Rapid and In-Field Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide in Plant by Hydrogel Microneedle Patch.

The rapidly changing climate is exacerbating the environmental stress that negatively impacts crop health and yield. Timely sensing of plant response to stress is beneficial to timely adjust planting conditions, promoting the healthy growth of plants, and improving plant productivity. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an important molecule of signal transduction in plants. However, the common methods for detecting H2O2  in plants are associated with certain drawbacks, such as long extraction time, cumbersome steps, dependence on large instruments, and difficulty in realizing in-field sensing. Therefore, it is urgent to establish more efficient detection methods to realize the rapid detection of H2O2 content in plants. In this research, poly (methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) (PMVE/MA) hydrogel microneedle (MN) patch for rapid extraction of leaf sap are prepared, and the extraction mechanism of PEG-crosslinked PMVE/MA hydrogel MN patch is studied. A method of rapid detection of H2O2 content in plants based on MN patch with optical detection technology is constructed. The hydrogel MN patch can be used for timely H2O2 analysis. This application enables new opportunities in plant engineering, and can be extended to the safety and health monitoring of other plants and animals.

A laser-Engraved Wearable Electrochemical Sensing Patch for Heat Stress Precise Individual Management of Horse.

In point-of-care diagnostics, the continuous monitoring of sweat constituents provides a window into individual's physiological state. For species like horses, with abundant sweat glands, sweat composition can serve as an early health indicator. Considering the salience of such metrics in the domain of high-value animal breeding, a sophisticated wearable sensor patch tailored is introduced for the dynamic assessment of equine sweat, offering insights into pH, potassium ion (K+), and temperature profiles during episodes of heat stress and under normal physiological conditions. The device integrates a laser-engraved graphene (LEG) sensing electrode array, a non-invasive iontophoretic module for stimulated sweat secretion, an adaptable signal processing unit, and an embedded wireless communication framework. Profiting from an admirable Truth Table capable of logical evaluation, the integrated system enabled the early and timely assessment for heat stress, with high accuracy, stability, and reproducibility. The sensor patch has been calibrated to align with the unique dermal and physiological contours of equine anatomy, thereby augmenting its applicability in practical settings. This real-time analysis tool for equine perspiration stands to revolutionize personalized health management approaches for high-value animals, marking a significant stride in the integration of smart technologies within the agricultural sector.

Pachymic acid activates TP53INP2/TRAF6/caspase-8 pathway to promote apoptosis in renal cell carcinoma cells.

While pachymic acid (PA), a key component of Poria cocos (Schw.), has demonstrated anti-tumor effects in lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers, its impact on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is unclear. This study evaluated the effect of PA on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis in human renal cancer A498 and ACHN cells as well as in cancer xenograft mice using wound scratch test, Western blotting, and co-immunoprecipitation assays. In a dose- and time-dependent manner, PA exhibited significant inhibition of RCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, accompanied by the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, PA upregulated the expression of tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 2 (TP53INP2) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), which were downregulated in renal papillary and chromophobe carcinoma, resulting in inhibited tumor growth in mice. PA treatment elevated cleaved-caspase 3 and 8, and PARP levels, and facilitated TP53INP2 and TRAF6 binding to caspase 8, promoting its ubiquitination. Molecular docking revealed interactions between PA and TP53INP2, TRAF6. In summary, PA inhibits RCC development by upregulating TP53INP2 and promoting TRAF6-induced caspase 8 ubiquitination, activating apoptotic pathways.

