Exosome-delivered miR-410-3p reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion of trophoblasts in spontaneous abortion.

Current studies have indicated that insufficient trophoblast epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion are crucial for spontaneous abortion (SA) occurrence and development. Exosomal miRNAs play significant roles in embryonic development and cellular communication. Hereon, we explored the roles of serum exosomes derived from SA patients on trophoblast EMT, migration and invasion. Exosomes were isolated from normal control (NC) patients with abortion for unplanned pregnancy and SA patients, then characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blotting. Exosomal miRNA profiles were identified by miRNA sequencing. The effects of serum exosomes on trophoblast migration and invasion were detected by scratch wound healing and transwell assays, and other potential mechanisms were revealed by quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR), western blotting and dual-luciferase reporter assay. Finally, animal experiments were used to explore the effects of exosomal miR-410-3p on embryo absorption in mice. The serum exosomes from SA patients inhibited trophoblast EMT and reduced their migration and invasion ability in vitro. The miRNA sequencing showed that miR-410-3p was upregulated in SA serum exosomes. The functional experiments showed that SA serum exosomes restrained trophoblast EMT, migration and invasion by releasing miR-410-3p. Mechanistically, SA serum exosomal miR-410-3p inhibited trophoblast cell EMT, migration and invasion by targeting TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) at the post-transcriptional level. Besides, SA serum exosomal miR-410-3p inhibited the p38 MAPK signalling pathway by targeting TRAF6 in trophoblasts. Moreover, milk exosomes loaded with miR-410-3p mimic reached the maternal-fetal interface and aggravated embryo absorption in female mice. Clinically, miR-410-3p and TRAF6 expression were abnormal and negatively correlated in the placental villi of SA patients. Our findings indicated that exosome-derived miR-410-3p plays an important role between SA serum and trophoblasts in intercellular communication, suggesting a novel mechanism by which serum exosomal miRNA regulates trophoblasts in SA patients.

Effects of Guizhi and Erxian Decoction on menopausal hot flashes: insights from the gut microbiome and metabolic profiles.

AIMS: To examine the influence of GED on the gut microbiota and metabolites using a bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. We tried to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of GED in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes. METHODS AND RESULTS: 16S rRNA sequencing, metabonomics, molecular biological analysis, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were conducted to elucidate the mechanisms by which GED regulates the gut microbiota. GED significantly reduced OVX-induced hot flashes and improved disturbances in the gut microbiota metabolites. Moreover, FMT validated that the gut microbiota can trigger hot flashes, while GED can alleviate hot flash symptoms by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Specifically, GED upregulated the abundance of Blautia, thereby increasing l(+)-ornithine levels for the treatment of menopausal hot flashes. Additionally, GED affected endothelial nitric oxide synthase and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) levels in the hypothalamic preoptic area by changing the gut microbiota composition. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illuminated the underlying mechanisms by which GED attenuated the hot flashes through modulation of the gut microbiota and explored the regulatory role of the gut microbiota on HSP70 expression in the preoptic anterior hypothalamus, thereby establishing a foundation for further exploration of the role of the gut-brain axis in hot flashes.

Emerging Predictors by Non-HDL-C/HDL-C Ratio and Novel Biomarkers for Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon.

The coronary slow-flow (CSF) phenomenon is a condition characterized by delayed coronary opacification during diagnostic angiography without the presence of epicardial coronary artery disease. This mini-review explores various emerging predictors and biomarkers associated with CSF, aiming to address the potential diagnostic tools. A comprehensive analysis of recent studies has investigated different biomarkers, including growth differentiation factor 15, galectin 3, microRNA (miRNA)-22, miRNA-155, interleukin 34, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, long non-coding RNA, plasma choline, adropin, and lipid markers non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)/HDL-C ratio to enhance understanding and predict CSF. Additionally, we have summarizes the major findings and significant limitations observed in various studies on CSF biomarkers. The implications of these findings suggest significant advancements in personalized treatment strategies and improved prognostic outcomes for patients exhibiting CSF.

Interplay between fish oil, obesity and cardiometabolic diabetes.

Diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and cardiac dysfunction are the hallmarks of the cardiometabolic syndrome. Pathogens include hypercoagulability, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Increased white fat, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are caused by obesity. Depression increases the risk of future obesity, a surprising link between obesity and neuropathology. High glucose levels, abnormal lipids, and metabolic syndrome are the root causes of CVD associated with diabetes. Diets high in fat induce insulin resistance and liver fat. Inflammation, diminished insulin signaling, and ectopic lipid accumulation are the causes of ectopic lipid accumulation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids with eicosapentaenoic acid and docohexasonoic acid inhibit the synthesis of triglycerides and increase their clearance. Omega-3 regulates the nervous system, blood pressure, hematic clotting, glucose tolerance, and inflammation. However, anxiety and depression can cause cardiovascular disease. It has been shown that PUFAs found in fish oil can improve glucose and lipid metabolism, cardiac membrane composition, and inflammation in the body. By repairing the dysregulation of metabolic syndrome, fish oil is a potential therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases.

The relationship between menopausal syndrome and gut microbes.

BACKGROUND: Gut microbes were closely related to women's health. Previous studies reported that the gut microbes of premenopausal women were different from those of postmenopausal women. However, little was known about the relationship between gut microbiota dysbiosis and menopausal syndrome (MPS). The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between MPS and gut microbes. METHODS: Patients with MPS (P group, n = 77) and healthy women (H group, n = 24) at menopause were recruited in this study. The stool specimen and clinical parameters (demographic data, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), et al) of participants' were collected. We evaluated the differences in gut microbes by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. We used LEfSe to identify gut microbes with varying abundances in different groups. The Spearman correlation coefficients of clinical parameters and gut microbes were calculated. PICRUSt was used to predict the potential KEGG Ortholog functional profiles of microbial communities. RESULTS: The abundance of 14 species differed substantially between the MPS and menopausal healthy women (LDA significance threshold > 2.0) according to LEfSe analysis. Using Spearman's correlation analysis, it was discovered that E2 had a positive correlation with Aggregatibacter segnis, Bifidobacterium animalis, Acinetobacter guillouiae (p < 0.05, these three species were enriched in menopausal healthy women), while FSH and LH had a negative correlation with them (p < 0.05). KEGG level3 metabolic pathways relevant to cardiovascular disease and carbohydrate metabolism were enriched in the MPS (p < 0.05), according to functional prediction by PICRUST and analyzed by Dunn test. CONCLUSION: There was gut microbiota dysbiosis in MPS, which is reflected in the deficiency of the abundance of Aggregatibacter segnis, Bifidobacterium animalis and Acinetobacter guillouiae related to the level of sex hormones. In MPS individuals, species with altered abundances and unique functional pathways were found.

Research progress of plant cytogenetics in Jiangsu province.

Cytogenetics was established based on the "Chromosome theory of inheritance", proposed by Boveri and Sutton and evidenced by Morgan's lab in early stage of the 20 th centrary. With rapid development of related research areas, especially molecular genetics, cytogenetics developed from traditional into a new era, molecular cytogenetics in late 1960s. Featured by an established technique named DNA in situ hybridization (ISH), molecular cytogenetics has been applied in various research areas. ISH provids vivid and straightforward figures showing the virtual presence of DNA, RNA or proteins. In combination with genomics and cell biology tools, ISH and derived techniques have been widely used in studies of the origin, evolution, domestication of human, animal and plant, as well as wide hybridization and chromosome engineering. The physical location and order of DNA sequences revealed by ISH enables the detection of chromosomal re-arrangments among related species and gaps of assembled genome sequences. In addition, ISH using RNA or protein probes can reveal the location and quantification of transcripted RNA or translated protein. Since the 1970s, scientists from universities or institutes belonging to the Jiangsu Society of Genetics have initiated cytogenetics researches using various plant species. In recent years, research platforms for molecular cytogenetics have also been well established in Nanjing Agricultural University, Yangzhou University, Nanjing Forestry University, Jiangsu Xuhuai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Jiangsu Normal University. The application of molecular cytogenetics in plant evolution, wide hybridization, chromosome engineering, chromosome biology, genomics has been successful. Significant progresses have been achieved, both in basic and applied researches. In this paper, we will review main research progresses of plant cytogenetics in Jiangsu province, and discuss the potential development of this research area.

