Defect and Interface Engineering of Three-Dimensional Open Nanonetcage Electrocatalysts for Advanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Defect engineering and interface engineering are two efficient approaches to promote the electrocatalytic performance of transition metal oxides (TMOs) by modulating the local electronic structure and inducing a synergistic effect but usually require costly and complicated processes. Herein, a facile electrochemical etching method is proposed for the controllable tailoring of the defects in a three-dimensional (3D) open nanonetcage CoZnRuO_x heterostructure via the in situ electrochemical etching to remove partial ZnO. The highly open 3D nanostructures, numerous defects, and multicomponent heterointerfaces endow the CoZnRuO_x nanonetcages with more accessible active sites, moderated local electronic structure, and strong synergistic effect, thereby enabling them to not only deliver an ultralow overpotential (244 mV @ 10 mA cm^-2) for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) but also high-performance overall water electrolysis by coupling with commercial Pt/C, with a potential of 1.52 V at 10 mA cm^-2. Moreover, experiments and characterizations also reveal that the remaining Zn²⁺ can facilitate OH^- adsorption and charge transfer, which also further improves the electrocatalytic OER performance. This work proposes a promising strategy for creating surface defects in heterostructured TMOs and provides insights to understand the defect- and interface-induced enhancement of OER electrocatalysis.

Hierarchical Hollow CoWO4-Co(OH)2 Heterostructured Nanoboxes Enabling Efficient Water Oxidation Electrocatalysis

Rational design and construction of well-defined hollow heterostructured nanomaterials assembled by ultrathin nanosheets overtakes crucial role in developing high-efficiency oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Herein, a reliable metal-organic framework-mediated and cation-exchange strategy to tune the geometric structure and multicomponent heterostructures has been proposed for the fabrication of hollow CoWO₄-Co(OH)₂ hierarchical nanoboxes assembled by rich ultrathin nanosheets. Benefiting from the hierarchical hollow nanostructure, the CoWO₄-Co(OH)₂ nanoboxes offer plenty of metal active centers available for reaction intermediates. Moreover, the well-defined nanointerfaces between CoWO₄ and Co(OH)₂ can function as the bridge for boosting the efficient electron transfer from CoWO₄ to Co(OH)₂. As a consequence, the optimized CoWO₄-Co(OH)₂ nanoboxes can exhibit outstanding electrocatalytic performance toward OER by delivering 10 mA cm^-2 with a low overpotential of 280 mV and a small Tafel slope of 70.6 mV dec^-1 as well as outstanding electrochemical stability. More importantly, this CoWO₄-Co(OH)₂ heterostructured nanocatalyst can couple with Pt/C to drive overall water splitting to achieve 10 mA cm^-2 with a voltage of 1.57 V.

[Occurrence and recovery of adverse drug reactions of preventive treatment in elderly population with latent tuberculosis infection]

Objective: To evaluate the occurrence and recovery of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of preventive treatment in the elderly population with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Methods: A total of 2 583 elderly patients with LTBI were recruited in Zhongmu, Henan Province from July 1 to October 17, 2015. Face-to-face surveys and physical examinations were used to obtain the basic information of the participants, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Fasting venous blood was collected from the participants for blood biochemical and routine blood tests. The random numbers were generated by Excel 2010, and the participants were divided into group A (1 284 cases) and group B (1 299 cases) by simple randomization. Both group A and group B received combination treatment of isoniazid and rifapentine. Group A was treated for 8 weeks with weekly doses of isoniazid at 15 mg/kg and 900 mg for those with body weight ≤50 and>50 kg, respectively, and the doses of rifapentin were 750 and 900 mg, respectively. Group B was treated twice a week for 6 weeks, the doses of isoniazid in patients with body weight ≤50 and>50 kg were [600-(50-body weight)×15] (rounded up) and 600 mg, respectively, and the doses of rifapentin were 600 and 450 mg, respectively. During the treatment period, doctors observed, inquired about and recorded symptoms related to ADRs, and blood biochemical and routine blood tests were performed at 4 weeks after taking the drug, the end of the treatment, and 3 months after the end of the treatment. The patients with ADRs were treated accordingly by severity. The ADRs and graded treatment outcomes of LTBI patients in group A and group B were compared. Results: The age［M（Q₁，Q₃）］of the participants was 60 (55,65) years old, and 54.7% (1 412/2 583) were males. There were no statistical differences in age, gender, BMI and baseline biochemical indexes between groups A and B (all P values>0.05). The incidence of ADRs in group A and group B were 18.5% (237/1 279) and 16.3% (209/1 279), respectively, and those with alanine aminotransferase (ALT)≥5 ULN accounted for 0.8% (7/931) and 1.1% (11/987), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)≥5 ULN accounted for 0.3% (3/931) and 0.3% (3/987), respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences (all P values>0.05). There were 7 and 11 patients with ALT≥5 ULN in group A and group B, respectively, and 3 patients with AST≥5 ULN for each group, respectively. After treatment, except for 2 patients with ALT≥5 ULN in group B, ALT and AST levels in all the other patients returned to normal. There were 15 and 10 patients with abnormal white blood cell count in group A and group B, respectively, and 10 and 9 patients returned to normal after treatment. Conclusion: LTBI preventive treatment has a high incidence of adverse drug reactions, but it can be effectively controlled through active monitoring and graded management.

