This work reports the refinement of nanoporous copper (NPC) ligaments by introducing the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant in the dealloying process. The Al
80
Cu
20
(at%) alloy precursor is ...chemically dealloyed in a mixed solution of NaOH and SDS surfactant, producing NPC with a hierarchical microstructure. Micron-scaled skeletons that build up higher level networks consist of geometrically similar nano-scaled bi-continuous ligament-pore networks at the lower level. It has been found that the size of the ligaments in the lower level networks reduces from ∼32 nm to ∼24 nm with increasing SDS concentration to 1 mM. Further increasing the SDS concentration to 5 mM only leads to a slight ligament size decrease to ∼21 nm. Remarkably, nano-sized cones are formed on the lower level network surface in the dealloying solution containing 1 mM SDS, and the cone number greatly rises when the SDS concentration increases to 5 mM. The surface diffusivity of Cu adatoms is evaluated based on the experimental data, and the refinement of the ligament as well as the formation of cones are associated with the decreased surface diffusivity and the retarded Cu adatom motions with the addition of SDS. Quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations are performed to model the adsorption behavior of SDS. It has been found that the SDS-substrate interaction increases with the number of SDS molecules before SDS reaches saturation.
Nanoporous copper (NPC) is fabricated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-mediated dealloying. SDS adsorbs on alloy surfaces and suppresses adatom diffusivity and thus refines the ligaments. SDS-alloy interactions are modeled by MD simulations.
•A multi-scale attention network is proposed for robust multi-organ segmentation.•Shape constraint is effective in solving the inhomogeneous intensity distributions.•Two-stage segmentation network ...shows highly efficient computational speed.•The proposed segmentation method won the second place among more than 90 teams.
Although many deep learning-based abdominal multi-organ segmentation networks have been proposed, the various intensity distributions and organ shapes of the CT images from multi-center, multi-phase with various diseases introduce new challenges for robust abdominal CT segmentation. To achieve robust and efficient abdominal multi-organ segmentation, a new two-stage method is presented in this study.
A binary segmentation network is used for coarse localization, followed by a multi-scale attention network for the fine segmentation of liver, kidney, spleen, and pancreas. To constrain the organ shapes produced by the fine segmentation network, an additional network is pre-trained to learn the shape features of the organs with serious diseases and then employed to constrain the training of the fine segmentation network.
The performance of the presented segmentation method was extensively evaluated on the multi-center data set from the Fast and Low GPU Memory Abdominal oRgan sEgmentation (FLARE) challenge, which was held in conjunction with International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) 2021. Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and Normalized Surface Dice (NSD) were calculated to quantitatively evaluate the segmentation accuracy and efficiency. An average DSC and NSD of 83.7% and 64.4% were achieved, and our method finally won the second place among more than 90 participating teams.
The evaluation results on the public challenge demonstrate that our method shows promising performance in robustness and efficiency, which may promote the clinical application of the automatic abdominal multi-organ segmentation.
The development of drug-resistance in the opportunistic pathogen
has become a global public health concern. Due to the share of similar flora between pets and their owners, the detection of ...pet-origin antibiotic-resistant
is necessary. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of feline-origin ESBL
in China and to explore the resistance elimination effect of garlic oil to cefquinome on ESBL
. Cat fecal samples were collected from animal hospitals. The
isolates were separated and purified by indicator media and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ESBL genes were detected by PCR and Sanger sequencing. The MICs were determined. The synergistic effect of garlic oil and cefquinome against ESBL
was investigated by checkerboard assays, time-kill and growth curves, drug-resistance curves, PI and NPN staining, and a scanning electronic microscope. A total of 80
strains were isolated from 101 fecal samples. The rate of ESBL
was 52.5% (42/80). The prevailing ESBL genotypes in China were
,
, and
. In ESBL
, garlic oil increased the susceptibility to cefquinome with FICIs from 0.2 to 0.7 and enhanced the killing effect of cefquinome with membrane destruction. Resistance to cefquinome decreased with treatment of garlic oil after 15 generations. Our study indicates that ESBL
has been detected in cats kept as pets. The sensitivity of ESBL
to cefquinome was enhanced by garlic oil, indicating that garlic oil may be a potential antibiotic enhancer.
Prenylated flavonoids are a special kind of flavonoid derivative possessing one or more prenyl groups in the parent nucleus of the flavonoid. The presence of the prenyl side chain enriched the ...structural diversity of flavonoids and increased their bioactivity and bioavailability. Prenylated flavonoids show a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective effects, and anti-osteoclastogenic activities. In recent years, many compounds with significant activity have been discovered with the continuous excavation of the medicinal value of prenylated flavonoids, and have attracted the extensive attention of pharmacologists. This review summarizes recent progress on research into natural active prenylated flavonoids to promote new discoveries of their medicinal value.
