3D reconstruction of a gastrulating human embryo.

Progress in understanding early human development has been impeded by the scarcity of reference datasets from natural embryos, particularly those with spatial information during crucial stages like gastrulation. We conducted high-resolution spatial transcriptomics profiling on 38,562 spots from 62 transverse sections of an intact Carnegie stage (CS) 8 human embryo. From this spatial transcriptomic dataset, we constructed a 3D model of the CS8 embryo, in which a range of cell subtypes are identified, based on gene expression patterns and positional register, along the anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and dorsal-ventral axis in the embryo. We further characterized the lineage trajectories of embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues and associated regulons and the regionalization of signaling centers and signaling activities that underpin lineage progression and tissue patterning during gastrulation. Collectively, the findings of this study provide insights into gastrulation and post-gastrulation development of the human embryo.

Survival outcomes of robotic-assisted laparoscopy versus conventional laparoscopy and laparotomy for endometrial cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Robotic-assisted laparoscopy (RALS) has gained widespread acceptance in the field of gynecological oncology. However, whether the prognosis of endometrial cancer after RALS is superior to conventional laparoscopy (CLS) and laparotomy (LT) remains inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the long-term survival outcomes of RALS with CLS and LT for endometrial cancer. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE and Web of Science) until May 24, 2022, followed by a manual search. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, publications investigating long-term survival outcomes after RALS vs CLS or LT in endometrial cancer patients were collected. The primary outcomes included overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Fixed effects models or random effects models were employed to calculate the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as appropriate. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. RESULTS: RALS and CLS had no difference in OS (HR = 0.962, 95% CI: 0.922-1.004), RFS (HR = 1.096, 95% CI: 0.947-1.296), and DSS (HR = 1.489, 95% CI: 0.713-3.107) for endometrial cancer; however, RALS was significantly associated with favorable OS (HR = 0.682, 95% CI: 0.576-0.807), RFS (HR = 0.793, 95% CI: 0.653-0.964), and DSS (HR = 0.441, 95% CI: 0.298-0.652) when compared with LT. In the subgroup analysis of effect measures and follow-up length, RALS showed comparable or superior RFS/OS to CLS and LT. In early-stage endometrial cancer patients, RALS had similar OS but worse RFS than CLS. CONCLUSIONS: RALS is safe in the management of endometrial cancer, with long-term oncological outcomes equivalent to CLS and superior to LT.

Awake prone positioning for non-intubated patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxic respiratory failure: a systematic review based on eight high-quality randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Awake prone positioning has been widely used in non-intubated patients with acute hypoxic respiratory failure (AHRF) due to COVID-19, but the evidence is mostly from observational studies and low-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with conflicting results from published studies. A systematic review of published high-quality RCTs to resolve the controversy over the efficacy and safety of awake prone positioning in non-intubated patients with AHRF due to COVID-19. METHODS: Candidate studies were identified through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus databases from December 1, 2019 to November 1, 2022. Literature screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were independently conducted by two researchers. RESULTS: Eight RCTs involving 2657 patients were included. Meta-analysis of fixed effects models showed that awake prone positioning did not increase mortality(OR = 0.88, 95%CI [0.72, 1.08]), length of stay in ICU (WMD = 1.14, 95%CI [-0.45, 2.72]), total length of stay (WMD = 0.11, 95%CI [-1.02, 1.23]), or incidence of adverse events (OR = 1.02, 95%CI [0.79, 1.31]) compared with usual care, but significantly reduced the intubation rate (OR = 0.72, 95%CI [0.60, 0.86]). Similar results were found in a subgroup analysis of patients who received only high flow nasal cannula (Mortality: OR = 0.86, 95%CI [0.70, 1.05]; Intubation rate: OR = 0.69, 95%CI [0.58, 0.83]). All eight RCTs had high quality of evidence, which ensured the reliability of the meta-analysis results. CONCLUSIONS: Awake prone positioning is safe and feasible in non-intubated patients with AHRF caused by COVID-19, and can significantly reduce the intubation rate. More studies are needed to explore standardized implementation strategies for the awake prone positioning. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42023394113.

Extended application of defective metal oxide BiO2-x: Liquid phase low-temperature thermal catalysis for the removal of phenolic pollutants.