Addressing Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Mini-Review of Practical Strategies.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several vaccines were developed and rolled out at unprecedented speed, and notwithstanding this rapid pace of development, the results from initial clinical trials involving tens of thousands of adult subjects generally indicated that most vaccines were remarkably effective and safe, with no major safety warnings noted. However, with more than 2 billion vaccination doses administered to date, reports of rare adverse events following immunization (AEFI) are beginning to emerge. In late February 2021, atypical thrombotic events following immunization with the adenoviral vector-based ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine were first reported, and similar events have also been observed in recipients of the adenoviral vector-based Ad26.COV2.S vaccine and the mRNA-based BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines. These manifestations of atypical thrombosis and thrombocytopenia following COVID-19 vaccine immunization are now collectively referred to as vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Although the reported incidence remains very low and does not affect the overall benefit of immunization, it is also true that if left untreated, VITT can be debilitating or even fatal. Therefore, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview regarding the incidence, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of VITT, as well as considerations for special populations, based on the currently available evidence in the literature. It is hoped that this will enhance awareness of this vaccine side effect, so that cases of VITT may be identified and treated in a timely and appropriate manner.

[Application of QAMS for quality evaluation and control of Chinese patent medicines:taking Bufonis Venenum-contained preparations as examples].

As a new strategy capable of uncovering the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicines, the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS) has been widely employed for the quality evaluation of Chinese medicinal materials, slices, and extracts. However, its application in the assessment of Chinese patent medicines is yet to be explored. By referring to the determination of three bufogenins in Bufonis Venenum by QAMS described in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 Edition), this paper selected seven representative preparations containing Bufonis Venenum and explored whether the relative correction factors(RCFs) of cinobufagin(CB) to bufalin(BF) and resibufogenin(RB) could be directly used for the quality control of Bufonis Venenum-contained preparations. Based on the qualitative analyses under the same chromatographic conditions as used for toad venom, combing specificity test, five preparations such as Yatong Yili Pills, Houzheng Pills, Xiongdan Jiuxin Pills, Liushen Pills and Niuhuang Xiaoyan Pills, were expected to use validated RCFs for the direct determination of three components. Taking Houzheng Pills as an example, the methodological validation of bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin was carried out, and the recoveries of bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin were 90.64%-106.1%. The obvious difference was not observed between the contents of bufalin and resibufogenin in 24 batches of preparation samples by QAMS and external reference method. In the tested samples, the content of bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin were 1.27-2.61, 2.44-5.66 and 0.988-3.16 mg·g~(-1) in 10 batches of Liushen Pills samples. The contents of bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin were 0.760-1.32, 1.35-2.39 and 0.600-1.55 mg·g~(-1) in 10 batches of Houzheng Pills samples from three manufacturers. The obtained data contribute to improving the quality standard of Bufonis Venenum-contained preparations, and they also provide some ideas for the application of QAMS in the quality evaluation and control of Chinese patent medicines.

Ethylene Selectivity in Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction on Cu Nanomaterials: A Crystal Phase-Dependent Study.

The crystal phase of metal nanocatalysts significantly affects their catalytic performance. Cu-based nanomaterials are unique electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to produce high-value hydrocarbons. However, studies to date are limited to the conventional face-centered cubic (fcc) Cu. Here, we report a crystal phase-dependent catalytic behavior of Cu, after the successful synthesis of high-purity 4H Cu and heterophase 4H/fcc Cu using the 4H and 4H/fcc Au as templates, respectively. Remarkably, the obtained unconventional crystal structures of Cu exhibit enhanced overall activity and higher ethylene (C2H4) selectivity in CO2RR compared to the fcc Cu. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the 4H phase and 4H/fcc interface of Cu favor the C2H4 formation pathway compared to the fcc Cu, leading to the crystal phase-dependent C2H4 selectivity. This study demonstrates the importance of crystal phase engineering of metal nanocatalysts for electrocatalytic reactions, offering a new strategy to prepare novel catalysts with unconventional phases for various applications.

