Exploring high‐efficiency and stable halide perovskite‐based photocatalysts for the selective reduction of CO2 to methane is a challenge because of the intrinsic photo‐ and chemical instability of ...halide perovskites. In this study, halide perovskites (Cs3Bi2Br9 and Cs2AgBiBr6) were grown in situ in mesoporous TiO2 frameworks for an efficient CO2 reduction. Benchmarked CH4 production rates of 32.9 and 24.2 μmol g−1 h−1 with selectivities of 88.7 % and 84.2 %, were achieved, respectively, which are better than most reported halide perovskite photocatalysts. Focused ion‐beam sliced‐imaging techniques were used to directly image the hyperdispersed perovskite nanodots confined in mesopores with tunable sizes ranging from 3.8 to 9.9 nm. In situ X‐ray photoelectronic spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy showed that the built‐in electric field between the perovskite nanodots and mesoporous titania channels efficiently promoted photo‐induced charge transfer. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the high methane selectivity was attributed to the Bi‐adsorption‐mediated hydrogenation of *CO to *HCO that dominates CO desorption.
Halide perovskites (Cs3Bi2Br9, Cs2AgBiBr6) are grown in situ in a mesoporous titania framework for efficient CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). A benchmarked production rate of CH4 (32.9 and 24.2 μmol g−1 h−1) is achieved with selectivity values of 88.7 % and 84.2 %, respectively. In situ X‐ray photoelectronic spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy reveal that the inner surface built‐in electric field between the perovskite nanodots and mesoporous titania channels can efficiently promote photo‐induced charge transfer.
Non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPNs) are a set of enzymes involved in the tyrosyl phosphorylation. The present study intended to clarify the associations between the expression patterns ...of PTPN family members, and diagnosis as well as the prognosis of digestive tract cancers.
Oncomine and Ualcan were used to analyze PTPN expressions. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were downloaded through UCSC Xena for validation and to explore the relationship of the PTPN expression with diagnosis, clinicopathological parameters and survival of digestive tract cancers. Gene ontology enrichment analysis was conducted using the DAVID database. The gene-gene interaction network was performed by GeneMANIA and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was built using STRING portal coupled with Cytoscape. The expression of differentially expressed PTPNs in cancer cell lines were explored using CCLE. Moreover, by histological verification, the expression of four PTPNs in digestive tract cancers were further analyzed.
Most PTPN family members were associated with digestive tract cancers according to Oncomine, Ualcan and TCGA data. Several PTPN members were differentially expressed in digestive tract cancers. For esophageal carcinoma (ESCA), PTPN1 and PTPN12 levels were correlated with incidence; PTPN20 was associated with poor prognosis. For stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD), PTPN2 and PTPN12 levels were correlated with incidence; PTPN3, PTPN5, PTPN7, PTPN11, PTPN13, PTPN14, PTPN18 and PTPN23 were correlated with pathological grade; PTPN20 expression was related with both TNM stage and N stage; PTPN22 was associated with T stage and pathological grade; decreased expression of PTPN5 and PTPN13 implied worse overall survival of STAD, while elevated PTPN6 expression indicated better prognosis. For colorectal cancer (CRC), PTPN2, PTPN21 and PTPN22 levels were correlated with incidence; expression of PTPN5, PTPN12, and PTPN14 was correlated with TNM stage and N stage; high PTPN5 or PTPN7 expression was associated with increased hazards of death. CCLE analyses showed that in esophagus cancer cell lines, PTPN1, PTPN4 and PTPN12 were highly expressed; in gastric cancer cell lines, PTPN2 and PTPN12 were highly expressed; in colorectal cancer cell lines, PTPN12 was highly expressed while PTPN22 was downregulated. Results of histological verification experiment showed differential expressions of PTPN22 in CRC, and PTPN12 in GC and CRC.
Members of PTPN family were differentially expressed in digestive tract cancers. Correlations were found between PTPN genes and clinicopathological parameters of patients. Expression of PTPN12 was upregulated in both STAD and CRC, and thus could be used as a diagnostic biomarker. Differential expression of PTPN12 in GC and CRC, and PTPN22 in CRC were presented in our histological verification experiment.