Simple Synthesis of PdAg Porous Nanowires as Effective Catalysts for Polyol Oxidation Reaction

The development of efficient and stable Pd-based electrocatalysts is extremely important to facilitate the development of catalysts for polyol oxidation reactions. To synthesize Pd-based catalysts with excellent catalytic performance, a series of PdAg porous nanowires (PdAg PNWs) with different elemental ratios was constructed by facile synthesis using a seed-mediated method. The synthesized PdAg PNWs have a rough surface and a porous one-dimensional structure, which optimize the specific surface area and surface area of catalysts, thereby providing more active sites for catalysts. PdAg PNWs benefited from the geometric effect of porous nanowires and the synergy between Pd and Ag, showing excellent catalysis (8243.0 and 4137.0 mA mg_Pd^-1) for the ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) and glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR). Among them, the optimal Pd₆₂Ag₃₈ PNWs show the highest catalytic activity (6.0 times and 3.9 times higher than Pd/C) and stability compared with Pd₅₇Ag₄₃ PNWs, Pd₅₁Ag₄₉ PNWs, and Pd/C for EGOR and GOR. At the same time, this porous one-dimensional structure also endows PdAg PNWs with faster electron transfer capabilities than Pd/C. This work will likely provide an effective strategy for constructing cost-effective catalysts.

[Rethinking the marketing strategy of anti-tumor drugs by single-arm trials supported]

Single-arm trial refers to a clinical trial design that does not set up parallel control group, adopts open design, and does not involve randomization and blind method. These features, on the one hand, speed up the process of clinical trials, significantly shorten the time to market and meet the needs of patients with advanced malignancies, but also lead to the uncertainty of single-arm clinical trials themselves. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration held a meeting of the oncologic drug advisory committee to discuss six tumor indications that have been accelerated approved, which once again triggered the discussion of single-arm trials. The basis of accelerated approval by single-arm trial is actually a compromise on the level of evidence-based medical evidence requirements after assessing the benefit risk. Therefore, the sponsor should strictly grasp the applicable conditions of single-arm trial in anti-tumor drugs and conduct single-arm trial scientifically. Post-marketing clinical trial should be implement as early as possible to ensure the benefit of patients. Based on the characteristics of single-arm trial, combined with two guidance relevant to single-arm trial issued by National Medical Products Administration recently, this article is supposed to propose and summarize the strategy of single-arm trial supporting the marketing of anti-tumor drugs.

Structured diabetes self-management education and its association with perceived diabetes knowledge, information, and disease distress: Results of a nationwide population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate, how participation in structured diabetes self-management education (DSME) programs is associated with perceived level of knowledge about diabetes, information needs, information sources and disease distress.

METHODS

We included 796 ever- and 277 never-DSME participants of the population-based survey "Disease knowledge and information needs - Diabetes mellitus (2017)" from Germany. Data on perceived level of diabetes knowledge (12 items), information needs (11 items), information sources (13 items) and disease distress (2 indices) were collected. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of DSME-participation with these outcomes.

RESULTS

DSME-participants showed a higher level of diabetes knowledge compared to never-DSME participants, particularly in aspects concerning diabetes in general (odds ratio 2.53; 95% confidence intervals 1.48-4.33), treatment (2.41; 1.36-4.26), acute complications (1.91; 1.07-3.41) and diabetes in everyday life (1.83; 1.04-3.22). DSME-participants showed higher information needs regarding late complications (1.51; 1.04-2.18) and acute complications (1.71; 1.71-2.48) than DSME never participants. DSME-participants more frequently consulted diabetologists (5.54; 3.56-8.60) and diabetes care specialists (5.62; 3.61-8.75) as information sources. DSME participation was not associated with disease distress.

CONCLUSION

DSME is a valuable tool for improving individual knowledge about diabetes. However, DSME should focus more on psychosocial aspects to reduce the disease burden.

AB0057 REGULATION OF TYPE I INTERFERON SIGNATURE BY VGLL3 IN THE FIBROBLAST-LIKE SYNOVIOCYTES OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background

The upregulation of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) induced by type I IFNs (namely type I IFN signature) in RA patients had implications in early diagnosis and prediction of therapy responses. However, factors that modulate the type I IFN signature in RA are largely unknown.

Objectives

To explore the involvement of VGLL3, a homologue of the vestigial-like gene in Drosophila and a putative regulator of the Hippo pathway, in the modulation of the type I IFN signature in RA.

Methods

FLS were isolated from RA and osteoarthritis patients. Expression of VGLL3 in the synovial tissues and FLS was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and PCR. RNA sequencing was performed in RA-FLS upon VGLL3 overexpression. The expression of ISGs was examined by PCR and Western blotting.

Results

VGLL3 was upregulated in the RA synovium and RA-FLS compared to OA. Overexpression of VGLL3 promoted the expression of ISGs in RA-FLS. The expression of STAT1 and MX1 was also upregulated in RA synovium compared to OA. The expression of STAT1 and MX1 was associated with the expression of VGLL3 in RA and OA patients. VGLL3 promoted the IRF3 activation, IFN-β1 expression, and IFN-β1 autocrine signaling in RA-FLS. VGLL3 also modulated the expression of the Hippo pathway molecules WWTR1 and AMOTL2, which mediated the regulation of IRF3 activation and IFN-β1 production by VGLL3 in RA-FLS.

