The lithium metal anode has attracted soaring attention as an ideal battery anode. Unfortunately, nonuniform Li nucleation results in uncontrollable growth of dendritic Li, which incurs serious ...safety issues and poor electrochemical performance, hindering its practical applications. Herein, this study shows that uniform Li nucleation/growth can be induced by an ultralight 3D current collector consisting of in situ nitrogen‐doped graphitic carbon foams (NGCFs) to realize suppressing dendritic Li growth at the nucleating stage. The N‐containing functional groups guide homogenous growth of Li nucleus nanoparticles and the initial Li nucleus seed layer regulates the following well‐distributed Li growth. Benefiting from such favorable Li growth behavior, superior electrochemical performance can be achieved as evidenced by the high Coulombic efficiency (≈99.6% for 300 cycles), large capacity (10 mA h cm−2, 3140 mA h g−1NGCF‐Li), and ultralong lifespan (>1200 h) together with low overpotential (<25 mV at 3 mA cm−2); even under a high current density up to 10 mA cm−2, it still displays low overpotential of 62 mV.
Uniform Li nucleation/growth can be induced by an ultralight 3D current collector consisting of in situ nitrogen‐doped graphitic carbon foams for high‐performance lithium‐metal anodes. The N‐containing functional groups guide initial homogeneous formation of Li nanoparticles and the initial nucleus seed layer regulates the even Li growth that follows. Significantly improved electrochemical performance can be achieved.
Li anodes have been rapidly developed in recent years owing to the rising demand for higher‐energy‐density batteries. However, the safety issues induced by dendrites hinder the practical applications ...of Li anodes. Here, Li metal anodes stabilized by regulating lithium plating/stripping in vertically aligned microchannels are reported. The current density distribution and morphology evolution of the Li deposits on porous Cu current collectors are systematically analyzed. Based on simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics, the tip effect leads to preferential deposition on the microchannel walls, thus taking full advantage of the lightening rod theory of classical electromagnetism for restraining growth of Li dendrites. The Li anode with a porous Cu current collector achieves an enhanced cycle stability and a higher average Coulombic efficiency of 98.5% within 200 cycles. In addition, the resultant LiFePO4/Li full battery demonstrates excellent rate capability and stable cycling performance, thus demonstrating promise as a current collector for high‐energy‐density, safe rechargeable Li batteries.
A new strategy to restrain lithium dendrite growth is proposed and demonstrated using vertically aligned microchannel Cu current collectors for Li metal anodes. Most of the lithium is preferentially deposited into the microchannels. The current‐density distribution, deposition behavior, and electrochemical performance are simulated and investigated experimentally to understand the effectiveness of the microchannel structure.
High‐mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and contributes to tumor metastasis and poor patient survival. However, the molecular mechanism ...through which HMGA2 is transcriptionally regulated in HCC cells remains largely unclear. Here, we showed that the expression HMGA2 was upregulated in HCC, and that elevated HMGA2 could promote tumor metastasis. Incubation of HCC cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) could promote the expression of HMGA2 mRNA and protein. Mechanistic studies suggested that EGF can phosphorylate p300 at Ser1834 residue through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in HCC cells. Knockdown of p300 can reverse EGF‐induced HMGA2 expression and histone H3‐K9 acetylation, whereas a phosphorylation‐mimic p300 S1834D mutant can stimulate HMGA2 expression as well as H3‐K9 acetylation in HCC cells. Furthermore, we identified that p300‐mediated H3‐K9 acetylation participates in EGF‐induced HMGA2 expression in HCC. In addition, the levels of H3‐K9 acetylation positively correlated with the expression levels of HMGA2 in a chemically induced HCC model in rats and human HCC specimens.
