Multivalent Weak Protections Ultimately Enable Customizable DNA Grafting on Pristine Ag Colloids for Nanoplasmonics.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have superior plasmonic properties surpassing other metals. However, a long-standing difficulty in valence/density-tunable DNA grafting of AgNPs disfavors their use in DNA-directed nanoplasmonics. Herein a close-to-ideal surface protection of pristine AgNPs against various notorious stability issues of Ag is achieved based on multidentate weak nucleobase bindings of non-programming FSDNA (fish sperm DNA). This further allows grafting of thiolated DNA with tunable valence/density on AgNPs. The end-on format of the thiolated DNA grafts and the very thin FSDNA layer benefit DNA hybridization and plasmon coupling, respectively. Significantly promoted optical coupling and Raman enhancing are achieved. The compatibility of FSDNA-capped AgNPs with Au enables DNA-bonded symmetry-broken Au-Ag heterodimers with strong near-field coupling and an easily seen Fano-induced feature. Our work provides a treasured freedom of using AgNPs in DNA-programmed, better-behaving plasmonic devices.

In vivo identification of bioactive components of Poria cocos for adjusting mitochondria against metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

Currently, no specific treatment exists to alleviate metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver (MAFLD). Previously, Poria cocos (PC) effectively relieved MAFLD, but its bioactive components are still unknown. The bioactive substances in PC that regulate mitochondria function to alleviate MAFLD were thus determined. The L02 hepatocyte model induced by fat emulsion and the MAFLD rat model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) were developed to explore the efficacy of PC against MAFLD. The activity of PC-derived components in the liver mitochondria of HFD-fed rats was evaluated using the L02 hepatocyte model. Additionally, the PC-derived components from the liver mitochondria were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Finally, the anti-steatosis ability of PC-derived monomers and monomers groups was evaluated using the adipocyte model. PC maintained the mitochondrial ultrastructure, alleviated mitochondrial oxidative stress, and regulated the energy metabolism and the fatty acid ß oxidation to relieve lipid emulsion-induced cellular steatosis and HFD-induced MAFLD. PC-derived components entering the liver mitochondria inhibited oxidative stress injury and improved the energy metabolism to fight cellular steatosis. Additionally, 15 chemicals were identified in the PC-treated rat liver mitochondria. These identified chemical molecules and molecule groups in the mitochondria prevented cellular steatosis by regulating mitochondrial oxidative stress and energy metabolism. PC restores mitochondrial structure and function, alleviating MAFLD, which is related to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and fatty acid ß oxidation. The identified 15 components may be the main effective PC components regulating mitochondria function to alleviate MAFLD. Thus, PC may be a promising mitochondrial regulator to prevent MAFLD.

Molten salt modulation of porous MoP@PC nanosheets as an ultra-stable anode for lithium-ion batteries.

MoP, which possesses good conductivity and electrochemical activity, presents outstanding electrochemical performance when serving as an anode material for LIBs, yet it still suffers from rapid capacity attenuation because of its large volume change and inferior diffusion kinetics. Here, we employed a facile and scalable molten salt method to fabricate in situ sheet-like porous P-doped carbon-supported MoP nanoparticles (MoP@PC). The porous structure exhibits a high specific active surface area, which exposes more active sites and facilitates effective contact between the electrolyte and molybdenum phosphide, thereby limiting irreversible volume changes after electrochemical reactions and prolonging the battery cycle life. Compared with previous methods, this synthetic route avoids the use of toxic phosphorus sources and acids, which is green and environmentally friendly, and the reaction conditions can be adjusted, which is easy to be promoted. Thus, the MoP@PC cathode could achieve a capacity of 306 mA h g-1 at a high current density of 10 A g-1 and could run for 3500 cycles with a reduced decay rate. This work demonstrates a successful method for designing anode materials for LIBs.

