Research Progress Research Articles

Recent Progress of Functional Solvent-free Nanofluids: A Review.

Nanoparticles have aroused widespread interest because of their unique surface structure and nano effect, which presents novel characteristics like as sound, light, electricity, magnetism, and thermal properties. However, two critical defects have hindered their applications: (1) poor processability resulting from the high melting temperature (e.g., >1000 °C) for some inorganic nanoparticles; (2) the restriction of the nano effect caused by the easy aggregation of the nanoparticles. To solve those issues, solvent-free nanofluids (SNFs) with hard cores and flexible organic chains were successfully designed and fabricated at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The promising technology of SNFs not only solved the dispersion problem of nanomaterials but also imparted novel functionalization to nanoparticles. Up to now, many researchers have been devoted to developing diverse cores and flexible organic polymer chains to endow SNFs with particular functions, such as conductivity, fluorescence, lubricity, and so on. However, there are few review reports on the research progress in the fabrication and applications of functional SNFs. To gain a better understanding of SNFs, this paper presents an overall investigation into the development, fabrication, as well as the applications of functional SNFs.

Application studies on MXene-based flexible composites

MXene is a novel two-dimensional layered nanomaterial with a very large specific surface area and abundant surface functional groups, endowing it with unique physical and chemical properties. MXene can be compounded with other functional materials to significantly improve the performance of MXene composites or broaden their application scope. Meanwhile, with the development of flexible composite preparation technology, it has promoted the continuous expansion of its application fields. The introduction and combination of different materials can improve the performance of flexible composites and make them have a broader application prospect. In recent years, researchers have started preparing MXene materials as flexible composites for applications such as supercapacitors, sensors, electromagnetic shielding and thermal management. This paper gives a brief introduction to flexible composites and MXene materials, reviews the applications of MXene based flexible composites in various fields as well as the research progress, and provides an outlook on their future development direction.

Prospects for β-Ga2O3: now and into the future

Abstract This review describes the progress of research on gallium oxide as a material for power devices, covering the development of bulk crystal growth through to epitaxial growth, defect evaluations, device processes and development, all based on the author's research experiences. During the last decade or so, the epi-wafer size has been expanded to 4–6 inches, and Schottky barrier diodes and field-effect transistors capable of ampere-class operation and with breakdown voltages of several kV have been demonstrated. On the other hand, challenges to the practical application of gallium oxide power devices, such as the cost of epi-wafers, killer defects, purity of epitaxial layer, etc., have also become apparent. This paper provides a comprehensive summary of the history of these developments, including not only papers but also patents and conference presentations, and gives my personal views on the prospects for this material’s continued development.

A Survey of Aero-Engine Blade Modeling and Dynamic Characteristics Analyses

The rotating blade is a key component of an aero-engine, and its vibration characteristics have an important impact on the performance of the engine and are vital for condition monitoring. This paper reviews the research progress of blade dynamics, including three main aspects: modeling of blades, solution methods, and vibration characteristics. Firstly, three popular structural dynamics models for blades are reviewed, namely lumped-mass model, finite element model, and semi-analytical model. Then, the solution methods for the blade dynamics are comprehensively described. The advantages and limitations of these methods are summarized. In the third part, this review summarizes the properties of the modal and vibration responses of aero-engine blades and discusses the typical forms and mechanisms of blade vibration. Finally, the deficiencies and limitations in the current research on blade modeling and vibration analysis are summarized, and the directions for future efforts are pointed out. The purpose of this review is to provide meaningful insights to researchers and engineers in the field of aero-engine blade modeling and dynamic characteristics analysis.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes

AbstractIn the past three years, bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes and their structural analogues have emerged as useful bioisosteres of meta-substituted (hetero)arenes. To meet the increasing demand for bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes, chemists have developed a plethora of novel methods for their synthesis. In this short review, we assess the research progress on their synthesis and functionalization, considering both the scope and mechanistic aspects. In addition, we discuss the posed challenges and the outlook for the identification of new reaction manifolds to access novel functionalized bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes.1 Introduction2 Synthesis of Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes (BCHeps)3 Synthesis of 3-Azabicyclo[3.1.1]heptanes (3-Aza-BCHeps)4 Conclusion and Outlook