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) in freshwater lakes across the globe are often combined with other stressors. Pharmaceutical pollution, especially antibiotics in water bodies, poses a ...potential hazard in aquatic ecosystems. However, how antibiotics influence the risk of cyanoHABs remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of norfloxacin (NOR), one of the most widely used antibiotics globally, to a bloom‐forming cyanobacterium (Microcystis aeruginosa) and a common green alga (Scenedesmus quadricauda), under both mono‐ and coculture conditions. Taxon‐specific responses to NOR were evaluated in monoculture. In addition, the growth rate and change in ratio of cyanobacteria to green algae when cocultured with exposure to NOR were determined. In monocultures of Microcystis, exposure to low concentrations of NOR resulted in decreases in biomass, chlorophyll a and soluble protein content, while superoxide anion content and superoxide dismutase activity increased. However, NOR at high concentration only slightly affected Scenedesmus. During the co‐culture trials of Microcystis and Scenedesmus, the 5 μg · L−1 NOR treatment increased the ratio of Microcystis to co‐cultured Scenedesmus by 47.2%. Meanwhile, although Scenedesmus growth was enhanced by 4.2% under NOR treatment in monoculture, it was conversely inhibited by 63.4% and 38.2% when co‐cultured with Microcystis with and without NOR, respectively. Our results indicate that antibiotic pollution has a potential risk to enhance the perniciousness of cyanoHABs by disturbing interspecific interaction between cyanobacteria and green algae. These results reinforce the need for scientists and managers to consider the influence of xenobiotics in shaping the outcome of interactions among multiple species in aquatic ecosystems.
This is the first randomised controlled trial for assessment of the immunogenicity and safety of a candidate non-replicating adenovirus type-5 (Ad5)-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, aiming to determine an ...appropriate dose of the candidate vaccine for an efficacy study.
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial of the Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine was done in a single centre in Wuhan, China. Healthy adults aged 18 years or older, who were HIV-negative and previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-free, were eligible to participate and were randomly assigned to receive the vaccine at a dose of 1 × 1011 viral particles per mL or 5 × 1010 viral particles per mL, or placebo. Investigators allocated participants at a ratio of 2:1:1 to receive a single injection intramuscularly in the arm. The randomisation list (block size 4) was generated by an independent statistician. Participants, investigators, and staff undertaking laboratory analyses were masked to group allocation. The primary endpoints for immunogenicity were the geometric mean titres (GMTs) of specific ELISA antibody responses to the receptor binding domain (RBD) and neutralising antibody responses at day 28. The primary endpoint for safety evaluation was the incidence of adverse reactions within 14 days. All recruited participants who received at least one dose were included in the primary and safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04341389.
603 volunteers were recruited and screened for eligibility between April 11 and 16, 2020. 508 eligible participants (50% male; mean age 39·7 years, SD 12·5) consented to participate in the trial and were randomly assigned to receive the vaccine (1 × 1011 viral particles n=253; 5 × 1010 viral particles n=129) or placebo (n=126). In the 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles dose groups, the RBD-specific ELISA antibodies peaked at 656·5 (95% CI 575·2–749·2) and 571·0 (467·6–697·3), with seroconversion rates at 96% (95% CI 93–98) and 97% (92–99), respectively, at day 28. Both doses of the vaccine induced significant neutralising antibody responses to live SARS-CoV-2, with GMTs of 19·5 (95% CI 16·8–22·7) and 18·3 (14·4–23·3) in participants receiving 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles, respectively. Specific interferon γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay responses post vaccination were observed in 227 (90%, 95% CI 85–93) of 253 and 113 (88%, 81–92) of 129 participants in the 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles dose groups, respectively. Solicited adverse reactions were reported by 183 (72%) of 253 and 96 (74%) of 129 participants in the 1 × 1011 and 5 × 1010 viral particles dose groups, respectively. Severe adverse reactions were reported by 24 (9%) participants in the 1 × 1011 viral particles dose group and one (1%) participant in the 5 × 1010 viral particles dose group. No serious adverse reactions were documented.
The Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine at 5 × 1010 viral particles is safe, and induced significant immune responses in the majority of recipients after a single immunisation.