Changes of coagulation function and platelet parameters in preeclampsia and their correlation with pregnancy outcomes.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe pregnancy complication characterized by significant alterations in coagulation function. This study aims to analyze the correlation between coagulation function, platelet parameters, and pregnancy outcomes in PE patients. Clinical data, along with blood and urine samples, were collected from 168 PE patients and 128 healthy pregnant women. General demographic and laboratory testing data were recorded, and maternal and fetal outcomes were followed up. Data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression analyses. In mild PE patients, thrombin time (p = .000), platelet distribution width (PDW) (p = .000), and clot formation time (p = .000) were increased, while prothrombin time (p = .000) and fibrinogen (p = .045) were reduced. With increasing PE severity, prothrombin time (p = .000), platelet count (PLT) (p = .000), mean platelet volume (MPV) (p = .000), plateletcrit (p = .000), maximum amplitude (MA) (p = .000), and coagulation index (p = .001) decreased, whereas activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (p = .000), thrombin time (p = .002), D-dimer (p = .026), and PDW (p = .000) increased. Lower prothrombin time (p = .048), PLT (p = .004), and coagulation index (p = .026) or higher APTT (p = .032), thrombin time (p = .044), D-dimer (p = .023), and PDW (p = .016) were associated with a higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. Thrombin time was identified as an independent risk factor (p = .025, OR = 2.918, 95% CI: 1.145-7.436), whereas gestational age was an independent protective factor (p = .000, OR = 0.244, 95% CI: 0.151-0.395). This study demonstrates that specific coagulation and platelet parameters are significantly associated with PE severity and adverse pregnancy outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring coagulation function in PE patients to improve clinical management and outcomes.

Recognition on pharmacodynamic ingredients of natural products.

Natural products (NPs) play an irreplaceable role in the intervention of various diseases and have been considered a critical source of drug development. Many new pharmacodynamic compounds with potential clinical applications have recently been derived from NPs. These compounds range from small molecules to polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, self-assembled nanoparticles, and extracellular vesicles. This review summarizes various active substances found in NPs. The investigation of active substances in NPs can potentiate new drug development and promote the in-depth comprehension of the mechanism of action of NPs that can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Overexpression of phosphatidylserine synthase IbPSS1 enhances salt tolerance by stimulating ethylene signaling-dependent lignin synthesis in sweetpotato roots.

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an important lipid signaling required for plant growth regulation and salt stress adaptation. However, how PS positively regulate plant salt tolerance is still largely unknown. In this study, IbPSS1-overexpressed sweetpotato plants that exhibited overproduction of PS was employed to explore the mechanisms underlying the PS stimulation of plant salt tolerance. The results revealed that the IbPSS1-overexpressed sweetpotato accumulated less Na+ in the stem and leaf tissues compared with the wild type plants. Proteomic profile of roots showed that lignin synthesis-related proteins over-accumulated in IbPSS1-overexpressed sweetpotato. Correspondingly, the lignin content was enhanced but the influx of Na + into the stele was significantly blocked in IbPSS1-overexpressed sweetpotato. The results further revealed that ethylene synthesis and signaling related genes were upregulated in IbPSS1-overexpressed sweetpotato. Ethylene imaging experiment revealed the enhancement of ethylene mainly localized in the root stele. Inhibition of ethylene synthesis completely reversed the PS-overproduction induced lignin synthesis and Na+ influx pattern in stele tissues. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a mechanism by which PS regulates ethylene signaling and lignin synthesis in the root stele, thus helping sweetpotato plants to block the loading of Na+ into the xylem and to minimize the accumulation of Na+ in the shoots.

Causal associations of birth body size and adult body size with systemic lupus erythematosus: a bidirectional mendelian randomization study.

Objective: Body size is associated with the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the evidence for this association is inconclusive. In this study, we aimed to investigate the causal relationship between body size and SLE. Method: We performed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis that utilized summary statistics sourced from genome-wide association study (GWAS) data obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project website. The inverse variance weighting (IVW) method was used to evaluate the causality, and four additional MR methods were used to supplement the IVW results. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger regression, leave-one-out analysis, and the Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) global test. Results: In the forward direction analysis, the IVW model demonstrated that birth weight (odds ratio (OR), 1.811; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.174-2.793; p < 0.05) and adult height (OR, 1.225; 95% CI, 1.046-1.434; p < 0.05) were positively associated with SLE. Four additional MR scans were performed parallel to the IVW results. Conversely, SLE was a weak causal factor for increased height (OR, 1.010; 95% CI, 1.002-1.018; p < 0.05) using the IVW method. Heterogeneity, MR-Egger intercept, and leave-one-out analyses indicated that the results were robust. The MR-PRESSO suggested the presence of pleiotropy. Following the exclusion of instrumental variables (IVs) inducing pleiotropy, subsequent MR analysis yielded consistent results, thereby reinforcing the robustness of our findings. Conclusion: Positive causal associations were observed between birth weight, adult height, and SLE incidence. In the reverse analysis, SLE was a weak causal factor for adult height.

