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Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment and have attracted extensive attention to their toxic effects on aquatic species. However, responses of the nervous system to AgNPs are little known, especially co-existing with the ubiquitous natural organic matter (NOM), which is critical for the ability to act in aquatic species. Here, this study investigated the neurotoxicology of environmentally relevant AgNPs with or without bovine serum albumin (BSA; a classical NOM) to zebrafish (Danio rerio) using visualized transgenic zebrafish. Exposure to AgNPs reduced the locomotor behavior of zebrafish by 28%–45%, including swimming distance and velocity, exhibiting obvious behavioral inhibition. The visualized transgenic zebrafish treated with AgNPs showed developmental retardation in the early development of the heart, central nervous, and motor nerve, as well as the related neurodevelopment genes, which may be responsible for the lowered locomotor behavior. In addition, AgNPs can specifically interfere with the cholinergic system and affect neuronal signaling, ultimately leading to behavioral abnormalities. However, the co-existing BSA alleviated the neurotoxicity of AgNPs in zebrafish, which may partially be attributed to the increased size and electronegativity of AgNPs caused by BSA, thus reducing the direct interaction of AgNPs with cells. The interaction between BSA and the released Ag+ from AgNPs may also be responsible for the alleviation of the neurodevelopment dysfunction in zebrafish. These findings provide valuable insights into the toxicity and risks of AgNPs in natural aquatic environments.

Abstract Both piezoelectricity and self-Fenton catalysis are effective ways to degrade water pollution, but little research has combined them to construct a more efficient water pollution treatment method. Here, a Fe-doped SnS2 (Sn1-xFexS2) piezoelectric self-Fenton system was constructed, which shows superior water treatment performance. The best piezoelectric properties of the Sn0.97Fe0.03S2 system were verified by degrading rhodamine B (RhB). The toxicity analysis of degradation intermediates and solutions confirmed that the toxicity of RhB decreased after degradation. In addition, Kelvin probe force microscopy and photoelectrochemical analysis confirmed the better piezoelectric properties of Sn0.97Fe0.03S2. It has demonstrated the enhancement of systematic piezoelectricity by Fe lattice defects and the formation of self-Fenton by Fe as an active center in the degradation of RhB. In this work, an efficient piezoelectric and self-Fenton technology is constructed to remove organic pollutants from water, which is significant for developing water treatment technology.

Abstract Introduction This study was to investigate the diagnostic value of percutaneous closed pleural brushing (CPBR) followed by cell block technique for malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and the predictive efficacy of pleural fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients with MPE. Methods All patients underwent closed pleural biopsy (CPB) and CPBR followed by cell block examination. MPE‐positive diagnostic rates between the two methods were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors influencing the EGFR mutations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of pleural fluid CEA for EGFR mutations. Results The cumulative positive diagnostic rates for MPE after single and twice CPBR followed by cell block examination were 80.5% and 89.0%, higher than CPB (45.7%, 54.3%) (P 0.05). Conclusion Compared with CPB, CPBR followed by the cell block technique can significantly increase the positive diagnostic rate of suspected MPE. CEA testing of pleural fluid after CPBR has a high predictive efficacy for EGFR mutation in lung adenocarcinoma patients with MPE, implying pleural fluid extracted for cell block after CPBR may be an ideal specimen for genetic testing.

Abstract Lithium‐based batteries are the most potential state‐of‐the‐art energy storage device for flexible electronics. The flexible lithium batteries have the advantages of high energy density, robust mechanical durability, and stable power output even under dynamic deformation. Among them, the synergies of flexible free‐standing electrodes, solid electrolytes, and electrode–electrolyte interfaces are crucial to achieving the goal of high energy density and safety performance for flexible lithium batteries. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the interface formation mechanism and influencing factors is crucial for the design of flexible electrodes and solid electrolytes. In this review, the interface challenges in flexible lithium‐based batteries including interface formation, electrodes‐electrolyte interface, and interparticle interface characteristics are presented. Then, strategies of interface optimization are summarized and discussed. Following this, the interface of flexible lithium‐based batteries with novel architecture is introduced, including the interface between each component and unit of the battery. Finally, the perspectives for the future development of flexible lithium‐based batteries are also given.

In today’s power grid configuration system, due to the unique advantages of high efficiency, strong power supply capacity, and good energy utilization, DC distribution network gradually replaced AC distribution and became a more popular distribution system. However, the harmonic current control method in the DC distribution network often cannot keep up with the performance requirements of the entire power system. The design of the DC distribution network structure, the selection and matching of current control methods, which has a significant impact on the healthy operation of the entire system. Traditional current control methods often cannot take into account both quality and efficiency in current effect, and in recent years, current control methods have been difficult to innovate. Aiming at the above problems, this paper combines PI control and repetitive control and optimizes on this basis, and creatively proposes a new harmonic current control strategy. And based on deep learning related algorithms, a convolutional neural network model that is more in line with the current control concept is selected to build, and ADMM algorithm is introduced to improve the model. Experiments show that the accuracy of the optimized deep residual convolutional neural network model can reach up to 93.1%, the minimum value in error control is 0.06, which well meets the needs of the current control strategy.

We propose and demonst rate multi-parameter sensors based on optical reflective coupler probe (ORCP), for detection of liquid level, temperature, and refractive index (RI). Single-mode fiber ORCP (S-ORCP), few-mode fiber ORCP (F-ORCP) and multi-mode fiber ORCP (M-ORCP) are fabricated by adiabatically tapering and weak fusion technology. The highest liquid level sensitivity is 363.64 nm/mm, achieved by the M-ORCP, with detection limit of as low as 0.06 μm. In addition, multi-parameter measurement of liquid level, temperature and RI can be achieved by the M-ORCP, with temperature and RI sensitivities of −0.327 nm/°C and 7859.27 nm/RIU, respectively. With the merits of high sensitivity, stability, and compact half-coupler probe structure, the proposed ORCP sensors of ∼ cm length can measure the liquid level range of ∼3 mm, which have broad application prospects in the fields of fuel storage and chemical liquid level measurement, especially for chemical reagents, biological tissue liquids and flammable and explosive liquids.

