Mechanisms of tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment formation in esophageal cancer

As a highly invasive malignancy,esophageal cancer(EC)is a global health issue,and was the eighth most prevalent cancer and the sixth leading cause of cancerrelated death worldwide in 2020.Due to its highly immunogenic nature,emerging immunotherapy approaches,such as immune checkpoint blockade,have demonstrated promising efficacy in treating EC;however,certain limitations and challenges still exist.In addition,tumors may exhibit primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapy in the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME);thus,understanding the TIME is urgent and crucial,especially given the importance of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumor progression.The aim of this review was to better elucidate the mechanisms of the suppressive TIME,including cell infiltration,immune cell subsets,cytokines and signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment of EC patients,as well as the downregulated expression of major histocompatibility complex molecules in tumor cells,to obtain a better understanding of the differences in EC patient responses to immunotherapeutic strategies and accurately predict the efficacy of immunotherapies.Therefore,personalized treatments could be developed to maximize the advantages of immunotherapy.

预制炭黑/尼龙6纤维网络在导电高分子复合材料中的逾渗行为

通过超声法将炭黑(CB)粒子固定在静电纺丝尼龙6(PA6)纤维膜表面,制备出一系列具有不同CB含量的CB/PA6导电纤维薄膜。利用热压成型法将制备的导电纤维膜与高密度聚乙烯(HDPE)粉末热压复合,制备出CB/PA6/HDPE导电高分子复合材料(CPC)。扫描电子显微镜图片显示,CB粒子均匀地锚固在PA6纤维表面,且CB/PA6导电纤维膜在HDPE基体中形成连续的导电网络结构。研究了材料的导电逾渗行为,发现CB/PA6/HDPE复合材料的逾渗值仅为2.5%,显著低于传统的CB/HDPE复合材料的逾渗值(8.5%)。同时,由于CB/PA6/HDPE复合材料具有特殊的预制CB/PA6导电纤维网络状结构,PA6电纺纤维膜的含量在复合材料体系中也呈现出有趣的逾渗行为。

A Healable and Mechanically Enhanced Composite with Segregated Conductive Network Structure for High‑Efficient Electromagnetic Interference Shielding

It is still challenging for conductive polymer composite-based electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding materials to achieve long-term stability while maintaining high EMI shielding effectiveness(EMI SE),especially undergoing external mechanical stimuli,such as scratches or large deformations.Herein,an electrostatic assembly strategy is adopted to design a healable and segregated carbon nanotube(CNT)/graphene oxide(GO)/polyurethane(PU)composite with excellent and reliable EMI SE,even bearing complex mechanical condition.The negatively charged CNT/GO hybrid is facilely adsorbed on the surface of positively charged PU microsphere to motivate formation of segregated conductive networks in CNT/GO/PU composite,establishing a high EMI SE of 52.7 dB at only 10 wt%CNT/GO loading.The Diels–Alder bonds in PU microsphere endow the CNT/GO/PU composite suffering three cutting/healing cycles with EMI SE retention up to 90%.Additionally,the electrostatic attraction between CNT/GO hybrid and PU microsphere helps to strong interfacial bonding in the composite,resulting in high tensile strength of 43.1 MPa and elongation at break of 626%.The healing efficiency of elongation at break achieves 95%when the composite endured three cutting/healing cycles.This work demonstrates a novel strategy for developing segregated EMI shielding composite with healable features and excellent mechanical performance and shows great potential in the durable and high precision electrical instruments.

Associations of gut microbiota with dyslipidemia based on sex differences in subjects from Northwestern China

