[Treatment of intrauterine adhesions in rats with hypoxia-cultured BMSC-derived exosomes]

Objective: To perform intrauterine adhesion modeling, and to investigate the repair effect of hypoxic treated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) and their derived exosomes (BMSC-exo) on endometrial injury. Methods: BMSC and their exosomes BMSC-exo extracted from rats' femur were cultured under conventional oxygen condition (21%O2) or hypoxia condition (1%O2). Intrauterine adhesion modeling was performed on 40 healthy female SD rats by intrauterine injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide after curettage. On the 28th day of modeling, 40 rat models were randomly divided into five groups, and interventions were performed: (1) NC group: 0.2 ml phosphate buffered solution was injected into each uterine cavity; (2) BMSC group: 0.2 ml BMSC (1×106/ml) with conventional oxygen culture was injected intrauterine; (3) L-BMSC group: 0.2 ml of hypoxic cultured BMSC (1×106/ml) was injected intrauterine; (4) BMSC-exo group: 0.2 ml of BMSC-exo cultured with conventional oxygen at a concentration of 500 μg/ml was injected into the uterine cavity; (5) L-BMSC-exo group: 0.2 ml hypoxic cultured BMSC-exo (500 μg/ml) was injected intrauterine. On the 14th and 28th day of treatment, four rats in each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation after anesthesia, and endometrial tissues were collected. Then HE and Masson staining were used to observe and calculate the number of glands and fibrosis area in the endometrium. The expressions of angiogenesis related cytokines [vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and CD31], and fibrosis-related proteins [collagen-Ⅰ, collagen-Ⅲ, smooth muscle actin α (α-SMA), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)] in endometrial tissues were detected by western blot. Results: (1) HE and Masson staining showed that the number of endometrial glands in L-BMSC group, BMSC-exo group and L-BMSC-exo group increased and the fibrosis area decreased compared with NC group on the 14th and 28th day of treatment (all P<0.05). Noteworthily, the changes of L-BMSC-exo group were more significant than those of BMSC-exo group (all P<0.05), and the changes of BMSC-exo group were greater than those of BMSC group (all P<0.05). (2) Western blot analysis showed that, compared with NC group, the expressions of collagen-Ⅲ and TGF-β1 in BMSC group, L-BMSC group, BMSC-exo group and L-BMSC-exo group decreased on the 14th and 28th day of treatment (all P<0.05). As the treatment time went on, the expressions of fibrosis-related proteins were different. Compared with BMSC group, the expressions of collagen-Ⅲ, α-SMA and TGF-β1 in the BMSC-exo group and L-BMSC group decreased on the 28th day (all P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of collagen-Ⅲ and TGF-β1 in L-BMSC-exo group were lower than those in BMSC-exo group on the 28th day (all P<0.05). And the expressions of collagen-Ⅰ, α-SMA and TGF-β1 in L-BMSC-exo group were lower than those in L-BMSC group on the 28th day (all P<0.05). (3) The results of western blot analysis of VEGFA and CD31 showed that, the expressions of VEGFA and CD31 in BMSC group, L-BMSC group, BMSC-exo group and L-BMSC-exo group increased on the 14th and 28th day of treatment compared with NC group (all P<0.05). Treatment for 28 days, the expressions of VEGFA and CD31 in BMSC-exo group and CD31 in L-BMSC group were higher than those in BMSC group (all P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of VEGFA and CD31 in L-BMSC-exo group were higher than those in BMSC-exo group and L-BMSC group on the 28th day (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Treatment of BMSC and their exosomes BMSC-exo with hypoxia could promote endometrial gland hyperplasia, inhibit tissue fibrosis, and further repair the damaged endometrium in rats with intrauterine adhesion. Importantly, hypoxic treatment of BMSC-exo is the most effective in intrauterine adhesion rats.

