Manipulating the Host-Guest Chemistry of Cucurbituril to Propel Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Anodes.

Rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion batteries are practically plagued by the short lifespan and low Coulombic efficiency (CE) of Zn anodes resulting from random dendrite deposition and parasitic reactions. Herein, the host-guest chemistry of cucurbituril additive with Zn2+ to achieve longstanding Zn anodes is manipulated. The macrocyclic molecule of cucurbit[5]uril (CB[5]) is delicately designed to reconstruct both the CB[5]-adsorbed electric-double layer (EDL) structure at the Zn interface and the hydrated sheath of Zn2+ ions. Especially benefiting from the desirable carbonyl rims and suitable hydrophobic cavities, the CB[5] has a strong host-guest interaction with Zn2+ ions, which exclusively permits rapid Zn2+ flux across the EDL interface but retards the H2O radicals and SO4 2-. Accordingly, such a unique particle redistributor warrants long-lasting dendrite-free deposition by homogenizing Zn nucleation/growth and significantly improved CE by inhibiting side reactions. The Zn anode can deliver superior reversibility in CB[5]-containing electrolyte with a ninefold increase of cycle lifetime and an elevated CE of 99.7% under harsh test conditions (10 mA cm-2/10 mA h cm-2). The work opens a new avenue from the perspective of host-guest chemistry to propel the development of rechargeable Zn metal batteries and beyond.

The role of DRP1 mediated mitophagy in HT22 cells apoptosis induced by silica nanoparticles.

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in the biomedical field and can enter the central nervous system through the blood-brain barrier, causing damage to hippocampal neurons. However, the specific mechanism remains unclear. In this experiment, HT22 cells were selected as the experimental model in vitro, and the survival rate of cells under the action of SiNPs was detected by MTT method, reactive oxygen species (ROS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were tested by the kit, the ultrastructure of the cells was observed by transmission electron microscope, membrane potential (MMP), calcium ion (Ca2+) and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry, and the expressions of mitochondrial functional protein, mitochondrial dynein, mitochondrial autophagy protein as well as apoptosis related protein were detected by Western blot. The results showed that cell survival rate, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, ATP and MMP gradually decreased with the increase of SiNPs concentration, while intracellular ROS, Ca2+, LDH and apoptosis rate increased with the increase of SiNPs concentration. In total cellular proteins,the expressions of mitochondrial functional proteins VDAC and UCP2 gradually increased, the expression of mitochondrial dynamic related protein DRP1 increased while the expressions of OPA1 and Mfn2 decreased. The expressions of mitophagy related proteins PINK1, Parkin and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ increased and P62 gradually decreased, as well as the expressions of apoptosis related proteins Apaf-1, Cleaved-Caspase-3, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax and Cyt-C. In mitochondrial proteins, the expressions of mitochondrial dynamic related proteins DRP1 and p-DRP1 were increased, while the expressions of OPA1 and Mfn2 were decreased. Expressions of mitochondrial autophagy associated proteins PINK1, Parkin, LC3II/LC3I increased, P62 decreased gradually, as well as the expressions of apoptosis related proteins Cleaved-Caspase-3, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9 increased, and Cyt-C expressions decreased. To further demonstrate the role of ROS and DRP1 in HT22 cell apoptosis induced by SiNPs, we selected the ROS inhibitor N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) inhibitor Mdivi-1. The experimental results indicated that the above effects were remarkably improved after the use of inhibitors, further confirming that SiNPs induce the production of ROS in cells, activate DRP1, cause excessive mitochondrial division, induce mitophagy, destroy mitochondrial function and eventually lead to apoptosis.

Achieving high-capacity and durable sodium storage by constructing a binder-free nanotube array architecture of iron phosphide/carbon.

