Explore the vast range of titles available.

HighlightsAn effective buried interface stabilization strategy based on synergistic effect of fluorine and sulfonyl functional groups is proposed.The correlations between molecular structures, defect passivation, interfacial energy band alignment, perovskite crystallization and device performance are established.The device with KFSI achieves an impressive efficiency of 24.17%.The interfacial defects and energy barrier are main reasons for interfacial nonradiative recombination. In addition, poor perovskite crystallization and incomplete conversion of PbI2 to perovskite restrict further enhancement of the photovoltaic performance of the devices using sequential deposition. Herein, a buried interface stabilization strategy that relies on the synergy of fluorine (F) and sulfonyl (S=O) functional groups is proposed. A series of potassium salts containing halide and non-halogen anions are employed to modify SnO2/perovskite buried interface. Multiple chemical bonds including hydrogen bond, coordination bond and ionic bond are realized, which strengthens interfacial contact and defect passivation effect. The chemical interaction between modification molecules and perovskite along with SnO2 heightens incessantly as the number of S=O and F augments. The chemical interaction strength between modifiers and perovskite as well as SnO2 gradually increases with the increase in the number of S=O and F. The defect passivation effect is positively correlated with the chemical interaction strength. The crystallization kinetics is regulated through the compromise between chemical interaction strength and wettability of substrates. Compared with Cl−, all non-halogen anions perform better in crystallization optimization, energy band regulation and defect passivation. The device with potassium bis (fluorosulfonyl) imide achieves a tempting efficiency of 24.17%.

• Litter decomposition plays a key role in nutrient cycling across ecosystems, yet to date, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the nonadditive decomposition effects in leaf litter mixing experiments. • To fill that gap, we compiled 69 individual studies with the aim to perform two meta-analyses on nonadditive effects. • We show that a significant synergistic effect (faster decomposition in mixtures than expected) occurs at a global scale, with an average increase of 3–5% in litter mixtures. In particular, low-quality litter in mixtures shows a significant synergistic effect, while additive effects are observed for high-quality species. Additionally, synergistic effects turn into antagonistic effects when soil fauna are absent or litter is in very late stages of decomposition (nearhumus). In contrast to temperate and tropical areas, studies in boreal regions show significant antagonistic effects. • Our two meta-analyses provide a systematic evaluation of nonadditive effects in mixed litter decomposition studies and show that litter quality alters the effects of litter mixing. Our results indicate that nutrient transfer, soil fauna and inhibitory secondary compounds can influence mixing effects. We also highlight that synergistic and antagonistic effects occur concurrently, and the final litter mixing effect results from the interplay between them.

Cropping sequence diversification provides a systems approach to reduce yield variations and improve resilience to multiple environmental stresses. Yield advantages of more diverse crop rotations and their synergistic effects with reduced tillage are well documented, but few studies have quantified the impact of these management practices on yields and their stability when soil moisture is limiting or in excess. Using yield and weather data obtained from a 31-year long term rotation and tillage trial in Ontario, we tested whether crop rotation diversity is associated with greater yield stability when abnormal weather conditions occur. We used parametric and non-parametric approaches to quantify the impact of rotation diversity (monocrop, 2-crops, 3-crops without or with one or two legume cover crops) and tillage (conventional or reduced tillage) on yield probabilities and the benefits of crop diversity under different soil moisture and temperature scenarios. Although the magnitude of rotation benefits varied with crops, weather patterns and tillage, yield stability significantly increased when corn and soybean were integrated into more diverse rotations. Introducing small grains into short corn-soybean rotation was enough to provide substantial benefits on long-term soybean yields and their stability while the effects on corn were mostly associated with the temporal niche provided by small grains for underseeded red clover or alfalfa. Crop diversification strategies increased the probability of harnessing favorable growing conditions while decreasing the risk of crop failure. In hot and dry years, diversification of corn-soybean rotations and reduced tillage increased yield by 7% and 22% for corn and soybean respectively. Given the additional advantages associated with cropping system diversification, such a strategy provides a more comprehensive approach to lowering yield variability and improving the resilience of cropping systems to multiple environmental stresses. This could help to sustain future yield levels in challenging production environments.