Recent development of chitosan-based biomaterials for treatment of osteomyelitis

Abstract Osteomyelitis is a complex infectious disease caused by bacterial infection, which has always been a difficult problem for clinical orthopedic surgeons. Although the traditional methods are effective in treating osteomyelitis, the heavy use of antibiotics and surgical treatment cause serious side effects and lead to bone loss and healing difficulties after surgery. Chitosan (CS), a natural polymer material, is a deacetylated derivative of chitin, which has good biodegradability, antibacterial, and osteogenic properties, and has been widely used in the treatment of osteomyelitis. In this review, the recent research progress in the application of CS based composites such as micro-nano drug delivery carriers, hydrogels, coating materials, and bone tissue engineering scaffolds for the treatment of osteomyelitis is summarized, in order to provide certain experimental and theoretical support for the development of CS based composites.

The mutual effect of nutrients on plant–herbivore interactions

AbstractNutrients contained in plant tissues serve as the driving force behind plant and herbivore interactions. The nutrient level, including different kinds of elements and amount of fertilizer, can vary owing to variations in soil composition and this can directly impact plant defense response against herbivores. Plants take up nutrients via two pathways: (i) directly through the root hairs and epidermis and (ii) indirectly through the beneficial microbes that interact with plant roots, such as mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobacteria. The associated microbes, modifying plant nutrient composition, can indirectly affect plant and herbivore interactions. These direct and indirect nutrient uptake pathways adjust plant resistance or tolerance to herbivore attack, as evidenced by factors such as herbivore performance, plant nutrient status, biomass allocation, and compensatory growth. In turn, aboveground and belowground herbivory can exert an effect on nutrient exchange between plants and their associated microbes, primarily on the key resources such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Furthermore, it shows that herbivory, in the presence of plant associated beneficial microbes, has no negative effect on plant N and C content. The molecular mechanisms underlying these ecological interactions are being systematically uncovered. In order to outline the research progress in this field, this review synthesizes the current scientific literature regarding the mutual effect of nutrients on plant–herbivore interactions. It aims to support efforts in maintaining the sustainability of ecosystem by optimizing plant defense strategies via managing nutrient variability.

Research progress on miRNAs function in the interaction between human infectious viruses and hosts: A review.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of non-coding small RNAs that are prevalent in eukaryotes, typically comprising approximately 22 nucleotides, and have the ability to post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. miRNAs exhibit diverse types and functions, with mechanisms of action that include cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and regulation of signaling pathways. Both viruses and their hosts can encode miRNAs, which serve as crucial effector molecules in the complex interaction between viruses and host cells. Host miRNAs can either directly interact with the virus genome to inhibit virus replication or facilitate virus replication by providing necessary substances. Viral miRNAs can directly bind to host mRNAs, thereby influencing translation efficiency, suppressing the immune response, and ultimately enhancing virus replication. This article comprehensively reviews the roles of miRNAs in virus-host interactions, aiming to provide valuable insights into viral pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches.

Translation Paradigms: Translation in the Development of Digital Humanities

Translation research from the perspective of digital humanities is not only a methodology but also a research paradigm. The emergence of translation research from the perspective of digital humanities not only led to significant changes in translation research methods but also greatly expanded and deepened translation research. This article clarifies the definition of digital humanities in translation studies, traces the origin of digital humanities theory, sorts out the relevant research progress, discusses the application fields and advantages of digital humanities, and puts translation studies in the context of digital humanities development. By combing and analyzing the changes and developments, it discovers the development prospects of the new translation paradigm from the perspective of digital humanities so as to provide reference and inspiration for promoting the development of translation studies under the digital humanities approach.

Visualizing DNA/RNA, Proteins, and Small Molecule Metabolites within Live Cells.