Conclusion

VGLL3 drives the IRF3-induced IFN-β1 secretion in RA-FLS by inhibiting WWTR1 expression and subsequently promotes the type I IFN signature expression through autocrine IFN-β1 signaling.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Prof. Si-feng Chen (Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China) for scientific advice and technical assistance.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Multimodal data fusion of cortical-subcortical morphology and functional network connectivity in psychotic spectrum disorder

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Overlap has been noted disorders which fall on the psychotic spectrum.

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Univariate studies may miss joint brain features across diagnostic categories.

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mCCA with jICA is paired with features across the psychotic spectrum to produce joint components.

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One joint component displayed a significant relationship with cognitive scores.

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The replicate trends of cortical-subcortical irregularity in psychotic spectrum disorders.

Multiple authors have noted overlapping symptoms and alterations across clinical, anatomical, and functional brain features in schizophrenia (SZ), schizoaffective disorder (SZA), and bipolar disorder (BPI). However, regarding brain features, few studies have approached this line of inquiry using analytical techniques optimally designed to extract the shared features across anatomical and functional information in a simultaneous manner. Univariate studies of anatomical or functional alterations across these disorders can be limited and run the risk of omitting small but potentially crucial overlapping or joint neuroanatomical (e.g., structural images) and functional features (e.g., fMRI-based features) which may serve as informative clinical indicators of across multiple diagnostic categories. To address this limitation, we paired an unsupervised multimodal canonical correlation analysis (mCCA) together with joint independent component analysis (jICA) to identify linked spatial gray matter (GM), resting-state functional network connectivity (FNC), and white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) features across these diagnostic categories. We then calculated associations between the identified linked features and trans-diagnostic behavioral measures (MATRICs Consensus Cognitive Battery, MCCB).

Component number 4 of the 13 identified displayed a statistically significant relationship with overall MCCB scores across GM, resting-state FNC, and FA. These linked modalities of component 4 consisted primarily of positive correlations within subcortical structures including the caudate and putamen in the GM maps with overall MCCB, sparse negative correlations within subcortical and cortical connection tracts (e.g., corticospinal tract, superior longitudinal fasciculus) in the FA maps with overall MCCB, and negative relationships with MCCB values and loading parameters with FNC matrices displaying increased FNC in subcortical-cortical regions with auditory, somatomotor, and visual regions.

An specific photoelectrochemical sensor based on pillar[5]arenes functionalized gold nanoparticles and bismuth oxybromide nanoflowers for bovine hemoglobin recognition

In this work, the ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor for the detection of bovine hemoglobin (BHb) was developed based on water-soluble pillar[5]arenes (WP5) functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) nanoflowers (Au@WP5/BiOBr). The photoelectrical signal of dopamine (DA) was decreased after adding the different concentrations of BHb due to the formation of hydrogen bond between the COOH groups of BHb molecules and the NH₂ group of DA, which could achieve the indirect detection of BHb. Benefiting from the photo-generated electron-holes of BiOBr nanoflowers, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of Au NPs, the host-guest interaction of WP5 between and DA, the PEC sensor showed a specificallyrecognize toward BHb with a wide detection range of 1.0 × 10^-11-1.0 × 10^-1 mg/mL and a detection limit of 4.2 × 10^-12 mg/mL (S/N = 3). Additionally, the proposed PEC sensor also displayed good stability, remarkable selectivity and provided a promising strategy of design pillar[5]arenes functionalized photoelectric activity nanomaterials for PEC sensing application.

[Early effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and factors related to early outcome in adult patients with fulminant myocarditis]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy within the first 24 h post extracorporeal membrane pulmonary oxygenation (ECMO) and the impact of early efficacy on the prognosis of adult patients with fulminant myocarditis (FM). Methods: This retrospective case analysis study included hospitalized patients (age≥18 years) who were diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis from November 2016 to May 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Patients were divided into survival or non-survival groups according to treatment outcomes. The age, sex, treatments, drug use, ECMO use, clinical and laboratory data (before and 24 h after the use of ECMO) were analyzed. The change rate of clinical and laboratory data after 24 h use of ECMO was calculated to find differences between two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors with in-hospital death and complication between the two groups. Results: A total of 38 FM patients treated with ECMO were included. There were 23 cases (60.5%) in the survival group, aged (39.6±13.7) years, and 17 (73.9%) cases were female. The total ECMO time was (134.4±71.3)h. There were 15 cases (39.5%) in non-survival group, aged (40.0±15.8) years, and there were 12(80.0%) female, the ECMO time was (120.1±72.4) h in this group. The proportion of tracheal intubation and continuous renal replacement therapy in the survivor group and dosage of norepinephrine within 24 h after ECMO implantation were significantly less than in non-survival group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in all efficacy related biochemical indexes between two groups before ECMO use. The levels of lactic acid, procalcitonin, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin I and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide prosoma were significantly less in survival group than in non-survival group at 24 h after the use of ECMO (all P<0.05). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher 24 h change rate of creatinine (OR=0.587, 95%CI 0.349-0.986, P=0.044) and creatine kinase-MB (OR=0.177, 95%CI 0.037-0.841, P=0.029) were positively correlated with reduced risk of in-hospital mortality. The central hemorrhage and acute kidney injury in survival group were less than in non-survivor group (P<0.05). Conclusions: After 24 h early use of ECMO in FM patients, the improvement of various efficacy related biochemical test indexes in the survival group was better than that in the non-survival group. Faster reduction of creatine kinase-MB and creatinine values within 24 h ECMO use is positively correlated with reduced risk of in-hospital mortality in adult patients with FM.

