Porphyrin-Thiophene Based Conjugated Polymer Cathode with High Capacity for Lithium-Organic Batteries.

Organic electrode materials are promising for next-generation energy storage materials due to their environmental friendliness and sustainable renewability. However, problems such as their high solubility in electrolytes and low intrinsic conductivity have always plagued their further application. Polymerization to form conjugated organic polymers can not only inhibit the dissolution of organic electrodes in the electrolyte, but also enhance the intrinsic conductivity of organic molecules. Herein, we synthesized a new conjugated organic polymer (COPs) COP500-CuT2TP (poly [5,10,15,20-tetra(2,2'-bithiophen-5-yl) porphyrinato] copper (II)) by electrochemical polymerization method. Due to the self-exfoliation behavior, the porphyrin cathode exhibited a reversible discharge capacity of 420 mAh g-1, and a high specific energy of 900 Wh Kg-1 with a first coulombic efficiency of 96 % at 100 mA g-1. Excellent cycling stability up to 8000 cycles without capacity loss was achieved even at a high current density of 5 A g-1. This highly conjugated structure promotes COP500-CuT2TP combined high energy density, high power density, and good cycling stability, which would open new opportunity for the designable and versatile organic electrodes for electrochemical energy storage.

Aquaporin OsPIP2;2 links the H2O2 signal and a membrane-anchored transcription factor to promote plant defense.

To overcome pathogen infection, plants deploy a highly efficient innate immune system, which often uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a versatile reactive oxygen species, to activate downstream defense responses. H2O2 is a potential substrate of aquaporins (AQPs), the membrane channels that facilitate the transport of small compounds across plasma membranes or organelle membranes. To date, however, the functional relationship between AQPs and H2O2 in plant immunity is largely undissected. Here, we report that the rice (Oryza sativa) AQP OsPIP2;2 transports pathogen-induced apoplastic H2O2 into the cytoplasm to intensify rice resistance against various pathogens. OsPIP2;2-transported H2O2 is required for microbial molecular pattern flg22 to activate the MAPK cascade and to induce the downstream defense responses. In response to flg22, OsPIP2;2 is phosphorylated at the serine residue S125, and therefore gains the ability to transport H2O2. Phosphorylated OsPIP2;2 also triggers the translocation of OsmaMYB, a membrane-anchored MYB transcription factor, into the plant cell nucleus to impart flg22-induced defense responses against pathogen infection. On the contrary, if OsPIP2;2 is not phosphorylated, OsmaMYB remains associated with the plasma membrane, and plant defense responses are no longer induced. These results suggest that OsPIP2;2 positively regulates plant innate immunity by mediating H2O2 transport into the plant cell and mediating the translocation of OsmaMYB from plasma membrane to nucleus.

Functional modulation of an aquaporin to intensify photosynthesis and abrogate bacterial virulence in rice.

Plant aquaporins are a recently noted biological resource with a great potential to improve crop growth and defense traits. Here, we report the functional modulation of the rice (Oryza sativa) aquaporin OsPIP1;3 to enhance rice photosynthesis and grain production and to control bacterial blight and leaf streak, the most devastating worldwide bacterial diseases in the crop. We characterize OsPIP1;3 as a physiologically relevant CO2 -transporting facilitator, which supports 30% of rice photosynthesis on average. This role is nullified by interaction of OsPIP1;3 with the bacterial protein Hpa1, an essential component of the Type III translocon that supports translocation of the bacterial Type III effectors PthXo1 and TALi into rice cells to induce leaf blight and streak, respectively. Hpa1 binding shifts OsPIP1;3 from CO2 transport to effector translocation, aggravates bacterial virulence, and blocks rice photosynthesis. On the contrary, the external application of isolated Hpa1 to rice plants effectively prevents OsPIP1;3 from interaction with Hpa1 secreted by the bacteria that are infecting the plants. Blockage of the OsPIP1;3-Hpa1 interaction reverts OsPIP1;3 from effector translocation to CO2 transport, abrogates bacterial virulence, and meanwhile induces defense responses in rice. These beneficial effects can combine to enhance photosynthesis by 29-30%, reduce bacterial disease by 58-75%, and increase grain yield by 11-34% in different rice varieties investigated in small-scale field trials conducted during the past years. Our results suggest that crop productivity and immunity can be coordinated by modulating the physiological and pathological functions of a single aquaporin to break the growth-defense tradeoff barrier.

