in modern electronics and optoelectronics. The widely adopted strategies to enhance charge transport, such as restraining intermolecular vibration, are mostly limited to organic molecules, which are nearly inoperative in 2D inorganic molecular crystals currently. In this contribution, charge transport in 2D inorganic molecular crystals is improved by integrating charge‐delocalized Se8 rings as building blocks, where the delocalized electrons on Se8 rings lift the intermolecular orbitals overlap, offering efficient charge transfer channels. Besides, α‐Se flakes composed of charge‐delocalized Se8 rings possess small exciton binding energy. Benefitting from these, α‐Se flake exhibits excellent photodetection performance with an ultrafast response rate (~5 μs) and a high detectivity of 1.08 × 1011 Jones. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the charge transport of 2D inorganic molecular crystals composed of electron‐delocalized inorganic molecules and pave the way for their potential application in optoelectronics.

Abstract Contact resistance has become one of the main bottlenecks that hinder further improvement of mobility and integration density of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). Much progress has been made in reducing contact resistance by modifying the electrode/semiconductor interface and decreasing the crystal thickness, however, the development of new organic semiconductor materials with low contact resistance still faces many challenges. Here, 2,6‐bis‐phenylethynyl‐anthracene (BPEA) is found, which is a material that combines high mobility with low contact resistance. Single‐crystal BEPA OFETs with a thickness of ≈20 nm demonstrated high mobility of 4.52 cm2 V−1 s−1, contact resistance as low as 335 Ω cm, and band‐like charge transport behavior. The calculated compatibility of the EHOMO of BPEA with the work function of the Au electrode, and the decreased |EHOMO‐ΦAu| with the increase of external electric field intensity from source to gate both contributed to the efficient charge injection and small contact resistance. More intriguingly, p‐type BPEA as a buffer layer can effectively reduce the contact resistance, improve the mobility, and meanwhile inhibit the double‐slope electrical behavior of p‐channel 2,6‐diphenyl anthracene (DPA) single‐crystal OFETs.

Abstract Spintronic device is the fundamental platform for spin-related academic and practical studies. However, conventional techniques with energetic deposition or boorish transfer of ferromagnetic metal inevitably introduce uncontrollable damage and undesired contamination in various spin-transport-channel materials, leading to partially attenuated and widely distributed spintronic device performances. These issues will eventually confuse the conclusions of academic studies and limit the practical applications of spintronics. Here we propose a polymer-assistant strain-restricted transfer technique that allows perfectly transferring the pre-patterned ferromagnetic electrodes onto channel materials without any damage and change on the properties of magnetism, interface, and channel. This technique is found productive for pursuing superior-quality spintronic devices with high controllability and reproducibility. It can also apply to various-kind (organic, inorganic, organic-inorganic hybrid, or carbon-based) and diverse-morphology (smooth, rough, even discontinuous) channel materials. This technique can be very useful for reliable device construction and will facilitate the technological transition of spintronic study.

Abstract Surface wettability plays a significant role in reducing solid-liquid frictional resistance, especially the superhydrophilic/hydrophilic interface because of its excellent thermodynamic stability. In this work, poly(acrylic acid)-poly(acrylamide) (PAA–PAM) hydrogel coatings with different thicknesses were prepared in situ by polydopamine (PDA)-UV assisted surface catalytically initiated radical polymerization. Fluid drag reduction performance of hydrogel surface was measured using a rotational rheometer by the plate-plate mode. The experimental results showed that the average drag reduction of hydrogel surface could reach up to about 56% in Couette flow, which was mainly due to the interfacial polymerization phenomenon that enhanced the ability of hydration layer to delay the momentum dissipation between fluid layers and the diffusion behavior of surface. The proposed drag reduction mechanism of hydrogel surface was expected to shed new light on hydrogel-liquid interface interaction and provide a new way for the development of steady-state drag reduction methods.

