Photoelectron Migration Boosted by Hollow Double-Shell Dyads Based on Covalent Organic Frameworks for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation

Photocatalytic hydrogen production based on noble metal-free systems is a promising technology for the conversion of solar energy into green hydrogen, it is pivotal and challenging to tailor-make photocatalysts for achieving high photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, we reported a hollow double-shell dyad through uniformly coating covalent organic frameworks (COFs) on the surface of hollow Co9S8. The double shell architecture enhances the scattering and refraction efficiency of incident light, shortens the transmission distance of the photogenerated charge carriers, and exposes more active sites for photocatalytic conversion. The hydrogen evolution rate is as high as 23.15 mmol g-1 h-1, which is significantly enhanced when compared with that of their physical mixture (0.30 mmol g-1 h-1) and Pt-based counterpart (11.84 mmol g-1 h-1). This work provides a rational approach to the construction of noble-metal-free photocatalytic systems based on COFs to enhance hydrogen evolution performance.

Electrokinetic Analyses Uncover the Rate-Determining Step of Biomass-Derived Monosaccharide Electroreduction on Copper

Electrochemical biomass conversion holds promise to upcycle carbon sources and produce valuable products while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To this end, deep insight into the interfacial mechanism is essential for the rational design of an efficient electrocatalytic route, which is still an area of active research and development. Herein, we report the reduction of dihydroxyacetone (DHA)-the simplest monosaccharide derived from glycerol feedstock-to acetol, the vital chemical intermediate in industries, with faradaic efficiency of 85±5 % on a polycrystalline Cu electrode. DHA reduction follows preceding dehydration by coordination with the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups and the subsequent hydrogenation. The electrokinetic profile indicates that the rate-determining step (RDS) includes a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) to the dehydrated intermediate, revealed by coverage-dependent Tafel slope and isotopic labeling experiments. An approximate zero-order dependence of H+ suggests that water acts as the proton donor for the interfacial PCET process. Leveraging these insights, we formulate microkinetic models to illustrate its origin that Eley-Rideal (E-R) dominates over Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) in governing Cu-mediated DHA reduction, offering rational guidance that increasing the concentration of the adsorbed reactant alone would be sufficient to promote the activity in designing practical catalysts.

A Noncentrosymmetric Metal-Free Borophosphate: Achieving a Large Birefringence and Excellent Stability by Covalent-Linkage

Organic-inorganic hybrid linear and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials have received increasingly wide spread attention in recent years. Herein, the first hybrid noncentrosymmetric (NCS) borophosphate, (C5H6N)2B2O(HPO4)2 (4PBP), is rationally designed and synthesized by a covalent-linkage strategy. 4-pyridyl-boronic acid (4 PB) is considered as a bifunctional unit, which may effectively improve the optical properties and stability of the resultant material. On the one hand, 4 PB units are covalently linked with PO3(OH) groups via strong B-O-P connections, which significantly enhances the thermal stability of 4PBP (decomposition at 321, vs lower 200 °C of most of hybrid materials). On the other hand, the planar π-conjugated C5H6N units and their uniform layered arrangements represent large structural anisotropy and hyperpolarizability, achieving the largest birefringence (0.156 @ 546 nm) in the reported borophosphates and a second-harmonic generation response (0.7 × KDP). 4PBP also exhibits a wide transparency range (0.27-1.50 µm). This work not only provides a promising birefringent material, but also offers a practical covalent-attachment strategy for the rational design of new high-performance optical materials.

Bazi Bushen ameliorates age-related energy metabolism dysregulation by targeting the IL-17/TNF inflammatory pathway associated with SASP

BACKGROUND

Chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction are key features of systemic aging, closely associated with the development and progression of age-related metabolic diseases. Bazi Bushen (BZBS), a traditional Chinese medicine used to alleviate frailty, delays biological aging by modulating DNA methylation levels. However, the precise mechanism of its anti-aging effect remains unclear. In this study, we developed the Energy Expenditure Aging Index (EEAI) to estimate biological age. By integrating the EEAI with transcriptome analysis, we aimed to explore the impact of BZBS on age-related metabolic dysregulation and inflammation in naturally aging mice.

METHODS

We conducted indirect calorimetry analysis on five groups of mice with different ages and utilized the data to construct EEAI. 12 -month-old C57BL/6 J mice were treated with BZBS or β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) for 8 months. Micro-CT, Oil Red O staining, indirect calorimetry, RNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, and qRT-PCR were performed to investigate the regulatory effects of BZBS on energy metabolism, glycolipid metabolism, and inflammaging.

RESULTS

The results revealed that BZBS treatment effectively reversed the age-related decline in energy expenditure and enhanced overall metabolism, as indicated by the aging index of energy expenditure derived from energy metabolism parameters across various ages. Subsequent investigations showed that BZBS reduced age-induced visceral fat accumulation and hepatic lipid droplet aggregation. Transcriptomic analysis of perirenal fat and liver indicated that BZBS effectively enhanced lipid metabolism pathways, such as the PPAR signaling pathway, fatty acid oxidation, and cholesterol metabolism, and improved glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. Additionally, there was a significant improvement in inhibiting the inflammation-related arachidonic acid-linoleic acid metabolism pathway and restraining the IL-17 and TNF inflammatory pathways activated via senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

CONCLUSIONS

BZBS has the potential to alleviate inflammation in metabolic organs of naturally aged mice and maintain metabolic homeostasis. This study presents novel clinical therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of age-related metabolic diseases.

Multi-index control strategy from cement calcination denitration system: a model predictive control method for combined control of nitrogen oxide and ammonia escape

The cement industry is one of the main sources of NOx emissions, and automated denitration systems enable precise control of NOx emission concentration. With non-linearity, time delay and strong coupling data in cement production process, making it difficult to maintain stable control of the denitration system. However, excessive pursuit of denitration efficiency is often prone to large ammonia escape, causing environmental pollution. A multi-objective prediction model combining time series and a bi-directional long short-term memory network (MT-BiLSTM) is proposed to solve the data problem of the denitration system and achieve simultaneous prediction of NOx emission concentration and ammonia escape value. Based on this model, a model predictive control framework is proposed and a control strategy of denitration system with multi-index model predictive control (MI-MPC) is built based on neural networks. In addition, the differential evolution (DE) algorithm is used for rolling optimization to find the optimal solution and to obtain the best control variable parameters. The control method proposed has significant advantages over the traditional PID (proportional integral derivative) controller, with a 3.84% reduction in overshoot and a 3.04% reduction in regulation time. Experiments prove that the predictive control framework proposed in this paper has better stability and higher accuracy, with practical research significance.

DNA methylation regulates the secondary metabolism of saponins to improve the adaptability of Eleutherococcus senticosus during drought stress

Plant growth and development can be significantly impacted by drought stress. Plants will adjust the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites to improve survival in times of water constraint. Simultaneously, drought stress can lead to modifications in the DNA methylation status of plants, and these modifications can directly impact gene expression and product synthesis by changing the DNA methylation status of functional genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis. However, further research is needed to fully understand the extent to which DNA methylation modifies the content of secondary metabolites to mediate plants' responses to drought stress, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. Our study found that in Eleutherococcus senticosus (E. senticosus), moderate water deprivation significantly decreased DNA methylation levels throughout the genome and at the promoters of EsFPS, EsSS, and EsSE. Transcription factors like EsMYB-r1, previously inhibited by DNA methylation, can re-bind to the EsFPS promotor region following DNA demethylation. This process promotes gene expression and, ultimately, saponin synthesis and accumulation. The increased saponin levels in E. senticosus acted as antioxidants, enhancing the plant's adaptability to drought stress.