The potential of probiotics for treating ulcerative colitis (UC) has attracted increasing attention. However, more studies are still needed to guide physicians on the proper selection and use of probiotics. Here, we propose that combination of multiple probiotics with different functions can reduce intestinal inflammation. In this study, the effects of probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri, Bacillus coagulans, Bifidobacterium longum, and Clostridium butyricum) on the physiology and histopathology of colon were evaluated in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model. The combined species, as well as the species individually, were tested and compared with sulfasalazine (SASP) and two Chinese herbal therapies. Results show that the functions of the four probiotic strains were different in regulating intestinal immunity and barrier function. The four-species probiotic cocktail was more effective than the species individually and anti-inflammatory drugs in repairing the dysbiosis of mucosal microbial ecology and reducing intestinal inflammation. The multi-strain probiotic mixture increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria and decreased the proportion of pro-inflammatory bacteria in the colonic mucosa. In addition, probiotic mixture significantly enhanced the expression of IL-10 and intestinal barrier function. These results suggest that a combination of multiple probiotics with different functions has synergistic effects and can restore the balance of interactions between microorganisms and immunological niches.

Heavy air pollution is strongly influenced by weather conditions and is thus sensitive to climate change. Especially, for the areas with complex topography such as the Sichuan Basin (SB), one of the most polluted areas of China, the synergistic effects of synoptic weather patterns and topography on air quality are unclear and warrant investigation. This study examined the typical synoptic patterns of SB in winter days of 2013–2017 and revealed their synergistic effects with topography on air quality. Three categories of synoptic patterns including dry low-trough, high-pressure, and wet low-vortex patterns accompanying heavy, medium, and slight air pollution, respectively, were identified. In particular, the dry low-trough patterns occur most frequently, accounting for around 62% of the total days. In the case of this pattern, westerly wind prevails over the SB and the aloft atmosphere is warmer than the Tibetan Plateau (TP) at the same height, which induces the cold air over TP moving eastward to the SB. Under the synergistic effects of the cold air eastward movement and TP, a strong descending motion (known as foehn) is observed on the leeward slope of the towering TP. This foehn warming causes a stable layer above the planetary boundary layer (PBL), which suppresses secondary circulation and PBL. These features restrict atmospheric pollutant dispersion, resulting in poor air quality. In contrast, for the high-pressure and wet low-vortex patterns, cold air masses from the north invade southward and cover the northwest SB. This invasion remarkably decreases the atmospheric stability of the lower troposphere, deepens the PBL, and enhances the height of secondary circulation, thereby facilitating air pollutant dispersion. Moreover, the wet low-vortex pattern is accompanied by frequent precipitation events (with 80% rainy days), further bringing down air pollution levels. These findings provide an insight for improving air pollution forecast in the complex terrain areas under global warming.

ICRF193 is a catalytic inhibitor of Topoisomerase 2 (TOP2), one of the major targets in cancer therapy. Although ICRF193 has not been approved for clinical use, it has potential implications in chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the use of ICRF193 in chemotherapy in co-treatment with other drugs. To identify compounds that have synergistic effects with ICRF193, we optimized a cytotoxicity assay with combinations of ICRF193 in a 1536-well plate format and screened 2678 compounds, including clinically approved and investigational drugs, for their cytotoxicity in the presence and absence of ICRF193. From the screening and confirmation assays, etoposide, a known TOP2-targeting drug, was found to have a synergistic effect with 200 nM ICRF193 across multiple cancer cell lines, including HCT116, MCF7, and T47D. On the other hand, ICRF193 suppressed the toxicity of etoposide at higher concentrations (> 10 µM). In the follow-up studies, we found that ICRF193 and etoposide synergistically induced DNA double-strand breaks and subsequent G2 phase accumulation. Interestingly, this synergistic effect was observed only with etoposide and not with other TOP2 inhibitors in the tested compound library. Taken together, our results indicate that ICRF193 has a specific functional interaction with etoposide that enhances its genotoxic potential.

The present study aimed to construct a co-loading platform encapsulating curcumin and paclitaxel at ratios of 2:1-80:1 (w/w) designated \"CU-PTX-LNP\" and explored the synergistic effects of CU-PTX at different composite proportions on liver cancer cells using the combination index (CI) method. The CU lipid nanoplatform (CU-LNP) formulation was optimized via single-factor and orthogonal experiments. Various concentrations of PTX were added to the optimal formulation of CU-LNP to generate CU-PTX-LNP and the nanoplatform characterized via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), and size analyses. The cumulative release, stability, and cytotoxicity of CU-PTX-LNP in LO2, HepG2, and SMMC-7221 cells were assessed in vitro, followed by safety investigation and pharmacokinetic studies in vivo. The anti-tumor activity of CU-PTX-LNP was also evaluated using nude mice. CU-PTX-LNP formulations containing CU:PTX at a range of proportions (2:1-80:1; w/w) appeared as uniformly dispersed nanosized spherical particles with high entrapment efficiency (EE> 90%), sustained release and long-lasting stability. Data from in vitro cytotoxicity assays showed a decrease in the IC value of PTX of CU-PTX-LNP (by 5.47-332.7 times in HepG2 and 4.29-143.21 times in SMMC-7221 cells) compared to free PTX. In vivo, CU-PTX-LNP displayed excellent biosafety, significant anti-tumor benefits and enhanced pharmacokinetic behavior with longer mean residence time (MRT CU: 4.31-fold, PTX: 4.61-fold) and half-life (t CU: 1.83-fold, PTX: 2.28-fold) relative to free drugs. The newly designed CU-PTX-LNP platform may serve as a viable technological support system for the successful production of CU-PTX composite preparations.

