Covalent Organic Frameworks with Low Surface Work Function Enabled Stable Lithium Anode

Uniform deposition and distribution of lithium ion (Li⁺ ) on the surface of lithium metal anode is crucial for long-life and high-safety lithium metal batteries. However, the preparation of stable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) is mostly based on trial and error in the absence of guideline. Herein, covalent organic framework (COF) with high Young's modulus and low surface work function is in situ synthesized on Li anode to stabilize Li|electrolyte interface. Notably, Young's modulus, mechanical index for Li dendrite resistance, and surface work function, electrical index for Li⁺ distribution, can be regarded as macroscopically detectable indicators to evaluate the artificial SEI before battery assembly. The COF_TpPa modified Li metal anodes delivered stable cycling over 1000 (2000) h at high current density of 5 (2) mA cm^-2 in the ether-based electrolyte, and the full cells with commercial LiFePO₄ electrode (mass loading of 16.5 mg cm^-2 ) demonstrate remarkably enhanced cycling performance with a high reversible capacity of 152.3 mAh g^-1 (retention of 96.8%) after 300 cycles.

Circular RNA circ-PRKCI promotes lung cancer progression by binding to microRNA-1324 to regulate MECP2 expression

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the expression and specific molecular mechanism of circ-PRKCI in lung cancer (LCa).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The relationship between the expression level of circ-PRKCI and the prognosis of patients was analyzed. The impacts of circ-PRKCI on the invasiveness of LCa cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) experiments, clone formation experiments, and transwell invasion experiments. Subcellular localization of circ-PRKCI was determined through nuclear separation experiments. Downstream target genes that can bind to circ-PRKCI was predicted through bioinformatics analysis, and was then verified by Dual-Luciferase experiments, quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments, and Western blot experiments.

RESULTS

Circ-PRKCI level was remarkably elevated in LCa tumor tissues and cell lines. At the same time, highly expressed circ-PRKCI was correlated with the poor prognosis of LCa patients. In vitro cell experiments revealed that inhibition of circ-PRKCI in LCa cell lines remarkably inhibited cell invasiveness and proliferation. In addition, circ-PRKCI can compete with MECP2 to bind microRNA-1324 and thus affect the progression of LCa.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows for the first time that circ-PRKCI modulates the progression of LCa through microRNA-150-5p/MECP2 axis.

[The development history of oral contraceptives]

The creation of oral contraceptives goes back 60 years. It has gone through a long and complex process from the discovery of sex hormones to their development into drugs to market. A correct understanding of the developmental history of oral contraceptives is of great importance for human reproduction. Gregory G Pincus successfully synthesized the first oral contraceptive Enovid based on research by Carl Djerassi, this was approved for marketing by the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in May 1960. However, due to the severe side effects of Enovid, the safer and more effective second generation oral contraceptives - Levonorgestrel and the third generation oral contraceptives - Pregnene are widely used and continue to be used to this day. The introduction of oral contraceptives not only dampened the explosive growth of the world's population, but also improved the social status of women, and catalyzed the sexual liberation movement.

A Robust PtNi Nanoframe/N-Doped Graphene Aerogel Electrocatalyst with Both High Activity and Stability

Insufficient catalytic activity and stability and high cost are the barriers for Pt-based electrocatalysts in wide practical applications. Herein, a hierarchically porous PtNi nanoframe/N-doped graphene aerogel (PtNiNF-NGA) electrocatalyst with outstanding performance toward methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) in acid electrolyte has been developed via facile tert-butanol-assisted structure reconfiguration. The ensemble of high-alloying-degree-modulated electronic structure and correspondingly the optimum MOR reaction pathway, the structure superiorities of hierarchical porosity, thin edges, Pt-rich corners, and the anchoring effect of the NGA, endow the PtNiNF-NGA with both prominent electrocatalytic activity and stability. The mass and specific activity (1647 mA mg_Pt ^-1 , 3.8 mA cm^-2 ) of the PtNiNF-NGA are 5.8 and 7.8 times higher than those of commercial Pt/C. It exhibits exceptional stability under a 5-hour chronoamperometry test and 2200-cycle cyclic voltammetry scanning.