We first showed that EGF can induce p300 phosphorylation at the Ser1834 site through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma; p300 subsequently catalyzes histone H3 acetylation at K9 residues, leading to HMGA2 transcription in HCC
Metallic lithium affords the highest theoretical capacity and lowest electrochemical potential and is viewed as a leading contender as an anode for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries. ...However, the poor wettability of molten lithium does not allow it to spread across the surface of lithiophobic substrates, hindering the production and application of this anode. Here we report a general chemical strategy to overcome this dilemma by reacting molten lithium with functional organic coatings or elemental additives. The Gibbs formation energy and newly formed chemical bonds are found to be the governing factor for the wetting behavior. As a result of the improved wettability, a series of ultrathin lithium of 10-20 μm thick is obtained together with impressive electrochemical performance in lithium metal batteries. These findings provide an overall guide for tuning the wettability of molten lithium and offer an affordable strategy for the large-scale production of ultrathin lithium, and could be further extended to other alkali metals, such as sodium and potassium.
The as-prepared cobalt oxide (assigned as CoO
x
) was fabricated by precipitation–oxidation from aqueous cobalt nitrate solution using sodium hydroxide and oxidation with hydrogen peroxide. Another ...series of pure cobalt oxides was refined by the decomposition of CoO
x
in a nitrogen environment at temperatures of 280, 450 and 950
°C (D-280, D-450 and D-950, respectively). Phase transformation, structural properties and red-ox properties were characterized by thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), Raman spectroscopy and temperature-programmed decomposition/reduction (TPD/TPR). Analysis of the thermal behavior on CoO
x
revealed that a series of pure cobalt oxide with particle sizes of 10–20
nm could be obtained easily. The results demonstrated that the refined samples D-280, D-450 and D-950 were CoO(OH), Co
3O
4 and CoO, respectively.
Of the two cultivated species of allopolyploid cotton, Gossypium barbadense produces extra-long fibers for the production of superior textiles. We sequenced its genome (AD)2 and performed a ...comparative analysis. We identified three bursts of retrotransposons from 20 million years ago (Mya) and a genome-wide uneven pseudogenization peak at 11-20 Mya, which likely contributed to genomic divergences. Among the 2,483 genes preferentially expressed in fiber, a cell elongation regulator, PRE1, is strikingly At biased and fiber specific, echoing the A-genome origin of spinnable fiber. The expansion of the PRE members implies a genetic factor that underlies fiber elongation. Mature cotton fiber consists of nearly pure cellulose. G. barbadense and G. hirsutum contain 29 and 30 cellulose synthase (CesA) genes, respectively; whereas most of these genes (>25) are expressed in fiber, genes for secondary cell wall biosynthesis exhibited a delayed and higher degree of up-regulation in G. barbadense compared with G. hirsutum, conferring an extended elongation stage and highly active secondary wall deposition during extra-long fiber development. The rapid diversification of sesquiterpene synthase genes in the gossypol pathway exemplifies the chemical diversity of lineage-specific secondary metabolites. The G. barbadense genome advances our understanding of allopolyploidy, which will help improve cotton fiber quality.
Triazole compounds are important organic systems with excellent electronic properties, which have diagnostic potential in the fields of organic electronics and organic photovoltaics. The important ...photophysical nature of these systems is the transformation between the enol and keto forms after excited-state proton transfer. In this study, the IR vibrational spectrum, ESIPT mechanism, and excited-state decay dynamics of 2,2-(1-phenyl-1
H
-1,2,4-triazole-3,5-diyl)diphenol (ExPh) were explored using electronic structure calculations and non-adiabatic dynamics simulations. Two S
1
/S
0
conical intersections with distinct proton transfer (
ESIPT-I
and
ESIPT-II
) involved were obtained. The associated two-dimensional S
1
minimum-energy potential energy surface indicated that the dynamical roles of these two S
1
/S
0
conical intersections in the S
1
excited-state decay were quite different. The
ESIPT-I
reaction was more favorable to occur than the
ESIPT-II
process. Our dynamics simulations supported this hypothesis with the whole trajectories decaying to the ground state
via
the S1S0-1 conical intersection, which involved the
ESIPT-I
process. The
ESIPT
-Involved efficient deactivation pathway could be partially responsible for the decrease in fluorescence emission. These results and ESIPT mechanisms are helpful for understanding the decay pathways of similar systems.