Study on the Influence of Supercritical CO2 with High Temperature and Pressure on Pore-Throat Structure and Minerals of Shale

Injection of carbon dioxide offers substantial social and economic advantages for reduction of carbon emission reduction. Utilizing CO2 in shale formations can significantly enhance the extraction of shale oil or gas. Conducting fundamental research on how CO2 affects shale rock's physical properties is crucial for enhancing its porosity and permeability. Particularly for deep shale layers, the effects of supercritical CO2 on shale physical properties should be investigated at a high temperature and pressure, differing from the standard conditions applied in shallower layers. A study examined the impact of supercritical CO2 under such conditions on the pore-throat structure and mineral composition of the shale. The experimental parameters included immersing shale rock in supercritical CO2 at pressures ranging from 10 to 70 MPa and temperatures between 55 and 95 °C. This study evaluated changes in mineral composition, pore-throat structure (using scanning electron microscopy and nitrogen adsorption tests), and the porosity and permeability of the shale rocks. Findings indicated that the dissolution of CO2 altered the relative content of certain minerals. The average quartz content rose and, potassium feldspar and the average contents of plagioclase declined conversely. When increasing the pressure, an increase in the relative content of I/S mixed layer and a decrease in illite content were observed and kaolinite content experienced minor changes. When increasing the temperature, kaolinite, I/S mixed layer, and chlorite all exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing temperature, while the relative contents of illite increased. Some of the pores become rounded in a high-magnification view under the impact of CO2 dissolution. Additionally, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area, pore volume, porosity, and permeability generally improved with increasing pressure and temperature. With the temperature and pressure of CO2 increased, the curves of nitrogen absorption had moved first upward and then downward. However, under specific CO2 conditions, the permeability enhancement effect could diminish or even negatively impact the shale's permeability. These findings underscore the need to optimize supercritical CO2 injection parameters under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. This research aims to provide theoretical guidance for the efficient use of CO2 in deep shale applications to increase the shale gas output.

In Situ Chemical Modulation of Graphitization Degree of Carbon Fibers and Its Potassium Storage Mechanism

Graphite is considered to be the most auspicious anode candidate for potassium ion batteries. However, the inferior rate performances and cycling stability restrict its practical applications. Few studies have investigated the modulating the graphitization degree of graphitic materials. Herein, a nitrogen-doped carbon-coated carbon fiber composite with tunable graphitization (CNF@NC) through etching growth, in-situ oxidative polymerization, and subsequent carbonization process is reported. The prepared CNF@NC with abundant electrochemical active sites and a rapid K+/electron transfer pathway, can effectively shorten the K+ transfer distance and promote the rapid insertion/removal of K+. Amorphous domains and short-range curved graphite layers can provide ample mitigation spaces for K+ storage, alleviating the volume expansion of the highly graphitized CNF during repeated K+ insertion/de-intercalation. As expected, the CNF@NC-5 electrode presents a high initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 69.3%, an unprecedented reversible volumetric capacity of 510.2 mA h cm-3 at 0.1 A g-1 after 100 cycles with the mass-capacity of 294.9 mA h g-1. The K+ storage mechanism and reaction kinetic analysis are studied by combining in-situ analysis and first-principles calculation. It manifests that the K+ storage mechanism in CNF@NC-5 is an adsorption-insertion-insertion mechanism (i.e., the "1+2" model). The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film forming is also detected.

A Ketogenic Diet may Improve Cognitive Function in Rats with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy by Regulating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Synaptic Plasticity

A ketogenic diet (KD) is often used in the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Many studies have found that it also has a positive impact on cognitive comorbidities, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. In many disease models, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and synaptic plasticity is considered a new therapeutic target for improving cognitive impairment, and it has become a research focus in recent years. Recently, studies have found that a KD has a certain regulatory effect on both ERS and synaptic plasticity, but this result has not been confirmed in epilepsy. To investigate the effect of a KD on ERS and synaptic plasticity. In this study, a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) induced by lithium chloride-pilocarpine was used. After the model was successfully established, the rats in each group were fed a normal diet or a KD for 28 days, and the effect of a KD on the latency and seizure frequency of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) was observed via video monitoring. Subsequently, a Morris water maze was used to evaluate the spatial learning and memory abilities of the rats in each group; the ultrastructure of the ER and the synapses of the hippocampus were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the dendritic spine density of the hippocampus was analysed by Golgi staining. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was used to detect the synaptic plasticity of the rats' hippocampi, and the expression of ERS-related proteins and synapse-related proteins was detected by Western blotting. A KD effectively reduced the frequency of SRSs in rats with TLE and improved their learning and memory impairment. Further investigations found that a KD inhibited the up-regulation of glucose-regulated protein 78, phospho-protein kinase-like ER kinase, phosphorylated α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2, activating transcription factor 4 and C/EBP homologous protein expression in the hippocampi of rats with TLE and protected the ultrastructure of the neuronal ER, suggesting that a KD suppressed excessive ERS induced by epilepsy. Concurrently, we also found that a KD not only improved the synaptic ultrastructure and increased the density of dendritic spines in rats with TLE but also reversed the epilepsy-induced LTP deficit to some extent. More importantly, the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95, synaptotagmin-1 and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 in the hippocampi of rats with epilepsy was significantly increased after KD intervention. The study findings indicate that a KD improves learning and memory impairment in rats with epilepsy, possibly by regulating ERS and synaptic plasticity.

Protection of schisantherin A against dictamnine-induced hepatotoxicity: Pharmacokinetic insights

Dictamnine (DIC), as the most abundant furoquinoline alkaloid ingredient of the herbal medicine Cortex Dictamni (CD), can induce severe liver injury. A previous study found that DIC-induced liver injury was initiated by cytochrome P4503A (CYP3A)-mediated metabolic activation and subsequent formation of adducts with cellular proteins. Schisantherin A (SchA) is the major lignan component of the herbal medicine Schisandra chinensis (SC). SC is frequently combined with CD used in numerous Chinese medicinal formulas for the treatment of eczema and urticaria. Furthermore, SC could protect against CD-induced hepatotoxicity. The objective of the study was to investigate the protective effect of SchA on DIC-induced hepatotoxicity based on pharmacokinetic interactions. The studies found that SchA exerted a protective effect on DIC-induced hepatotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that pretreatment with SchA enhanced the area under concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximal concentration (Cmax ) values of DIC in the serum and liver tissue of mice, indicating that SchA could augment the accumulation of DIC in the circulation. In vitro metabolism assays with mouse liver microsomes (MLMs) showed that SchA reduced the production of DIC-glutathione (GSH) conjugate. In addition, SchA significantly reduced the excretion of DIC-GSH conjugate in the urine of mice and relieved hepatic GSH depletion induced by DIC. These results suggested that SchA could inhibit the metabolic activation of DIC in vitro and in vivo. In summary, our findings showed that the observed pharmacokinetic interactions might be attributable to the inhibition of the metabolism of DIC by SchA, which might be responsible for the protection of SchA against DIC-induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the development of a standardized combination of DIC and SchA may protect patients from DIC-induced liver injury.

Reliability of Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance for Assessing Tibial Tubercle Lateralization: A Study Comparing Different Anatomic References

Background

The tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a measurement used to quantitatively assess tibial tubercle lateralization (TTL), and it has important reference value for the treatment of patellar dislocation (PD). However, TT-TG distance accuracy has been questioned, so many new parameters have been proposed.

Purpose

To compare which of the TT-TG, tibial tubercle-midepicondyle (TT-ME), tibial tubercle-Roman arch (TT-RA), tibial tubercle-tibial intercondylar midpoint (TT-TIM), and tibial tubercle-mid inter-epicondyle trochlea intersection (TT-MIELTI) distances better reflect TTL in patients with PD.

Study Design

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

A total of 96 patients who had undergone surgery for PD and 96 patients without PD (controls) were included in the study. The patients had all undergone computed tomography examination. The TT-TG, TT-ME, TT-RA, TT-TIM, TT-MIELTI distances and the TTL distance were measured independently by 2 surgeons in a blinded and randomized fashion. The t test was used to detect whether the parameters were significantly different between the 2 groups. The TTL distance was used as a reference value for lateralization of tibial tubercle. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between the defined measurements.

