Electrical conductivity and dielectric parameters are general inherent features of materials. Controlling these characteristics through applied bias will add a new dimension to regulate the dynamic ...response of smart materials. Here, a fascinating electrical transport behavior is observed in topological insulator (TI) Bi2Te3 nanorods, which will play a vital role in intelligent materials or devices as a unit for information reception, processing or feedback. The Bi2Te3 nanorod aggregates exhibit a monotonic resistance response to voltage, with observed four‐fold change of electrical conductivity in a small range electric field of 1 V mm−1. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of Bi2Te3 nanorod composites also show strong dependences on bias voltage due to the unique electrical transport characteristics. The unique voltage‐controlled electrical responses are attributed to the change of Fermi levels within the band structure of disordered TI nanorods, which are non‐parallel to the applied electric field. The excellent controllable inherent characteristics through electric field endows Bi2Te3 nanomaterials bright prospects for applications in smart devices and resistive random access memories.
Bi2Te3 nanorods exhibit monotonic resistance response to voltage and strong dependence of dielectric constant on voltage. Compared with other materials, the Bi2Te3 nanorod aggregates have the largest electrical conductivity variation range with smallest voltage scope. The fascinating electrical transport behavior endows the material with tremendous application potential in communication systems, smart devices, miniature generators, and intelligent storage.
Background:
Poor habits can worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and reduce treatment efficacy. Few large-scale studies have examined lifestyle influences, particularly eating habits, on ...GERD in China, and research related to eating quickly, hyperphagia, and eating hot foods is quite limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between GERD pathogenesis and lifestyle factors to produce useful information for the development of a clinical reference guide through a national multicenter survey in China.
Methods:
Symptom and lifestyle/habit questionnaires included 19 items were designed. The questionnaire results were subjected to correlation analysis relative to GERD symptom onset. A standard proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was advised to correct patients with unhealthful lifestyle habits.
Results:
A total of 1518 subjects (832 GERD, 686 non-GERD) enrolled from six Chinese hospitals completed symptom and lifestyle/habit questionnaires. The top lifestyle factors related to GERD were fast eating, eating beyond fullness, and preference for spicy food. Univariate analysis showed that 21 factors, including male gender, a supra-normal body mass index (BMI), smoking, drinking alcohol, fast eating, eating beyond fullness, eating very hot foods, and drinking soup, among others, were associated with GERD (p < 0.05). Logistic multivariate regression analysis revealed the following risk factors for GERD with odds ratios (ORs): fast eating (4.058), eating beyond fullness (2.849), wearing girdles or corsets (2.187), eating very hot foods (1.811), high BMI (1.805), lying down soon after eating (1.544), and smoking (1.521). Adjuvant lifestyle interventions improved outcomes over medication alone (z = –8.578, p < 0.001 Mann–Whitney rank sum test).
Conclusions:
Lifestyle interventions can improve medication efficacy in GERD patients. Numerous habits, including fast eating, eating beyond fullness, and eating very hot foods, were associated with GERD pathogenesis. The present results may be useful as a reference for preventive education and treatment.
Microbial reductive dechlorination of chlorinated aromatics frequently suffers from the long dechlorination period and the generation of toxic metabolites. Biocathode bioelectrochemical systems were ...verified to be effective in the degradation of various refractory pollutants. However, the electrochemical and microbial related working mechanisms for bio-dechlorination by electro-stimulation remain poorly understood. In this study, we reported the significantly improved 2,4,6-trichlorophenol dechlorination activity through the weak electro-stimulation (cathode potential of −0.36 V vs. SHE), as evidenced by the 3.1 times higher dechlorination rate and the complete dechlorination ability with phenol as the end dechlorination product. The high reductive dechlorination rate (20.8 μM/d) could be maintained by utilizing electrode as an effective electron donor (coulombic efficiency of 82.3 ± 4.8%). Cyclic voltammetry analysis of the cathodic biofilm gave the direct evidences of the cathodic respiration with the improved and positive-shifted reduction peaks of 2,4,6-TCP, 2,4-DCP and 4-CP. The optimal 2,4,6-TCP reductive dechlorination rate (24.2 μM/d) was obtained when a small amount of lactate (2 mM) was added, and the generation of H2 and CH4 were accompanied due to the biological fermentation and methanogenesis. The electrical stimulation significantly altered the cathodic biofilm structure and composition with some potential dechlorinators (like Acetobacterium) predominated. The microbial interactions in the ecological network of cathodic biofilm were more simplified than the planktonic community. However, some potential dechlorinators (Acetobacterium, Desulfovibrio, etc.) shared more positive interactions. The co-existence and possible cooperative relationships between potential dechlorinators and fermenters (Sedimentibacter, etc.) were revealed. Meanwhile, the competitive interrelations between potential dechlorinators and methanogens (Methanomassiliicoccus) were found. In the network of plankton, the fermenters and methanogens possessed the more positive interrelations. Electro-stimulation at the cathodic potential of −0.36 V selectively enhanced the dechlorination function, while it showed little influence on either fermentation or methanogenesis process. The study gave suggestions for the enhanced bioremediation of chlorinated aromatics, in views of the electro-stimulation capacity, efficiency and microbial interrelations related microbial mechanism.