The conversion-type anode material of iron phosphide (FeP) promises enormous prospects for Na-ion battery technology due to its high theoretical capacity and cost-effectiveness. However, the poor reaction kinetics and large volume expansion of FeP significantly degrade the sodium storage, which remains a daunting challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a binder-free nanotube array architecture constructed by FeP@C hybrid on carbon cloth as advanced anodes to achieve fast and stable sodium storage. The nanotubular structure functions in multiple roles of providing short electron/ion transport distances, smooth electrolyte diffusion channels, and abundant active sites. The carbon layer could not only pave high-speed pathways for electron conductance but also cushion the volume change of FeP. Benefiting from these structural virtues, the FeP@C anode receives a high reversible capacity of 881.7 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g, along with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 90% and excellent rate capability and cyclability in half and full cells. Moreover, the sodium energy reaction kinetics and mechanism of FeP@C are systematically studied. The present work offers a rational design and construction of high-capacity anode materials for high-energy-density Na-ion batteries.

Methylmercury induces inflammatory response and autophagy in microglia through the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global environmental pollutant with neurotoxicity, which can easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and cause irreversible damage to the human central nervous system (CNS). CNS inflammation and autophagy are known to be involved in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Meanwhile, MeHg has the potential to induce microglia-mediated neuroinflammation as well as autophagy. This study aims to further explore the exact molecular mechanism of MeHg neurotoxicity. We conducted in vitro studies using BV2 microglial cell from the central nervous system of mice. The role of inflammation and autophagy in the damage of BV2 cells induced by MeHg was determined by detecting cell viability, cell morphology and structure, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant function, inflammatory factors, autophagosomes, inflammation and autophagy-related proteins. We further investigated the relationship between the inflammatory response and autophagy induced by MeHg by inhibiting them separately. The results indicated that MeHg could invade cells, change cell structure, activate NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and autophagosome, release a large amount of inflammatory factors and trigger the inflammatory response and autophagy. It was also found that MeHg could disrupt the antioxidant function of cells. In addition, the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome alleviated both cellular inflammation and autophagy, while inhibition of autophagy increased cellular inflammation. Our current research suggests that MeHg might induce BV2 cytotoxicity through inflammatory response and autophagy, which may be mediated by the NLRP3 inflammasome activated by oxidative stress.

Numerical Study on the Influence of Model Uncertainties on the Transport of Underwater Spilled Oil.

Oil pollution influences marine biology, ecology, and regional sustainable development capacity, but model uncertainties limit the ability of the numerical model to accurately predict the transport and fate of the underwater oil spill. Based on a three-dimensional underwater oil spill model validated by satellite images of the oil slick at the sea surface, the Penglai 19-3 oil spill accident in the Bohai Sea was simulated; in addition, several sensitivity experiments were set up to investigate the influence of model uncertainties in the background wind, current, start time of the oil spill, and spill site on the transport of underwater spilled oil in the Penglai 19-3 oil spill accident. The experimental results indicate that the uncertainty in the background wind has a certain impact on the simulated centroid position at the sea surface, and little effect on the simulated underwater results, while the uncertainty in the background current has a significant influence on the transport of the underwater spilled oil both at the sea surface and underwater. An uncertainty of 24 h in the start time of the oil spill can cause more than 1 time larger than the benchmark case displacement of the oil spill centroid point and sweeping area at the sea surface, as the periodic tidal current is the main constituent of the ocean current in the Bohai Sea. The uncertainty in the spill site has a large influence on the final position of the oil spill centroid point, but the oil spill trajectories do not intersect with each other within 48 h, which makes it possible to identify the oil spill platform from the actual observations. The influence of uncertainties in the important model inputs and key model parameters on the transport of underwater spilled oil in the Penglai 19-3 oil spill accident is evaluated for the first time, which is of substantial significance for improving the prediction accuracy of the transport and fate of underwater oil spills.

Applications of biomass-based materials to remove fluoride from wastewater: A review.