Bismuth oxide (BiO2-x) with oxygen vacancies was created using a hydrothermal process and was found to exhibit good catalytic oxidation performance under low-temperature heating without the addition of external oxidants. The catalytic activity of BiO2-x was tested using 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) as the target aqueous pollutant. We observed that 10 ppm of 4-CP was completely degraded within 40 min at a reaction temperature of 65 °C. The effective elimination of 4-CP was attributed to active oxygen species produced by the release of lattice oxygen. Furthermore, the low-temperature thermal catalytic activity of BiO2-x was affected by the electron transfer characteristics of pollutants, leading to the rapid degradation of electron-rich pollutants. This study reveals the unique application of BiO2-x as a catalyst for removing phenolic pollutants under low-temperature thermal catalysis, thereby expanding its catalytic application scenarios and offering a new approach for the degradation of phenolic pollutants.

The impact of marital status on stage at diagnosis and survival of female patients with breast and gynecologic cancers: A meta-analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of marital status on the stage at diagnosis and survival of female patients with breast and gynecologic cancers. A systematic literature search was conducted on electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE) till December 31, 2020. Publications investigating the association of marital status with stage at diagnosis and/or cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and/or overall survival (OS) in female patients with breast or gynecologic cancers were retrieved. After studies were selected according to inclusion criteria, data extraction, quality assessment and data analysis were performed. 55 articles were eligible for inclusion, consisting of 1,195,773 female cancer patients with breast, vulvar, cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers. Unmarried female cancer patients had higher odds of being diagnosed at later stage [odds ratio (OR) = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.36)] and worse survival outcomes in CSM [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.16-1.28] and OS (HR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.14-1.25). This estimate did not vary by level of social support, number of adjustment factors, or between America and Europe. Being married is associated with timely diagnosis and favorable prognosis in most women's cancers. Unmarried female cancer patients have a higher risk of late-stage diagnosis and worse survival outcomes than the married. Greater concern shall be demonstrated towards unmarried female cancer patients. Furthermore, the impact of lacking economic and emotional support on survival outcomes in unmarried female cancer patients deserves particular attention.

Risk factors for mortality of critically ill patients with COVID-19 receiving invasive ventilation.

Rationale: Early invasive ventilation may improve outcomes for critically ill patients with COVID-19. The objective of this study is to explore risk factors for 28-day mortality of COVID-19 patients receiving invasive ventilation. Methods: 74 consecutive adult invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients were included in this retrospective study. The demographic and clinical data were compared between survivors and non-survivors, and Cox regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for 28-day mortality. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality after initiation of invasive ventilation. Secondary outcome was the time from admission to intubation. Results: Of 74 patients with COVID-19, the median age was 68.0 years, 53 (71.6%) were male, 47 (63.5%) had comorbidities with hypertension, and diabetes commonly presented. The most frequent symptoms were fever and dyspnea. The median time from hospital admission to intubation was similar in survivors and non-survivors (6.5 days vs. 5.0 days). The 28-day mortality was 81.1%. High Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-1.92; p < 0.001) and longer time from hospital admission to intubation (HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.15-5.07; p = 0.020) were associated with 28-day mortality in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: The mortality of invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients was particularly striking. Patients with high SOFA score and receiving delayed invasive ventilation were at high risk of mortality.

