bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aberrant Chitinase 3‐Like 1 Expression in Basal Cells Contributes to Systemic Sclerosis Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Xiuyuan , Ye Tianbao , Huang Junxia , Hu Feifei , Huang Chengjie , Gu Bei , Xu Xinzhi , Yang Ji 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by extensive skin and internal organ fibrosis. However, the mechanism underlying fibrosis remains unclear, and effective treatments for halting or reversing fibrosis are lacking. In this study, single‐cell RNA sequencing is used to obtain a comprehensive overview of skin cells from patients with SSc and healthy controls. A subset of basal cells with high chitinase 3‐like 1 (Chi3L1) expression, which potentially plays an important role in fibroblast activation, is identified in SSc. Subsequently, patients with SSc are present with increased expression of Chi3L1 in the skin and serum, and elevated serum levels are associated with skin induration and pulmonary function. Furthermore, Chi3L1 promoted the differentiation of SSc dermal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and Chi3L1‐deficient (Chi3L1‐/‐) mice showed amelioration of fibrosis in a bleomycin‐induced SSc (BLM‐SSc) model. Mechanistically, Chi3L1 mediates fibroblast activation primarily by interacting with interleukin‐17 receptor A (IL‐17RA), thereby initiating downstream nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen‐activated protein kinases signaling pathways. Moreover, the anti‐fibrotic effect of IL‐17RA antagonists in BLM‐SSc mice is demonstrated. In conclusion, Chi3L1 is a potential biomarker for the degree of fibrosis in SSc. Chi3L1 and its receptor, IL‐17RA, are promising therapeutic targets for patients with SSc.
Clostridium Scindens Protects Against Vancomycin‐Induced Cholestasis and Liver Fibrosis by Activating Intestinal FXR‐FGF15/19 Signaling
Authors: Xiao Jintao , Hou Yanliang , Luo Xingyang , Zhu Yuhao , Li Wenhu , Li Bingbing , Zhou LinXiang , Chen Xia , Guo Ying , Zhang Xiaomei , He Haiyue , Liu Xiaowei 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPrimary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by abnormal bile acid metabolites and altered gut microbiota, with no effective treatments available. Vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, has emerged as a promising candidate. However, the mechanism by which vancomycin impacts the progression of PSC remains unknown. Mice treated with vancomycin exhibit increased hepatic collagen deposition and injury, due to the inhibition of intestinal FXR‐FGF15/19 axis and the elevation of bile acid levels. These effects are associated with the reduction in Clostridia XIVa, especially Clostridium scindens (C. scindens). Gavage of C. scindens alleviates vancomycin‐induced bile acid accumulation and liver fibrosis via activating intestinal FXR‐FGF15/19 signaling. Similar effects are observed in mice treated with engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 that are capable of expressing bile acid 7α‐dehydratas (BaiE) from C. scindens (EcN‐BaiE). Activating intestinal FXR‐FGF15/19 signaling by fexaramine (Fex) or recombinant protein FGF19 reverse vancomycin‐induced liver injury and fibrosis. These results demonstrate that long‐term oral vancomycin exacerbates cholestatic liver injury, while C. scindens mitigates this effect by activating the intestinal FXR‐FGF15/19 signaling pathway. This underscores the importance of monitoring bile acid levels in PSC patients receiving vancomycin treatment and suggests that C. scindens may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for PSC patients.
A Room‐Temperature Terahertz Photodetector Imaging with High Stability and Polarization‐Sensitive Based on Perovskite/Metasurface
Authors: Li Yifan , Jia Yiming , Yang He , Wu Yinghui , Cao Yajun , Zhang Xuyang , Lou Cunguang , Liu Xiuling , Huang Long‐Biao , Yao Jianquan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractTerahertz (THz) polarization detection facilitates the capture of multidimensional data, including intensity, phase, and polarization state, with broad applicability in high‐resolution imaging, communication, and remote sensing. However, conventional semiconductor materials are limited by energy band limitations, rendering them unsuitable for THz detection. Overcoming this challenge, the realization of high‐stability, room‐temperature polarization‐sensitive THz photodetectors (PDs) leveraging the thermoelectric effect of Cs0.05(FA0.85MA0.15)0.95Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3 (CsFAMA)/metasurfaces is presented. Two different structures of (T‐shaped and I‐shaped) THz PDs are constructed. The incorporation of perovskite/metasurfaces forms enhanced local field thermoelectric effect and polarization response. Owning to THz surface plasmon polariton (SPP) resonance effect and more boundary effect, the I‐shaped PDs exhibit superior performance, achieving a response of up to 94 V/W, with a response time of 138 µs, a low noise‐equivalent power of 5.03 pW/Hz1/2 and an anisotropy ratio of 1.38 under 0.1THz laser irradiation. Furthermore, the PD's stability is verified with the anisotropy ratio decreased by only 2% and polarization imaging results after 240 days of storage in air condition. This research introduces a method for achieving high‐performance, stable THz polarization detection technology, with significant potential for advancements in materials science, communication technology, and medical imaging.