TCF19 aggravates the malignant progression of colorectal cancer by negatively regulating WWC1

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of TCF19 in influencing the malignant progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) by negatively regulating WWC1.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Relative expression levels of TCF19 and WWC1 in CRC tissues and cells were detected by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The prognosis of CRC patients was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Meanwhile, the correlation between TCF19 and pathological indexes of CRC patients was evaluated. Regulatory effects of TCF19/WWC1 on viability, colony formation ability, and migration in HT29 and HCT-8 cells were evaluated. Finally, rescue experiments were conducted to elucidate a negative feedback loop of TCF19/WWC1 in influencing the progression of CRC.

RESULTS

TCF19 was significantly up-regulated in CRC, while WWC1 was down-regulated. High-level TCF19 or low-level WWC1 indicated worse survival of CRC patients. Besides, TCF19 expression level was positively correlated with the occurrence of distant metastasis in CRC. Silence of TCF19 significantly attenuated proliferative and migratory capacities of HT29 cells. However, overexpression of TCF19 yielded the opposite trends in HCT-8 cells. WWC1 expression was negatively regulated by TCF19 in CRC tissues. In addition, knockdown of WWC1 abolished the regulatory effect of TCF19 on CRC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

TCF19 is closely correlated with the occurrence of distant metastasis and poor prognosis of CRC. Furthermore, it aggravates the malignant progression of CRC via negatively regulating WWC1.

Assessing Farm Stress and Community Supports in a U.S.-Mexico Border County

Imperial County, California, is a high-need, medically underserved area that has some of the worst overall health outcomes of all California counties. Given this and the high depression and anxiety rates in agricultural occupations, Imperial County farmers and ranchers may be at an increased risk of stress and poor mental health outcomes. An exploratory mixed methods assessment was used to collect information from 24 farmers and ranchers in Imperial County. Survey topics included questions about farm or ranch operations, farm-related stress, mental health, community support, and health behaviors. The results indicate that most respondents perceive unpredictable factors, such as government regulations, as the most impactful stressors related to their farm or ranch operations. Additionally, depression symptomatology scores were positively correlated with respondents' ability to obtain credit. Efforts to understand farm-related stress and how community support can help Imperial County farmers and ranchers mediate adverse physical and mental health effects through formal and informal networks are considered.

Both Phosphonic Acid- and Fluorine-Containing Poly(aryl ether)-hydroxyapatite Biocomposites: Toward Enhanced Biocompatibility and Bonelike Elastic Modulus

Metal-based implants possess excellent mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility and can deliver favorable performances in clinic treatments. However, modulus mismatching is considered a common defect for metal-based materials, while polymer-based materials with a bonelike elastic modulus have been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for bone replacement implants. In this work, a phosphonic acid- and fluorine-containing poly(aryl ether) (PAE) resin is designed and synthesized, which is determined to be an amorphous polymer with excellent thermostability. The elastic modulus of composites is improved to 15.7 GPa by reinforcing with 60 wt % hydroxyapatite (HA), which demonstrates admirable protein adsorption and hydrophilicity. After 14 days of immersion in simulated body fluid, a layer of HA deposition can be observed, indicating favorable bioactivity in advance, and the preliminary in vitro cell experiments also suggest that PAE-HA composites possess favorable cell responses on adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, which reveal the feasibility of synthesized polymers to be employed as bone replacement materials, while the adjustability in molecular chains also leaves room for further investigations.

[Effects of preoperative segmental mobility on the clinical and radiographic outcomes following one-level artificial cervical disc replacement]