BACKGROUND The gut microbiota(GM)has been proven to play a role in the regulation of host lipid metabolism,which provides a new theory about the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia.However,the associations of GM with dyslipidemia based on sex differences remain unclear and warrant elucidation.AIM To investigate the associations of GM features with serum lipid profiles based on sex differences in a Chinese population.METHODS This study ultimately recruited 142 participants(73 females and 69 males)at Honghui Hospital,Xi’an Jiaotong University.The anthropometric and blood metabolic parameters of all participants were measured.According to their serum lipid levels,female and male participants were classified into a high triglyceride(H_TG)group,a high total cholesterol(H_CHO)group,a low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(L_HDL-C)group,and a control(CON)group with normal serum lipid levels.Fresh fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing.UPARSE software,QIIME software,the RDP classifier and the FAPROTAX database were used for sequencing analyses.RESULTS The GM composition at the phylum level included Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as the core GM.Different GM features were identified between females and males,and the associations between GM and serum lipid profiles were different in females and males.The GM features in different dyslipidemia subgroups changed in both female patients and male patients.Proteobacteria,Lactobacillaceae,Lactobacillus and Lactobacillus_salivarius were enriched in H_CHO females compared with CON females,while Coriobacteriia were enriched in L_HDL-C females.In the comparison among the three dyslipidemia subgroups in females,Lactobacillus_salivarius were enriched in H_CHO females,and Prevotellaceae were enriched in L_HDL-C females.Compared with CON or H_TG males,Prevotellaceae,unidentified_Ruminococcaceae,Roseburia and Roseburia_inulinivorans were decreased in L_HDL-C males(P value<0.05),and linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis indicated an enrichment of the above GM taxa in H_TG males compared with other male subgroups.Additionally,Roseburia_inulinivorans abundance was positively correlated with serum TG and total cholesterol levels,and Roseburia were positively correlated with serum TG level.Furthermore,Proteobacteria(0.724,95%CI:0.567-0.849),Lactobacillaceae(0.703,95%CI:0.544-0.832),Lactobacillus(0.705,95%CI:0.547-0.834)and Lactobacillus_salivarius(0.706,95%CI:0.548-0.835)could distinguish H_CHO females from CON females,while Coriobacteriia(0.710,95%CI:0.547-0.841),Coriobacteriales(0.710,95%CI:0.547-0.841),Prevotellaceae(0.697,95%CI:0.534-0.830),Roseburia(0.697,95%CI:0.534-0.830)and Roseburia_inulinivorans(0.684,95%CI:0.520-0.820)could discriminate H_TG males from CON males.Based on the predictions of GM metabolic capabilities with the FAPROTAX database,a total of 51 functional assignments were obtained in females,while 38 were obtained in males.This functional prediction suggested that cellulolysis increased in L_HDL-C females compared with CON females,but decreased in L_HDL-C males compared with CON males.CONCLUSION This study indicates associations of GM with serum lipid profiles,supporting the notion that GM dysbiosis may participate in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia,and sex differences should be considered.

Circulating exosomal miRNAs as potential biomarkers for Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

Exosomes,a class of extracellular vesicles,are small membrane-bound vesicles derived from almost all cell types that can play important roles in intercellular communication.Exosomes contain proteins,lipids,and nucleic acids that are obtained from the parental cells and participate in various pathophysiological processes,including cell growth,migration,inflammation,immune regulation,and tumor pathogenesis.Moreover,exosomes might be applied in clinical settings,such as diagnosis,treatment,and outcome prediction of diseases,including various cancers.The incidence rates of Barrett's esophagus(BE)and esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC)have increased in recent decades,and studies have proposed specific factors that may contribute to the development and progression of these diseases.However,how exosomes play a role in this pathological process needs to be clarified.Studies have identified candidate microRNAs(miRNAs)that might be related to BE/EAC.Further studies are needed to ascertain whether circulating exosomal miRNAs are altered before or after disease onset,which could also help understand the pathophysiology of and find potential targets for prevention,diagnosis,and therapy in BE/EAC.This review summarizes recent findings on the features of circulating exosomal miRNAs in BE/EAC,which could be valuable for the early diagnosis,therapeutic approaches,and outcome prediction of BE/EAC.

Building of multifunctional and hierarchical H_(x)MoO_(3)/PNIPAM hydrogel for high-efficiency solar vapor generation

Solar distillation is a sustainable and promising technique to generate fresh water.However,the solar vapor generation is a high energy consumption process,resulting in a low water yield under natural sunlight.Hence,developing of advanced evaporators that can simultaneously reduce the energy requirement of water vaporization and accelerate solar water evaporation remains a great challenge.In this study,we report the fabrication of a multifunctional hydrogel of H_(x)Mo O_(3)/PNIPAM with PNIPAM as hydratable skeleton and H_(x)Mo O_(3) as the light-absorbing unit for solar water evaporation.The experimental results demonstrate that the as-prepared hydrogel owns excellent photothermal activity.Accurately,the fabricated hydrogel-based solar evaporators achieved high water evaporation rate of 1.65 kg m^(-2)h^(-1)with the energy conversion efficiency of 85.87%under 1 k W m^(-2)irradiation.The enhanced photothermal activity of H_(x)Mo O_(3)/PNIPAM hydrogel can be attributed to the synergistic effects of the components composed in this hierarchical architecture that change the water state and further speed up water evaporation.The H_(x)Mo O_(3)/PNIPAM evaporators indicate its great potential for practical implementation of solar water evaporation.