Construction of Ultrafine Ag2S NPs Anchored onto 3D Network Rodlike Bi2SiO5 and Insight into the Photocatalytic Mechanism.

A novel three-dimensional (3D) network rodlike Ag2S/Bi2SiO5 photocatalyst with a p-n heterostructure composed of ultrafine Ag2S nanoparticles (NPs) and Bi2SiO5 nanosheets was prepared using an anionic self-regulation strategy by a two-step hydrothermal process. The architecture facilitated the efficient transfer and separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The optimal Ag2S/Bi2SiO5 composite (ABSO0.10) exhibited an excellent reduction activity (93.5% Cr(VI) removal in wastewater containing 50 mg·L-1 Cr(VI) within 90 min under visible light), which was about 11.2 and 25.6 times higher than that of the pristine Ag2S and virgin Bi2SiO5, respectively. Assisted by experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a possible photocatalytic mechanism for Cr(VI) reduction over the Ag2S/Bi2SiO5 composite under visible-light irradiation was proposed.

Moisture-resistant MXene-sodium alginate sponges with sustained superhydrophobicity for monitoring human activities.

Wearable mechanical sensors are easily influenced by moisture resulting in inaccuracy for monitoring human health and body motions. Though the superhydrophobic barrier has been extensively explored as passive water repel strategy on the sensor surface, the dense superhydrophobic surface not only limits the sensor working under large deformations but also inevitable degradation in high humidity or saturation water vapor environments. This work reports a superhydrophobic MXene-sodium alginate sponge (SMSS) pressure sensor with a low voltage Joule heating effect to provide sustain moisture-insensitive property for both sensing performance and superhydrophobicity by heating-driven water molecules away. Because of the positive temperature coefficient under pressure applied, the Joule heating can provides a stable temperature to the moisture-insensitivity property during the whole dynamic pressure cycled. Therefore, the pressure sensor with a simple spray-coating superhydrophobic coating on the outer layer demonstrates key capabilities even in extreme use scenarios with high humidity or water vapor and also provides stable and reliable bio-signal monitoring.

Age and gender differences in ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expressions in oral epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2, which has brought a huge negative impact on the world since the end of 2019, is reported to invade cells using the spike (S) protein to bind to angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptors on human cells while the transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is the key protease that activates the S protein, which greatly facilitates the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into target cells. In our previous study, it was observed that the positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids in saliva was higher in male and the elderly COVID-19 patients, suggesting that the susceptibility of oral tissues to SARS-CoV-2 may be related to gender and age. This research aimed to further investigate the SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility in oral tissues and influencing factors from the perspective of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, which were two proteins closely associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Immunofluorescence was used to find the localization of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in oral mucosal tissues. Transcriptomic sequencing data of several datasets were then collected to analysis the relationship between the expressions of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 with the age and gender of patients. Furthermore, oral tissues from patients with different ages and genders were collected. Immunohistochemistry staining, qRT-PCR and western blot were performed to explore the relationship between expression levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and patient age as well as gender. RESULTS: The results showed that the two proteins were able to be co-expressed in the epithelial cells of oral tissues, and their expression levels were higher in the relatively elderly group than those in relatively younger group. Male oral epithelial cells exhibited higher level of TMPRSS2. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings comprehensively confirmed the existence of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in oral tissues and clarify the relationship between the expression levels with human age and gender for the first time, providing evidence for possible entry routes of SARS-CoV-2 and the influencing factors of SARS-CoV-2 colonization in oral cavity. Thus, the oral mucosa might be at potential risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2, especially in male or elderly patients. Using saliva to detect the nucleic acids of SARS-CoV-2 may be more accurate for elder male COVID-19 patients.