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•Electro-stimulation significantly improved 2,4,6-TCP reductive dechlorination.•Electrode served as an effective electron donor for highly-efficient dechlorination.•Electro-stimulation distinctly altered the microbial community structure.•Cooperative and competitive interrelations of functional population were revealed.•Electro-stimulation optimized microbial interrelations for enhanced dechlorination.
Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computer technology to create an interactive three-dimensional (3D) world, which gives users a sense of spatial presence. In nursing education, VR has been used to ...help optimize teaching and learning processes.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of VR in nursing education in the areas of knowledge, skills, satisfaction, confidence, and performance time.
We conducted a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of VR in nursing education based on the Cochrane methodology. An electronic literature search using the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), up to December 2019 was conducted to identify studies that reported the effectiveness of VR on knowledge, skills, satisfaction, confidence, and performance time. The study selection and data extraction were carried out by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the selected studies was determined using the Cochrane criteria for risk-of-bias assessment.
A total of 12 studies, including 821 participants, were selected for the final analysis. We found that VR was more effective than the control conditions in improving knowledge (standard mean difference SMD=0.58, 95% CI 0.41-0.75, P<.001, I
=47%). However, there was no difference between VR and the control conditions in skills (SMD=0.01, 95% CI -0.24 to 0.26, P=.93, I
=37%), satisfaction (SMD=0.01, 95% CI -0.79 to 0.80, P=.99, I
=86%), confidence (SMD=0.00, 95% CI -0.28 to 0.27, P=.99, I
=0%), and performance time (SMD=-0.55, 95% CI -2.04 to 0.94, P=.47, I
=97%).
The results of this study suggest that VR can effectively improve knowledge in nursing education, but it was not more effective than other education methods in areas of skills, satisfaction, confidence, and performance time. Further rigorous studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm these results.
Silicon as the potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries suffers from huge volume change (up to 400%) during charging/discharging processes. Poor electrical conductivity of silicon also ...hinders its long-term cycling performance. Herein, we report a two-step ball milling method to prepare nanostructured P-doped Si/graphite composite. Both P-doped Si and coated graphite improved the conductivity by providing significant transport channels for lithium ions and electrons. The graphite skin is able to depress the volume expansion of Si by forming a stable SEI film. The as-prepared composite anode having 50% P-doped Si and 50% graphite exhibits outstanding cyclability with a specific capacity of 883.4 mAh/g after 200 cycles at the current density of 200 mA/g. The cost-effective materials and scalable preparation method make it feasible for large-scale application of the P-doped Si/graphite composite as anode for Li-ion batteries.
Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles undergoing cycles of fusion and fission to modulate their morphology, distribution, and function, which are referred as 'mitochondrial dynamics'. ...Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is known as the major pro-fission protein whose activity is tightly regulated to clear the damaged mitochondria via mitophagy, ensuring a strict control over the intricate process of cellular and organ dynamics in heart. Various posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of Drp1 have been identified including phosphorylation, SUMOylation, palmitoylation, ubiquitination, S-nitrosylation, and O-GlcNAcylation, which implicate a role in the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics. An intact mitochondrial homeostasis is critical for heart to fuel contractile function and cardiomyocyte metabolism, while defects in mitochondrial dynamics constitute an essential part of the pathophysiology underlying various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the critical role of Drp1 in the pathogenesis of CVDs including endothelial dysfunction, smooth muscle remodeling, cardiac hypertrophy, pulmonary arterial hypertension, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, and myocardial infarction. We also highlight how the targeting of Drp1 could potentially contribute to CVDs treatments.
Methyl parathion is one of the most widely used pesticides in agricultural practices. It caused accumulation of acetylcholine and over-stimulation of receptors in synapses which eventually led to ...damage of the nervous system. Present study developed a direct, sensitive, rapid and reliable method for methyl parathion residues detection in vegetable samples. MOF nanofibers which demonstrated stable framework structure, good thermal/chemical stability, good electrochemical behavior, high porosity, surface area and pore volume was synthesized and used for fabrication of Burkholderia cepacia lipase (BCL)@MOF nanofibers biosensors. BCL@MOF nanofibers/chitosan/GCE biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity for methyl detection with a wide linear range (0.1–38 µM) and low limit of detection 0.067 µM. During the 3 weeks storage stability test at 4 °C, the fabricated biosensor demonstrated good reusability and excellent stability for methyl parathion detection with retainment of more than 80% of its initial response. When applied for detection of methyl parathion residues in vegetable samples, the BCL@MOF nanofibers/chitosan/GCE biosensors demonstrated good recovery rates.