Fluoride is one of the essential trace elements for the human body, but excessive fluoride will cause serious environmental and health problems. This paper summarizes researches on the removal of fluoride from aqueous solutions using newly developed or improved biomass materials and biomass-like organic materials in recent years. These biomass materials are classified into chitosan, microorganisms, lignocellulose plant materials, animal attribute materials, biological carbonized materials and biomass-like organic materials, which are explained and analyzed. By comparing adsorption performance and mechanism of adsorbents for removing fluoride, it is found that carbonizing materials and modifying adsorbents with metal ions are more beneficial to improving adsorption efficiency and the adsorption mechanisms are various. The adsorption capacities are still considerable after regeneration. This paper not only reviews the properties of these materials for fluoride removal, but also focuses on the comparison of materials performance and fluoride removal mechanism. Herein, by discussing the improved adsorption performance and research technology development of biomass materials and biomass-like organic materials, various innovative ideas are provided for adsorbing and removing contaminants.

Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption by Lipopolysaccharide and Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy.

As a complex multicellular structure of the vascular system at the central nervous system (CNS), the blood-brain barrier (BBB) separates the CNS from the system circulation and regulates the influx and efflux of substances to maintain the steady-state environment of the CNS. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria, can damage the barrier function of BBB and further promote the occurrence and development of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). Here, we conduct a literature review of the direct and indirect damage mechanisms of LPS to BBB and the relationship between these processes and SAE. We believe that after LPS destroys BBB, a large number of inflammatory factors and neurotoxins will enter and damage the brain tissue, which will activate brain immune cells to mediate inflammatory response and in turn further destroys BBB. This vicious circle will ultimately lead to the progression of SAE. Finally, we present a succinct overview of the treatment of SAE by restoring the BBB barrier function and summarize novel opportunities in controlling the progression of SAE by targeting the BBB.

Highly efficient fluoride removal from water using 2D metal-organic frameworks MIL-53(Al) with rich Al and O adsorptive centers.

In this study, metal-organic framework MIL-53(Al) was synthesized and studied to understand the different mechanisms between normal MIL-53(Al) and 2D metal-organic framework MIL-53(Al) for removing fluoride. Comparatively, the 2D MIL-53(Al) had two-dimensional linear morphology rather than block shape, indicating more expose adsorptive sites than normal MIL-53(Al). The batch adsorption experiments were applied to investigate the performance of 2D MIL-53(Al), including pH, adsorption kinetics, and thermodynamics. The 2D MIL-53(Al) (75.50 mg/g) showed better adsorption capacity than normal MIL-53(Al) (35.63 mg/g). The adsorption process of 2D MIL-53(Al) followed the pseudo-first-order model and Langmuir model. The adsorption mechanism of this material was further studied by using experimental characterization and density functional theory calculations in detail. The main adsorptive sites were Al and O in the 2D MIL-53(Al), and the relationship between fluoride binding with Al and O was HF2 - > HF > F-. The species of fluoride were HF2 -, HF, F at different pH and concentrations. Hence, this study provides a significant way on the application of two-dimensional materials for removing fluoride.

Removal of fluoride from industrial wastewater by using different adsorbents: A review.

Many industries such as iron and steel metallurgy, copper and zinc smelting, the battery industry, and cement manufacturing industries discharge high concentrations of fluoride-containing wastewater into the environment. Subsequently, the discharge of high fluoride effluent serves as a threat to human life as well as the ecological ability to sustain life. This article analyses the advantages and drawbacks of some fluoride remediation technologies such as precipitation and flocculation, membrane technology, ion exchange technology, and adsorption technology. Among them, adsorption technology is considered the obvious choice and the best applicable technology. As such, several adsorbents with high fluoride adsorption capacity such as modified alumina, metal oxides, biomass, carbon-based materials, metal-organic frameworks, and other adsorption materials including their characteristics have been comprehensively summarized. Additionally, different adsorption conditions of the various adsorbents, such as pH, temperature, initial fluoride concentration, and contact time have been discussed in detail. The study found out that the composite synergy between different materials, morphological and structural control, and the strengthening of their functional groups can effectively improve the ability of the adsorbents for removing fluoride. This study has prospected the direction of various adsorbents for removing fluoride in wastewater, which would serve as guiding significance for future research in the field.