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Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have played a crucial role in recent advancements in developing lithium‐based battery electrolytes, electrodes, and separators. Although many MOF‐based battery components rely on their well‐defined porosity and controllable functionality, they also boast a myriad of other significant properties relevant to battery applications. In this mini‐review, the distinct advantages of MOFs in battery applications are discussed, including using MOFs to 1) scavenge impurities to increase cycling stability, 2) widen the operation temperature range of conventional electrolytes, 3) widen the operation voltage range of common electrolytes, and 4) employ as artificial solid‐electrolyte interphases to prevent lithium dendrite growth. Furthermore, subsisting challenges of developing these emerging MOF‐based battery technologies are discussed and guidance for shaping the future of this field is given. MOFs possess distinct advantages in scavenging impurities to increase cycling stability, increasing operation temperatures and voltages of common electrolytes, and can be used as artificial solid‐electrolyte interphases to prevent lithium dendrite growth. In this mini‐review, the emerging battery applications of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are outlined, and a perspective of future MOF‐based battery technologies is proposed.

The dry-process is a sustainable and promising fabrication method for all-solid-state batteries by eliminating solvents. However, a pragmatic fabrication design for thin and robust solid-state electrolyte (SSE) layers has not been established. Herein, we report a dry-process approach that enhances mechanical stability of SSE layers from film fabrication to cell operation. By co-rolling thick SSE and positive electrode feeds, a uniform, thin SSE layer (50 µm) and a high loading positive electrode layer (5 mAh cm −2 ) with high active material ratio (80 wt%) are simultaneously achieved. This SSE-positive electrode integrated film exhibits enhanced physical properties and cyclability (> 80% retention after 500 cycles) at low stack pressure (2 MPa) compared to the freestanding counterparts, attributed to reinforced and intimate SSE-positive electrode interface constructed during co-rolling process. Additionally, an all-solid-state pouch cell with high stack-level specific energy (310 Wh kg −1 ) and energy density (805 Wh L −1 ) operating at 30 °C and 5 MPa is demonstrated. All-solid-state batteries face practical challenges such as sustainable fabrication and low-stack pressure operation. Here, authors develop a modified dry-process technique to yield robust solid electrolyte-electrode interface for practical fabrication and operation of all-solid-state batteries.

A model for schizophrenia Many cellular and molecular phenomena have been described in neurons of schizophrenic patients, mostly based on post-mortem data, but there is still no clear understanding of mechanisms underlying the disease. Gage and colleagues now demonstrate the feasibility of generating a human cell-based model of schizophrenia. Fibroblasts from patients with schizophrenia were reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells and subsequently differentiated into neurons. These neurons displayed a number of schizophrenia-associated phenotypes, including reduced connectivity and altered gene expression, some of which could be rescued by an antipsychotic. Schizophrenia (SCZD) is a debilitating neurological disorder with a world-wide prevalence of 1%; there is a strong genetic component, with an estimated heritability of 80–85% 1 . Although post-mortem studies have revealed reduced brain volume, cell size, spine density and abnormal neural distribution in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of SCZD brain tissue 2 and neuropharmacological studies have implicated dopaminergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic activity in SCZD 3 , the cell types affected in SCZD and the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease state remain unclear. To elucidate the cellular and molecular defects of SCZD, we directly reprogrammed fibroblasts from SCZD patients into human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and subsequently differentiated these disorder-specific hiPSCs into neurons ( Supplementary Fig. 1 ). SCZD hiPSC neurons showed diminished neuronal connectivity in conjunction with decreased neurite number, PSD95-protein levels and glutamate receptor expression. Gene expression profiles of SCZD hiPSC neurons identified altered expression of many components of the cyclic AMP and WNT signalling pathways. Key cellular and molecular elements of the SCZD phenotype were ameliorated following treatment of SCZD hiPSC neurons with the antipsychotic loxapine. To date, hiPSC neuronal pathology has only been demonstrated in diseases characterized by both the loss of function of a single gene product and rapid disease progression in early childhood 4 , 5 , 6 . We now report hiPSC neuronal phenotypes and gene expression changes associated with SCZD, a complex genetic psychiatric disorder.