National Key R&D Programme of China, National Science and Technology Major Project, and CanSino Biologics.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a dominant cause of death and permanent disability worldwide. Although TBI could significantly increase the proliferation of adult neural stem cells in the ...hippocampus, the survival and maturation of newborn cells is markedly low. Increasing evidence suggests that the secretome derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) would be an ideal alternative to MSC transplantation. The successive and microenvironmentally responsive secretion in MSCs may be critical for the functional benefits provided by transplanted MSCs after TBI. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the signaling molecules secreted in response to local tissue damage can further facilitate the therapeutic effect of the MSC secretome. To simulate the complex microenvironment in the injured brain well, we used traumatically injured brain tissue extracts to pretreat umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) in vitro and stereotaxically injected the secretome from traumatic injury‐preconditioned UCMSCs into the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in a rat severe TBI model. The results revealed that compared with the normal secretome, the traumatic injury‐preconditioned secretome could significantly further promote the differentiation, migration, and maturation of newborn cells in the dentate gyrus and ultimately improve cognitive function after TBI. Cytokine antibody array suggested that the increased benefits of secretome administration were attributable to the newly produced proteins and up‐regulated molecules from the MSC secretome preconditioned by a traumatically injured microenvironment. Our study utilized the traumatic injury‐preconditioned secretome to amplify neurogenesis and improve cognitive recovery, suggesting this method may be a novel and safer candidate for nerve repair.
Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14741
To most closely replicate the complex microenvironment in injured brain, we used extract of traumatic brain tissue to preconditioning umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro, and stereotaxically injected these secretome into dentate gyrus of hippocampus in a rat severe Traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. We observed that traumatically preconditioning secretome could significantly further promote the differentiation, migration and maturation of newborn cells in dentate gyrus, and finally improved the cognitive function after TBI. Our study utilized the injury‐preconditioning secretome to inducibly amplify the neurogenesis and cognitive recovery, which can offers a novel and safer candidate for nerve repair.
Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge
For more information see: https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/
Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14741
Currently, there is no strong evidence of the well-established biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we aimed to reveal the heterogeneity of ...tumour microenvironment (TME) through virtual microdissection of gene expression profiles. An immune-enriched subtype was identified in 38% (43/113) of patients, which was characterized by significant enrichment of immune cells or immune responses. The remaining patients were therefore classified as a non-Immune Subtype (non-IS), which exhibited highly proliferative features. Then we identified a tumour immune evasion state within the immune-enriched subtype (18/43, 42%), in which high expression of exclusion- and dysfunction-related signatures was observed. These subgroups were designated the Evaded and Active Immune Subtype (E-IS and A-IS), respectively. We further demonstrated that A-IS predicted favourable survival and improved ICI response as compared to E-IS and non-IS. In summary, this study introduces the novel immune subtypes and demonstrates their feasibility in tailoring immunotherapeutic strategies.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been used in the field of clinical microbiology since 2010. Compared with the traditional technique of ...biochemical identification, MALDI-TOF MS has many advantages, including convenience, speed, accuracy, and low cost. The accuracy and speed of identification using MALDI-TOF MS have been increasing with the development of sample preparation, database enrichment, and algorithm optimization. MALDI-TOF MS has shown promising results in identifying cultured colonies and rapidly detecting samples. MALDI-TOF MS has critical research applications for the rapid detection of highly virulent and drug-resistant pathogens. Here we present a scientific review that evaluates the performance of MALDI-TOF MS in identifying clinical pathogenic microorganisms. MALDI-TOF MS is a promising tool in identifying clinical microorganisms, although some aspects still require improvement.
Sex differences in emotional behaviors and affective disorders have been widely noted, of which sexually dimorphic secretion of gonadal steroid hormones such as estrogen is suspected to play a role. ...However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. We noted that the expression of estrogen receptor 2 (Esr2, or ERβ), a key mediator of estrogen signaling in the brain, was enriched in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), a region involved in emotion regulation. To investigate whether DRN Esr2 expression confers sex‐specific susceptibility or vulnerability in emotional behaviors, we generated a conditional allele of Esr2 that allowed for site‐specific deletion of Esr2 in the DRN via local injection of Cre‐expressing viruses. DRN‐specific Esr2 deletion mildly increased anxiety behaviors in females, as shown by decreased time spent in the center zone of an open field in knockout females. By contrast, DRN Esr2 deletion had no effects on anxiety levels in males, as demonstrated by knockout males spending comparable time in the center zone of an open field and open arms of an elevated‐plus maze. Furthermore, in the tail suspension test, DRN Esr2 deletion reduced immobility, a depression‐like behavior, in a male‐biased manner. Together, these results reveal sex‐specific functions of DRN Esr2 in regulating emotional behaviors and suggest targeted manipulation of DRN Esr2 signaling as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat sex‐biased affective disorders.
