Ce-doped TiO2 supported RuO2 as efficient catalysts for the oxidation of HCl to Cl2.

Reducing the cost of RuO2/TiO2 catalysts is still one of the urgent challenges in catalytic HCl oxidation. In the present work, a Ce-doped TiO2 supported RuO2 catalyst with a low Ru loading was developed, showing a high activity in the catalytic oxidation of HCl to Cl2. The results on some extensive characterizations of both Ce-doped TiO2 carriers and their supported RuO2 catalysts show that the doping of Ce into TiO2 can effectively change the lattice parameters of TiO2 to improve the dispersion of the active RuO2 species on the carrier, which facilitates the production of surface Ru species to expose more active sites for boosting the catalytic performance even under some harsh reaction conditions. This work provides some scientific basis and technical support for chlorine recycling.

Antimicrobial resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients, healthcare workers, and the environment in a tertiary hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Staphylococcus aureus infection and colonization in patients may be transmitted to healthcare providers and the environment and subsequently cause healthcare-associated infections in other patients. Pathogenic S. aureus strains produce virulence factors, such as Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL), that contribute to the severity of infections and aid in their spread. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is additional concern with respect to S. aureus infection. In this study, the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profiles of S. aureus were characterized from patients' clinical isolates, healthcare workers' (HCWs') nasal colonization screenings, and the environment at a tertiary healthcare hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 365 samples were collected from September 2021 to September 2022: 73 patients' clinical specimens, 202 colonization screenings from HCWs, and 90 hospital environment's swabs. Fifty-one (25.2%) HCW and 10/90 (11.1%) environment S. aureus isolates were identified. Among the 134 isolates, 10 (7.5%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Three (4.1%), five (9.8%), and two (20.0%) of the MRSA isolates were identified from the patients, HCWs, and the environment, respectively. Overall, 118 (88.1%) were ampicillin and penicillin resistant; 70 (52.2%) were trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole resistant; and 28 (20.9%) were erythromycin resistant. S. aureus isolates from patients were more resistant to antibiotics than isolates from HCWs or the hospital environment (p<0.05). A total of 92/134 (68.6%) isolates possessed the lukfF-PV gene, which was identified in 62 (85.0%), 26 (51.0%), and 4 (40.0%) of the patient, HCWs, and the environment, respectively. The proportion of lukfF-PV gene containing S. aureus isolated from patient samples was statistically significant. Four (40.0%) of the MRSA isolates also had the lukfF-PV gene. The identification of highly AMR and virulence factors from patients, HCWs and the environment is concerning. Further studies are needed to identify potential transmission links and improve infection prevention and control.

Determination of three ephedrine psychoactive substances in sewage using solid-phase extraction-ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: In recent years, ephedrine psychoactive substances have attracted much attention due to their prevalence in water bodies and potential threat to aquatic ecosystems. Psychoactive substances have been considered as a new type of environmental pollutant due to their unpredictable potential risks to the behavior and nervous system of non-target organisms. A rapid, sensitive, selective, and robust method for the quantification of three ephedrine psychoactive substances in sewage is needed. METHODS: An ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of three ephedrine psychoactive substances in water. The optimal processing conditions were determined by optimizing the chromatography-mass spectrometry and solid-phase extraction (SPE) conditions (e.g., the SPE column, sample pH, washing, and elution), and the treatment conditions were determined; this was achieved via positive ion scanning in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Poly-Sery MCX was selected as the extraction column, with samples loaded at pH 3. And 4-mL solution of 2% formic acid (FA) aqueous solution was used as the eluent; the target compounds were eluted with 5 mL of 5% NH4OH in acetonitrile (ACN) solution. The best results were obtained when the residue was resolubulization in ACN after nitrogen evaporation. RESULTS: The developed UPLC-MS/MS showed a good linear relationship in the range of 0-50.00 µg/L, with determination coefficients (R2) greater than 0.9990. The detection limit and quantitation limit were 0.05-0.10 and 0.20-0.50 µg/L, respectively. Recovery rates of the target compounds in blank sewage at three different concentrations ranged from 92.37% to 106.31%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.77%-4.83% (n = 7). CONCLUSIONS: This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of surface water and domestic sewage, and the samples were processed stably, indicating that the method is practical for the determination of ephedrine psychoactive drugs in water bodies.