[Diagnosis, etiology, prevention and treatment in retrograde peri-implantitis]

Retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI), a kind of rare biological complication in implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation, has been reported more frequently in recent years. RPI is defined as the periapical lesion that occurs following implant placement while the coronal part of the implant achieves normal osseointegration. Due to the possibilities of asymptomatic clinical scenarios, RPI can easily be ignored if routine radiographic examination is absent postoperatively, which may postpone treatment and affect long-term outcome. The common cause is infection originating from the periapical lesion of the neighboring teeth, the residual bacteria at the implant site, the contaminated implant apex and etc. Treatment methods rely on the infection source and severity of defect. This article discusses the diagnosis, classification, etiology, and pathology as well as prevention and treatment of RPI in order to provide evidence for clinical decisions in the future.

Synthesis of PtRu alloy nanofireworks as effective catalysts toward glycerol electro-oxidation in alkaline media

Electro-oxidation of glycerol is a key anodic reaction in direct alcohol fuel cell (DAFCs). Exploring the cost-effective nanocatalysts for glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) is very important for the development of DAFC, but it is still challenging. In this paper, nanofirework-like PtRu alloy catalyst was successfully synthesized and used for GOR in alkaline medium. Thanks to the unique nanofirework-like structure and synergetic effects, the activity and stability of the as-prepared PtRu alloy nanofireworks (NFs) toward GOR were significantly improved relative to Pt NFs. In particular, the peak current density of GOR catalyzed by the optimized Pt₁Ru₃ NFs catalyst reached 2412.0 mA mg^-1, surpassing that of commercial Pt/C catalyst. This work has important guidance for the design of advanced anode electrocatalysts for fuel cells.

Preoperative MRI of breast squamous cell carcinoma: diagnostic value of distinguishing between two subtypes

AIM

To retrospectively analyse the clinical and MRI data of primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), particularly pure squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) and mixed squamous cell carcinoma (MSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The MRI data and clinicopathological characteristics of 20 patients with histopathologically confirmed SCC of the breast, including eight PSCC patients and 12 MSCC patients, from multiple centres between January 2013 and December 2020 were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Nine of 12 patients in the MSCC group showed hyperintensity on T1-weighted imaging (WI), while this feature was not observed in the PSCC group (p=0.001). Most of the PSCC group showed rim enhancement, whereas most of the MSCC group showed heterogeneous enhancement (p=0.007). In addition, there was no significant difference in the thickness of the rim enhancement and the percentage of necrotic components in the tumours between the two types of SCCs of the breast (p=0.545 and p=0.662, respectively). Four patients (4/12) in the MSCC group had sentinel lymph node metastasis, while only one patient (1/8) in the PSCC group showed lymph node metastasis (p=0.603). Metastatic disease occurred in 25% of patients with PSCC and in approximately 41.7% of patients with MSCC.

CONCLUSION

The signal on T1WI and internal enhancement characteristics were the key features for differentiating PSCC and MSCC. Therefore, MRI phenotypes may provide additional information for the pathological classification of breast SCC.

[Safety and efficacy of proximal gastrectomy with double tract anastomosis reconstruction for upper gastric cancer: a meta-ananlysis]

Objective: It is not yet to be clarified whether proximal gastrectomy with double tract anastomosis reconstruction (PG-DT) for gastric cancer increases postoperative complications. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PG-DT for upper gastric cancer. Methods: The Chinese and English literatures about PG-DT and total gastrectomy with Roun-en-Y digestive tract reconstruction (TG-RY) for upper gastric cancer were searched from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, CNKI net, Wanfang database and VIP database. Literature inclusion criteria: (1) prospective or retrospective cohort study of PG-DT and TG-RY for upper gastric cancer published publicly; (2) patients with upper gastric cancer; (3) the enrolled literatures included at least one of the following outcome indicators: operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative exhaust time, postoperative feeding time, hospitalization time, number of harvested lymph nodes, postoperative complications, postoperative 1-year albumin, postoperative 1-year hemoglobin and 1-, 3-, 5-year survival after surgery. Literature exclusion criteria: (1) reviews, case reports, conference summaries and other non-control studies; (2) studies published repeatedly, studies with incomplete or unextractable information. The search time ended in February 2021. The basic information and evaluation indicators included in the article were extracted. The retrospective study was evaluated using Newcastle-Ottawa literature quality evaluation scale. The prospective randomized controlled study was evaluated using Jadad modified scale. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. Publication bias was assessed using funnel map. Publication bias was tested using Egger tools. Results: A total of 385 literatures were searched, finally 2 randomized controlled trials and 16 retrospective cohort study were included. There were 1521 patients, including 692 in the PG-DT group and 829 in the TG-RY group. The meta-analysis of the enrolled indicators showed that as compared to TG-RYT group, PG-DT group had less intraoperative blood loss (OR=-54.58, 95%CI: -57.77 to -51.38, P<0.001), shorter postoperative exhaust time (OR=-0.21, 95%CI: -0.29 to -0.13, P<0.001), shorter hospitalization time (OR=-0.98, 95%CI: -1.31 to -0.64, P<0.001), less harvested lymph nodes (OR=-6.07, 95%CI: -7.14 to -4.99, P<0.001), lower morbidity of postoperative complication (OR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.24 to 0.43,P<0.001), higher level of postoperative 1-year albumin (OR=1.90, 95%CI: 1.08 to 2.77, P<0.001) and postoperative 1 year hemoglobin (OR=5.07, 95%CI: 2.83 to 7.31, P<0.001). While there were no significant differences in operation time (OR=0.08, 95%CI: -4.24 to 4.39, P=0.97), postoperative feeding time (OR=-0.05, 95%CI: -0.15 to 0.06, P=0.39), 1-year survival after surgery (OR=1.61, 95%CI: 0.69 to 3.75, P=0.27), 3-year survival after surgery (OR=1.31, 95%CI: 0.81 to 2.10, P=0.27) and 5-year survival after surgery (OR=1.50, 95%CI: 0.86 to 2.63, P=0.15) between two groups. Conclusions: PG-DT treatment for upper gastric cancer is safe and feasible. Compared with TG-RY, PG-DT has advantages in intraoperative bleeding, postoperative exhaust time, hospitalization time, morbidity of postoperative complication and postoperative nutritional indicators.

