Harnessing solar energy to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from water (H2O) and dioxygen (O2) via artificial photosynthesis is an attractive route. To achieve high solar‐to‐H2O2 conversion ...efficiency, herein, an interfacial self‐assembly strategy is adopted to pattern mesoporous resorcinol‐formaldehyde resin (MRF) onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to form sandwich‐structured rGO@MRF polymeric photocatalysts. The internal graphene layer that mimics the electron transport chain of plant leaf, can effectively transfer electrons, and promote the two‐electron reduction of O2. Moreover, the mesoporous channels mimic the stomata, beneficially boost the fluid velocity, enrichment of O2, and diffusion of H2O2. Consequently, the developed metal‐free material can achieve an exceptional solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion efficiency of 1.23%. This ingenious interface engineering brings new opportunities for the design of efficient artificial photocatalysts.
The sandwich‐structured nanosheets based on graphene and mesoporous phenolic resin are designed with a record‐breaking conversion efficiency of 1.23% from solar energy to hydrogen peroxide chemical energy. The unique sandwich‐structure and mesoporous channels promote electron transport, increase two‐electron reaction selectivity, and improve mass transfer properties.
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•CoCrFeNiNbx HEA coatings with good metallurgical bonding were fabricated on pure Ti substrate.•The HEA coatings are consisted of BCC solid-solution phase and Laves phases (Cr2Ti and ...Cr2Nb).•Both Nb0 and Nb1 coatings have high hardness values of ~ 790 and ~ 1008 HV, respectively.•Such high hardness is attributed to combined contribution from specific microstructural characteristics.
CoCrFeNiNbx (x = 0 or 1 at.%) high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings with good metallurgical bonding were successfully prepared on surfaces of pure titanium sheets by pulsed laser cladding. Phase constitutions and microstructural characteristics of the HEA coatings were characterized and analyzed by combined use of X-ray diffraction, electron channeling contrast imaging, energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction techniques. Results show that the HEA coating without Nb is consisted of BCC solid-solution phase with equiaxed bulk grain morphology and Cr2Ti Laves phase (C14-type hexagonal structure) with fine interdendritic lamellar morphology. After adding 1 at.% Nb, in addition to the BCC solid-solution phase and the Cr2Ti Laves phase, Cr2Nb Laves phase with C15-type cubic structure also appears in the interdendritic region in the HEA coating. Hardness tests reveal that the CoCrFeNiNbx HEA coatings are significantly harder than the pure titanium substrate (~122 HV). The hardness value of the HEA coating with 1 at.% Nb reaches 1008 HV, which is ~ 8.3 times that of the substrate and considerably higher than that of bulk HEAs with similar compositions. Such high hardness can be attributed to the combined contribution from solid-solution hardening, and hardening from grain refinement and Laves phases with fine lamellar morphologies.
The distribution and deposition of fat tissue in different parts of the body are the key factors affecting the carcass quality and meat flavour of chickens. Intramuscular fat (IMF) content is an ...important factor associated with meat quality, while abdominal fat (AbF) is regarded as one of the main factors affecting poultry slaughter efficiency. To investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and molecular regulatory mechanisms related to adipogenic differentiation between IMF- and AbF-derived preadipocytes, we analysed the mRNA expression profiles in preadipocytes (0d, Pre-) and adipocytes (10d, Ad-) from IMF and AbF of Gushi chickens.
AbF-derived preadipocytes exhibited a higher adipogenic differentiation ability (96.4% + 0.6) than IMF-derived preadipocytes (86.0% + 0.4) (p < 0.01). By Ribo-Zero RNA sequencing, we obtained 4403 (2055 upregulated and 2348 downregulated) and 4693 (2797 upregulated and 1896 downregulated) DEGs between preadipocytes and adipocytes in the IMF and Ad groups, respectively. For IMF-derived preadipocyte differentiation, pathways related to the PPAR signalling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathway were significantly enriched. For AbF-derived preadipocyte differentiation, the steroid biosynthesis pathways, calcium signaling pathway and ECM-receptor interaction pathway were significantly enriched. A large number of DEGs related to lipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and preadipocyte differentiation, such as PPARG, ACSBG2, FABP4, FASN, APOA1 and INSIG1, were identified in our study.
This study revealed large transcriptomic differences between IMF- and AbF-derived preadipocyte differentiation. A large number of DEGs and transcription factors that were closely related to fatty acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and preadipocyte differentiation were identified in the present study. Additionally, the microenvironment of IMF- and AbF-derived preadipocyte may play a significant role in adipogenic differentiation. This study provides valuable evidence to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying adipogenesis and fat deposition in chickens.