Human-specific subcellular compartmentalization of P-element induced wimpy testis-like (PIWIL) granules during germ cell development and spermatogenesis.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the dynamics of expression of P-element induced wimpy testis-like (PIWIL) proteins in the germline during human fetal development and spermatogenesis? SUMMARY ANSWER: PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3 and PIWIL4 were expressed in a sex-specific fashion in human germ cells (GC) during development and adulthood. PIWILs showed a mutually exclusive pattern of subcellular localization. PIWILs were present in the intermitochondrial cement and a single large granule in meiotic GC and their expression was different from that observed in mice, highlighting species-differences. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: In mice, PIWIL proteins play prominent roles in male infertility. PIWIL mouse mutants show either post-meiotic arrest at the round spermatid stage (PIWIL1) or arrest at the zygotene-pachytene stage of meiosis I (PIWIL2 and PIWIL4) in males, while females remain fertile. Recent studies have reported a robust piRNA pool in human fetal ovary. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This is a qualitative analysis of PIWILs expression in paraffin-embedded fetal human male (N = 8), female gonads (N = 6) and adult testes (N = 5), and bioinformatics analysis of online available single-cell transcriptomics data of human fetal germ cells (n = 242). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Human fetal gonads from elective abortion without medical indication and adult testes biopsies were donated for research with informed consent. Samples were fixed, paraffin-embedded and analyzed by immunofluorescence to study the temporal and cellular localization of PIWIL1, PIWIL2, PIWIL3 and PIWIL4. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: PIWIL1, PIWIL2 and PIWIL4 showed a mutually exclusive pattern of subcellular localization, particularly in female oocytes. To our surprise, PIWIL1 immunostaining revealed the presence of a single dense paranuclear body, resembling the chromatoid body of haploid spermatocytes, in meiotic oocytes. Moreover, in contrast to mice, PIWIL4, but not PIWIL2, localized to the intermitochondrial cement. PIWIL3 was not expressed in GC during development. The upregulation of PIWIL transcripts correlated with the transcription of markers associated with piRNAs biogenesis like the TDRDs and HENMT1 in fetal GC. LARGE SCALE DATA: Non-applicable. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study is limited by the restricted number of samples and consequently stages analyzed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: In the germline, PIWILs ensure the integrity of the human genome protecting it from 'parasitic sequences'. This study offers novel insights on the expression dynamics of PIWILs during the window of epigenetic remodeling and meiosis, and highlights important differences between humans and mice, which may prove particularly important to understand causes of infertility and improve both diagnosis and treatment in humans. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): M.G.F. was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) [SFRH/BD/78689/2011]; N.H. by China Scholarship Council (CSC) [No. 201307040026] and F.W. by Medical Personnel Training Abroad Project of Henan Province [No. 2015022] and S.M.C.d.S.L. by the Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research (NWO) [ASPASIA 015.007.037] and the Interuniversity Attraction Poles-Phase VII [IUAP/PAI P7/14]. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Isotopic Composition of Atmospheric Mercury in China: New Evidence for Sources and Transformation Processes in Air and in Vegetation.

The isotopic composition of atmospheric total gaseous mercury (TGM) and particle-bound mercury (PBM) and mercury (Hg) in litterfall samples have been determined at urban/industrialized and rural sites distributed over mainland China for identifying Hg sources and transformation processes. TGM and PBM near anthropogenic emission sources display negative δ(202)Hg and near-zero Δ(199)Hg in contrast to relatively positive δ(202)Hg and negative Δ(199)Hg observed in remote regions, suggesting that different sources and atmospheric processes force the mass-dependent fractionation (MDF) and mass-independent fractionation (MIF) in the air samples. Both MDF and MIF occur during the uptake of atmospheric Hg by plants, resulting in negative δ(202)Hg and Δ(199)Hg observed in litter-bound Hg. The linear regression resulting from the scatter plot relating the δ(202)Hg to Δ(199)Hg data in the TGM samples indicates distinct anthropogenic or natural influences at the three study sites. A similar trend was also observed for Hg accumulated in broadleaved deciduous forest foliage grown in areas influenced by anthropogenic emissions. The relatively negative MIF in litter-bound Hg compared to TGM is likely a result of the photochemical reactions of Hg(2+) in foliage. This study demonstrates the diagnostic stable Hg isotopic composition characteristics for separating atmospheric Hg of different source origins in China and provides the isotopic fractionation clues for the study of Hg bioaccumulation.

Meiotic wave adds extra asymmetry to the development of female chicken gonads.

Development of female gonads in the chicken is asymmetric. This asymmetry affects gene expression, morphology, and germ cell development; consequently only the left ovary develops into a functional organ, whereas the right ovary remains vestigial. In males, on the other hand, both gonads develop into functional testes. Here, we revisited the development of asymmetric traits in female (and male) chicken gonads between Hamburger Hamilton stage 16 (HH16) and hatching. At HH16, primordial germ cells migrated preferentially to the left gonad, accumulating in the left coelomic hinge between the gut mesentery and developing gonad in both males and females. Using the meiotic markers SYCP3 and phosphorylated H2AFX, we identified a previously undescribed, pronounced asymmetryc meiotic progression in the germ cells located in the central, lateral, and extreme cortical regions of the left female gonad from HH38 until hatching. Moreover, we observed that--in contrast to the current view--medullary germ cells are not apoptotic, but remain arrested in pre-leptotene until hatching. In addition to the systematic analysis of the asymmetric distribution of germ cells in female chicken gonads, we propose an updated model suggesting that the localization of germ cells--in the left or right gonad; in the cortex or medulla of the left gonad; and in the central part or the extremities of the left cortex--has direct consequences for their development and participation in adult reproduction.