Chirality Evolution of Supramolecular Helices by Electron Transfer Assisted Secondary Nucleation
Authors: Gao Laiben , Dou Xiaoqiu , Xing Chao , Yang Kaikai , Zhao Changli , Feng Chuanliang 
Published: December 2024

AbstractChirality evolution is ubiquitous and important in nature, but achieving it in artificial systems is still challenging. Herein, the chirality evolution of supramolecular helices based on l‐phenylalanine derivative (LPF) and naphthylamide derivate (NDIAPY) is achieved by the strategy of electron transfer (ET) assisted secondary nucleation. ET from LPF to NDIAPY can be triggered by 5 s UV irradiation on left‐handed LPF‐NDIAPY co‐assemblies, leading to NDIAPY radical anions and partial disassembly of the helices. Meanwhile, spontaneous reversion of radical anions into monomers occurs upon removal of UV light, and the surface of residual co‐assemblies can accelerate the reversion process. This surface accelerated reversion of ET further facilitates the secondary nucleation‐elongation events, giving rise to the formation of scale‐amplified and g vale‐increased left‐handed helices. Meanwhile, chirality evolution controlled by ET assisted secondary nucleation process can be also realized by adding the prepared LPF‐NDIAPY co‐assemblies into the total ET system. This study may provide a useful approach to constructing and modulating diverse chiral structures by manipulating the secondary nucleation process.
Molecular Understanding of the Role of Catalyst Particle Arrangement in Local Mass Transport Resistance for Fuel Cells
Authors: Ran Aoxin , Fan Linhao , Tongsh Chasen , Wang Jiaqi , Qin Zhengguo , Du Qing , Ni Meng , Jiao Kui 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPlatinum (Pt) catalyst performance loss caused by a high local oxygen transport resistance is an urgent problem to be solved for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Rationally arranging Pt particles on carbon support is the primary approach for reducing mass transport resistance. Herein, using a unique method coupling Hybrid Reverse Monte Carlo, molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental measurements, a Pt particle arrangement strategy is proposed to reduce local oxygen transport resistance, based on a molecular‐level understanding of its impact. The densely arranged Pt particles with a small interparticle distance lead to the denser ionomer layer due to the co‐attraction effect, leading to a high local oxygen transport resistance. The nonuniformly arranged Pt particles with various interparticle distances cause the heterogeneous ionomer density, inducing the heterogeneous oxygen transport. Increasing the Pt‐Pt interparticle distance from 2 to 5 nm substantially reduces the local oxygen transport resistance by over 50%. The uniform arrangement of Pt particles makes the ionomer layer density more homogeneous, resulting in more uniform oxygen transport. Therefore, uniformly arranging Pt particles with an interparticle distance of >5 nm on carbon support is preferred for reducing local oxygen transport resistance and improving the homogeneity of oxygen transport.