Abstract Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has received great attention due to its high incidence. Here, we show that lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 5 (LAPTM5) is associated with NASH progression through extensive bioinformatical analysis. The protein level of LAPTM5 bears a negative correlation with NAS score. Moreover, LAPTM5 degradation is mediated through its ubiquitination modification by the E3 ubquitin ligase NEDD4L. Discovered by experiments conducted on male mice, hepatocyte-specific depletion of Laptm5 exacerbates mouse NASH symptoms. In contrast, Laptm5 overexpression in hepatocytes exerts diametrically opposite effects. Mechanistically, LAPTM5 interacts with CDC42 and promotes its degradation through a lysosome-dependent manner under the stimulation of palmitic acid, thus inhibiting activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Finally, adenovirus-mediated hepatic Laptm5 overexpression ameliorates aforementioned symptoms in NASH models.

Introduction: The on-target off-tumor toxicity of chimeric antigen receptor-engineered T cells (CAR-T) might lead to fatal side effects in cancer patients, which remains as a major obstacle to the clinical application of CAR-T immunotherapy. The off-tumor on-target normal tissue toxicity of CAR-T cells needs to be evaluated in preclinical studies using rational animal models. Objectives: We aim to develop a rational animal model for assessing the off-tumor on-target normal tissue toxicity of various CAR-T cell designs quickly. Methods: We used a recombinant adenovirus type 5 carrying human HER2/ERBB2 (Ad5-HER2) or CD47 gene (Ad5-CD47) to rapidly generate a mouse model with tunable human antigen expression on normal liver tissue to determine immunotoxicity of traditional CAR-T and hypoxia-response CAR-T cells in vivo. Results: The obvious liver damage and lymphocyte infiltration were not observed in mice with human antigen-high livers 8 days post-infection. Interestingly, the lethal liver damage, systemic cytokine release and CAR-T cells infiltration in liver were only observed in mice that received traditional CAR-T cells, but not in hypoxia-response CAR-T cells. Conclusion: Adenovirus-based expression of target antigen in normal mouse tissue may be a useful method for assessing on-target CAR-T cell toxicity in normal tissues, especially various CAR-T cell designs that have the potency of conditional regulation in tumor microenvironment (TME).

Summary: A major theme of host against invading pathogens lies in multiple regulatory nodes that ensure sufficient signals for protection while avoiding excessive signals toward over-inflammation. The TLR4/MD-2/CD14 complex receptor-mediated response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) represents a paradigm for understanding the proper control of anti-pathogen innate immunity. In this study, we studied the mechanism by which the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked LY6E protein constrains LPS response via downregulating CD14. We first showed that LY6E downregulated CD14 via ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. The subsequent profiling of LY6E protein interactome led to the revelation that the degradation of CD14 by LY6E requires PHB1, which interacts with CD14 in a LY6E-dependent manner. Finally, we identified the PHB1-interacting TRIM21 as the major ubiquitin E3 ligase for the LY6E-mediated ubiquitination of CD14. Together, our study elucidated the molecular basis of LY6E-mediated governance of LPS response, alongside providing new insights to regulatory mechanisms controlling the homeostasis of membrane proteins.

Here, the authors report a strategy to fabricate multi-wavelength circularly polarized light photodetectors consisting of bilayer donor-acceptor heterojunctions with chiral active layers.

Abstract The study of organic semiconductor single crystal (OSSC) arrays has recently attracted considerable interest given their potential applications in flexible displays, smart wearable devices, biochemical sensors, etc. Patterning of OSSCs is the prerequisite for the realization of organic integrated circuits. Patterned OSSCs can not only decrease the crosstalk between adjacent organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs), but also can be conveniently integrated with other device elements which facilitate circuits application. Tremendous efforts have been devoted in the controllable preparation of OSSC arrays, and great progress has been achieved. In this review, the general strategies for patterning OSSCs are summarized, along with the discussion of the advantages and limitations of different patterning methods. Given the identical thickness of monolayer molecular crystals (MMCs) which is beneficial to achieve super uniformity of OSSC arrays and devices, patterning of MMCs is also emphasized. Then, OFET performance is summarized with comparison of the mobility and coefficient of variation based on the OSSC arrays prepared by different methods. Furthermore, advances of OSSC array‐based circuits and flexible devices of different functions are highlighted. Finally, the challenges that need to be tackled in the future are presented.