Retraction Notice to: Circular RNA Cdr1as Upregulates SCAI to Suppress Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer via miR-1270 Suppression.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.07.012.].

The causal effects of age at menarche and age at menopause on sepsis: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the age at menarche (AAM) and the age at menopause (ANM) are causally related to the development of sepsis. METHODS: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis by utilizing summary statistics from genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets for both the exposure and outcome variables. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that exhibited significant associations with AAM and ANM were chosen as instrumental variables to estimate the causal effects on sepsis. Our study employed a variety of methods, including MR-Egger regression, weighted median estimation, inverse variance weighting, a simple model, and a weighted model. Odds ratios (ORs) along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the primary indicators for assessing causality. Furthermore, we conducted sensitivity analyses to explore the presence of genetic heterogeneity and validate the robustness of the tools employed. RESULT: Our analysis revealed a significant negative causal relationship between AAM and the risk of sepsis (IVW: OR = 0.870, 95% CI = 0.793-0.955, P = 0.003). However, our Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis did not yield sufficient evidence to support a causal link between ANM and sepsis (IVW: OR = 0.987, 95% CI = 0.971-1.004, P = 0.129). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that an earlier AAM may be associated with an increased risk of sepsis. However, we did not find sufficient evidence to support a causal relationship between ANM and sepsis.

Interface regulation of Zr-MOF/Ni2P@nickel foam as high-efficient electrocatalyst for pH-universal hydrogen evolution reaction.

Currently, the development of economical and effective non-noble metal electrocatalysts is vital for advancing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and enabling its widespread applications. The customizable pore structure and enormous surface area of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have made them to become promising non-noble metal electrocatalysts for HER. However, MOFs have some challenges, including low conductivity and instability, which can result in them having high overpotentials and slow reaction kinetics in electrocatalytic processes. In this work, we present an innovative approach for synthesizing cost-effective and high-efficient Zr-MOF-derived pH-universal electrocatalysts for HER. It entails creating the interfaces of the electrocatalysts with suitable proportions of phosphide nanostructures. Zr-MOF/Ni2P@nickel foam (NF) electrodes with interface regulated by Ni2P nanostructures were successfully developed for high-efficient pH-universal HER electrocatalysts. The presence of Ni2P nanostructures with abundant active sites at the Zr-MOFs@NF interfaces boosted the electronic conductivity and local charge density of the hybrid electrocatalysts. This helped to improve their reaction kinetics and electrocatalytic activity. By optimizing the Ni2P amount, Zr-MOF/Ni2P@NF demonstrated impressive stability and superior HER activities, with a low overpotential of 149 mV (acidic electrolytes) and 143 mV (alkaline electrolytes) at 10 mA cm-2. The proven strategy in this work can be expanded to many types of MOF-based materials for wider practical applications.

Carbon emission effects of publicly planned logistics nodes: experience from Chengdu, China.

Both academics and policymakers regard publicly planned logistics nodes (PPLN) as a potential measure to promote logistics agglomeration and mitigate environmental damage caused by logistics activities. However, such measure may lead to non-linear carbon emission effect from the perspective of agglomeration economy, and empirical evidences are yet to be found to verify this inference. This paper uses DID method and mediating effect models to explore the effects and mechanisms of PPLN on CO2 emissions with panel data from 2000 to 2017 in Chengdu, China. Our findings show that PPLN promotes the agglomeration of both small and large-scale logistics enterprises and increases carbon emissions. In addition, the agglomeration of large-scale logistics enterprises can reduce carbon emissions; the opposite is true for smaller ones. Despite the continuous diminishing of the carbon emission increase, the emission-reduction effect has not been achieved through PPLN operations. Based on the results, the study recommends that the government should appropriately determine the location and scale of PPLN, advocate green construction and industrial upgrading, and adopt differentiated regulatory and incentive measures for enterprises. Logistics enterprises can increase their investment in green technologies and strengthen cooperation with their customers.

Zr-MOF/NiS2 hybrids on nickel foam as advanced electrocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution.