A Comprehensive Review on Reductive Recycling of Cathode Materials of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The prosperity of the lithium-ion battery market is inevitably accompanied by the depletion of corresponding resources and the accumulation of spent batteries in a dialectical manner. Spent lithium-ion batteries are harboring the characteristics of hazardous waste and high-value resources, so efficient recycling is of great significance. The cathode material is considered as an interesting target for repurposing. Despite some important reviews give commendable emphasis to recycling technologies, there is still a dearth of exploration of recycling mechanisms. This deficiency of awareness highlights the need for further research and development in this area. This review aims to systematically review and thoroughly discuss the reduction reaction mechanism of each method regarding different cathode materials. And systematically digest the selection of reducing agent and the effect of reduction reaction on material regeneration are systematically digested, as well as the impact of the reduction reaction on the regeneration of materials. This review emphasizes the importance of balancing efficiency, economic and environmental benefits in reuse technologies. Finally, the review proposes an outlook on the opportunities and challenges facing the reuse of key materials for next-generation spent batteries aimed at promoting the green and sustainable development of lithium-ion batteries, circular economy and ecological balance.

Distress tolerance as a mediator of mindfulness-based intervention for anxiety and depression: Evidence from two randomized controlled trials.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether distress tolerance mediated the effects of mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on anxiety and depression with two randomized controlled studies. Method: In Study 1, 374 participants with at least moderate emotional distress were randomized to an intervention group (N = 174) and a waitlist control group (N = 173). Mindfulness, distress tolerance, anxiety, and depression were measured at the pre-test, week 3, week 5, and post-test. In Study 2, 170 participants with emotional disorders were randomized to an intervention group (N = 86) and a control group (N = 84). The same variables were assessed at pre-test, weekly during the intervention, and post-test. Results: In both studies, linear mixed effect models showed that compared to the control group, mindfulness, distress tolerance, anxiety, and depression significantly improved in the intervention group. Parallel process latent growth curve models showed that changes in distress tolerance mediated the effects of the MBI on changes in anxiety and depression. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models found that distress tolerance temporally preceded depression, but not anxiety. Conclusions: Distress tolerance is a potential mechanism underlying MBIs. Interventions targeting distress tolerance could be embedded in MBIs to enhance the intervention effects for emotional distress.

Niobium Boride/Graphene Directing High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Derived from Favorable Surface Passivation.

Efficient catalysts are needed to accelerate the conversion and suppress the shuttling of polysulfides (LiPSs) to promote the further development of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Intermetallic niobium boride (NbB2) has indefinite potential due to superior catalytic activity. Nonetheless, the lack of a rational understanding of catalysis creates a challenge for the design of catalysts. Herein, a NbB2/reduced graphene oxide-modified PP separator (NbB2/rGO/PP) is rationally designed. Essential, an in-depth insight into the catalysis mechanism of NbB2 toward LiPSs is established based on experiments and multiperspective measurement characterization, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), and density functional theory (DFT). It has been uncovered that the actual catalyst that interacts with LiPSs in NbB2 is the passivated surface with an oxide layer (O2-NbB2), which occurs through B-O-Li and Nb-O-Li bonds, rather than the clean NbB2 surface. And the decomposition barrier of Li2S is greatly reduced by a substantial margin, dropping from 3.390 to 0.93 and 0.85 eV on the Nb-O and B-O surfaces, respectively, with fast Li+ diffusivity. Consequently, the cell with NbB2/rGO/PP as a functional separator achieves a high discharge capacity of 873 mAh g-1 at 1C after 100 cycles. Moreover, the benefits of NbB2/rGO/PP can be effectively maintained even at a high sulfur loading of 7.06 mg cm-2 without significant reduction and with a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 8 µL mg-1s. This study enhances our understanding of the catalytic mechanism of Li-S systems and presents a promising approach for developing electrocatalysts that are resilient to poisoning.