Abstract Emissive organic semiconductors are highly demanding for organic light‐emitting transistors (OLETs) and electrically pumped organic lasers (EPOLs). However, it remains a great challenge to obtain organic semiconductors with high carrier mobility and high photoluminescence quantum yield simultaneously. Here, a new design strategy is reported for highly emissive ambipolar and even n‐type semiconductors by introducing perfluorophenyl groups into polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as perylene and anthracene. The results reveal that 3,9‐diperfluorophenyl perylene (5FDPP) exhibits the ambipolar semiconducting property with hole and electron mobilities up to 0.12 and 1.89 cm2 V−1 s−1, and a photoluminescence quantum yield of 55%. One of the crystal forms of 5FDPA exhibits blue emission with an emission quantum yield of 52% and simultaneously shows the n‐type semiconducting property with an electron mobility up to 2.65 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is the highest value among the reported organic emissive n‐type semiconductors. Furthermore, crystals of 5FDPP are utilized to fabricate OLETs by using Ag as source–drain electrodes. The electroluminescence is detected in the transporting channels with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 2.2%, and the current density is up to 145 kA cm−2, which are among the highest values for single‐component OLETs with symmetric electrodes.

Abstract Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an ubiquitous disease that exists across a wide spectrum ranging from steatosis, steatohepatitis, advanced fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. Hallmarks of NAFLD are lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation. However, there currently are no medications approved for NAFLD. B-cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) is a transcriptional inhibitor that is vital for germinal center B-cell formation. Our study identified BCL6 as a critical modulator of hepatic lipid metabolism and appears to contribute to the initiation and progression of NAFLD. In our research, we induced hepatic BCL6 overexpression using adeno-associated virus (AAV), as well as conditional liver-specific BCL6 knockout mice (BCL6-CKO). With these models, we noted that BCL6 overexpression improved insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mice models maintained on a HFD diet. Conversely, these parameters worsened in the livers of mice with downregulated BCL6 levels. Mechanistically, the translocase fatty acid CD36 was determined to be a transcriptional target of BCL6 that influences its role in hepatic steatosis. BCL6 bound directly to the CD36 promoter region, restraining CD36 transcription under physiological conditions. We conclude that the hepatocyte BCL6 inhibits the NAFLD progression in mice, including deranged lipid accumulation and glucose metabolism, through a CD36-dependent manner. These results indicate that BCL6 may potentially be targeted in NAFLD treatment.

Summary: Doping is an important technique for semiconductor materials, yet effective and controllable doping of organic-inorganic halide perovskites is still a challenge. Here, we present a protocol to dope 2D perovskite (PEA)2SnI4 by incorporating SnI4 in the precursor solutions. We detail steps for preparation of field-effect transistors (FETs) and thermoelectric devices (TEs) based on SnI4-doped (PEA)2SnI4 films. We further describe characterization via conductivity measurement using the four-point probe method, FETs performance, and TEs performance measurements.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al. (2022).1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Abstract Contact resistance (RC) is universally present in organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) and the performance of OFETs can be easily affected by RC, which will result in poor performances such as low mobility (μ), large threshold voltage (VT), and non‐ideal transfer/output characteristics. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review on the effects of RC in OFETs. We start with a brief introduction of the origin of RC and its effects on OFETs, followed by the commonly used methods for extraction of RC. Then, methods for reducing RC are thoroughly discussed. Especially, fabricating monolayer molecular crystal (MMC) OFETs is highlighted as one of the key solutions to reduce RC effectively. The final section describes the challenges in MMCs preparation and concludes with an outlook for further reducing RC to enhance the performances of OFETs.

