Regulation of the pleiotropic transcriptional regulator CodY on the conversion of branched-chain amino acids into branched-chain aldehydes in Lactococcus lactis.

IMPORTANCE: Branched-chain aldehydes are the primary compounds that contribute to the nutty flavor in cheddar cheese. Lactococcus lactis, which is often applied as primary starter culture, is a significant contributor to the nutty flavor of cheddar cheese due to its ability of conversion of BCAAs into branched-chain aldehydes. In the present study, we found that the regulatory role of CodY is crucial for the conversion. CodY acts as a pleiotropic transcriptional regulator via binding to various regulatory regions of key genes. The results presented valuable knowledge into the role of CodY on the regulation and biosynthetic pathway of branched-chain amino acids and the related aldehydes. Furthermore, it provided new insight for increasing the nutty flavor produced during the manufacture and ripening of cheese.

Synergistic Promotion of Large-Current Water Splitting through Interfacial Engineering of Hierarchically Structured CoP-FeP Nanosheets with Rich P Vacancies.

The development of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts with high performance under large current density is still a challenge. Introducing P vacancies in heterostructure is an appealing strategy to enhance HER kinetics. This study investigates a CoP-FeP heterostructure catalyst with abundant P vacancies (Vp-CoP-FeP/NF) on nickel foam (NF), which was prepared using dipping and phosphating treatment. The optimized Vp-CoP-FeP catalyst exerted prominent HER catalytic capability, requiring an ultra-low overpotential (58 mV @ 10 mA cm-2 ) and displaying robust durability (50 h @ 200 mA cm-2 ) in 1.0 M KOH solution. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrated superior overall water splitting activity as cathode, demanding only cell voltage of 1.76 V at 200 mA cm-2 , outperforming Pt/C/NF(-) || RuO2 /NF(+) . The catalyst's outstanding performance can be attributed to the hierarchical structure of porous nanosheets, abundant P vacancies, and synergistic effect between CoP and FeP components, which promote water dissociation and H* adsorption and desorption, thereby synergically accelerating HER kinetics and enhancing HER activity. This study demonstrates the potential of HER catalysts with phosphorus-rich vacancies that can work under industrial-scale current density, highlighting the importance of developing durable and efficient catalysts for hydrogen production.

Metabolic Syndrome and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is suggested to participate in the pathogenesis and progress of some cancers via inducing low-grade systemic inflammation. However, the influence of MetS on patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains not fully determined. A systematic review and meta-analysis was therefore performed to evaluate the influence of MetS on clinical outcomes of patients with GC. A search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI retrieved relevant cohort studies from the inception of the databases to October 11, 2022. We pooled the results using a random-effects model that incorporates heterogeneity. In the meta-analysis, 6649 patients with GC were included, and all of them received gastrectomy. A total of 1248 (18.8%) patients had MetS at baseline. Pooled results showed that MetS was associated with higher risks of postoperative complications [risk ratio (RR): 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.85 to 3.14, p<0.001; I2=55%], overall mortality (RR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.85 to 3.14, p<0.001; I2=77%), and recurrence of GC (RR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.10 to 3.63, p=0.02; I2=39%). Subgroup analyses showed similar results in prospective and retrospective cohort studies and in studies with MetS diagnosed with the Chinese Diabetes Society criteria and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (p for subgroup difference all>0.05). In patients with GC after gastrectomy, MetS may be a predictor of high incidence of postoperative complications, cancer recurrence, and overall mortality.

Mn-Doped Zn Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Porous N-Doped Carbon Composite as a High-Performance Nonprecious Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Aqueous/Flexible Zinc-Air Batteries.