Results

The intra- and interobserver reliability of the defined measurements was excellent. All parameters except for TT-TIM distance were significantly larger in the PD group than the control group (P < .01 for all). There was a moderate correlation (r = 0.601) between the TT-TG distance and TTL, and other parameters were less correlated with TTL.

Conclusion

Among 5 the parameters tested, the TT-TG distance still had the highest correlation with TTL and was able to reflect TTL better in patients with PD. The role of TT-TIM distance in the assessment of PD needs further study.

Deep-targeted gene sequencing reveals ARID1A mutation as an important driver of glioblastoma

AIMS

To investigate the key factors influencing glioma progression and the emergence of treatment resistance by examining the intrinsic connection between mutations in DNA damage and repair-related genes and the development of chemoresistance in gliomas.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of deep-targeted gene sequencing data from 228 glioma samples. This involved identifying differentially mutated genes across various glioma grades, assessing their functions, and employing I-TASSER for homology modeling. We elucidated the functional changes induced by high-frequency site mutations in these genes and investigated their impact on glioma progression.

RESULTS

The analysis of sequencing mutation results of deep targeted genes in integration revealed that ARID1A gene mutation occurs frequently in glioblastoma and alteration of ARID1A could affect the tolerance of glioma cells to temozolomide treatment. The deletion of proline at position 16 in the ARID1A protein affected the stability of binding of the SWI/SNF core subunit BRG1, which in turn affected the stability of the SWI/SNF complex and led to altered histone modifications in the CDKN1A promoter region, thereby affecting the biological activity of glioma cells, as inferred from modeling and protein interaction analysis.

CONCLUSION

The ARID1A gene is a critical predictive biomarker for glioma. Mutations at the ARID1A locus alter the stability of the SWI/SNF complex, leading to changes in transcriptional regulation in glioma cells. This contributes to an increased malignant phenotype of GBM and plays a pivotal role in mediating chemoresistance.

Review on Layered Manganese-Based Metal Oxides Cathode Materials for Potassium-Ion Batteries: From Preparation to Modification

Potassium-ion battery is rich in resources and cheap in price, in the era of lithium-ion battery commercialization, potassium-ion battery is the most likely to replace it. Based on the classification and summary of electrode materials for potassium-ion batteries, this paper focuses on the introduction of manganese-based oxide KxMnO2. The layered KxMnO2 has a large layer spacing and can be embedded with large size potassium-ions. This paper focuses on the preparation and doping of manganese-based cathode materials for potassium-ion batteries, summarizes the main challenges of KxMnO2-based cathode materials in the current stage of research and further looks into its future development direction.

A High-Performance N2-Selective MXene Membrane with Double Selectivity Mechanism for N2/CH4 Separation

Membrane-based separation process for unconventional natural gas purification (mainly N2/CH4 separation) has attracted more attention due to its considerable economic benefits. However, the majority of separation membranes at this stage, particularly N2-selective membranes, achieve the desired separation target by mainly relying on the diffusivity-selectivity mechanism. To overcome the limitation of a single mechanism, 2D lamellar MXene membranes with a double selectivity mechanism are prepared to enhance N2 permeance and N2/CH4 selectivity via introducing unsaturated metal sites into MXene, which can form specific interactions with N2 molecules and enhance N2 permeation. The resulting membranes exhibit an inspiring N2/CH4 separation performance with an N2 permeance of 344 GPU and N2/CH4 selectivity of 13.76. The collaboration of the double selectivity mechanism provides a new idea for the development of a novel N2-selective membrane for N2 removal and CH4 purification, which further broadens the application prospects of membrane separation technology in the field of unconventional natural gas purification.

Flexible Supercapacitor with Wide Electrochemical Stable Window Based on Hydrogel Electrolyte

Hydrogel electrolyte can endow supercapacitors with excellent flexibility, which has developed rapidly in recent years. However, the water-rich structures of hydrogel electrolyte are easy to freeze at subfreezing and dry at high temperatures, which will affect its energy storage characteristics. The low energy density of micro supercapacitors also hinders their development. Herein, a strategy is proposed to reduce the free water activity in the hydrogel to improve the operating voltage and the energy density of the device, which is achieved through the synergistic effect of the hydrogel skeleton, N, N'-dimethylformamide (DMF), NaClO4 and water. High concentrations of DMF and NaClO4 are introduced into sodium alginate/polyacrylamide (SA/PAAM) hydrogel through solvent exchange to obtain SA/PAAM/DMF/NaClO4 hydrogel electrolyte, which exhibited a high ionic conductivity of 82.1 mS cm-1, a high breaking strength of 563.2 kPa, and a wide voltage stability window of 3.5 V. The supercapacitor devices are assembled by the process of direct adhesion of the hydrogel electrolyte and  laser induced graphene (LIG). The micro-supercapacitor exhibited an operating voltage of 2.0 V, with a specific capacitance of 2.41 mF cm-2 and a high energy density of 1.34 µWh cm-2, and it also exhibit a high cycle stability, good flexibility, and integration performance.

Risk factors for high-stage histological chorioamnionitis among pregnancies with cervical incompetence

AIM

The study aimed to identify predictive risk factor to identify high-stage histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) in pregnancies with cervical incompetence (CIC).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted by including 116 pregnant women with cervical incompetence that required prophylactical and therapeutical cerclage. The histopathology examination on placenta was conducted with informed patient consent. All the cases included in this study were divided based on the severity degree of HCA. The demographic characteristic and the parameters related to maternal and fetal outcome were all analyzed. Besides, perioperative parameters of cerclage, including cervical length, cervical morphology, and laboratory indexes were also compared between two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the risk factor of severe chorioamnionitis.

RESULTS

Severe HCA was significantly associated with cervical morphology, cerclage indication, cerclage type, and cervical length measured via ultrasound and vaginal examination. After adjusted for confounders, V-type funneling and short cervix was indicated as independent risk factors of severe HCA by multivariate logistic regression analysis, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

V-type funneling and short cervix may indicate the elevated risk of high-stage HCA. Due to the negative outcomes related with high-stage HCA, appropriate prenatal treatment would improve the pregnancy outcomes in cerclaged population. To facilitate postpartum treatment, placental histological examination should be routinely recommended to identify the high-stage HCA, especially in high risk pregnancies.

The Role of Astrocytic Mitochondria in the Pathogenesis of Brain Ischemia

The morbidity rate of ischemic stroke is increasing annually with the growing aging population in China. Astrocytes are ubiquitous glial cells in the brain and play a crucial role in supporting neuronal function and metabolism. Increasing evidence shows that the impairment or loss of astrocytes contributes to neuronal dysfunction during cerebral ischemic injury. The mitochondrion is increasingly recognized as a key player in regulating astrocyte function. Changes in astrocytic mitochondrial function appear to be closely linked to the homeostasis imbalance defects in glutamate metabolism, Ca2+ regulation, fatty acid metabolism, reactive oxygen species, inflammation, and copper regulation. Here, we discuss the role of astrocytic mitochondria in the pathogenesis of brain ischemic injury and their potential as a therapeutic target.

A Self-Accelerating Naphthalimide-Based Probe Coupled with Upconversion Nanoparticles for Ultra-Accurate Tri-Mode Visualization of Hydrogen Peroxide

The design and development of ultra-accurate probe is of great significance to chemical sensing in complex practical scenarios. Here, a self-accelerating naphthalimide-based probe with fast response and high sensitivity toward hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is designed. By coupling with the specially selected upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), an ultra-accurate colorimetric-fluorescent-upconversion luminescence (UCL) tri-mode platform is constructed. Owing to the promoted reaction process, this platform demonstrates rapid response (< 1 s), an ultra-low detection limit (4.34 nM), and superb anti-interferent ability even in presence of > 21 types of oxidants, explosives, metallic salts, daily compounds, colorful or fluorescent substances. In addition, the effectiveness of this design is further verified by a sponge-based sensing chip loaded with the UCNPs/probe in recognizing trace H2O2 vapor from interferents with the three characteristic colors existing simultaneously. The proposed design of probe and tri-mode visualization detection platform is expected to open up a brand-new methodology for ultra-accurate sensing.

