Ir Single Atoms Boost Metal-Oxygen Covalency on Selenide-Derived NiOOH for Direct Intramolecular Oxygen Coupling

This investigation probes the intricate interplay of catalyst dynamics and reaction pathways during the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), highlighting the significance of atomic-level and local ligand structure insights in crafting highly active electrocatalysts. Leveraging a tailored ion exchange reaction followed by electrochemical dynamic reconstruction, we engineered a novel catalytic structure featuring single Ir atoms anchored to NiOOH (Ir1@NiOOH). This novel approach involved the strategic replacement of Fe with Ir, facilitating the transition of selenide precatalysts into active (oxy)hydroxides. This elemental substitution promoted an upward shift in the O 2p band and intensified the metal-oxygen covalency, thereby altering the OER mechanism toward enhanced activity. The shift from a single-metal site mechanism (SMSM) in NiOOH to a dual-metal-site mechanism (DMSM) in Ir1@NiOOH was substantiated by in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) and supported by theoretical insights. Remarkably, the Ir1@NiOOH electrode exhibited exceptional electrocatalytic performance, achieving overpotentials as low as 142 and 308 mV at current densities of 10 and 1000 mA cm-2, respectively, setting a new benchmark for the electrocatalysis of OER.

Efficient Acidic Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Enabled by Ru Single Atoms Anchored on Hematite Photoanodes

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting in acidic media holds promise as an efficient approach to renewable hydrogen production. However, the development of highly active and stable photoanodes under acidic conditions remains a significant challenge. Herein, we demonstrate the remarkable water oxidation performance of Ru single atom decorated hematite (Fe2O3) photoanodes, resulting in a high photocurrent of 1.42 mA cm-2 at 1.23 VRHE under acidic conditions. Comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigations shed light on the mechanisms underlying the superior activity of the Ru-decorated photoanode. The presence of single Ru atoms enhances the separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, facilitating efficient water oxidation kinetics on the Fe2O3 surface. This is achieved by creating additional energy levels within the Fe2O3 bandgap and optimizing the free adsorption energy of intermediates. These modifications effectively lower the energy barrier of the rate-determining step for water splitting, thereby promoting efficient PEC hydrogen production.

Modulating the electronic structure of CoS2 by Sn doping boosting urea oxidation for efficient alkaline hydrogen production

Urea electrocatalytic oxidation afforded by renewable energies is highly promising to replace the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction in water splitting for hydrogen production while realizing the treatment of urea-rich waste water. Therefore, the development of efficient and cost-effective catalysts for water splitting assisted by urea is highly desirable. Herein, Sn-doped CoS₂ electrocatalysts were reported with the engineered electronic structure and the formation of Co-Sn dual active sites for urea oxidation reaction (UOR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), respectively. Consequently, the number of active sites and the intrinsic activity were enhanced simultaneously and the resultant electrodes exhibited outstanding electrocatalytic activity with a very low potential of 1.301 V at 10 mA·cm^-2 for UOR and an overpotential of 132 mV at 10 mA·cm^-2 for HER. Therefore, a two-electrode device was assembled by employing Sn(2)-CoS₂/CC and Sn(5)-CoS₂/CC and the constructed cell required only 1.45 V to approach a current density of 10 mA·cm^-2 along with good durability for at least 95 h assisted by urea. More importantly, the assembled electrolyzer can be powered by commercial dry battery to generate numerous gas bubbles on the surface of the electrodes, demonstrating the high potential of the as-fabricated electrodes for applications in hydrogen production and pollutant treatment at a low-voltage electrical energy input.

[Feasibility analysis of CT angiography derived computational fluid dynamics in evaluating intracranial artery stenosis]

A retrospective study was performed on 8 patients, including 7 males and 1 female, aged 47 to 77 (59±3) years, with intracranial artery stenosis in General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command from November 2018 to May 2019, who underwent CT angiography (CTA), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment. Three-dimensional (3D) prototyping models of intracranial artery based on image data of CTA was constructed and the hemodynamic parameters were obtained using computational fluid dynamics methods. The results showed that CT-FFR value was 0.59±0.18, and invasive FFR value was 0.60±0.22, from which we propased that noninvasive hemodynamic analyses can be used to evaluate the physiological significance of intracranial arterial stenosis.