Comparison of clinical efficacy between autologous partially demineralized dentin matrix and deproteinized bovine bone mineral for bone augmentation in orthodontic patients with alveolar bone deficiency: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: It is common to see patients who need orthodontic treatment but with insufficient alveolar bone volume. However, safe and effective tooth movement requires sufficient alveolar bone width and height. The aim of this study is to compare the bone augmentation efficacy of Autologous Partially Demineralized Dentin Matrix (APDDM) and Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral (DBBM) in orthodontic patients with insufficient bone by using a randomized controlled clinical trial approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven orthodontic patients involving 40 posterior teeth alveolar sites (n = 40) with insufficient alveolar bone volume were randomly divided into a control group (n = 20) and an experimental group (n = 20). The patients in the experimental group were treated with APDDM, and those in the control group were treated with DBBM. After surgery, the adjacent teeth are moved toward the bone grafting sites according to the orthodontic treatment plan. Patients completed a postoperative response questionnaire by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score to indicate pain and swelling in the bone grafted area at the time of suture removal; and CBCT scans were conducted before surgery, 6 months and 2 years after surgery to assess changes in buccal and central alveolar heights, as well as widths at the alveolar ridge apex and 3 mm, 5 mm below the apex, respectively. The CBCT image sequences were imported into Mimics 21.0 software in DICOM format. The data of the patients in both groups were collected and analyzed by SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: The VAS scores were significantly lower in the APDDM group than in the DBBM group (p < 0.05). Significant increases were observed in alveolar bone height and width at 6 months and 2 years postoperative (p < 0.05); At 2 years, the APDDM group exhibited a reduction in buccal crest height and in 3 mm, 5 mm width below alveolar ridge apex, relative to 6 months (p < 0.05), while the DBBM group showed a decrease only in the central height of the alveolar bone (p < 0.05). There was a significant bone augmentation increase found only 3 mm below the alveolar ridge apex in the APDDM group compared with the DBBM group among all 6 months group comparison (p < 0.05). At 2 years, the augmentation effects were similar across both groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radiomics analysis indicates that APDDM serves as a viable bone augmentation material for orthodontic patients with insufficient alveolar bone volume, achieving comparable clinical efficacy to DBBM. Additionally, APDDM is associated with a milder postoperative response than DBBM. THE REGISTRATION NUMBER (TRN): ChiCTR2400084607.

Laboratory capacity expansion: lessons from establishing molecular testing in regional referral laboratories in Ethiopia.

Respiratory viruses contribute to high morbidity and mortality in Africa. In 2020, the Ohio State University's Global One Health Initiative, in collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, took action to strengthen Ethiopia's existing respiratory virus surveillance system through decentralization of laboratory testing and scale-up of national and regional capacity for detecting respiratory viruses. In August 2022, four regional laboratories were established, thereby raising the number of reference laboratories conducting respiratory virus surveillance to five. This article highlights lessons learned during implementation and outlines processes undertaken for laboratory scale-up and decentralization.

The impact of intellectual property demonstration policies on carbon emission efficiency.