Associations between pan-immune-inflammation value and abdominal aortic calcification: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) pathogenesis is intricately linked with inflammation. The pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) emerges as a potential biomarker, offering reflection into systemic inflammatory states and assisting in the prognosis of diverse diseases. This research aimed to explore the association between PIV and AAC. Methods: Employing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), this cross-sectional analysis harnessed weighted multivariable regression models to ascertain the relationship between PIV and AAC. Trend tests probed the evolving relationship among PIV quartiles and AAC. The study also incorporated subgroup analysis and interaction tests to determine associations within specific subpopulations. Additionally, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariable logistic regression were used for characteristics selection to construct prediction model. Nomograms were used for visualization. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot and decision curve analysis were applied for evaluate the predictive performance. Results: From the cohort of 3,047 participants, a distinct positive correlation was observed between PIV and AAC. Subsequent to full adjustments, a 100-unit increment in PIV linked to an elevation of 0.055 points in the AAC score (ß=0.055, 95% CI: 0.014-0.095). Categorizing PIV into quartiles revealed an ascending trend: as PIV quartiles increased, AAC scores surged (ß values in Quartile 2, Quartile 3, and Quartile 4: 0.122, 0.437, and 0.658 respectively; P for trend <0.001). Concurrently, a marked rise in SAAC prevalence was noted (OR values for Quartile 2, Quartile 3, and Quartile 4: 1.635, 1.842, and 2.572 respectively; P for trend <0.01). Individuals aged 60 or above and those with a history of diabetes exhibited a heightened association. After characteristic selection, models for predicting AAC and SAAC were constructed respectively. The AUC of AAC model was 0.74 (95%CI=0.71-0.77) and the AUC of SAAC model was 0.84 (95%CI=0.80-0.87). According to the results of calibration plots and DCA, two models showed high accuracy and clinical benefit. Conclusion: The research findings illuminate the potential correlation between elevated PIV and AAC presence. Our models indicate the potential utility of PIV combined with other simple predictors in the assessment and management of individuals with AAC.

Implantable Electrochemical Microsensors for In Vivo Monitoring of Animal Physiological Information.

In vivo monitoring of animal physiological information plays a crucial role in promptly alerting humans to potential diseases in animals and aiding in the exploration of mechanisms underlying human diseases. Currently, implantable electrochemical microsensors have emerged as a prominent area of research. These microsensors not only fulfill the technical requirements for monitoring animal physiological information but also offer an ideal platform for integration. They have been extensively studied for their ability to monitor animal physiological information in a minimally invasive manner, characterized by their bloodless, painless features, and exceptional performance. The development of implantable electrochemical microsensors for in vivo monitoring of animal physiological information has witnessed significant scientific and technological advancements through dedicated efforts. This review commenced with a comprehensive discussion of the construction of microsensors, including the materials utilized and the methods employed for fabrication. Following this, we proceeded to explore the various implantation technologies employed for electrochemical microsensors. In addition, a comprehensive overview was provided of the various applications of implantable electrochemical microsensors, specifically in the monitoring of diseases and the investigation of disease mechanisms. Lastly, a concise conclusion was conducted on the recent advancements and significant obstacles pertaining to the practical implementation of implantable electrochemical microsensors.

IGJ suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis by inhibiting EMT via the NF­κB signaling pathway.

Breast cancer metastasis is the primary cause of mortality of patients with breast cancer. The present study aimed to explore the role and underlying mechanisms of IGJ in the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. The Cancer Genome Atlas database was utilized to analyze the differential gene expression profiles in patients with breast cancer with or without metastasis; the target gene, joining chain of multimeric IgA and IgM (JCHAIN, also known as IGJ, as referred to herein), with significant expression and with prognostic value was screened. The expression levels of IGJ in human breast cancer paired tissues and cell lines were detected using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. IGJ differential expression was detected in paired human breast cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry. The role of IGJ in breast cancer was verified using CCK­8, invasion and migration assays, and scratch tests in vivo and in vitro. Further exploration of the role and mechanism of IGJ in breast cancer was conducted through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence experiments. Through the analysis of gene expression profiles, it was found that IGJ was poorly expressed in patients with breast cancer with metastasis compared to patients with non­metastatic breast cancer. The overexpression of IGJ was associated with an improved distant metastasis­free survival and overall survival (OS). COX multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that IGJ was an independent prognostic factor for the OS and relapse­free survival of patients with breast cancer. In comparison to healthy breast cancer adjacent tissues and cell lines, IGJ was poorly expressed in breast cancer tissues and cell lines (P<0.05). Further analyses indicated that the overexpression of IGJ suppressed the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting the occurrence of epithelial­to­mesenchymal transition (EMT) and suppressing the nuclear translocation of p65. Finally, rescue experiments indicated that IGJ restricted the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells by regulating the NF­κB signaling pathway. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that IGJ suppresses the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer by inhibiting both the occurrence of EMT and the NF­κB signaling pathway. These findings may provide novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

