Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a critical regulatory role in cancer progression. However, the underlying mechanisms of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis remain mostly unknown.
...Has_circ_0003998 (circ0003998) was identified by RNAs sequencing in HCC patients with /without portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) metastasis. The expression level of circ0003998 was further detected by in situ hybridization on tissues microarray (ISH-TMA) and qRT-PCR in 25 HCC patients with PVTT metastasis. Moreover, the 25 HCC patients with PVTT metastasis and 50 HCC patients without PVTT metastasis were recruited together to analyze the correlation between circ0003998 expression and HCC clinical characteristics. Transwell, migration and CCK8 assays, as well as nude mice model of lung or liver metastasis were used to evaluate the role of circ0003998 in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCC. The regulatory mechanisms of circ0003998 in miR-143-3p and PCBP1 were determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay, nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation, fluorescent in situ hybridization, RNA pull- down, microRNA sequence, western blot and RNA immunoprecipitation.
Compared with adjacent normal liver tissues (ANL), circ0003998 expression was significantly upregulated in PVTT tissues and HCC tissues, and its expression correlates with the aggressive characteristics of HCC patients. Further assays suggested that circ0003998 promoted EMT of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, our data indicated that circ0003998 may act as a ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA) of microRNA-143-3p to relieve the repressive effect on EMT-related stimulator, FOSL2; meanwhile, circ0003998 could bind with PCBP1-poly(rC) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) to increase the expression level of EMT-related genes, CD44v6.
Circ0003998 promotes EMT of HCC by circ0003998/miR-143-3p/FOSL2 axis and circ0003998 /PCBP1/CD44v6 axis.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Herbal medicines (HMs) are much appreciated for their significant contribution to human survival and reproduction by remedial and prophylactic management of diseases. Defining the scientific basis of ...HMs will substantiate their value and promote their modernization. Ever‐increasing evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in HM therapy by complicated interplay with HM components. This interplay includes such activities as: gut microbiota biotransforming HM chemicals into metabolites that harbor different bioavailability and bioactivity/toxicity from their precursors; HM chemicals improving the composition of gut microbiota, consequently ameliorating its dysfunction as well as associated pathological conditions; and gut microbiota mediating the interactions (synergistic and antagonistic) between the multiple chemicals in HMs. More advanced experimental designs are recommended for future study, such as overall chemical characterization of gut microbiota‐metabolized HMs, direct microbial analysis of HM‐targeted gut microbiota, and precise gut microbiota research model development. The outcomes of such research can further elucidate the interactions between HMs and gut microbiota, thereby opening a new window for defining the scientific basis of HMs and for guiding HM‐based drug discovery.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
MXenes, layered transition metal carbides/nitrides, have already received considerable attention in various research areas including but not limited to energy storage/conversion and ...photo/electrocatalysis. In fact, the intrinsic property of MXenes is highly tunable by controlling the surface terminations and interlayer spacing. Moreover, synchrotron radiation X‐ray characterizations have shown high potential for exploring the causal relationship between the properties and structure of MXenes. Particularly, operando X‐ray measurements could provide useful insight for better understanding the dynamic process of MXene‐based energy materials. In this review, a comprehensive summary of recent studies on surface controlling, interlayer engineering, and the synchrotron‐based characterizations of MXenes is presented. The outlook of MXenes and applications of advanced X‐ray characterizations are also discussed.
In this review, the structure and synthesis strategies of MXenes are briefly discussed. Surface controlling, interlayer engineering toward the tunable structure of MXenes, and relevant applications are also comprehensively summarized. Particularly, the progresses and advantages of synchrotron‐based characterizations in the exploration of MXenes' structure and dynamic mechanism are emphasized, and the challenges and prospects are proposed as well.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
The design of efficient and stable photocatalysts for robust CO
2
reduction without sacrifice reagent or extra photosensitizer is still challenging. Herein, a single-atom catalyst of ...isolated single atom cobalt incorporated into Bi
3
O
4
Br atomic layers is successfully prepared. The cobalt single atoms in the Bi
3
O
4
Br favors the charge transition, carrier separation, CO
2
adsorption and activation. It can lower the CO
2
activation energy barrier through stabilizing the COOH* intermediates and tune the rate-limiting step from the formation of adsorbed intermediate COOH* to be CO* desorption. Taking advantage of cobalt single atoms and two-dimensional ultrathin Bi
3
O
4
Br atomic layers, the optimized catalyst can perform light-driven CO
2
reduction with a selective CO formation rate of 107.1 µmol g
−1
h
−1
, roughly 4 and 32 times higher than that of atomic layer Bi
3
O
4
Br and bulk Bi
3
O
4
Br, respectively.