Objective: To investigate the effects of preoperative segmental range of motion (ROM) on clinical and radiographical outcomes after artificial cervical disc replacement (ACDR) and explore whether ACDR could be indicated for patients with preoperative limited or excessive segmental ROM. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2017, patients who underwent Prestige-LP ACDR in West China Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The preoperative and postoperative X-rays of the cervical spine were collected to measure the radiographic parameters, including cervical lordosis (CL), C(2-7) ROM, disc height (DH), disc angle (DA) and ROM at the arthroplasty level. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores. The correlation between preoperative segmental ROM and postoperative clinical and radiographical outcomes were also analyzed. Results: A total of 161 patients were analyzed, with 73 males and 88 females. The mean age was (44±8) years, and the follow-up period was 34 months (12-120 months). JOA and NDI scores improved after ACDR (P<0.05). However, postoperative C(2-7) ROM and ROM at the arthroplasty level were comparable with preoperative counterparts (both P>0.05). Preoperative segmental ROM positively correlated with C(2-7) ROM and ROM at the arthroplasty segment (r=0.213、0.271, both P<0.05), but was negatively correlated with the change of ROM (r=-0.534, P<0.05). The segmental ROM was 4.0°±1.0° in the limited-ROM group (A) and 14.6°±1.3° in the excessive-ROM group (B), respectively. There were significantly more patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis in group A than in group B (35.5% vs 10.7%, P<0.05). The level-distribution was statistically different between the two groups. C(5/6) and C(6/7) were prone to limited motion in group A, while C(4/5) and C(5/6) were predisposed to excessive motion in group B (all P<0.05). After surgery, C(2-7) ROM increased for 14.2°±16.8° in group A, while paradoxically decreased for 2.2°±14.4° in group B. However, C(2-7) ROM in group B was still larger than that in group A (P<0.05). Similarly, the ROM at the arthroplasty level increased by 3.1°±3.7° in group A, whereas the values decreased by 4.4°±4.2° in group B postoperatively. In addition, group A still had less segmental ROM than group B (P<0.05). The preoperative DH in group A was less than that in group B (P<0.05). The rates of ASD, HO, and high-grade HO in group A were all higher than those in group B but without significant differences (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative segmental ROM has no significant effects on clinical outcomes after ACDR; it has a positive correlation with postoperative global and segmental ROM while is negatively correlated with ROM change.

MiR-491 functions as a tumor suppressor through Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling in the development of glioma

OBJECTIVE

Glioma is the most frequent brain tumor that has high invasion and usually disperses to the whole brain through blood and basement membranes. MicroRNA-491 (miR-491) has been reported to have low expression and act as a tumor suppressor in several cancers. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a classic signaling pathway that participated in several biological processes. Our purpose was to detect the molecular mechanism of miR-491 in regulating the growth and metastasis of glioma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was applied to calculate the mRNA level of miR-491 and target gene. The protein expression of special genes was assessed by Western blot. The proliferation and invasive abilities were measured by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays. The Kaplan-Meier method was conducted to evaluate the association between the expressions of miR-491 with the overall survival of glioma patients.

RESULTS

We discovered that miR-491 was lowly expressed in glioma and downregulation of miR-491 predicted poor outcome of glioma patients. Similarly, a high expression of miR-491 suppressed the growth and metastasis in glioma cell line LN229. MiR-491 high expression inhibited the growth of glioma in a mouse xenograft model. Moreover, Wnt3a was a target gene of miR-491 and miR-491 mediated the invasion-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by regulating the expression of Wnt3a. Additionally, miR-491 regulated the proliferation through the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway by targeting Wnt3a.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-491 overexpression inhibited the proliferation through the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway and invasion-mediated EMT in glioma. The newly identified miR-491/Wnt3a/β-catenin axis provides novel insight into the pathogenesis of glioma.

Transparency Change Mechanochromism Based on a Robust PDMS-Hydrogel Bilayer Structure

Hydrogels and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are complementary to each other, since the hydrophobic PDMS provides a more stable and rigid substrate, while the water-rich hydrogel possesses remarkable hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and similarity to biological tissues. Herein a transparent and stretchable covalently bonded PDMS-hydrogel bilayer (PHB) structure is prepared via in situ free radical copolymerization of acrylamide and allylamine-exfoliated-ZrP (AA-e-ZrP) on a functionalized PDMS surface. The AA-e-ZrP serves as cross-linking nano-patches in the polymer gel network. The covalently bonded structure is constructed through the addition reaction of vinyl groups of PDMS surface and monomers, obtaining a strong interfacial adhesion between the PDMS and the hydrogel. A mechanical-responsive wrinkle surface, which exhibs transparency change mechanochromism, is created via introducing a cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol film atop the PHB structure. A finite element model is implemented to simulate the wrinkle formation process. The implication of the present finding for the interfacial design of the PHB and PDMS-hydrogel-PVA trilayer (PHPT) structures is discussed.