Hexagonal Monolayer Ice without Shared Edges

When adsorbed on solids, water molecules are usually arranged into a honeycomb hydrogen-bond network. Here we report the discovery of a novel monolayer ice built exclusively from water hexamers but without shared edges, distinct from all conventional ice phases. Water grown on graphite crystalizes into a robust monolayer ice after annealing, attaining an exceedingly high density of 0.134  Å^{-2}. Unlike chemisorbed ice on metal surfaces, the ice monolayer can translate and rotate on graphite terraces and grow across steps, confirming its two-dimensional nature. First-principles calculations identify the monolayer ice structure as a robust self-assembly of closely packed water hexamers without edge sharing, whose stability is maintained by maximizing the number of intralayer hydrogen bonds on inert surfaces.

Chirality switching of the self-assembled CuPc domains induced by electric field

Chiral switching of the self-assembled domains of CuPc molecules on the Cd(0001) surface has been investigated by means of a low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). With the coverage increasing, the CuPc molecules show the structural evolutions from an initial gas-like state to a network phase, a square phase, and finally to a compact phase at full monolayer. In the network and square phases, the achiral CuPc molecules reveal both the point chirality and chiral domains. In particular, the chirality of network domain can be switched from one enantiomer to another driven by the electric filed from a STM tip, which can also lead to the lattice rotation of network phase. These results demonstrate that (i) there is strong interaction between the CuPc molecules and STM tip; (ii) the adsorbed CuPc molecules carry considerable net charge or polarizability due to the charge transfer; (iii) the network phase has a low barrier for the interconversion between right- and left-handed domains. Our findings are significant for the understanding and control of the domain's chirality in the self-assembled structures.

84% efficiency improvement in all-inorganic perovskite light-emitting diodes assisted by a phosphorescent material

A novel mixed perovskite emitter layer is applied to design all-inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with high electroluminescence (EL) performance, by combining CsPbBr₃ with iridium(iii)bis[2-(4′,6′-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-N,C²′]-picolinate (FIrpic), where FIrpic is a phosphorescent material with very high internal quantum efficiency (IQE) approaching 100%. The CsPbBr₃:FIrpic PeLEDs show a maximum luminance of 5486 cd m⁻², and an external quantum efficiency of 0.47%, which are 1.84 and 1.76 times that of neat CsPbBr₃ PeLEDs, respectively. It is found that FIrpic molecules as an assistant dopant can efficiently transmit energy from the excitons of FIrpic to the excited state of the CsPbBr₃ emitter via a Förster energy transfer process, leading to enhanced EL efficiency in the CsPbBr₃:FIrpic PeLEDs.

Remarkable EL performance is achieved in CsPbBr₃:FIrpic perovskite light-emitting diodes assisted by a phosphorescent material.

Supramolecular Motors on Graphite Surface Stabilized by Charge States and Hydrogen Bonds

Molecular motors are nanoscale machines that convert external energies into controlled mechanical movements. In supramolecular motors, the rotator and stator are held together mechanically, and thus the rotation can be essentially barrier free when molecular conformation is negligible. However, nearly all the supramolecular motors appeared in solutions or host-guest complexes. Surface-mounted supramolecular motors have rarely been addressed, even though they are easily manipulated by external fields. Here we report a surface-mounted supramolecular motor assembled by charge states and hydrogen bonds. On a graphite surface, individual ethanol clusters can be charged with a scanning tunneling microscopy tip and then trap the ethanol chains with a permanent dipole moment. Serving as a rotator, the trapped ethanol chains rotate around a charged cluster driven by the inelastic tunneling electrons. Random rotation in clockwise or anticlockwise direction occurs in the chiral molecular chains through chiral flipping. Directional rotation with clockwise chirality can be realized by introducing a chiral branch to the near end of ethanol chains to suppress the chiral flipping with steric hindrance.

