With the rapid development of wearable and portable electronics, flexible and stretchable energy storage devices to power them are rapidly emerging. Among numerous flexible energy storage ...technologies, flexible batteries are considered as the most favorable candidate due to their high energy density and long cycle life. In particular, flexible 1D batteries with the unique advantages of miniaturization, adaptability, and weavability are expected to be a part of such applications. The development of 1D batteries, including lithium‐ion batteries, zinc‐ion batteries, zinc–air batteries, and lithium–air batteries, is comprehensively summarized, with particular emphasis on electrode preparation, battery design, and battery properties. In addition, the remaining challenges to the commercialization of current 1D batteries and prospective opportunities in the field are discussed.
The latest advances in flexible 1D batteries, including metal‐ion batteries and metal–air batteries, are summarized, with particular emphasis on electrode preparation, battery design, and electrochemical and mechanical properties. Additionally, future perspectives on and remaining challenges to the practical application of 1D batteries are also discussed to promote the commercialization of 1D batteries.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Upland forests are traditionally thought to be net sinks for atmospheric methane (CH4). In such forests, in situ CH4 fluxes on tree trunks have been neglected relative to soil and canopy fluxes.
We ...measured in situ CH4 fluxes from the trunks of living trees and other surfaces, such as twigs and soils, using a static closed-chamber method, and estimated the CH4 budget in a temperate upland forest in Beijing.
We found that the trunks of Populus davidiana emitted large quantities of CH4 during July 2014–July 2015, amounting to mean annual emissions of 85.3 and 103.1 μg m−2 h−1 on a trunk surface area basis on two replicate plots. The emission rates were similar in magnitude to those from tree trunks in wetland forests. The emitted CH4 was derived from the heartwood of trunks. On a plot or ecosystem scale, trunk CH4 emissions were equivalent to c. 30–90% of the amount of CH4 consumed by soils throughout the year, with an annual average of 63%.
Our findings suggest that wet heartwoods, regardless of rot or not, occur widely in living trees on various habitats, where CH4 can be produced.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NMLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) is an extremely rare but highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Due to the scarcity of driver gene alterations, there is a need for ...more clinical data to comprehensively depict its molecular alterations. This study reviewed 26 PMME cases from three medical centers. Hybrid capture‐based targeted sequencing of 295 and 1021 genes was performed in 14 and 12 cases, respectively. We found that PMME patients had a relatively low tumor mutation burden (median, 2.88 mutations per Mb) and were simultaneously accompanied by mutations in genes such as KIT (6/26, 23%), TP53 (6/26, 23%), SF3B1 (4/26, 15%), and NRAS (3/26, 12%). KIT, NRAS, and BRAF were mutually exclusive, and SF3B1 co‐occurred with KIT mutation and amplification. The most common pathways affected were the mitogen‐activated protein kinases and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways. Stage IV was a risk factor for both progression‐free survival (hazard ratio HR = 5.14, 95% confidence interval CI = 1.32–19.91) and overall survival (OS), HR = 4.33, 95% CI = 1.22–15.30). Treatment with immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) was an independent factor for favorable OS (HR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.01–0.91). Overall, PMME is a complex malignancy with diverse gene alterations, especially with harboring DDR alterations for potentially response from ICIs.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Energy restriction (ER) protects against cerebral ischemic injury, but the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Here, rats were fed ad libitum (AL) or on an alternate-day food deprivation ...intermittent fasting (IF) diet for 3 months, followed by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery. The body weight, infarct volume, and neurological deficit score were accessed at the designated time points. ELISA, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting were used to determine cytokine secretion and the expression of SIRT6, TXNIP, and signaling molecules, respectively. Immunofluorescence evaluated microglial activation and angiogenesis in vivo. For in vitro study, oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-treated cell model was generated. MTT and tube formation assays were employed to determine cell viability and tube formation capability. ChIP assay detected chromatin occupancy of SIRT6 and SIRT6-mediated H3 deacetylation. We found that IF or ER mimetics ameliorated cerebral ischemic brain damage and microglial activation, and potentiated angiogenesis in vivo. ER mimetics or SIRT6 overexpression alleviated cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury in vitro. SIRT6 suppressed TXNIP via deacetylation of H3K9ac and H3K56ac in HAPI cells and BMVECs. Downregulation of SIRT6 reversed ER mimetics-mediated protection during cerebral I/R in vitro. Our study demonstrated that ER-mediated upregulation of SIRT6 inhibited microglia activation and potentiated angiogenesis in cerebral ischemia via suppressing TXNIP.