The outcome of infection with influenza A virus is determined by a complex virus-host interaction. A new H7N9 virus of avian origin crossed the species barrier to infect humans, causing high mortality and emerged as a potential pandemic threat. The mechanisms underlying the virulence and pathogenicity of H7N9 virus remains elusive. H7N9 virus originated from a genetic assortment that involved the avian H9N2 virus, which was the donor of the six internal genes. Unlike the H7N9 virus, the H9N2 virus caused only mild phenotype in infected mice. In this study, we used the mouse infection model to dissect the difference in the host response between the H7N9 and H9N2 viruses. Through analyzing transcriptomics of infected lungs, we surprisingly found that the H9N2 infection elicited an earlier induction of innate immunity than H7N9 infection. This finding was further corroborated by an immunohistochemical study demonstrating earlier recruitment of macrophage to the H9N2-infected lung than the H7N9-infected lung, which could occur as early as 6 hours post infection. In contrast, H7N9 infection was characterized by a late, strong lung CD8+ T cell response that is more robust than H9N2 infection. The different pattern of immune response may underlie more severe lung pathology caused by H7N9 infection compared to H9N2 infection. Finally, we could show that co-infection of the H9N2 virus protected mice from the challenge of both H7N9 and PR8 viruses, thereby strengthening the importance of the induction of an early innate immunity in the host’s defense against influenza infection. Collectively, our study unraveled a previously unidentified difference in host response between H7N9 and H9N2 infection and shed new insight on how virus-host interaction shapes the in vivo outcome of influenza infection.

Realizing organic p–n junctions based on ordered crystalline materials with dimensions comparable to the exciton diffusion length of most organic semiconductors remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a strategy to form molecular monolayer crystal-based p–n junctions with thickness below 5 nm.

Designing efficient light-emitting diodes with white-light-emission from broadband-emission metal halides remains a challenge. Here, the authors demonstrate bright and efficient lead-free LEDs based on cesium copper halides enabled by introducing Tween organic additive in the precursor.

Abstract High‐performance solar‐blind photodetectors are widely studied due to their unique significance in military and industrial applications. Yet the rational molecular design for materials to possess strong absorption in solar‐blind region is rarely addressed. Here, an organic solar‐blind photodetector is reported by designing a novel asymmetric molecule integrated strong solar‐blind absorption with high charge transport property. Such alkyl substituted [1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]‐benzothiophene (BTBT) derivatives Cn‐BTBTN (n = 6, 8, and 10) can be easily assembled into 2D molecular crystals and perform high mobility up to 3.28 cm2 V−1s−1, which is two orders of magnitude higher than the non‐substituted core BTBTN. Cn‐BTBTNs also exhibit dramatically higher thermal stability than the symmetric alkyl substituted C8‐BTBT. Moreover, C10‐BTBTN films with the highest mobility and strongest solar‐blind absorption among the Cn‐BTBTNs are applied for solar‐blind photodetectors, which reveal record‐high photosensitivity and detectivity up to 1.60 × 107 and 7.70 × 1014 Jones. Photodetector arrays and flexible devices are also successfully fabricated. The design strategy can provide guidelines for developing materials featuring high thermal stability and stimulating such materials in solar‐blind photodetector application.

Summary: Doping is an important technique for semiconductor materials and devices, yet effective and controllable doping of organic-inorganic halide perovskites is still a challenge. Here, we demonstrate a facile way to dope two-dimensional Sn-based perovskite (PEA)2SnI4 by incorporating SnI4 in the precursor solutions. It is observed that Sn4+ produces p-doping effect on the perovskite, which increases the electrical conductivity by 105 times. The dopant SnI4 is also found to improve the film morphology of (PEA)2SnI4, leading to reduced trap states. This doping technique allows us to improve the room temperature mobility of (PEA)2SnI4 field-effect transistors from 0.25 to 0.68 cm2 V−1 s−1 thanks to reduced trapping effects in the doped devices. Moreover, the doping technique enables the characterization and improvement of the thermoelectric performance of (PEA)2SnI4 films, which show a high power factor of 3.92 μW m−1 K−2 at doping ratio of 5 mol %.