Effects of sodium thiosulfate on serum calcification factors in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of sodium thiosulfate (STS) on serum calcification factors in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. METHODS: Forty-four Patients were randomly divided into control group (n = 22) and observation group (n = 22) by envelope method (block 4 randomization). The control group received routine treatment while observation group was treated with STS on the basis of routine treatment. The biochemical indicators, including BUN, UA, SCr, Ca2+ , P3- , calcium-phosphorus product, PTH, hs-CRP, TG, TC, HDL, LDL, and serum calcification factor MGP, FA, FGF-23, and OPG levels were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Control group had no statistically significant difference in the levels of vascular calcification factors MGP, FA, FGF-23, and OPG before and after treatment (p > 0.05). Whereas observation group had higher levels of MGP and FA, and lower levels of FGF-23 and OPG after treatment than before treatment (p < 0.05). The levels of MGP and FA in observation group were higher than those in control group, and FGF-23 and OPG were lower than those in control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is speculated that sodium thiosulfate can alleviate the progression of vascular calcification by changing the levels of calcification factors.

An Integrated Solar Panel with a Triboelectric Nanogenerator Array for Synergistic Harvesting of Raindrop and Solar Energy.

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is regarded as an effective strategy for harvesting energy from raindrops, and is a complementary solution with solar cells to achieve all-weather energy harvesting and sustainable energy supply. However, due to the irregularity of natural rainfalls in the volume, frequency, density, and location, designing high-efficiency raindrop TENG (R-TENG) arrays faces great challenges. In this work, a highly transparent, large-area, and high-efficiency R-TENG array with rational material choice, electrode structure, and array distribution is developed for efficiently harvesting irregular raindrop energy. The problem of electrical signal cancellation among adjacent raindrops can be fully avoided, as viewed from the high-resolution space-time analyses of high-speed camera and electrical signal characteristics. With the rationally designed electrode instead of multiple complex electrodes, all charges can be exported by the R-TENG array in a simulated irregular raindrop scenario. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the R-TENG possesses higher average power density (40.80 mW m-2 ) than that of the solar cell (37.03 mW m-2 ) in rainy condition. Additionally, a self-powered wireless light-intensity-monitoring system is demonstrated for real-time and all-day weather monitoring. This work provides useful guidance for designing high-efficiency TENG arrays integrated with solar panels for harvesting irregular raindrop energy and solar energy.

A Water-Driven and Low-Damping Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Agricultural Debris for Smart Agriculture.

The rapid progress in distributed electronics in agriculture depends on a wide range of energy supplies, such as cables and batteries. However, cable installation and maintenance are inconvenient in the agricultural environment, and the massive use of batteries will cause high replacement costs and serious environmental issues. To mitigate these problems, a water flow-driven and high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator based on agricultural debris (including derelict plant fibers and recycled greenhouse film) (AD-TENG) is developed. The precisely designed air gap and plant fiber-based dielectric brushes enable minimized frictional resistance and sustainable triboelectric charges, resulting in low damping and high performance for the AD-TENG. After nano-morphology modifications of the dielectric layer, the maximum power density of the AD-TENG increases by 64 times and reaches ≈1.24 W m-2 . The practical application demonstrates that the AD-TENG realizes the recycling of agricultural debris to achieve harvesting low-frequency and low-speed water-flow energy. Besides, the AD-TENG can be used to power agricultural sensors and develop the automatic irrigation system, which alleviates the energy consumption problem of agriculture and contributes to the realization of automated and informative intelligent agriculture.

Activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway protects against palmitic acid-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury by ameliorating mitochondrial reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often accompanied by dyslipidemia, and abnormal lipid metabolism in proximal tubule cells is considered closely related to the dysfunction of proximal tubule cells and eventually leads to accelerated kidney damage. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), known as a redox-sensitive transcription factor, is responsible for regulating cellular redox homeostasis. However, the exact role of Nrf2 in dyslipidemia-induced dysfunction of proximal tubule cells is still not fully elucidated. In the present study, we showed that palmitic acid (PA) induced mitochondrial damage, excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) (mtROS) generation, and cell injury in HK-2 cells. We further found that mtROS generation was involved in PA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, cytoskeletal damage, and cell apoptosis in HK-2 cells. In addition, we demonstrated that the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway was activated in PA-induced HK-2 cells and that silencing Nrf2 dramatically aggravated PA-induced mtROS production, mitochondrial damage, cytoskeletal damage and cell apoptosis in HK-2 cells. However, the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoTEMPOL effectively eliminated these negative effects of Nrf2 silencing in HK-2 cells under PA stimulation. Moreover, activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway with tBHQ attenuated renal injury, significantly reduced mtROS generation, and improved mitochondrial function in rats with HFD-induced obesity. Taken together, these results suggest that the Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant response plays a protective role in hyperlipidemia-induced renal injury by ameliorating mtROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and that enhancing Nrf2 antioxidant signaling provides a potential therapeutic strategy for kidney injury in CKD with hyperlipidemia.

Identification of Pathologic Grading-Related Genes Associated with Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Renal epithelium lesions can cause renal cell carcinoma. This kind of tumor is common among all renal cancers with poor prognosis, of which more than 70% belong to kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. As the pathogenesis of KIRC has not been elucidated, it is necessary to be further explored. Methods: The Genomic Spatial Event database was used to obtain the analysis dataset (GSE126964) based on the GEO database, and The Cancer Genome Atlas was applied for KIRC data collection. edgeR and limma analyses were subsequently conducted to identify differentially expressed genes. Based on the systems biology approach of WGCNA, potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of this disease were screened after the establishment of a gene coexpression network. GO and KEGG enrichment used cluster Profiler, enrichplot, and ggplot2 in the R software package. Protein-protein interaction network diagrams were plotted for hub gene collection via the STRING platform and Cytoscape software. Hub genes associated with overall survival time of KIRC patients were ultimately identified using the Kaplan-Meier plotter. Results: There were 1863 DEGs identified in total and ten coexpressed gene modules discovered using a WGCNA method. GO and KEGG analysis findings revealed that the most enrichment pathways included Notch binding, cell migration, cell cycle, cell senescence, apoptosis, focal adhesions, and autophagosomes. Twenty-seven hub genes were identified, among which FLT1, HNRNPU, ATP6V0D2, ATP6V1A, and ATP6V1H were positively correlated with OS rates of KIRC patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, bioinformatic techniques can be useful tools for predicting the progression of KIRC. DEGs are present in both KIRC and normal kidney tissues, which can be considered the KIRC biomarkers.

Overexpression of TP53INP2 Promotes Apoptosis in Clear Cell Renal Cell Cancer via Caspase-8/TRAF6 Signaling Pathway.

Clear cell renal cell cancer (ccRCC) is a tumor of high malignancy, which can escape apoptosis. The tumor protein p53-inducible nuclear protein 2 (TP53INP2), known as an autophagy protein, is the essential part for autophagosome formation and sensitizes cells to apoptosis. Our study is aimed at exploring the role of TP53INP2 in ccRCC. We have identified the autophagy-related genes (ARGs) of differential expression in ccRCC patients with the help of the TCGA database by bioinformatics analysis. Our assays of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were for the determination on the both levels of mRNA and protein. Overexpression of TP53INP2 on cellular proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of ccRCC was verified in the ways of performing CCK-8, wound scrape, transwell and flow cytometry assays in vitro, and a mice tumor model in vivo. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure autophagy formation. The underlying mechanisms of TP53INP2 on ccRCC were determined via coimmunoprecipitation. TP53INP2 was found highly associated with an outcome of worse overall survival (OS) in Kaplan-Meier curves, and this parameter in ccRCC tissues was also lower than the normal tissues. Overexpression of TP53INP2 inhibited ccRCC cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as the tumor growth of mice. Those cells treated with autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or TP53INP2 increased the apoptosis rate. TP53INP2 promoted autophagy formation and elevated the ratio of LC3 II/LC3 I. However, TP53INP2 did not significantly decrease the p-mTOR level. In addition, TP53INP2 activates the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-8, and PARP. Caspase-8 and TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) were found to bind to each other in the presence of TP53INP2. TP53INP2 induces apoptosis in ccRCC cells through caspase-8/TRAF6 pathway, rather than the autophagy-dependent pathway.

