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•CdS nanoparticles were deposited on TiO2 NTs by the ultrasound-assisted deposition.•Solvents play vital influences on photoelectrochemical performances of TiO2 NTs/CdS.•The TiO2 ...NTs/CdS (EA) showed the optimal photoelectrochemical activity.
In this work, highly active solar-light-driven TiO2 NTs/CdS photocatalysts were prepared by an ultrasound-assisted chemical deposition method using deionized water, ethanol and ethylene glycol as solvents, respectively. The morphology and visible light response were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Under simulated sunlight illumination, the TiO2 NTs/CdS showed excellent photoelectrochemical performances including visible light photocurrent and solar-driven photoelectrocatalytic removal of organic dyes and Cr(VI). The investigation results indicated that the TiO2 NTs/CdS prepared in ethanol solution showed the optimal photoelectrochemical properties.
•N and V co-doped TiO2 mesosponges were prepared by hydrothermal method.•The first-principle was used to investigate the novel porous materials.•N-V-TMSW had a remarkable visible absorption and ...photocatalytic activity.
Novel N and V co-doped TiO2 mesosponge (N-V-TMSW) layers were successfully prepared by one-step hydrothermal treatment of TiO2 nanotube arrays, and the phase composition, morphology and optical property were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The crystal structure and density of states were studied by means of the first-principle pseudo-potential plane wave. The results indicated that titanium ions and oxygen atoms in TiO2 were successfully substituted by vanadium ions and nitrogen atoms, respectively. The sample N-V0.1-TMSW showed a remarkable absorption in the visible light range of 400–600nm and high visible photocatalytic activity
► Ag and CdS nanoparticles co-sensitized TiO2 nanotubes were fabricated by the SILAR method. ► The co-sensitization expands the photoresponse range of TiO2 NTs to 668.7nm. ► Visible light ...photocurrents and photocatalytic activities of CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs were studied. ► The electron transfer mechanism of CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs was proposed.
The Ag and CdS nanoparticles co-sensitization of TiO2 nanotubes (CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs) were prepared by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. The phase composition, morphology and optical property were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy (DRS). The co-modification of Ag and CdS nanoparticles expanded the photoresponse range of TiO2 NTs from ultraviolet region to 668.7nm, and the CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs prepared by SILAR deposition of 5 cycles exhibited higher visible photocurrent and stability against photocorrosion. The detailed electrons transfer mechanism of CdS–Ag/TiO2 NTs was proposed, and photocatalytic activity toward degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation was also investigated.
Novel SnO
2–
x
/g-C
3
N
4
heterojunction nanocomposites composed of reduced SnO
2–
x
nanoparticles and exfoliated g-C
3
N
4
nanosheets were prepared by a convenient one-step pyrolysis method. The ...structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-prepared nanocomposites were characterized in detail, indicating that the aggregation of g-C
3
N
4
nanosheets was prevented by small, well-dispersed SnO
2–
x
nanoparticles. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy absorption bands of the nanocomposites were shifted to a longer wavelength region than those exhibited by pure SnO
2
or g-C
3
N
4
. The charge transfer and recombination processes occurring in the nanocomposites were investigated using linear scan voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under 30-W visible-light-emitting diode irradiation, the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO
2–
x
exhibited the highest photocurrent density of 0.0468 mA·cm
–2
, which is 33.43 and 5.64 times larger than that of pure SnO
2
and g-C
3
N
4
, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the heterojunction material was investigated by degrading rhodamine B under irradiation from the same light source. Kinetic study revealed a promising degradation rate constant of 0.0226 min
−1
for the heterojunction containing 27.4 wt.% SnO
2–
x
, which is 32.28 and 5.79 times higher than that of pure SnO
2
and g-C
3
N
4
, respectively. The enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic performances of the nanocomposite may be due to its appropriate SnO
2–
x
content and the compact structure of the junction between the SnO
2–
x
nanoparticles and the g-C
3
N
4
nanosheets, which inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes.
Heart failure (HF) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. In patients with HF, decreased cardiac output and blood redistribution results in decreased intestinal perfusion and destruction of ...intestinal barrier. Microorganisms and endotoxins can migrate into the blood circulation, aggravating systemic inflammation and HF. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is highly closed to the occurrence of HF. However, the exact mechanism between TMAO and HF remains unclear.To investigate the role of TMAO in transverse-tubule (T-tubule) in the cultured cardiomyocytes.T-tubule imaging and analysis detected T-tubule network in cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ handling dysfunction was identified by confocal Ca2+ imaging. Tubulin densification and polymerization were assessed by western blot and immunofluorescent staining of cardiomyocytes.TMAO induced T-tubule network damage in cardiomyocytes and Ca2+ handling dysfunction in cardiomyocytes under the TMAO stress via promoting tubulin densification and polymerization and therefore Junctophilin-2 (JPH2) redistribution. Mice treated with TMAO represented cardiac dysfunction and T-tubule network disorganization.TMAO impairs cardiac function via the promotion of tubulin polymerization, subsequent translocation of JPH2, and T-tubule remodeling, which provides a novel mechanism for the relationship between HF and elevated TMAO.
Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide mesosponge was fabricated by transformation of TiO2 nanotube arrays using a facial solvothermal method. The structure, morphology and optical property were ...investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis diffusion reflection spectroscopy (DRS). A possible formation mechanism of N-doped TiO2 mesosponge has been proposed. The photoelectrochemical results indicate that N-doped TiO2 mesosponge prepared in ethanol solution of ammonia exhibits much higher photocurrent densities and the optimal photocatalytic activity.
It remained unclear whether isolated positive thyroid peroxidative antibodies (TPOAb) were associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to observe adverse ...neonatal outcomes among euthyroid pregnant women with positive TPOAb and to investigate the underlying risk factors.