Confronted with the concurrent challenges of economic advancement and environmental management, this study explores whether implementing Intellectual Property Demonstration Policies (IPDP) can be a covert force in enhancing carbon emission efficiency. Utilizing panel data from 280 prefecture-level cities in China over the period 2007-2019, we employ a quasi-natural experimental design, incorporating multiple-period difference-in-differences models, mediation effect models, and spatial Durbin difference-in-differences models to assess the impacts of IPDP on carbon emission efficiency, its mechanisms of action, and its spatial spillover effects. The regression results of the multi-period difference-in-differences model reveal a statistically significant enhancement in carbon emission efficiency due to IPDP, with an impact coefficient of 0.044. Through heterogeneity tests, it is observed that the influence of IPDP on carbon emission efficiency varies based on regional characteristics, carbon emission levels, and the extent of marketization. The mediation effect model demonstrates that IPDP enhances carbon emission efficiency by fostering green technological innovation and facilitating the transformation of industrial structures. Furthermore, the spatial Durbin difference-in-differences model illustrates that IPDP positively influences the carbon emission efficiency of neighboring regions, indicating favorable spatial spillover effects. Notably, the indirect effect coefficients in the geographical distance matrix, economic distance matrix, and economic-geographical nested matrix are calculated as 0.673, 0.250, and 0.386, respectively. These findings offer compelling theoretical and empirical support for strengthening the intellectual property framework to optimize its environmental impact.

Insights into the Acidic Site in Manganese Oxide in Terms of the Sulfur and Water Tolerance of Low-Temperature NH3 Selective Catalytic Reduction.

A critical constraint impeding the utilization of Mn-based oxide catalysts in NH3 selective catalytic reduction (NH3-SCR) is their inadequate resistance to water and sulfur. This vulnerability primarily arises from the propensity of SO2 to bind to the acidic site in manganese oxide, resulting in the formation of metal sulfate and leading to the irreversible deactivation of the catalyst. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the detrimental impact of SO2 on the acidic sites and elucidating the underlying mechanism of this toxicity are of paramount importance for the effective application of Mn-based catalysts in NH3-SCR. Herein, we strategically modulate the acidity of the manganese oxide catalyst surface through the incorporation of Ce and Nb. Comprehensive analyses, including thermogravimetry, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption, in situ diffused reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations, reveal that SO2 exhibits a propensity for adsorption at strongly acidic sites. This mechanistic understanding underscores the pivotal role of surface acidity in governing the sulfur resistance of manganese oxide.

Factors Associated with Uptake of Routine Measles-Containing Vaccine Doses among Young Children, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021.

Recommended vaccination at nine months of age with the measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) has been part of Ethiopia's routine immunization program since 1980. A second dose of MCV (MCV2) was introduced in 2019 for children 15 months of age. We examined MCV1 and MCV2 coverage and the factors associated with measles vaccination status. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among caregivers of children aged 12-35 months in selected districts of Oromia Region. Measles vaccination status was determined using home-based records, when available, or caregivers' recall. We analyzed the association between MCV1 and MCV2 vaccination status and household, caregiver, and child factors using logistic regression. The caregivers of 1172 children aged 12-35 months were interviewed and included in the analysis. MCV1 and MCV2 coverage was 71% and 48%, respectively. The dropout rate (DOR) from the first dose of Pentavalent vaccine to MCV1 was 22% and from MCV1 to MCV2 was 46%. Caregivers were more likely to vaccinate their children with MCV if they gave birth at a health facility, believe that their child had received all recommended vaccines, and know the required number of vaccination visits and doses. MCV2 coverage was low, with a high measles dropout rate (DOR). Caregivers with high awareness of MCV and its schedule were more likely to vaccinate their children. Intensified demand generation, defaulter tracking, and vaccine-stock management should be strengthened to improve MCV uptake.

Implantable Zinc Ion Battery and Osteogenesis-Immunoregulation Bifunction of Its Catabolite.

Biocompatible batteries can power implantable electronic devices and have broad applications in medicine. However, the controlled degradation of implantable batteries, the impact of battery catabolites on surrounding tissues, and wireless charging designs are often overlooked. Here, we designed an implantable zinc ion battery (ZIB) using a gelatin/polycaprolactone-based composite gel electrolyte. The prepared ZIBs deliver a high specific capacity of 244.0 mA h g-1 (0.5C) and long cycling stability of 300 cycles (4C). ZIBs were completely degraded within 8 weeks in rats and 30 days in a phosphate-buffered saline lipase solution, demonstrating good biocompatibility and degradability. ZIBs catabolites induced macrophage M2 polarization and exhibited anti-inflammatory properties, with mRNA levels of the M2 markers Arg-1 and CD206 up-regulated 15.8-fold and 13.4-fold, respectively, compared to the blank control group. Meanwhile, the expressions of two typical osteogenic markers, osteopontin and osteocalcin, were up-regulated by 3.6-fold and 5.6-fold, respectively, demonstrating that designed ZIBs promoted osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, a wireless energy transmission module was designed using 3D printing technology to realize real-time charging of the ZIB in rats. The designed ZIB is a promising power source for implantable medical electronic devices and also serves as a functional material to accelerate bone repair.