Nearly 100% Efficiency Enhancement of CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes by Utilizing Plasmonic Au Nanoparticles

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have drawn considerable attention due to their great potentials in lighting and displaying. Despite great progress being demonstrated in perovskites light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), the commercialization of PeLEDs was still limited by their low efficiencies and poor device stabilities. Utilizing the metallic nanoparticles was a feasible way to further improve the efficiencies of PeLEDs. Herein, substantially enhanced electroluminescent performance of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃-based PeLEDs were first demonstrated by incorporating plasmonic gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) into the hole injection layer of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). Compared to the reference device without Au NPs, 109% enhancement in maximum luminance and 97% enhancement in maximum EQE were achieved upon 9 vol % Au NPs doping. Such enhancements can be ascribed to the localized surface plasmon resonance between Au NPs and CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ excitons, as well as the enhanced electrical conductivity of modified PEDOT:PSS. Our studies indicated great potential of Au NPs in developing highly efficient PeLEDs.

Highly Efficient Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes Incorporating Full Film Coverage and Bipolar Charge Injection

Solution-processable organometal halide perovskites have been emerging as very promising materials for light-emitting diodes (LEDs) because of their high color purity, low cost, and high photoluminescence quantum yield. However, their electroluminescent performance is still limited by incomplete surface coverage and inefficient charge injection into the perovskite. Here, we demonstrate highly efficient perovskite LEDs (PeLEDs) incorporating full film coverage and bipolar charge injection within the active layer by introducing perovskite precursor poly(9-vinylcarbazole):1,3,5-tris(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)benzene (PVK:TPBi) toluene solution into CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ N,N-dimethylformamide solution. Both the film coverage and the charge injections were simultaneously improved by antisolvent of toluene and PVK:TPBi matrix, respectively. After the film morphology and weight ratio of PVK:TPBi were carefully adjusted, the optimal PeLEDs gave efficient emission with turn-on voltage of ∼2.8 V, maximum luminance of ∼7263 cd/m², maximum current efficiency of ∼9.45 cd/A, and maximum external quantum efficiency of ∼2.28%, which are among the best results based on MAPbBr₃ reported to date.

30-Fold efficiency enhancement achieved in the perovskite light-emitting diodes

30-Fold enhancement in electroluminescent performance in PeLEDs based on nearly 100% coverage perovskite film treated by only pumping away.

Protective effect of interleukin-10 and recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor-2 on ventilation-induced lung injury in rats

A rat model of ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI) during anesthesia was generated to investigate the potential role and possible mechanism of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor-2 (rhKGF-2) in protecting anesthetized rats against VILI. A total of 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (N = 10 each): control, VILI, IL-10, rhKGF-2, and IL-10 + rhKGF-2. The VILI (model) group was generated via ventilation, with a tidal volume of 20 mL/kg. Rats in the IL-10 and rhKGF-2 groups received 8 mg/kg IL-10 and 5 mg/kg rhKGF-2, respectively, prior to ventilation. The rats in the IL-10 + rhKGF-2 group received both 8 mg/kg IL-10 and 5 mg/kg rhKGF-2 72 h before ventilation. The total number of nucleated cells and neutrophils in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid was quantified, and the pathological changes in the pulmonary tissues examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The transcript and protein levels of surfactant protein C (SP-C) in lung tissues were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. The SP-C mRNA expression in both IL-10 and rhKGF-2 groups was similar to that in the VILI group. However, this was significantly elevated in the combined treatment group (P < 0.05), indicating that IL-10 and rhKGF-2 could synergistically protect the lung tissue from VILI via the enhancement of SP-C mRNA expression in lung tissues. The protein assay showed a decreased level of infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells, in addition to increased expression of SP-C, thereby confirming the efficacy of this treatment in preventing VILI during anesthesia.