Inflammation promotes erythropoietin induced vascular calcification by activating p38 pathway.

The current research aimed to verify the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on vascular calcification under inflammatory conditions and the molecular regulator of vascular calcification induced by EPO. To induce vascular calcification and systemic chronic inflammation in SD rats, EPO was administered intraperitoneally, and 10% casein was injected subcutaneously. The administration period lasted for 20 consecutive weeks. Blood samples were subsequently collected to detect inflammatory factors and vascular calcification. Additionally, high-dose EPOs were applied to stimulate primary vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and vascular calcification was measured using alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and calcium salt quantification. The probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was employed to detect cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The expressions of bone formation-related protein and anti-calcification protein matrix gla protein (MGP) were determined via Western blot. Compared with the control group, calcium deposits and vascular calcification were increased in the EPO group, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) group and TNF-α+ EPO group, whereas MGP was significantly reduced. Moreover, under the stimulation of TNF-α and EPO+TNF-α, pp38/p38 was increased substantially, the addition of p38 inhibitor SB203580 could significantly reduce calcium deposits and vascular calcification. In vivo experiment, compared with the EPO group, calcium salt deposition and vascular calcification were elevated in the EPO+casein group. The present results revealed that high-dose EPO could cause calcification of the abdominal aorta in rats. The inflammatory response aggravated the vascular calcification induced by EPO via activating p38 and ROS levels.

Flexible Wood-Based Triboelectric Self-Powered Smart Home System.

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data, the smart home has played a critical role in human life and smart cities, where large amounts of distributed sensors should be applied. Here, we report a natural wood-based triboelectric self-powered sensor (WTSS) for building the smart home system. Based on an effective and simple treatment strategy for natural wood, the WTSS shows superior sensitivity, flexibility, stability, and thinness. Owing to the extensive use of wood materials in home construction, the WTSS is integrated with household facilities and applied in three real-time human-machine interfaces, including a smart home control system, a smart password gate control system, and a smart floor monitoring system, with advantages of low cost, easy operation, and eco-friendliness. This work promotes the development of wood-based flexible electronics and shows potential applications in the construction of smart homes and future cities.

Stimulation of ambient energy generated electric field on crop plant growth.

Eco-friendly technologies are of great significance to agricultural sustainability due to the environmental damage caused by agricultural activities. Here, we report a wind and rain energy-driven electrical stimulation system for enhancing crop production. The system is based on an all-weather triboelectric nanogenerator (AW-TENG), which is composed of a bearing-and-hair structured triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and a raindrop-driven TENG. Treated by the self-generated high-voltage electric field, the system can increase pea seeds germination speed by ~26.3% and pea yield by ~17.9%. By harvesting environmental wind and raindrop energy, the AW-TENG can be used to drive various agricultural sensors for optimizing plant growth. This work provides a fresh direction for self-powered systems in safe, efficient and eco-friendly agricultural production improvement and may profoundly contribute to the construction of a sustainable economy.

Growth-Controllable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Surface-Attached Metal-Organic Framework Layer on Living Leaf.

Plant nanoelectronics aims to achieve specific functions by selecting suitable nanomaterials to connect or implant into plants. In this work, a new cyclic-spraying method is developed to attain controllable growth of surface-attached metal-organic framework (SURMOF) coatings on various complex substrates, including cotton, silk, and plant leaves. The covalent bonds formed between the SURMOF layer and substrate enable them to connect firmly without additional adhesive and do not fall off from the microstructured substrate surface with the change of biological activity or environment. Noteworthily, the triboelectric polarity of SURMOF can be regulated by changing the ligand molecule. As a proof of concept, a growth-controllable triboelectric nanogenerator (GC-TENG) based on living leaves and coated SURMOF layer is developed, and the feasibility of using it in the self-driven agricultural monitoring system is explored. In addition, long-term monitoring results show that the growth of SURMOF coating will not cause damage to plant leaf tissue, nor will it affect plant photosynthesis.