PLA2 mediates the innate immune response in Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis

The eicosanoid signaling pathway mediates insect immune reactions to a wide range of stimuli. This pathway begins with the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid (AA) from the hydrolysis of phospholipids catalyzed by phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂ ). We report here that the PLA₂ inhibitor, dexamethasone (DEX), impaired the innate immune response including nodulation, encapsulation, and melanization in Ostrinia furnacalis larvae, while AA partially reversed these effects of DEX. We cloned a full-length complementary DNA encoding a PLA₂ , designated as OfsPLA₂ , from O. furnacalis. The open reading frame of OfsPLA₂ encodes a 195-amino acid residue protein with a 22-residue signal peptide. Sequence alignment analyses indicated that O. furnacalis PLA₂ might be a Group III secretory PLA₂ . The highest transcript levels of OfsPLA₂ were detected in the fat body, and its transcript levels increased dramatically after infection with Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, or Beauveria bassiana. Recombinant OfsPLA₂ significantly induced prophenoloxidase (PPO) activation in larval hemolymph in the presence of Ca²⁺ and encapsulation of agarose beads. Injection of recombinant OfsPLA₂ into larvae resulted in increased transcript levels of attacin, defencin, and moricin-3 genes. Our results demonstrate the involvement of the eicosanoid signaling pathway in the innate immune response of O. furnacalis larvae and provide new information about the roles of O. furnacalis secretory PLA₂ in activating PPO and antimicrobial peptide production.

[Analyses of diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspiration in children with tracheobronchial variations]

Objective: To investigate the key issues in the diagnosis and treatment of foreign body aspiration in children with tracheobronchial variations. Methods: A retrospective study was performed for 11 pediatric patients who were treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Henan Province People's Hospital after a diagnosis of foreign body aspiration with tracheobronchial variations between January 2015 and December 2017. There were 7 males and 4 females among the 11 cases of foreign body aspiration with tracheobronchial variations, ranging between 9 months and 11 years of age. Results: Among 11 cases, the types of variationswere tracheal bronchus in 9 cases, bridging bronchus in 1 case and simple tracheal stenosis in 1 case. All of the pediatric patients were under general anesthesia, and the foreign bodies were removed by bronchoscopy successfully with no significant complications. Conclusions: The possibility of tracheobronchial variations should be considered in children with recurrent wheezing and poor efficacy of regular treatment before foreign body aspiration. Removal of foreign body via rigid bronchoscope under general anesthesia is a safe and effective treatment. These children are needed to combine the situation oftracheobronchial variations and the location of foreign bodies to guide the operation, and strengthened the perioperative treatment.

[Comparison of short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer]

Objective: To assess the safety, feasibility and short-term outcome of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy(TLDG). Methods: Seventy-five patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Science between August 2015 and April 2018 were enrolled in this study. A total of 46 laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) cases and 29 TLDG cases were included. The Short-term outcomes and safeties of the two groups were compared. Results: The operation time of TLDG group was significantly longer than that of LADG group (207±41 vs. 156±34 min, P<0.001), while the length of wound was shorter in the TLDG group (3.6±0.6 vs. 5.8±0.8 cm, P<0.001). The time to first flatus in TLDG group was (3.3±0.6) days, significantly shorter than (3.7±0.8) days in LADG group (P=0.034). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the estimated blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, extraction of gastric tube, drainage tube removal, interval of the first time to eat semi-liquid food, postoperative hospital stays, surgical complications, number of retrieved lymph nodes, proximal and distal resection margin lengths (all P>0.05). The white blood cell count at postoperative day 1 in the TLDG group was (10.96±1.96) ×10(9)/L, significantly lower than (12.49±3.46)×10(9)/L of the LADG group (P=0.017). While the CRP level at postoperative day 1 in the TLDG group were lower than that of LADG group, no statistical difference was observed (P=0.072). Conclusions: Our study shows that TLDG is safe and feasible. TLDG has better cosmesis, less blood loss, and faster recovery compared to LADG.

[Endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of invasive fungal sinusitis]

Objective:To explore the early diagnosis, the treatment and theprognosis of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.Method:By summarizing the clinical data of 18 patients, CT and MRI images, pathological diagnosis and follow-up results to analysis the early diagnosis and the treatment.Result:All 5 patients with invasive fungal sinusitis were infected with mucor, 3 of whom died of intracranial complications. Among 13 patients with chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, 9 were aspergillus, 3 were mucor, and 1 was negative. There were 9 cases of diabetes, 1 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, 3 cases of hypoproteinemia, 1 cases of organ transplantation, and 1 cases of leukemia. There were 3 cases of death who unenforced the operation, 15 patients received enlarged endoscopic surgery, postoperative antifungal therapy. Followed up 1-3 years, relapse in 3 cases, 1 case of death.Conclusion:The diagnosis of FRS needs to be combined with clinical manifestations, imaging features and pathological findings. The treatment requires surgery to completely remove diseased tissue (enlarged sinus open surgery) combined with antifungal use in sufficient quantities.