Developing low-cost, efficient, and stable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is crucial for the commercialization of energy conversion devices such as metal-air batteries. In this study, we report a Mn-doped Zn metal-organic framework-derived porous N-doped carbon composite (30-ZnMn-NC) as a high-performance ORR catalyst. 30-ZnMn-NC exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity, demonstrating a kinetic current density of 9.58 mA cm-2 (0.8 V) and a half-wave potential of 0.83 V, surpassing the benchmark Pt/C and most of the recently reported non-noble metal-based catalysts. Moreover, the assembled zinc-air battery with 30-ZnMn-NC demonstrates high peak power densities of 207 and 66.3 mW cm-2 in liquid and flexible batteries, respectively, highlighting its potential for practical applications. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of 30-ZnMn-NC is attributed to its unique porous structure, the strong electronic interaction between metal Zn/Mn and adjacent N-doped carbon, as well as the bimetallic Mn/Zn-N active sites, which synergistically promote faster reaction kinetics. This work offers a controllable design strategy for efficient electrocatalysts with porous structures and bimetallic active sites, which can significantly enhance the performance of energy conversion devices.

Erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum in a patient with myasthenia gravis: first case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytes are the most common causative pathogens of mycoses worldwide and usually cause superficial infections. However, they can enter deep into the dermis lead to invasive dermatophytosis such as deeper dermal dermatophytosis on rare occasions. Erythroderma is a severe dermatological manifestation of various diseases resulting in generalized skin redness, but erythroderma due to fungi infections is barely reported. In this article, we reported the first case of erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) in a patient with myasthenia gravis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old man was hospitalized because of erythema with scaling and nodules covering his body for a month. The patient had a history of myasthenia gravis controlled by regularly taking prednisolone for > 10 years and accompanied by onychomycosis and tinea pedis lasting > 8 years. Based on histopathological examinations, fungal cultures, and DNA sequencing results, the patient was finally diagnosed with dermatophyte-induced erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis caused by T. rubrum. After 2 weeks of antifungal treatment, the patient had recovered well. CONCLUSIONS: This case report shows that immunosuppressed patients with long histories of superficial mycoses tend to have a higher risk of developing invasive dermatophytic infections or disseminated fungal infections. Dermatologists should be alert to this condition and promptly treat the superficial dermatophytosis.

Analysis of surgical treatment of appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms-17 years of single-center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment of appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms in appendectomy specimens of our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinicopathological data, including age, sex, preoperative clinical manifestation, surgical method, and histopathological examination results of 11 patients with appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms confirmed by surgery and pathology between November 2005 and January 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In the histopathological examination of 7277 appendectomy specimens, 11 cases (0.2%) had appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms. Among the 11 patients, 8(72.7%) were males, and 3(27.3%) were females, with an average age of 48.1 years. All patients underwent emergency surgery. A total of 9 patients underwent open appendectomy, including 1 patient who underwent second-stage simple right hemicolectomy after an appendectomy, and two who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. All 11 patients were followed up for a period of 1 to 17 years. All patients survived without any indication of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms are low-grade malignant tumors originating from neuroendocrine cells. They are rarely seen in clinical practice and are often treated based on acute and chronic appendicitis symptoms. These tumors are challenging to diagnose before surgery due to the lack of specificity in clinical manifestations and auxiliary examinations. The diagnosis generally depends on postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry. Despite the diagnostic challenges, these tumors have a favorable prognosis.

Recovery of Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus from cloned cDNA.

Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV) is an important pathogen that infects mandarin fish. A reverse genetics system is an important technical platform for virus research. In this study, the minigenome in which the enhanced green fluorescent protein gene is flanked by the viral genomic ends of SCRV and transcribed using a T7 promoter-terminator cassette was constructed. Co-transfection of the minigenome construct with SCRV-supporting plasmids of N, P, and L in BSRT7 cells resulted in the expression of the reporter gene. Transcription of a positive-strand RNA copy from cDNA of the SCRV genome along with the viral N, P, and L proteins resulted in the recovery of infectious SCRV in cells. Viral titre up to 108 PFU/ml was achieved. Recombinant SCRV was verified by the detection of a unique restriction site engineered into the SCRV genome. The phenotypes of the recombinant SCRV and the parental virus were evaluated by plaque size, replication kinetics in vitro, and pathogenicity in vivo. The recovered SCRV from cDNA showed similar phenotypes compared to the parental virus. The established reverse genetics system is of great significance and value for the functional genome study of SCRV and for laying a foundation for the development of the viral vector and SCRV vaccine.

