Hierarchical Ni-Mn LDHs@CuC2O4 Nanosheet Arrays-Modified Copper Mesh: A Dual-Functional Material for Enhancing Oil/Water Separation and Supercapacitors.

The pursuit of superhydrophilic materials with hierarchical structures has garnered significant attention across diverse application domains. In this study, we have successfully crafted Ni-Mn LDHs@CuC2O4 nanosheet arrays on a copper mesh (CM) through a synergistic process involving chemical oxidation and hydrothermal deposition. Initially, CuC2O4 nanosheets were synthesized on the copper mesh, closely followed by the growth of Ni-Mn LDHs nanosheets, culminating in the establishment of a multi-tiered surface architecture with exceptional superhydrophilicity and remarkable underwater superoleophobicity. The resultant Ni-Mn LDHs@CuC2O4 CM membrane showcased an unparalleled amalgamation of traits, including superhydrophilicity, underwater superoleophobicity, and the ability to harness photocatalytic forces for self-cleaning actions, making it an advanced oil-water separation membrane. The membrane's performance was impressive, manifesting in a remarkable water flux range (70 kL·m-2·h-1) and an efficient oil separation capability for both oil/water mixture and surfactant-stabilized emulsions (below 60 ppm). Moreover, the innate superhydrophilic characteristics of the membrane rendered it a prime candidate for deployment as a supercapacitor cathode material. Evidenced by a capacitance of 5080 mF·cm-2 at a current density of 6 mA cm-2 in a 6 M KOH electrolyte, the membrane's potential extended beyond oil-water separation. This work not only introduces a cutting-edge oil-water separation membrane and supercapacitor electrode but also offers a promising blueprint for the deliberate engineering of hierarchical structure arrays to cater to a spectrum of related applications.

A biomimetic beetle-like membrane with superoleophilic SiO2-induced oil coalescence on superhydrophilic CuC2O4 nanosheet arrays for effective O/W emulsion separation.

It is highly attractive to develop highly efficient oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion separation technologies for promoting the oily wastewater treatment. Herein, a novel inversely Stenocara beetle-like hierarchical structure of superhydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticle-decorated CuC2O4 nanosheet arrays were prepared on copper mesh membrane by bridging polydopamine (PDA) to make a SiO2/PDA@CuC2O4 membrane for substantially enhanced separation of O/W emulsions. The superhydrophobic SiO2 particles on the as-prepared SiO2/PDA@CuC2O4 membranes were served as localized active sites to induce coalescence of small-size oil droplets in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. Such innovated membrane delivered outstanding demulsification ability of O/W emulsion with a high separation flux of 2.5 kL⋅m-2⋅h-1 and its filtrate's chemical oxygen demand (COD) being 30 and 100 mg⋅L-1 for surfactant-free emulsion (SFE) and surfactant-stabilized emulsion (SSE), respectively, and also exhibited a good anti-fouling performance in cycling tests. The innovative design strategy developed in this work broadens the application of superwetting materials for oil-water separation and presents a promising prospect in practical oily wastewater treatment applications.

Multifunctional Switchable Nanocoated Membranes for Efficient Integrated Purification of Oil/Water Emulsions.

Surfaces with unusual under-liquid dual superlyophobicity are attractive on account of their widespread applications, but their development remains difficult due to thermodynamic contradiction. Additionally, these surfaces may suffer from limited antifouling ability, which has restricted their practical applications. Herein, we report a successful in situ growth of a hybrid zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 and zinc oxide nanorod on a porous poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane (ZIF-8@ZnO-PPVDF) and its application as a self-cleaning switchable barrier material in rapid filtration for emulsified oily wastewater. The novel ZIF-8@ZnO-PPVDF exhibits superior mechanical strength, reversible under-liquid dual superlyophobicity, photocatalytic self-cleaning property, and an effective alternate separation capacity toward both oil-in-water (O/W) and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions with ultrahigh fluxes and efficiencies (>99%). By simply using a "bait-hook-eliminate" method to separate the O/W emulsions containing soluble organic pollutants, we demonstrate that the ZIF-8@ZnO-PPVDF can achieve stable separation fluxes over 600 L m-2 h-1 with high efficiencies and be completely/nondestructively regenerated by visible-light irradiation after each cycle. This study would demonstrate a new approach to prepare an under-liquid dual superlyophobic revivable membrane for various applications.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms within the Wnt pathway predict the risk of bone metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The Wingless-type (Wnt) signaling pathway plays an important role in the development and progression of cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Wnt pathway and the risk of bone metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We collected 500 blood samples from patients with NSCLC and genotyped eight SNPs from four core genes (WNT2, AXIN1, CTNNB1 and APC) present within the WNT pathway. Moreover, we assessed the potential relationship of these genes with bone metastasis development. Our results showed that the AC/AA genotype of CTNNB1: rs1880481 was associated with a decreased risk of bone metastasis. Polymorphisms with an HR of < 1 had a cumulative protective impact on the risk of bone metastasis. Furthermore, patients with the AC/AA genotype of CTNNB1: rs1880481 was associated with Karnofsky performance status score, squamous cell carcinoma antigen and Ki-67 proliferation index. Lastly, patients with the AC/AA genotype of CTNNB1: rs1880481 had significantly longer median progression free survival time than those with the CC genotype. In conclusion, SNPs within the Wnt signaling pathway are associated with a decreased risk of bone metastasis, and may be valuable biomarkers for bone metastasis in patients with NSCLC.