Applicability of selected Brighton Collaboration case definitions in low-resource settings: A prospective hospital-based active surveillance in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Standardizing case definitions for priority vaccine safety conditions facilitates uniform evaluation and consolidation of data obtained from different settings. The Brighton Collaboration case definitions (BCCD) were created to support this harmonization and enable classification from level 1 (most certain) to level 5 (not a case) of certainty. Assessing the performance of BCCD in practice is critical, particularly in resource-limited settings, where many new vaccines may be introduced without prior monitoring in high-income countries. We assessed the performance of BCCD in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as applicable to COVID-19 and other vaccines. METHODS: Active surveillance was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, the largest referral hospital in Ethiopia. During June 1, 2022-May 31, 2023, three trained physicians prospectively identified patients eligible for COVID-19 vaccination (regardless of vaccine receipt) who presented with one or more of eleven pre-specified adverse events of special interest (AESI) from the emergency department and inpatient wards. Standardized data collection forms were used to capture patient information and assign level of certainty (LOC), regardless of vaccination status for COVID-19. We conducted descriptive analysis to characterize cases and the LOCs reached for each AESI. RESULTS: We detected 203 AESI cases. The most detected conditions were thrombosis and thromboembolism (n = 100, 49 %) and generalized convulsions (n = 38, 19 %). Ninety-six percent of the cases were confirmed at levels 1-3 (n = 187) or level 5 (n = 9) LOC. Non-classifiable (level 4) cases were observed for pericarditis (n = 2), encephalitis (n = 2), myelitis (n = 2), and generalized convulsion (n = 1). CONCLUSION: The BCCD were successfully applied in > 95 % of cases in a large referral hospital in Ethiopia, with generalized convulsion, pericarditis, and encephalomyelitis as the exceptions. We recommend further evaluation in other low-resource settings, particularly in rural or non-referral hospitals, to gain additional insights into performance of these definitions for revision or adaptation, as needed.

Nanoironing van der Waals Heterostructures toward Electrically Controlled Quantum Dots.

Assembling two-dimensional van der Waals (vdW)-layered materials into heterostructures is an exciting development that sparked the discovery of rich correlated electronic phenomena. vdW heterostructures also offer possibilities for designer device applications in areas such as optoelectronics, valley- and spintronics, and quantum technology. However, realizing the full potential of these heterostructures requires interfaces with exceptionally low disorder which is challenging to engineer. Here, we show that thermal scanning probes can be used to create pristine interfaces in vdW heterostructures. Our approach is compatible at both the material- and device levels, and monolayer WS2 transistors show up to an order of magnitude improvement in electrical performance from this technique. We also demonstrate vdW heterostructures with low interface disorder enabling the electrical formation and control of quantum dots that can be tuned from macroscopic current flow to the single-electron tunneling regime.

The involvement of IRP2-induced ferroptosis through the p53-SLC7A11-ALOX12 pathway in Parkinson's disease.