Blood pressure (BP) control among treated patients in Africa is very suboptimal, with low levels of combination therapy use and therapeutic inertia being among the major barriers to effective control of hypertension. The VERONICA-Nigeria study aims to evaluate, among Black African adults with hypertension, the effectiveness and safety of a triple pill-based treatment protocol compared to Nigeria hypertension treatment protocol (standard care protocol) for the treatment of hypertension. This study involves a randomized, parallel-group and open-label trial. Adults with uncontrolled hypertension (n = 300), untreated or receiving monotherapy, with no contraindication to study treatments will be randomly assigned 1:1 to treatment with a triple pill based-treatment protocol or standard care protocol. Follow-up is for 6 months, with interim follow up visits at month 1, 2, and 3. In a noncomparative extension treatment period, participants completing the 6 months randomized period and on ≤3 BP-lowering drugs will receive treatment with the triple pill-based treatment protocol for 12 months. The primary outcome is change in home mean SBP from baseline to month 6, and key secondary efficacy outcome is percentage of participants with clinic BP <140/90 mmHg at month 6. The primary safety outcome is discontinuation of trial treatment due to adverse events from randomization to month 6. Economic evaluation will be conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness of the triple pill-based treatment protocol, and process evaluation will be conducted to understand the context in which the trial was conducted, implementation of the trial and interventions and mechanisms of effect, and potential barriers and facilitators to implementing the intervention in clinical practice. The VERONICA-Nigeria trial will provide evidence of effectiveness and safety of the triple-based treatment protocol for the pharmacological management of hypertension, in Black African adults. PACTR202107579572114.

AbstractValvular heart disease may be a pre-existing complication of pregnancy or it may be diagnosed for the first time during pregnancy. Accurate diagnosis, tailored therapy and an understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of pregnancy are necessary components of management, best achieved through the use of multidisciplinary clinics. This review outlines the management of specific lesions, with particular reference to post-rheumatic valvular heart disease.

Background High‐dose cisplatin (Cis) is a preferred systemic agent for concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (LAHNSCC) patients. As some patients are unable to tolerate Cis, this study compares the toxicity and efficacy of weekly cisplatin‐paclitaxel (CP) regimen with Cis. Methods Patients with LAHNSCC receiving definitive chemoradiation either with Cis (Cisplatin—100 mg/m2 q3w x 3) or CP (Cisplatin—20 mg/m2; Paclitaxel—30 mg/m2qw x7) were included. Results Cis and CP groups were comprised of 114 and 111 subjects, respectively. Complete response for Cis versus CP groups was 88% versus 88%, respectively. Median follow‐up for the study was 58.5 months. After adjusting for potential treatment selection bias, no significant differences were evident between Cis and CP groups for overall survival (hazard ratios [HR] 0.85, 95% CI 0.59‐1.21, P = 0.36), progression free survival (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.62‐1.24, P = 0.46), locoregional control (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.52‐1.15, P = 0.21), and distant control (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.61‐1.23, P = 0.42). Patients in the CP group had less acute and chronic toxicities. Conclusions Weekly CP regimen can serve as an alternative systemic therapy with radiation in patients with LAHNSCC who are not fit for Cis. Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin and paclitaxel is tolerable and provide higher compliance rate in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Outcomes of patients on combination chemotherapy were similar to high‐dose cisplatin.

Background: A novel low-dose triple single-pill combination of antihypertensive drugs (GMRx2) has demonstrated superior blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy compared to placebo and dual combinations in short-term randomized double-blind trials. Objectives: To evaluate the long-term BP-lowering efficacy and safety of GMRx2-based treatment when used in normal clinical care. Methods: After completing a four-week double-blind randomised phase, participants from Sri Lanka and Nigeria were enrolled into an open-label extension phase (OLE) with follow-up to one year. The OLE involved treatment and uptitration with GMRx2, of ¼, ½ and standard doses of telmisartan/amlodipine/indapamide (i.e., 10/1.25/0.625 mg, 20/2.5/1.25 mg and 40/5/2.5 mg), and add-on antihypertensive drugs if needed to target a home BP goal of <130/80 mm Hg. Home BP monitoring was continued throughout the follow-up and six follow-up clinic visits were conducted. The primary outcome was percentage of participants with home BP control (<130/80 mmHg) at week 52. Results: From 21 August 2023 to 20 August 2024, 50 participants participated in the OLE, of whom 48 (96%) completed it. The mean age of participants was 49 years and 60% were female. Home and clinic mean BP at enrolment into OLE were 126/79 mmHg and 131/83 mmHg, respectively. At one year, home BP control (<130/80 mmHg) was 60% and clinic BP control (<140/90 mmHg) was 88%. Home mean BP was reduced to 121/78 mmHg after 4 weeks into the OLE and was 120/78 mmHg at one year. For clinic BP, the corresponding values were 126/79 mmHg and 122/77 mmHg. None of the participants discontinued trial treatment due to an adverse event. Conclusions: In a population with mild-to-moderate hypertension, long-term therapy with GMRx2-based treatment achieved high levels of BP control and was well tolerated. Trial registration: NCT04518306.

This book covers advanced aspects of practical crystal structure refinement, focusing on practical problems in the everyday life of a crystallographer. After an introduction to SHELXL in the first chapter, the second chapter provides a brief survey of crystal structure refinement. The next few chapters address the various aspects of structure refinement, from the treatment of hydrogen atoms to the assignment of atom types, to disorder, to non-crystallographic symmetry and twinning. One chapter is dedicated to the refinement of macromolecular structures and two shorter chapters deal with structure validation. In most chapters, the book gives refinement examples, based on the program SHELXL, describing every problem in detail.