The Aquaporin TaPIP2;10 Confers Resistance to Two Fungal Diseases in Wheat.

Plants employ aquaporins (AQPs) of the plasma membrane intrinsic protein (PIP) family to import environmental substrates, thereby affecting various processes, such as the cellular responses regulated by the signaling molecule hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Common wheat (Triticum aestivum) contains 24 candidate members of the PIP family, designated as TaPIP1;1 to TaPIP1;12 and TaPIP2;1 to TaPIP2;12. None of these TaPIP candidates have been characterized for substrate selectivity or defense responses in their source plant. Here, we report that T. aestivum AQP TaPIP2;10 facilitates the cellular uptake of H2O2 to confer resistance against powdery mildew and Fusarium head blight, two devastating fungal diseases in wheat throughout the world. In wheat, the apoplastic H2O2 signal is induced by fungal attack, while TaPIP2;10 is stimulated to translocate this H2O2 into the cytoplasm, where it activates defense responses to restrict further attack. TaPIP2;10-mediated transport of H2O2 is essential for pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered plant immunity (PTI). Typical PTI responses are induced by the fungal infection and intensified by overexpression of the TaPIP2;10 gene. TaPIP2;10 overexpression causes a 70% enhancement in wheat resistance to powdery mildew and an 86% enhancement in resistance to Fusarium head blight. By reducing the disease severities, TaPIP2;10 overexpression brings about >37% increase in wheat grain yield. These results verify the feasibility of using an immunity-relevant AQP to concomitantly improve crop productivity and immunity.

Co9S8 nanoparticles embedded into amorphous carbon as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

In this paper, Co9S8 nanoparticles embedded into amorphous carbon have been synthesized by a simple electrospinning method followed by a high-temperature annealing process. The unique structure endows the Co9S8/C composites with excellent electrochemical properties. Co9S8 particles embedded into the carbon matrix show a high Li storage capacity around 1100 and 358 mAhg-1 at a current density of 0.1 and 5.0 Ag-1, respectively. After 200 cycles, an impressive discharge capacity of around 1063.4 mAhg-1 can be obtained at a current density of 0.3 Ag-1.

Preparation of ultrathin carbon-coated CdS nanobelts for advanced Li and Na storage.

In this paper, we report a simple hydrothermal method for preparation of ultrathin carbon-coated CdS (CdS@C) nanobelts. The CdS@C nanobelts show superior electrochemical properties as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The optimized CdS@C composites deliver a reversible capacity around 910 mAhg-1 and 48 mAhg-1 at 0.1 Ag-1 and 30.0 Ag-1, respectively. Moreover, the optimized nanobelts are also potential materials for Na storage. A stable capacity around 240 mAhg-1 is obtained at 0.1 Ag-1, even after 100 cycles.

Anisotropic semi-aligned PAN@PVdF-HFP separator for Li-ion batteries.

Compared with the common electrospun nanofibers, the alignment of the nanofibers exhibits interesting anisotropic mechanical properties and structural stability. In this paper, semi-aligned PAN@PVdF-HFP nanofiber separators were prepared by a modified electrospinning method. The composite separators exhibit anisotropic mechanical properties and enhanced electrochemical performance compared with electrospun PAN films. The PAN@PVdF-HFP nanofiber separator can deliver an ionic conductivity of 1.2 mSccm-1 with electrochemical stability up to 5.0 V. The LiFePO4/Li cell with semi-aligned PAN@PVdF-HFP separator shows excellent cycling performance, good rate capability, as well as high discharge capacity.

Graphene oxide size-dependently altered lipid profiles in THP-1 macrophages.

