The rapid outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a matter of international concern as the disease is spreading fast 1, 2. Considering that the contagious disease has led to an ...enormous impact globally, there is an urgent need to identify the risk populations with poor prognosis. Ageing is associated with certain changes in pulmonary physiology, pathology and function, during the period of lung infection. Therefore, age-related differences in responsiveness and tolerance become obvious and lead to worse clinical outcomes in elderly individuals 3. Previous studies have mentioned that older COVID-19 patients are at an increased risk of death 4–7. However, the age-related clinical characteristics, disease courses and outcomes other than death in COVID-19 patients remain unclear.
Age significantly determined the clinical features and prognosis of COVID-19. The prognosis was worse in patients older than 60 years, calling for clinicians to pay more attention to patients of this age.
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Chirality reveals symmetry breaking of the fundamental interaction of elementary particles. In condensed matter, for example, the chirality of electrons governs many unconventional transport ...phenomena such as the quantum Hall effect. Here we show that phonons can exhibit intrinsic chirality in monolayer tungsten diselenide. The broken inversion symmetry of the lattice lifts the degeneracy of clockwise and counterclockwise phonon modes at the corners of the Brillouin zone. We identified the phonons by the intervalley transfer of holes through hole-phonon interactions during the indirect infrared absorption, and we confirmed their chirality by the infrared circular dichroism arising from pseudoangular momentum conservation. The chiral phonons are important for electron-phonon coupling in solids, phonon-driven topological states, and energy-efficient information processing.
Aqueous Zn–iodine (Zn–I2) batteries have been regarded as a promising energy‐storage system owing to their high energy/power density, safety, and cost‐effectiveness. However, the polyiodide shuttling ...results in serious active mass loss and Zn corrosion, which limits the cycling life of Zn–I2 batteries. Inspired by the chromogenic reaction between starch and iodine, a structure confinement strategy is proposed to suppress polyiodide shuttling in Zn–I2 batteries by hiring starch, due to its unique double‐helix structure. In situ Raman spectroscopy demonstrates an I5−‐dominated I−/I2 conversion mechanism when using starch. The I5− presents a much stronger bonding with starch than I3−, inhibiting the polyiodide shuttling in Zn–I2 batteries, which is confirmed by in situ ultraviolet–visible spectra. Consequently, a highly reversible Zn–I2 battery with high Coulombic efficiency (≈100% at 0.2 A g−1) and ultralong cycling stability (>50 000 cycles) is realized. Simultaneously, the Zn corrosion triggered by polyiodide is effectively inhibited owing to the desirable shuttling‐suppression by the starch, as evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. This work provides a new understanding of the failure mechanism of Zn–I2 batteries and proposes a cheap but effective strategy to realize high‐cyclability Zn–I2 batteries.
Inspired by the significant chromogenic reaction between starch and iodine, the shuttle effect of Zn–I2 batteries is effectively addressed by using starch, which strongly anchors polyiodide anions due to its unique double‐helix structure. Benefiting from this structure confinement, a Coulombic efficiency of almost 100% and an ultralong life of 50 000 cycles are realized in Zn–I2 batteries.
The well‐defined 2D or 3D structure of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) makes it have great potential in photoelectric conversion and ions conduction fields. Herein, a new donor–accepter (D–A) COF ...material, named PyPz‐COF, constructed from electron donor 4,4′,4″,4′″‐(pyrene‐1,3,6,8‐tetrayl)tetraaniline and electron accepter 4,4′‐(pyrazine‐2,5‐diyl)dibenzaldehyde with an ordered and stable π‐conjugated structure is reported. Interestingly, the introduction of pyrazine ring endows the PyPz‐COF a distinct optical, electrochemical, charge‐transfer properties, and also brings plentiful CN groups that enrich the proton by hydrogen bonds to enhance the photocatalysis performance. Thus, PyPz‐COF exhibits a significantly improved photocatalytic hydrogen generation performance up to 7542 µmol g−1 h−1 with Pt as cocatalyst, also in clear contrast to that of PyTp‐COF without pyrazine introduction (1714 µmol g−1 h−1). Moreover, the abundant nitrogen sites of the pyrazine ring and the well‐defined 1D nanochannels enable the as‐prepared COFs to immobilize H3PO4 proton carriers in COFs through hydrogen bond confinement. The resulting material has an impressive proton conduction up to 8.10 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 353 K, 98% RH. This work will inspire the design and synthesis of COF‐based materials with both efficient photocatalysis and proton conduction performance in the future.