Effect of Loading Paths on Hydroforming Tubular Square Components

The influence of loading path on tube hydroforming process is discussed in this paper with finiteelement simulation. Four different loading paths are utilized in simulating the forming process of square tubular component with hydroforming and the result of different loading path is presented. Among the result. the thickness distribution of bilinear loading path is the most uniform one. It shows that the increase of punch displacement in the stage of high pressure is beneficial to the forming of component for optimized Stress condition.

基于深度学习辅助的智能可穿戴心血管精确监测系统

Cardiovascular diseases have become the major disease in the world, which threatens tens of millions of people’s lives [1]. Therefore, it is necessary to early detect and timely intervene the cardiovascular diseases by capturing the blood pressure to assess the cardiovascular state, thus shitting quality of life. The conventional method of evaluating heart and cardiac state can only depend on the professional device performed by the medical workers in the hospital [2]. Therefore, a smart testing system with operability and high accuracy is urgently needed to meet the fast growth in personalized demand.

Low-temperature caproate production,microbial diversity,and metabolic pathway in xylose anaerobic fermentation

Mixed culture fermentation(MCF)is challenged by the unqualified activity of enriched bacteria and unwanted methane dissolution under low temperatures.In this work,caproate production from xylose was investigated by MCF at a low temperature(20°C).The results showed that a 9 d long hydraulic retention time(HRT)in a continuously stirred tank reactor was necessary for caproate production(~0.3 g/L,equal to 0.6 g COD/L)from xylose(10 g/L).The caproate concentration in the batch mode was further increased to 1.6 g/L.However,changing the substrate to ethanol did not promote caproate production,resulting in~1.0 g/L after 45 d of operation.Four genera,Bifidobacterium,Caproiciproducens,Actinomyces,and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_12,were identified as the enriched caproate-producing bacteria.The enzymes in the fatty acid biosynthesis(FAB)pathway for caproate production were identified via metagenomic analysis.The enzymes for the conversion of(C_(n+2))-2,3-Dehydroxyacyl-CoA to(C_(n+2))-Acyl-CoA(i.e.,EC 1.3.1.8 and EC 1.3.1.38)in the reverseβ-oxidation(RBO)pathway were not identified.These results could extend the understanding of low-temperature caproate production.

Source characteristics of the mainshock and aftershocks of the 2019 Changning earthquake sequence:Implications for fluid effects

The 2019 M_(S)6.0 Changning earthquake occurred in the tectonically stable Sichuan Basin,where the epicenter and its adjacent areas are important shale gas and salt mine production fields,resulting in hot debates on whether the seismogenic mechanism of the 2019 Changning earthquake is related to human activities.As source characteristics and fluid pressure can provide important constraints on whether an earthquake is induced,weinvestigate the seismogenic mechanisms of the mainshock and 9 MW≥4.0 aftershocks.In overall,the mainshock and the majority of the aftershocks are characterized by relatively shallow focal depths(1‒4 km)and significant non-double-couple(non-DC)components.However,the mainshock and the aftershocks differ in two aspects:(1)the compensated-linear-vector-dipole components dominate the non-DC components of the mainshock,whereas the isotropic components dominate the most aftershocks;(2)the fluid overpressure of the mainshock is over 30 MPa,whereas the fluid overpressure of the most aftershocks is less than 10 MPa.Thus,we propose that the mainshock is triggered by weakened fault strength with long-term fluid injection,and that its large non-DC components are associated withcomplex rupture processes.Comparatively,the aftershocks may be triggered by postseismic stress transfer by combining the Coulomb failure stress changes in the poroelastic medium.Our results highlight the possible role of fluid in the occurrence of the Changning earthquake sequence.

Free-standing polymer-metal-organic framework membrane with high proton conductivity and water stability

As a new class of porous material,polymer-metal-organic framework(polyMOF)has attracted tremendous interests owing to their combined advantages of polymer and crystalline MOF.However,the poor film-forming ability of polyMOF limits its widespread application,especially in membrane separation area.Herein,for the first time,we demonstrate the fabrication of freestanding polyMOF membrane.The polyMOF nanosheets are synthesized by a polymer-assisted self-inhibition crystal growth strategy.Followed by self-assembly through vacuum filtration,a 20μm-thick free-standing polyMOF membrane is constructed.Benefiting from the inclusion of polymer with hydrophobic backbone and the continuously distributed non-coordinated hydrophilic groups along polymer chain,the polyMOF membrane attains excellent structure stability against water,as well as superior proton transfer property.Proton conductivity as high as 112 and 25.6 mS·cm^(–1)is obtained by this polyMOF membrane at 100%and 20%relative humidity(RH),respectively,which are two orders of magnitude higher than those of pristine MOF.The conductivity under low humidity(20%RH)is even over 8 times higher than that of commercial Nafion membrane(3 mS·cm^(–1)).This study may provide some guidance on the development of polyMOF membranes.

