Supercapacitors can deliver high electrical power because of fast ion adsorption/desorption on the surface or surface redox reactions, which, in turn, restrict their energy density. To break ...surface-storage ceiling and further improve the energy density, here, we develop a cost-effective, layered material made of amorphous metal-organic nanosheets, Ni-p-phenylenediamine (Ni-pPD), with a large intersheet spacing of 1.6 nm for its robust and highly reversible intercalation reaction with tetraethylammonium cations. When coupled with activated carbon cathode, the 230 μm-thick Ni-pPD anode shows a high gravimetric capacitance (259 F g−1) and a high areal capacitance (2.9 F cm−2) at 2 A g−1 within a wide potential window of 2.85 V in the organic electrolyte of tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate/acetonitrile. In-situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy reveals that high kinetics at high potentials are attributed to the increased intersheet spacing under large polarization, demonstrating structural advantages of this novel material and its great potential for real-world applications.
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•An amorphous, metal-organic layered material with an intersheet spacing of ~ 1.6 nm.•A wide potential window of 2.85 V with a theoretical potential window up to 4.0 V.•A high capacitance of 259 F g−1 and 2.9 F cm−2 at a rate of 2 A g−1 achieved in organic electrolytes.•TEA+ intercalation process was investigated by in-situ EC-AFM for the first time.
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► Extremely hydrothermal stable mesoporous Al-SBA-15 was synthesized. ► NaF was used as an assistant, which improved the hydrothermal stability. ► The reduction of BET surface area ...was very low after hydrothermally treatment. ► This kind of Al-SBA-15 was an efficient catalyst and had good reusability.
In this paper, extremely hydrothermal stable mesoporous Al-SBA-15 with controllable Al content has been synthesized by using triblock copolymer (P123) as template under an assistance of NaF at 160
°C. This kind of material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N
2 sorption isotherms, transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
27Al MAS NMR, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and ammonia-temperature programmed desorption (NH
3-TPD). It was found that nearly all Al added into the initial reaction mixture can be introduced into the product and thus-synthesized Al-SBA-15 maintained the well-ordered mesostructure and high surface area, large pore size, thick pore wall and high pore volume even after being hydrothermally treated at 100
°C for 300
h or steamed at 600
°C for 6
h. This kind of Al-SBA-15 is an efficient catalyst for the protection of carbonyl compound reactions under mild conditions.
•A large-scale integrative analysis for three major psychiatric disorders.•Combined GWAS and life course consistent meQTLs data sets.•Both common and disease specific genes, pathways and tissue/cell ...types were successfully identified.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BP) and schizophrenia (SCZ) are complex psychiatric disorders. We conducted a large-scale integrative analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and life course consistent methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTLs) datasets. The GWAS data of ADHD (including 20,183 cases and 35,191 controls), BP (including 7481 cases and 9250 controls) and SCZ (including 36,989 cases and 113,075 controls) were derived from published GWAS. Life course consistent meQTLs dataset was obtained from a longitudinal meQTLs analysis of 1018 mother–child pairs. Gene prioritization, pathway and tissue/cell type enrichment analysis were conducted by DEPICT. We identified multiple genes and pathways with common or disease specific effects, such as NISCH (P = 9.87 × 10−3 for BP and 2.49 × 10−6 for SCZ), ST3GAL3 (P = 1.19 × 10−2 for ADHD), and KEGG_MAPK_SIGNALING_PATHWAY (P = 1.56 × 10−3 for ADHD, P = 4.71 × 10−2 for BP, P = 4.60 × 10−4 for SCZ). Our study provides novel clues for understanding the genetic mechanism of ADHD, BP and SCZ.
A facile and scalable polyzwitterion-polydopamine coating strategy has been developed to functionalize substrates and sponges. This approach, for the first time, achieves superior regenerable ...underwater self-cleaning of stubborn asphaltenes-containing heavy oil fouling without pre-hydration and removal of water residues from heavy oil, with significant implications in many engineering and environmental processes.
Scalable polyzwitterion-polydopamine coatings realize regenerable underwater self-cleaning of stubborn heavy oil fouling without pre-hydration and removal of water in oil.