Dietary Palmitic Acid Drives a Palmitoyltransferase ZDHHC15‐YAP Feedback Loop Promoting Tumor Metastasis
Authors: Wang Jianxin , Shen Dachuan , Jiang Jian , Hu Lulu , Fang Kun , Xie Chunrui , Shen Ning , Zhou Yuzhao , Wang Yifei , Du Sha , Meng Songshu 
Published: December 2024

AbstractElevated uptake of saturated fatty acid palmitic acid (PA) is associated with tumor metastasis; however, the precise mechanisms remain partially understood, hindering the development of therapy for PA‐driven tumor metastasis. The Hippo–Yes‐associated protein (Hippo/YAP) pathway is implicated in cancer progression. Here it is shown that a high‐palm oil diet potentiates tumor metastasis in murine xenografts in part through YAP. It is found that the palmitoyltransferase ZDHHC15 is a YAP‐regulated gene that forms a feedback loop with YAP. Notably, PA drives the ZDHHC15‐YAP feedback loop, thus enforces YAP signaling, and hence promotes tumor metastasis in murine xenografts. In addition, it is shown that ZDHHC15 associates with Kidney and brain protein (KIBRA, also known as WW‐ and C2 domain‐containing protein 1, WWC1), an upstream component of Hippo signaling, and mediates its palmitoylation. KIBRA palmitoylation leads to its degradation and regulates its subcellular localization and activity toward the Hippo/YAP pathway. Moreover, PA enhances KIBRA palmitoylation and degradation. It is further shown that combinatorial targeting of YAP and fatty acid synthesis exhibits augmented effects against metastasis formation in mice fed with a Palm diet. Collectively, these findings uncover a ZDHHC15‐YAP feedback loop as a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying PA‐promoted tumor metastasis and support targeting YAP and fatty acid synthesis as potential therapeutic targets in PA‐driven tumor metastasis.
A Hierarchical Metal–Organic Framework Intensifying ROS Catalytic Activity and Bacterial Entrapment for Engineering Self‐Antimicrobial Mask
Authors: Huang Wei , Yuan Haitao , Yang Huangsheng , Shen Yujian , Guo Lihong , Zhong Ningyi , Wu Tong , Shen Yong , Chen Guosheng , Huang Siming , Niu Li , Ouyang Gangfeng 
Published: December 2024

AbstractLeveraging functional materials to develop advanced personal protective equipment is of significant importance for cutting off the propagation of infectious diseases, yet faces ongoing challenges owing to the unsatisfied antimicrobial efficiency. Herein a hierarchically porous cerium metal–organic framework (Ce‐MOF) boosting the antimicrobial performance by intensifying catalytic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and bacterial entrapment simultaneously is reported. This Ce‐MOF presents dendritic surface topography and hierarchical pore channels where the Lewis acid Ce sites are dispersedly anchored. Attributing to this sophisticated nanoarchitecture rendering the catalytic Ce sites highly accessible, it shows a ca. 1800‐fold activity enhancement for the catalytic conversion of atmospheric oxygen to highly toxic ROS compared to traditional CeO2. Additionally, the dendritic and negative‐charged surface engineered in this Ce‐MOF substantially enhances the binding affinity toward positive‐charged bacteria, enabling the spatial proximity between the bacteria and the short‐lived ROS and therefore maximizing the utilization of highly toxic ROS to inactivate bacteria. It is demonstrated that this Ce‐MOF‐integrated face mask displays almost 100% antimicrobial efficacy even in insufficient light and dark scenarios. This work provides important insights into the design of antibacterial MOF materials by a pore‐ and surface‐engineering strategy and sheds new light on the development of advanced self‐antimicrobial devices.
SYISL Knockout Promotes Embryonic Muscle Development of Offspring by Modulating Maternal Gut Microbiota and Fetal Myogenic Cell Dynamics
Authors: Zuo Hao , Jiang Wei , Gao Jianwei , Ma Zhibo , Li Chen , Peng Yaxin , Jin Jianjun , Zhan Xizhen , Lv Wei , Liu Xiao , Hu Jingjing , Zhang Mengdi , Jia Yiming , Xu Zaiyan , Tang Junming , Zheng Rong , Zuo Bo 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEmbryonic muscle fiber formation determines post‐birth muscle fiber totals. The previous research shows SYISL knockout significantly increases muscle fiber numbers and mass in mice, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study confirms that the SYISL gene, maternal gut microbiota, and their interaction significantly affect the number of muscle fibers in mouse embryos through distinct mechanisms, as SYISL knockout alters maternal gut microbiota composition and boosts butyrate levels in embryonic serum. Both fecal microbiota transplantation and butyrate feeding significantly increase muscle fiber numbers in offspring, with butyrate inhibiting histone deacetylases and increasing histone acetylation in embryonic muscle. Combined analysis of RNA‐seq between wild‐type and SYISL knockout mice with ChIP‐seq for H3K9ac and H3K27ac reveals that SYISL and maternal microbiota interaction regulates myogenesis via the butyrate‐HDAC‐H3K9ac/H3K27ac pathway. Furthermore, scRNA‐seq analysis shows that SYISL knockout alone significantly increases the number and proportion of myogenic cells and their dynamics, independently of regulating histone acetylation levels. Cell communication analysis suggests that this may be due to the downregulation of signaling pathways such as MSTN and TGFβ. Overall, multiple pathways are highlighted through which SYISL influences embryonic muscle development, offering valuable insights for treating muscle diseases and improving livestock production.