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•MOF nanofibers with large surface area and high porosity crystals were facilely synthesized.•BCL@MOF nanofibers/chitosan/GCE biosensors were successfully fabricated for sensitive, selective and direct detection of methyl parathion.•Fabricated biosensor demonstrated a wide linear range, good repeatability, recovery and limit of detection as low as 0.067 μM.•Fabricated biosensors can be stored and reused with a retainment of at least 80% of its initial response to methyl parathion.
Abstract
Most triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients fail to respond to T cell-mediated immunotherapies. Unfortunately, the molecular determinants are still poorly understood. Breast cancer is ...the disease genetically linked to a deficiency in autophagy. Here, we show that autophagy defects in TNBC cells inhibit T cell-mediated tumour killing in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we identify Tenascin-C as a candidate for autophagy deficiency-mediated immunosuppression, in which Tenascin-C is Lys63-ubiquitinated by Skp2, particularly at Lys942 and Lys1882, thus promoting its recognition by p62 and leading to its selective autophagic degradation. High Tenascin-C expression is associated with poor prognosis and inversely correlated with LC3B expression and CD8
+
T cells in TNBC patients. More importantly, inhibition of Tenascin-C in autophagy-impaired TNBC cells sensitizes T cell-mediated tumour killing and improves antitumour effects of single anti-PD1/PDL1 therapy. Our results provide a potential strategy for targeting TNBC with the combination of Tenascin-C blockade and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Most patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) do not respond to anti-PD1/PDL1 immunotherapy, indicating the necessity to explore immune checkpoint targets. B7H3 is a highly glycosylated ...protein. However, the mechanisms of B7H3 glycosylation regulation and whether the sugar moiety contributes to immunosuppression are unclear. Here, we identify aberrant B7H3 glycosylation and show that N-glycosylation of B7H3 at NXT motif sites is responsible for its protein stability and immunosuppression in TNBC tumors. The fucosyltransferase FUT8 catalyzes B7H3 core fucosylation at N-glycans to maintain its high expression. Knockdown of FUT8 rescues glycosylated B7H3-mediated immunosuppressive function in TNBC cells. Abnormal B7H3 glycosylation mediated by FUT8 overexpression can be physiologically important and clinically relevant in patients with TNBC. Notably, the combination of core fucosylation inhibitor 2F-Fuc and anti-PDL1 results in enhanced therapeutic efficacy in B7H3-positive TNBC tumors. These findings suggest that targeting the FUT8-B7H3 axis might be a promising strategy for improving anti-tumor immune responses in patients with TNBC.
A novel, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the evaluation of exemestane pharmacokinetics and its metabolites, ...17β-dihydroexemestane (active metabolite) and 17β-dihydroexemestane-17-O-β-D-glucuronide (inactive metabolite) in human plasma. Their respective D3 isotopes were used as internal standards. Chromatographic separation of analytes was achieved using Thermo Fisher BDS Hypersil C18 analytic HPLC column (100 × 2.1 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was delivered at a rate of 0.5 mL/min by gradient elution with 0.1% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile. The column effluents were detected by API 4000 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using electrospray ionisation (ESI) and monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in positive mode. Mass transitions 297 > 121 m/z, 300 > 121 m/z, 299 > 135 m/z, 302 > 135 m/z, 475 > 281 m/z, and 478 > 284 m/z were monitored for exemestane, exemestane-d3, 17β-dihydroexemestane, 17β-dihydroexemestane-d3, 17β-dihydroexemestane-17-O-β-D-glucuronide, and 17β-dihydroexemestane-17-O-β-D-glucuronide-d3 respectively. The assay demonstrated linear ranges of 0.4-40.0 ng/mL, for exemestane; and 0.2-15.0 ng/mL, for 17β-dihydroexemestane and 17β-dihydroexemestane-17-O-β-D-glucuronide, with coefficient of determination (r2) of > 0.998. The precision (coefficient of variation) were ≤10.7%, 7.7% and 9.5% and the accuracies ranged from 88.8 to 103.1% for exemestane, 98.5 to 106.1% for 17β-dihydroexemestane and 92.0 to 103.2% for 17β-dihydroexemestane-17-O-β-D-glucuronide. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics/dynamics study in breast cancer patients receiving exemestane 25 mg daily orally. For a representative patient, 20.7% of exemestane in plasma was converted into 17β-dihydroexemestane and 29.0% of 17β-dihydroexemestane was inactivated as 17β-dihydroexemestane-17-O-β-D-glucuronide 24 hours after ingestion of exemestane, suggesting that altered 17-dihydroexemestane glucuronidation may play an important role in determining effect of exemestane against breast cancer cells.
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