Previous studies focused on biocompatibility of graphene oxide (GO) to macrophages, but the impact of GO on lipid profiles in macrophages was less investigated. Herein, we investigated the interactions between THP-1 macrophages and GO of different sizes (GO of size 500-5000 nm, denoted as GO-L; GO of size < 500 nm, denoted as GO-S). We found that after 24 h exposure, the internalization of GO appeared to be minimal, whereas up to 50 µg/mL of GO-L but not GO-S reduced lipid accumulation, accompanying with a significantly reduced release of soluble monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) but not interleukin-6 (IL-6). Moreover, lipidomic data showed that GO-L decreased the levels of 17 lipid classes, whereas GO-S only decreased the levels of 5 lipid classes. For comparison, 50 µg/mL carbon black (CB) significantly increased lipid accumulation with considerable particle internalization. GO-reduced lipid accumulation was not related with increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or induction of autophagy, and modulation of autophagy by chemicals showed no significant effect to alter the effects of GO-L on lipid accumulation. However, exposure to GO reduced the mRNA and protein levels of key components in peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, a pathway that is related with lipid droplet biogenesis, and the modulation of PPARγ by chemicals altered the effects of GO-L on lipid accumulation. In conclusion, our results suggested that GO size-dependently altered lipid profiles in THP-1 macrophages that might be related with PPAR signaling pathway.

Gas Sensors Based on Mechanically Exfoliated MoS2 Nanosheets for Room-Temperature NO2 Detection.

The unique properties of MoS2 nanosheets make them a promising candidate for high-performance room temperature gas detection. Herein, few-layer MoS2 nanosheets (FLMN) prepared via mechanical exfoliation are coated on a substrate with interdigital electrodes for room-temperature NO2 detection. Interestingly, compared with other NO2 gas sensors based on MoS2, FLMN gas sensors exhibit high responsivity for room-temperature NO2 detection, and NO2 is easily desorbed from the sensor surface with an ultrafast recovery behavior, with recovery times around 2 s. The high responsivity is related to the fact that the adsorbed NO2 can affect the electron states within the entire material, which is attributed to the very small thickness of the MoS2 nanosheets. First-principles calculations were carried out based on the density functional theory (DFT) to verify that the ultrafast recovery behavior arises from the weak van der Waals binding between NO2 and the MoS2 surface. Our work suggests that FLMN prepared via mechanical exfoliation have a great potential for fabricating high-performance NO2 gas sensors.

Protein Fibrils Induce Emulsion Stabilization.

The behavior of an oil-in-water emulsion was studied in the presence of protein fibrils for a wide range of fibril concentrations by using rheology, diffusing wave spectroscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results showed that above a minimum fibril concentration depletion flocculation occurred, leading to oil droplet aggregation and enhanced creaming of the emulsion. Upon further increasing the concentration of the protein fibrils, the emulsions were stabilized. In this stable regime both aggregates of droplets and single droplets are present, and these aggregates are smaller than the aggregates in the flocculated emulsion samples at the lower fibril concentrations. The size of the droplet aggregates in the stabilized emulsions is independent of fibril concentration. In addition, the droplet aggregation was reversible upon dilution both by a pH 2 HCl solution and by a fibril solution at the same concentration. The viscosity of the emulsions containing fibrils was comparable to that of the pure fibril solution. Neither fibril networks nor droplet gel networks were observed in our study. The stabilization mechanism of emulsions containing long protein fibrils at high protein fibril concentrations points toward the mechanism of a kinetic stabilization.

Stability of colloidal dispersions in the presence of protein fibrils.

We studied the stability of monodispersed polystyrene latex dispersions with protein fibrils at different concentrations at pH 2 using microscopy and diffusing wave spectroscopy. At low fibril concentrations, fibrils induced bridging flocculation due to the opposite charges between fibrils and the latex particles. At higher fibril concentration the dispersions were stabilized due to steric and/or electrostatic repulsion. Upon further increasing fibril concentration, we find that the dispersion is destabilized again by depletion interaction. At even higher fibril concentration, the dispersions are stabilized again. These dispersions have a higher stability compared to the dispersions without fibrils. Interestingly, these dispersions contain single particles and small clusters of particles that do not grow beyond a certain size. Although the stabilization mechanism is not clear yet, the results from microscopy and diffusing wave spectroscopy point in the direction of a kinetic barrier that depends on fibril concentration.