Live cell imaging is essential for obtaining spatial and temporal insights into dynamic molecular events within heterogeneous individual cells, in situ intracellular networks, and in vivo organisms. Molecular tracking in live cells is also a critical and general requirement for studying dynamic physiological processes in cell biology, cancer, developmental biology, and neuroscience. Alongside this context, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research progress in live-cell imaging of RNAs, DNAs, proteins, and small-molecule metabolites, as well as their applications in molecular diagnosis, immunodiagnosis, and biochemical diagnosis. A series of advanced live-cell imaging techniques have been introduced and summarized, including high-precision live-cell imaging, high-resolution imaging, low-abundance imaging, multidimensional imaging, multipath imaging, rapid imaging, and computationally driven live-cell imaging methods, all of which offer valuable insights for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This review article also addresses the current challenges, potential solutions, and future development prospects in this field.

Best practices to evaluate the impact of biomedical research software-metric collection beyond citations.

Software is vital for the advancement of biology and medicine. Impact evaluations of scientific software have primarily emphasized traditional citation metrics of associated papers, despite these metrics inadequately capturing the dynamic picture of impact and despite challenges with improper citation. To understand how software developers evaluate their tools, we conducted a survey of participants in the Informatics Technology for Cancer Research (ITCR) program funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). We found that although developers realize the value of more extensive metric collection, they find a lack of funding and time hindering. We also investigated software among this community for how often infrastructure that supports more nontraditional metrics were implemented and how this impacted rates of papers describing usage of the software. We found that infrastructure such as social media presence, more in-depth documentation, the presence of software health metrics, and clear information on how to contact developers seemed to be associated with increased mention rates. Analysing more diverse metrics can enable developers to better understand user engagement, justify continued funding, identify novel use cases, pinpoint improvement areas, and ultimately amplify their software's impact. Challenges are associated, including distorted or misleading metrics, as well as ethical and security concerns. More attention to nuances involved in capturing impact across the spectrum of biomedical software is needed. For funders and developers, we outline guidance based on experience from our community. By considering how we evaluate software, we can empower developers to create tools that more effectively accelerate biological and medical research progress. More information about the analysis, as well as access to data and code is available at https://github.com/fhdsl/ITCR_Metrics_manuscript_website.

Engineering Cells for Cancer Therapy.

ConspectusCells, particularly living cells, serve as natural carriers of bioactive substances. Their inherent low immunogenicity and multifunctionality have garnered significant attention in the realm of disease treatment applications, specifically within the domains of cancer immunotherapy and regenerative tissue repair. Nevertheless, several prominent challenges impede their swift translation into clinical applications, including obstacles related to large-scale production feasibility and high utilization costs. To address these issues comprehensively, researchers have proposed the notion of bionic cells that are synthetically generated through chemical or biosynthetic means to emulate cellular functions and behaviors. However, artificial cell strategies encounter difficulties in fully replicating the intricate functionalities exhibited by living cells while also grappling with the complexities associated with design implementation for clinical translation purposes. The convergence of disciplines has facilitated the reform of living cells through a range of approaches, including chemical-, biological-, genetic-, and materials-based methods. These techniques can be employed to impart specific functions to cells or enhance the efficacy of therapy. For example, cells are engineered through gene transduction, surface modifications, endocytosis of drugs as delivery systems, and membrane fusion. The concept of engineered cells presents a promising avenue for enhancing control over living cells, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy while concurrently mitigating toxic side effects and ultimately facilitating the realization of precision medicine.In this Account, we present a comprehensive overview of our recent research advancements in the field of engineered cells. Our work involves the application of biological or chemical engineering techniques to manipulate endogenous cells for therapeutics or drug delivery purposes. For instance, to avoid the laborious process of isolating, modifying, and expanding engineered cells in vitro, we proposed the concept of in situ engineered cells. By applying a hydrogel loaded with nanoparticles carrying edited chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) plasmids within the postoperative cavity of glioma, we successfully targeted tumor-associated macrophages for gene editing, leading to effective tumor recurrence inhibition. Furthermore, leveraging platelet's ability to release microparticles upon activation at injury sites, we modified antiprogrammed death 1 (PD-1) antibodies on their surface to suppress postoperative tumor recurrence and provide immunotherapy for inoperable tumors. Similarly, by exploiting bacteria's active tropism toward sites of inflammation and hypoxia, we delivered protein drugs by engineered bacteria to induce cancer cell death through pyroptosis initiation and immunotherapy strategies. In the final section, we summarize our aforementioned research progress while providing an outlook on cancer therapy and the hurdles for clinical translation with potential solutions or future directions based on the concept of engineered cells.