Control of breathing by orexinergic signaling in the nucleus tractus solitarii

Orexin signaling plays a facilitatory role in respiration. Abnormalities in orexin levels correlate with disordered breathing patterns and impaired central respiratory chemoreception. Nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) neurons expressing the transcription factor Phox2b contribute to the chemoreceptive regulation of respiration. However, the extent to which orexinergic signaling modulates respiratory activity in these Phox2b-expressing NTS neurons remains unclear. In the present study, the injection of orexin A into the NTS significantly increased the firing rate of the phrenic nerve. Further analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that orexin 1 receptors (OX1Rs) were primarily located in the ventrolateral subdivision of the NTS and expressed in 25% of Phox2b-expressing neurons. Additionally, electrophysiological recordings showed that exposure to orexin A increased the spontaneous firing rate of Phox2b-expressing neurons. Immunostaining experiments with cFos revealed that the OX1R-residing Phox2b-expressing neurons were activated by an 8% CO2 stimulus. Crucially, OX1R knockdown in these NTS neurons notably blunted the ventilatory response to 8% CO2, alongside an increase in sigh-related apneas. In conclusion, orexinergic signaling in the NTS facilitates breathing through the activation of OX1Rs, which induces the depolarization of Phox2b-expressing neurons. OX1Rs are essential for the involvement of Phox2b-expressing NTS neurons in the hypercapnic ventilatory response.

Reversible Stacking and Delamination-Regulation of MXene via Controlled Freezing

MXene's configuration, whether it is aggregated or dispersed in a monolayer, determines the specific application areas and even greatly influences the intrinsic properties of MXene. However, how to desirably control MXene's configuration is challenging. Here, a simple, additive-free, chemical reaction-free, and scalable strategy to optionally and reversibly regulate MXene's ordered stacking and delamination of MXene aggregates (AM) is reported. Just by controlled freezing of MXene aqueous dispersions, the aggregation percentage, delamination percentage, and interlayer spacing of AM can be finely tuned. Experimental results reveal that the freezing-induced aggregation and delamination effects can be explained by the squeezing action of growing ice grains on the MXene excluded/concentrated between ice grains and the expanding action caused by the ice formation between AM lamellae, respectively. The dominance between them depends on the freezing parameter-influenced ice nucleation sites, numbers, and ice grain sizes. This work not only contributes to the preparation, storage, and practical applications of MXene, but also opens a new and green avenue for controlling materials' assembly structures.

Study of Mechanics and Durability of Non-Spontaneous Combustion Coal Gangue Coarse-Aggregate High-Performance Concrete

The coal gangue coarse-aggregate content in ordinary concrete should not be too large. In order to further improve the utilization rate of coal gangue coarse aggregate, this study used the principle of "strong wrapped weak" to prepare high-performance concrete. This study considered four factors, namely, water-binder (W/B) ratios, non-spontaneous combustion coal gangue (NCCG) coarse-aggregate contents, fly ash-slag mass ratios, and silica fume coating to prepare high-performance concrete. The workability, mechanical, and durability properties were studied, and the changes in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of concrete before and after sulfate attack and freeze-thaw cycles were analyzed based on the SEM test. The life prediction of NCCG coarse-aggregate high-performance concrete was carried out based on the grey system GM(1,1) prediction model. The results show that the NCCG coarse-aggregate contents have the greatest effect on compressive strength, sulfate resistance, and frost resistance. The W/B ratio has the greatest effect on the anti-carbonization properties. Fly ash-slag mixing can obtain better durability. Considering the effect on the design service life of high-performance concrete, NCCG coarse aggregate is used to prepare high-performance concrete in North China, and the recommended content is 60%; in the Northwest and Northeast regions, the recommended content is 45%. This study provides a basis for the preparation of high-performance concrete with NCCG coarse aggregate.

Effects of alendronate on cartilage lesions and micro-architecture deterioration of subchondral bone in patellofemoral osteoarthritic ovariectomized rats with patella-baja

BACKGROUND

Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFJOA) is a subtype of knee OA, which is one of the main causes of anterior knee pain. The current study found an increased prevalence of OA in postmenopausal women, called postmenopausal OA. Therefore, we designed the ovariectomized rat model of patella baja-induced PFJOA. Alendronate (ALN) inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone loss, and has been reported the favorable result of a potential intervention option of OA treatment. However, the potential effects of ALN treatment on PFJOA in the ovariectomized rat model are unknown and need further investigation prior to exploration in the clinical research setting. In this study, the effects of ALN on articular cartilage degradation and subchondral bone microstructure were assessed in the ovariectomized PFJOA rat model for 10 weeks.

METHODS

Patella baja and estrogen withdrawal were induced by patellar ligament shortening (PLS) and bilateral ovariectmomy surgeries in 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8): Sham + V; OVX + V, Sham + PLS + V, OVX + PLS + V, OVX + PLS + ALN (ALN: 70 μg/kg/week). Radiography was performed to evaluate patellar height ratios, and the progression of PFJOA was assessed by macroscopic and microscopic analyses, immunohistochemistry and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

RESULTS

Our results found that the patella baja model prepared by PLS can successfully cause degeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone, resulting in changes of PFJOA. OVX caused a decrease in estrogen levels in rats, which aggravated the joint degeneration caused by PFJOA. Early application of ALN can delay the degenerative changes of articular cartilage and subchondral bone microstructure in castrated PFJOA rat to a certain extent, improve and maintain the micrometabolism and structural changes of cartilage and subchondral bone.

CONCLUSION

The early application of ALN can delay the destruction of articular cartilage and subchondral bone microstructure in castrated PFJOA rat to a certain extent.

Circ-Bptf Ameliorates Learning and Memory Impairments via the miR-138-5p/p62 Axis in APP/PS1 Mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common age-associated progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is implicated in the aberrant regulation of numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs). Here, we reported that circ-Bptf, a conserved circRNA derived from the Bptf gene, showed an age-dependent decrease in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Overexpression of circ-Bptf significantly reversed dendritic spine loss and learning and memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice. Moreover, we found that circ-Bptf was predominantly localized to the cytoplasm and upregulated p62 expression by binding to miR-138-5p. Furthermore, the miR-138-5p mimics reversed the decreased expression of p62 induced by the silencing of circ-Bptf. Together, our findings suggested that circ-Bptf ameliorated learning and memory impairments via the miR-138-5p/p62 axis in APP/PS1 mice. It may act as a potential player in AD pathogenesis and therapy.

Iron regulatory protein from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis: characterization, function and assessment as a protective antigen

BACKGROUND

Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasites with different host specificities and are capable of pathogen transmission. Iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) play crucial roles in iron homeostasis in vertebrates. However, their functions in ticks remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics, functions, molecular mechanisms, and the vaccine efficacy of IRP in the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.

RESULTS

The full-length complementary DNA of IRP from Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlIRP) was 2973 bp, including a 2772 bp open reading frame. It is expressed throughout three developmental stages (larvae, nymphs, and adult females) and in various tissues (salivary glands, ovaries, midgut, and Malpighian tubules). Recombinant Haemaphysalis longicornis IRP (rHlIRP) was obtained via a prokaryotic expression system and exhibited aconitase, iron chelation, radical-scavenging, and hemolytic activities in vitro. RNA interference-mediated IRP knockdown reduced tick engorgement weight, ovary weight, egg mass weight, egg hatching rate, and ovary vitellin content, as well as prolonging the egg incubation period. Proteomics revealed that IRP may affect tick reproduction and development through proteasome pathway-associated, ribosomal, reproduction-related, and iron metabolism-related proteins. A trial on rabbits against adult Haemaphysalis longicornis infestation demonstrated that rHlIRP vaccine could significantly decrease engorged weight (by 10%), egg mass weight (by 16%) and eggs hatching rate (by 22%) of ticks. The overall immunization efficacy using rHlIRP against adult females was 41%.

