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Bone tissue engineering commonly encompasses the use of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to provide a suitable microenvironment for the propagation of cells to regenerate damaged tissues or organs. 3D printing technology has been extensively applied to allow direct 3D scaffolds manufacturing. Polycaprolactone (PCL) has been widely used in the fabrication of 3D scaffolds in the field of bone tissue engineering due to its advantages such as good biocompatibility, slow degradation rate, the less acidic breakdown products in comparison to other polyesters, and the potential for loadbearing applications. PCL can be blended with a variety of polymers and hydrogels to improve its properties or to introduce new PCL-based composites. This paper describes the PCL used in developing state of the art of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. In this review, we provide an overview of the 3D printing techniques for the fabrication of PCL-based composite scaffolds and recent studies on applications in different clinical situations. For instance, PCL-based composite scaffolds were used as an implant surgical guide in dental treatment. Furthermore, future trend and potential clinical translations will be discussed.

Liquid Air Energy storage (LAES), as an innovative approach to energy storage, utilizes the cryogenic properties of air to provide long duration of energy storage. Through the process of cooling air and storing it in liquid form, LAES systems can release energy when in need, expanding the air and driving turbines to generate electricity. This paper assesses LAES technology’s potential, especially in grid balancing and as a back energy storage, noting its compatibility with renewable sources with a discontinuous energy supply, like wind and solar. While LAES systems provide high energy density, long operational lifetimes, and minimal environmental impact, they face challenges that include low round-trip efficiency, scalability issues, and high capital costs. Current research focuses on improving efficiency through thermal storage integration, reducing material costs, and developing hybrid systems to enhance LAES performance. Future advancements in thermal management and modular designs are expected to address existing challenges, placing LAES as a feasible solution for grid stability and renewable energy integration.

Electrocatalytic nitrate (NO 3 − ) reduction to ammonia (NRA) has emerged as an alternative strategy for effluent treatment and ammonia production. Despite significant advancements that have been achieved in this field, the efficient conversion of low-concentration nitrate to ammonia at low overpotential remains a formidable challenge. This challenge stems from the sluggish reaction kinetics caused by the limited distribution of negatively charged NO 3 − in the vicinity of the working electrode and the competing side reactions. Here, a pulsed potential approach is introduced to overcome these issues. A good NRA performance (Faradaic efficiency: 97.6%, yield rate: 2.7 mmol −1 h −1 mg Ru −1 , conversion rate: 96.4%) is achieved for low-concentration (≤10 mM) nitrate reduction, obviously exceeding the potentiostatic test (Faradaic efficiency: 65.8%, yield rate: 1.1 mmol −1 h −1 mg Ru −1 , conversion rate: 54.1%). The combined results of in situ characterizations and finite element analysis unveil the performance enhancement mechanism that the periodic appearance of anodic potential can significantly optimize the adsorption configuration of the key *NO intermediate and increase the local NO 3 − concentration. Furthermore, our research implies an effective approach for the rational design and precise manipulation of reaction processes, potentially extending its applicability to a broader range of catalytic applications. Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia has emerged as an alternative strategy for effluent treatment and ammonia production. Here, the authors report a pulsed potential approach to overcome the sluggish reaction kinetics caused by the limited distribution of negatively charged nitrate near the working electrode and the competing side reactions.