Background: Past studies suggested that ginseng extracts and ginseng-derived molecules exerted significant regulatory effects on skin. However, no reports have described the effects of ...ginseng-derived nanoparticles (GDNPs) on skin cell proliferation and wound healing. In this study, we investigated whether GDNPs regulate the proliferation of skin cells and promote wound healing in a mouse model. Methods: GDNPs were separated and purified via differential centrifugation and sucrose/D2O gradient ultracentrifugation. GDNP uptake, cell proliferation and cell cycle progression were measured by confocal microscopy, CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell migration and angiogenic effects were assessed by the wound scratch assay and tube formation assay, respectively. ELISA was used to detect extracellular matrix secretion. The relevant signaling pathway was confirmed by western blotting. The effects of GDNPs on skin wound healing were assessed by wound observation, HE staining, and western blotting. Results: GDNPs possessed the essential features of exosomes, and they were accumulated by skin cells. Treatment with GDNPs notably enhanced the proliferation of HaCaT, BJ and HUVECs. GDNPs also enhanced the migration in HaCaT cells and HUVECs and angiogenesis in HUVECs. GDNPs increased the secretion of MMP-1, fibronectin-1, elastin-1, and COL1A1 in all three cell lines. GDNPs regulated cell proliferation through the ERK and AKT/ mTOR pathways. Furthermore, GDNPs facilitated skin wound healing and decreased inflammation in a mouse skin wound model. Conclusion: GDNPs can promote skin wound healing through the ERK and AKT/mTOR pathways. GDNPs thus represent an alternative treatment for chronic skin wounds.
Soy sauce is one of the most common condiments in East Asian cuisines. Its manufacturing process generates a large amount of organic-rich soy sauce wastewater, which is difficult to treat through ...traditional processes. In this study, Spirulina NCU-Sm was used to treat soy sauce wastewater and simultaneously produce value-added biomass. The results showed that NCU-Sm grew well in 100% (undiluted) raw soy sauce wastewater (RSW). The maximum biomass yield of NCU-Sm reached 1.984 g/L, and the removal efficiencies of NH4+-N, TN, COD, chromaticity, and salinity in RSW reached 93.86, 81.76, 84.08, 40.93, and 63.08%, respectively. High COD removal efficiency in 100% RSW proved NCU-Sm grew in mixotrophic mode. pH and light spectrum, two major factors affecting growth of soy sauce wastewater-grown Spirulina NCU-Sm, were further studied. When the initial pH of RSW was adjusted to 8, NCU-Sm biomass yield was increased by 11.11%, and the contents of protein, chlorophyll-a, and carotenoid were increased by 8.69, 37.14, 40.40%, and reached 65.57%, 7.57 and 2.78 mg/g, respectively. The removal efficiencies of NH4+-N, TN, and chromaticity in RSW with pH 8 were improved to 99.34, 88.29, 43.18%, respectively. Red light enhanced the photosynthetic oxygen release efficiency of NCU-Sm and increased the carotenoid content of NCU-Sm by 117.95%, reaching 5.95 mg/g. Blue light was adverse to the growth and reduced the protein content of NCU-Sm but significantly increased its chlorophyll-a content to up to 10.99 mg/g. These results suggest that cultivation of Spirulina in soy sauce wastewater serves dual roles in soy sauce wastewater treatment, as well as value-added algal biomass (such as high-quality protein and natural pigments raw materials) production.
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•As a kind of food wastewater, soy sauce wastewater does not need to worry about pollution problems•Spirulina NCU-Sm grew well in 100% (undiluted) raw soy sauce wastewater•The growth of NCU-Sm and wastewater treatment effect could be improved by adjusting the initial pH value to 8•Light spectrum on the growth of NCU-Sm and the wastewater treatment effect were comprehensively evaluated
The COVID-19 pandemic provide the opportunities to explore the numerous similarities in clinical symptoms with Kawasaki disease (KD), including severe vasculitis. Despite this, the underlying ...mechanisms of vascular injury in both KD and COVID-19 remain elusive. To identify these mechanisms, this study employs single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the molecular mechanisms of immune responses in vasculitis, and validate the results through in vitro experiments.
The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was carried out to investigate the molecular mechanisms of immune responses in vasculitis in KD and COVID-19. The analysis was performed on PBMCs from six children diagnosed with complete KD, three age-matched KD healthy controls (KHC), six COVID-19 patients (COV), three influenza patients (FLU), and four healthy controls (CHC). The results from the scRNA-seq analysis were validated through flow cytometry and immunofluorescence experiments on additional human samples. Subsequently, monocyte adhesion assays, immunofluorescence, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to analyze the damages to endothelial cells post-interaction with monocytes in HUVEC and THP1 cultures.
The scRNA-seq analysis revealed the potential cellular types involved and the alterations in genetic transcriptions in the inflammatory responses. The findings indicated that while the immune cell compositions had been altered in KD and COV patients, and the ratio of CD14+ monocytes were both elevated in KD and COV. While the CD14+ monocytes share a large scale of same differentiated expressed geens between KD and COV. The differential activation of CD14 and CD16 monocytes was found to respond to both endothelial and epithelial dysfunctions. Furthermore, SELL+/CCR1+/XAF1+ CD14 monocytes were seen to enhance the adhesion and damage to endothelial cells. The results also showed that different types of B cells were involved in both KD and COV, while only the activation of T cells was recorded in KD.