Chiral pinwheel clusters lacking local point chirality

The supramolecular pinwheel cluster is a unique chiral structure with evident handedness. Previous studies reveal that the chiral pinwheels are composed of chiral or achiral molecules with polar groups, which result in strong intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen-bonding or dipole interactions. Herein, it is shown that the simple linear aromatic molecule, pentacene, can be self-assembled into large chiral pinwheel clusters on the semimetal Bi(111) surface, due to enhanced intermolecular interactions. The pentacene pinwheels reveal two levels of organizational chirality: the chiral hexamers resulting from asymmetric shifting along the long molecular axis, and chiral arrangement of six hexamers with a rotor motif. Furthermore, a new relation between the local point chirality and organizational chirality is identified from the pinwheels: the former is not essential for the latter in 2D pinwheel clusters of the pentacene molecule.

Comparative studies of pentacene and perfluoropentacene grown on a Bi(0001) surface

We report two distinct growth modes of pentacene (PEN) and perfluoropentacene (PFP) films on a Bi(0001) substrate investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). PEN grows epitaxially on Bi(0001) at room temperature (RT), resulting in the formation of bulk-like crystalline films. In contrast, submonolayer PFP forms a two-dimensional (2D) liquid-like phase with PFP molecules loosely bound on Bi(0001). Beyond one monolayer, the PFP molecules diffuse over very long distances to aggregate into three-dimensional (3D) islands, leading to a rough film morphology. Utilizing the stacking interaction at the PFP/PEN interface, we deposited PFP on the template of an ordered PEN monolayer formed on Bi. It is found that PFP molecules nucleate into ordered crystalline islands with PFP molecules standing-up. The different morphologies of PEN and PFP overlayers can be understood in terms of perfluorination induced decoupling of PFP molecules from the Bi substrate below.

Treating sewage using coimmobilized system of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and activated sludge

Chlorella pyrenoidosa was coimmobilized with activated sludge to produce algae-bacteria beads for sewage treatment. Hydrolysis/acidogenesis pretreatment could improve the symbiotic microenvironment of coimmobilized Chlorella pyrenoidosa and activated sludge, and as a result, promote the removal of nutrients (COD(cr), inorganic nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus) in the sewage. A photo-bioreactor combining hydrolysis/acidogenesis pretreatment and coimmobilized technique was designed to treat sewage continuously. The results show that, the removal efficiencies of COD(cr), NH4(+)-N and TP reached steady state after 4-days of experiment. The removal efficiencies of COD(cr), NH4(+)-N and TP were 59.6%, 59.0% and 60.3% respectively.

Magnetic-field-dependent carrier injection at La2/3Sr1/3MnO3/ and organic semiconductors interfaces

We have fabricated organic diodes utilizing several pi-conjugated organic semiconductors (OSEC) as spacer layers between La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 (LSMO) and various metallic electrodes, and measured their magnetoresistance (MR) and magnetoelectroluminescence (MEL) responses. The devices exhibit large negative high-field MR responses that resemble the MR response of the LSMO electrode, but amplified by approximately 3 orders in the resistance, and accompanied by a positive high-field MEL effect. These magnetic-field effects result from enhanced carrier injection at the LSMO-OSEC interface that is attributed to the anomalous field-dependent Fermi level shift in LSMO.

An experimental study on biomass air-steam gasification in a fluidized bed

The characteristics of biomass air-steam gasification in a fluidized bed are studied in this paper. A series of experiments have been performed to investigate the effects of reactor temperature, steam to biomass ratio (S/B), equivalence ratio (ER) and biomass particle size on gas composition, gas yield, steam decomposition, low heating value (LHV) and carbon conversion efficiency. Over the ranges of the experimental conditions used, the fuel gas yield varied between 1.43 and 2.57 Nm3/kg biomass and the LHV of the fuel gas was between 6741 and 9143 kJ/Nm3. The results showed that higher temperature contributed to more hydrogen production, but too high a temperature lowered gas heating value. The LHV of fuel gas decreased with ER. Compared with biomass air gasification, the introduction of steam improved gas quality. However, excessive steam would lower gasification temperature and so degrade fuel gas quality. It was also shown that a smaller particle was more favorable for higher gas LHV and yield.