The combined electronic structure calculations and non-adiabatic surface-hopping dynamics simulations were performed to illuminate the excited-state relaxation mechanism of ExPh molecule.
This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of miR-132 related to the permeability and mobility of human retinal pigment epithelium ARPE-19 cells in high-glucose (HG) condition. ARPE-19 cells ...were cultured in normal and HG condition and identified by immunofluorescence staining. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay, cell permeability was assessed by the FITC-dextran assay and cell mobility was assessed by the wound healing assay. Different miRNA and mRNA expression levels were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The expression of tight junction-related proteins was determined by Western blot assay and immunofluorescence. The interaction between occludin and miR-132 was confirmed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. We revealed that HG-treated ARPE-19 cells exhibited significantly increased miR-132 expression, decreased expression of the tight-junction markers including occludin and E-cadherin, and increased cell mobility and permeability. Occludin is a direct target of miR-132, which could regulate cell viability, mobility and permeability under HG condition through the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. These are the first data to suggest that miR-132 may contribute to the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and that targeting the effect of miR-132 on occudin and the JAK/STAT3 pathway could represent a novel effective DR-treatment strategy.
The small molecule built around the benzene ring, diacetyl phenylenediamine (DAPA), has attracted much attention due to its synthesis accessibility, large Stokes shift, etc. However, its meta ...structure m-DAPA does not fluoresce. In a previous investigation, it was found that such a property is due to the fact that it undergoes an energy-reasonable double proton transfer conical intersection during the deactivation of the S1 excited-state, then returns to the ground state by a nonradiative relaxation process eventually. However, our static electronic structure calculations and non-adiabatic dynamics analysis results indicate that only one reasonable non-adiabatic deactivation channel exists: after being excited to the S1 state, m-DAPA undergoes an ultrafast and barrierless ESIPT process and reaches the single-proton-transfer conical intersection. Subsequently, the system either returns to the keto-form S0 state minimum with proton reversion or returns to the single-proton-transfer S0 minimum after undergoing a slight twist of the acetyl group. The dynamics results show that the S1 excited-state lifetime of m-DAPA is 139 fs. In other words, we propose an efficient single-proton-transfer non-adiabatic deactivation channel of m-DAPA that is different from previous work, which can provide important mechanistic information of similar fluorescent materials.
Background
Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that presents with itching, red, scaling plaques; its worsening has been associated with obesity, drinking, smoking, lack of sleep, and a ...sedentary lifestyle. Lifestyle changes may improve psoriasis.
Objectives
To assess the effects of lifestyle changes for psoriasis, including weight reduction, alcohol abstinence, smoking cessation, dietary modification, exercise, and other lifestyle change interventions.
Search methods
We searched the following databases up to July 2018: the Cochrane Skin Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS. We also searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Airiti Library, and five trials registers up to July 2018. We checked the references of included trials for further relevant trials, and we asked the authors of the included trials if they were aware of any relevant unpublished data.
Selection criteria
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of lifestyle changes (either alone or in combination) for treating psoriasis in people diagnosed by a healthcare professional. Treatment had to be given for at least 12 weeks. Eligible comparisons were no lifestyle changes or another active intervention.
Data collection and analysis
We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. The primary outcome measures were 'Severity of psoriasis' and 'Adherence to the intervention'. Secondary outcomes were 'Quality of life', 'Time to relapse', and 'Reduction in comorbidities'. We used GRADE to assess the quality of the evidence for each outcome.