Mutation landscape and tumor mutation burden analysis of Chinese patients with pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinomas.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a group of rare tumors with the presence of both cancerous and sarcoma components in tumor. In this study, we explore their cancer genomic background and the relationship with clinical prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 32 PSC patients were retrospectively collected from the First People's Hospital of Changzhou between 2005 and 2016. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 416 cancer-relevant genes was performed on 32 PSC tumors. RESULTS: EGFR (28%), KRAS (22%), and MET (16%) are the most commonly mutated oncogenes, while the top mutated tumor suppressor genes are TP53 (69%) and RB1 (25%). The majority of EGFR mutations are rare mutations, some of which have not been reported before. Moreover, 4 out of 6 MET alterations are exon 14 skipping, far more frequent than in NSCLC. Interestingly, ARID1A was found to be co-mutated with TP53 at all times. The tumor mutation burden (TMB) is ranging from 3.3 to 52.2 per megabase (MB) with a median of 11.7 per MB and 13 patients have more than 20 mutations per MB. Patients mutated in BRCA2, KMT2B, SMARCA4 or TSC2 have significantly higher TMB compared to patients with wide-type genes. CONCLUSION: Our study characterizes the genetic background of Chinese PSC patients and demonstrates the importance of involving EGFR rare mutations and MET exon 14 skipping targeted therapies into clinical trials for treating PSC patients. High TMB are seen in about 40.6% Chinese patients with PSC, which could benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Diversity of Dimethylsulfoniopropionate Degradation Genes Reveals the Significance of Marine Roseobacter Clade in Sulfur Metabolism in Coastal Areas of Antarctic Maxwell Bay.

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an organic sulfur compound that occurs in large amounts in oceans around the world, and it plays an important role in the global sulfur cycle. DMSP released into seawater can be rapidly catabolized by bacteria via two pathways, namely, demethylation or cleavage pathway. Members of the Roseobacter clade frequently possess enzymes involved in the DMSP demethylation or cleavage pathway. We tried to measure the diversity of genes encoding DMSP demethylase (dmdA) and DMSP lyases (dddD, dddL, and dddP) in bacteria in the surface seawater of Ardley Cove and Great Wall Cove in Antarctic Maxwell Bay using DMSP degradation gene clone library analysis. Although we did not detect sequences related to the dddD or dddL gene, both bacterial dmdA and dddP genes found in the two coves were completely confined to the Roseobacter clade, which indicated that this clade plays a significant role in DMSP catabolism in the coastal seawaters of Maxwell Bay. In addition, compared with bacterial DMSP degradation genes in Arctic coastal seawater, our results suggest that both bipolar and endemic bacterial DMSP degradation genes exist in polar marine environments. The findings of this study improve our knowledge of the distribution of DMSP degradation genes in polar marine ecosystems.

Electrochemical energy storage devices for wearable technology: a rationale for materials selection and cell design.

Compatible energy storage devices that are able to withstand various mechanical deformations, while delivering their intended functions, are required in wearable technologies. This imposes constraints on the structural designs, materials selection, and miniaturization of the cells. To date, extensive efforts have been dedicated towards developing electrochemical energy storage devices for wearables, with a focus on incorporation of shape-conformable materials into mechanically robust designs that can be worn on the human body. In this review, we highlight the quantified performances of reported wearable electrochemical energy storage devices, as well as their micro-sized counterparts under specific mechanical deformations, which can be used as the benchmark for future studies in this field. A general introduction to the wearable technology, the development of the selection and synthesis of active materials, cell design approaches and device fabrications are discussed. It is followed by challenges and outlook toward the practical use of electrochemical energy storage devices for wearable applications.

