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Abstract Ferroelectric materials have important applications in transduction, data storage, and nonlinear optics. Inorganic ferroelectrics such as lead zirconate titanate possess large polarization, though they are rigid and brittle. Ferroelectric polymers are light weight and flexible, yet their polarization is low, bottlenecked at 10 μC cm−2. Here we show poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposite with only 0.94% of self-nucleated CH3NH3PbBr3 nanocrystals exhibits anomalously large polarization (~19.6 μC cm−2) while retaining superior stretchability and photoluminance, resulting in unprecedented electromechanical figures of merit among ferroelectrics. Comprehensive analysis suggests the enhancement is accomplished via delicate defect engineering, with field-induced Frenkel pairs in halide perovskite stabilized by the poled ferroelectric polymer through interfacial coupling. The strategy is general, working in poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) as well, and the nanocomposite is stable. The study thus presents a solution for overcoming the electromechanical dilemma of ferroelectrics while enabling additional optic-activity, ideal for multifunctional flexible electronics applications.

The role of cuproptosis, a newly discovered form of programmed cell death, remains poorly understood in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study was aimed at constructing a novel cuproptosis model for analyzing the clinical features, mutation characteristics and immune profile of HCC associated with cuproptosis-related genes (CRG), and to analyze the prognostic value of CRGs in HCC. We comprehensively evaluated HCC datasets containing clinicopathological information from The Cancer Genome Atlas and GEO, on the basis of 19 CRGs. The prognostic value of the cuproptosis-related risk score was established. Our results revealed two clusters associated with cuproptosis. Cluster B exhibited pronounced isolated innate immune cell infiltration and poor prognosis, and significant differences in prognosis and immune infiltration were observed between the groups with high and low cuproptosis risk. High copper mortality risk scores were associated with an elevated tumor mutational burden (TMB) and poor prognosis. Our findings suggest that evaluating copper-death subtypes provides insights into CRGs. Moreover, the copper mortality risk score model aids in characterizing prognosis and immune infiltration independently of the TMB.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a common hemorrhagic condition frequently encountered in the emergency department, which is characterized by high mortality and disability rates. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the rupture of an aneurysm are still not fully understood. The primary objective of this study is to elucidate the fundamental molecular mechanisms underlying aSAH and provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of aSAH. Methods: The gene expression matrix of aSAH was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In this study, we employed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and differential gene expression analysis (DEGs) screening to identify crucial modules and genes associated with aSAH. Furthermore, the evaluation of immune cell infiltration was conducted through the utilization of the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) technique and the CIBERSORT algorithm. The study utilized Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to investigate and comprehend the fundamental biological pathways and mechanisms. Results: Using WGCNA, six gene co-expression modules were constructed. Among the identified modules, the yellow module, which encompasses 184 genes, demonstrated the most significant correlation with aSAH. Consequently, it was determined to be the central module responsible for governing the pathogenesis of aSAH. Additionally, the application of WGCNA, LASSO regression, and multiple factor logistic regression analysis revealed ARHGAP26 and SLMAP as the key genes associated with aSAH. Furthermore, the diagnostic efficacy of these pivotal genes in aSAH was confirmed through the use of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, validating their discriminative potential. Moreover, the utilization of GO and KEGG pathway analysis revealed a significant enrichment of inflammation-related signaling in aSAH. Conclusion: The genes ARHGAP26 and SLMAP were identified as significant predictors of aSAH. Accordingly, these genes demonstrate significant potential to function as novel biological markers and therapeutic targets for aSAH.