Growing lines of evidence supported the importance of CD8+ lung tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells in protection against respiratory viruses, exemplified by influenza A virus. However, the underlying in vivo mechanism remains largely undetermined. Here, we used mouse infection models to dissect in vivo cross-protective activity of lung CD8+ TRM cells. By simultaneously interrogating transcriptional dynamics in lung CD8+ TRM cells and surrounding tissues during the early course of infection, we demonstrated that lung CD8+ TRM cells react to antigen re-exposure within hours, manifested by IFN-γ upregulation, and a tissue-wide interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) program is subsequently elicited. Using antibody-mediated IFN-γ neutralization and IFN-γ receptor knockout mice, we could show that the induction of several important antiviral ISGs required IFN-γ signaling, so did the suppression of key inflammatory cytokines. Interestingly, there were also examples of ISGs unaffected in the absence of IFN-γ activity. Collectively, focusing on in situ characterization of lung CD8+ TRM cells during very early stage of infection, a critical period of host antiviral defense that has been poorly investigated, our studies highlight that these cells, once triggered by antigen re-exposure, are programmed to produce IFN-γ expeditiously to promote a lung-wide antiviral response for effective virus control.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains the significant infectious cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAIT) play roles in the pathogenesis of children CAP and ICU-associated pneumonia, their roles in adult CAP are largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the frequency, phenotype, and function of MAIT cells in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of adult CAP patients. Our data indicate that MAIT-cell frequency is profoundly lower in the peripheral blood of CAP patients compared to that in healthy individuals. Furthermore, the circulatory MAIT cells express higher levels of CD69 and PD-1 compared to those in healthy individuals. In BALF of CAP patients, MAIT-cell frequency is higher and MAIT cells express higher levels of CD69 and PD-1 compared to their matched blood counterparts. Levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ are increased in BALF of CAP patients compared to those in BALF of patients with pulmonary small nodules. The IL-17A/IFN-γ ratio is significantly positively correlated with MAIT frequency in BALF of CAP patients, suggesting a pathogenic role of MAIT-17 cells in CAP. Of note, blood MAIT-cell frequency in CAP patients is strongly negatively correlated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and neutrophil count percentage in blood. The ability of circulating MAIT cells in CAP patients to produce IFN-γ is significantly impaired compared to those in healthy individuals. In summary, our findings suggest the possible involvement of MAIT cells in the immunopathogenesis of adult CAP.

Although studies in oncology have well explored the pharmacological effects of Birc5, little is known about its role in allogeneic T-cell responses. Therefore, the present study used a mouse model of acute heart allograft rejection to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of conditional knockout of Birc5 in T cells. Survivin (encoded by Birc5) was up-regulated in T cells activated in vivo and in vitro. Deletion of Birc5 in T cells attenuated acute heart allograft rejection by reducing the ratio of effector to naive T cells and Th1 to Tregs. In addition, deletion of Birc5 had no noticeable effect on proliferation but on apoptosis and the secretion of IFN-γ. The results revealed a significant increase in the percentage of Annexin V positive CD4+ T cells in the Birc5-/- group, compared to the WT. Moreover, there was significant increase in early apoptotic alloreactive T cells in Birc5-/- mice and this was partly mediated by caspase-3. Furthermore, treatment with YM155 inhibited acute heart allograft rejection in vivo and increased T-cell apoptosis in healthy human PBMCs in vitro. The results highlight a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of acute transplant rejection.