The flexible tactile sensor has attracted widespread attention because of its great flexibility, high sensitivity, and large workable range. It can be integrated into clothing, electronic skin, or mounted on to human skin. Various nanostructured materials and nanocomposites with high flexibility and electrical performance have been widely utilized as functional materials in flexible tactile sensors. Polymer nanomaterials, representing the most promising materials, especially polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), PVDF co-polymer and their nanocomposites with ultra-sensitivity, high deformability, outstanding chemical resistance, high thermal stability and low permittivity, can meet the flexibility requirements for dynamic tactile sensing in wearable electronics. Electrospinning has been recognized as an excellent straightforward and versatile technique for preparing nanofiber materials. This review will present a brief overview of the recent advances in PVDF nanofibers by electrospinning for flexible tactile sensor applications. PVDF, PVDF co-polymers and their nanocomposites have been successfully formed as ultrafine nanofibers, even as randomly oriented PVDF nanofibers by electrospinning. These nanofibers used as the functional layers in flexible tactile sensors have been reviewed briefly in this paper. The β-phase content, which is the strongest polar moment contributing to piezoelectric properties among all the crystalline phases of PVDF, can be improved by adjusting the technical parameters in electrospun PVDF process. The piezoelectric properties and the sensibility for the pressure sensor are improved greatly when the PVDF fibers become more oriented. The tactile performance of PVDF composite nanofibers can be further promoted by doping with nanofillers and nanoclay. Electrospun P(VDF-TrFE) nanofiber mats used for the 3D pressure sensor achieved excellent sensitivity, even at 0.1 Pa. The most significant enhancement is that the aligned electrospun core-shell P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers exhibited almost 40 times higher sensitivity than that of pressure sensor based on thin-film PVDF.

Background: Achieving a balance between stable drug loading/delivery and on-demand drug activation/release at the target sites remains a significant challenge for nanomedicines. Carrier-free prodrug nanoassemblies, which rely on the design of prodrug molecules, offer a promising strategy to optimize both drug delivery efficiency and controlled drug release profiles. Methods: A library of doxorubicin (DOX) prodrugs was created by linking DOX to fatty alcohols of varying chain lengths via a tumor-responsive disulfide bond. In vitro studies assessed the stability and drug release kinetics of the nanoassemblies. In vivo studies evaluated their drug delivery efficiency, tumor accumulation, and antitumor activity in mouse models. Results: In vitro results demonstrated that longer fatty alcohol chains improved the stability of the nanoassemblies but slowed down the disassembly and drug release process. DSSC16 NAs (hexadecanol-modified DOX prodrug) significantly prolonged blood circulation time and enhanced tumor accumulation, with AUC values 14.2-fold higher than DiR Sol. In 4T1 tumor-bearing mouse models, DSSC16 NAs exhibited notably stronger antitumor activity, resulting in a final mean tumor volume of 144.39 ± 36.77 mm3, significantly smaller than that of all other groups (p < 0.05 by ANOVA at a 95% confidence interval). Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical role of prodrug molecule design in the development of effective prodrug nanoassemblies. The balance between stability and drug release is pivotal for optimizing drug delivery and maximizing therapeutic efficacy.

Electrochemical conversion of abundant carbon- and nitrogen-containing small molecules into high-valued organonitrogen compounds is alluring to reducing current dependence on fossil energy. Here we report a single-cell electrochemical oxidation approach to transform methanol and ammonia into formamide under ambient conditions over Pt electrocatalyst that provides 74.26% selectivity from methanol to formamide and a Faradaic efficiency of 40.39% at 100 mA cm −2 current density, gaining an economic advantage over conventional manufacturing based on techno-economic analysis. A 46-h continuous test performed in the flow cell shows no performance decay. The combined results of in situ experiments and theoretical simulations unveil the C–N bond formation mechanism via nucleophilic attack of NH 3 on an aldehyde-like intermediate derived from methanol electrooxidation. This work offers a way to synthesize formamide via C–N coupling and can be extended to substantially synthesize other value-added organonitrogen chemicals (e.g., acetamide, propenamide, formyl methylamine). Developing a sustainable manufacturing method using biomass-derived feedstock at ambient conditions is highly desirable. Here the authors report electrooxidation route for synthesis of formamide from methanol and ammonia in water

Electrocatalytic C − N bond formation from inorganic nitrogen wastes is an emerging sustainable method for synthesizing organic amines but is limited in reaction scope. Integrating heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis for one-pot reactions to construct C − N bonds is highly desirable. Herein, we report an aqueous pulsed electrochemistry-mediated transformation of nitrite and arylboronic acids to arylamines with high yields. The overall process involves nitrite electroreduction to ammonia over a Cu nanocoral cathode and subsequent coupling of NH 3 with arylboronic acids catalyzed by in situ dissolved Cu(II) under a switched anodic potential. This pulsed protocol also promotes the migration of nucleophilic ArB(OH) 3 − and causes the consumption of OH − near the cathode surface, accelerating C − N formation and suppressing phenol byproducts. Cu(II) can be recycled via facile electroplating. The wide substrate scope, ready synthesis of 15 N-labelled arylamines, and methodological expansion to cycloaddition and Click reactions highlight the great promise. Electrocatalytic C − N bond formation from inorganic nitrogen wastes is desirable. Here, a pulsed electrochemical method is reported to promote one-pot cascade C − N bond forming reaction between nitrite and arylboronic acids with water into arylamines.