[Application and prospect of static/dynamic guided endodontics for managing pulpal and periapical diseases]

Root canal therapy and endodontic surgery are conventional treatments for pulpal and periapical diseases. Compared with naked-eye operations, the application of dental operating microscope has enhanced the procedural accuracy and prognosis efficiently. However, root canals with pulp calcification/obliteration, apical lesions with thick cortical bone or adjacent to important anatomic structures are even challenging for experienced operators to achieve predictable clinical outcomes. Recently, with the advances in the field of digitalized information sciences, the above mentioned complicated endodontic cases can be solved under static and dynamic guidance. Before the treatment begins, virtual path is designed from data collected by cone-beam CT and oral image scanning using guidance software. Afterwards, root canal therapy and endodontic surgery can be performed precisely under the assistance of three-dimensional printed guide or dynamic guidance system. The present review describes the classification, features and clinical applications of the guided endodontics.

Boosted Electrocatalysis of Bimetallic Sulfide Particles Incorporated in Fe/Co-based Metal-Organic Framework Ultrathin Nanosheets toward Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The development of inexpensive, high-performance, and long-lasting electrocatalysts toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) proves crucial to enhance the efficiency of water splitting to obtain clean and sustainable energy. Herein, Fe/Co-based...

Ultra-low Ru Doped MOF-derived Hollow Nanorods for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) which consist of metal ions and organic ligands, have been considered as promising precursors for designing efficient electrocatalysts. Herein, we reported an ultra-low ruthenium (Ru) doped defective...

Recent progress of carbon dot fluorescent probes for tetracycline detection

We made a detailed discussion about TCs and CDs, including the synthetic methods, doping strategies and promising prospects.

In situ nanopores enrichment of Mesh-like palladium nanoplates for bifunctional fuel cell reactions: A joint etching strategy

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials with nanopore display an enhancement effect on electrocatalysis behavior, whereas the nanopore engineering for 2D nanocatalysts remains an insurmountable challenge. We advance the synthesis of multilayer Pd nanoplates (Pd NPs) and two types of meshy nanoplates (Pd LMNPs/MNPs) with escalating nanopores from none and sparse to porous. Specially, an in situ nanopore enrichment on these Pd nanoplates hinges on a joint etching strategy with integrated manipulation of reaction kinetics. The optimized Pd MNPs exhibit exceptional oxygen reduction reaction performance, owing to the enhanced intermediates protonation on Pd site neighboring nanopore, which has been elucidated by density functional theory calculations. In addition, Pd MNPs also deliver excellent performances in fuel cell anodic reactions, including ethanol oxidation reaction and formic acid oxidation reaction. This study highlights a new strategy for in situ nanopores engineering, providing a prospect for designing superior nanocatalysts.

One-pot synthesis of core@shell PdAuPt nanodendrite@Pd nanosheets for boosted visible light-driven methanol electrooxidation

Herein, we developed a one-pot, surfactant-free approach to obtain a PdPtAu@Pd core@shell catalyst for the photocatalytic methanol oxidation reaction. By virtue of its dimensions, conjunction architecture and robust core@shell construction, 0D@2D PdPtAu@Pd exhibited a superior catalytic performance, with a mass activity 2.3- and 6.7-times higher than that of Pt/C and Pd/C catalysts, respectively.