Disturbance in iron homeostasis has been described in Parkinson's disease (PD), in which iron regulatory protein 2 (IRP2) plays a crucial role. IRP2 deletion resulted in the misregulation of iron metabolism and subsequent neurodegeneration. However, growing evidence showed that the levels of IRP2 were increased in the substantia nigra (SN) in MPTP-induced PD mice. To further clarify the role of increased IRP2 in PD, we developed IRP2-overexpressed mice by microinjecting AAV-Ireb2 in the SN. These mice showed decreased motor ability, abnormal gait and anxiety. Iron deposits induced by increased TFR1 and dopaminergic neuronal loss were observed in the SN. When these mice were treated with MPTP, exacerbated dyskinesia and dopaminergic neuronal loss were observed. In addition, TP53 was post-transcriptionally upregulated by IRP2 binding to the iron regulated element (IRE) in its 3' untranslated region. This resulted in increased lipid peroxidation levels and induced ferroptosis through the SLC7A11-ALOX12 pathway, which was independent of GPX4. This study revealed that IRP2 homeostasis in the SN was critical for PD progression and clarified the molecular mechanism of ferroptosis caused by IRP2.

Branch-Chain-Rich Diisopropyl Ether with Steric Hindrance Facilitates Stable Cycling of Lithium Batteries at - 20 °C.

Li metal batteries (LMBs) offer significant potential as high energy density alternatives; nevertheless, their performance is hindered by the slow desolvation process of electrolytes, particularly at low temperatures (LT), leading to low coulombic efficiency and limited cycle stability. Thus, it is essential to optimize the solvation structure thereby achieving a rapid desolvation process in LMBs at LT. Herein, we introduce branch chain-rich diisopropyl ether (DIPE) into a 2.5 M Li bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide dipropyl ether (DPE) electrolyte as a co-solvent for high-performance LMBs at - 20 °C. The incorporation of DIPE not only enhances the disorder within the electrolyte, but also induces a steric hindrance effect form DIPE's branch chain, excluding other solvent molecules from Li+ solvation sheath. Both of these factors contribute to the weak interactions between Li+ and solvent molecules, effectively reducing the desolvation energy of the electrolyte. Consequently, Li (50 µm)||LFP (mass loading ~ 10 mg cm-2) cells in DPE/DIPE based electrolyte demonstrate stable performance over 650 cycles at - 20 °C, delivering 87.2 mAh g-1, and over 255 cycles at 25 °C with 124.8 mAh g-1. DIPE broadens the electrolyte design from molecular structure considerations, offering a promising avenue for highly stable LMBs at LT.

Regional and temporal variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 enhanced surveillance and response.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating public health emergencies of international concern to have occurred in the past century. To ensure a safe, scalable, and sustainable response, it is imperative to understand the burden of disease, epidemiological trends, and responses to activities that have already been implemented. We aimed to analyze how COVID-19 tests, cases, and deaths varied by time and region in the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ethiopia. METHODS: COVID-19 data were captured between October 01, 2021, and September 30, 2022, in 64 systematically selected health facilities throughout Ethiopia. The number of health facilities included in the study was proportionally allocated to the regional states of Ethiopia. Data were captured by standardized tools and formats. Analysis of COVID-19 testing performed, cases detected, and deaths registered by region and time was carried out. RESULTS: We analyzed 215,024 individuals' data that were captured through COVID-19 surveillance in Ethiopia. Of the 215,024 total tests, 18,964 COVID-19 cases (8.8%, 95% CI: 8.7%- 9.0%) were identified and 534 (2.8%, 95% CI: 2.6%- 3.1%) were deceased. The positivity rate ranged from 1% in the Afar region to 15% in the Sidama region. Eight (1.2%, 95% CI: 0.4%- 2.0%) HCWs died out of 664 infected HCWs, of which 81.5% were from Addis Ababa. Three waves of outbreaks were detected during the analysis period, with the highest positivity rate of 35% during the Omicron period and the highest rate of ICU beds and mechanical ventilators (38%) occupied by COVID-19 patients during the Delta period. CONCLUSIONS: The temporal and regional variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia underscore the need for concerted efforts to address the disparities in the COVID-19 surveillance and response system. These lessons should be critically considered during the integration of the COVID-19 surveillance system into the routine surveillance system.