One-step and Continuous Fabrication of Coaxial Piezoelectric Fiber for Sensing Application

Although there has been rapid advancement in piezoelectric sensors,challenges still remain in developing wearable piezoelectric sensors by a one-step,continuous and environmentally friendly method.In this work,a 1D flexible coaxial piezoelectric fiber was directly fabricated by melt extrusion molding,whose core and sheath layer are respectively slender steel wire(i.e.,electrode)and PVDF(i.e.,piezoelectric layer).Moreover,such 1D flexible coaxial piezoelectric fiber possesses short response time and high sensitivity,which can be used as a selfpowered sensor for bending and vibration sensing.More interestingly,such 1D flexible coaxial piezoelectric fiber(1D-PFs)can be further endowed with 3D helical structure.Moreover,a wearable and washable motion monitoring system can be constructed via braiding such 3D helical piezoelectric fiber(3D-PF)into commercial textiles.This work paves a new way for developing 1D and 3D piezoelectric fibers through a one-step,continuous and environmentally friendly method,showing potential applications in the field of sensing and wearable electronics.

Rapid rupture characterization for the 2023 M_(S)6.2 Jishishan earthquake

On December 18,2023,the MS 6.2 Jishishan earthquake occurred in the northeastern region of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,causing heavy casualties and property damage in Gansu and Qinghai Provinces.In this study,we integrate space imaging geodesy,finite fault inversion,and back-projection methods to decipher its rupture property,including fault geometry,coseismic slip distribution,rupture direction,and propagation speed.The results reveal that the seismogenic fault dips to the southwest at an angle of 29
.The major slip asperity is dominated by reverse slip and is concentrated within a depth range of 7-16 km,which explains the significant uplift near the epicenter observed by both the Sentinel-1 ascending and descending InSAR data.Moreover,the teleseismic array waveforms indicate a northwest propagating rupture with an overall slow rupture velocity of~1.91 km/s(AK array)or 1.01 km/s(AU array).

A competitive microcystin-LR immunosensor based on Au NPs@metal-organic framework(MIL-101)

An electrochemical immunosensor was developed for ultrasensitive detection of microcystin-LR in water. MIL-101, a porous metal-organic frameworks(MOFs) material based on trivalent chromium skeleton were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis method, and loaded with Au nanoparticles(Au NPs) to prepare Au NPs@MIL-101 composite materials which were used as a marker to label anti microcystin-LR(Anti-MC-LR). The composite materials have strong catalytic properties to the oxidation of ascorbic acid. Anti-MC-LR was immobilized on glassy carbon electrode surface using electrodeposition graphene oxide(GO) as an immobilization matrix to construct a competitive microcystin-LR immunosensor. The electrochemical immunosensor display linear relationship in the range of 0.05 ng/mL-75 μg/mL with linear correlation coefficient of 0.9951 and detection limit of 0.02 ng/mL(S/N = 3). This sensor was used to detect microcystin-LR in the water sample. The recovery was 102.43%,which is satisfied. The good testing results indicate the sensor has a great prospect in practical application.

Highly enhanced microwave absorption for carbon nanotube/barium ferrite composite with ultra-low carbon nanotube loading

Barium ferrite(BaFe_(12)O_(19))is considered as potential microwave absorption(MA)material thanks to the large saturation magnetization,high Curie temperature,and excellent chemical stability.The integration of carbon nanotube(CNT)can improve the dielectric loss of BaFe_(12)O_(19)for further enhanced MA perfor-mance,nevertheless,the MA performance is still not desirable because of the poor CNT dispersion in the CNT/BaFe_(12)O_(19)composites,which usually prepared via the ball-milling method,unless high CNT loading was used.Herein,according to the thermal stability of CNT in different atmosphere and the formation mechanism of BaFe_(12)O_(19)from precursor,CNT was introduced in the precursor of BaFe_(12)O_(19)uniformly during auto-ignition process and calcined under different atmosphere.When CNT loading is only 2.0 wt%,the CNT/BaFe_(12)O_(19)composites obtained exhibits a minimum reflection loss(RL_(min))of-43.9 dB and effective bandwidth(with RL<-10 dB)of 3.9 GHz with the thickness of 1.5 mm,which are much supe-rior to-10.2 dB and 2.2 GHz for pure BaFe_(12)O_(19),and-13.6 dB and 2.5 GHz for CNT/BaFe_(12)O_(19)composite prepared by ball-milling method.These results may pave the way to design high-performance BaFe_(12)O_(19)based microwave absorbers.