LINC00992 exerts oncogenic activities in prostate cancer via regulation of SOX4.

OBJECTIVE: The critical role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been implicated in prostate cancer (PCa). As one of them, LINC00992 (LNC992) has been revealed by bioinformatics prediction to be significantly overexpressed in PCa. However, the underlying mechanism of LNC992 in PCa has not been well investigated. METHODS: First, gene expression microarrays of prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) were downloaded from the GEO database, and differentially expressed genes were analyzed. Subsequently, we assessed the LNC992 expression in PCa patients. PCa cells with overexpression or low expression of LNC992 were generated, followed by the examination of proliferation, invasion and migration in vitro and in vivo. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed by microarrays after altering LNC992 expression in PCa cells, and the downstream regulatory mechanisms of LNC992 were analyzed by bioinformatics analysis and validated by RIP and RNA pull-down assays. RESULTS: LNC992 was highly expressed in the PRAD database and in cancer tissues from PCa patients, serving as a poor prognostic factor for PCa patients. Knockdown of LNC992 significantly inhibited PCa cell growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we found that knockdown of LNC992 significantly suppressed SOX4 expression in cells and that LNC992 could bind to EIF4A3 and promote the translation of SOX4. Inhibition of either EIF4A3 or SOX4 significantly suppressed the growth and metastasis of PCa cells. CONCLUSIONS: LNC992 elevates SOX4 expression by binding to SOX4 mRNA and recruiting translation initiation factor EIF4A3, thereby promoting the growth and metastasis of PCa cells in vitro and in vivo.

LncRNA MALAT1 modified progression of clear cell kidney carcinoma (KIRC) by regulation of miR-194-5p/ACVR2B signaling.

This investigation was purposed to extrapolate whether and how lncRNA MALAT1, miR-194-5p, and ACVR2B altered development of clear cell kidney carcinoma (KIRC). We totally gathered 318 pairs of KIRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and also purchased human KIRC cell lines and normal human proximal tubular epithelial cell line. Besides, si-MALAT1, pcDNA-MALAT1, miR-194-5p mimic, miR-194-5p inhibitor, and negative control (NC) were, respectively, transfected into KIRC cells. The viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of the cells were determined with CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was implemented to validate the targeted relationships between MALAT1 and miR-194-5p, as well as between miR-194-5p and ACVR2B. The results showed that highly expressed MALAT1, ACVR2B, and lowly expressed miR-194-5p were associated with larger tumor size (≥4 cm), advanced TNM stage and poor prognosis of KIRC patients, when, respectively, compared with lowly expressed MALAT1, ACVR2B, and highly expressed miR-194-5p (P < 0.05). Transfection of pcDNA-MALAT1, miR-194-5p inhibitor, and pcDNA-ACVR2B conferred the KIRC cells with promoted viability and proliferation, as well as reduced apoptosis (P < 0.05). Treatment of rats with pcDNA-MALAT1, miR-194-5p inhibitor, or pcDNA-ACVR2B also contributed to larger tumor size growing in them (P < 0.05). Moreover, MALAT1 could directly target miR-194-5p to suppress its expression, and ACVR2B was the targeted molecule of miR-194-5p (P < 0.05). Finally, ACVR2B could reverse the effects exerted by miR-194-5p on viability, proliferation, and apoptosis of KIRC cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LncRNA MALAT1/miR-194-5p/ACVR2B signaling was regarded as a candidate pathway for modulating KIRC progression.

Watt-level passively mode-locked Tm:YLF laser at 1.83 µm.

Passive, continuous-wave mode-locked (CWML) operation of a 1.83 µm Tm:YLF laser is experimentally demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Two specially selected output couplers are used to realize this operation. Stability of the CWML laser is obtained with a commercial semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. The maximum average output power is 1.04 W with a pulse duration of 107 ps and repetition rate of 54.1 MHz. Further, a 0.1 mm fused-quartz Fabry-Perot etalon is used to tune the central wavelength of the stable CWML laser at 1827.2 nm, 1829.5 nm, 1831.9 nm, and 1833.5 nm.

High-power and high-efficiency short wavelength operation of a Tm:YLF laser at 1.83 µm.