The introduction of a pyrazine into the synthesized donor–accepter covalent organic frameworks achieves an enhanced electron push–pull effect and narrower bandgap, thereby promoting internal charge transfer for higher photocatalytic hydrogen production performance. Meanwhile, the abundant N sites of pyrazine further anchor the phosphoric acid proton carriers to achieve high proton conductivity.
Atomically precise enantiomeric metal clusters are scarce, and copper(I) alkynyl clusters with intense circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) responses have not been reported. A pair of chiral ...alkynyl ligands, (R/S)‐2‐diphenyl‐2‐hydroxylmethylpyrrolidine‐1‐propyne (abbreviated as R/S‐DPM) we successfully prepared and single crystals were characterized of optically pure enantiomeric pair of atomically‐precise copper(I) clusters, Cu14(R/S‐DPM)8(PF6)6 (denoted as R/S‐Cu14), which feature bright red luminescence and CPL with a high luminescence anisotropy factor (glum). A dilute solution containing R/S‐Cu14 was nonluminescent and CPL inactive at room temperature. Crystallization‐ and aggregation‐induced emission (CIE and AIE, respectively) contribute to the triggering of the CPL of R/S‐Cu14 in the crystalline and aggregated states. Their AIE behavior and good biocompatibility indicated applications of these copper(I) clusters in cell imaging in HeLa and NG108‐15 cells.
Atomically precise chiral CuI alkynyl nanoclusters R/S‐Cu14 with inherent chirality were synthesized for the first time. Crystallization‐ and aggregation‐induced emission (CIE and AIE, respectively) trigger circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with an unprecedented luminescence anisotropy factor (glum).
Electrospun nanofibers with structural and functional advantages have drawn much attention due to their potential applications for active food packaging. The traditional role of food packaging is ...just storage containers for food products. The changes of retailing practice and consumer demand promote the development of active packaging to improve the safety, quality, and shelf life of the packaged foods. To develop the technique of electrospinning for active food packaging, electrospun nanofibers have been covalently or non‐covalently functionalized for loading diverse bioactive compounds including antimicrobial agents, antioxidant agents, oxygen scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters, and ethylene scavengers. The aim of this review is to present a concise but comprehensive summary on the progress of electrospinning techniques for active food packaging. Emphasis is placed on the tunability of the electrospinning technique, which achieves the modification of fiber composition, orientation, and architecture. Efforts are also made to provide functionalized strategies of electrospun polymeric nanofibers for food packaging application. Furthermore, the existing limitations and prospects for developing electrospinning in food packaging area are discussed.
Verticillium dahliae isolates are most virulent on the host from which they were originally isolated. Mechanisms underlying these dominant host adaptations are currently unknown. We sequenced the ...genome of V. dahliae Vd991, which is highly virulent on its original host, cotton, and performed comparisons with the reference genomes of JR2 (from tomato) and VdLs.17 (from lettuce).
Pathogenicity-related factor prediction, orthology and multigene family classification, transcriptome analyses, phylogenetic analyses, and pathogenicity experiments were performed.
The Vd991 genome harbored several exclusive, lineage-specific (LS) genes within LS regions (LSRs). Deletion mutants of the seven genes within one LSR (G-LSR2) in Vd991 were less virulent only on cotton. Integration of G-LSR2 genes individually into JR2 and VdLs.17 resulted in significantly enhanced virulence on cotton but did not affect virulence on tomato or lettuce. Transcription levels of the seven LS genes in Vd991 were higher during the early stages of cotton infection, as compared with other hosts. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that G-LSR2 was acquired from Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum through horizontal gene transfer.