Preparation of 1T'-Phase ReS2 xSe2(1- x) ( x = 0-1) Nanodots for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

As a source of clean energy, a reliable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) requires robust and highly efficient catalysts. Here, by combining chemical vapor transport and Li-intercalation, we have prepared a series of 1T'-phase ReS2 xSe2(1- x) ( x = 0-1) nanodots to achieve high-performance HER in acid medium. Among them, the 1T'-phase ReSSe nanodot exhibits the highest hydrogen evolution activity, with a Tafel slope of 50.1 mV dec-1 and a low overpotential of 84 mV at current density of 10 mA cm-2. The excellent hydrogen evolution activity is attributed to the optimal hydrogen absorption energy of the active site induced by the asymmetric S vacancy in the highly asymmetric 1T' crystal structure.

Ultrathin Porous NiFeV Ternary Layer Hydroxide Nanosheets as a Highly Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting.

Herein, the hydrothermal synthesis of porous ultrathin ternary NiFeV layer double hydroxides (LDHs) nanosheets grown on Nickel foam (NF) substrate as a highly efficient electrode toward overall water splitting in alkaline media is reported. The lateral size of the nanosheets is about a few hundreds of nanometers with the thickness of ≈10 nm. Among all molar ratios investigated, the Ni0.75 Fe0.125 V0.125 -LDHs/NF electrode depicts the optimized performance. It displays an excellent catalytic activity with a modest overpotential of 231 mV for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and 125 mV for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in 1.0 m KOH electrolyte. Its exceptional activity is further shown in its small Tafel slope of 39.4 and 62.0 mV dec-1 for OER and HER, respectively. More importantly, remarkable durability and stability are also observed. When used for overall water splitting, the Ni0.75 Fe0.125 V0.125 -LDHs/NF electrodes require a voltage of only 1.591 V to reach 10 mA cm-2 in alkaline solution. These outstanding performances are mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of the ternary metal system that boosts the intrinsic catalytic activity and active surface area. This work explores a promising way to achieve the optimal inexpensive Ni-based hydroxide electrocatalyst for overall water splitting.

Synthesis of Hierarchical 4H/fcc Ru Nanotubes for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media.

Hierarchical metal nanostructures containing 1D nanobuilding blocks have stimulated great interest due to their abundant active sites for catalysis. Herein, hierarchical 4H/face-centered cubic (fcc) Ru nanotubes (NTs) are synthesized by a hard template-mediated method, in which 4H/fcc Au nanowires (NWs) serve as sacrificial templates which are then etched by copper ions (Cu2+ ) in dimethylformamide. The obtained hierarchical 4H/fcc Ru NTs contain ultrathin Ru shells (5-9 atomic layers) and tiny Ru nanorods with length of 4.2 ± 1.1 nm and diameter of 2.2 ± 0.5 nm vertically decorated on the surface of Ru shells. As an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media, the hierarchical 4H/fcc Ru NTs exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance, which is better than 4H/fcc Au-Ru NWs, commercial Pt/C, Ru/C, and most of the reported electrocatalysts.

A Robust Hybrid Zn-Battery with Ultralong Cycle Life.

Advanced batteries with long cycle life and capable of harnessing more energies from multiple electrochemical reactions are both fundamentally interesting and practically attractive. Herein, we report a robust hybrid zinc-battery that makes use of transition-metal-based redox reaction (M-O-OH → M-O, M = Ni and Co) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to deliver more electrochemical energies of comparably higher voltage with much longer cycle life. The hybrid battery was constructed using an integrated electrode of NiCo2O4 nanowire arrays grown on carbon-coated nickel foam, coupled with a zinc plate anode in alkaline electrolyte. Benefitted from the M-O/M-O-OH redox reactions and rich ORR active sites in NiCo2O4, the battery has concurrently exhibited high working voltage (by M-O-OH → M-O) and high energy density (by ORR). The good oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of the electrode and the reversible M-O ↔ M-O-OH reactions also enabled smooth recharging of the batteries, leading to excellent cycling stabilities. Impressively, the hybrid batteries maintained highly stable charge-discharge voltage profile under various testing conditions, for example, almost no change was observed over 5000 cycles at a current density of 5 mA cm-2 after some initial stabilization. With merits of higher working voltage, high energy density, and ultralong cycle life, such hybrid batteries promise high potential for practical applications.