Wireless Technologies for Energy Harvesting and Transmission for Ambient Self-Powered Systems.

The era of the Internet of Things (IoT) requires sustainable and convenient methods to power widely distributed sensing devices. Self-powered systems have emerged as a potential solution that utilizes ambient energy from environmental sources such as electromagnetic fields, mechanical motion, solar power, and temperature gradients. Recently, the integration of wireless technologies with self-powered systems has attracted significant attention as a way to address challenges in energy harvesting and transport without the cost and inherent physical constraints of wires. This review summarizes recent progress in the application of wireless technology in self-powered systems for applications in harvesting ambient electromagnetic energy and in transferring power between devices. In addition, challenges and development trends in the future of wireless self-powered sensor networks are discussed.

Highly Efficient Raindrop Energy-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Intelligent Greenhouse.

Establishing a sustainable energy supply is necessary for intelligent greenhouse environmental management. Compared with traditional energy, green and eco-friendly energy is more conducive to protecting the agricultural production environment. In this study, a fluorinated superhydrophobic greenhouse film is proposed as a negative triboelectric layer material for the construction of a triboelectric nanogenerator that harvests raindrop energy (RDE-TENG). Moreover, an upgraded configuration is adopted, where the bulk effect between the lower/upper electrode and film replaces the interfacial effect of the liquid-solid interface, thereby promoting charge transfer. The results show that the RDE-TENG can serve as a sustainable energy source for greenhouse temperature and humidity sensors that assists in realizing intelligent control of the environment and guides agricultural production processes. This device exhibits high-voltage and a stable output; thus, it has the potential to replace traditional energy sources, which helps toward realizing a self-powered intelligent greenhouse planting mode.

Fluorinated Graphene-Enabled Durable Triboelectric Coating for Water Energy Harvesting.

The durability issue of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) still limits its practical application for long-term operation, especially in harvesting water energy, which is one of the most widespread energies in nature. Attempting to ameliorate this, fluorinated graphene (FG) with unique triboelectric negativity and superhydrophobic property is introduced to serve as a new triboelectric and protective layer for TENG construction. The self-cleaning as well as anti-corrosion property and durability of the FG coating-enabled TENG device is then demonstrated. Furthermore, this novel triboelectronegative material candidate is applied for consecutively coating on Cu mesh and the inner wall of sewage pipe to fabricate TENGs for water energy harvesting and working as a metal protective layer in the meantime. Through the extraordinary output performance, the feasibility of FG-enabled triboelectric coating to be used in the field of interference screening, filtering, and sewage pipes is proved. This developed triboelectronegative coating not only broadens the material selection of TENG but also significantly enhances the durability and robustness of TENG for water energy harvesting, which possesses great potential in applying in metal protection and water energy harvesting under extreme conditions (e.g., strong acid and strong alkaline environments).

Effect of Erythropoietin on Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Its Molecular Regulatory Mechanism.

To investigate its effect and molecular regulatory mechanism on vascular calcification, EPO was added to vascular smooth muscle cells cultured in vitro and injected intraperitoneally into SD rats. The effect of EPO on VSMC calcification was determined by alizarin red staining and ALP activity. Differentially expressed genes were screened by transcriptome sequencing and the relationship and function were verified. We found EPO promotes VSMC calcification in vitro and blood calcification in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. A total of 88 upregulated genes and 59 downregulated genes were detected in transcriptome sequencing, among which the expression of genes associated with bone formation exhibited a marked increase, namely the GATA6 transcription factor, BMP2, RUNX2, OPN, and OCN. Dual luciferase assay has indicated that the binding of GATA6 to BMP2 promoter facilitates the transcription of BMP2. Taken together, findings indicate that EPO can enhance the calcification of VSMCs by activating the GATA6/BMP2 signal axis.