Flexible conductive polymer composites for smart wearable strain sensors

Wearable strain sensors based on flexible conductive polymer composites(FCPCs)have attracted great attention due to their applications in the fields of human–machine interaction,disease diagnostics,human motion detection,and soft robotic skin.In recent decades,FCPC‐based strain sensors with high stretchability and sensitivity,short response time,and excellent stability have been developed,which are expected to be more versatile and intelligent.Smart strain sensors are required to provide wearable comfort,such as breathability,selfcooling ability,and so forth.To adapt to the harsh environment,wearable strain sensors should also be highly adaptive to protect the skin and the sensor itself.In addition,portable power supply system,multisite sensing capability,and multifunctionality are crucial for the next generation of FCPC‐based strain sensor.

Facile fabrication of highly durable superhydrophobic strain sensors for subtle human motion detection

Endowing strain sensors with superhydrophobicity is of great importance to guarantee their long-term service under harsh environments(such as wet,acid,alkali and salt atmospheres),whereas,the development of superhydrophobic strain sensors remains a great challenge.Herein,we realized a superhydrophobic and highly sensitive sensor for subtle human motion detection by designing a superhydrophobic and electrically conductive coating on cotton textile,via a facile drop-coating method.The resultant strain sensor showed a large water contact angle of 161.3°and a low sliding angle of 3.8°The superhydrophobic characteristics can keep almost unchanged even after undergoing 1000 peeling cycles,1000 stretchingrelease cycles,and 1000 bending-releasing cycles,revealing its excellent mechanical robustness.High sensitivity with the maximum gage factor of 169 was achieved for the strain sensor under a small strain of0–10%,and the sensing performance also showed well durability.Moreover,our sensor can effectively detect various subtle human physiological signals and body motions even under harsh conditions.These admirable features make the sensor promising applications in wearable electronics,personalized health monitoring,sound recognition,and so on.

NONLINEAR CURRENT-VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF CONDUCTIVE POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES WITH CARBON BLACK FILLED PET MICROFIBRILS

Current-voltage electrical behavior of in situ microfibrillar carbon black （CB）/poly（ethylene terephthalate） （PET）/polyethylene （PE） （m-CB/PET/PE） composites with various CB concentrations at ambient temperatures was studied under a direct-current electric field. The current-voltage （l-V） curves exhibited nonlinearity beyond a critical value of voltage. The dynamic random resistor network （DRRN） model was adopted to semi-qualitatively explain the nonlinear conduction behavior of m-CB/PET/PE composites. Macroscopic nonlinearity originated from the interfacial interactions between CB/PET micro fibrils and additional conduction channels. Combined with the special conductive networks, an illustration was proposed to interpret the nonlinear 1-V characteristics by a field emission or tunneling mechanism between CB particles in the CB/PET micro fibers intersections.

An Ultrasensitive, Durable and Stretchable Strain Sensor with Crack-wrinkle Structure for Human Motion Monitoring

Flexible strain sensor has promising features in successful application of health monitoring, electronic skins and smart robotics, etc.Here, we report an ultrasensitive strain sensor with a novel crack-wrinkle structure(CWS) based on graphite nanoplates(GNPs)/thermoplastic urethane(TPU)/polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) nanocomposite. The CWS is constructed by pressing and dragging GNP layer on TPU substrate,followed by encapsulating with PDMS as a protective layer. On the basis of the area statistics, the ratio of the crack and wrinkle structures accounts for 31.8% and 9.5%, respectively. When the sensor is stretched, the cracks fracture, the wrinkles could reduce the unrecoverable destruction of cracks, resulting in an excellent recoverability and stability. Based on introduction of the designed CWS in the sensor, the hysteresis effect is limited effectively. The CWS sensor possesses a satisfactory sensitivity(GF=750 under 24% strain), an ultralow detectable limit(strain=0.1%) and a short respond time of 90 ms. For the sensing service behaviors, the CWS sensor exhibits an ultrahigh durability(high stability>2×10^(4) stretching-releasing cycles). The excellent practicality of CWS sensor is demonstrated through various human motion tests,including vigorous exercises of various joint bending, and subtle motions of phonation, facial movements and wrist pulse. The present CWS sensor shows great developing potential in the field of cost-effective, portable and high-performance electronic skins.