As a typical transition-metal sulfides (TMS), nickel disulfide (NiS2) has attracted great attention in terms of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Howbeit, owing to the poor conductivity, slow reaction kinetics and instability of NiS2, its HER activity is still necessary to be improved. In this work, we designed hybrid structures consisting of the nickel foam (NF) as a self-supporting electrode, NiS2 derived from the sulfuration of NF and Zr-MOF grown on the surface of NiS2@NF (Zr-MOF/NiS2@NF). Due to the synergistic effect between the different constituents, the obtained Zr-MOF/NiS2@NF demonstrates ideal electrochemical hydrogen evolution ability in acidic and alkalescent environment, reaching a standard current density of 10 mA cm-2 at overpotentials of 110 and 72 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1 M KOH electrolytes, respectively. What is more, it also maintains excellent electrocatalytic durability for 10 h in both electrolytes. This work could provide a useful guidance on effectively combining metal sulfide with MOF for high-performance HER electrocatalysts.

Decolorization of Textile Azo Dye via Solid-State Fermented Wheat Bran by Lasiodiplodia sp. YZH1.

Textile dyes are one of the major water pollutants released into water in various ways, posing serious hazards for both aquatic organisms and human beings. Bioremediation is a significantly promising technique for dye decolorization. In the present study, the fungal strain Lasiodiplodia sp. was isolated from the fruiting bodies of Schizophyllum for the first time. The isolated fungal strain was examined for laccase enzyme production under solid-state fermentation conditions with wheat bran (WB) using ABTS and 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol (DMP) as substrates, then the fermented wheat bran (FWB) was evaluated as a biosorbent for Congo red dye adsorption from aqueous solutions in comparison with unfermented wheat bran. A Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the dye removal by FWB and to analyze the interaction effects between three factors: fermentation duration, pH, and dye concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were applied to study the changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of wheat bran before and after fermentation. An additional experiment was conducted to investigate the ability of the Lasiodiplodia sp. YZH1 to remove Congo red in the dye-containing liquid culture. The results showed that laccase was produced throughout the cultivation, reaching peak activities of ∼6.2 and 22.3 U/mL for ABTS and DMP, respectively, on the fourth day of cultivation. FWB removed 89.8% of the dye (100 mg L-1) from the aqueous solution after 12 h of contact, whereas WB removed only 77.5%. Based on the Box-Behnken design results, FWB achieved 93.08% dye removal percentage under the conditions of 6 days of fermentation, pH 8.5, and 150 mg L-1 of the dye concentration after 24 h. The fungal strain removed 95.3% of 150 mg L-1 of the dye concentration after 8 days of inoculation in the dye-containing liquid culture. These findings indicate that this strain is a worthy candidate for dye removal from environmental effluents.

Stable dyes containing double acceptors without COOH as anchors for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells.

The electron acceptor 2-(1,1-dicyanomethylene) rhodanine is a promising alternative to cyanoacrylic acid as an anchoring group for organic dyes. For example, the RD-II-based dye-sensitized solar cell has an overall conversion efficiency of 7.11 % and long-term stability.

A system dynamics model to simulate the water-energy-food nexus of resource-based regions: A case study in Daqing City, China.

Resource-based regions (RBRs) have made significant contributions to the social and economic development of nations. The long-term and high-intensity development of resources puts tremendous pressure on water, energy and food resources and the ecological environment. Exploring the water-energy-food nexus (WEF nexus, WEFN) of RBRs is key to making informed decisions about regional sustainable development. In this study, a feedback model for the WEFN of RBRs was developed using a system dynamics approach. The WEFN model not only describes the WEFN system from both the supply and demand sides, but also classifies WEF resources. Using Daqing, China, as a case study, five future scenarios were designed to explore the impacts of real policies designed by different government departments on the WEFN system. Comparing the predicted results of a scheme for business as usual, a scheme for developing bioenergy, a scheme for adjustment of the production structure, a scheme for strengthening the development of water and food resources and a scheme for saving WEF resources revealed that the schemes for adjustment of the production structure and for saving WEF resources will not only improve the security of WEF resources, but also reduce pollution of the water environment by human activities, which is conducive to improving the overall benefits of the WEFN system. Finally, some practical suggestions are put forward to promote the coordinated development of the WEFN system. The WEFN model is a multi-centric tool for integrated resources management, and can be expanded to other RBRs and provides scientific support for decision-makers.

Identification of Immune-Related Key Genes as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers of Sepsis in Children.