Prolonged infusion time of cyclophosphamide plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a mobilization regimen may improve mobilization efficiency in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: a single center experience.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness and safety of two different infusion durations of cyclophosphamide (CTX) plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). METHODS: One hundred and fifty-six consecutive NDMM patients receiving CTX plus G-CSF mobilization and autologous stem cell transplantation during the period of September 2008 to May 2020 were selected for retrospective analysis. According to differences in prolonged infusion time of CTX, they were divided into a 24-h group (24-h continuous infusion) and a control group (4-6 h of infusion). Mobilization and safety of infusion were analyzed. Flow cytometry was used to detect the peripheral blood CD34+ cell count. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the factors influencing the number of CD34+ cells. RESULTS: The mean CD34+ cell counts collected in 24-h and control groups were 6.78 (interquartile range [IQR] 3.59-11.69) and 4.48 (IQR 2.39-6.30) ×106/kg, respectively (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, the target number of CD34+ cells/kg (defined as ≥4 × 106/kg) was collected from 51 (75%) of cases in 24-h group vs. 45 (51%) in the control group (p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified the independence of CTX infusion time as a factor influencing the target number of CD34+ cells/kg [odds ratio OR, 4.045; 95% CI: 1.630-10.038, p = 0.003]. The post-transplantation time to neutrophil engraftment was 10 (IQR 9-11) in 24-h group and 11 (IQR 10-12) in control group (p < 0.001). Finally, no statistical differences were identified between groups in terms of hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with NDMM, 24-h continuous infusion of CTX plus G-CSF contributes to improved mobilization efficiency and equivalent toxicity as a stem cell mobilization regimen.

TiO2-coated MoP/phosphorus doped carbon nanorods for ultralong-life sodium ion batteries with high capacity.

How to green synthesize and construct MoP anode electrode materials with advanced structures for sodium-ion batteries still faces great challenges. Herein, a TiO2-coated MoP/phosphorus doped carbon (MoP@TiO2/P-C) nanorod with a new structure is constructed using TiO2-coated Mo-MOF as the precursor through an in situ topological conversion technique. In the synthesis process, the traditional highly toxic PH3 phosphorus is avoided. TEM results reveal that TiO2 nanoparticles are distributed at the interface between the MoP core and the P-doped carbon shell, which breaks the density of the carbon layer and facilitates ion transport. The GITT results demonstrate the fact that the diffusion coefficient of sodium ions is remarkably improved by two orders of magnitude due to the presence of TiO2. Notably, TiO2 can effectively cushion volume expansion with an almost negligible rate of 13%, allowing cells to manifest a high discharge capacity of 419 mA h g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 current density and exceptional stability where the specific capacity remains constant for 10 000 cycles at a high density of 10 A g-1 (∼81 seconds for one charging). The results indicate that MoP@TiO2/P-C possesses promising capabilities as an anode substance for SIBs. This also establishes a foundation for future investigations and practical use of this material in the field.

The role of experiential avoidance in the early stages of an online mindfulness-based intervention: Two mediation studies.

Objectives There is evidence to suggest that only 2-4 weeks of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can already alleviate emotional stress. The current studies sought to examine whether experiential avoidance mediated the effects of MBIs on emotional distress during an early stage of the intervention. Methods: Chinese participants with high emotional distress were recruited. Study 1 included 324 participants, randomly assigned to an online MBI (N = 171) or a control group (N = 153). Experiential avoidance and general emotional distress were measured at baseline and after the 3rd week of the intervention. Study 2 included 158 participants, randomly assigned to an online MBI (N = 79) or a control group (N = 79). Experiential avoidance and emotional distress were measured at baseline and weekly in the first three weeks. Results: Compared to the control group, experiential avoidance and emotional distress were significantly improved in the MBI group during the first three weeks of the intervention (Cohen's d = 0.22-0.63). Moreover, changes in experiential avoidance mediated the effects of MBI on emotional distress in the early stage in both contemporary and lagged mediation models. Discussion: Experiential avoidance is an important mediator during the early-stage of MBIs for alleviating emotional distress.

Distress tolerance as a mechanism of mindfulness for depression and anxiety: Cross-sectional and diary evidence.

