Dealloying Synthesis of Bimetallic (Au-Pd)/CeO2 Catalysts for CO Oxidation.

The nanorod-structured (Au-Pd)/CeO2 catalysts with different Au/Pd ratios were prepared from Al-Ce-Au-Pd precursor alloys through combined dealloying and calcination treatment. XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements were applied to test the structure and physicochemical properties of samples. Catalytic evaluation results imply that the (Pd0.15-Au0.15)/CeO2 catalyst calcined at 500 °C possesses optimal catalytic activity for CO oxidation when compared with other catalysts with different Au/Pd ratios or (Pd0.15-Au0.15)/CeO2 calcined at other temperatures, whose 50% and 99% reaction temperature can be reached as low as 50 and 85 °C, respectively. This superior catalytic property is attributed to their robust nanorod structure and the introduction of noble bimetal Pd and Au, which can construct a nanoscale interface to access fast electron motion, thus enhancing catalytic efficiency.

Public awareness, specific knowledge, and worry about mpox (monkeypox): A preliminary community-based study in Shenzhen, China.

Background: The mpox (monkeypox) outbreak has been declared to be a public health emergency of international concern by the Director-General of World Health Organization in July 2022. However, evidence regarding the awareness, knowledge, and worry about mpox in the general population remains scant. Methods: A community-based survey targeting community residents was preliminarily conducted in Shenzhen, China in August 2022 by using a convenience sampling method. Information on mpox-related awareness, knowledge, and worry was collected from each participant. Binary logistic regression analyses with the stepwise procedure were applied to explore the factors associated with awareness, knowledge, and worry about mpox. Results: A total of 1028 community residents were included in the analysis (mean age: 34.70 years). Among these participants, 77.9% had ever heard of mpox, and 65.3% were aware of the global outbreak of mpox. However, only about half of them had a high level of knowledge regarding mpox (56.5%) and related symptoms (49.7%). More than one-third of them (37.1%) expressed a high level of worry about mpox. Having high knowledge levels of mpox and related symptoms were positively associated with a high level of worry (OR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.22~2.63 for a single high knowledge level; OR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.47~2.66 for both high knowledge levels). Conclusions: This study identified the gaps in public awareness and specific knowledge of mpox in Chinese people, providing scientific evidence for the prevention and control network of mpox at the community level. Targeted health education programs are of urgent need, which should be implemented along with psychological interventions to release public worry if necessary.

CeO2-Supported TiO2-Pt Nanorod Composites as Efficient Catalysts for CO Oxidation.

Supported Pt-based catalysts have been identified as highly selective catalysts for CO oxidation, but their potential for applications has been hampered by the high cost and scarcity of Pt metals as well as aggregation problems at relatively high temperatures. In this work, nanorod structured (TiO2-Pt)/CeO2 catalysts with the addition of 0.3 at% Pt and different atomic ratios of Ti were prepared through a combined dealloying and calcination method. XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and STEM measurements were used to confirm the phase composition, surface morphology, and structure of synthesized samples. After calcination treatment, Pt nanoparticles were semi-inlayed on the surface of the CeO2 nanorod, and TiO2 was highly dispersed into the catalyst system, resulting in the formation of (TiO2-Pt)/CeO2 with high specific surface area and large pore volume. The unique structure can provide more reaction path and active sites for catalytic CO oxidation, thus contributing to the generation of catalysts with high catalytic activity. The outstanding catalytic performance is ascribed to the stable structure and proper TiO2 doping as well as the combined effect of Pt, TiO2, and CeO2. The research results are of importance for further development of high catalytic performance nanoporous catalytic materials.

Fabrication and catalytic properties of nanorod-shaped (Pt-Pd)/CeO2 composites.

Nanorod-supported (Pt-Pd)/CeO2 catalysts were synthesized by a simple method of dealloying Al91.7Ce8 Pt X Pd0.3-X (X = 0, 0.075, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3) alloy ribbons. SEM and TEM characterization implied that after calcination treatment, the achieved resultants exhibited interspersed nanorod structures with a rich distribution of nanopores. Catalytic tests showed that the (Pt0.1-Pd0.2)/CeO2 catalyst calcined at 300 °C exhibited the highest catalyst activity for CO oxidation when compared with other catalysts prepared at different noble metal ratios or calcined at other temperatures, whose complete reaction temperature was as low as 100 °C. The outstanding catalytic performance is ascribed to the stable framework structure, rich gas pathways and collaborative effect between the noble Pt and Pd bimetals.

CircRNA-3302 promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via sponging miR-135b-5p to enhance KIT expression in Kawasaki disease.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is implicated in myofibroblast-like cell-mediated damage to coronary artery wall of Kawasaki disease (KD) patients, which subsequently increases the risk of coronary artery aneurysm. Many circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, the roles and underlying molecular mechanism of circRNAs in KD-associated EndMT remains indefinite. In this research, we screened out circRNA-3302 from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated by sera from healthy controls (HCs) or KD patients via circRNA sequencing (circRNA-seq). In addition, circRNA-3302 upregulation was verified in endothelial cells stimulated by KD serum and pathological KD mice modeled with Candida albicans cell wall extracts (CAWS). Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated that overexpression of circRNA-3302 could markedly induce EndMT, and silencing of circRNA-3302 significantly alleviated KD serum-mediated EndMT. To further explore the molecular mechanisms of circRNA-3302 inducing EndMT, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), a dual-luciferase reporter system, nuclear and extra-nuclear RNA isolation, RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses and so on, were utilized. Our data demonstrated that circRNA-3302 contributed to the KD-associated EndMT via sponging miR-135b-5p to enhance KIT expression. Collectively, our results imply that circRNA-3302 plays an important role in KD-associated EndMT, providing new insights into minimizing the risks of developing coronary artery aneurysms.

Parental psychological distress and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination: A cross-sectional survey in Shenzhen, China.

BACKGROUND: Parental attitudes towards the vaccines play a key role in the success of the herd immunity for the COVID-19. Psychological health seems to be a controversial determinant of vaccine hesitancy and remains to be investigated. This study attempted to measure parental psychological distress, attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine, and to explore the potential associations. METHODS: An online survey using convenience sampling method was conducted among parents within the school public health network of Shenzhen. Demographic information and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination were collected. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) was applied to measure psychological distress. RESULTS: Overall, 4,748 parents were included (average age: 40.28, standard deviation: 5.08). More than one fifth of them demonstrated psychological distress, in which only 3.3% were moderate to severe symptom. The proportions of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for themselves, their spouses, and their children were 25.2%, 26.1%, and 27.3%, respectively. Parents with psychological distress were more likely to suffer vaccine hesitancy for themselves (OR: 1.277, 95%CI: 1.091~1.494), for their spouses (OR:1.276, 95%CI: 1.088~1.496) and children (OR:1.274, 95%CI: 1.092~1.486). These associations tended to be more significant among parents with mild or severe psychological distress. LIMITATION: Non-random sampling limited the generalization of our findings to all parents. CONCLUSION: Parents had a low level of psychological distress but relatively high willingness of COVID-19 vaccination when there was no local epidemic but persistent risk of imported cases. Targeted health education and intervention strategies should be provided to people with vaccine hesitancy, especially for those who are susceptible to psychological distress.