This study concerns a two-dimensional model and the corresponding virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) implemented to solve the general boundary value problems that may explain why interface discontinuity has effects on the fracture behavior in the superconductor-substrate system. The interfacial discontinuity can be classified according to the material properties’ continuity and their derivatives’ continuity at the interface. For nonhomogeneous superconductor and substrate specimens with various material properties, a VCCT method is developed to calculate their fracture behavior. Furthermore, the effects of applied magnetic field amplitude and nonhomogeneous parameters are extensively and parametrically studied in two activation processes (zero-field cooling and field cooling). The integrative and computational study presented here provide a fundamental mechanistic understanding of the fracture mechanism in the superconductor-substrate system and sheds light on the rational design of interfacial continuity. Keywords: Superconductor-substrate system, Interfacial discontinuity, Fracture behavior, Activation processes

To improve the detection ability of infrared small targets in complex backgrounds, an improved detection algorithm YOLO-SASE is proposed in this paper. The algorithm is based on the YOLO detection framework and SRGAN network, taking super-resolution reconstructed images as input, combined with the SASE module, SPP module, and multi-level receptive field structure while adjusting the number of detection output layers through exploring feature weight to improve feature utilization efficiency. Compared with the original model, the accuracy and recall rate of the algorithm proposed in this paper were improved by 2% and 3%, respectively, in the experiment, and the stability of the results was significantly improved in the training process.

Abstract Real‐time, high signal intensity, and prolonged detection is challenging because of the rarity of fluorophores with both high photostability and luminescence efficiency. In this work, new donor–acceptor (D–A) molecules for overcoming these limitations are reported. A hybridized local and an intramolecular charge‐transfer excited state is demonstrated to afford high photoluminescence efficiency of these D–A molecules in solution (≈100%). The twisted molecular structure and bulky alkyl chains effectively suppress π–π and dipole–dipole interactions, enabling high luminescence efficiency of 1 and 2 in the solid state (≈94% and 100%). Furthermore, two D–A aggregates exhibit high photostability as evidenced by 4% and 8% of the fluorescence decreasing after 6 h of continuous irradiation in air, which is in sharp contrast to ≈95% of fluorescence decreasing in a reference compound. Importantly, with these molecules, ultrasensitive detection of sulfur mustard (SM) with a record limit of 10 ppb and selective detection of SM in complex matrices are achieved.

Background Heart pathological hypertrophy has been recognized as a predisposing risk factor for heart failure and arrhythmia. DUSP (dual‐specificity phosphatase) 26 is a member of the DUSP family of proteins, which has a significant effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, neuroblastoma, glioma, and so on. However, the involvement of DUSP26 in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. Methods and Results Our study showed that DUSP26 expression was significantly increased in mouse hearts in response to pressure overload as well as in angiotensin II–treated cardiomyocytes. Cardiac‐specific overexpression of DUSP26 mice showed attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, while deficiency of DUSP26 in mouse hearts resulted in increased cardiac hypertrophy and deteriorated cardiac function. Similar effects were also observed in cellular hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II. Importantly, we showed that DUSP26 bound to transforming growth factor‐β activated kinase 1 and inhibited transforming growth factor‐β activated kinase 1 phosphorylation, which led to suppression of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway. In addition, transforming growth factor‐β activated kinase 1–specific inhibitor inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II and attenuated the exaggerated hypertrophic response in DUSP26 conditional knockout mice. Conclusions Taken together, DUSP26 was induced in cardiac hypertrophy and protected against pressure overload induced cardiac hypertrophy by modulating transforming growth factor‐β activated kinase 1–p38/ c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase–signaling axis. Therefore, DUSP26 may provide a therapeutic target for treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.