[Diagnosis and therapy strategy of acute invasive fungal rhino-sinisitis]

Summary Acute invasive fungal rhino-sinisitis(AIFRS) is a kind of acute fungus infectious disease.It ofen deteriorates rapidly and abruptly,which occurs in the nose and sinuses with somepeople who have low immunological function.This paper reviewed the progress about the acute invasive fungal rhino-sinisitis's clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment and prognosis to improve the level of early diagnosis and reduce the mortality.

[Comparison of hysteroscopy and curettage in incomplete pregnancy with cesarean scar pregnancy]

Objectives: To evaluate the value of hysteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) incomplete abortion. Methods: A total of 42 patients with incomplete cesarean circumcision from January 2014 to March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.Twenty-one patients underwent bilateral uterine artery embolization.Twenty patients underwent hysteroscopy Electrocardiose resection of pregnancy tissue and coagulation hemostasis, the control group of 22 patients underwent conventional uterine artery embolization surgery. Results: One patient in the study group was changed to laparoscopic surgery.In the control group, 2 patients were changed to laparoscopic surgery and 2 patients underwent laparotomy.The duration of hospitalization, the amount of postoperative bleeding and the duration of bleeding were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group.The recovery time of HCG in the study group was significantly shorter than that in the control group. Conclusion: Compared with traditional uterine artery embolization, hysteroscopic resection of cesarean section scar residual tissue less bleeding, higher success rate of surgery, less trauma, faster recovery, treatment Cesarean section scar scar pregnancy abortion is the ideal method.

Low-temperature electronic transport in single K(0.27)MnO(2)·0.5H(2)O nanowires: enhanced electron-electron interaction

The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and electrical resistivity of isolated potassium manganese oxide (K(0.27)MnO(2)·0.5H(2)O) nanowires prepared by a simple hydrothermal method were investigated over a wide temperature range from 300 to 4 K. With lowering temperature, a transition from linear to nonlinear I-V curves was observed around 50 K, and a clear zero bias anomaly (i.e., Coulomb gap-like structure) appeared on the differential conductance (dI/dV) curves, possibly due to enhanced electron-electron interaction at low temperatures. The temperature dependence of resistivity, [Formula: see text], follows the Efros-Shklovskii (ES) law, as expected in the presence of a Coulomb gap. Here we note that both the ES law and Coulomb blockade can in principle lead to a reduced zero bias conductance at low temperatures; in this study we cannot exclude the possibility of Coulomb-blockade transport in the measured nanowires, especially in the low-temperature range. It is still an open question how to pin down the origin of the observed reduction to a Coulomb gap (ES law) or Coulomb blockade.

Are humoral factors involved in the colonic mucosal lesion in portal hypertensive rats?

AIMS

With a prehepatic portal hypertensive rat model, we explored the involvement of humoral factors to the occurrence of portal hypertensive colopathy (PHC), another clinical entity besides portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) in portal hypertension, by investigating the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), endothelial constitutive NOS (ecNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the colonic and gastric mucosa.

METHODS

Portal hypertension was produced by a two-stage ligation of portal vein plus ligation of the left adrenal vein in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Two weeks after complete obstruction of the portal vein, the portal pressure was measured and the expression of iNOS, ecNOS, ET-1, TNF-alpha and VEGF in the colonic and gastric mucosa were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry methods.

RESULTS

A 1.8 fold (P < 0.01) elevation of the portal pressure was detected in the portal hypertensive rats as compared to control. Significantly up-regulation of the mRNA levels of iNOS (P < 0.01), ET-1 (P < 0.05) and TNF-alpha (P < 0.01), but not ecNOS and VEGF, were detected in the colonic mucosa of portal hypertensive rats compared with control. The mRNA of iNOS, ecNOS, ET-1, TNF-alpha and VEGF were all significantly increased at varied levels in the gastric mucosa as compared to control (P all < 0.05). No difference of the appearance and localization of immunostaining of iNOS, ecNOS, ET-1, TNF-alpha and VEGF in the colonic and gastric mucosa were seen between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest the involvement of the upregulation of iNOS, ET-1 and TNF-alpha in the colonic mucosal lesion of portal hypertensive rats.