Research progress in the development of transition metal chalcogenides and their composite-based electrode materials for supercapacitors

Research progress in the development of transition metal chalcogenides and their composite-based electrode materials for supercapacitors

Research Progress on Cardiac Tissue Construction of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Myocardial Infarction.

Heart failure is still the main complication affecting the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an effective treatment to replace necrotic myocardium and improve cardiac functioning. However, the transplant survival rate of MSCs still presents challenges. In this review, the biological characteristics of MSCs, the progress of mechanism research in the treatment of myocardial infarction, and the advances in improving the transplant survival rate of MSCs in the replacement of necrotic myocardial infarction are systematically described. From a basic to advanced clinical research, MSC transplants have evolved from a pure injection, an exosome injection, the genetic modification of MSCs prior to injection to the cardiac tissue engineering of MSC patch grafting. This study shows that MSCs have wide clinical applications in the treatment of AMI, suggesting improved myocardial tissue creation. A broader clinical application prospect will be explored and developed to improve the survival rate of MSC transplants and myocardial vascularization.

Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystal Formation and Deposition: Where Do we Stand and What Does the Future hold?

Although calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) has been known since the 1960s, our understanding of its pathogenesis remains rudimentary. This review aims to illustrate the known mechanisms underlying calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal formation and deposition and explore future directions in research. By examining various perspectives, from basic research to clinical and imaging assessments, as well as new emerging methodologies, we can establish a starting point for a deeper understanding of CPPD pathogenesis. Recent years have seen significant advances in CPPD research, particularly in the clinical field with the development of the 2023 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for CPPD disease, and in imaging with the introduction of the OMERACT ultrasonographic definitions and scoring system. However, progress in basic research has been slower. New laboratory approaches, such as Raman spectroscopy and omics sciences, offer promising insights that may help piece together the puzzle of CPPD. CPPD is a common yet understudied condition. As the population ages and CPPD becomes more prevalent, there is an urgent need to better understand the disease and the mechanisms involved in crystal formation and deposition, in order to improve diagnosis and therapeutic approaches.

Beyond silence: evolving ultrasound strategies in the battle against cardiovascular thrombotic challenges.

Cardiovascular thrombotic events have long been a perplexing factor in clinical settings, influencing patient prognoses significantly. Ultrasound-mediated acoustic therapy, an innovative thrombolytic treatment method known for its high efficiency, non-invasiveness, safety, and convenience, has demonstrated promising potential for clinical applications and has gradually become a focal point in cardiovascular thrombotic disease research. The current challenge lies in the technical complexities of preparing ultrasound-responsive carriers with thrombus-targeting capabilities and high thrombolytic efficiency. Additionally, optimizing the corresponding acoustic treatment mode is crucial to markedly enhance the thrombolytic effectiveness of ultrasound-mediated acoustic therapy. In light of the current status, this article provides a comprehensive review of the research progress in innovative ultrasound-mediated acoustic therapy for cardiovascular thrombotic diseases. It explores the impact of technical methods, therapeutic mechanisms, and influencing factors on the thrombolytic efficiency and clinical potential of ultrasound-mediated acoustic therapy. The review places particular emphasis on identifying solutions and key considerations in addressing the challenges associated with this cutting-edge therapeutic approach.

Advances in anode current collectors with a lithiophilic gradient for lithium metal batteries.