Facile synthesis of low-dimensional PdPt nanocrystals for high-performance electrooxidation of C 2 alcohols

Low-dimensional noble-metal materials (LDNMs) with different structural advantages have been considered as the high-performance catalysts for C2 alcohol electrooxidation. However, it is still a great challenging to precisely construct nanomaterials with low-dimensional composite structure thus to take advantages of various dimension, especial without the surfactant participation. Most studies focus on the modulation of the single dimensional nanocatalysts, the correlation between electrocatalytic performances and low-dimension composite have been rarely reported. Herein, we engineered a simple one-step approach to design multi-low-dimensional PdPt nanomaterials by using different Pd precursors. The low-dimensional PdPt nanocrystals (NCs) composed of zero dimension (0D) dendrite-like nanoparticles and two dimension (2D) nanosheets were obtained by using Pd(OAc)₂, and meanwhile the 2D PdPt nanosheet assemblies (NAs) were synthesized by the introduction of NaPdCl₄. Specifically, benefitting from the unique low-dimension structures with fast electron/mass transfer, and optimized electronic and synergistic effect, the multi-low-dimensional 0D-2D PdPt NCs showed the highest ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR)/ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (EGOR) mass activities, which were much higher than 2D PdPt NAs. The 0D-2D PdPt NCs also exhibited the highest structural stability. Generally, this work could inspire more advanced designs for surfactant-free synthesis and promote the fundamental engineering on nanocatalysts with low-dimension composite structure for electrocatalytic fields.

Rich grain boundaries endow networked PdSn nanowires with superior catalytic properties for alcohol oxidation

Networked nanowire (NNW)-structured catalysts have attracted extensive attention due to their large surface area and structural stability, which mean that they have excellent catalytic activity and stability and can be used as anode reaction catalysts for use in direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs). Herein, a series of networked PdSn nanowires synthesized via a modified polyol strategy are used as efficient DAFCs anode reaction catalysts. The introduction of Sn plays an important role in the improvement of catalytic behavior, in which the existence of Sn promotes the oxidation of intermediates by providing abundant oxyphilic species. Moreover, the generated PdSn NNWs-3 with optimal content show rich grain boundaries and an even NNW structure, which provides more active sites to further improve catalytic performance, so it exhibits excellent activity toward alcohol oxidation. The mass activities of PdSn NNWs-3 toward the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and the methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) are 8105.0 and 3099.5 mA mg_Pd^-1, which are 6.9 and 10.7 times higher than those of Pd/C, respectively. Compared with Pd/C, the PdSn NNWs also display enhanced stability towards the EOR and MOR. This work demonstrates that NNW nanocatalysts indeed exhibit excellent catalytic performance for alcohol oxidation reactions.

[Characteristics of genotype of monogenic nephrolithiasis in Chinese pediatric patients with nephrolithiasis]

Objective: To analyze the genotype characteristics of children with monogenic nephrolithiasis. Methods: The clinical data and genetic test results of 56 children with monogenic nephrolithiasis diagnosed and treated in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All pediatric patients were diagnosed by whole exome sequencing, and the genotype characteristics of the children were analyzed. Results: Among 56 children with monogenic nephrolithiasis, there were 39 males and 17 females, with an average age of 4 years (range, 5 months to 14 years). A total of 11 genes were found to have mutations, including 7 autosomal recessive genes, 1 X-linked recessive gene, and 3 genes with both recessive and dominant, of which HOGA1 gene mutation was the most common (16 cases, 28.6%), followed by AGXT gene (15 cases, 26.8%), SLC3A1 gene (6 cases, 10.7%), SLC7A9 gene (5 cases, 8.9%) and GRHPR gene (5 cases, 8.9%). The mutation types included nonsense mutations, frameshift mutations and splicing mutations, with 14 novel mutations. Genes such as AGXT, GRHPR and HOGA1 have hotspot mutations or hotspot mutation regions, which are c. 815-816 insGA and c. 33dupC mutation, c.864-865delTG mutation and c. 834-834+1 mutation region; SLC3A1 and SLC7A9 genes had 9 novel mutations, but no hotspot mutation or hotspot regions were found. Conclusion: Monogenic nephrolithiasis is rare and mostly autosomal recessive in Chinese children, with mutations in the causative genes HOGA1, AGXT, SLC3A1,SLC7A9 and GRHPR. AGXT, GRHPR and HOGA1 genes have hotspot mutations or hotspot mutation regions, and mutations may have ethnic differences.

The factors involved in the induction of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin overexpression in renal tubular epithelial cells under endoplasmic reticulum stress

Our previous work found that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) expression increases when endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) occurs in human kidney-2 (HK-2) tubular epithelial cells. However, the reason for this is not yet known. This study investigated the factors involved when inducing NGAL overexpression in HK-2 cells during ERS. The cells were divided into six groups: the control group (normal HK-2 cells), the ERS group (HK-2 cells cultured in complete medium with thapsigargin (TG)), the transfection group (HK-2 cells transfected with activating transcription factor 4 small interfering ribonucleic acid (ATF4 siRNA), the ERS after transfection group (HK-2 cells transfected with ATF4 siRNA, then cultured in complete medium with TG), the negative control group (HK-2 cells transfected with siRNA-negative contrast), and the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (HK-2 cells cultured in complete medium with DMSO). Western blot and a real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to measure the expression of protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). As a result NGAL, ATF4, C/EBP homologous protein, glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa, ATF4 mRNA, and NGAL mRNA were clearly overexpressed in the ERS group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The expression of NGAL and ATF4 were similar in the control group, the negative control group, and the DMSO group (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, ATF4, NGAL, ATF4 mRNA, and NGAL mRNA in the ERS after transfection group were significantly lower compared with the ERS group (p < 0.05), which showed that NGAL was affected by ATF4. There was a close correlation between NGAL and ATF4; when the expression of ATF4 was inhibited, NGAL was significantly lower. Therefore, ATF4 may be one of the upstream regulators of NGAL.