Background: Both trait and state mindfulness are associated with less depression and anxiety, but the mechanisms remain unknown. Distress tolerance, an important transdiagnostic factor of emotional disorders, may mediate the relationship between mindfulness and depression/anxiety. Method: Study 1 examined the mediation model at the between-person level in a large cross-sectional sample (n = 905). In Study 2, a daily diary study (n = 110) was conducted to examine within-person changes. Participants were invited to complete daily diaries measuring daily mindfulness, distress tolerance, depression and anxiety for 14 consecutive days. Results: In Study 1, results of simple mediation analyses indicated that distress tolerance mediated the relationship between mindfulness and depression/anxiety at the between-person level. In Study 2, results of multilevel mediation analyses indicated that, in both the concurrent model and time-lagged model, daily distress tolerance mediated the effects of daily mindfulness on daily depression/anxiety at both the within- and between-person level. Conclusions: Distress tolerance is a mechanism underlying the relationship between mindfulness and depression/anxiety. Individuals with high or fluctuating depression and anxiety may benefit from short-term or long-term mindfulness training to increase distress tolerance.

Low-protein diet supplemented with inulin lowers protein-bound toxin levels in patients with stage 3b-5 chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled study.

Introduction: Objective: this study aimed to evaluate whether low-salt low-protein diet (LPD) supplemented with 10 g of inulin could lower serum toxin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), thereby providing evidence for adjusting dietary prescriptions of inhospital patients and outpatient nutrition consultants. Methods: we randomized 54 patients with CKD into two groups. Dietary protein intake compliance was evaluated using a 3-day dietary diary and 24-h urine nitrogen levels. The primary outcomes were indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), and secondary outcomes included inflammation marker levels, nutritional status, and renal function. We assessed 89 patients for eligibility, and a total of 45 patients completed the study, including 23 and 22 in the inulin-added and control groups, respectively. Results: PCS values decreased in both groups after intervention: inulin-added group, ∆PCS -1.33 (-4.88, -0.63) µg/mL vs. LPD group, -4.7 (-3.78, 3.69) µg/mL (p = 0.058). PCS values reduced from 7.52 to 4.02 µg/mL (p < 0.001) in the inulin-added group (p < 0.001). Moreover, IS decreased from 3.42 (2.53, 6.01) µg/mL to 2.83 (1.67, 4.74) µg/mL after adding inulin; ∆IS was -0.64 (-1.48, 0.00) µg/mL, and a significant difference was observed compared with the control group (p = 0.004). The inflammation index decreased after intervention. Conclusion: dietary fiber supplementation may reduce serum IS and PCS levels and modulate their inflammatory status in predialysis CKD patients.

Introducción: Objetivo: este ensayo aleatorizado doble ciego comparó el efecto de una dieta baja en proteínas (LPD) con o sin suplementos orales de 10 g de inulina en los niveles de PBUT en pacientes con ERC en prediálisis durante 12 semanas. Métodos: clasificamos aleatoriamente a 54 pacientes con ERC en dos grupos. El cumplimiento de la ingesta dietética de proteínas se evaluó utilizando un diario dietético de 3 días y nitrógeno en orina de 24 horas. Los resultados primarios fueron IS y PCS y los resultados secundarios incluyeron niveles de marcadores de inflamación, estado nutricional y función renal. Evaluamos la elegibilidad de 89 pacientes y 45 completaron la intervención, incluidos 23 y 22 en los grupos de inulina añadida y de control, respectivamente. Resultados: el sodio urinario promedio de 24 horas fue de 86 mmol/día y la ingesta promedio de proteínas fue de ~0,7 g/kg/día. Los valores de PCS exhibieron una tendencia decreciente en ambos grupos después de la intervención: grupo con inulina añadida, ∆PCS -1.33 (-4.88, -0.63) µg/mL vs. grupo LPD, -4.7 (-3.78, 3.69) µg/mL) (p =0,058). Los valores de PCS se redujeron de 7,52 a 4,02 µg/mL (p < 0,001) con inulina (p < 0,001). Además, IS disminuyó de 3,42 (2,53, 6,01) µg/mL a 2,83 (1,67, 4,74) µg/mL después de agregar inulina; El ∆IS fue -0,64 (-1,48; 0,00) µg/mL y se observó una diferencia significativa en comparación con el grupo control (p =0,004). Conclusión: la suplementación con fibra dietética puede reducir las toxinas de unión a proteínas séricas en pacientes con ERC en prediálisis y modular su estado inflamatorio.