[Study on quality control method of toad venom based on characteristic chromatogram and QAMS].

Toad venom (Chansu) is prepared from the dried secretion of parotid gland and skin gland from Bufo bufo gargarizans or B. melanostictus. Up to now, much attention shall be paid to the poor quality of commercial toad venom because of the adulteration. So, it is urgent to establish a scientific and perfect quality control method to improve the quality of toad venom and guarantee its safety and effectiveness in clinical application. The different batches of toad venom samples were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) was used to detect the contents of five bufagenins. As a result, the reference characteristic chromatogram was established, displaying serotonin, gamabufotalin, arenobufagin, hellebrigenin, telocinobufagin, bufotalin, cinobufotalin, bufalin, cinobufagin and resibufogenin as characteristic peaks. Taking cinobufagin as an internal reference substance, QAMS was verified for the determination of five bufagenins (gamabufotalin, bufotalin, bufalin, cinobufagin, resibufogenin) in toad venom samples. The durability and applicability of the relative correction factor (RCF) were also studied systematically. RCFs of cinobufagin to gamabufotalin, bufotalin, bufalin and resibufogenin were determined as 1.05, 0.895, 1.09 and 0.913, respectively. The characteristic chromatogram and QAMS established in this study could effectively control the quality of toad venom and provide scientific evidence for the improvement of the quality standard of the toad venom to be described in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition).

Edge Epitaxy of Two-Dimensional MoSe2 and MoS2 Nanosheets on One-Dimensional Nanowires.

Rational design and synthesis of heterostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted increasing interests because of their promising applications in electronics, catalysis, etc. However, the construction of epitaxial heterostructures with an interface at the edges of TMD nanosheets (NSs) still remains a great challenge. Here, we report a strategy for controlled synthesis of a new type of heterostructure in which TMD NSs, including MoS2 and MoSe2, vertically grow along the longitudinal direction of one-dimensional (1D) Cu2-xS nanowires (NWs) in an epitaxial manner. The obtained Cu2-xS-TMD heterostructures with tunable loading amount and lateral size of TMD NSs are achieved by the consecutive growth of TMD NSs on Cu2-xS NWs through gradual injection of chalcogen precursors. After cation exchange of Cu in Cu2-xS-TMD heterostructures with Cd, the obtained CdS-MoS2 heterostructures retained their original architectures. Compared to the pure CdS NWs, the CdS-MoS2 heterostructures with 7.7 wt % loading of MoS2 NSs exhibit the best performance in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction with a H2 production rate up to 4647 µmol·h-1·g-1, about 58 times that catalyzed with pure CdS NWs. Our synthetic strategy opens up a new way for the controlled synthesis of TMD-based heterostructures, which could have various promising applications.

S-Doped TiSe2 Nanoplates/Fe3 O4 Nanoparticles Heterostructure.

2D Sulfur-doped TiSe2 /Fe3 O4 (named as S-TiSe2 /Fe3 O4 ) heterostructures are synthesized successfully based on a facile oil phase process. The Fe3 O4 nanoparticles, with an average size of 8 nm, grow uniformly on the surface of S-doped TiSe2 (named as S-TiSe2 ) nanoplates (300 nm in diameter and 15 nm in thickness). These heterostructures combine the advantages of both S-TiSe2 with good electrical conductivity and Fe3 O4 with high theoretical Li storage capacity. As demonstrated potential applications for energy storage, the S-TiSe2 /Fe3 O4 heterostructures possess high reversible capacities (707.4 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 during the 100th cycle), excellent cycling stability (432.3 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 5 A g-1 ), and good rate capability (e.g., 301.7 mAh g-1 at 20 A g-1 ) in lithium-ion batteries. As for sodium-ion batteries, the S-TiSe2 /Fe3 O4 heterostructures also maintain reversible capacities of 402.3 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 after 100 cycles, and a high rate capacity of 203.3 mAh g-1 at 4 A g-1 .