CONCLUSION

IRP could limit reproduction and development in Haemaphysalis longicornis, and HlIRP was confirmed as a candidate vaccine antigen to impair tick iron metabolism and protect the host against tick infestation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Regulation of carbohydrate metabolism during anther development in a thermo-sensitive genic male-sterile wheat line

Bainong sterility (BNS) is a thermo-sensitive genic male sterile wheat line, characterised by anther fertility transformation in response to low temperature (LT) stress during meiosis, the failure of vacuole decomposition and the absence of starch accumulation in sterile bicellular pollen. Our study demonstrates that the late microspore (LM) stage marks the transition from the anther growth to anther maturation phase, characterised by the changes in anther structure, carbohydrate metabolism and the main transport pathway of sucrose (Suc). Fructan is a main storage polysaccharide in wheat anther, and its synthesis and remobilisation are crucial for anther development. Moreover, the process of pollen amylogenesis and the fate of the large vacuole in pollen are closely intertwined with fructan synthesis and remobilisation. LT disrupts the normal physiological metabolism of BNS anthers during meiosis, particularly affecting carbohydrate metabolism, thus determining the fate of male gametophytes and pollen abortion. Disruption of fructan synthesis and remobilisation regulation serves as a decisive event that results in anther abortion. Sterile pollen exhibits common traits of pollen starvation and impaired starch accumulation due to the inhibition of apoplastic transport starting from the LM stage, which is regulated by cell wall invertase TaIVR1 and Suc transporter TaSUT1.

The association between DNA methylation and human height and a prospective model of DNA methylation-based height prediction

As a vital anthropometric characteristic, human height information not only helps to understand overall developmental status and genetic risk factors, but is also important for forensic DNA phenotyping. We utilized linear regression analysis to test the association between each CpG probe and the height phenotype. Next, we designed a methylation sequencing panel targeting 959 CpGs and subsequent height inference models were constructed for the Chinese population. A total of 11,730 height-associated sites were identified. By employing KPCA and deep neural networks, a prediction model was developed, of which the cross-validation RMSE, MAE and R2 were 5.62 cm, 4.45 cm and 0.64, respectively. Genetic factors could explain 39.4% of the methylation level variance of sites used in the height inference models. Collectively, we demonstrated an association between height and DNA methylation status through an EWAS analysis. Targeted methylation sequencing of only 959 CpGs combined with deep learning techniques could provide a model to estimate human height with higher accuracy than SNP-based prediction models.

Infectious Diarrhea Caused by Nocardia farcinica in a 19-Month-Old Child

Background

Nocardia farcinica, a pathogen known for its strong pathogenicity, is frequently implicated in skin, central nervous system, and lung infections among immunosuppressed hosts, while intestinal nocardiosis is rare. We report the case of infectious diarrhea caused by N. farcinica in a child.

Case Presentation

A 19-month-old female child was admitted to the hospital with fever and diarrhea after the consumption of oranges. The etiological agent responsible for the diarrhea was identified through the examination of fecal smears using weak acid-fast staining and conducting fecal cultures. Whole-genome sequencing was employed to analyze the causative gene. Subsequent to a 5-day treatment regimen with amoxicillin-clavulanate at a dosage of 30 mg/kg every 12 hours, the child's condition improved significantly, leading to an uncomplicated discharge.

Conclusion

This case illustrates the presence of intestine virulence factors in N. farcinica capable of causing diarrhea. The utilization of weak acid-fast staining in the examination of fecal smears is crucial for the accurate diagnosis of infectious diarrhea caused by Nocardia spp.

Experimental and Numerical Simulation Research on Controllable Shock Wave-Induced Shale Fracturing under Repeated Action

Low permeability is a key geological factor constraining the development of shale gas, and reservoir modification to improve its permeability is a prerequisite. Controlled shock wave fracturing can induce the formation of complex fractures in reservoirs and is expected to become an important means of reservoir modification. However, the mechanism of controlled shock wave fracturing in shale and the geological engineering control factors are unclear. Therefore, this article reveals the mechanism and effect of shock wave modification through small-scale experiments and large-scale numerical simulations. Results show that as the impact number increases, a significant increase in large fractures and fracture connectivity within the shale samples is observed, while the correlation between the geometric parameters of the fractures and the number of impacts is weak. High-energy input in the model will cause a larger range of damage to the rock, accompanied by a smaller attenuation index, indicating that the speed of energy attenuation plays a decisive role in rock damage. The influence of crustal stress is greater than the speed of energy attenuation, and higher crustal stress will inhibit the formation of fractures. A moderate increase in the number of controllable shock waves is beneficial for the fracturing effect; however, further increasing the loading number of controllable shock waves will weaken the strengthening effect of the fracturing effect.

FGCD: a database of fungal gene clusters related to secondary metabolism

Fungal secondary metabolites are not necessary for growth, but they are important for fungal metabolism and ecology because they provide selective advantages for competition, survival and interactions with the environment. These various metabolites are widely used as medicinal precursors and insecticides. Secondary metabolism genes are commonly arranged in clusters along chromosomes, which allow for the coordinate control of complete pathways. In this study, we created the Fungal Gene Cluster Database to store, retrieve, and visualize secondary metabolite gene cluster information across fungal species. The database was created by merging data from RNA sequencing, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool, genome browser, enrichment analysis and the R Shiny web framework to visualize and query putative gene clusters. This database facilitated the rapid and thorough examination of significant gene clusters across fungal species by detecting, defining and graphically displaying the architecture, organization and expression patterns of secondary metabolite gene clusters. In general, this genomic resource makes use of the tremendous chemical variety of the products of these ecologically and biotechnologically significant gene clusters to our further understanding of fungal secondary metabolism. Database URL: https://www.hebaubioinformatics.cn/FungalGeneCluster/.

The role of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), including chronic glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy, are common chronic diseases characterized by structural damage and functional decline of the kidneys. The current treatment of CKD is symptom relief. Several studies have reported that the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway is a pathway closely related to the pathological process of CKD. It can ameliorate kidney damage by inhibiting this signal pathway which is involved with inflammation, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and autophagy. This review highlights the role of activating or inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in CKD-induced inflammatory response, apoptosis, autophagy and EMT. We also summarize the latest evidence on treating CKD by targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway, discuss the shortcomings and deficiencies of PI3K/Akt research in the field of CKD, and identify potential challenges in developing these clinical therapeutic CKD strategies, and provide appropriate solutions.

Orthogonal Postsynthetic Copolymerization of Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks into a PolyHOF Membrane

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have shown promise in various fields; however, the construction of HOF/polymer hybrid membranes that can maintain both structural and functional integrity remains challenging. In this study, we here fabricated a new HOF (HOF-50) with reserved polymerizable allyl group via charge-assisted H-bonds between the carboxylate anion and amidinium, and subsequently copolymerized the HOF with monomers to construct a covalently bonded HOF/polymer hybrid (polyHOF) membrane. The resulting polyHOF membrane not only exhibits customizable mechanical properties and extreme stability, but also shows an exceptional ratiometric luminescent temperature-sensing function with very high sensitivity and visibility even when the lanthanide content is two orders of magnitude lower than that of the reported mixed-lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and lanthanide-doped covalent organic frameworks (COFs). This orthogonal postsynthesis copolymerization strategy may provide a general approach for preparing covalently connected HOF/polymer hybrid membranes for diverse applications.

Prediction of M3 B4 -type MBenes as Promising Catalysts for CO2 Capture and Reduction

The rational design of novel catalysts with high activity and selectivity for carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2 RR) is highly desired. In this work, we have extensive investigations on the properties of two-dimensional transition metal borides (MBenes) to achieve efficient CO2 capture and reduction through first-principles calculations. The results show that all the investigated M3 B4 -type MBene exhibit remarkable CO2 capture and activation abilities, which proved to be derived from the lone pair of electrons on the MBene surface. Then, we emphasize that the investigated MBenes can further selectively reduce activated CO2 to CH4 . Moreover, a new linear scaling relationship of the adsorption energies of potential-determining intermediates (*OCH2 O and *HOCH2 O) versus ΔG(*OCHO) has been established, where the CO2 RR limiting potentials on MBenes are determined by the different fitting slopes of ΔG(*OCH2 O) and ΔG(*HOCHO), allowing significantly lower limiting potentials to be achieved compared to transition metals. Especially, two promising CO2 RR catalysts (Mo3 B4 and Cr3 B4 MBene) exist quite low limiting potentials of -0.48 V and -0.66 V, as well as competitive selectivity concerning hydrogen evolution reactions have been identified. Our research results make future advances in CO2 capture by MBenes easier and exploit the applications of Mo3 B4 and Cr3 B4 MBenes as novel CO2 RR catalysts.