VPAC2 Receptor Signaling Promotes Growth and Immunosuppression in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) harbors a complex tumor microenvironment (TME), and crosstalk between cells in the TME can contribute to drug resistance and relapse. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is overexpressed in PDAC, and VIP receptors expressed on T cells are a targetable pathway that sensitizes PDAC to immunotherapy. In this study, we showed that pancreatic cancer cells engage in autocrine VIP signaling through VIP receptor 2 (VPAC2). High co-expression of VIP with VPAC2 correlated with reduced relapse-free survival in PDAC patients. VPAC2 activation in PDAC cells upregulated piwi-like RNA-mediated gene silencing 2 (Piwil2), which stimulated cancer cell clonogenic growth. In addition, VPAC2 signaling increased expression of TGF-ß1 to inhibit T cell function. Loss of VPAC2 on PDAC cells led to reduced tumor growth and increased sensitivity to anti-PD1 immunotherapy in mouse models of PDAC. Overall, these findings expand our understanding of the role of VIP/VPAC2 signaling in PDAC and provide the rationale for developing potent VPAC2-specific antagonists for treating PDAC patients.

Zonular instability-associated morphologic features in eyes with primary angle closure disease using the swept-source anterior segment - optical coherence tomography system.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the morphologic features of the crystalline lens in Primary Angle Closure Disease (PACD) patients with zonular instability during cataract surgery using the swept-source CASIA 2 Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) system. METHODS: A total of 398 eyes (125 PACD eyes with zonular instability, 133 PACD eyes with zonular stability, and 140 cataract patient controls) of 398 patients who underwent cataract surgery combined or not glaucoma surgery between January 2021 and January 2023 were enrolled. The crystalline lens parameters were measured by CASIA2 AS-OCT. Then, logistic regression was performed to evaluate the risk factors associated with zonular instability. RESULTS: The results revealed that PACD eyes had a more anterior lens equator position, a steeper anterior curvature of lens, shorter Axial Length (AL), shallower Anterior Chamber Distance (ACD), higher Lens Vault (LV) and thicker Lens Thickness (LT), when compared to eyes in the cataract control group. Furthermore, PACD eyes in the zonular instability group had steeper front R, front Rs and Front Rf, flatter back Rf, thicker lens anterior part thickness, higher lens anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratios, shallower ACD, and greater LV, when compared to PACD eyes with zonular stability. The logistic regression analysis, which was adjusted for age and gender, revealed that zonular instability was positively correlated with anterior part thickness, lens anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratio, and LV, but was negatively correlated with lens anterior radius and ACD. CONCLUSION: Steeper anterior curvature, increased lens anterior part thickness, higher anterior-to-posterior part thickness ratio, shallower ACD, and greater LV are the anatomic features of PACD eyes associated with zonular instability.

Exploring publications in 3 major orthodontic journals: A comparative bibliometric analysis of two 10-year periods (2002-2011 and 2012-2021).

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis examining contributing countries and collaborative networks, authors and collaborative relationships, the performance of the institutions, and cocited journals and references in 3 major orthodontic journals (American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, European Journal of Orthodontics, and Angle Orthodontist) over two 10-year periods (2002-2011 and 2012-2021). METHODS: In this study, 4432 publications in the first decade and 4012 publications in the second decade were quantitatively analyzed and visualized using visualization software such as VOSviewer (Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands), CiteSpace (Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa), and Scimago Graphica (SCImago Lab, Spain). RESULTS: Institutions in the United States had the highest number of publications through the 2 decades, whereas Brazil, South Korea, and China achieved significant improvements in performance in the second decade compared with the first. Closer collaborative networks among scholars were revealed in the second decade. The cocitation analysis of the journals showed that highly cited journals included more professional orthodontic journals in the second decade than in the first decade. CONCLUSIONS: Bibliometric analysis of publications in 3 major orthodontic journals over two 10-year periods revealed a trend of diversification in countries and institutions participating in publishing, international collaborations, and collaboration networks among authors in the field of orthodontics during the 2 decades.

Engineering of Pore Design and Oxygen Vacancy on High-Entropy Oxides by a Microenvironment Tailoring Strategy.