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate a variety of cancerous biological processes, including the promotion of tumorigenicity in tumor parenchymal cells. However, there is a lack of studies ...assessing the regulation of lncRNAs in cancer-associated fibroblasts. In the present study, a novel lncRNA, TIRY, was found to act as a miRNA sponge and to downregulate miR-14 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay was used to evaluate TIRY expression in OSCC tissues. Survival analysis in a prospective cohort revealed a correlation between high TIRY expression and short progression-free survival. Subsequently, TIRY expression in cancer-associated fibroblasts and primary fibroblasts from adjacent normal (para-carcinoma) tissues was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. TIRY overexpression in cancer-associated fibroblasts isolated from OSCC tissues was induced by overexpressing the TIRY plasmid, and candidate microRNA expressions were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Moreover, the expression of proteins related to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was determined; the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of cancer cells co-cultured with TIRY-overexpressing cancer-associated fibroblasts were determined. We found significantly decreased miR-14 expression in cancer-associated fibroblast-derived exosomes and increased expression of EMT markers including transcription factors (Snail and FOXC2) and cellular scaffolding proteins (α-SMA, β-catenin, and FSP1). TIRY overexpression in cancer-associated fibroblasts activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and promoted the invasion and metastasis of OSCC cells through miR-14 sponging based on cancer-associated exosome secretion. Our findings provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying the role of TIRY in cancer-associated fibroblasts in tumor biology; moreover, TIRY is a potential therapeutic target in OSCC.
Impact statement
This study demonstrated the novel lncRNA, TIRY, enhances epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer-associated fibroblasts and promotes the metastasis of tumor via miR-14 sponging in oral squamous cell carcinoma, and thus provide a novel molecular mechanism underlying the role of TIRY in CAFs in tumor biology and a potential target in OSCC. Further, the data showed that TIRY expression was negatively correlated with miR-14 transcription levels and was associated with poor prognosis in OSCC specimens. Therefore, TIRY may be a potential prognostic biomarker of overall survival and progression-free survival in OSCC. Moreover, TIRY adds to the understanding of regulatory mechanisms involved in CAFs and epithelial cancer cells in OSCC and may provide novel insights for further understanding tumor biology.
With the wide application of genome editing in insects, a simple and efficient identification method is urgently needed to meet the increasing demand for mutation detection. Here, taking migratory ...locusts as a model system, we developed a non‐invasive method to accurately identify genome‐edited mutants by using DNA from insect exuviae. We compared the quantity and quality of genomic DNA from exuviae in five instar hoppers and found that the 1st instar exuviae had the highest DNA yield and content, while the 3rd instar exuviae had the best quality. Consensus genotypes were identified from genomic DNA of hoppers at different developmental stages in the same individuals. Moreover, we demonstrated that the amplification products from DNA extracted from locust exuviae are the consensus sequences with those from the hemolymph and foreleg pre‐tarsus. Therefore, non‐invasive samples provide the same genotyping results as minimally invasive and invasive samples of the same individuals. Furthermore, this identification method that uses genomic DNA from exuviae can be used for early screening of positive genome‐edited individuals in each generation for adult crossing. In our study, the non‐invasive identification method was not only simpler and provided results earlier than existing methods, but also had a better reproducibility and accuracy. This non‐invasive identification approach using genomic DNA from exuviae can be adapted to meet the growing demand for genetic analysis and will find wide application in insect genome editing research.
In this study, we developed a novel, simple, non‐invasive, reproducible and accurate method to identify genome‐edited mutants by using DNA from insect exuviae. Taking migratory locusts as a model, we can early screen the positive genomic edited individuals in each generation by the novel non‐invasive method. This non‐invasive identification method can be widely applied to precisely screen genetically modified mutants generated by genomic editing technology. In addition, most insect species produce exuviae during the growth, so exuviae can be easily collected. Our method has great potential and universality for application in other insects and animals.
Many substances looks black often means that these substance can completely absorb ultraviolet radiation and Visible incident light (UV). Ultraviolet and visible light account for 57 % of the ...incident energy of the sun. There are many substances that looks black, but have not been paid attention in the field of photothermal interface evaporation. Based on the above discussion, this paper selects the waste black round plastic lunch box and a piece of black garbage bag as solar photothermal materials to make a solar desalination device, and proves that these black garbage can be recycled and reused to make an interface solar evaporator. In this paper, a 2D desalination device with photothermal interface evaporation for solar thermal conversion was successfully fabricated using only black round plastic lunch box as photothermal material and polyester cloth as water delivery channel. In addition, a black garbage plastic bag as the only solar photothermal conversion material has also been reused in the preparation of 3D evaporators. Using the radiation cooling film as the diffuse reflection substrate, the 3D device makes the incident sunlight reflected from the radiation cooling film and polyester cloth to the black garbage plastic bag many times, making the whole evaporation device. It can reabsorb solar incident light many times. After testing, the solar energy absorption rate of the 3D evaporator is as high as 96.6 %, and the steam output is as high as 8.96 kg m−2 h−1.