A subset of 5‐HT+ neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) expresses the estrogen receptor 2 (Esr2). Cre‐mediated deletion of Esr2 expression in a newly generated conditional mouse line (Esr2fl/fl) led to sexually dimorphic effects on emotional behaviors in mice, increasing anxiety in females and reducing despair‐like behavior in males.
The hypothalamus regulates innate social interactions, but how hypothalamic neurons transduce sex-related sensory signals emitted by conspecifics to trigger appropriate behaviors remains unclear. ...Here, we addressed this issue by identifying specific hypothalamic neurons required for sensing conspecific male cues relevant to inter-male aggression. By in vivo recording of neuronal activities in behaving mice, we showed that neurons expressing dopamine transporter (DAT+) in the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMv) of the hypothalamus responded to male urine cues in a vomeronasal organ (VNO)-dependent manner in naive males. Retrograde trans-synaptic tracing further revealed a specific group of neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) that convey male-relevant signals from VNO to PMv. Inhibition of PMvDAT+ neurons abolished the preference for male urine cues and reduced inter-male attacks, while activation of these neurons promoted urine marking and aggression. Thus, PMvDAT+ neurons exemplify a hypothalamic node that transforms sex-related chemo-signals into recognition and behaviors.
•PMvDAT+ neurons selectively tune to gonad-intact conspecific male urine cues•v-BNST relay male-relevant chemosensory information from VNO to PMvDAT+ neurons•Inhibition of PMvDAT+ neurons blocks male urine preference and decreases attack•Activation of PMvDAT+ neurons promotes urine marking and aggression
How hypothalamic neurons transduce sex signals emitted by conspecifics to trigger appropriate behavioral outputs remains unclear. Chen et al. identify PMvDAT+ neurons as a key node that extract male-relevant information from the chemosensory pathway, via the v-BNST, to coordinate multiple behavioral responses, including male urine preference, inter-male aggression, and urine marking.
Recently, the newly emerging lead-halide perovskites have received tremendous attention in the photodetection field because of their intrinsic large light absorption and high well-balanced carrier ...transport characteristics. Unfortunately, the issue of instability and the existence of toxic lead cations have greatly restricted their practical applications and future commercialization. Furthermore, the previous studies on perovskite photodetectors mainly operate in visible and near-infrared light region, and there are practically no relevant reports aimed at the deep-ultraviolet (DUV) region. In this study, an air-stable and DUV-sensitive photoconductive detector was demonstrated with a solution-processed ternary copper halides Cs
3
Cu
2
I
5
thin films as the light absorber. The proposed photodetector is very sensitive to wavelengths of light below 320 nm and unresponsive to the visible light. Because of the high material integrity and large surface coverage of the Cs
3
Cu
2
I
5
thin films, the detector presents an outstanding photodetection performance with a photoresponsivity of ∼17.8 A W
−1
, specific detectivity of 1.12 × 10
12
Jones, and fast response speed of 465/897 μs, superior to previously reported DUV photodetectors based on other material systems. Unlike traditional lead-halide perovskites, the lead-free Cs
3
Cu
2
I
5
shows remarkable stability against heat, UV light, and environmental oxygen/moisture. Thus, the unsealed photodetector demonstrates good operation stability for 11 h of continuous running in open air. Even after 80-day storage in ambient air, its photodetection capability can nearly be maintained. The results suggest that non-toxic Cs
3
Cu
2
I
5
could be a potential candidate for stable and environment friendly DUV detectors, enabling an assembly of optoelectronic systems in the future.
An air-stable and deep-ultraviolet-sensitive photodetector was fabricated using a solution-processed ternary copper halide Cs
3
Cu
2
I
5
thin film as the light absorber.