Brain tissues that are severely damaged by traumatic brain injury (TBI) is hardly regenerated, which leads to a cavity or a repair with glial scarring. Stem-cell therapy is one viable option to treat TBI-caused brain tissue damage, whose use is, whereas, limited by the low survival rate and differentiation efficiency of stem cells. To approach this problem, we developed an injectable hydrogel using imidazole groups-modified gelatin methacrylate (GelMA-imid). In addition, polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles were used as carrier for stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1α). GelMA-imid hydrogel loaded with PDA@SDF-1α nanoparticles and human amniotic mesenchymal stromal cells (hAMSCs) were injected into the damaged area in an in-vivo cryogenic injury model in rats. The hydrogel had low module and its average pore size was 204.61 ± 41.41 nm, which were suitable for the migration, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. In-vitro cell scratch and differentiation assays showed that the imidazole groups and SDF-1α could promote the migration of hAMSCs to injury site and their differentiation into nerve cells. The highest amount of nissl body was detected in the group of GelMA-imid/SDF-1α/hAMSCs hydrogel in the in-vivo model. Additionally, histological analysis showed that GelMA-imid/SDF-1α/hAMSCs hydrogel could facilitate the regeneration of regenerate endogenous nerve cells. In summary, the GelMA-imid/SDF-1α/hAMSCs hydrogel promoted homing and differentiation of hAMSCs into nerve cells, and showed great application potential for the physiological recovery of TBI.

A new synthetic strategy has been developed for the facile fabrication of a N-doped porous carbon (NC-800) material via a facile carbonization of functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). The prepared NC-800 exhibits good specific capacitance of 205 F/g at 1 A/g and cycle stability (95.2% retention after 5000 cycles at 1 A/g). The adsorption capacity of NC-800 on methylene blue and methyl orange was 780 mg/g and 800 mg/g, respectively. The facile and economical method and good performance (supercapacitor and adsorption) suggest that the NC-800 is a promising material for energy storage and adsorption.

The preparation of N-doped porous carbon (NC-800) is presented via facile mango stone carbonization at 800 °C. The NC-800 material exhibits good cycle stability (the capacity retention is 97.8% after 5000 cycles) and high specific capacitance of 280 F/g at 1 A/g. Furthermore, the assembled symmetric device of NC-800//NCs-800 exhibits about 31.1 Wh/kg of energy density at 800 W/kg in a voltage range of 0–1.6 V. The results of the study suggest that NC-800 may be a promising energy storage material for practical application.

Polymer-based capacitors are essential components in modern electronics and power systems. The longstanding challenge that is the contradiction between the breakdown strength and permittivity of dielectric materials has severely impeded their development for high-power capacitors. Polymer blends have recently been demonstrated as promising candidates with remarkably enhanced energy storage capability, and our previous study has indicated that the construction of a core-shell structure is an effective strategy. Herein, blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based copolymers with large discrepancy in polarization, i.e., poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) have been elaborately designed with a gradient composition distribution in a core-shell structure by employing a coaxial electrospinning technique. By adjusting the monomer ratio of functional group HFP/TrFE, a polarization distribution which strongly correlates with the crystallization of the polar phase and its topological distribution has been subtly regulated to decrease from core to shell. Therefore, at the optimal HFP/TrFE ratio of 2/1, a high breakdown strength of 694.8 kV mm-1 and discharged energy density of Ue of -23.6 J cm-3 have been achieved, with a high energy density of 27.8 J cm-3 and power of 10.7 MW cm-3 delivered to a 20 kU load. Moreover, the film shows robust long-term reliability, enduring up to 107 charge-discharge cycles, highly competitive with currently reported polymer-based dielectrics. The underlying relationship between the HFP/TrFE ratio and polar phase and its topological distribution has been investigated from molecular to microstructural scale by combining molecular dynamic simulation and finite element analysis. Our study thus provides a promising alternative route for boosting the comprehensive energy storage performance of polymer dielectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant mice were exposed to control (0%), low (0.1%), moderate (0.5%), and high (1%) lead (Pb) acetate in deionized drinking water from the first day of gestation to postnatal day (PND) 21. Pb concentration was determined in blood and the hippocampus at the 7th, 14th, or 21st day of neonatal mice pups. The expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and TGF-β1 mRNA and protein was also measured in the hippocampus using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assays. The expression of CTGF and TGF-β1 mRNA was up-regulated in hippocampus in Pb-exposed groups. These results were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry staining. Data suggest that CTGF and TGF-β1 genes are differentially regulated and are affected by Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]