Constructing Donor-Acceptor-Linked COFs Electrolytes to Regulate Electron Density and Accelerate the Li+ Migration in Quasi-Solid-State Battery.

Regulation the electronic density of solid-state electrolyte by donor-acceptor (D-A) system can achieve highly-selective Li+ transportation and conduction in solid-state Li metal batteries. This study reports a high-performance solid-state electrolyte thorough D-A-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) based on intramolecular charge transfer interactions. Unlike other reported COF-based solid-state electrolyte, the developed concept with D-A-linked COFs not only achieves electronic modulation to promote highly-selective Li+ migration and inhibit Li dendrite, but also offers a crucial opportunity to understand the role of electronic density in solid-state Li metal batteries. The introduced strong electronegativity F-based ligand in COF electrolyte results in highly-selective Li+ (transference number 0.83), high ionic conductivity (6.7 × 10-4 S cm-1), excellent cyclic ability (1000 h) in Li metal symmetric cell and high-capacity retention in Li/LiFePO4 cell (90.8% for 300 cycles at 5C) than substituted C- and N-based ligands. This is ascribed to outstanding D-A interaction between donor porphyrin and acceptor F atoms, which effectively expedites electron transferring from porphyrin to F-based ligand and enhances Li+ kinetics. Consequently, we anticipate that this work creates insight into the strategy for accelerating Li+ conduction in high-performance solid-state Li metal batteries through D-A system.

Effects of 6-Week Weighted-Jump-Squat Training With and Without Eccentric Load Reduction on Explosive Performance.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of 6-week barbell weighted-jump-squat (WJS) training with and without eccentric load reduction on explosive performance. METHODS: Twenty well-trained male athletes were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 10) or a control group (n = 10). Participants completed 12 WJS training sessions (6 sets of 5 repetitions of barbell back squat at 30% of 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) twice a week over a 6-week period. While the control group used 0% eccentric loading (ie, traditional WJS), the experimental group utilized a 50% eccentric loading reduction with a mechanical braking unit (ie, eccentric load set at 15% of 1RM). Performance assessments, including countermovement jump, 20-m sprint, standing long jump, and 1RM barbell back squat, were conducted both before (pretests) and after (posttests) the intervention. RESULTS: Both the experimental group and the control group demonstrated a significant increase in countermovement-jump height (+6.4% [4.0%] vs +4.9% [5.7%]; P < .001) and peak power output (+2.3% [2.7%] vs +1.9% [5.1%]; P = .017), faster 20-m sprint times (+9.4% [4.8%] vs +9.2% [5.5%]; P < .001), longer standing long jump (+3.1% [2.5%] vs +3.0% [3.3%]; P < .001), and higher 1RM back squat (+6.4% [4.0%] vs +4.9% [5.7%]; P < .001) from pretests to posttests. However, there was no significant condition × time interaction for any variable (all P ≥ .294). CONCLUSIONS: Both WJS training methods, with and without load reduction in the eccentric phase, effectively enhance explosive performance. Nevertheless, athletes in later stages of injury rehabilitation or intense training may find reducing eccentric load a more tolerable strategy for achieving similar performance gains compared with traditional isoinertial loading.

A comparison of morning priming exercise using traditional-set and cluster-set configurations on afternoon explosive performance.

The impact of two priming exercise protocols using traditional (TS) or cluster-set (CS) arrangements on explosive performance 6 hours later were examined. Sixteen male collegiate athletes performed three testing sessions (one baseline without any prior exercise in the morning and two experimental sessions) separated by 72 hours. Participants completed two morning (9-11 am) priming protocols in a randomized order, either using a TS (no rest between repetitions) or CS (30 seconds of rest between repetitions) configuration. The protocols consisted of 3 sets × 3 repetitions of barbell back squat at 85% of 1 repetition maximum, with 4 minutes of rest between sets. In the afternoon (3-5 pm) of each trial, after a 6-hour rest period, a physical test battery was conducted that replicated baseline testing, including countermovement jump, 20-meter straight-line sprint, and T-test abilities. Across both conditions, participants exhibited increased countermovement jump height, 20-meter sprint time and T-test time compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Improvements in countermovement jump height (+4.4 ± 5.4%; P = 0.008) and 20-meter sprint time (+1.3 ± 1.7%; P = 0.022), but not T-test time (+1.1 ± 3.3%; P = 0.585), were significantly greater for CS than TS. In conclusion, compared to a traditional set arrangement, a morning-based priming protocol using a cluster-set configuration led to superior explosive performance benefits in the afternoon.

An efficient peptide ligase engineered from a bamboo asparaginyl endopeptidase.