Engineering Covalent Organic Frameworks Toward Advanced Zinc-Based Batteries

Zinc-based batteries (ZBBs) have demonstrated considerable potential among secondary batteries, attributing to their advantages including good safety, environmental friendliness, and high energy density. However, ZBBs still suffer from issues such as the formation of zinc dendrites, occurrence of side reactions, retardation of reaction kinetics, and shuttle effects, posing a great challenge for practical applications. As promising porous materials, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and their derivatives have rigid skeletons, ordered structures, and permanent porosity, which endow them with great potential for application in ZBBs. This review, therefore, provides a systematic overview detailing on COFs structure pertaining to electrochemical performance of ZBBs, following an in depth discussion of the challenges faced by ZBBs, which includes dendrites and side reactions at the anode, as well as dissolution, structural change, slow kinetics, and shuttle effect at the cathode. Then, the structural advantages of COF-correlated materials and their roles in various ZBBs are highlighted. Finally, the challenges of COF-correlated materials in ZBBs are outlined and an outlook on the future development of COF-correlated materials for ZBBs is provided. The review would serve as a valuable reference for further research into the utilization of COF-correlated materials in ZBBs.

Salicylic Acid Spray Delays Sand Pear Fruit Senescence during Room Temperature Shelf Life by Regulating Antioxidant Capacity and Senescence-Related Genes

'Whangkeumbae' (Pyrus pyrifolia) is a variety of sand pear fruit well-known for its smooth surface and good taste. However, the fruit quality is adversely affected by postharvest ethylene production. Therefore, improving postharvest shelf life by regulating fruit senescence is critical to promoting the 'Whangkeumbae' fruit industry. Here, we investigated the effect of salicylic acid (SA) spray on fruit senescence in sand pears during room temperature shelf life. Exogenous SA reduced polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content during room temperature shelf life. Additionally, SA effectively maintained the fruit skin coloration and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). SA treatment inhibited PpPPO1 expression and upregulated PpSOD1, PpAPX6, and PpGST2 expression. Furthermore, SA application downregulated the expression of PpACO2, PpEIN3a, PpNCED1, and PpAOC2, while upregulating PpNPR-1, PpTAR2, and PpCOMT1 during room temperature shelf life. SA treatment also influenced cell wall metabolism and modification genes by inhibiting PpPG1, PpPME2, and PpCEL3 and inducing PpPGIP1 expression. Additionally, SA treatment affected sugar and acid metabolism genes and increased the expression of PpSPS1, PpSUS1, PpSOT1, PpTMT4, PpSWEET15, and PpcyNAD-MDH, but suppressed the expression of PpcyNADP-ME. The Pearson correlation analysis indicated that PPO activity and MDA content were positively correlated with the expression of PpPPO1, PpACO2, PpEIN3a, PpNCED1, PpAOC2, PpPG1, PpPME2, PpCEL3, and PpcyNDA-MDH. Conversely, these factors were negatively associated with the activities of SOD, POD, CAT, and APX, as well as the expression levels of PpSOD1, PpPOD1, PpCAT1, PpAPX6, PpGST2, PpNPR-1, PpTAR2, PpCOMT1, PpPGIP1, PpSPS1, PpSUS1, PpSOT1, PpTMT4, PpSWEET15, and PpcyNAD-MDH. Our results reveal that exogenous SA could delay fruit senescence in sand pear fruit by regulating various biochemical and molecular mechanisms and can be used to effectively extend fruit shelf life during room temperature storage. However, further research is necessary to determine whether the fruits sprayed with SA are suitable for direct human consumption.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Involved Strategies for Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints and bone destruction. Because of systemic administration and poor targeting, traditional anti-rheumatic drugs have unsatisfactory treatment efficacy and strong side effects, including myelosuppression, liver or kidney function damage, and malignant tumors. Consequently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-involved therapy is proposed for RA therapy as a benefit of their immunosuppressive and tissue-repairing effects. This review summarizes the progress of MSCs-involved RA therapy through suppressing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration and predicts their potential clinical application.

Rational Combination of π-Conjugated and Non-π-Conjugated Groups Achieving Strong Nonlinear Optical Response, Large Optical Anisotropy, and UV Light-Switchable Fluorescence

Combining π-conjugated and non-π-conjugated groups is an important strategy for synthesizing new nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals. However, the second harmonic generation (SHG) response and optical anisotropy can be limited by improper spatial alignment of these functional groups in the crystal structure. In this work, it is revealed that non-π-conjugated [NH2 SO3 ] group acts as both hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, effectively regulating the 2D planar structure formed by π-conjugated [C4 N3 H6 ] groups. The resulting organic-inorganic hybrid crystal C4 N3 H6 SO3 NH2 exhibits a strong SHG response (2.5 × KDP), large optical anisotropy (0.233@546 nm), and blue-violet and green fluorescence near 360 and 520 nm, respectively. This work expands the methodology for creating new NLO crystals through organic-inorganic hybridization, while also showcasing the potential of C4 N3 H6 SO3 NH2 as a multifunctional optical material.

Serum ITIH5 as a novel diagnostic biomarker in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma often remains undetected until advanced stages due to the lack of reliable diagnostic markers. Our goal was to identify a unique secretory protein for cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis and differentiation from other malignancies, benign hepatobiliary diseases, and chronic liver conditions. We conducted bulk RNA-seq analysis to identify genes specifically upregulated in cholangiocarcinoma but not in most other cancers, benign hepatobiliary diseases, and chronic liver diseases focusing on exocrine protein-encoding genes. Single-cell RNA sequencing examined subcellular distribution. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays assessed tissue and serum expression. Diagnostic performance was evaluated via receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain family member five (ITIH5), a gene encoding an extracellular protein, is notably upregulated in cholangiocarcinoma. This elevation is not observed in most other cancer types, benign hepatobiliary diseases, or chronic liver disorders. It is specifically expressed by malignant cholangiocytes. ITIH5 expression in cholangiocarcinoma tissues exceeded that in nontumorous bile duct, hepatocellular carcinoma, and nontumorous hepatic tissues. Serum ITIH5 levels were elevated in cholangiocarcinoma compared with controls (hepatocellular carcinoma, benign diseases, chronic hepatitis B, and healthy individuals). ITIH5 yielded areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) from 0.839 to 0.851 distinguishing cholangiocarcinoma from controls. Combining ITIH5 with carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) enhanced CA19-9's diagnostic effectiveness. In conclusion, serum ITIH5 may serve as a novel noninvasive cholangiocarcinoma diagnostic marker.

A Porphyrinic Metal-Organic Framework with Cooperative Adsorption Domains for PFAS Removal from Water

The removal of toxic poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as persistent pollutants from wastewater is imperative but challenging for water remediation. Many adsorbents including activated carbon, biochar, and clay minerals have been investigated for PFAS removal, but most of these materials are faced with high cost or/and low efficiency. The use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as sorbents is attractive for efficient removal of PFAS due to their tailor-made structures and high surface areas. Herein, we synthesized, characterized a water stable Zr-based porphyrinic MOF (PCN-224) with cooperative adsorption domains, and demonstrated its excellent capture performance toward perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). PCN-224 has maximum uptake capacities of 963, 517, and 395 mg g-1 for PFOS, PFHxS, and PFBS, respectively, which are much higher than that of granular activated carbon. Moreover, coexistent anions (Cl-, SO4 2-) and humic acid have negligible effects on PFOS adsorption. The excellent adsorption performance of PCN-224 toward PFOS is due to the orthogonal cationic channel pores with a diameter of 1.9 nm, the hydrophobic porphyrin units, and the Zr6 clusters with acidic sites. PCN-224 can be readily regenerated and reused. This work highlights the potential of MOFs with multiple adsorption domains for water remediation.