In conclusion, our study demonstrated the role of the innate immune response in the regulation of endothelial dysfunction in both KD and COVID-19. Additionally, our findings indicate that the adaptive immunity activation differs between KD and COVID-19. Our results demonstrate that monocytes in COVID-19 exhibit adhesion to both endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells, thus providing insight into the mechanisms and shared phenotypes between KD and COVID-19.
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•This is the first research to compare scRNA-seq data of immune cells between KD and COVID-19.•Shared expression features were identified in monocytes between KD and COVID-19.•The differential activation of CD14 and CD16 monocytes responded for endothelial and epithelial dysfunction.•SELL+/CCR1+/XAF1+ CD14 monocytes enhanced the adhesion and damages to endothelial cells.
Nasal drug delivery efficiency is highly dependent on the position in which the drug is deposited in the nasal cavity. However, no reliable method is currently available to assess its impact on ...delivery performance. In this study, a biomimetic nasal model based on three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology was developed for visualizing the deposition of drug powders in the nasal cavity. The results showed significant differences in cavity area and volume and powder distribution in the anterior part of the biomimetic nasal model of Chinese males and females. The nasal cavity model was modified with dimethicone and validated to be suitable for the deposition test. The experimental device produced the most satisfactory results with five spray times. Furthermore, particle sizes and spray angles were found to significantly affect the experimental device's performance and alter drug distribution, respectively. Additionally, mometasone furoate (MF) nasal spray (NS) distribution patterns were investigated in a goat nasal cavity model and three male goat noses, confirming the in vitro and in vivo correlation. In conclusion, the developed human nasal structure biomimetic device has the potential to be a valuable tool for assessing nasal drug delivery system deposition and distribution.
The digital nasal model was developed utilizing computed tomography data from Chinese adults, and a nasal cavity model was established for visualizing the deposition of drug powders in the nasal cavity. Display omitted
Pterostilbene (PTE, trans‐3,5‐dimethoxy‐4′‐hydroxystilbene), a natural plant polyphenol, possesses numerous pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, and ...neuroprotective aspects. This study aims to investigate whether PTE plays a protective role against oxidative stress injury by GAS6/Axl signaling pathway in cardiomyocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced oxidative stress HL‐1 cells were used as models. The mechanism by which PTE protected oxidative stress is investigated by combining cell viability, cell ROS levels, apoptosis assay, molecular docking, quantitative real‐time PCR, and western blot analysis. GAS6 shRNA was performed to investigate the involvement of GAS6/Axl pathways in PTE's protective role. The results showed that PTE treatment improved the cell morphology and viability, and inhibited the apoptosis rate and ROS levels in H2O2‐injured HL‐1 cells. Particularly, PTE treatment upregulated the levels of GAS6, Axl, and markers related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial function related. Molecular docking showed that PTE and GAS6 have good binding ability. Taken together, PTE plays a protective role against oxidative stress injury through inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis and improving mitochondrial function. Particularly, GAS6/Axl axis is the surprisingly prominent in the PTE‐mediated pleiotropic effects.
Significance statement
Oxidative stress causes detrimental effects on cellular components, further promoting the generation of free radicals and intracellular oxidative stress. Pterostilbene (PTE) is a natural plant polyphenol, and has a variety of pharmacological effects. In this study, we proved in vitro evidence of the cardioprotective effects of PTE against oxidative stress injury, primarily through inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis and improving mitochondrial function. Furthermore, GAS6/Axl axis is the surprisingly prominent in the PTE‐mediated pleiotropic effects.
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can differentiate to three germ layers within biochemical and biomechanical niches. The complicated mechanical environments in vivo could have diverse effects on ...the fate decision and biological functions of hESCs. To globally screen mechanosensitive molecules, three typical types of mechanical stimuli,
i.e.,
tensile stretch, shear flow, and mechanical compression, were applied in respective parameter sets of loading pattern, amplitude, frequency, and/or duration, and then, iTRAQ proteomics test was used for identifying and quantifying differentially expressed proteins in hESCs. Bioinformatics analysis identified 37, 41, and 23 proteins under stretch pattern, frequency, and duration, 13, 18, and 41 proteins under shear pattern, amplitude, and duration, and 4, 0, and 183 proteins under compression amplitude, frequency, and duration, respectively, where distinct parameters yielded the differentially weighted preferences under each stimulus. Ten mechanosensitive proteins were commonly shared between two of three mechanical stimuli, together with numerous proteins identified under single stimulus. More importantly, functional GSEA and WGCNA analyses elaborated the variations of the screened proteins with loading parameters. Common functions in protein synthesis and modification were identified among three stimuli, and specific functions were observed in skin development under stretch alone. In conclusion, mechanomics analysis is indispensable to map actual mechanosensitive proteins under physiologically mimicking mechanical environment, and sheds light on understanding the core hub proteins in mechanobiology.
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