In recent years, a few asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) from certain higher plants have been identified as efficient peptide ligases with wide applications in protein labeling and cyclic peptide synthesis. Recently, we developed a NanoLuc Binary Technology (NanoBiT)-based peptide ligase activity assay to identify more AEP-type peptide ligases. Herein, we screened 61 bamboo species from 16 genera using this assay and detected AEP-type peptide ligase activity in the crude extract of all tested bamboo leaves. From a popular bamboo species, Bambusa multiplex, we identified a full-length AEP-type peptide ligase candidate (BmAEP1) via transcriptomic sequencing. After its zymogen was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and self-activated in vitro, BmAEP1 displayed high peptide ligase activity, but with considerable hydrolytic activity. After site-directed mutagenesis of its ligase activity determinants, the mutant zymogen of [G238V]BmAEP1 was normally overexpressed in E. coli, but failed to activate itself. To resolve this problem, we developed a novel protease-assisted activation approach in which trypsin was used to cleave the mutant zymogen and was then conveniently removed via ion-exchange chromatography. After the noncovalently bound cap domain was dissociated from the catalytic core domain under acidic conditions, the recombinant [G238V]BmAEP1 displayed high peptide ligase activity with much lower hydrolytic activity and could efficiently catalyze inter-molecular protein ligation and intramolecular peptide cyclization. Thus, the engineered bamboo-derived peptide ligase represents a novel tool for protein labeling and cyclic peptide synthesis.

High-entropy engineering with regulated defect structure and electron interaction tuning active sites for trifunctional electrocatalysis.

High-entropy alloy nanoparticles (HEANs) possessing regulated defect structure and electron interaction exhibit a guideline for constructing multifunctional catalysts. However, the microstructure-activity relationship between active sites of HEANs for multifunctional electrocatalysts is rarely reported. In this work, HEANs distributed on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (HEAN/CNT) are prepared by Joule heating as an example to explain the mechanism of trifunctional electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution reaction. HEAN/CNT excels with unmatched stability, maintaining a 0.8V voltage window for 220 h in zinc-air batteries. Even after 20 h of water electrolysis, its performance remains undiminished, highlighting exceptional endurance and reliability. Moreover, the intrinsic characteristics of the defect structure and electron interaction for HEAN/CNT are investigated in detail. The electrocatalytic mechanism of trifunctional electrocatalysis of HEAN/CNT under different conditions is identified by in situ monitoring and theoretical calculation. Meanwhile, the electron interaction and adaptive regulation of active sites in the trifunctional electrocatalysis of HEANs were further verified by density functional theory. These findings could provide unique ideas for designing inexpensive multifunctional high-entropy electrocatalysts.

HBV promotes its replication by up-regulating RAD51C gene expression.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), pegylated-interferon-α(PEG-IFNα) and long-term nucleos(t)ide analogs (NUCs) are mainly drugs used to treat HBV infection, but the effectiveness is unsatisfactory in different populations, the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches is necessary. RAD51C is associated with DNA damage repair and plays an important role in the development and progression of tumors. Early cDNA microarray results showed that RAD51C expression was significantly increased in HBV-infected HCC cells, however, the relationship between HBV infection and abnormal expression of RAD51C has not been reported. Therefore, we conducted RT-PCR, western blot, Co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP), and immunofluorescence(IF) to detect HBV-RAD51C interaction in RAD51C overexpression or interfering HCC cells. Our results showed that RAD51C and HBV X protein(HBX) produced a direct interaction in the nucleus, the HBV infection of HCC cells promoted RAD51C expression, and the increased expression of RAD51C promoted HBV replication. This indicated that RAD51C is closely related to the occurrence and development of HCC caused by HBV infection, and may bring a breakthrough in the the prevention and treatment study of HCC.

Constructing Cooperative Interface via Bi-Functional COF for Facilitating the Sulfur Conversion and Li+ Dynamics.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries stand out for their high theoretical specific capacity and cost-effectiveness. However, the practical implementation of Li-S batteries is hindered by issues such as the shuttle effect, tardy redox kinetics, and dendrite growth. Herein, an appealingly designed covalent organic framework (COF) with bi-functional active sites of cyanide groups and polysulfide chains (COF-CN-S) is developed as cooperative functional promoters to simultaneously address dendrites and shuttle effect issues. Combining in situ techniques and theoretical calculations, it can be demonstrated that the unique chemical architecture of COF-CN-S is capable of performing the following functions: 1) The COF-CN-S delivers significantly enhanced Li+ transport capability due to abundant ion-hopping sites (cyano-groups); 2) it functions as a selective ion sieve by regulating the dynamic behavior of polysulfide anions and Li+ , thus inhibiting shuttle effect and dendrite growth; 3) by acting as a redox mediator, the COF-CN-S can effectively control the electrochemical behavior of polysulfides and enhance their conversion kinetics. Based on the above advantages, the COF-CN-S endows Li-S batteries with excellent performance. This study highlights the significance of interface modification and offers novel insights into the rational design of organic materials in the Li-S realm.