[Effect of simulated occlusal force on periodontal ligament stem cells of the deciduous teeth at different stages of root absorption]

Objective: To explore the related mechanisms of biological root resorption in decidual teeth by studying the biological effect of simulated occlusal force on the periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) at different stages of root absorption. Methods: According to the tooth type and root absorption degree, healthy retained deciduous incisors and healthy first premolars that needed to be removed for orthodontic treatment were collected and divided into three groups with six teeth in each group: the deciduous unabsorbed group (UN group), the absorbed group (R group) and the permanent teeth group (P group). PDLSC was isolated from periodontal ligament and cultured. PDLSC of three groups were loaded with dynamic pressure of 0-45, 0-90, 0-135, 0-180, 0-225 and 0-270 kPa, respectively. The proliferation ability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) technique on day 1 to day 7, respectively. The apoptosis levels of PDLSC after loading with dynamic pressure of 0-45, 0-90, 0-135, 0-180 and 0-225 kPa were observed by the flow cytometry. The changes of microfilaments were observed by fibrous actin (F-actin) staining after the cytokeleton was subjected to dynamic pressure of 0-90 kPa. Results: PDLSC of three groups exhibited various proliferation abilities to dynamic pressure. The A values in the UN group and R group were significantly higher than those in the P group and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the UN group and the R group (P>0.05). The A values of PDLSC in UN group and R group under dynamic pressures of 0-45, 0-90, 0-135 and 0-180 kPa had no statistical significance compared with the control group unloading dynamic pressure (P>0.05). However, under 0-225 and 0-270 kPa dynamic pressures, the A values at the day 3 to day 7 were statistically significant (P<0.05). The A values of PDLSC in P group under 0-45, 0-90, 0-135, 0-180 and 0-225 kPa dynamic pressures for 1 to 7 days were no statistically significant difference compared with the control group (P>0.05). The A value in P group under the 0-270 kPa was statistically significant only on day 3 (1.386±0.131) and day 5 to day 7 (1.728±0.226, 2.029±0.168 and 2.263±0.210, respectively)(P<0.05). The result of apoptosis showed that the A values of PDLSC in UN group, R group and P group were significantly increased under 0-90, 0-135, 0-180 kPa and above dynamic pressures, respectively (P<0.05) compared with the control group unloading dynamic pressure. Under 0-90 kPa dynamic pressure, F-actin fluorescence staining samples in three groups all showed green filaments which were arranged along the long axis of the cells in the R group and the P group, while some fibers in the UN group were closely arranged and promoted stress fiber assembly. Conclusions: The biological characteristics of PDLSC at different root absorption stages were changed when they were stimulated by mechanical stress, and PDLSC of the deciduous teeth at the root unabsorption stage were more sensitive to mechanical stress stimulation.

PtM/Mx By (M=Ni, Co, Fe) Heterostructured Nanobundles as Advanced Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Optimizing the electronic and synergistic effect of hybrid electrocatalysts based on Pt and Pt-based nanocatalysts is of tremendous importance towards a superior hydrogen evolution performance under both acidic and alkaline conditions. However, developing an ideal Pt-based hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst with moderated electronic structure as well as strong synergistic effect is still a challenge. Herein, we fabricated boron (B)-doped PtNi nanobundles by a two-step method using NaBH₄ as the boron source to obtain PtNi/Ni₄ B₃ heterostructures with well-defined nanointerfaces between PtNi and Ni₄ B₃ , achieving an enhanced catalytic HER performance. Especially, the PtNi/Ni₄ B₃ nanobundles (PtNi/Ni₄ B₃ NBs) can deliver a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 at the overpotential of 14.6 and 26.5 mV under alkaline and acidic media, respectively, as well as outstanding electrochemical stability over 40 h at the current density of 10 mA cm^-2 . Remarkably, this approach is also universal for the syntheses of PtCo/Co₃ B and PtFe/Fe₄₉ B with outstanding electrocatalytic HER performance.

General fabrication of RuM (M = Ni and Co) nanoclusters for boosting hydrogen evolution reaction electrocatalysis

Rational design and fabrication of highly active electrocatalysts toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are of paramount significance in industrial hydrogen production via water electrolysis. Herein, by taking advantage of the high surface-to-volume ratio, maximized atom-utilization efficiency, and quantum size effect, we have successfully fabricated an innovative class of Ru-based alloy nanoclusters. Impressively, carbon fiber cloth (CFC) supported RuNi nanoclusters could exhibit outstanding electrocatalytic performance toward the HER, in which the optimal composition RuNi/CFC could achieve a current density of 10 mA cm^-2 with an overpotential of merely 43.0 mV in 1 M KOH electrolyte, as well as a low Tafel slope of 30.4 mF dec^-1. In addition to the high HER activity in alkaline media, such Ru-based alloy nanoclusters are also demonstrated to be highly active and stable in acidic solution. Mechanistic studies reveal that the alloying effect facilitates water dissociation and optimizes hydrogen adsorption and desorption, thereby contributing to the outstanding HER performance. This work paves a new way for the rational fabrication of advanced electrocatalysts for boosting the HER.