Rechargeable aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) are regarded as promising candidates for post‐lithium energy storage systems (ESSs). For addressing the critical issues in the current liquid AIB systems, ...here a flexible solid‐state AIB is established using a gel‐polymer electrolyte for achieving robust electrode–electrolyte interfaces. Different from utilization of solid‐state systems for alleviating the safety issues and enhancing energy density in lithium‐ion batteries, employment of polymeric electrolytes mainly focuses on addressing the essential problems in the liquid AIBs, including unstable internal interfaces induced by mechanical deformation and production of gases as well as unfavorable separators. Particularly, such gel electrolyte enables the solid‐state AIBs to present an ultra‐fast charge capability within 10 s at current density of 600 mA g−1. Meanwhile, an impressive specific capacity ≈120 mA h g−1 is obtained at current density of 60 mA g−1, approaching the theoretical limit of graphite‐based AIBs. In addition to the well‐retained electrochemical performance below the ice point, the solid‐state AIBs also hold great stability and safety under various critical conditions. The results suggest that such new prototype of solid‐state AIBs with robust electrode–electrolyte interfaces promises a novel strategy for fabricating stable and safe flexible ESSs.
Flexible stable solid‐state Al‐ion batteries are constructed using the gel‐polymer electrolyte, Al anode, and graphite cathode. The novel polymeric electrolyte substantially promotes the overall energy storage performance via addressing the unstable internal interfaces induced by mechanical deformation and production of gases as well as unfavorable separators in the liquid systems, suggesting new strategies for achieving advanced flexible energy storage devices.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Effective solid‐state interfacial contact of both the cathode and lithium metal anode with the solid electrolyte (SE) are required to improve the performance of solid‐state lithium metal batteries ...(SSBs). Electro–chemo–mechanical coupling (ECMC) strongly affects the interfacial stability of SSBs. On one hand, mechanical stress strongly influences interfacial contact and causes side reactions. On the other hand, electrochemical reactions such as lithium deposition cause mechanical deformation and stress at electrode/SE interfaces. To solve the degradation/failure problems of interfaces and provide guidelines to construct high‐performance SSBs, the ECMC at electrode/SE interfaces should be comprehensively investigated. In this review, the problems associated with ECMC at electrode/SE interfaces are summarized. The interfacial degradation/failure mechanisms, including the contact and electrochemical stability of interfaces, are introduced. Mechanical factors affecting interfacial contact and lithium deposition are highlighted. Experimental observation and computational analysis methods for electrode/SE interfaces are then summarized. Strategies to construct stable electrode/SE interfaces, such as assembling stress and wetting layers to improve interfacial contact, 3D SE structure, and plating stress relief to suppress lithium dendrite formation, are reviewed. The remaining challenges to better understanding ECMC and related solutions to aid SSB development are discussed.
The failure mechanisms of electrode/solid electrolyte (SE) interfaces in solid‐state lithium metal batteries (SSBs) involve multiscale and multiphysical field coupling. Various in situ observation technologies and corresponding theoretical approaches have been used to investigate the degradation mechanism of SSBs. Based on the experimental and theoretical results, well‐established solutions are explored to construct stable electrode/SE interfaces in SSBs.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth, development and production. However, little is known about the effects of P deficiency on nutrient absorption, photosynthetic apparatus ...performance and antioxidant metabolism in citrus. Seedlings of 'sour pummelo' (Citrus grandis) were irrigated with a nutrient solution containing 0.2 mM (Control) or 0 mM (P deficiency) KH2PO4 until saturated every other day for 16 weeks. P deficiency significantly decreased the dry weight (DW) of leaves and stems, and increased the root/shoot ratio in C. grandis but did not affect the DW of roots. The decreased DW of leaves and stems might be induced by the decreased chlorophyll (Chl) contents and CO2 assimilation in P deficient seedlings. P deficiency heterogeneously affected the nutrient contents of leaves, stems and roots. The analysis of Chl a fluorescence transients showed that P deficiency impaired electron transport from the donor side of photosystem II (PSII) to the end acceptor side of PSI, which showed a greater impact on the performance of the donor side of PSII than that of the acceptor side of PSII and photosystem I (PSI). P deficiency increased the contents of ascorbate (ASC), H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) in leaves. In contrast, P deficiency increased the ASC content, reduced the glutathione (GSH) content and the activities of SOD, CAT, APX and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), but did not increase H2O2 production, anthocyanins and MDA content in roots. Taking these results together, we conclude that P deficiency affects nutrient absorption and lowers photosynthetic performance, leading to ROS production, which might be a crucial cause of the inhibited growth of C. grandis.