As the entry sites of many pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), mucosal sites are defended by rapidly reacting resident memory T cells (TRM). TRMs represent a special subpopulation of memory T cells that persist long term in non-lymphoid sites without entering the circulation and provide the “sensing and alarming” role in the first-line defense against infection. The rectum and vagina are the two primary mucosal portals for HIV entry. However, compared to vaginal TRM, rectal TRM is poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the optimal vaccination strategy to induce rectal TRM. We identified an intranasal prime–intrarectal boost (pull) strategy that is effective in engaging rectal TRM alongside circulating memory T cells and demonstrated its protective efficacy in mice against infection of Listeria monocytogenes. On the contrary, the same vaccine delivered via either intranasal or intrarectal route failed to raise rectal TRM, setting it apart from vaginal TRM, which can be induced by both intranasal and intrarectal immunizations. Moreover, intramuscular prime was also effective in inducing rectal TRM in combination with intrarectal pull, highlighting the need of a primed systemic T cell response. A comparison of different pull modalities led to the identification that raising rectal TRM is mainly driven by local antigen presence. We further demonstrated the interval between prime and boost steps to be critical for the induction of rectal TRM, revealing circulating recently activated CD8+ T cells as the likely primary pullable precursor of rectal TRM. Altogether, our studies lay a new framework for harnessing rectal TRM in vaccine development.

H9N2 avian influenza virus is one of the most widely circulating viruses in poultry and poses a huge potential threat to human health due to its frequent gene reassortment with other influenza viruses. In this study, we generated a series of H9N2-H7N9 reassortant viruses and examined their pathogenicity in a mouse model. We found that HA or combined HA and NA replacement on the H9N2 background led to no substantial change in the virus-induced pathogenicity, whereas H9N2 virus containing H7N9 internal genes had significantly higher virulence in comparison to the parental H9N2 virus. This increased pathogenicity is associated with enhanced viral replication both in mice and in MDCK cells. We further demonstrated that the viral ribonucleoprotein complex from H7N9 virus possessed higher activity than that from its H9N2 counterpart. Collectively, our data demonstrated that genetic compatibility between H9N2 and H7N9 viruses facilitated the reassortment between H7N9 and H9N2 viruses co-circulated in poultry and that internal gene replacement would convert H9N2 virus into a novel threat to human health.

New methods for obtaining large-area monolayer molecular crystals (MMCs) on hydrophobic surfaces are needed to realize the full potential of MMCs for organic electronics. Here, the authors demonstrate bottom-up growth of high-grade n-type MMCs, which show superior performance in device applications.

Given that continuing antigenic shift and drift of influenza A viruses result in the escape from previous vaccine-induced immune protection, a universal influenza vaccine has been actively sought. However, there were very few vaccines capable of eliciting cross-group ant-influenza immunity. Here, we designed two novel composite immunogens containing highly conserved T-cell epitopes of six influenza A virus internal antigens, and expressed them in DNA, recombinant adenovirus-based (AdC68) and recombinant vaccinia vectors, respectively, to formulate three vaccine forms. The introduction of the two immunogens via a DNA priming and viral vectored vaccine boosting modality afforded cross-group protection from both PR8 and H7N9 influenza virus challenges in mice. Both respiratory residential and systemic T cells contributed to the protective efficacy. Intranasal but not intramuscular administration of AdC68 based vaccine was capable of raising both T cell subpopulations to confer a full protection from lethal PR8 and H7N9 challenges, and blocking the lymphatic egress of T cells during challenges attenuated the protection. Thus, by targeting highly conserved internal viral epitopes to efficiently generate both respiratory and systemic memory T cells, the sequential vaccination strategy reported here represented a new promising candidate for the development of T-cell based universal influenza vaccines.

A novel p-type organic semiconductor with high thermal stability is developed by simply incorporating cyclohexyl substituted aryl groups into the 2,6-position of anthracene, namely 2,6-di(4-cyclohexylphenyl)anthracene (DcHPA), and a similar compound with linear alkyl chain, 2,6-di(4-n-hexylphenyl)anthracene (DnHPA), is also studied for comparison. DcHPA shows sublimation temperature around 360°C, and thin film field-effect transistors of DcHPA could maintain half of the original mobility value when heated up to 150°C. Corresponding DnHPA has sublimation temperature of 310°C and the performance of its thin film devices decreases by about 50% when heated to 80°C. The impressing thermal stability of the cyclohexyl substitution compounds might provide guidelines for developing organic electronic materials with high thermal stability.

