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Background/Aims: Butyric acid plays an important role in maintaining intestinal health. Butyric acid has received special attention as a short-chain fatty acid, but its role in protecting the intestinal barrier is poorly characterized. Butyric acid not only provides energy for epithelial cells but also acts as a histone deacetylase inhibitor; it is also a natural ligand for G protein-coupled receptor 109A (GPR109A). A GPR109A analog was expressed in Sus scrofa and mediated the anti-inflammatory effects of beta-hydroxybutyric acid. This study investigated the effects of butyrate on growth performance, diarrhea symptoms, and tight junction protein levels in 21-day-old weaned piglets. We also studied the mechanism by which butyric acid regulates intestinal permeability. Methods: Twenty-four piglets that had been weaned at an age of 21 days were divided randomly into 2 equal groups: basal diet group and sodium butyrate + basal diet group. Diarrhea rate, growth performance during 3 weeks of feeding on these diets were observed, the lactulose-mannitol ratio in urine were detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, the expression levels of tight junction proteins in the intestinal tract and related signaling molecules, such as GPR109A and Akt, in the colon were examined by quantitative real-time PCR or western blot analyses on day 21. Caco-2 cells were used as a colon cell model and cultured with or without sodium butyrate to assess the expression of tight junction proteins and the activation of related signaling molecules. GPR109A-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and specific antagonists of Akt and ERK1/2 were used as signaling pathway inhibitors to elucidate the mechanism by which butyric acid regulates the expression of tight junction proteins and the colonic epithelial barrier. Results: The sodium butyrate diet alleviated diarrhea symptoms and decreased intestinal permeability without affecting the growth of early weaned piglets. The expression levels of the tight junction proteins Claudin-3, Occludin, and zonula occludens 1 were up-regulated by sodium butyrate in the colon and Caco-2 cells. GPR109A knockdown using shRNA or blockade of the Akt signaling pathway in Caco-2 cells suppressed sodium butyrate-induced Claudin-3 expression. Conclusions: Sodium butyrate acts on the Akt signaling pathway to facilitate Claudin-3 expression in the colon in a GPR109A-dependent manner.

Polyimide (PI) refers to a type of high-performance polymer containing imide rings in the main chain, which has been widely used in fields of aerospace, microelectronic and photonic devices, gas separation technology, and so on. However, traditional aromatic PIs are, in general, the inefficient fluorescence or even no fluorescence, due to the strong inter- and intramolecular charge transfer (CT) interactions causing unavoidable fluorescence quenching, which greatly restricts their applications as light-emitting functional layers in the fabrication of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices. As such, the development of fluorescent PIs with high fluorescence quantum efficiency for their application fields in the OLED is an important research direction in the near future. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of fluorescent PIs as well as the methods to improve the fluorescence quantum efficiency of PIs. It is anticipated that this review will serve as a valuable reference and offer guidance for the design and development of fluorescent PIs with high fluorescence quantum efficiency, ultimately fostering further progress in OLED research.

Functional membranes with waterproof, breathable, and thermal regulation capabilities are increasingly sought after across various industries. However, developing such functional membranes commonly involves complex multi-step preparation processes. Herein, we introduced perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (FAS) into the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) solution for one-step electrospinning, successfully fabricating membranes that combine these properties. The hydrophobicity of the PVDF-HFP/FAS membrane was greatly improved with the water contact angle increased from 120.6° to 142.9° and the solar reflectance rising from 72% to 92% due to the presence of fluorocarbon segments. The synergistic effect of enhanced hydrophobicity, small pore size, and elevated solar reflectivity resulted in robust water resistance (62 kPa), excellent water vapor transmission rate (12.4 kg m−2 d−1), and superior cooling performance (6.4 °C lower than commercial cotton fabrics). These findings suggest that the proposed PVDF-HFP/FAS membranes, characterized by desired multifunction characteristics and scalable production, hold great potential for application in diverse strategic fields.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. Aβ plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid salt that exerts neuroprotective effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and cognitive improvement in central nervous system diseases. The aim of this study is to research the protective effects of NaB on neurons against Aβ toxicity and to uncover the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that 2 mM NaB had a significant improvement effect on Aβ-induced N2a cell injury, by increasing cell viability and reducing ROS to reduce injury. In addition, by acting on the GPR109A receptor, NaB regulates the expression of AD-related genes such as APP, NEP, and BDNF. Therefore, NaB protects N2a cells from Aβ-induced cell damage through activating GPR109A, which provides an innovative idea for the treatment of AD.

A tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-containing polyimide (PI-OSi) has been established as a colorimetric and ratiometric chemosensor for rapid detecting fluoride ions (F−). The UV-vis absorbance ratio value (A322/A288) of PI-OSi in a DMF solution displays a wide linear range change to F− concentrations with a detection limit (DL) value of 2.13 μM. Additionally, adding incremental amounts of F− to a DMF solution of PI-OSi shows an immediate color change to yellow and finally to green from colorless. More interestingly, the resulting PI-OSi plus F− system (PI-OSi·F) could detect trace water in DMF. The A292/A322 value of PI-OSi·F almost linearly increases with low water content, which suggests convenient quantitative sensing of trace water content in DMF. The DL value of PI-OSi·F for sensing water in DMF is determined to be 0.00149% (v/v). The solution color of PI-OSi·F returns to colorless when the water content increases, indicating that PI-OSi·F can conveniently estimate water content in DMF by naked-eye detection. The detection mechanisms confirmed by an 1H NMR study and a DFT calculation involve a F−-induced desilylation reaction of PI-OSi to form phenolate anion followed by protonation with trace water. Finally, PI-OSi film was fabricated for the colorimetric detection of F− and water in CH3CN.

Visible light is an important energy source for all living organisms on Earth. Given the importance of visible light, visible light sensors have attracted widespread interest from scientists. With the rapid development of wearable devices, the sensors used in them need to be flexible, stretchable, and lightweight. Herein, an intelligent electrolyte based on spiropyran (SP) that responds to visible light is developed. The reversible change rate in the electrical resistance of an SP/FeCl3·6H2O methyl cyanide (MeCN) aqueous solution under visible light irradiation is as high as 19.26%. Additionally, flexible and conductive fibrous visible light sensors with a core‐sheath structure are prepared using an SP/FeCl3·6H2O MeCN aqueous solution and silicon rubber hollow fibers as the core and outer layers, respectively. These fibrous visible light sensors are then woven into fabrics with multiple functions, such as sensing and locating visible light, reversible photochromism, and thermal management. The fibrous visible light sensors and fabrics prepared in this study have broad development prospects and application potential in the fields of fashion, smart textiles, flexible conductive fibers, flexible fibrous sensors, electronic skins, and wearable devices. Flexible fibrous visible light sensors with a core‐sheath structure are prepared using a spiropyran (SP)/FeCl3·6H2O methyl cyanide aqueous solution and silicon rubber hollow fibers as the core and outer layers. These sensors are woven into fabrics with multiple functions, such as sensing and locating visible light, reversible photochromism, and thermal management.

To add the growing literature on baseline of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) genotype distribution in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) before the widespread using of HPV vaccines in Chinese mainland and to improve risk stratification of HR‐HPV–positive women. Retrospectively, the data of age, cervical HPV genotypes, cytology, and pathology were collected from 1166 patients who received loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP). HPV genotypes were analyzed with Flowcytometry Fluorescence Hybridization Method. And then HPV prevalence, HR‐HPV genotype distribution and the correlation of HR‐HPV genotypes with CIN2+ (CIN2 or severer) were analyzed. The role of multiple HR‐HPV types infection with or without HPV16/18 in the pathogenesis of CIN2+ was also analyzed. The 6 most common HR‐HPV genotypes were HPV16, 58, 52, 33, 18, and 31 in descending order. Compared to HR‐HPV–negative women, HPV16, 33 or 58 positive women had higher risk of CIN2+ (OR = 5.10, 95% CI = 2.68‐9.70; OR = 3.09, 95% CI = 1.39‐6.84; OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.85‐6.89, respectively). And women who were infected by multiple HR‐HPV types infection with HPV16/18 also had higher risk of CIN2+ (OR = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.35‐4.92). However, multiple HR‐HPV types infection without HPV16/18 did not increase the risk significantly (P = .08). Compare to bivalent Cervarix® and quadrivalent Gardasil®, HPV prophylactic vaccine targeting HPV31, 33, 52, and 58 might provide women more protection from HPV‐induced cervical cancer in China. The women who infected by HPV16, 33, 58, or multiple HR‐HPV types with HPV16/18 have higher risk of CIN2+ and need to be paid more attention in screening processes. And the role of multiple HR‐HPV types infection without HPV16/18 needs be further identified in more studies. The aim of this study was to add the literature on HR‐HPV genotype distribution in CIN before the widespread using of HPV vaccines in Chinese mainland and to improve risk stratification of HR‐HPV–positive women. In this study, besides HPV16, it showed HPV33 and 58 had higher risk of CIN2+. It was interested that the premalignant potential of multiple HR‐HPV infection was mainly affected by the presence of HPV16/18, while multiple HR‐HPV infection without HPV16/18 was not significantly different with HR‐HPV–negative group.

A tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-containing polyimide (PI-OSi) has been established as a colorimetric and ratiometric chemosensor for rapid detecting fluoride ions (F[sup.−]). The UV-vis absorbance ratio value (A[sub.322]/A[sub.288]) of PI-OSi in a DMF solution displays a wide linear range change to F[sup.−] concentrations with a detection limit (DL) value of 2.13 μM. Additionally, adding incremental amounts of F[sup.−] to a DMF solution of PI-OSi shows an immediate color change to yellow and finally to green from colorless. More interestingly, the resulting PI-OSi plus F[sup.−] system (PI-OSi·F) could detect trace water in DMF. The A[sub.292]/A[sub.322] value of PI-OSi·F almost linearly increases with low water content, which suggests convenient quantitative sensing of trace water content in DMF. The DL value of PI-OSi·F for sensing water in DMF is determined to be 0.00149% (v/v). The solution color of PI-OSi·F returns to colorless when the water content increases, indicating that PI-OSi·F can conveniently estimate water content in DMF by naked-eye detection. The detection mechanisms confirmed by an [sup.1]H NMR study and a DFT calculation involve a F[sup.−]-induced desilylation reaction of PI-OSi to form phenolate anion followed by protonation with trace water. Finally, PI-OSi film was fabricated for the colorimetric detection of F[sup.−] and water in CH[sub.3]CN.

A nylon-like polyester tire cord, which combined the characteristics of nylon and polyester tire cords, was designed as the carcass reinforcement material used to meet the increasing demands of the tire industry for performance and impact on the environment. Tires’ carcass construction plays a crucial role in affecting handling performance and ride comfort. Small changes in the carcass component can lead to significant improvements in the total tire/vehicle performance. This study evaluated the performance of nylon-like polyester and nylon 6 motorcycle tires. The results showed that the nylon-like polyester tire passed all indoor tests, and post-cure inflation (PCI) could be eliminated, resulting in energy and cost savings. The rolling resistance coefficient of the nylon-like polyester tire was reduced by 6.8% compared to that of the nylon 6 control tire, which could save fuel and have a positive impact on the environment. Nylon-like polyester tire cord extracted from the experimental tire possessed a higher modulus compared to that of nylon 6 tire cord, which could lead to better handling and ride comfort performance. Morphological pictures showed that both nylon-like polyester and nylon 6 cords extracted from tires had a good rubber coverage and comparable adhesion properties.

Perovskite is an advanced optoelectronic semiconductor material that has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, its drawback lies in its environmental instability, limiting its practical applications. To tackle this issue, this research delved into the idea of creating a space-confined structure and used electrospinning to produce a film of perovskite nanocomposite fibers. By effectively encapsulating perovskite nanocrystals into a polymer matrix, the perovskite could be shielded from water and oxygen in the environment, thereby reducing the likelihood of perovskite decomposition and enhancing the stability of its structure and properties. This study examined the influence of material composition and the spinning process on the nanofiber structure to create good spatial confinement. This strategy resulted in a high photoluminescence quantum yield of over 80% and a long-term environmental stability of as long as 1000 h over 90% of the original PLQY. By harnessing the flexibility of the composite fibers, this study demonstrated the potential applications and performance of this nanocomposite film in flexible quantum fluorescence conversion for LED applications.