New genotype of avian influenza H5N1 viruses isolated from tree sparrows in China

The 2004 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 disease in China led to a great poultry loss and society attention. A survey of avian influenza viruses was conducted on tree sparrows (Passer montanus) collected in China in 2004. Four viruses were isolated from free-living tree sparrows. The results of the whole-genome analysis indicated that an H5N1 virus with a new genotype is circulating among tree sparrows. The hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of the new genotype were derived from Gs/Gd/96-like viruses and the nuclear protein gene descended from the 2001 genotype A H5N1 viruses, while the other inner genes originated from an unknown influenza virus. In experimental infection, all four viruses were highly pathogenic to chickens but not pathogenic to ducks or mice. The four tree sparrow viruses were different from the 2003 tree sparrow strain (genotype Z) in Hong Kong. The results suggested that H5N1 viruses might be distributed widely in tree sparrows.

Photosynthetic acclimation of higher plants to growth in fluctuating light environments

This paper describes a study into the potential of plants to acclimate to light environments that fluctuate over time periods between 15 min and 3 h. Plants of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., Digitalis purpurea L. and Silene dioica (L.) Clairv. were grown at an irradiance 100 mumol m(-2) s(-1). After 4-6 weeks, they were transferred to light regimes that fluctuated between 100 and either 475 or 810 mumol m(-2) s(-1), in a regular cycle, for 7 days. Plants were shown, in most cases, to be able to undergo photosynthetic acclimation under such conditions, increasing maximum photosynthetic rate. The extent of acclimation varied between species. A more detailed study with S. dioica showed that this acclimation involved changes in both Rubisco protein and cytochrome f content, with only marginal changes in pigment content and composition. Acclimation to fluctuating light, at the protein level, did not fully reflect the acclimation to continuous high light - Rubisco protein increased more than would be expected from the mean irradiance, but less than expected from the high irradiance; cytochrome f increased when neither the mean nor the high irradiance would be expected to induce an increase.

Vacuolar pH oscillations in mesophyll cells accompany oscillations of photosynthesis in leaves: Interdependence of cellular compartments, and regulation of electron flow in photosynthesis

Oscillations of photosynthesis induced in leaves of Vicia faba L. were accompanied by oscillations not only in the pH of the chloroplast stroma, but also by pH oscillations in the cytosol and in the vacuole of leaf mesophyll cells. Cytosolic pH oscillations were in phase with stromal oscillations, but antiparallel to vacuolar pH oscillations. During maxima of photosynthesis, the cytosolic pH exhibited maxima and the vacuolar pH minima. Vacuolar acidification is interpreted to be the result of energized proton transport from the cytosol into the vacuole. Since the ratio of dihydroxyacetone phosphate to phosphoglycerate is maximal during the peaks of photosynthesis (Stitt et al., 1988, J. Plant Physiol. 133, 133-143; Laisk et al., 1991, Planta 185, 554-562), while the activity of NADP-malic dehydrogenase is highest during minima of photosynthesis (Scheibe and Stitt, 1988, Plant Physiol. Biochem. 26, 473-481), the present data indicate in agreement with earlier observations (Yin et al., 1991, Planta 184, 30-34) that light-dependent cytosolic energization is brought about by the oxidation of dihydroxyacetone phosphate rather than of malate. They also indicate that the over-reduction of the electrontransport chain observed during minima of photosynthesis is relieved not predominantly by oxaloacetate reduction and export of the resulting malate from the chloroplasts but by another reaction, presumably oxygen reduction.

Light-dependent pH changes in leaves of C3 plants : IV. Action spectra indicate indirect energization of proton transport into mesophyll vacuoles by cyclic photophosphorylation

Action spectra in the red region of the spectrum for light-dependent cytosolic alkalization in leaves of C3 plants which also received a low background of blue light differed from the action spectra for light-dependent vacuolar acidification. Light above 680 nm was less effective in supporting the cytosolic alkalization reaction than light below 680 nm. In contrast, in leaves illuminated in CO2-free air the light-dependent vacuolar acidification exhibited a maximum at or even above 700 nm. When photorespiratory carbohydrate oxidation was suppressed in low oxygen, a substantially changed action spectrum of the acidification reaction resembled in shape that of the cytosolic alkalization with the exception that it was extended towards the far-red. From the presented data and from previously published data (Yin et al., 1990b, Planta 182, 253-261; Yin et al., 1990c, Planta 182, 262-269) it is concluded that in the presence of a weak background of blue light, and in the absence of CO2 which drains electrons from the electron transport chain, cyclic photophosphorylation induced by far-red light permits increased export of dihydroxyacetone phosphate from the chloroplasts into the cytosol where its oxidation increases the cytosolic energy state giving rise to increased proton transport across the tonoplast. The data do not lend support to the view that export of malate from the chloroplasts and its oxidation in the mitochondria contribute significantly to cytosolic energization in the light.