A specific inflammatory suppression fibroblast subpopulation characterized by MHCII expression in human dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a significant cause of heart failure that requires heart transplantation. Fibroblasts play a central role in the fibro-inflammatory microenvironment of DCM. However, their cellular heterogeneity and interaction with immune cells have not been well identified. An integrative analysis was conducted on single-cell RNA sequencing (ScRNA-Seq) data from human left ventricle tissues, which comprised 4 hearts from healthy donors and 6 hearts with DCM. The specific antigen-presenting fibroblast (apFB) was explored as a subtype of fibroblasts characterized by expressing MHCII genes, the existence of which was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining of 3 cardiac tissues from DCM patients with severe heart failure. apFB highly expressed the genes that response to IFN-γ, and it also have a high activity of the JAK-STAT pathway and the transcription factor RFX5. In addition, the analysis of intercellular communication between apFBs and CD4+T cells revealed that the anti-inflammatory ligand-receptor pairs TGFB-TGFR, CLEC2B-KLRB1, and CD46-JAG1 were upregulated in DCM. The apFB signature exhibited a positive correlation with immunosuppression and demonstrated diagnostic and prognostic value when evaluated using a bulk RNA dataset comprising 166 donors and 166 DCM samples. In conclusion, the present study identified a novel subpopulation of fibroblasts that specifically expresses MHCII-encoding genes. This specific apFBs can suppress the inflammation occurring in DCM. Our findings further elucidate the composition of the fibro-inflammatory microenvironment in DCM, and provide a novel therapeutic target.

Reversible Insertion of [AlCl4 ]- Superhalides in Graphite

Graphite-based dual-ion batteries are with potential higher energy density, making them a unique candidate in energy storage systems. However, anion insertion into graphite in aqueous environment remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report that the reversible insertion of Al-Cl superhalide into expanded graphite (EG) delivers an ultrahigh specific capacity of ~171 mAh g-1 from an aqueous deep eutectic solvent (DES) gel electrolyte of 50 m ChCl+5 m AlCl3 . High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Raman spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD) show that the EG generates turbostratic structure during Al-Cl superhalide (de)insertion instead of presenting typical graphite intercalation compounds (GIC), thus attributing to the high capacity during Al-Cl superhalide insertion.

Atomic-Level Catalyst Coupled with Metal Oxide Heterostructure for Promoting Kinetics of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Despite the low competitive cost and high theoretical capacity of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries, their practical application is severely hindered by the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling and low conversion efficiency. Herein, the electronic structure of hollow Titanium dioxide nanospheres is tunned by single Iron atom dopants that can cooperatively enhance LiPS absorption and facilitate desired redox reaction in practical Li-S batteries, further suppressing the notorious shuttle effect, which is consistent with theoretical calculations and in situ UV/vis investigation. The obtained electrode with massive active sites and lower energy barrier for sulfur conversions exhibits exceptional cycling stability after 500 cycles and high capacity under the sulfur loading of 10.53 mg cm-2 . In particular, an Ah-level Li-S pouch cell is fabricated, further demonstrating that the synthetic strategy based on atomic-level design offers a promising route toward practical high-energy-density Li-S batteries.

Molecular and Heterojunction Device Engineering of Solution-Processed Conjugated Reticular Oligomers: Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution through High-Effective Exciton Separation

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) face limited processability challenges as photoelectrodes in photoelectrochemical water reduction. Herein, sub-10 nm benzothiazole-based colloidal conjugated reticular oligomers (CROs) are synthesized using an aqueous nanoreactor approach, and the end-capping molecular strategy to engineer electron-deficient units onto the periphery of a CRO nanocrystalline lattices (named CROs-Cg). This results in stable and processable "electronic inks" for flexible photoelectrodes. CRO-BtzTp-Cg and CRO-TtzTp-Cg expand the absorption spectrum into the infrared region and improve fluorescence lifetimes. Heterojunction device engineering is used to develop interlayer heterojunction and bulk heterojunction (BHJ) photoelectrodes with a hole transport layer, electron transport layer, and the main active layers, using a CROs/CROs-Cg or one-dimensional (1D) electron-donating polymer HP18 mixed solution via spinning coating. The ITO/CuI/CRO-TtzTp-Cg-HP18/SnO2 /Pt photoelectrode shows a photocurrent of 94.9 µA cm-2 at 0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is 47.5 times higher than that of ITO/Bulk-TtzTp. Density functional theory calculations show reduced energy barriers for generating adsorbed H* intermediates and increased electron affinity in CROs-Cg. Mott-Schottky and charge density difference analyses indicate enhanced charge carrier densities and accelerated charge transfer kinetics in BHJ devices. This study lays the groundwork for large-scale production of COF nanomembranes and heterojunction structures, offering the potential for cost-effective, printable energy systems.

Amelioration of diabetic nephropathy in mice by a single intravenous injection of human mesenchymal stromal cells at early and later disease stages is associated with restoration of autophagy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) a potentially effective disease-modulating therapy for diabetic nephropathy (DN) but their clinical translation has been hampered by incomplete understanding of the optimal timing of administration and in vivo mechanisms of action. This study aimed to elucidate the reno-protective potency and associated mechanisms of single intravenous injections of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) following shorter and longer durations of diabetes.

METHODS

A streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of diabetes and DN was established in C57BL/6 mice. In groups of diabetic animals, human (h)UC-MSCs or vehicle were injected intravenously at 8 or 16 weeks after STZ along with vehicle-injected non-diabetic animals. Diabetes-related kidney abnormalities was analyzed 2 weeks later by urine and serum biochemical assays, histology, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines were quantified by ELISA. The expression of autophagy-related proteins within the renal cortices was investigated by immunoblotting. Bio-distribution of hUC-MSCs in kidney and other organs was evaluated in diabetic mice by injection of fluorescent-labelled cells.

RESULTS

Compared to non-diabetic controls, diabetic mice had increases in urine albumin creatinine ratio (uACR), mesangial matrix deposition, podocyte foot process effacement, glomerular basement membrane thickening and interstitial fibrosis as well as reduced podocyte numbers at both 10 and 18 weeks after STZ. Early (8 weeks) hUC-MSC injection was associated with reduced uACR and improvements in multiple glomerular and renal interstitial abnormalities as well as reduced serum IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 compared to vehicle-injected animals. Later (16 weeks) hUC-MSC injection also resulted in reduction of diabetes-associated renal abnormalities and serum TGF-β1 but not of serum IL-6 and TNF-α. At both time-points, the kidneys of vehicle-injected diabetic mice had higher ratio of p-mTOR to mTOR, increased abundance of p62, lower abundance of ULK1 and Atg12, and reduced ratio of LC3B to LC3A compared to non-diabetic animals, consistent with diabetes-associated suppression of autophagy. These changes were largely reversed in the kidneys of hUC-MSC-injected mice. In contrast, neither early nor later hUC-MSC injection had effects on blood glucose and body weight of diabetic animals. Small numbers of CM-Dil-labeled hUC-MSCs remained detectable in kidneys, lungs and liver of diabetic mice at 14 days after intravenous injection.

CONCLUSIONS

Single intravenous injections of hUC-MSCs ameliorated glomerular abnormalities and interstitial fibrosis in a mouse model of STZ-induced diabetes without affecting hyperglycemia, whether administered at relatively short or longer duration of diabetes. At both time-points, the reno-protective effects of hUC-MSCs were associated with reduced circulating TGF-β1 and restoration of intra-renal autophagy.