A high-power and high-efficiency diode-end-pumped Tm:YLF laser at 1.83 µm is demonstrated for the first time, to our best knowledge. To make the laser operate at 1.83 µm, a simple way of controlling the transmittance of the output coupler is used, and the criteria of the transmittance of the output coupler at the emission peaks of Tm:YLF are theoretically analyzed, which are verified by experimental results. Based on the theoretical analysis, laser oscillation at only 1.83 µm is realized. Maximum output power at 1833 nm is 8.5 W with corresponding slope efficiency of 53.4% regarding absorbed pump power. In addition, tunability of this laser from 1827 nm to 1837 nm is obtained. Laser beam quality at 1833 nm is measured to be 1.4 at maximum output power. The achieved laser performance represents considerable improvement compared to any other bulk laser emitting around 1.83 µm.

Long-Term Characterization of Cranial Defects After Surgical Correction for Single-Suture Craniosynostosis.

INTRODUCTION: Craniosynostosis is typically corrected surgically within the first year of life through cranial vault reconstruction. These procedures often leave open calvarial defects at the time of surgery, which are anticipated to close over time in a large proportion of cases. However, residual calvarial defects may result as long-term sequelae from cranial vault remodeling. When larger defects are present, they may necessitate further reconstruction for closure.Better understanding of the calvarial osseous healing process may help to identify which defects will resolve or shrink to acceptable size and which will require further surgery. Our study aims to assess the long-term changes in defect size after cranial vault reconstruction for craniosynostosis. METHODS: One-year postoperative and long-term computed tomography scans were retrieved from the craniofacial anomalies archive. Analysis used custom software. All defects above the size of 1 cm were analyzed and tracked for calvarial location, surface area, and circularity. Monte Carlo simulation was performed to model the effect of initial defect size on the rate of defect closure. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 74 defects. The mean ± SD initial defect surface area was 3.27 ± 3.40 cm. The mean ± SD final defect surface area was 1.71 ± 2.54 cm. The mean ± SD percent decrease was 55.06% ± 28.99%. There was a significant difference in the percentage decrease of defects in the parietal and frontoparietal locations: 68.4% and 43.7%, respectively (P = 0.001). Monte Carlo simulation results suggest that less than 10% of defects above the size of 9 cm will close to the size of 2.5 cm or less. CONCLUSIONS: We describe and make available a novel validated method of measuring cranial defects. We find that the large majority of initial defects greater than 9 cm remain at least 1 in in size (2.5 cm) 1 year postoperatively. In addition, there appear to be regional differences in closure rates across the cranium, with frontoparietal defects closing more slowly than those in the parietal region. This information will aid surgeons in the decision-making process regarding cranioplasty after craniosynostosis correction.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercises on Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Currently, most studies on the health benefits of traditional Chinese exercises on type 2 diabetes mellitus have explored the effects of a single type of traditional Chinese exercise on type 2 diabetes. Although a previous study evaluated the combined clinical effects of traditional Chinese exercises on type 2 diabetes, the studies included in that review were deficient in their study design. In addition, previous studies have not explored the ideal exercise dose that should be taken by patients with type 2 diabetes when performing traditional Chinese exercises. OBJECTIVE: To understand whether the findings of previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses are still applicable and to try to address the deficiencies in the previous review, this review conducted a meta-analysis of existing randomized controlled trials to investigate the impact of traditional Chinese exercises on glycemic control with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The literature was searched in seven Chinese and English databases. Randomized controlled trials published in English and Chinese, from database inception to March 2023, were included in this review. Two reviewers independently reviewed the search results, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias. A meta-analysis of the included studies was conducted using Rev Man 5.4 and Stata 15.1 software. Heterogeneity was investigated using a sensitivity analysis, a subgroup analysis, and a meta-regression analysis. Pre-determined subgroups included the duration of the intervention, frequency of exercise, and duration of the single exercise session. RESULTS: A total of 31 randomized controlled trials (2077 subjects) were selected in this review. The meta-analysis revealed that traditional Chinese exercises were more effective than control groups in lowering glycated hemoglobin (Z = 6.06; mean difference [MD] = - 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.85, - 0.44; P < 0.00001), fasting blood glucose (Z = 7.81; MD = - 0.82, 95% CI - 1.03, - 0.62; P < 0.00001), 2-h plasma glucose (Z = 5.61; MD = - 1.03, 95% CI - 1.39, - 0.67; P < 0.00001), total cholesterol (Z = 4.23; MD = - 0.37, 95% CI - 0.54, - 0.20; P < 0.0001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Z = 5.94; MD = 0.12, 95% CI 0.08, 0.16; P < 0.00001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Z = 6.20; MD = - 0.34, 95% CI - 0.44, - 0.23; P < 0.00001), and triglyceride levels (Z = 3.74; MD = - 0.44, 95% CI - 0.67, - 0.21; P = 0.0002) among patients with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional Chinese exercises can significantly improve blood glucose and lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. When performing traditional Chinese exercise interventions for type 2 diabetes, it is recommended that exercise programs are designed for 30-50 min/session, 4-5 sessions/week for at least 3 months.