Solvent-Mediated Shell Dimension Reconstruction of Core@Shell PdAu@Pd Nanocrystals for Robust C1 and C2 Alcohol Electrocatalysis

The core@shell structure dimension of the Pd-based nanocrystals deeply impacts their catalytic properties for C1 and C2 alcohol oxidation reactions. However, the precise simultaneous control on the synthesis of core@shell nanocrystals with different shell dimensions is difficult, and most synthesis on Pd-based core@shell nanocatalysts involves the surfactants participation by multiple steps, thus leads to limited catalytic properties. Herein, for the first time, a facile one-step surfactant-free strategy is developed for shell dimension reconstruction of PdAu@Pd core@shell nanocrystals by altering volume ratios of mixed solvents. The Pd-based sunflower-like (SL) and coral grass-like (CGL) nanocrystals are obtained with different 2D hexagonal nanosheet assembles and 3D network shells, respectively. Benefitting from the clean surface shell of 2D ultrathin nanosheets structure, high atom utilization efficiency, and robust electronic effect. The PdAu@Pd SL achieves the ascendant methanol/ethanol/ethylene glycol oxidation reaction (MOR/EOR/EGOR) activities, much higher than Pd/C catalysts, as well as the improved antipoisoning ability. Notably, this one-step construction shell dimension of PdAu@Pd core@shell catalysts not only provide a significant reference for the improvement of surfactant-free synthetic routes, but also shed light on the advanced engineering on shell dimensions in core@shell nanostructures for electrocatalysis and so forth.

Self-driven Ru-modified NiFe MOF nanosheet as multifunctional electrocatalyst for boosting water and urea electrolysis

Urea electro-oxidation reaction (UOR) has been a promising strategy to replace oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by urea-mediated water splitting for hydrogen production. Naturally, rational design of high-efficiency and multifunctional electrocatalyst towards UOR and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of vital significance, but still a grand challenge. Herein, an innovative 3D Ru-modified NiFe metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoflake array on Ni foam (Ru-NiFe-x/NF) was elaborately designed via spontaneous galvanic replacement reaction (GRR). Notably, the adsorption capability of intermediate species (H*) of catalyst is significantly optimized by Ru modification. Meanwhile, rich high-valence Ni active species can be acquired by self-driven electronic reconstruction in the interface, then dramatically accelerating the electrolysis of water and urea. Remarkably, the optimized Ru-NiFe-③/NF (1.6 at% of Ru) only requires the overpotential of 90 and 310 mV to attain 100 mA cm^-2 toward HER and OER in alkaline electrolyte, respectively. Impressively, an ultralow voltage of 1.47 V is required for Ru-NiFe-③/NF to deliver a current density of 100 mA cm^-2 in urea-assisted electrolysis cell with superior stability, which is 190 mV lower than that of Pt/C-NF||RuO₂/NF couple. This work is desired to explore a facile way to exploit environmentally-friendly energy by coupling hydrogen evolution with urea-rich sewage disposal.

Changes of CaM-CaMK-CREB signaling pathway and related neuron factors in hippocampus of rats after sevoflurane and propofol administration

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes of CaM-CaMK-CREB signaling pathway and related neuron factors in hippocampus of rats after sevoflurane and propofol administration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 90 SD rats, half male and half female, were selected. They were randomized into anesthesia group (AG) and control group (CG), in which 30 rats under propofol anesthesia in the AG were included in group A, 30 rats under sevoflurane anesthesia were included in group B, and 30 rats under mixed ventilation of air and oxygen were included in the CG. Before (10 rats were killed in each group) and at the end of anesthesia (2 weeks of anesthesia and 7 days of Morris water maze test), rats were respectively killed and then an appropriate amount of hippocampus was separated. Human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), calmodulin (CaM), calmodulin-dependent kinase Ⅱ a (CaMK II a), NMDA receptor 2B (NR2B), cysteine aspartate specific protease-3 mRNA (Caspase-3mRNA) and protein contents were detected.

RESULTS

The latency of rats in group A and group B, as well as their times of crossing the original platform on 1, 4, and 7d were markedly higher than those of the CG, and those in group B were markedly lower than those in group A (p<0.001). The total distance of rats in group A and group B on 1, 4, and 7d was significantly higher than that of the CG, and that in group B was dramatically lower than that in group A (p<0.001). The speed of rats in the three groups ranged from 1d to 7d, and there was no significant difference at different time points (p>0.05). At the end of anesthesia, the expression levels of CaM mRNA and protein in hippocampus of rats in group A and group B were remarkably higher than those of the CG, and those of CaMK II a mRNA and protein were remarkably lower than those of the CG; the CaM mRNA and protein expression levels in hippocampus of group A were significantly higher than those of group B, and those of CaMK IL a mRNA and protein were significantly lower than those of group B (p<0.001). Simultaneously, the expression levels of NR2BmRNA, Caspase-3mRNA and protein in hippocampus of group A and group B were substantially higher than those of the CG, and those in group B were substantially lower than those in group A (p<0.001). What's more, the TNF-a and VEGF expression levels in hippocampus of group A and B were markedly higher than those of the CG, and those in group B were dramatically lower than those of group A (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Sevoflurane anesthesia on the CaM-CaMK-CREB signaling pathway and learning and memory function of rats is less volatile, which does better in safeguarding stability.