•A number of matters that appears black are not been concerned in the field photothermal evaporation。•Black round plastic lunch box and a piece of black garbage bag are recycled as solar absorber.•These black kitchen wastes are confirmed that can be recycled and re-used•By taking advantage of radiative cooling film, solar energy can be muti-reflected and muti-reabsorbed•The high solar absorbance of 96.6 % and steam output of 8.96 kg m−2 h−1 can be achieved
Different from traditional organic photothermal composites, dye is a type of nonconducting organic substance that commonly employed to endow fabric cloth with diverse color. Especially, its ...characterizations of strong adhesion and low-cost remind us the potential application prospect to establish a sustainable desalination system by it. Whereas, through previous investigation, the low absorbance hampered it from efficient utilizing solar energy. Referring to the 3D-cup structure that reported before, herein, an evaporative structure, which even can be assembled by diverse colors of cloth other than black cloth, available to turn diverse colors in to black body cavity was demonstrated in this work. Even after long period of 120 h for desalinating brine with salinity of 10 wt%, the evaporator with EAI index of 7.4 is fabricated to attain a superior broadband absorbance of 98 % and a high steam output of 4.072 kg m−2 h−1, in the function of the mechanism that main working place is transferring from bottom to the wall interface. Besides, the salt deposition forming on the wall of the evaporator can be facilely removed and collected, with the Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) concept being successfully realized by facile regeneration of device. This work demonstrates one other advantage of the 3D-cup shaped structure that enable to transfer multi-color spectrum into full-wavelength solar utilization. This discovery has never been reported before, making it possible to fabricate a solar-vapour evaporator independent on solar absorber of excellent optical properties for efficient desalination.
•The low absorbance of commercial low-cost dye hampered it from efficient utilizing solar energy.•A strategy which enables to turn diverse colors into black body cavity was demonstrated.•The evaporator attains a superior broadband absorbance of 98 % and steam output of 4.072 kg m−2 h−1.•Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) concept can be successfully realized by facile regeneration mean.
The development of bifunctional catalysts is an effective way to simultaneously address the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the cathode and biofilm contamination in the microbial ...fuel cells (MFC). Cu-N/C@Cu composites were synthesized as bifunctional cathode catalysts for MFC by doping, adsorption, and two calcinations by using Cu-ZIF-8 as the precursor. The higher Cu-Nx content confers excellent ORR catalytic activity to the optimized Cu-N/C@Cu-2 catalyst. The half-wave potential for Cu-N/C@Cu-2 in a neutral solution is 0.67 V vs. RHE, which is close to that of commercial 20% Pt/C (0.70 V vs. RHE). The maximum power density of the MFCs assembled with Cu-N/C@Cu-2 reached 581 ± 13 mW m−2, which is even better than that using Pt/C (499 ± 13 mW m−2). Moreover, the results of antimicrobial activity and biomass test show that the higher Cu content made Cu-N/C@Cu-2 effective against the contamination of cathode biofilm. And the 16S rDNA results find that the community structure of the biofilm is favorable for the power production and purification of MFC. This work shows that copper-based materials can be used as potential bifunctional catalysts to promote MFC applications in wastewater treatment.
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•Cu-N/C@Cu composites were synthesized by using Cu-ZIF-8 as the precursor.•Cu-N/C@Cu-2 exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity due to rich Cu-Nx.•The Cu NPs allowed Cu-N/C@Cu-2 to resist cathodic biofilm contamination.•The MFCs with Cu-N/C@Cu-2 reached the maximum power density of 581 ± 13 mW m−2.
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•Dual-color paper-based aptasensor is developed for visual detection of OTA and ZEN.•A hydrophobic paper substrate is made via laser printing and heating treatment.•A smartphone is ...used to capture and analyze the fluorescent images.•ZEN and OTA can be analyzed with LODs down to 0.44 ng/mL and 0.098 ng/mL.
A portable paper-based microfluidic aptasensor is established to simultaneously and visually detect zearalenone (ZEN) and ochratoxin A (OTA). The targets at the sample zone can migrate to two detection zones through dual-channels and result in green and blue fluorescence recovery. This is due to the specific recognition by a respective aptamer that destroys fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from dual-color upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) to Cu-TCPP nanosheets. By capturing fluorescent images and analyzing the corresponding RGB value via a smartphone, ZEN and OTA can be analyzed with limits of detection down to 0.44 ng/mL and 0.098 ng/mL in the linear ranges of 0.5–100 ng/mL and 0.1–50 ng/mL, respectively. Satisfactory recoveries are also obtained for ZEN (94.5–103.7 %) and OTA (92.2–106.8 %) in corn flour. With the advantages of simple operation, low sample consumption, and broad adaptability, this promising platform allows for the on-site detection of multiple hazards in food.