A ternary CrNiTi medium-entropy alloy (MEA) coating with excellent surface performance (hardness and wear resistance) was successfully prepared on pure Ti sheet by pulsed laser cladding. ...Microstructural characteristics of the MEA coating were probed by combined use of multiple characterization techniques and reasons for the formation mechanisms of various phases in the coating were well explored. Results show that fine cellular grains are formed in the MEA coating during the ultrafast non-equilibrium solidification process induced by pulsed laser cladding. These grains have an average size less than 1 μm and correspond to a BCC solid-solution phase. There appears irregular-shaped Cr2Ti Laves phase (C14-type) inside most of the cellular grains, while intergranular structures are demonstrated to be NiTi intermetallics. Hardness tests reveal that the CrNiTi MEA coating has a hardness of 940 ± 35 HV which is ~8 times that of the pure Ti substrate (119 ± 9 HV). Also compared to the pure Ti substrate, a much lower wear rate is noted for the coating demonstrating greatly improved wear resistance. Comprehensive analyses show that the excellent surface performance of the CrNiTi MEA coating can be ascribed to combined contributions from the solid-solution hardening and grain refinement hardening of the BCC phase, as well as second phase hardening produced by Cr2Ti Laves phase and NiTi intermetallics.
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•CrNiTi MEA coating is successfully fabricated on pure Ti sheet using pulsed laser cladding.•The coating is consisted of BCC solid-solution phase, Cr2Ti Laves phase and NiTi intermetallics.•Hardness of the coating is 940 ± 35 HV, ~8 times that of the substrate (119 ± 9 HV).•Specific wear rate of the coating is one order of magnitude lower than that of the substrate.•Such excellent performance can be attributed to joint contribution from specific microstructural characteristics.
Background/Aims: Poultry meat quality is affected by many factors, among which intramuscular fat (IMF) is predominant. IMF content affects the tenderness, juiciness, and favor of chicken. An ...increasing number of studies are focusing on the functions of microRNAs (miRNAs) during the adipogenic process. However, little is known about miRNAs associated with poultry IMF deposition, especially intramuscular adipocyte differentiation. Methods: The IMF content of two physiological stages was measured, and miRNA-Seq and RNA-Seq data were integrated and analyzed. A chicken intramuscular adipocyte cell differentiation model was constructed. A luciferase reporter assay, miRNA overexpression, and Oil Red O staining were used to confirm the targets of gga-miR-140-5p. Results: Our results showed that late-laying-period hens, which had a higher IMF content, exhibited lower global expression levels of miRNAs than juvenile hens. A total of 104 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified between the two groups. Integrated analysis of differentially expressed genes and DE miRNAs identified a total of 378 miRNA-mRNA pairs. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these intersecting genes are involved in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and fatty acid elongation and degradation pathways. Furthermore, we demonstrated that gga-miR-140-5p promoted intramuscular adipocyte differentiation via targeting retinoid X receptor gamma. Conclusion: Our findings may contribute to a more thorough understanding of chicken IMF deposition and the improvement of poultry meat quality.
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Tracheo‐oesophageal fistula (TOF) can arise as a rare complication of malignancy (especially oesophageal or lung cancers) and pose difficult diagnostic and management dilemmas. We explore ...a challenging case of large malignant TOF below.
Tracheo‐oesophageal fistula (TOF) can arise as a rare complication of malignancy (especially oesophageal or lung cancers) and pose difficult diagnostic and management dilemmas. We explore a challenging case of large malignant TOF in this clinical image report.
Particulate matter (PM) in air pollution is becoming a serious environmental threat to public health globally. The removal of PM, particularly the most harmful PM2.5, is a great challenge for ...industrialized countries. Hybrid polymer materials have extensive applications in many areas. Herein, types of hybrid polymers obtained from lanthanide ionic liquids and polyvinyl pyrrolidone have excellent PM adsorption capacity especially for PM2.5. The highest adsorption efficiency can exceed 99% for both PM2.5 and PM10. The removal efficiency of PM can be maintained above 90% for 15 h, which can be recycled more than five times without the decline of adsorption efficiency. An introduced luminescent lanthanide can be used to survey the adsorption process by the change of fluorescence intensity. After simple treatment, the PM adsorption capacity of the hybrid polymer can be recovered to be similar with the new one. Besides, the hybrid polymers have favorable thermal stability to adapt to different working conditions. Therefore, the hybrid polymers have potential applications in a high‐efficiency and environmental friendly PM removal filter.