Objective: The pathogenesis of sepsis is still unclear due to its complexity, especially in children. This study aimed to analyse the immune microenvironment and regulatory networks related to sepsis in children at the molecular level and to identify key immune-related genes to provide a new basis for the early diagnosis of sepsis. Methods: The GSE145227 and GSE26440 datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The analyses included differentially expressed genes (DEGs), functional enrichment, immune cell infiltration, the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) interaction network, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, key gene screening, correlation of sepsis molecular subtypes/immune infiltration with key gene expression, the diagnostic capabilities of key genes, and networks describing the interaction of key genes with transcription factors and small-molecule compounds. Finally, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to verify the expression of key genes. Results: A total of 236 immune-related DEGs, most of which were enriched in immune-related biological functions, were found. Further analysis of immune cell infiltration showed that M0 macrophages and neutrophils infiltrated more in the sepsis group, while fewer activated memory CD4+ T cells, resting memory CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells did. The interaction network of ceRNA was successfully constructed. Six key genes (FYN, FBL, ATM, WDR75, FOXO1 and ITK) were identified by WGCNA and PPI analysis. We found strong associations between key genes and constructed septic molecular subtypes or immune cell infiltration. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve values of the key genes for diagnosis were all greater than 0.84. Subsequently, we successfully constructed an interaction network of key genes and transcription factors/small-molecule compounds. Finally, the key genes in the samples were verified by RT-qPCR. Conclusion: Our results offer new insights into the pathogenesis of sepsis in children and provide new potential diagnostic biomarkers for the disease.

Enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution by constructing strong metal-support interaction on Pd-CeO2-x-NC hybrids.

Diminishing the size of metal nanostructures can significantly improve the performance of catalysts. However, the self-aggregation of small particles is still an insurmountable obstacle, resulting in the unfavorable stability and recyclability. Herein, we designed and fabricated the Pd-CeO2-x-NC catalyst though an accurate deposition strategy to downsize the Pd particle to sub-nanometer level and enhance its running stability. The CeO2-x nanoclusters were firstly dispersed on the nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheets. Further, the active Pd sub-nanoclusters were accurately scattered on the surface of CeO2-x ascribing to the strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) between Pd and CeO2-x, which was beneficial to promote the catalytic activity. Subsequently, the high oxidation state Pdn+ species were formed due to the electron transfer from Pd to CeO2-x caused by the SMSI effect. Strikingly, the HER performance of Pd-CeO2-x-NC was surprisingly correlated with the ratio of Pdn+, suggesting Pdn+ acted as the dominant active species. Besides, the SMSI effect stabilized the valence state of active Pdn+ species and prevented the sub-nanometer Pd clusters from aggregation, which played a vital role for the enhanced stability of the hybrid catalyst. This synthetic process described here is contributed to prepare various nanostructured catalysts with satisfactory stability through the direct targeting strategy.

Well-designed oxidized Sb/g-C3N4 2D/2D nanosheets heterojunction with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic disinfection activity.

2D/2D heterojunction photocatalysts with excellent photocatalytic activity highlight considerable potential in water disinfection. Here, an oxidized Sb/g-C3N4 2D/2D nanosheets heterojunction (Sb-SbOx/CNS) was constructed based on a facile one-step liquid-phase exfoliation method using concentrated sulfuric acid. By doing so, bulk Sb and g-C3N4 were exfoliated simultaneously and then, intercalated each other. Compared with CNS and Sb-SbOx, the obtained Sb-SbOx/CNS demonstrated better photocatalytic disinfection activity towards Escherichia coli K-12 (E. coli K-12) under visible light irradiation. The 5% oxidized Sb/g-C3N4 2D/2D nanosheets heterojunction (5.0% Sb-SbOx/CNS) exhibited the best photocatalytic performance and admirable cycling stability, which was ascribed to the unique structure where the interfacial charge separation was strengthened by the strong coupling effect between Sb-SbOx and CNS. Meanwhile, the fundamental mechanism of photocatalytic disinfection was also proposed. The photogenerated ROS (reactive oxygen species) violently attacked the E. coli K-12 membrane, creating massive and irreparable holes on the cell membrane. The leakage of cations (K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+), adenosine triphosphate, total soluble sugar and protein accelerated the destruction of E. coli K-12. Trapping experiments suggested that the photocatalytic disinfection process against E. coli K-12 was dominated by h+ generated on 5.0% Sb-SbOx/CNS. This work offers a new promising way to modify the 2D/2D heterojunction featuring efficient photocatalytic disinfection performance.