Electrochemical Control of the Ultrafast Lattice Response of a Layered Semimetal
Authors: de Quesada Felipe A. , Muscher Philipp K. , Krakovsky Eliana S. , Sood Aditya , Poletayev Andrey D. , Sie Edbert J. , Nyby Clara M. , Irvine Sara J. , Zajac Marc E. , Luo Duan , Shen Xiaozhe , Hoffmann Matthias C. , Kramer Patrick L. , England R. Joel , Reid Alexander H. , Weathersby Stephen P. , Dresselhaus‐Marais Leora E. , Rehn Daniel A. , Chueh William C. , Lindenberg Aaron M. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe unique layer‐stacking in two‐dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials facilitates the formation of nearly degenerate phases of matter and opens novel routes for the design of low‐power, reconfigurable functional materials. Electrochemical ion intercalation between stacked layers offers a promising approach to stabilize bulk metastable phases and to explore the effects of extreme carrier doping and strain. However, in situ characterization methods to study the structural evolution and dynamical functional properties of these intercalated materials remains limited. Here a novel experimental platform is presented capable of simultaneously performing electrochemical lithium‐ion intercalation and multimodal ultrafast characterization of the lattice using both electron diffraction and nonlinear optical techniques. Using the layered semimetal WTe2 as a model system, the interlayer shear phonon mode that modulates stacking between 2Dlayers is probed, showing that small amounts of lithiation enhance the amplitude and lifetime of the phonon, contrary to expectations. This results from the dynamically fluctuating and anharmonic structure between nearly degenerate phases at room temperature, which can be stabilized by electronic carriers accompanying the inserted lithium ions. At high lithiation, the Td’ structure emerges and quenches the phonon response. This work defines new approaches for using electrochemistry to engineer the dynamic structure of 2D materials.
Symmetry Breaking in Rationally Designed Copper Oxide Electrocatalyst Boosts the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Peng Haoyu , Wang Weiyi , Gao Jiyuan , Jiang Fan , Li Bowei , Wang Yicheng , Wu Yiqian , Wang Yue , Li Jiuqiang , Peng Jing , Hu Wei , Wen Zhenhai , Wang Dingsheng , Zhang Erhuan , Zhai Maolin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractOxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics is critically dependent on the precise modulation of the interactions between the key oxygen intermediates and catalytic active sites. Herein, a novel electrocatalyst is reported, featuring nitrogen‐doped carbon‐supported ultra‐small copper oxide nanoparticles with the broken‐symmetry C4v coordination filed sites, achieved by a mild γ‐ray radiation‐induced method. The as‐synthesized catalyst exhibits an excellent ORR activity with a half‐wave potential of 0.873 V and shows no obvious decay over 50 h durability in alkaline solution. This superior catalytic activity is further corroborated by the high‐performance in both primary and rechargeable Zn–air batteries with an ultrahigh‐peak‐power density (255.4 mW cm−2) and robust cycling stability. The experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations show that the surface Cu atoms are configured in a compressed octahedron coordination. This geometric arrangement interacts with the key intermediate OH*, facilitating localized charge transfer and thereby weakening the Cu─O bond, which promotes the efficient transformation of OH* to OH− and the subsequent desorption, and markedly accelerates kinetics of the rate‐determining step in the reaction. This study provides new insights for developing the utilization of γ‐ray radiation chemistry to construct high‐performance metal oxide‐based catalysts with broken symmetry toward ORR.