Giant magnetoresistance in organic spin-valves

A spin valve is a layered structure of magnetic and non-magnetic (spacer) materials whose electrical resistance depends on the spin state of electrons passing through the device and so can be controlled by an external magnetic field. The discoveries of giant magnetoresistance and tunnelling magnetoresistance in metallic spin valves have revolutionized applications such as magnetic recording and memory, and launched the new field of spin electronics--'spintronics'. Intense research efforts are now devoted to extending these spin-dependent effects to semiconductor materials. But while there have been noteworthy advances in spin injection and detection using inorganic semiconductors, spin-valve devices with semiconducting spacers have not yet been demonstrated. pi-conjugated organic semiconductors may offer a promising alternative approach to semiconductor spintronics, by virtue of their relatively strong electron-phonon coupling and large spin coherence. Here we report the injection, transport and detection of spin-polarized carriers using an organic semiconductor as the spacer layer in a spin-valve structure, yielding low-temperature giant magnetoresistance effects as large as 40 per cent.

Reactive oxygen species activate a Ca2+-dependent cell death pathway in the unicellular organism Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Here we examine a cell death process induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the haemoflagellate Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Ca2+ distribution in cellular compartments was measured with stable transformants expressing aequorin targeted to the cytosol, nucleus or mitochondrion. Within 1.5 h of ROS production, mitochondrial Ca2+ transport was impaired and the Ca2+ barrier between the nuclear envelope and cytosol was disrupted. Consequently the mitochondrion did not accumulate Ca2+ efficiently in response to an extracellular stimulus, and excess Ca2+ accumulated in the nucleus. The terminal transferase deoxytidyl uridine end labelling assay revealed that, 5 h after treatment with ROS, extensive fragmentation of nuclear DNA occurred in over 90% of the cells. Permeability changes in the plasma membrane did not occur until an additional 2 h had elapsed. The intracellular Ca2+ buffer, EGTA acetoxymethyl ester, prevented DNA fragmentation and prolonged the onset of changes in cell permeability. Despite some similarities to apoptosis, nuclease activation was not a consequence of caspase 3, caspase 1, calpain, serine protease, cysteine protease or proteasome activity. Moreover, trypanosomes expressing mouse Bcl-2 were not protected from ROS even though protection from mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS have been reported for mammalian cells. Overall, these results demonstrate that Ca2+ pathways can induce pathology in trypanosomes, although the specific proteins involved might be distinct from those in metazoans.

Trypanosoma brucei: the dynamics of calcium movement between the cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondrion of intact cells

Targeted aequorins (CYT-AEQ, NUC-AEQ, and MT-AEQ) were used to measure Ca2+ concentrations within organelles of live trypanosomes. We determined that the nuclear envelope is a slight barrier to the free diffusion of Ca2+. This situation was especially evident when Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane was stimulated with 200 nM melittin ([Ca2+]cyt = 1.2 +/- 0.4 microM and [Ca2+]nuc = 0.85 +/- 0.15 microM). By contrast, the ionophores nigericin (2.7 microM) or monensin (2 microg/ml) were used to induce Ca2+ efflux from the acidic storage compartment. Small transient elevations in [Ca2+]cyt were observed (peaking at 660 +/- 200 and 580 +/- 120 nM, respectively). Parallel and equivalent changes in [Ca2+1]nuc were recorded. Active accumulation of Ca2+ into the nucleus was not observed. Nigericin or monensin did not disrupt mitochondrial Ca2+ transport in vivo. Instead, the mitochondrion actively sequestered large quantities of Ca2+ in the presence of these ionophores, with peak values of 2.7 +/- 1.4 and 4.4 +/- 1.1 microM, respectively. Overall, these data demonstrate that significant quantities of Ca2+ enter the nucleus following influx across the plasma membrane or following efflux from an intracellular acidic storage compartment. However, the magnitude of change for [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]nuc is small compared to the total amount of exchangeable Ca2+ since the majority of released Ca2+ is actively sequestered by the mitochondrion.