As humans focus control only on task-space variables to achieve dexterous manipulation, robots could strongly profit from advanced task-space control, which is still blocked by kinematic and dynamic ...uncertainties now. This article proposes an adaptive composite observer (ACO) with finite-time sliding-mode manifold to compensate uncertain kinematics and dynamics synthetically, then develops a novel nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller based on an adaptive neural network (NN) to stabilize the task-space tracking errors directly with prescribed performance. The global finite-time stability of the entire observer-controller system is achieved by Lyapunov method, and the observer and controller errors will converge to zeros in finite time with preassigned transient and steady-state performance. Simulation and experimental studies are also presented to verify the effectiveness of the designed control methods.
In this study, we identified a defense-related major latex protein （MLP） from upland cotton （designated GhMLP28） and investigated its functional mechanism. GhMLP28 transcripts were ubiquitously ...present in cotton plants, with higher accumulation in the root. Expression of the GhMLP28 gene was induced by Verticillium dahliae inoculation and was responsive to defense signaling molecules, including ethylene, jas- monic acid, and salicylic acid. Knockdown of GhMLP28 expression by virus-induced gene silencing re- sulted in increased susceptibility of cotton plants to V. dahliae infection, while ectopic overexpression of GhMLP28 in tobacco improved the disease tolerance of the transgenic plants. Further analysis revealed that GhMLP28 interacted with cotton ethylene response factor 6 （GhERF6） and facilitated the binding of GhERF6 to GCC-box element. Transient expression assay demonstrated that GhMLP28 enhanced the tran- scription factor activity of GhERF6, which led to the augmented expression of some GCC-box genes. GhMLP28 proteins were located in both the nucleus and cytoplasm and their nuclear distribution was dependent on the presence of GhERF6. Collectively, these results demonstrate that GhMLP28 acts as a positive regulator of GhERF6, and synergetic actions of the two proteins may contribute substantially to protection against V. dahliae infection in cotton plants.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in pregnant women may be a threat for both mothers and fetuses. This study was performed to explore the impact of maternal HBV carrier status on pregnancy ...outcomes.
We conducted a prospective cohort study at the Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Nantong University between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2015. A consecutive sample of 21,004 pregnant women, 513 asymptomatic HBV carriers and 20,491 non-HBV controls, was included in this study. The main outcomes of interest were selected pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth (PTB), gestational diabetes (GDM), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), preterm premature rupture of the membrane (PPROM), low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA) and Apgar scores. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes between asymptomatic HBV carriers and non-HBV controls were compared using the chi-square test and logistic regression. P values were two sided, and P <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.
The incidences of stillbirth, PTB, GDM, ICP, PPROM, LBW, and SGA were similar between the HBV carrier and non-HBV groups. The proportion of miscarriage was significantly higher among the HBV carriers than the controls (9.36% vs 5.70%; P <0.001). After using multivariate modelling to adjust for possible socio-demographical variables and obstetric complications, women with HBV carrier status were still more likely to have miscarriage (adjusted OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.23-2.38). In addition, the incidences of other maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar between the two groups.