Time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay based on glucose oxidase-encapsulated metal-organic framework for amplified detection of foodborne pathogen.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence immunoassays are commonly employed for the detection of pathogenic bacteria as a means of ensuring food safety and preserving public health. However, the challenges such as poor photostability and background interference have limited their sensitivity and accuracy. The emergence of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a label probe offers a promising solution for advancing fluorescence immunoassays owing to their tunable nature. Nonetheless, the low fluorescence efficiency of MOFs and the potential risk of dye leakage pose obstacles to achieving high detection sensitivity. Therefore, there exists a pressing need to fully utilize the potential of MOF composites in fluorescence immunoassays. RESULTS: We explored the potential of glucose oxidase-encapsulated zeolitic imidazole framework-90 (GOx@ZIF-90) as a label probe to construct a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay with amplified detection signal. This immunoassay involved functionalizing Fe3O4 nanoparticle with porcine antibody to specifically capture and separate the target bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The captured S. aureus was then bound by GOx@ZIF-90 modified with vancomycin, resulting in a fluorescence response in the europium tetracycline (EuTc). The encapsulation of GOx in ZIF-90 provided a confinement effect that significantly enhanced the catalytic activity and stability of GOx. This led to a highly efficient conversion of glucose to H2O2, amplifying the fluorescence signal of EuTc. The immunoassay demonstrated a high sensitivity in detecting S. aureus, with a detection limit of 2 CFU/mL. We also obtained satisfactory results in milk samples. Attractively, the time-resolved detection mode of EuTc allowed the immunoassay to eliminate background fluorescence and enhance accuracy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study not only presented a new method for detecting foodborne pathogens but also highlighted the potential of enzyme-encapsulated MOF composites as label probes in immunoassays, providing valuable insights for the design and fabrication of MOF composites for various applications.