Small molecules (CO2 , iPrNCO, and iPrNCNiPr) activation by the metallomimetics (μ-Hydrido) diborane anion: A DFT investigation on mechanism and chemoselectivity controlling

Main-group metallomimetics provide a new way to replace transition metal complexes to activate inert small molecules under mild conditions. In this work, the activation mechanisms of CO2 , iPrNCO, and iPrNCNiPr by (μ-Hydrido) diborane anion ([1H]- ) have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Two different activation sites, BB versus BH bond of [1H]- , are investigated and compared. The results show that these inert molecules can be activated by [1H]- through cycloadditions under mild conditions. The reactions with iPrNCO and iPrNCNiPr are dynamic and thermodynamic controlling, the obtained products are related not only to the energy barrier but also to the stability of the products. Moreover, the competition for BB/BH bond site activation is directly related to the steric effect of small molecules. CO2 , which is without steric hindrance, can only be activated by the BB bond, whereas iPrNCNiPr can only be activated by the BH bond due to the large steric effect. The medium iPrNCO can be activated not only by the BB bond but also by the BH bond. Our study provides theoretical explanations for the reaction activity and chemoselectivity controlling of the title reaction, and displays the potential applications for compounds containing boron-boron bonds and inert small molecule activation.

De novo genome assembly of a high-protein soybean variety HJ117

OBJECTIVES

Soybean is an important feed and oil crop in the world due to its high protein and oil content. China has a collection of more than 43,000 soybean germplasm resources, which provides a rich genetic diversity for soybean breeding. However, the rich genetic diversity poses great challenges to the genetic improvement of soybean. This study reports on the de novo genome assembly of HJ117, a soybean variety with high protein content of 52.99%. These data will prove to be valuable resources for further soybean quality improvement research, and will aid in the elucidation of regulatory mechanisms underlying soybean protein content.

DATA DESCRIPTION

We generated a contiguous reference genome of 1041.94 Mb for HJ117 using a combination of Illumina short reads (23.38 Gb) and PacBio long reads (25.58 Gb), with high-quality sequence coverage of approximately 22.44× and 24.55×, respectively. HJ117 was developed through backcross breeding, using Jidou 12 as the recurrent parent and Chamoshidou as the donor parent. The assembly was further assisted by 114.5 Gb Hi-C data (109.9×), resulting in a contig N50 of 19.32 Mb and scaffold N50 of 51.43 Mb. Notably, Core Eukaryotic Genes Mapping Approach (CEGMA) assessment and Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) assessment results indicated that most core eukaryotic genes (97.18%) and genes in the BUSCO dataset (99.4%) were identified, and 96.44% of the genomic sequences were anchored onto twenty pseudochromosomes.

Effect of Tungsten Inert Gas Remelting on Microstructure and Corrosion Resistance of Q450NQR1 High-Strength Weathering Steel-Welded Joints

In this paper, the corrosion environment of a railway coal truck was simulated with 1.0%H2SO4 + 3%NaCl solution. The effect of weld toe Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) remelting on the microstructure and corrosion resistance of welded joints of Q450NQR1 high-strength weathering steel was studied. The results show that the weld toe melts to form a remelting area after TIG remelting. After TIG remelting, the weld geometry was improved, and the stress concentration factor decreased from 1.17 to 1.06 at the weld toe, a decrease of 9.4%. TIG remelting refines the microstructure of the weld toe and improves the corrosion resistance of the welded joint. The surface of the TIG-remelted sample is uniformly corroded with no "deep and narrow" pits after the removal of corrosion products. The weight loss rate and corrosion rate of remelted welds are lower than those of unremelted welds. The structure of corrosion products is loose at the initial stage of corrosion, and the corrosion products are transformed into Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 protective rust layers with a dense structure after 480 h of corrosion. With the extension of corrosion time, the tensile strength and percentage elongation of the specimen decreased linearly. The decreasing rates of tensile strength of remelted and unremelted specimens were 0.09 and 0.11, respectively, and the decreasing rates of elongation after fracture were 0.0061 and 0.0076, respectively.

Pan-cancer and multi-omics analyses revealed the diagnostic and prognostic value of BAZ2A in liver cancer

BAZ2A, an epigenetic regulatory factor that affects ribosomal RNA transcription, has been shown to be highly expressed in several cancers and promotes tumor cell migration. This study explored the expression and mechanism of BAZ2A in tumorigenesis at the pan-cancer level. The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus databases and TIMER2.0, cBioPortal and other tools were used to analyze the level of expression of BAZ2A in various tumor tissues and to examine the relationship between BAZ2A and survival, prognosis, mutation and immune invasion. In vitro experiments were performed to assess the function of BAZ2A in cancer cells. Using combined transcriptome and proteome analysis, we examined the possible mechanism of BAZ2A in tumors. BAZ2A exhibited high expression levels in multiple tumor tissues and displayed a significant association with cancer patient prognosis. The main type of BAZ2A genetic variation in cancer is gene mutation. Downregulation of BAZ2A inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis in LM6 liver cancer cell. The mechanism of BAZ2A in cancer development may involve lipid metabolism. These results help expand our understanding of BAZ2A in tumorigenesis and development and suggest BAZ2A may serve as a prognostic and diagnostic factor in several cancers.

The effects of restraint stress on ceramide metabolism disorders in the rat liver: the role of CerS6 in hepatocyte injury

BACKGROUND

Stress is implicated in various pathological conditions leading to liver injury. Existing evidence suggests that excessive stress can induce mitochondrial damage in hepatocytes, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Ceramide synthase 6 (CerS6)-derived C16:0 ceramide is recognised as a lipotoxic substance capable of causing mitochondrial damage. However, the role of CerS6 in stress has received insufficient attention. This study aimed to explore the involvement of CerS6 in stress-induced hepatic damage and its associated mechanisms.

METHODS

The rat restraint stress model and a corticosterone (CORT)-induced hepatocyte stress model were employed for in vivo and in vitro experimental analyses, respectively. Changes in mitochondrial damage and ceramide metabolism in hepatocytes induced by stress were evaluated. The impact of CORT on mitochondrial damage and ceramide metabolism in hepatocytes was assessed following CerS6 knockdown. Mitochondria were isolated using a commercial kit, and ceramides in liver tissue and hepatocytes were detected by LC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

In comparison to the control group, rats subjected to one week of restraint exhibited elevated serum CORT levels. The liver displayed significant signs of mitochondrial damage, accompanied by increased CerS6 and mitochondrial C16:0 ceramide, along with activation of the AMPK/p38 MAPK pathway. In vitro studies demonstrated that CORT treatment of hepatocytes resulted in mitochondrial damage, concomitant with elevated CerS6 and mitochondrial C16:0 ceramide. Furthermore, CORT induced sequential phosphorylation of AMPK and p38 MAPK proteins, and inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway using SB203580 mitigated the CORT-induced elevation in CerS6 protein. Knocking down CerS6 in hepatocytes inhibited both the increase in C16:0 ceramide and the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c induced by CORT.

CONCLUSIONS

CerS6-associated C16:0 ceramide plays a mediating role in stress-induced mitochondrial damage in hepatocytes. The molecular mechanism is linked to CORT-induced activation of the AMPK/p38 MAPK pathway, leading to upregulated CerS6.

Oxygen Vacancies on NH4 V4 O10 Accelerate Ion and Charge Transfer in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Vanadium-based compounds are identified as promising cathode materials for aqueous zinc ion batteries due to their high specific capacity. However, the low intrinsic conductivity and sluggish Zn2+ diffusion kinetics seriously impede their further practical application. Here, oxygen vacancies on NH4 V4 O10 is reported as a high-performing cathode material for aqueous zinc ion batteries via a facile hydrothermal strategy. The introduction of oxygen vacancy accelerates the ion and charge transfer kinetics, reduces the diffusion barrier of zinc ions, and establishes a stable crystal structure during zinc ion (de-intercalation). As a result, the oxygen vacancy enriched NH4 V4 O10 exhibits a high specific capacity of ≈499 mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 , an excellent rate capability of 296 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1 and the specific capacity cycling stability with 95.1% retention at 5 A g-1 for 4000 cycles, superior to the NVO sample (186.4 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1 , 66% capacity retention).