Human peritoneal tight junction, transporter and channel expression in health and kidney failure, and associated solute transport.

Next to the skin, the peritoneum is the largest human organ, essentially involved in abdominal health and disease states, but information on peritoneal paracellular tight junctions and transcellular channels and transporters relative to peritoneal transmembrane transport is scant. We studied their peritoneal localization and quantity by immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy in health, in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and on peritoneal dialysis (PD), with the latter allowing for functional characterizations, in a total of 93 individuals (0-75 years). Claudin-1 to -5, and -15, zonula occludens-1, occludin and tricellulin, SGLT1, PiT1/SLC20A1 and ENaC were consistently detected in mesothelial and arteriolar endothelial cells, with age dependent differences for mesothelial claudin-1 and arteriolar claudin-2/3. In CKD mesothelial claudin-1 and arteriolar claudin-2 and -3 were more abundant. Peritonea from PD patients exhibited increased mesothelial and arteriolar claudin-1 and mesothelial claudin-2 abundance and reduced mesothelial and arteriolar claudin-3 and arteriolar ENaC. Transperitoneal creatinine and glucose transport correlated with pore forming arteriolar claudin-2 and mesothelial claudin-4/-15, and creatinine transport with mesothelial sodium/phosphate cotransporter PiT1/SLC20A1. In multivariable analysis, claudin-2 independently predicted the peritoneal transport rates. In conclusion, tight junction, transcellular transporter and channel proteins are consistently expressed in peritoneal mesothelial and endothelial cells with minor variations across age groups, specific modifications by CKD and PD and distinct associations with transperitoneal creatinine and glucose transport rates. The latter deserve experimental studies to demonstrate mechanistic links.Clinical Trial registration: The study was performed according to the Declaration of Helsinki and is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01893710).

Insight into the impacts of pyrolysis time on adsorption behavior of Pb2+ and Cd2+ by Mg modified biochar: Performance and modification mechanism.

Co-pyrolysis biomass and alkaline metals can effectively improve the adsorption performance of heavy metals (HM). Nevertheless, the researchers have ignored the relationship between the change of alkaline metal morphology and adsorption during pyrolysis. In this article, according to control the pyrolysis time (30, 60, and 180 min) synthesized Magnesium (Mg) modified biochar (MBCX) by using MgCl2·6H2O and soybean straw under 400 °C. The sorption capacities of MBC60 and MBC180 for Pb2+/Cd2+ increased by 38.65%/213.29%, 44.57%/230.36%, and the selectivity coefficient of Pb2+/Cd2+ increased by 113.28%/209.49%, 213.58%/253.62%, respectively, compared with MBC30. Additionally, the characterization results demonstrated that MgO dominated the surface phases of MBC60 and MBC180, whereas MgCl2 dominated the surface phases of MBC30. Moreover, according to the results of DFT calculation, the adsorption energy (Eads) of MgO for Pb2+ (-0.537 eV) and Cd2+ (-0.347 eV) was lower than that of MgCl2 (Pb2+: 0.37 eV, Cd2+: -0.185 eV), so that, MBC60 and MBC180 had higher sorption capacities for Pb2+ and Cd2+ than MBC30. Therefore, this work provides a new sight to clear the mechanism for modified biochar by alkali metal oxide and practical and theoretical guidance for adsorbent preparation with high adsorption ability for HMs.

Regulating the Lithium Ions' Local Coordination Environment through Designing a COF with Single Atomic Co Site to Achieve Dendrite-Free Lithium-Metal Batteries.

The detrimental growth of lithium dendrites and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) inhibit the practical application of lithium-metal batteries. Herein, atomically dispersed cobalt coordinate conjugated bipyridine-rich covalent organic framework (sp2 c-COF) is explored as an artificial SEI on the surface of the Li-metal anode to resolve these issues. The single Co atoms confined in the structure of COF enhance the number of active sites and promote electron transfer to the COF. The synergistic effects of the Co─N coordination and strong electron-withdrawing cyano-group can adsorb the electron from the donor (Co) at a maximum and create an electron-rich environment, hence further regulating the Li+ local coordination environment and achieving uniform Li-nucleation behavior. Furthermore, in situ technology and density functional theory calculations reveal the mechanism of the sp2 c-COF-Co inducing Li uniform deposition and promoting Li+ rapid migration. Based on these advantages, the sp2 c-COF-Co modified Li anode exhibits a low Li-nucleation barrier of 8 mV, and excellent cycling stability of 6000 h.