Corrigendum: Effects of Poria cocos extract on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease via the FXR/PPARα-SREBPs pathway.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1007274.].

Role of Soil and Foliar-Applied Carbon Dots in Plant Iron Biofortification and Cadmium Mitigation by Triggering Opposite Iron Signaling in Roots.

In China, iron (Fe) availability is low in most soils but cadmium (Cd) generally exceeds regulatory soil pollution limits. Thus, biofortification of Fe along with mitigation of Cd in edible plant parts is important for human nutrition and health. Carbon dots (CDs) are considered as potential nanomaterials for agricultural applications. Here, Salvia miltiorrhiza-derived CDs are an efficient modulator of Fe, manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and Cd accumulation in plants. CDs irrigation (1 mg mL-1 , performed every week starting at the jointing stage for 12 weeks) increased Fe content by 18% but mitigated Cd accumulation by 20% in wheat grains. This finding was associated with the Fe3+ -mobilizing properties of CDs from the soil and root cell wall, as well as endocytosis-dependent internalization in roots. The resulting excess Fe signaling mitigated Cd uptake via inhibiting TaNRAMP5 expression. Foliar spraying of CDs enhanced Fe (44%), Mn (30%), and Zn (19%) content with an unchanged Cd accumulation in wheat grains. This result is attributed to CDs-enhanced light signaling, which triggered shoot-to-root Fe deficiency response. This study not only reveals the molecular mechanism underlying CDs modulation of Fe signaling in plants but also provides useful strategies for concurrent Fe biofortification and Cd mitigation in plant-based foods.

Anti-fatigue effect of traditional Chinese medicines: A review.

A third of the world's population suffers from unexplained fatigue, hugely impacting work learning, efficiency, and health. The fatigue development may be a concomitant state of a disease or the side effect of a drug, or muscle fatigue induced by intense exercise. However, there are no authoritative guides or clinical medication recommendations for various fatigue classifications. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) are used as dietary supplements or healthcare products with specific anti-fatigue effects. Thus, TCM may be a potential treatment for fatigue. In this review, we outline the pathogenesis of fatigue, awareness of fatigue in Chinese and western medicine, pharmacodynamics mechanism, and substances. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive summary of fatigue and forecast the potential effect of novel herbal-based medicines against fatigue.

ACP-GBDT: An improved anticancer peptide identification method with gradient boosting decision tree.

Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases in the world, killing millions of people every year. Drugs composed of anticancer peptides have been used to treat cancer with low side effects in recent years. Therefore, identifying anticancer peptides has become a focus of research. In this study, an improved anticancer peptide predictor named ACP-GBDT, based on gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) and sequence information, is proposed. To encode the peptide sequences included in the anticancer peptide dataset, ACP-GBDT uses a merged-feature composed of AAIndex and SVMProt-188D. A GBDT is adopted to train the prediction model in ACP-GBDT. Independent testing and ten-fold cross-validation show that ACP-GBDT can effectively distinguish anticancer peptides from non-anticancer ones. The comparison results of the benchmark dataset show that ACP-GBDT is simpler and more effective than other existing anticancer peptide prediction methods.

Recycling Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Carbothermal Shock Method.

Pyrometallurgy technique is usually applied as a pretreatment to enhance the leaching efficiencies in the hydrometallurgy process for recovering valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. However, traditional pyrometallurgy processes are energy and time consuming. Here, we report a carbothermal shock (CTS) method for reducing LiNi0.3 Co0.2 Mn0.5 O2 (NCM325) cathode materials with uniform temperature distribution, high heating and cooling rates, high temperatures, and ultrafast reaction times. Li can be selectively leached through water leaching after CTS process with an efficiency of >90 %. Ni, Co, and Mn are recovered by dilute acid leaching with efficiencies >98 %. The CTS reduction strategy is feasible for various spent cathode materials, including NCM111, NCM523, NCM622, NCM811, LiCoO2 , and LiMn2 O4 . The CTS process, with its low energy consumption and potential scale application, provides an efficient and environmentally friendly way for recovering spent lithium-ion batteries.