Hybrid polymer materials based on lanthanide ionic liquids are prepared and applied as potential adsorbing materials for particulate matter (PM) adsorption. Among them, Ln‐10PVP can effectively absorb PM2.5 and PM10 in the air with >99% absorption efficiency. The removal efficiency can be maintained above 90% for 15 h. The PM adsorption capacity of Ln‐10PVP has no obvious reduction after five times cycle.
Background/Aims: In recent years, microRNA-495 (miR-495) has been reported to be a tumor-suppressor miR that is down-modulated in cancers. However, its potential mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, ...this study aimed to demonstrate the role of miR-495 in cardiac microvascular endothelial cell (CMEC) injury and inflammatory reaction by mediating the pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome signaling pathway. Methods: Overall, 40 mice were assigned into myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIR) and sham groups. After model establishment, the levels of troponin T (TnT), troponin I (TnI), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), myoglobin (MYO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) were detected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Apoptosis was evaluated using Terminal deoxy (d)-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, the level of NLRP3 protein was determined by immunohistochemical assay, and miR-495 was detected by in situ hybridization (ISH). The infarct size was determined using 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. The expression of miR-495 and the mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18 and caspase-1 were evaluated by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. After transfection, the cells were treated with a miR-495 mimic, a miR-495 inhibitor, or siNLRP3. Cell proliferation was measured by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry. Results: Mice with myocardial I/R injury had elevated levels of TnT, TnI, NT-proBNP, CK-MB, MYO, TNF-α and IL-1β; enhanced cell apoptosis; increased expression of NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18 and caspase-1; and decreased miR-495 expression. MiR-495 was confirmed to target NLRP3. Moreover, miR-495 reduced the mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18 and caspase-1, inhibited cell apoptosis and decreased cells at the G0/G1 phase while improving cell proliferation and increasing cells at the S phase. However, the effects of NLRP4 were proved to be reciprocal. Conclusion: In conclusion, the current study indicated that miR-495 improved CMEC injury and inflammation by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.
Synergistic implementation of corrosion inhibitors is an efficient and economic method for metal protection. The adsorption dynamics and inhibition behavior of 2-phenyl imidazoline (2-PI) and ...benzotriazole (BTA) are investigated in atmospheric and aqueous environments by electrochemical and quartz crystal microbalance sensors. Moreover, their synergistic mechanisms are illustrated from molecule scales by theoretical calculations. Electrochemical tests show that 2-PI and BTA exhibit promising synergistic effects on the corrosion of copper with inhibition efficiency up to 99.1% in 0.1 mol/L NaCl solution and 94.1% in the atmosphere, respectively. In addition, the adsorption kinetics of inhibitors on copper obey a pseudo-first-order kinetic model characteristic of exponential damping. Quantum chemical and molecule dynamic calculations also suggest that there exists an intermolecular interaction between 2-PI and BTA molecules in a parallel adsorption manner when they are co-adsorbed on the surface of copper.
•2-PI+BTA azole composite features synergistic corrosion inhibition in both atmospheric and aqueous environments.•Adsorption of azole on Cu obeys pseudo-first order exponential damping kinetics.•2-PI and BTA present intensive electrostatic interaction facilitating a more compact adlayer.
Accumulating evidence has shown that miR-34a serves as a posttranscriptional regulatory molecule of lipid metabolism in mammals. However, little studies about miR-34a on lipid metabolism in poultry ...have been reported until now. To gain insight into the biological functions and action mechanisms of miR-34a on hepatic lipid metabolism in poultry, we firstly investigated the expression pattern of miR-34a-5p, a member of miR-34a family, in liver of chicken, and determined its function in hepatocyte lipid metabolism by miR-34a-5p overexpression and inhibition, respectively. We then validated the interaction between miR-34a-5p and its target using dual-luciferase reporter assay, and explored the action mechanism of miR-34a-5p on its target by qPCR and Western blotting. Additionally, we looked into the function of the target gene on hepatocyte lipid metabolism by gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Our results indicated that miR-34a-5p showed a significantly higher expression level in livers in peak-laying hens than that in pre-laying hens. miR-34a-5p could increase the intracellular levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol in hepatocyte. Furthermore, miR-34a-5p functioned by inhibiting the translation of its target gene, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (
), which negatively regulates hepatocyte lipid content. In conclusion, miR-34a-5p could increase intracellular lipid content by reducing the protein level, without influencing mRNA stability of the
gene in chickens.
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