Emerging 2D Copper-Based Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion: A Review and Perspective.

2D materials have shown great potential as electrode materials that determine the performance of a range of electrochemical energy technologies. Among these, 2D copper-based materials, such as Cu-O, Cu-S, Cu-Se, Cu-N, and Cu-P, have attracted tremendous research interest, because of the combination of remarkable properties, such as low cost, excellent chemical stability, facile fabrication, and significant electrochemical properties. Herein, the recent advances in the emerging 2D copper-based materials are summarized. A brief summary of the crystal structures and synthetic methods is started, and innovative strategies for improving electrochemical performances of 2D copper-based materials are described in detail through defect engineering, heterostructure construction, and surface functionalization. Furthermore, their state-of-the-art applications in electrochemical energy storage including supercapacitors (SCs), alkali (Li, Na, and K)-ion batteries, multivalent metal (Mg and Al)-ion batteries, and hybrid Mg/Li-ion batteries are described. In addition, the electrocatalysis applications of 2D copper-based materials in metal-air batteries, water-splitting, and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2 RR) are also discussed. This review also discusses the charge storage mechanisms of 2D copper-based materials by various advanced characterization techniques. The review with a perspective of the current challenges and research outlook of such 2D copper-based materials for high-performance energy storage and conversion applications is concluded.

Low-Dose Sodium Salicylate Promotes Ovulation by Regulating Steroids via CYP17A1.

To meet the current demand of assisted reproduction and animal breeding via superovulation and reduce the impact of hormone drugs, it is necessary to develop new superovulation drugs. This study examined the role of inflammation and steroids in ovulation. Sodium salicylate can regulate inflammation and steroids. However, the effect of sodium salicylate on ovulation has not been studied. In this study, mice were intraperitoneally injected with different concentrations of sodium salicylate for four consecutive days. The effects of sodium salicylate on oocyte quality and on the number of ovulations were examined, and these effects were compared with those of pregnant horse serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatment. We found that low-dose sodium salicylate increased the levels of ovulation hormones and inflammation by promoting the expression of CYP17A1. Sodium salicylate had the same effect as the commonly used superovulation drug PMSG/FSH and reduced the histone methylation level. Sodium salicylate can promote ovulation in mice and Awang sheep. It can greatly decrease the use of hormone drugs, reduce breeding costs and physical impacts, and can thus be used for livestock breeding.

Monoamine oxidase A drives neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer.

Neuroendocrine transdifferentiation (NED) of prostate cancer (PCa) is the main cause of failure of androgen receptor inhibitor treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of NEPC, especially treatment-induced NEPC, remain unclear. Emerging evidence indicates that elevated monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) contribute to the proliferation, cell stemness, and bone metastasis in PCa. Here, we generated an enzalutamide-induced NED cell model to assess the role of MAOA during NED. Overall, MAOA expression was significantly increased upon Enz long-term exposure and was required for neuroendocrine marker expression. In particular, Enz was found to induce NED via the MAOA/mTOR/HIF-1α signaling axis. Further analyses revealed that the MAOA inhibitor clorgyline(CLG) may bring multiple benefits to CRPC patients, including better therapeutic effect and delays NED. These findings suggest that MAOA may be an important target for the development of anti-NED therapies, thereby providing a novel strategy for the combined application of CLG and AR inhibitors in the clinic.

Metal-organic frameworks and their derivatives for metal-ion (Li, Na, K and Zn) hybrid capacitors.

Metal-ion hybrid capacitors (MIHCs) hold particular promise for next-generation energy storage technologies, which bridge the gap between the high energy density of conventional batteries and the high power density and long lifespan of supercapacitors (SCs). However, the achieved electrochemical performance of available MIHCs is still far from practical requirements. This is primarily attributed to the mismatch in capacity and reaction kinetics between the cathode and anode. In this regard, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their derivatives offer great opportunities for high-performance MIHCs due to their high specific surface area, high porosity, topological diversity, and designable functional sites. In this review, instead of simply enumerating, we critically summarize the recent progress of MOFs and their derivatives in MIHCs (Li, Na, K, and Zn), while emphasizing the relationship between the structure/composition and electrochemical performance. In addition, existing issues and some representative design strategies are highlighted to inspire breaking through existing limitations. Finally, a brief conclusion and outlook are presented, along with current challenges and future opportunities for MOFs and their derivatives in MIHCs.