Our results provide evidence that horizontal gene transfer from Fusarium to Vd991 contributed significantly to its adaptation to cotton and may represent a significant mechanism in the evolution of an asexual plant pathogen.
The seriousness of the energy crisis and the environmental impact of global anthropogenic activities have led to an urgent need to develop efficient and green fuels. Hydrogen, as a promising ...alternative resource that is produced in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner by a water splitting reaction, has attracted extensive attention in recent years. However, the large‐scale application of water splitting devices is hindered predominantly by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. Therefore, the design and exploration of high‐performing OER electrocatalysts is a critical objective. Considering their low prices, abundant reserves, and intrinsic activities, NiFe‐based bimetal compounds are widely studied as excellent OER electrocatalysts. Moreover, recent progress on NiFe‐based OER electrocatalysts in alkaline environments is comprehensively and systematically introduced through various catalyst families including NiFe‐layered hydroxides, metal–organic frameworks, NiFe‐based (oxy)hydroxides, NiFe‐based oxides, NiFe alloys, and NiFe‐based nonoxides. This review briefly introduces the advanced NiFe‐based OER materials and their corresponding reaction mechanisms. Finally, the challenges inherent to and possible strategies for producing extraordinary NiFe‐based electrocatalysts are discussed.
This review briefly introduces the advanced NiFe‐based oxygen evolution reaction (OER) materials and their corresponding reaction mechanisms. After providing this background, recent progress on NiFe‐based OER electrocatalysts through various catalyst families is comprehensively and systematically presented, and the inherent challenges and probable strategies for producing extraordinary NiFe‐based electrocatalysts are finally discussed.
The fact that various immune cells, including macrophages, can be found in tumor tissues has long been known. With the introduction of concept that macrophages differentiate into a classically or ...alternatively activated phenotype, the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is now beginning to be elucidated. TAMs act as "protumoral macrophages," contributing to disease progression. TAMs can promote initiation and metastasis of tumor cells, inhibit antitumor immune responses mediated by T cells, and stimulate tumor angiogenesis and subsequently tumor progression. As the relationship between TAMs and malignant tumors becomes clearer, TAMs are beginning to be seen as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, as well as therapeutic targets in these cases. In this review, we will discuss the origin, polarization, and role of TAMs in human malignant tumors, as well as how TAMs can be used as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of cancer in clinics.
This study assessed the influence of substrate type on pollutants removal, antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) fate and bacterial community evolution in up-flow microbial fuel cell constructed wetlands ...(UCW-MFC) with graphite and Mn ore electrode substrates. Better COD removal and higher bacterial community diversity and electricity generation performance were achieved in Mn ore constructed UCW-MFC (Mn). However, the lower concentration of sulfadiazine (SDZ) and the total abundances of ARGs were obtained in the effluent in the graphite constructed UCW-MFC (s), which may be related to higher graphite adsorption and filter capacity. Notably, both reactors can remove more than 97.8% of ciprofloxacin. In addition, significant negative correlations were observed between SDZ, COD concentration, ARG abundances and bacterial a-diversity indices. The LEfse analysis revealed significantly different bacterial communities due to the substrate differences in the two reactors, and Geobacter, a typical model electro-active bacteria (EAB), was greatly enriched on the anode of UCW-MFC (Mn). In contrast, the relative abundance of methanogens (Methanosaeta) was inhibited. PICRUSt analysis results further demonstrated that the abundance of extracellular electron transfer related functional genes was increased, but the methanogen function genes and multiple antibiotic resistance genes in UCW-MFC (Mn) anode were reduced. Redundancy analyses indicated that substrate type, antibiotic accumulation and bacterial community were the main factors affecting ARGs. Moreover, the potential ARG hosts and the co-occurrence of ARGs and intI1 were revealed by network analysis.
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•The electro-active bacteria Geobacter was greatly enriched on Mn ore anode.•Methanogen functional genes predicted by PICRUSt reduced on Mn ore anode.•Higher COD removal and electricity generation performance was obtained in UCW-MFC (Mn).•The migration of ARGs and their hosts from water phase to substrate reduced the ARGs.
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