Light-dependent pH changes in leaves of C3 plants : I. Recording pH changes in various cellular compartments by fluorescent probes

Chloroplasts, mesophyll protoplasts, cytoplasts, vacuoplasts, vacuoles and leaves were stained with pH-indicating fluorescent dyes of differing pK values. Fluorescence microscopy was used to obtain information on the intracellular and intercellular distribution of the probes. The kinetics of blue or green fluorescence emitted from chloroplasts, protoplasts, cytoplasts and leaves was measured during illumination with red light. The intensity of light used for fluorescence excitation was so low that it had little effect on photosynthesis. In leaves, fluorescence signals emitted from chloroplasts were small and usually insignificant compared to signals originating from the cytosol. Both indicated light-dependent alkalization and reversal of alkalization on darkening. Vacuolar signals were opposite in sign to cytosolic signals. They indicated acidification of the vacuole in the light-dark transient and reversal of this effect on darkening.

Light-dependent pH changes in leaves of C3 plants : II. Effect of CO2 and O 2 on the cytosolic and the vacuolar pH

Illumination of leaves of C3 plants caused cytosolic alkalization and vacuolar acidification in the mesophyll cells. Both phenomena were particularly pronounced when CO2 was absent, were suppressed by CO2, and were related to the activation state of the photosynthetic apparatus. The cytosolic alkalization reaction has at least two major components. Trivalent cytosolic phosphoglycerate must be protonated before it can be transferred into the chloroplasts for reduction. Pumping of protons from the cytosol into the vacuole also contributes to cytosolic alkalization. The dependence of light scattering by chloroplast thylakoids on the energy fluence rate was closely related to that of vacuolar acidification under different conditions for chloroplast energization. This indicates (i) transport of energy from the chloroplasts to the cytosol in the light and (ii) use of this energy for the transport of protons into the vacuoles. The light-dependent vacuolar acidification is interpreted to be caused by the increase in the activity of a proton-translocating enzyme of the tonoplast. The decrease of vacuolar acidification during photosynthetic carbon reduction or photorespiration is indicative of decreased cytosolic energization. In low light, the light-dependent vacuolar acidification was stimulated in the absence of CO2 when photorespiration was inhibited. The data do not support the view that photorespiration is capable of increasing the cytosolic energy state in the light.

Light-dependent pH changes in leaves of C3 plants : III. Effect of inhibitors of photosynthesis and of the developmental state of the photosynthetic apparatus on cytosolic and vacuolar pH changes

Etiolated leaves and the inhibitors of photosynthesis 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) and DL-glyceraldehyde were used to study the relationship between thylakoid energization, photosynthesis, the light-dependent alkalization of the cytosol of mesophyll cells and the acidification of mesophyll vacuoles. No light-dependent pH changes were observed in etiolated leaves. As chloroplasts developed in the light and became photosynthetically competent, mesophyll vacuoles became more acidic when the leaves were illuminated in CO2-free air. Acidification was suppressed and even replaced by a small light-dependent alkaline shift during photoassimilation of CO2. In green leaves, DCMU and DL-glyceraldehyde inhibited the cytosolic and vacuolar pH responses to illumination. Inhibition was also observed under anaerobiosis. In the absence of DCMU and glyceraldehyde, the extent of the light-dependent vacuolar acidification corresponded closely to the extent of thylakoid energization by light. Because, in contrast to DCMU, glyceraldehyde did not inhibit thylakoid energization while inhibiting the extrachloroplast pH responses, it is concluded that the signal transfer from the chloroplasts to the cytosol which results in increased vacuolar acidification in the light involves metabolites of the Calvin cycle. The observations do not support the view that the cytosolic energy state is increased in the light by the mitochondrial oxidation of the NADH generated during the oxidation of photorespiratory glycine in the mitochondria.