Selective transfer of calcium from an acidic compartment to the mitochondrion of Trypanosoma brucei. Measurements with targeted aequorins

Organelle compartments are used by cells as reservoirs of exchangeable Ca2+ and as Ca2+ buffers. The following study uses recombinant aequorins (CYT-AEQ and MT-AEQ) to measure the dynamics of Ca2+ flux between organelles in procyclic forms of the pathogenic protozoan, Trypanosoma brucei. Emphasis is placed on the exchange between an acidic Ca2+ reservoir and the mitochondrion. The mammalian mitochondrial targeting sequence was functional in trypanosomes as determined by immunoblots, immunolocalizations, and the observation that MT-AEQ was in a compartment whose Ca2+ uptake was inhibited 82% with carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone and KCN. The resting level of free calcium ion concentration in the mitochondrion ([Ca2+]mit) was slightly higher than that in the cytoplasm ([Ca2+]cyt) (400 +/- 50 nM and 290 +/- 40 nM, respectively). Melittin (125 nM) disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis by inducing Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. [Ca2+]cyt became slightly elevated to 410 +/- 100 nM, whereas [Ca2+]mit was selectively increased approximately 12-fold, with a broad peak at 4.8 +/- 1.9 microM. At the peak, the mitochondrion contained approximately three times more free Ca2+ than the cytosol. However, mitochondrial retention of the Ca2+ was transient. Similar selective transport into the mitochondrion was observed when Ca2+ efflux from an acidic compartment was induced with monensin (2 microg/ml) in the presence of 5 mM EGTA. [Ca2+]cyt was transiently elevated to 400 +/- 50 nM, whereas [Ca2+]mit was elevated to 3.3+/-1.3 microM. When cells were treated sequentially with monensin (2 microg/ml) and then melittin (200 nM), mitochondrial Ca2+ transport was normal. However, [Ca2+]cyt became elevated to a level that was 1.4-fold higher than with melittin alone. Overall, these data demonstrate that the trypanosome mitochondrion is not a reservoir of exchangeable Ca2+ in the resting cell. However, Ca2+ is selectively channeled to the mitochondrion from the plasma membrane or acidic Ca2+ storage compartment. Additionally, the acidic compartment contributes to maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis in response to melittin.

Nuclear calcium flux in Trypanosoma brucei can be quantified with targeted aequorin

The following study was undertaken to determine if calcium ions move from the plasma membrane to the nucleus of Trypanosoma brucei. Nuclear and cytosolic calcium flux was measured with the calcium sensitive photoprotein, aequorin which was targeted to various locations in stably transformed procyclic cells. Immunoblots revealed that the recombinant proteins, CYT-AEQ and NUC-AEQ were translated in transformants, and that CYT-AEQ was contained in a soluble fraction. Immunolocalization demonstrated that NUC-AEQ was contained within the trypanosome nucleus. To evaluate calcium movement from the plasma membrane to the nucleus in live trypanosomes, aequorin was reconstituted in vivo with coelenterazine and luminescence was recorded. The resting levels of [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]nuc were similar (314 +/- 43 and 287 +/- 28 nM, respectively). When calcium influx across the plasma membrane was initiated with 2 microM ionomycin, [Ca2+]cyt and [Ca2+]nuc each became elevated in parallel to a new steady state which was approximately 2-fold above the resting level. Compound 48/80 initiated a calcium flux across the plasma membrane by a different mechanism from ionomycin, and in a manner that was inhibited by the calcium channel antagonist, La3+. Compound 48/80 (8 micrograms/ml) transiently elevated [Ca2+]cyt to 1.73 +/- 0.3 microM over the course of 20 s, and also generated a transient rise in [Ca2+]nuc which peaked at 1.32 + 0.29 microM over the same time course. Overall, these data demonstrate that calcium moves into and out of the trypanosome nucleus in a manner which closely parallels changes in [Ca2+]cyt. A small calcium ion gradient between nucleus and cytoplasm was also observed.