Introduction: Proprioceptive impairment is a common symptom after stroke. Clarifying how proprioception correlates with motor function after stroke may be helpful in optimizing proprioception-augmented movement training. Previous studies have shown inconsistent findings. A meta-analysis is an optimal method to explore the correlation and identify the factors contributing to these inconsistencies.Objective: To explore the correlation between proprioception and motor function after stroke through a meta-analysis, taking into account characteristics of the measurements used in these studies.Methods: We searched multiple databases until November 2021 for eligible studies that measured both proprioception and motor functions in persons with stroke and reported their correlation or data for correlation analysis. A meta-analysis of the correlations was performed. The subgroup analysis and meta-regression were further conducted to investigate potential factors contributing to the heterogeneity of correlation strength, based on the participants' characteristics, proprioception, and motor function measures.Results: In total, 28 studies comprising of 1,829 participants with stroke were included in the meta-analysis. The overall correlation between proprioception and motor function was significant (r = 0.267, p < 0.05), but there was heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 45%, p < 0.05). The results of the subgroup analysis showed proprioception of the axial segment in weight-bearing conditions (r = 0.443, p < 0.05) and upper limb without weight-bearing (r = 0.292, p < 0.05) had a stronger correlation with motor function than proprioception of the lower limb without weight-bearing. The proprioception measured through ipsilateral matching (r = 0.412, p < 0.05) showed a stronger correlation with motor function than through contralateral matching. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) domains of motor function, movement function (r = 0.338, p < 0.05), activity performance (r = 0.239, p < 0.05), and independence (r = 0.319, p < 0.05) showed a stronger correlation with proprioception than with other domains.Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between proprioception and motor dysfunction after stroke. The proprioception measured in the axial segment under weight-bearing conditions or measured with ipsilateral matching, and motor function, specifically in the ICF domains of movement function, activity performance, and independence showed a positive contribution to the association between proprioception and motor function. The correlation does not imply causation and might be underestimated by attributes of current tests for proprioception and motor function. Further studies are needed to clarify the cause-effect relationship.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries, due to their high power density, intrinsic safety, low cost, and environmental benign, have attracted tremendous attentions recently. However, their application is severely plagued by the inferior energy density and short cycling life, which was mainly ascribed to zinc dendrites, and interfacial side reactions, narrow potential window induced by water decomposition, all of which are highly related with the Zn ^2+ solvation structures in the aqueous electrolytes. Therefore, in this review, we comprehensively summarized the recent development of strategies of regulating Zn ^2+ solvation structures, specially, the effect of zinc salts, nonaqueous co-solvents, and functional additives on the Zn ^2+ solvation structures and the corresponding electrochemical performance of aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Moreover, future perspectives focused on the challenges and possible solutions for design and commercialization of aqueous electrolytes with unique solvation structures are provided.

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and miR-9-5p have emerged as attractive therapeutic targets in several tumor types, but in CRC, the regulation of their biological function and their target association remain unclear. Methods The expression of PAK4 in CRC tissues was determined using quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses. The targeted regulation between miR-9-5p and PAK4 was predicted and confirmed with bioinformatics analysis and the dual-luciferase reporter assay. Functional experiments, including the MTT assay and flow cytometry, were performed to investigate the impact of PAK4 knockdown and miR-9-5p overexpression on cell proliferation and apoptosis in CRC cells. Results We found that the expression of PAK4 was upregulated in CRC tissues. PAK4 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in cells of the CRC cell lines HCT116 and SW1116. We also found that miR-9-5p directly targeted the 3′-UTR of PAK4 mRNA and negatively regulated its expression. The degree of downregulation of miR-9-5p inversely correlated with PAK4 expression. Intriguingly, enforced expression of miR-9-5p suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. This could be partially reversed by PAK4 overexpression. Conclusion These results suggest that miR-9-5p targeting of PAK4 could have therapeutic potential for CRC treatment.

Objectives. The present study was designed to compare the characteristics and performance regarding drug delivery of a novel drug-coated balloon (DCB) to a benchmark device (Restore® versus SeQuent® Please) in an in vitro and in vivo model. Background. Although Restore® and SeQuent® are both paclitaxel-coated, they use different coating excipient, shellac-ammonium salt and iopromide, respectively. Preclinical study comparing these two different commercial DCBs regarding their characteristics and effects on early vascular response is sparse. Methods. Restore® and SeQuent® DCBs were scanned with electron microscopy for surface characteristic assessment. Both DCBs were transported in an in vitro vessel model for the evaluation of drug wash-off rate and particulate formation. Eighteen coronary angioplasties with either Restore® or SeQuent® DCBs were conducted in 6 swine (three coronary vessels each). Histopathological images of each vessel were evaluated for vessel injury. Results. The surface of Restore® DCB was smooth and evenly distributed with hardly visible crystal, while SeQuent® DCB showed a rougher surface with relatively larger apparent crystals. Restore® DCB had a lower drug wash-off rate and fewer large visible particles, compared to the SeQuent® DCB. No significant difference in mean injure score was found between Restore® and SeQuent® group. Conclusion. Our results suggest that Restore® is better in preclinical performance regarding less release of particles and lower drug wash-off rate as compared to SeQuent® Please. The Restore® DCB, using stable amorphous coating and shellac-ammonium salt as an excipient, appears to provide an advantage in drug delivery efficacy; however, further clinical studies are warranted.