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have arousing interest because of their high theoretical energy density. However, they often suffer from sluggish conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPS) during the ...charge/discharge process. Single nickel (Ni) atoms on nitrogen‐doped graphene (Ni@NG) with Ni–N4 structure are prepared and introduced to modify the separators of Li–S batteries. The oxidized Ni sites of the Ni–N4 structure act as polysulfide traps, efficiently accommodating polysulfide ion electrons by forming strong Sx
2−⋅⋅⋅NiN bonding. Additionally, charge transfer between the LiPS and oxidized Ni sites endows the LiPS on Ni@NG with low free energy and decomposition energy barrier in an electrochemical process, accelerating the kinetic conversion of LiPS during the charge/discharge process. Furthermore, the large binding energy of LiPS on Ni@NG also shows its ability to immobilize the LiPS and further suppresses the undesirable shuttle effect. Therefore, a Li–S battery based on a Ni@NG modified separator exhibits excellent rate performance and stable cycling life with only 0.06% capacity decay per cycle. It affords fresh insights for developing single‐atom catalysts to accelerate the kinetic conversion of LiPS for highly stable Li–S batteries.
Single Ni atoms on nitrogen‐doped graphene with a unique Ni–N4 structure are used to modify the separator of a lithium–sulfur battery to improve its electrochemical performance. The oxidized Ni state of the Ni–N4 structure not only serves as an active site for immobilizing lithium polysulfides, but also accelerates their kinetic conversion via electrocatalysis.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Bone marrow (BM) niche responds to chemotherapy-induced cytokines secreted from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells and protects the residual cells from chemotherapeutics in vivo. However, the ...underlying molecular mechanisms for the induction of cytokines by chemotherapy remain unknown. Here, we found that chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., Ara-C, DNR, 6-MP) induced the expression of niche-protecting cytokines (GDF15, CCL3 and CCL4) in both ALL cell lines and primary cells in vitro. The ATM and NF-κB pathways were activated after chemotherapy treatment, and the pharmacological or genetic inhibition of these pathways significantly reversed the cytokine upregulation. Besides, chemotherapy-induced NF-κB activation was dependent on ATM-TRAF6 signaling, and NF-κB transcription factor p65 directly regulated the cytokines expression. Furthermore, we found that both pharmacological and genetic perturbation of ATM and p65 significantly decreased the residual ALL cells after Ara-C treatment in ALL xenograft mouse models. Together, these results demonstrated that ATM-dependent NF-κB activation mediated the cytokines induction by chemotherapy and ALL resistance to chemotherapeutics. Inhibition of ATM-dependent NF-κB pathway can sensitize ALL to chemotherapeutics, providing a new strategy to eradicate residual chemo-resistant ALL cells.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Origami structures offer valuable applications in many fields, ranging from metamaterials to robotics. The multistable characteristics of origami structures have been pursued for acquiring unique ...reconfigurable features. For achieving this goal, an unusual polymeric tristable origami structure is demonstrated using a classic square‐twist origami configuration. By manipulating both material properties and geometric parameters of the heteropolymer structures, a design principle for tailoring the multistable configuration in the square‐twist origami is established based on variation of the structural potential energy. Under thermal triggering, the stiffness of the deformable structure is dramatically reduced, which causes an increase in the structural degree of freedom, allowing for self‐deployment via release of the prestored energy in the elastic twisted hinges. Utilizing such unique features and design principles, a prototype of frequency reconfigurable origami antenna of five diverse operating modes and a programmable multiple‐input multiple‐output communication system is subsequently designed and assembled, aiming to substantially promote the channel capacity and communication reliability. The findings and results firmly provide a remarkable design principle and strategy for advancing active origami structures and devices in shape‐morphing systems.
Active reconfigurable tristable square‐twist origami structures are fabricated via a multimaterial 3D print method via a self‐deployment phenomenon under thermal stimuli. Designing different geometries allows for square‐twist origami structures with different stable states. These structures can be used as a deformable dielectric substrate to compose a frequency reconfigurable origami antenna, and the function of one origami antenna instead of five conventional antennas can be realized.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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