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) exhibit abundant structural diversity due to cationic and anionic sublattices with independence, rendering them superior in catalytic applications compared to monometallic oxides. Nevertheless, the conventional high-temperature calcination approach undermines the porosity and reduces the exposure of active sites (such as oxygen vacancies, OVs) in HEOs, leading to diminished catalytic efficiency. Herein, we fabricate a series of HEOs with a large surface area utilizing a microenvironment modulation strategy (m-NiMgCuZnCo: 86 m2/g, m-MnCuCoNiFe: 67 m2/g, and m-FeCrCoNiMn: 54 m2/g). The enhanced porosity in m-NiMgCuZnCo facilitates the presentation of numerous OVs, exhibiting an exceptional catalytic performance. This tactic creates inspiration for designing HEOs with rich porosity and active species with vast potential applications.

Electrospinning Chitosan/Fe-Mn Nanofibrous Composite for Efficient and Rapid Removal of Arsenite from Water.

Efficient removal of extremely mobile and toxic As(III) from water is a challenging but critical task. Herein, we developed a functionalized sorbent of chitosan nanofiber with iron-manganese (Fe-Mn@CS NF) using a one-step hybrid electrospinning approach to remove trace As(III) from water. Batch adsorption studies were performed to determine the adsorption efficiency under a variety of conditions, including contact time, starting concentration of As(III), ionic strength, and the presence of competing anions. The experimental results demonstrated that the concentration of As(III) dropped from 550 to less than 1.2 µg/L when using 0.5 g/L Fe-Mn@CS NF. This demonstrates the exceptional adsorption efficiency (99.8%) of Fe-Mn@CS NF for removing As(III) at pH 6.5. The kinetic tests revealed that the adsorption equilibrium was reached in 2.6 h, indicating a quick uptake of As(III). The ionic strength effect analysis showed that the adsorbed As(III) formed inner-sphere surface complexes with Fe-Mn@CS NF. The presence of SO42- or F- had a negligible impact on As(III) uptake, while the presence of PO43- impeded As(III) absorption by competing for adsorption sites. The exhausted sorbent could be effectively regenerated with a dilute NaOH solution. Even after 10 cycles of regenerating Fe-Mn@CS NF, the adsorption efficiency of As(III) in natural groundwater was maintained over 65%. XPS and FTIR analyses show that the presence of M-OH and C-O groups on the sorbent surface is essential for removing As(III) from water. Overall, our study highlights the significant potential of Fe-Mn@CS NF for the efficient and quick elimination of As(III) from water.

Color components determination and full-length comparative transcriptomic analyses reveal the potential mechanism of carotenoid synthesis during Paphiopedilum armeniacum flowering.

Background: Paphiopedilum armeniacum (P. armeniacum), an ornamental plant native to China, is known for its distinctive yellow blossoms. However, the mechanisms underlying P. armeniacum flower coloration remain unclear. Methods: We selected P. armeniacum samples from different flowering stages and conducted rigorous physicochemical analyses. The specimens were differentiated based on their chemical properties, specifically their solubilities in polar solvents. This key step enabled us to identify the main metabolite of flower color development of P. armeniacum, and to complete the identification by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based on the results. Additionally, we employed a combined approach, integrating both third-generation full-length transcriptome sequencing and second-generation high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, to comprehensively explore the molecular components involved. Results: We combined physical and chemical analysis with transcriptome sequencing to reveal that carotenoid is the main pigment of P. armeniacum flower color. Extraction colorimetric method and HPLC were used to explore the characteristics of carotenoid accumulation during flowering. We identified 28 differentially expressed carotenoid biosynthesis genes throughout the flowering process, validated their expression through fluorescence quantification, and discovered 19 potential positive regulators involved in carotenoid synthesis. Among these candidates, three RCP2 genes showed a strong potential for governing the PDS and ZDS gene families. In summary, our study elucidates the fundamental mechanisms governing carotenoid synthesis during P. armeniacum flowering, enhancing our understanding of this process and providing a foundation for future research on the molecular mechanisms driving P. armeniacum flowering.