Fish Fin‐Derived Non‐Invasive Flexible Bioinspired Contact Lens for Continuous Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Xu , Li Hui , Wang Zihao , Wang Xianda , Zhang Jinlong , Bin Fengjiao , Chen Wei , Li Hongyang , Huo Dongmei , Xiao Dengbao 
Published: December 2024

AbstractEfficient drug delivery is crucial for glaucoma patients. Flexible biomedical devices that enable sustained ocular drug delivery and can regulate the drug release rate according to physiological conditions are highly desirable for glaucoma treatments, addressing both low drug bioavailability and poor patient compliance from manual drug administration, and improving treatment outcomes. Inspired by the structure and reciprocating motion of fish dorsal fins, a drug‐eluting contact lens based on deformable microstructures for non‐invasive ocular surface drug delivery is developed. Liquid drugs are stored within the interstices of the deformable microstructural units, allowing for continuous drug release through diffusion upon contact with the ocular surface. Finite element analysis is utilized to study the intraocular drug transport dynamics of glaucoma and optimize the overall layout of the device. Microstructural units undergo deformation under loading, altering the interstitial spaces and modulating the drug release rate. This device can adaptively adjust its drug release rate based on changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and can be proactively regulated in response to cyclic eye loads, accommodating elevated IOP caused by varying body postures and activities. As a flexible, non‐invasive, highly dynamic, and adaptive drug delivery platform, it holds significant potential for future biomedical applications.
Optimizing Interfacial Charge Dynamics and Quantum Effects in Heterodimensional Superlattices for Efficient Hydrogen Production
Authors: Li Jinpeng , Dong Weikang , Zhu Zibo , Yang Yang , Zhou Jiadong , Wang Sufan , Zhou Yao , Song Erhong , Liu Jianjun 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSuperlattice materials have emerged as promising candidates for water electrocatalysis due to their tunable crystal structures, electronic properties, and potential for interface engineering. However, the catalytic activity of transition metal‐based superlattice materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is often constrained by their intrinsic electronic band structures, which can limit charge carrier mobility and active site availability. Herein, a highly efficient electrocatalyst based on a VS2‐VS heterodimensional (2D‐1D) superlattice with sulfur vacancies is designed addressing the limitations posed by the intrinsic electronic structure. The enhanced catalytic performance of the VS2‐VS superlattice is primarily attributed to the engineered heterojunction, where the work function difference between the VS2 layer and VS chain induces a charge separation field that promotes efficient electron‐hole separation. Introducing sulfur vacancies further amplifies this effect by inducing quantum localization of the separated electrons, thereby significantly boosting HER activity. Both theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the superlattice achieves a ΔGH* of −0.06 eV and an impressively low overpotential of 46 mV at 10 mA·cm−2 in acidic media, surpassing the performance of commercial Pt/C while maintaining exceptional stability over 15 000 cycles. This work underscores the pivotal role of advanced material engineering in designing catalysts for sustainable energy applications.
Fully Printable Manufacturing of Miniaturized, Highly Integrated, Flexible Evaporation‐Driven Electricity Generator Arrays
Authors: Liu Qun , Guo Panwang , Zhang Xinyu , Ren Hehe , Liang Jing , Li Quancai , Tang Weinan , Wu Wei 
Published: December 2024

AbstractHarvesting sustainable clean energy from natural water evaporation holds great promise to provide continuous power for portable and wearable electronics. However, poor portability and complex fabrication processes hinder the low‐cost and large‐scale integration of flexible evaporation‐driven electricity generators (FEEGs). Herein, a fully‐printed flexible evaporation‐driven generator (PFEEG) is developed. Utilizing custom‐formulated functional inks, the asymmetric structures, current collectors, and hygroscopic water storage units can be manufactured by a patternable, scalable, and layer‐by‐layer deposition technique of screen printing. Thus, a PFEEG unit (0.5 cm × 1 cm × 38 µm) can generate a voltage of ≈0.8 V over a wide relative humidity (RH) range from 20% to 90%, and a maximum power density of 1.55 µW cm−2 at 70% RH. An array of 200 PFEEGs connected in series or parallel can produce voltages up to 152.41 V or a current up to 1.02 mA. Furthermore, the scalable PFEEG array can not only be seamlessly connected with the printed flexible circuit but can also be integrated with a humidity sensor and display arrays to form a self‐powered printed flexible sensing system. This work presents a practical strategy for continuous power supply of portable and wearable electronics.