Euthyroid pregnant women with TPOAb positivity were enrolled and followed up in our study. Adverse neonatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and fetal macrosomia were observed. Clinical data in the first trimester were collected and compared between groups with or without adverse neonatal outcomes. Maternal serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) was also measured at the same time.
A total of 176 euthyroid pregnant women with TPOAb positivity were finally enrolled and analyzed in our study. Thirty-nine (22.16%) euthyroid women with TPOAb positivity were found to have adverse neonatal outcomes. Thirteen participants received assisted reproductive technology (ART) in our study, and seven participants were in the adverse neonatal outcome group. Preterm birth, low birth weight, and fetal macrosomia were the most common comorbidities. The proportion of receiving ART and the levels of sCD40L and platelet were significantly higher in the adverse neonatal outcome group (all
< 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that sCD40L and receiving ART were the independent risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes. The odds ratio values of sCD40L higher than 5.625 ng/ml were 2.386 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.017 to 5.595;
= 0.046 for overall adverse neonatal outcome, 3.900 (95% CI = 1.194 to 12.738;
= 0.024) for preterm birth, and 3.149 (95% CI = 0.982 to 10.101;
= 0.054) for low birth weight.
Approximately one of the four euthyroid women with TPOAb positivity might have adverse neonatal outcomes. Measurement of sCD40L in first trimester might have a predictive value for adverse neonatal outcomes in euthyroid pregnant women with positive TPOAb.
Sb2S3 and Bi2S3 microspheres were prepared by a one-pot UV-assisted deposition method on the surface of TiO2 nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTs/Sb2S3-Bi2S3) to improve the photoelectrochemical property of ...TiO2 NTs. The composition, morphology and optical harvesting were tested, and the sensitization by Sb2S3 and Bi2S3 microspheres exceedingly extended the light harvesting to the whole visible light region. The TiO2 NTs/Sb2S3-Bi2S3 photoelectrodes could effectively enhance the solar-driven photoelectric conversion, photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) removal of pollutants including methyl orange (MO), rhodamine B (RhB) and Cr(VI). The as-prepared samples showed high stabilities during PEC progress, and the corresponding PEC mechanism was proposed in detail. The UV deposition technique provides an effective strategy of the TiO2 NTs sensitization by metal sulfide semiconductors.
is an important foodborne pathogen and has recently gained particular notoriety because it causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp, which has caused significant economic loss ...in the shrimp industry. Here, we report a whole-genome analysis of 233
strains isolated from humans, diseased shrimp, and environmental samples collected between 2008 and 2017, providing unprecedented insight into the historical spread of AHPND. The results show that
is genetically diverse and can be divided into 84 sequence types (STs). However, genomic analysis of three STs of
identified seven transmission routes in Asia since 1996, which promoted the transfer of an AHPND-associated plasmid. Notably, the insertion sequence (IS
) from the plasmid subsequently mediated the genetic exchange among
STs and resulted in the deletion of an 11-kb region regulating cell mobility and the production of capsular polysaccharides. Phenotype assays confirmed that this deletion enhanced biofilm formation, providing a novel mechanism for environmental adaptation. We conclude that the transmission mode of AHPND consists of two steps, the transmission of
and the subsequent horizontal transfer of the AHPND-associated plasmid. This plasmid allows IS
to mediate genetic exchange and improve pathogen fitness in shrimp ponds. Current shrimp farming practices promoted such genetic exchanges, which highlighted a risk of the emergence of new virulent populations, with potentially devastating consequences for both aquaculture and human health. This study addressed the basic questions regarding the transmission mechanism of AHPND and provided novel insights into shrimp and human disease management.
Global outbreaks of shrimp acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by
represent an urgent issue for the shrimp industry. This study revealed that the transmission mode of AHPND consists of two steps, the transregional dissemination of
and the horizontal transfer of an AHPND-associated plasmid. Surprisingly, the introduction of the AHPND-associated plasmid also offers a novel mechanism of genetic exchange mediated by insertion sequences, and it improved the fitness of
in a harsh environment. The results presented herein suggest that current shrimp farming practices promote genetic mixture between endemic and oceanic
populations, which introduced the plasmid and accelerated bacterial adaptation by the acquisition of ecologically important functions. This entails a risk of the emergence of new virulent populations both for shrimp and humans. This study improves our understanding of the global dissemination of the AHPND-associated plasmid and highlights the urgent need to improve biosecurity for shrimp farming.
Background. Autoimmune disorders are associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women who were positive for thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb). Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and ...soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25) are abnormally expressed in autoimmune diseases and are reliable markers of inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sCD40L and sCD25 in early pregnancy and investigate their correlation with GDM and TPOAb. Methods. A total of 126 pregnant women in the first trimester were enrolled for analysis: 93 were positive for TPOAb and 33 were negative for TPOAb. Demographical and clinical data in early pregnancy were collected. A total of 123 participants underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test in the second trimester. Serum sCD40L and sCD25 levels were measured by ELISA. Results. The incidence of GDM was 24.4% in pregnant women with isolated TPOAb positivity in our study. Both sCD40L and sCD25 were positively correlated with TPOAb (r = 0.476, P<0.001; r = 0.188, P<0.05). sCD40L was highest in (P<0.001) Ab-positive women with GDM group (P<0.05). After adjusting for TPOAb, age, TSH, FT4, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sCD40L was an independent risk factor for GDM in pregnant women with TPOAb positivity (odds ratio = 3.235, 95% confidence interval 1.024–10.218, P<0.05). Conclusions. About a quarter of pregnant women with isolated positive TPOAb might have GDM. sCD40L was an independent risk factor for GDM in women with isolated TPOAb positivity.
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