The role of photobiomodulation in accelerating bone repair.

Bone repair is faced with obstacles such as slow repair rates and limited bone regeneration capacity. Delayed healing even nonunion could occur in bone defects, influencing the life quality of patients severely. Photobiomodulation (PBM) utilizes different light sources to derive beneficial therapeutic effects with the advantage of being non-invasive and painless, providing a promising strategy for accelerating bone repair. In this review, we summarize the parameters, mechanisms, and effects of PBM regulating bone repair, and further conclude the current clinical application of PBM devices in bone repair. The wavelength of 635-980 nm, the output power of 40-100 mW, and the energy density of less than 100 J/cm2 are the most commonly used parameters. New technologies, including needle systems and biocompatible and implantable optical fibers, offer references to realize an efficient and safe strategy for bone repair. Further research is required to establish the reliability of outcomes from in vivo and in vitro studies and to standardize clinical trial protocols.

Osteocyte ferroptosis induced by ATF3/TFR1 contributes to cortical bone loss during ageing.

Cortical bone loss is intricately associated with ageing and coincides with iron accumulation. The precise role of ferroptosis, characterized by iron overload and lipid peroxidation, in senescent osteocytes remains elusive. We found that ferroptosis was a crucial mode of osteocyte death in cortical bone during ageing. Using a single-cell transcriptome analysis, we identified activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) as a critical driver of osteocyte ferroptosis. Elevated ATF3 expression in senescent osteocytes promotes iron uptake by upregulating transferrin receptor 1 while simultaneously inhibiting solute carrier family 7-member 11-mediated cystine import. This process leads to an iron overload and lipid peroxidation, culminating in ferroptosis. Importantly, ATF3 inhibition in aged mice effectively alleviated ferroptosis in the cortical bone and mitigated cortical bone mass loss. Taken together, our findings establish a pivotal role of ferroptosis in cortical bone loss in older adults, providing promising prevention and treatment strategies for osteoporosis and fractures.

The osteoclastic activity in apical distal region of molar mesial roots affects orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption in rats.

The utilization of optimal orthodontic force is crucial to prevent undesirable side effects and ensure efficient tooth movement during orthodontic treatment. However, the sensitivity of existing detection techniques is not sufficient, and the criteria for evaluating optimal force have not been yet established. Here, by employing 3D finite element analysis methodology, we found that the apical distal region (A-D region) of mesial roots is particularly sensitive to orthodontic force in rats. Tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts began accumulating in the A-D region under the force of 40 grams (g), leading to alveolar bone resorption and tooth movement. When the force reached 80 g, TRAP-positive osteoclasts started appearing on the root surface in the A-D region. Additionally, micro-computed tomography revealed a significant root resorption at 80 g. Notably, the A-D region was identified as a major contributor to whole root resorption. It was determined that 40 g is the minimum effective force for tooth movement with minimal side effects according to the analysis of tooth movement, inclination, and hyalinization. These findings suggest that the A-D region with its changes on the root surface is an important consideration and sensitive indicator when evaluating orthodontic forces for a rat model. Collectively, our investigations into this region would aid in offering valuable implications for preventing and minimizing root resorption during patients' orthodontic treatment.

The Effects and Mechanisms of PBM Therapy in Accelerating Orthodontic Tooth Movement.