Main results
We included 10 RCTs with 1163 participants (mean age: 43 to 61 years; 656 men and 478 women were reported). Six trials examined the effects of dietary intervention (low‐calorie diet) in 499 obese participants (mean age: 44.3 to 61 years; where reported, 395 had moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis). One trial assessed a combined dietary intervention and exercise programme in 303 obese participants with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis who had started a systemic therapy for psoriasis and had not achieved clearance after four weeks of continuous treatment (median age: 53 years). Another trial assessed a walking exercise and continuous health education in 200 participants (mean age: 43.1 years, severity not reported). Finally, two trials included education programmes promoting a healthy lifestyle in 161 participants (aged 18 to 78 years), with one trial on mild psoriasis and the other trial not reporting severity.
Comparisons included information only; no intervention; medical therapy alone; and usual care (such as continuing healthy eating).
All trials were conducted in hospitals and treated participants for between 12 weeks and three years. One trial did not report the treatment period. Seven trials measured the outcomes at the end of treatment and there was no additional follow‐up. In two trials, there was follow‐up after the treatment ended. Five trials had a high risk of performance bias, and four trials had a high risk of attrition bias.
We found no trials assessing interventions for alcohol abstinence or smoking cessation. No trials assessed time to relapse. Only two trials assessed adverse events; in one trial these were caused by the add‐on therapy ciclosporin (given in both groups). The trial comparing two dietary interventions to a no‐treatment group observed no adverse events.
The results presented in this are based on trials of obese participants.
Outcomes for dietary interventions versus usual care were measured 24 weeks to six months from baseline. Compared to usual care, dietary intervention (strict caloric restriction) may lead to 75% or greater improvement from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) (risk ratio (RR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 2.58; 2 trials, 323 participants; low‐quality evidence). Adherence to the intervention may be greater with the dietary intervention than usual care, but the 95% CI indicates that the dietary intervention might also make little or no difference (RR 1.26, 95% CI 0.76 to 2.09; 2 trials, 105 participants; low‐quality evidence). Dietary intervention probably achieves a greater improvement in dermatology quality‐of‐life index (DLQI) score compared to usual care (MD −12.20, 95% CI −13.92 to −10.48; 1 trial, 36 participants; moderate‐quality evidence), and probably reduces the BMI compared to usual care (MD −4.65, 95% CI −5.93 to −3.36; 2 trials, 78 participants; moderate‐quality evidence).
Outcomes for dietary interventions plus exercise programme were measured 16 weeks from baseline and are based on one trial (303 participants). Compared to information only (on reducing weight to improve psoriasis), combined dietary intervention and exercise programme (dietetic plan and physical activities) probably improves psoriasis severity, but the 95% CI indicates that the intervention might make little or no difference (PASI 75: RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.98). This combined intervention probably results in a greater reduction in BMI (median change −1.10 kg/m², P = 0.002), but there is probably no difference in adherence (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.01; 137/151 and 145/152 participants adhered in the treatment and control group, respectively). There were no data on quality of life. These outcomes are based on moderate‐quality evidence.
Authors' conclusions
Dietary intervention may reduce the severity of psoriasis (low‐quality evidence) and probably improves quality of life and reduces BMI (moderate‐quality evidence) in obese people when compared with usual care, while combined dietary intervention and exercise programme probably improves psoriasis severity and BMI when compared with information only (moderate‐quality evidence). None of the trials measured quality of life.
We did not detect a clear difference in treatment adherence between those in the combined dietary intervention and exercise programme group and those given information only (moderate‐quality evidence). Adherence may be improved through dietary intervention compared with usual care (low‐quality evidence). Participants generally adhered well to the lifestyle interventions assessed in the review.
No trials assessed the time to relapse. Trial limitations included unblinded participants and high dropout rate.
Future trials should reduce dropouts and include comprehensive outcome measures; they should examine whether dietary intervention with or without an exercise programme is effective in non‐obese people with psoriasis, whether an additional exercise programme is more effective than dietary intervention alone, whether the time to relapse prolongs in people who receive dietary intervention with or without exercise programme, and whether smoking cessation and alcohol abstinence are effective in treating psoriasis.
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