Effects of Soil Conditions on Root Rot of Soybean Caused by Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum is an important soybean pathogen that causes seedling disease, root rot, and pre- and postemergence damping-off. However, effects of soil conditions on the disease are not well understood. The objective of this greenhouse study was to determine the impacts of soil texture, pH, and soil moisture on seedling root rot symptoms and detrimental effects on seedling development caused by F. graminearum. F. graminearum-infested millet was added (10%, vol/vol) to soil with four different textures (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, and loam). Soil moisture was maintained at saturation, field capacity or permanent wilting point at soil pH levels of 6 or 8. Seedlings were evaluated 4 weeks after planting for root rot, root length, root and shoot dry weights, leaf area, and F. graminearum colonization (by qPCR). There was a significant interaction between soil moisture and soil texture for root rot assessed visually (P < 0.0001). Highest severity (67%) and amount of F. graminearum DNA were observed at pH 6 and permanent wilting point in sandy loam soils. Pot saturation resulted in the lowest levels of disease in sandy loam and loam soils (11.6 and 10.8%, respectively). Reductions in seedling growth parameters, including root length, foliar area, shoot and root dry weights, and root tips, relative to the noninfested control, were significantly greater in sandy loam soils. In contrast, there were no significant growth reductions in sand. This study showed that levels of root rot increased under moisture-limiting conditions, producing detrimental effects on plant development.

microRNA-1297 promotes the progression of osteoporosis through regulation of osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting WNT5A

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate whether microRNA-1297 can regulate the osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) through WNT5A, thus influencing the progression of osteoporosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was performed to analyze microRNA-1297 level and osteogenesis-related markers in osteoporosis patients and controls. The protein levels of the above markers and WNT5A were detected by Western blot. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay and ALP staining were used to measure the degree of osteogenic differentiation under the control of microRNA-1297 and WNT5A, and ARS staining was used to detect the mineralization ability of hBMSC after overexpression of microRNA-1297. The binding sites of microRNA-1297 and WNT5A were determined by the dual luciferase-reporting assay. Besides, the activity of Wnt signal transduction pathway in different treatment groups was detected by TOP/FOP report.

RESULTS

MicroRNA-1297 was highly expressed in osteoporotic patients, and its level decreased significantly with the increasing of osteogenic induction. Bioinformatics prediction suggested that microRNA-1297 can target WNT5A. In vitro experiments showed that overexpression of microRNA-1297 in hBMSC can reduce the level of WNT5A, while interference with microRNA-1297 can increase the level of WNT5A. Overexpression of microRNA-1297 and transfection of si-WNT5A significantly reduced the mRNA levels of RUNX2, OSX, ALP, OCN, OPN and COL1A1, thereby inhibiting osteogenic differentiation. Overexpression of microRNA-1297 could interfere with WNT signaling pathway regulation and regulate the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

microRNA-1297 could regulate the osteogenesis of BMSCs by combining with WNT5A so as to accelerate the progression of osteoporosis.

Long-term outcomes of different endoscopic sinus surgery in recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and asthma have poorer outcomes after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and higher recurrence rate. The aim of present study was to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of extended surgical strategies for patients with recurrent CRSwNP and asthma.

METHODS

Eighty-one patients with CRSwNP and asthma were enrolled in this 5-year prospective study. They were randomly assigned to undergo FESS, radical endoscopic sinus surgery (RESS), or RESS+Draf 3 surgery. Disease severity and clinical outcomes were evaluated using symptoms scoring, endoscopic scoring system, computed tomography staging system, sinus-specific quality of life scores, tissue and peripheral blood eosinophil percentage, and pulmonary function tests. Baseline, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year follow-up data were compared among the groups.

RESULTS

RESS and RESS+Draf 3 strategies yielded better short-term (1 year) outcomes than did FESS. FESS had a higher short-term recurrence rate, although recurrence rates were similarly high (95.6 - 96.1%) in all the groups at 5 years postoperatively. RESS and RESS+Draf 3 yielded a lower long-term revision surgery rate and a longer time to recurrence post-surgery than FESS, which was negatively correlated with tissue and peripheral blood eosinophil percentage.

CONCLUSIONS

CRSwNP with asthma is a systemic disease that inevitably recurs. Radical surgery prolongs recurrence time and improves olfaction, rhinorrhea, and quality of life in the short-term. Combining Draf 3 with RESS did not yield better clinical outcomes than RESS alone; thus, although RESS alone appears to be the best option, these findings need to be confirmed in further studies involving more patients, longer follow-up duration and stricter standardized medication use especially the adequate steroid irrigations.

[Epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Tongliao city of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 2004-2018]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis (HB), evolution and origin feature of Brucella strains in Tongliao city, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during 2004-2018, and to provide evidence for strategy development against the disease. Methods: Data from the reports on HB in Tongliao during 2004-2018 were extracted from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention before being analyzed with software Excel 2016. Epidemiologic feature was described, using the number of cases, constituent ratio and related rates. Conventional biotypes methods were used for identification of species/biovars strains while species of six Brucella strains were further verified by AMOS-PCR. Cluster analyze on six Brucella strains were performed with Bio-Numerics 5.0 software and for examining and revealing the genetic characteristics of the related strains. Results: During 2004-2018, a total of 16 704 HB cases were reported, with the incidence rate as 35.41/100 000. The incidence rates appeared as 110.51/100 000 in Jarud Banner and 67.84/100 000 in Kulun flag, which were both higher than the other areas. Most of the cases were reported in the 40-54 year olds, which accounted for 48.75% (8 143/16 704). The number of HB in farmers appeared as 14 873, which counted for 89.04% (14 873/16 704) of all the cases. Male to female ratio of incidence was 2.40∶1. Most of the reported cases appeared between March to May, which accounted for 56.30% (9 405/16 704). Peak of the disease was seen in April. Using the conventional identification method, results showed that the available six strains all belonged to B. melitensis, including three of them as B. melitensis bv.1 and others three strains as B. melitensis bv. 3. Results from the amplified AMOS-PCR showed that all the strains were B. melitensis. The six strains clustered in two MLVA-11 genotypes (111 and 116) and all belonged to the Eastern Mediterranean lineage. Based on the MLVA-16 cluster analysis, results suggested that strains from this study were having close genetic relationship with B. melitensis strains that were from Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces. Conclusions: Human brucellosis identified in Tongliao area was with greater risk in spreading the disease to the vicinity. Our findings indicated that the programs on detection and control of the disease should be strengthened.

Improved Constraints on Sterile Neutrino Mixing from Disappearance Searches in the MINOS, MINOS+, Daya Bay, and Bugey-3 Experiments

Searches for electron antineutrino, muon neutrino, and muon antineutrino disappearance driven by sterile neutrino mixing have been carried out by the Daya Bay and MINOS+ collaborations. This Letter presents the combined results of these searches, along with exclusion results from the Bugey-3 reactor experiment, framed in a minimally extended four-neutrino scenario. Significantly improved constraints on the θ_{μe} mixing angle are derived that constitute the most constraining limits to date over five orders of magnitude in the mass-squared splitting Δm_{41}^{2}, excluding the 90% C.L. sterile-neutrino parameter space allowed by the LSND and MiniBooNE observations at 90% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<13  eV^{2}. Furthermore, the LSND and MiniBooNE 99% C.L. allowed regions are excluded at 99% CL_{s} for Δm_{41}^{2}<1.6 eV^{2}.

A Highly Immobilized Organic Anode Material for High Performance Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

Organic conjugated carbonyl materials have attracted considerable attention in the field of high-capacity and green energy storage technologies. However, the high solubility in organic electrolyte restrains their further application. In this work, an organic terephthalate compound (Li₂M) with propargyl groups is synthesized innovatively and then used to prepare a highly cross-linked anode material (X-Li₂M) by simple hydrothermal treatment for rechargeable lithium batteries. The electrochemical properties are enhanced significantly by in situ constructing an interpenetrating network of X-Li₂M and the conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The as-synthesized X-Li₂M@CNTs composite anode delivers a reversible capacity of ∼200 mAh g^-1 at 0.1 C after 200 cycles and exhibits excellent cycle stability at a high rate of 1 C with ∼150 mAh g^-1 retention capacity after 1000 cycles and nearly 100% average Coulombic efficiency. Additionally, the superior rate capability is obtained at the high rate of 2 and 10 C and with specific discharge capacities of 140 and 100 mAh g^-1, respectively. Highly reversible redox reaction of the electrochemical active site carbonyl group (C═O) is ascertained by ex-situ infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The described approach provides a novel direction for the immobilization of organic electrode molecules and is intended to serve as a universal guide for the research and fabrication of high-performance organic batteries.