Nanos2 plays a key role in self-renewing spermatogenic stem cells (SSCs) and maintains the stem cell state during spermatogenesis. Alleles of the Nanos2 gene knockout showed germline ablated but otherwise structurally normal. To identify the probable ceRNA regulator involved in the process of spermatogenesis by Nanos2 , whole transcriptome sequencing was performed in the testes between Nanos2 knock out mice and wild type mice. Finally, a total of 8644 Differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs,180 DE miRNAs, 9538 DE lncRNA and 481 DE circRNAs were identified. Three of each RNAs were selected randomly and identified by real-time PCR to verify the accuracy of sequencing. GO and KEGG functional enrichment analyses revealed similar result of DE mRNAs and target of DE miRNAs/lncRNAs/ circRNAs, mainly involved in the generation, composition, and activity of sperm cells. Furthermore, the regulatory ceRNA network of miRNA(up)-circRNA-lncRNA-mRNA and miRNA(down)-circRNA-lncRNA-mRNA were constructed based on the common targeted miRNA.The results enable us to better understand the interaction of coding RNA and non coding RNA in regulating the generation of spermatogenic stem cells through Nanos2 pathway, and also provided novel insights into molecular mechanism of spermatogenesis.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition commonly observed in aging males. Inflammatory and metabolic factors are pivotal in the development and progression of BPH. The degree to which the effects of 91 inflammation-related proteins on BPH are mediated by 1400 plasma metabolites remains ambiguous. Our research analyzed the impact of these traits utilizing genetic evidence.Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and multivariable MR (MVMR) were utilized in our study to infer the genetic causal effect of inflammation-related proteins on BPH, with metabolites serving as mediators. Increased levels of IL-2 were linked to a heightened incidence of BPH (β = 0.071, OR:1.074, 95% CI [1.002–1.152], p  = 0.045), whereas lower concentrations of N6,N6-dimethyllysine were associated with decreased risk (β1=-0.127, p  = 0.02; β2=-0.039, p  = 0.008). The mediation effect was 0.005 (95% CI [0.0004, 0.012], OR: 1.005, 95% CI [1.000, 1.012]), accounting for 7.04% of the total effect. subsequently, we examined the phenotypic co-localization of the two pairings independently, revealing that the posterior probability of rs145516501 associated with IL-2 and BPH was 80.7%, whereas the posterior likelihood of rs4917820 linked to N6,N6-dimethyllysine levels and BPH was 95.9%. The research indicated that N6,N6-dimethyllysine levels seem to influence the causative relationship between IL-2 and BPH. These results elucidate the complex interplay between inflammation-related proteins and metabolism in the context of BPH, offering novel diagnostic and therapeutic avenues and enhancing our comprehension of the disease’s etiology for prospective research.

Driven by the need to survive in a predominately non-Muslim society, Chinese Muslims, or the Chinese-speaking Hui people, have traditionally played the role of a middleman minority. During the last few decades, benefiting from the strengthening economic ties between China and the Arab world, especially the Arabian Gulf countries, Hui Muslims have gained greater visibility and relevance in Sino-Arab relations. Enabled by their dual identity, Hui Muslims have evolved from a middleman minority that exists on the margin to cultural brokers who are increasingly central in China's Belt and Road Initiative. Drawing on a multiyear ethnographic study of overseas Chinese in Dubai-the most important trade hub and a rising global city in the Arab world, this article shows that through actively utilizing religious and cultural capital, Hui Muslims in Dubai play the role of trusted mediators between diverse Chinese interests and the Arab Muslim elites and have become ＂cultural ambassadors＂ in a region of growing strategic importance to China, cultivating an image of ＂good Muslims＂ in the eyes of Chinese authorities.