Identification of differentially expressed mRNAs as novel predictive biomarkers for gastric cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) has a high mortality rate worldwide. Despite significant progress in GC diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for affected patients still remains unfavorable. AIM: To identify important candidate genes related to the development of GC and identify potential pathogenic mechanisms through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to obtain the GSE183136 dataset, which includes a total of 135 GC samples. The limma package in R software was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Thereafter, enrichment analyses of Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were performed for the gene modules using the clusterProfile package in R software. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of target genes were constructed using STRING and visualized by Cytoscape software. The common hub genes that emerged in the cohort of DEGs that was retrieved from the GEPIA database were then screened using a Venn Diagram. The expression levels of these overlapping genes in stomach adenocarcinoma samples and non-tumor samples and their association with prognosis in GC patients were also obtained from the GEPIA database and Kaplan-Meier curves. Moreover, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were performed to determine the mRNA and protein levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in GC and normal immortalized cell lines. In addition, cell viability, cell cycle distribution, migration and invasion were evaluated by cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Furthermore, we also conducted a retrospective analysis on 70 GC patients diagnosed and surgically treated in Wenzhou Central Hospital, Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University between January 2017 to December 2020. The tumor and adjacent normal samples were collected from the patients to determine the potential association between the expression level of GPT and the clinical as well as pathological features of GC patients. RESULTS: We selected 19214 genes from the GSE183136 dataset, among which there were 250 downregulated genes and 401 upregulated genes in the tumor samples of stage III-IV in comparison to those in tumor samples of stage I-II with a P-value < 0.05. In addition, GO and KEGG results revealed that the various upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in plasma membrane and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, whereas the downregulated DEGs were primarily enriched in cytosol and pancreatic secretion, vascular smooth muscle contraction and biosynthesis of the different cofactors. Furthermore, PPI networks were constructed based on the various upregulated and downregulated genes, and there were a total 15 upregulated and 10 downregulated hub genes. After a comprehensive analysis, several hub genes, including runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1), lysyl oxidase (LOX), fibrillin 1 (FBN1) and GPT, displayed prognostic values. Interestingly, it was observed that GPT was downregulated in GC cells and its upregulation could suppress the malignant phenotypes of GC cells. Furthermore, the expression level of GPT was found to be associated with age, lymph node metastasis, pathological staging and distant metastasis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: RUNX2, SPI1, LOX, FBN1 and GPT were identified key hub genes in GC by bioinformatics analysis. GPT was significantly associated with the prognosis of GC, and its upregulation can effectively inhibit the proliferative, migrative and invasive capabilities of GC cells.

Modulating the Energy Barrier via the Synergism of Cu3P and CoP to Accelerate Kinetics for Bolstering Oxygen Electrocatalysis in Zn-Air Batteries.

Modulating the energy barrier of reaction intermediates to surmount sluggish kinetics is an utterly intriguing strategy for amplifying the oxygen reduction reaction. Herein, a Cu3P/CoP hybrid is incorporated on hollow porous N-doped carbon nanospheres via dopamine self-polymerization and high-temperature treatment. The resultant Cu3P/CoP@NC showcases a favorable mass activity of 4.41 mA mg-1 and a kinetic current density of 2.38 mA cm-2. Strikingly, the catalyst endows the aqueous Zn-air battery (ZAB) with a large power density of 209.0 mW cm-2, superb cyclability over 317 h, and promising application prospects in flexible ZAB. Theoretical simulations reveal that Cu functions as a modulator to modify the free energy of intermediates and adsorbs the O2 on the Co sites, hence rushing the reaction kinetics. The open and hydrophilic hollow spherical mesoporous structure provides unimpeded channels for reactant diffusion and electrolyte penetration, whereas the exposed inner and outer surfaces can confer a plethora of accessible actives sites. This research establishes a feasible design concept to tune catalytic activity for non-noble metal materials by construction of a rational nanoframework.

Synergistic vacancy engineering of Co/MnO@NC catalyst for superior oxygen reduction reaction in liquid/solid zinc-air batteries.

The pursuit of efficient and economically viable catalysts for liquid/solid-state zinc-air batteries (ZABs) is of paramount importance yet presents formidable challenge. Herein, we synthesized a vacancy-rich cobalt/manganese oxide catalyst (Co/MnO@NC) stabilized on a nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (NC) nanosphere matrix by leveraging hydrothermal and high-temperature pyrolysis strategy. The optimized Co/MnO@NC demonstrates fast reaction kinetics and large limiting current densities comparable to commercial Pt/C in alkaline electrolyte for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, the Co/MnO@NC serves as an incredible cathode material for both liquid and flexible solid-state ZABs, delivering impressive peak power densities of 217.7 and 63.3 mW cm-2 and robust long-term stability (459 h), outperforming the state-of-the-art Pt/C and majority of the currently reported catalysts. Research indicates that the superior performance of the Co/MnO@NC catalyst primarily stems from the synergy between the heightened electrical conductivity of metallic Co and the regulatory capacity of MnO on adsorbed oxygen intermediates. In addition, the abundance of vacancies regulates the electronic configuration, and superhydrophilicity facilitates efficient electrolyte diffusion, thereby effectively ensuring optimal contact between the active site and reactants. Besides, the coexisting NC layer avoids the shedding of active sites, resulting in high stability. This work provides a viable approach for designing and advancing high-performance liquid/solid-state ZABs, highlighting the great potential of energy storage technology.