Thermal vibration is harmful to charge transport in molecular semiconductors, which hinders the use of these materials in flexible electronics. Here, Illig et al.show that the vibration is suppressed when molecular side chains are attached to the long axis of conjugated cores.

Dissolving cellulose in water-based green solvent systems is highly desired for further industrial applications. The green solvent glycerin—which contains hydrogen-bonding acceptors—was used together with NaOH and water to dissolve cellulose. This mixed aqueous solution of NaOH and glycerin was employed as the new green solvent system for three celluloses with different degree of polymerization. FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared), XRD (X-ray diffractometer) and TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) were used to characterize the difference between cellulose before and after regenerated by HCl. A UbbeloHde viscometer was used to measure the molecule weight of three different kinds of cellulose with the polymerization degree of 550, 600 and 1120. This solvent system is useful to dissolve cellulose with averaged molecule weight up to 2.08 × 105 g/mol.

Aiming at the problem of recognition effect is not stable when 2D facial expression recognition in the complex illumination and posture changes. A facial expression recognition algorithm based on RGB-D dynamic sequence analysis is proposed. The algorithm uses LBP features which are robust to illumination, and adds depth information to study the facial expression recognition. The algorithm firstly extracts 3D texture features of preprocessed RGB-D facial expression sequence, and then uses the CNN to train the dataset. At the same time, in order to verify the performance of the algorithm, a comprehensive facial expression library including 2D image, video and 3D depth information is constructed with the help of Intel RealSense technology. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has some advantages over other RGB-D facial expression recognition algorithms in training time and recognition rate, and has certain reference value for future research in facial expression recognition.

Laboratory diagnosis of acute infection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is commonly based on the detection of HEV RNA, IgM and/or rising IgG levels. However, the profile of these markers when the patients present have not been well determined. To clarify the extent of misdiagnosed sporadic hepatitis E in the initial laboratory detection, serial sera of 271 sporadic acute hepatitis cases were collected, detected and the dynamics of each acute marker during the illness course were analyzed. 91 confirmed cases of hepatitis E were identified based on the presentation of HEV RNA, IgM or at least 4 fold rising of IgG levels. 21 (23.1%) hepatitis E cases were false negative for the viral RNA and 40 (44.0%) for rising IgG, because occurrence of these markers were confined to acute phase of infection and viremia had already subsided and antibody level peaked when these patients presented. IgM was detected in 82 (90.1%) cases. It is the most prevalent of the three markers, because the antibody persisted until early convalescence. Nine cases negative for IgM were positive for rising IgG and one was also positive for the viral RNA; all of these nine cases showed high avid IgG in their acute phase sera, which indicated re-infection. In summary, it is not practicable to determine the true occurrence of sporadic hepatitis E. Nevertheless, it could be closely approximated by approach using a combination of all three acute markers.

Organic semiconductors (OSCs) have been emerging as attractive photocatalysts in recent years.However, the low dielectric constant of OSCs suggests a high binding energy of photogenerated excitons, leading to severe charge recombination. Organic heterojunctions are always adopted to facilitate the charge transfer process. Efficient organic heterojunctions require rational energy level alignment, which is generally suggested to be determined from the molecular structure. In addition, according to Dexter theory, the charge transfer process is also directly related to the intermolecular distance. Herein, with rational molecular design, two copper porphyrin (CuPy) derivatives containing different terminal functional groups but similar energy levels are synthesized. Carbon nitride (CN)/CuPy van der Waals heterojunctions are fabricated and their photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) performances are characterized. Experiments and theoretical calculations reveal that, besides photoelectrical properties defined by the molecular structure, molecular conformation (i.e., planarity) plays an equally important role in the charge transfer process by regulating the intermolecular distance. Efficient charge transfer can still occur when the intermolecular distance is reasonable, even under conditions where the energy level alignment is not optimized. These findings may contribute to a deeper understanding of OSC heterojunction photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]