Maternal HBV carrier status may be an independent risk factor for miscarriage and careful surveillance is warranted.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
To meet the increasing demands for portable and flexible devices in a rapidly developing society, it is urgently required to develop highly safe and flexible electrochemical energy‐storage systems. ...Flexible lithium–oxygen batteries with high theoretical specific energy density are promising candidates; however, the conventional half‐open structure design prevents it from working properly under water or fire conditions. Herein, as a proof‐of‐concept experiment, a highly safe flexible lithium–oxygen battery achieved by the synergy of a vital multifunctional structure design and a unique composite separator is proposed and fabricated. The structure can effectively prevent the invasion of water from the environment and combustion, which is further significantly consolidated with the help of a polyimide and poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) composite separator, which holds good water resistance, thermal stability, and ionic conductivity. Unexpectedly, the obtained lithium–oxygen battery exhibits superior flexibility, water resistance, thermal resistance, and cycling stability (up to 218 cycles; at a high current of 1 mA and capacity of 4 mA h). This novel water/fireproof, flexible lithium–oxygen battery is a promising candidate to power underwater flexible electronics.
A highly safe flexible lithium–oxygen (SFLO) battery is designed and fabricated to endow the possibility to power versatile portable and flexible devices. Thanks to an innovative assembly method, the structure of the SFLO battery possesses good flexibility, excellent water‐ and fire‐resistance, and superior electrochemical performances.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Alternative splicing (AS) and its regulation play critical roles in cancer, yet the dysregulation of AS and its molecular bases in breast cancer development have not yet been elucidated. Using an
...CRISPR screen targeting RNA-binding proteins, we identified PHD finger protein 5A (PHF5A) as a key splicing factor involved in tumor progression. PHF5A expression was frequently upregulated in breast cancer and correlated with poor survival, and knockdown of PHF5A significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and tumor formation. PHF5A was required for SF3b spliceosome stability and linked the complex to histones, and the PHF5A-SF3b complex modulated AS changes in apoptotic signaling. In addition, expression of a short truncated FAS-activated serine/threonine kinase (FASTK) protein was increased after PHF5A ablation and facilitated Fas-mediated apoptosis. This PHF5A-modulated FASTK-AS axis was widely present in breast cancer specimens, particularly those of the triple-negative subtype. Taken together, our findings reveal that PHF5A serves as an epigenetic suppressor of apoptosis and thus provides a mechanistic basis for breast cancer progression and may be a valuable therapeutic target.
This study provides an epigenetic mechanistic basis for the aggressive biology of breast cancer and identifies a translatable therapeutic target.
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Cinobufagin is the major bufadienolide of Bufonis venenum (Chansu), which has been traditionally used for the treatment of chronic pain especially cancer pain. The current study aimed to evaluate its ...antinociceptive effects in bone cancer pain and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Rat bone cancer model was used in this study. The withdrawal threshold evoked by stimulation of the hindpaw was determined using a 2290 CE electrical von Frey hair. The β-endorphin and IL-10 levels were measured in the spinal cord and cultured primary microglia, astrocytes, and neurons.
Cinobufagin, given intrathecally, dose-dependently attenuated mechanical allodynia in bone cancer pain rats, with the projected E
of 90% MPE and ED
of 6.4 μg. Intrathecal cinobufagin also stimulated the gene and protein expression of IL-10 and β-endorphin (but not dynorphin A) in the spinal cords of bone cancer pain rats. In addition, treatment with cinobufagin in cultured primary spinal microglia but not astrocytes or neurons stimulated the mRNA and protein expression of IL-10 and β-endorphin, which was prevented by the pretreatment with the IL-10 antibody but not β-endorphin antiserum. Furthermore, spinal cinobufagin-induced mechanical antiallodynia was inhibited by the pretreatment with intrathecal injection of the microglial inhibitor minocycline, IL-10 antibody, β-endorphin antiserum and specific μ-opioid receptor antagonist CTAP. Lastly, cinobufagin- and the specific α-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) agonist PHA-543613-induced microglial gene expression of IL-10/β-endorphin and mechanical antiallodynia in bone cancer pain were blocked by the pretreatment with the specific α7-nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine.
Our results illustrate that cinobufagin produces mechanical antiallodynia in bone cancer pain through spinal microglial expression of IL-10 and subsequent β-endorphin following activation of α7-nAChRs. Our results also highlight the broad significance of the recently uncovered spinal microglial IL-10/β-endorphin pathway in antinociception.
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