A novel organic semiconductor photocatalyst mimicking natural light-harvesting antenna complexes in photosynthetic organisms, a disulfide (-S-S-) bridged C 3 N 3 S 3 polymer, was designed and developed to generate hydrogen from water under visible light irradiation. The artificial conjugated polymer shows high H 2 -producing activity from the half-reaction of water splitting without the aid of a sacrificial electron donor. The H 2 -producing efficiency and photo-stability of the catalyst could be improved greatly using Ru and single-wall carbon nanotubes as cocatalysts or by adding a sacrificial donor. The results represent a potential and prospective application of the C 3 N 3 S 3 polymer in solar energy conversion and offer significant guidance to develop more stable and efficient photocatalytic systems based on organic semiconductors.

Background Environmental pollutants, which coexist with allergens, have been associated with the exacerbation of asthma. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We sought to determine whether benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) co‐exposure with dermatophagoides group 1 allergen (Der f 1) can potentiate Der f 1‐induced asthma and its underlying mechanisms. Methods The effect of BaP was investigated in Der f 1‐induced mouse model of asthma, including airway hyper‐responsiveness, allergic inflammation, and epithelial‐derived cytokines. The impact of BaP on Der f 1‐induced airway epithelial cell oxidative stress (ROS) and cytokine release was further analyzed. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling in BaP‐promoted Der f 1‐induced ROS, cytokine production, and allergic inflammation was also investigated. Results Compared with Der f 1, BaP co‐exposure with Der f 1 led to airway hyper‐responsiveness and increased lung inflammation in mouse model of asthma. Increased expression of TSLP, IL‐33, and IL‐25 was also found in the airways of these mice. Moreover, BaP co‐exposure with Der f 1 activated AhR signaling with increased expression of AhR and CYP1A1 and promoted airway epithelial ROS generation and TSLP and IL‐33, but not IL‐25, expression. Interestingly, AhR antagonist CH223191 or cells with AhR knockdown abrogated the increased expression of ROS, TSLP, and IL‐33. Furthermore, ROS inhibitor N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) also suppressed BaP co‐exposure‐induced expression of epithelial TSLP, IL‐33, and IL‐25. Finally, AhR antagonist CH223191 and NAC inhibited BaP co‐exposure with Der f 1‐induced lung inflammation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that BaP facilitates Der f 1‐induced epithelial cytokine release through the AhR‐ROS axis.

A new perovskite pyrrolidinium lead iodide shows suitable bandgap and good moisture stability.

Herein, we reported a octahedral Cd3(C3N3S3)2 coordination polymer as a new noble metal-free photocatalyst for robust photocatalytic H2O2 production from methanol/water solution. The coordination polymer can give an unprecedented H2O2 yield of ca. 110.0 mmol • L−1 • g−1 at pH = 2.8 under visible light illumination. The characterization results clearly revealed that the photocatalytic H2O2 production proceeds by a pathway of two-electron reduction of O2 on the catalyst surface. This work showed the potential perspective of Mx(C3N3S3)y (M = transitional metals) coordination polymers as a series of new materials for solar energy storage and conversion.

The moisture instability of organic−inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells has been a major obstacle to the commercialization, calling for mechanistic understanding of the degradation process, which has been under debate. Here we present a surprising discovery that the degradation is actually reversible, via in situ observation of X-ray diffraction, supported by FTIR and SEM. To isolate the hydrogen bond effect, water was replaced by methanol during the in situ experiment, revealing the decomposition to be initiated by the breakdown of N−H−I hydrogen bonds. This is followed by the step of organic iodide hydrolyzing, which can be inhibited in the neutral environment, making the whole process reversible under variable pH.

The data demonstrate that VitD is required to maintain the stability of mast cells. The deficiency of VitD results in mast cell activation.

These findings contribute to the understanding of PPCs in post-CABG surgery patients and assist in identification of patients at risk for developing PPCs.

Objectives: To assess the relation between exposure to carbonless copy paper (CCP), paper dust, and fumes from photocopiers and printers (FPP), and the occurrence of sick building syndrome (SBS)-related symptoms, chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory infections. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1016 adults, 21-63 years old, living in Pirkanmaa District in South Finland was conducted. This study focused on 342 office workers classified as professionals, clerks or administrative personnel according to their current occupation by the International Standard Classification of Occupations-88. They answered a questionnaire about personal information, health, smoking, occupation, and exposures in the work environment and at home. Results: In logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, sex and a set of other confounders, all three exposures were related to a significantly increased risk of general symptoms (headache and fatigue). Exposure to paper dust and to FPP was associated with upper respiratory and skin symptoms, breathlessness, tonsillitis and middle ear infections. Exposure to CCP increased the risk of eye symptoms, chronic bronchitis and breathlessness. It was also associated with increased occurrence of sinus and middle ear infections and diarrhoea. A dose-response relations was observed between the number of exposures and occurrence of headache. The risk of tonsillitis and sinus infections also increased with increasing number of exposures. All chronic respiratory symptoms, apart from cough, were increased in the highest exposure category (including all three exposures). Conclusions: This study provides new evidence that exposure to paper dust and to FPP is related to the risk of SBS symptoms, breathlessness and upper respiratory infections. It strengthens the evidence that exposure to CCP increases the risk of eye symptoms, general symptoms, chronic respiratory symptoms and some respiratory infections. Reduction of these exposures could improve the health of office workers.