Malocclusion is one of the three major diseases, the incidence of which could reach 56% of the imperiled oral and systemic health in the world today. Orthodontics is still the primary method to solve the problem. However, it is clear that many orthodontic complications are associated with courses of long-term therapy. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy could be used as a popular way to shorten the course of orthodontic treatment by nearly 26% to 40%. In this review, the efficacy in cells and animals, mechanisms, relevant cytokines and signaling, clinical trials and applications, and the future developments of PBM therapy in orthodontics were evaluated to demonstrate its validity. Simultaneously, based on orthodontic mechanisms and present findings, the mechanisms of acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) caused by PBM therapy were explored in relation to four aspects, including blood vessels, inflammatory response, collagen and fibers, and mineralized tissues. Also, the cooperative effects and clinical translation of PBM therapy in orthodontics have been explored in a growing numbers of studies. Up to now, PBM therapy has been gaining popularity for its non-invasive nature, easy operation, and painless procedures. However, the validity and exact mechanism of PBM therapy as an adjuvant treatment in orthodontics have not been fully elucidated. Therefore, this review summarizes the efficacy of PBM therapy on the acceleration of OTM comprehensively from various aspects and was designed to provide an evidence-based platform for the research and development of light-related orthodontic tooth movement acceleration devices.

Leaching characteristics and pollution risk assessment of potentially harmful elements from coal gangue exposed to weathering for different periods of time.

To explore the leaching behavior and potential degree of pollution that can result from the backfilling of goafs with different types of coal gangue (CG), fresh CG from the Hongqi Coal Mine goaf and surface CG (weathered for 1 year) were selected as the research objects in this study. A series of leaching experiments were carried out using the Ordovician limestone karst waters of the mining areas as the soaking solution. A comparative study on the dissolution characteristics of Fe3+, Mn2+, and SO42- and on the traditional water quality parameters of the two types of CG was conducted. The results showed that the soaked, weathered CG displayed a higher ion dissolution value than fresh CG. The ratio of each ion was as follows: Fe3+ was 1, Mn2+ was 2.86 ~ 68.18, and SO42- was 1.34 ~ 2.09. Over time, the ion concentration of water samples that initially contained high ion concentration values showed a decreasing trend after CG was soaked in these waters, but the values were still in the range of high ion release concentrations. The pH and oxidation‒reduction potential (ORP) values of the leachate of both CG types indicated that the leachates were weakly alkaline and weakly oxidizing, and the overall change in total dissolved solids (TDS) was small and consistent with the SO42- trend. SO42- in the leachate of the weathered CG showed a more significant correlation with the pH and TDS of the soaking solution, and it was the major pollutant. According to the geoaccumulation index evaluation, weathered CG had higher pollution potential than fresh CG. Fe3+ presented a slight and moderate risk for contamination.

Sustainable sepiolite-based composites for fast clotting and wound healing.

Uncontrolled bleeding and bacterial coinfection are the major causes of death after an injury. Fast hemostatic capacity, good biocompatibility, and bacterial coinfection inhibition pose great challenges to hemostatic agent development. A prospective sepiolite/Ag nanoparticles (sepiolite@AgNPs) composite has been prepared by using natural clay sepiolite as template. A tail vein hemorrhage mouse model and a rabbit hemorrhage model were used to evaluate the hemostatic properties of the composite. The sepiolite@AgNPs composite can quickly absorb fluid to subsequently stop bleeding due to the natural fibrous crystal structure of sepiolite, and inhibit bacterial growth with the antibacterial ability of AgNPs. Compared with commercially-available zeolite material, the as-prepared composite exhibits competitive hemostatic properties without exothermic reaction in the rabbit model of femoral and carotid artery injury. The rapid hemostatic effect was due to the efficient absorption of erythrocyte and activation of the coagulation cascade factors and platelets. Besides, after heat-treatment, the composites can be recycled without significant reduction of hemostatic performance. Our results also prove that sepiolite@AgNPs nanocomposites can stimulate wound healing. The sustainability, lower-cost, higher bioavailability, and stronger hemostatic efficacy of sepiolite@AgNPs composite render these nanocomposites as more favorable hemostatic agents for hemostasis and wound healing.