Synergistic Co-N/V-N dual sites in N-doped Co3V2O8 nanosheets: pioneering high-efficiency bifunctional electrolysis for high-current water splitting.

Developing affluent dual-metal active sites bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential to achieve large-scale water electrolysis, whereas still remains challenging. Herein, a novel nitrogen-doped cobalt-vanadium oxide with abundant Co-N and V-N dual active sites supported on nickel foam (N-Co3V2O8@NF) is constructed by a controllable impregnation-thermal nitridation strategy. The staggered nanosheet structure ensures optimal exposure of active sites. More importantly, N doping effectively regulates the electronic structure of the metal centers and induces the formation of Co-N and V-N dual active sites, which is conducive to improving the conductivity and hydrophilicity, thus synergistically enhancing the electrocatalytic efficiency. Consequently, the optimized N-Co3V2O8@NF exhibits prominent HER (63 mV@10 mA cm-2) and OER (256 mV@10 mA cm-2) activities, surpassing most contemporary bifunctional electrocatalysts. In practical application, the assembled N-Co3V2O8@NF(+/-) electrolyzer consistently achieved ultra-low cell voltages of 1.97 and 2.03 V at 500 and 1000 mA cm-2, respectively, superior to the benchmark RuO2@NF(+) || Pt/C@NF(-) and showcasing robust durability. This paves the way for its prospective adoption in industrial water electrolysis applications.

Self-etching assembly of designed NiFeMOF nanosheet arrays as high-efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalyst for water splitting.

2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as potential candidates for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reactions (OER) due to their inherent properties like abundant coordination unsaturated active sites and efficient charge transfer. Herein, a versatile and massively synthesizable self-etching assembly strategy wherein nickel-iron foam (NFF) acts as a substrate and a metal ion source. Specifically, by etching the nickel-iron foam (NFF) surface using ligands and solvents, Ni/Fe metal ions are activated and subsequently reacted under hydrothermal conditions, resulting in the formation of self-supporting nanosheet arrays, eliminating the need for external metal salts. The obtained 33 % NiFeMOF/NFF exhibits remarkable OER performance with ultra-low overpotentials of 188/231 mV at 10/100 mA cm-2, respectively, outperforming most recently reported catalysts. Besides, the built 33 % NiFeMOF/NFF(+)||Pt/C(-) electrolyzer presents low cell voltages of 1.55/1.83 V at 10/100 mA cm-2, superior to the benchmark RuO2 (+)||Pt/C(-), implying good industrialization prospects. The excellent catalytic activity stems from the modulation of the electronic spin state of the Ni active site by the introduction of Fe, which facilitates the adsorption process of oxygen-containing intermediates and thus enhances the OER activity. This innovative approach offers a promising pathway for commercial-scale sustainable energy solutions.

Seed-mediated strategy for synthesis of enzyme-encapsulated metal-organic frameworks with enhanced enzyme activity.

Encapsulation of enzymes into metal-organic frameworks (enzyme@MOF) can improve the stability of enzymes. Most present synthesis methods of enzyme@MOF rely on the complex modification of enzymes or the natural negative surface charge of enzymes to promote the synthesis of enzyme@MOF. Despite extensive efforts, it remains challenging to develop a surface charge-independent and convenient strategy to encapsulate various enzymes into MOF efficiently. In this study, we proposed a convenient seed-mediated strategy for efficient synthesis of enzyme@MOF from the perspective of MOF formation. The seed, acting as nuclei, makes the slow nucleation stage skipped, leading to the efficient synthesis of enzyme@MOF. The successful encapsulation of several proteins demonstrated the feasibility and advantages of the seed-mediated strategy. Moreover, the resulting composite, cytochrome (Cyt c) encapsulated in ZIF-8, exhibited a 5.6-fold increase in bioactivity compared to free Cyt c. The seed-mediated strategy provides an efficient, enzyme surface charge-independent, and non-modified method for the synthesis of enzyme@MOF biomaterials, which warrants further exploration and application in diverse fields.