The practical application of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) is inevitably associated with serious safety risks due to the uncontrolled growth of lithium dendrites. Thus, to inhibit the formation of lithium dendrites, many researchers have focused on constructing three-dimensional porous current collectors with a high specific surface area. However, the homogeneous structure of porous collectors does not effectively guide the deposition of lithium metal to the bottom, leading to a phenomenon known as "top-growth." Recently, the construction of 3D porous current collectors with a lithiophilic gradient has been widely reported and regarded as an effective approach to inhibit lithium top-growth, thus improving battery safety. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress on such anode current collector design strategies, including surface modification of different base materials, design of gradient structures, and field factors, emphasizing their lithium-affinity mechanism and the advantages and disadvantages of different collector designs. Finally, we provide a perspective on the future research directions and applications of gradient affinity current collectors.

Application of smart hydrogel materials in cartilage injury repair: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cartilage injury is a common clinical condition, and treatment approaches have evolved over time from traditional conservative and surgical methods to regenerative repair. In this context, hydrogels, as widely used biomaterials in the field of cartilage repair, have garnered significant attention. Particularly, responsive hydrogels (also known as "smart hydrogels") have shown immense potential due to their ability to respond to various physicochemical properties and environmental changes. This paper aims to review the latest research developments of hydrogels in cartilage repair, utilizing a more systematic and comprehensive meta-analysis approach to evaluate the research status and application value of responsive hydrogels. The goal is to determine whether these materials demonstrate favorable therapeutic effects for subsequent clinical applications, thereby offering improved treatment methods for patients with cartilage injuries. This study employed a systematic literature search method to summarize the research progress of responsive hydrogels by retrieving literature on the subject and review studies. The search terms included "hydrogel" and "cartilage," covering data from database inception up to October 2023. The quality of the literature was independently evaluated using Review Manager v5.4 software. Quantifiable data was statistically analyzed using the R language. A total of 7 articles were retrieved for further meta-analysis. In the quality assessment, the studies demonstrated reliability and accuracy. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that responsive hydrogels exhibit unique advantages and effective therapeutic outcomes in the field of cartilage repair. Subgroup analysis revealed potential influences of factors such as different types of hydrogels and animal models on treatment effects. Responsive hydrogels show significant therapeutic effects and substantial application potential in the field of cartilage repair. This study provides strong scientific evidence for their further clinical applications and research, with the hope of promoting advancements in the treatment of cartilage injuries.

Chinese expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of antirheumatic drug-induced liver injury(2024)

Rheumatic diseases are a common group of chronic diseases that typically require long-term medication to control. Antirheumatic drugs may cause liver damage which requires prompt detection treatment to avoid irreversible damage. Liver damage induced by medication for rheumatoid arthritis has unique clinical manifestations and is difficult to distinguish from liver diseases related to the primary illness, often requiring the involvement of hepatologists to discuss and determine the treatment plan. To improve the understanding and management of anti rheumatic drug-induced liver injury among clinicians, especially rheumatologists, the Rheumatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and other experts in related fields formed this consensus after multiple discussions and revisions based on relevant research progress in recent years. Based on the Chinese Guidelines for diagnosis and management of drug-induced liver injury (2023), this consensus highlights the characteristics of rheumatic diseases and rheumatology medications, clarifies the anti rheumatic drugs that can cause liver injury, the liver injury caused by rheumatic diseases, the susceptible groups of anti rheumatic drug-induced injury, the diagnostic process of anti rheumatic drug-induced liver injury, and the indications for rheumatology physicians' consultation in the case of anti rheumatic drug-induced liver injury. It is hoped that the content of this consensus will be useful for practicing rheumatologists and that it can provide guidance for rheumatologists in the scientific management of anti rheumatic drug-induced liver injury.

De Novo Genes.

Although the majority of annotated new genes in a given genome appear to have arisen from duplication-related mechanisms, recent studies have shown that genes can also originate de novo from ancestrally nongenic sequences. Investigating de novo-originated genes offers rich opportunities to understand the origin and functions of new genes, their regulatory mechanisms, and the associated evolutionary processes. Such studies have uncovered unexpected and intriguing facets of gene origination, offering novel perspectives on the complexity of the genome and gene evolution. In this review, we provide an overview of the research progress in this field, highlight recent advancements, identify key technical and conceptual challenges, and underscore critical questions that remain to be addressed.