Zhijiang Shao, Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, Email shzhj315@126.com Wenhan Wu, Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Fifth Central Hospital, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, Email wuwenhan88@126.comBackground: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), an aggressive malignancy with limited therapeutic options and poor survival rates, poses an urgent clinical challenge necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Saikosaponin D (SSd), a bioactive compound derived from Bupleurum, has demonstrated anticancer potential in various malignancies. However, its role in CCA remains unexplored. This study investigated the antitumor effects and potential mechanisms of SSd, both alone and in combination with gemcitabine, utilizing patient-derived cholangiocarcinoma organoids (PDCOs).Methods: Four PDCO models were established from surgical tumor tissues and metastatic ascites of CCA patients. Histological, immunohistochemical (Cytokeratin 7, Cytokeratin 19 and Ki-67), and immunofluorescence analyses validated the fidelity of organoids to the primary tumors. Drug sensitivity testing evaluated SSd (0.001– 50μM) and gemcitabine alone or in combination (ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:4) using dose-response curves and combination index (CI) analysis. Apoptosis mechanisms were assessed via TUNEL staining, caspase-3 activity assays, and the JC-1 assay for the mitochondrial membrane potential.Results: SSd exhibited dose-dependent growth inhibition across PDCOs, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 0.9μM to 13μM. Gemcitabine showed IC50 values spanning 0.03μM to 11.1μM. Notably, the SSd-gemcitabine combination at 1:4 ratio demonstrated synergistic effects (CI=0.0005), significantly reducing organoid viability. Ascites-derived PDCOs (eg, CCA182) displayed lower sensitivity to SSd, correlating with prior chemotherapy exposure. Apoptosis induction by SSd was confirmed through increased TUNEL-positive cells, elevated caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization. Histological and molecular profiles of PDCOs closely mirrored those of the primary tumors, preserving spatial heterogeneity (eg, glandular structures in tissue-derived PDCOs vs compact morphology in ascites-derived models).Conclusion: The combination of SSd and gemcitabine exerts a synergistic antitumor effect in patient-derived cholangiocarcinoma organoids through activating caspase-3 and triggering mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated apoptosis.

Efficient catalysts for separating electron–hole pairs are crucial for improving the quantum yield and activity of photocatalysts. This study systematically investigates the properties and performance of monolayers of Janus SXSiN 2 (X = Cr, Mo, W) using the first-principles computational methods. The research findings suggest that biaxial strain can induce an indirect-to-direct bandgap transition in Janus SXSiN 2 and can also modulate the bandgap and band edge positions. Surface vacancy defects play a critical role in enhancing the charge carrier separation ability of Janus SXSiN 2 , leading to remarkable photocatalytic performance. Moreover, the synergistic effect of biaxial strain and vacancy defects can significantly improve the catalytic performance for the HER. This study provides a theoretical foundation for further development of efficient two-dimensional Janus photocatalysts. Graphical Abstract Biaxial strain can modulate the bandgap and band edge positions. Surface vacancy defects play a critical role in enhancing the charge carrier separation ability. Janus SXSiN2 exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance for the HER reaction due to the synergistic effects of strain and vacancy defects.

The controllable growth of metal nanoparticles on nanomaterials is becoming an effective strategy for developing nanocomposites with designated performance. Herein, a simple and mild strategy for the in situ growth of Pt–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) to regulate the nanozyme activity was designed for colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and glutathione (GSH). The COFs not only offer sufficient loading sites for the uniform dispersion of Pt–Pd bimetallic nanoparticles, but also increase the adsorption of substrate to promote the catalytic reaction. With the bimetallic synergistic effect of Pt–Pd nanoparticles, the prepared multifunctional nanozyme (Pt–Pd/COFs nanozyme) simultaneously exhibited superior peroxidase (POD)-like activity and oxidase (OXD)-like activity. Using the multifunctional nanozyme, a colorimetric sensing system was constructed for sensitive detection of H 2 O 2 and GSH, with the wide linear ranges of 5–1000 µmol/L and 1–40 µmol/L, and the detection limits were 1.14 μmol/L and 0.43 μmol/L, respectively. It was successfully used for the detection of real samples in environmental water and serum, providing a simple method for disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring.