Doping-Induced piezoelectricity in Ba2Nb2-xFexO6-δ double perovskite oxides for efficient hydrogen peroxide production via piezocatalysis in pure water.

Piezocatalysis has emerged as a sustainable alternative for hydrogen peroxide production. However, the current development of efficient piezocatalysts is predominantly focusing on those conventional piezoelectric ceramic oxides with high permittivity and limited catalytic activities. Therefore, innovative approaches to develop novel piezocatalysts in particular from these outstanding paraelectric semiconductors are highly required. In this work, by employing a feasible doping strategy, robust piezoelectric property is created on the Ba2Nb2-xFexO6-δ double perovskite oxides, typically characterized by a stable paraelectric cubic structure. Optimum Fe doping not only intensifies the double perovskite phase but also inspires a phase transition from a centrosymmetric cubic to a piezoelectric tetragonal phase, thereby achieving desirable piezoelectricity and enabling a series of favorable physical properties including redox activity, active sites of anion defects, reduced bandgap, and increased free charge density. All these are important factors to enhance piezocatalytic activity. As a result, Ba2NbFeO6-δ achieved by the optimum Fe doping demonstrated exceptional piezocatalytic H2O2 yield of 512 and 690 µmol g-1 h-1 under atmosphere and oxygen-purging conditions, respectively, without the presence of any sacrificial agents. Mechanistic investigations reveal that both water oxidation and oxygen reduction involve in the H2O2 production, wherein piezopotential plays a critical role not only in facilitating the charge carrier separation and transportation but also in modulating the band structure to enhance the catalyst redox capacity. This study offers a feasible and universal strategy for the design of novel piezocatalysts, expanding the windows for catalyst selection for piezocatalysis.

Assessment of vegetation net primary productivity variation and influencing factors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Exploring the spatiotemporal variations of vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) and analyzing the relationships between NPP and its influencing factors are vital for ecological protection in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region. In this study, we employed the CASA model in conjunction with spatiotemporal analysis techniques to estimate and analyze the spatiotemporal variations of NPP in BTH and different ecological function sub-regions over the past two decades. Subsequently, we established three scenarios (actual, climate-driven and land cover-driven) to assess the influencing factors and quantify their relative contributions. The results indicated that the overall NPP in BTH exhibited a discernible upward trend from 2000 to 2020, with a growth rate of 3.83 gC·m-2a-1. Furthermore, all six sub-regions exhibited an increase. The Bashang Plateau Ecological Protection Zone (BP) exhibited the highest growth rate (5.03 gC·m-2a-1), while the Low Plains Ecological Restoration Zone (LP) exhibited the lowest (2.07 gC·m-2a-1). Geographically, the stability of NPP exhibited a spatial pattern of gradual increase from west to east. Climate and land cover changes collectively increased NPP by 0.04 TgC·a-1 and 0.07 TgC·a-1, respectively, in the BTH region. Climate factors were found to have the greatest influence on NPP variations, contributing 40.49% across the BTH region. This influence exhibited a decreasing trend from northwest to southeast, with precipitation identified as the most influential climatic factor compared to temperature and solar radiation. Land cover change has profound effects on ecosystems, which is an important factor on NPP. From 2000 to 2020, 15.45% area of the BTH region underwent land cover type change, resulting in a total increase in NPP of 1.33 TgC. The conversion of grass into forest brought about the 0.89 TgC increase in NPP, which is the largest of all change types. In the area where land cover had undergone change, the land cover factor has been found to be the dominant factor influencing variations in NPP, with an average contribution of 49.37%. In contrast, in the south-central area where there has been no change in land cover, the residual factor has been identified as the most influential factor influencing variations in NPP. Our study highlights the important role of land cover change in influencing NPP variations in BTH. It also offers a novel approach to elucidating the influences of diverse factors on NPP, which is crucial for the scientific assessment of vegetation productivity and carbon sequestration capacity.

FOXK2 amplification promotes breast cancer development and chemoresistance.

Oncogene activation through DNA amplification or overexpression is a crucial driver of cancer initiation and progression. The FOXK2 gene, located on chromosome 17q25, encodes a transcription factor with a forkhead DNA-binding domain. Analysis of genomic datasets reveals that FOXK2 is frequently amplified and overexpressed in breast cancer, correlating with poor patient survival. Knockdown of FOXK2 significantly inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, anchorage-independent growth, and delayed tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Additionally, inhibiting FOXK2 sensitized breast cancer cells to chemotherapy. Co-overexpression of FOXK2 and mutant PI3KCA transformed non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells, suggesting a role for FOXK2 in PI3KCA-driven tumorigenesis. CCNE2, PDK1, and ESR1 were identified as transcriptional targets of FOXK2 in MCF-7 cells. Small-molecule inhibitors of CCNE2/CDK2 (dinaciclib) and PDK1 (dichloroacetate) exhibited synergistic anti-tumor effects with PI3KCA inhibitor (alpelisib) in vitro. Inhibition of FOXK2 by dinaciclib synergistically enhanced the anti-tumor effects of alpelisib in a xenograft mouse model. Collectively, these findings highlight the oncogenic function of FOXK2 and suggest that FOXK2 and its downstream genes represent potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer.

Harmine inhibits pulmonary fibrosis through regulating DNA damage repair-related genes and activation of TP53-Gadd45α pathway.

BACKGROUND: Harmine has many pharmacological activities and has been found to significantly inhibit the fibrosis of keloid fibroblasts. DNA damage repair (DDR) is essential to prevent fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of harmine on pulmonary fibrosis and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Bleomycin and TGF-ß1 were used to construct pulmonary fibrosis models in vivo and in vitro, then treated with harmine to explore harmine's effects in treating experimental pulmonary fibrosis and its related mechanisms. Then, RNA sequencing was applied to investigate further the crucial DDR-related genes and drug targets of harmine against pulmonary fibrosis. Finally, the expression levels of DDR-related genes were verified by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot. RESULTS: Our in vivo experiments showed that harmine treatment could improve weight loss and lung function and reduce tissue fibrosis in mice with pulmonary fibrosis. The results confirmed that harmine could inhibit the viability and migration of TGF-ß1-induced MRC-5 cells, induce their apoptosis, and suppress the F-actin expression, suggesting that harmine could suppress the phenotypic transition from lung fibroblasts to lung myoblasts. In addition, RNA sequencing identified 1692 differential expressed genes (DEGs), and 10 DDR-related genes were screened as critical DDR-related genes. RT-qPCR and western blotting showed that harmine could down-regulate the expression of CHEK1, ERCC1, ERCC4, POLD1, RAD51, RPA1, TOP1, and TP53, while up-regulate FEN1, H2AX and GADD45α expression. CONCLUSIONS: Harmine may inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by regulating DDR-related genes and activating the TP53-Gadd45α pathway.

Efficacy and mechanism of action of Yanxiao Di'naer formula for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis treatment based on metabolomics and RNA sequencing.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a crucial component of this disease spectrum. The Yanxiao Di'naer formula (YXDNE) is an Uyghur medical extract that has been used in folk medicine to treat hepatitis for a long time. However, the role and mechanism of action of YXDNE in NASH treatment remains unclear OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of YXDNE in treating NASH induced by injections of carbon tetrachloride combined with a high-fat high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD), and to clarify the underlying mechanisms METHODS: The compounds in the YXDNE extract were analysed for classification and proportions using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The efficacy of YXDNE in treating abnormal lipid metabolism was evaluated in L02 cells in vitro. In addition, a C57BL/6 mouse model of NASH was established to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of YXDNE in vivo. Metabolomics and RNA sequencing were used to analyse the therapeutic effects of YXDNE on the liver. The corresponding signalling pathways were found to target AMPKα1, PPARα, and NF-κB. The efficacy of YXDNE was validated using inhibitors or silencing RNA (siRNA) against AMPKα1 and PPARα RESULTS: This study confirmed that YXDNE treatment ameliorated NASH in a murine model of this disease. Metabolomics analysis suggested that YXDNE efficacy was associated with fatty acid catabolism and AMPK signalling pathways. RNA sequencing results showed that YXDNE efficacy in treating NASH was highly correlated with the AMPK, PPARα and NF-κB pathways. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental data demonstrated that YXDNE affected the expression of p-AMPKα1, PPARα, p-NF-κB, IκB, and p-IκB. The efficacy of YXDNE in treating NASH in vitro was cancelled when AMPK was inhibited with Compound C or PPARα was modulated via siRNA CONCLUSIONS: YXDNE may have a therapeutic effect on abnormal lipid metabolism in L02 cells and in a murine model of NASH by affecting the AMPKα1/PPARα/NF-κB signalling pathway. Therefore, YXDNE has the potential for clinical application in the prevention and treatment of NASH.

The efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials.

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, is one of the most widely used illicit substances worldwide. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy has become a novel treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed over the past decade. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and demonstrate the efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases up to October 27, 2023, selected RCTs assessing the efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD, and evaluated their quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Seven RCTs were selected from the retrieved references. The results revealed that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy effectively reduced the change from baseline score in the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale in patients with PTSD compared with either placebo or active controls. However, MDMA causes a series of adverse events, including muscle tightness, nausea, and decreased appetite. To a certain extent, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may improve symptoms in patients with PTSD. However, side effects and abuse issues still seriously hinder clinical application of MDMA.

Severe necrotizing tracheobronchitis caused by influenza B and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus co-infection in an immunocompetent patient.

PURPOSE AND METHOD: Necrotizing tracheobronchitis is a rare clinical entity presented as a necrotic inflammation involving the mainstem trachea and distal bronchi. We reported a case of severe necrotizing tracheobronchitis caused by influenza B and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) co-infection in an immunocompetent patient. CASE PRESENTATION: We described a 36-year-old man with initial symptoms of cough, rigors, muscle soreness and fever. His status rapidly deteriorated two days later and he was intubated. Bronchoscopy demonstrated severe necrotizing tracheobronchitis, and CT imaging demonstrated multiple patchy and cavitation formation in both lungs. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) culture supported the co-infection of influenza B and MRSA. We also found T lymphocyte and NK lymphocyte functions were extremely suppressed during illness exacerbation. The patient was treated with antivirals and antibiotics including vancomycin. Subsequent bronchoscopy and CT scans revealed significant improvement of the airway and pulmonary lesions, and the lymphocyte functions were restored. Finally, this patient was discharged successfully. CONCLUSION: Necrotizing tracheobronchitis should be suspected in patients with rapid deterioration after influenza B infection. The timely diagnosis of co-infection and accurate antibiotics are important to effective treatment.

Multifactoral immune modulation potentiates durable remission in multiple models of aggressive malignancy.

Tumors typically lack canonical danger signals required to activate adaptive immunity and also frequently employ substantial immunomodulatory mechanisms that downregulate adaptive responses and contribute to escape from immune surveillance. Given the variety of mechanisms involved in shielding tumors from immune recognition, it is not surprising that single-agent immunomodulatory approaches have been largely unsuccessful in generating durable antitumor responses. Here we report a unique combination of immunomodulatory and cytostatic agents that recondition the tumor microenvironment and eliminate complex and/or poor-prognosis tumor types including the non-immunogenic 4T-1 model of TNBC, the aggressive MOC-2 model of HNSCC, and the high-risk MYCN-amplified model of neuroblastoma. A course of therapy optimized for TNBC cured a majority of tumors in both ectopic and orthotopic settings and eliminated metastatic spread in all animals tested at the highest doses. Immune responses were transferable between therapeutic donor and naïve recipient through adoptive transfer, and a sizeable abscopal effect on distant, untreated lesions could be demonstrated experimentally. Similar results were observed in HNSCC and neuroblastoma models, with characteristic remodeling of the tumor microenvironment documented in all model systems. scRNA-seq analysis implicated upregulation of innate immune responses and antigen presentation in tumor cells and the myeloid cell compartment as critical early events. This analysis also highlighted the potential importance of the autonomic nervous system in the governance of inflammatory processes. The data indicate that the targeting of multiple pathways and mechanisms of action can result in substantial synergistic antitumor effects and suggest follow-up in the neoadjuvant setting may be warranted.

Determination of vancomycin and meropenem in serum and synovial fluid of patients with prosthetic joint infections using UPLC-MS/MS.

Numerous studies have suggested that intra-articular administration of antibiotics following primary revision surgery may be one of the methods for treating prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Vancomycin and meropenem are the two most commonly used antibiotics for local application. Determining the concentrations of vancomycin and meropenem in the serum and synovial fluid of patients with PJI plays a significant role in further optimizing local medication schemes and effectively eradicating biofilm infections. This study aimed to establish a rapid, sensitive, and accurate ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for determining the concentrations of vancomycin and meropenem in human serum and synovial fluid. Serum samples were processed using acetonitrile precipitation of proteins and dichloromethane extraction, while synovial fluid samples were diluted before analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved in 6 min on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column, with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water (solvent A) and acetonitrile (solvent B). Quantification was carried out using a Waters XEVO TQD triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive ion mode. The multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode was employed to detect the following quantifier ion transitions: 717.95-99.97 (norvancomycin), 725.90-100.04 (vancomycin), 384.16-67.99 (meropenem). The method validation conformed to the guidelines of the FDA and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The method demonstrated good linearity within the range of 0.5-50 µg/ml for serum and 0.5-100 µg/ml for synovial fluid. Selectivity, intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability validation results all met the required standards. This method has been successfully applied in the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies of patients with PJI.

Host-Guest Approach to Promoting Photocatalysis Based on Consecutive Photo-Induced Electron-Transfer Processes via Efficient Förster Resonance Energy Transfer.

Supramolecular artificial light-harvesting system with highly efficient host-guest energy transfer pathway provides an ideal platform for optimizing the photochemistry process. The consecutive photo-induced electron transfer (conPET) process overcomes the energy limitation of visible-light photocatalysis, but is often compromised by mismatching between the absorption of ground state dye and its radical, weakening the efficiency of photoredox reaction. By encapsulating a conPET photocatalyst rhodamine 6G into metal-organic cage, the supramolecular approach was undertaken to tackle the intrinsic difficulty of matching the light absorption of photoexcitation between rhodamine 6G and its radical. The highly efficient Förster resonance energy transfer from the photoexcited cage to rhodamine 6G forced by host-guest encapsulation facilitates the conPET process for the single-wavelength light-driven activation of aryl halides by stabilizing and accelerating the production and accumulation of the rhodamine 6G radical intermediate. The tunable and flexible nature of the supramolecular host-guest complex renders the cage-based encapsulation strategy promising for the development of ideal photocatalysts toward the better utilization of solar energy.

Strategies in product engineering of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: unveiling the mechanisms underpinning the promotive effects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes.

Articular cartilage injuries present a significant global challenge, particularly in the aging population. These injuries not only restrict movement due to primary damage but also exacerbate elderly degenerative lesions, leading to secondary cartilage injury and osteoarthritis. Addressing osteoarthritis and cartilage damage involves overcoming several technical challenges in biological treatment. The use of induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) with functional gene modifications emerges as a solution, providing a more stable and controllable source of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) with reduced heterogeneity. Furthermore, In addition, this review encompasses strategies aimed at enhancing exosome efficacy, comprising the cultivation of MSCs in three-dimensional matrices, augmentation of functional constituents within MSC-derived exosomes, and modification of their surface characteristics. Finally, we delve into the mechanisms through which MSC-exosomes, sourced from diverse tissues, thwart osteoarthritis (OA) progression and facilitate cartilage repair. This review lays a foundational framework for engineering iMSC-exosomes treatment of patients suffering from osteoarthritis and articular cartilage injuries, highlighting cutting-edge research and potential therapeutic pathways.

Identification of MAD2L1 and BUB1B as Potential Biomarkers Associated with Progression and Prognosis of Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer develops insidiously and is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages. Screening for ovarian cancer is an effective strategy for reducing mortality. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of ovarian cancer and identify novel tumor biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Three databases containing gene expression profiles specific to serous ovarian cancer (GSE18520, GSE12470, and GSE26712) were acquired. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes were analyzed for the differentially expressed gene (DEGs). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database. The pivotal genes in the PPI network were screened using the Cytoscape software. Survival curve analysis was performed using a Kaplan-Meier Plotter. The cancer genome atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were used to find the relationship between Hub gene and serous ovarian cancer. PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of Hub gene in serous ovarian cancer tissues and cells. Downstream pathways of the candidate tumor marker genes were predicted using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis. In this study, 252 DEGs were screened for pathway enrichment. 20 Hub genes were identified. Survival analysis suggested that Aurka, Bub1b, Cenpf, Cks1b, Kif20a, Mad2l1, Racgap1, and Ube2c were associated with the survival of patients with serous ovarian cancer. MAD2L1 and BUB1B levels were significantly different in serous ovarian cancer at different stages. Finally, Mad2l1 was found to play a role in the cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Meanwhile, Bub1b may play a role in the cell cycle, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and spliceosome processes. Mad2l1 and Bub1b could be used as markers to predict ovarian carcinogenesis and prognosis, providing candidate targets for the diagnosis and treatment of serous ovarian cancer.

Engineering approaches to manipulate osteoclast behavior for bone regeneration.

Extensive research has delved into the multifaceted roles of osteoclasts beyond their traditional function in bone resorption in recent years, uncovering their significant influence on bone formation. This shift in understanding has spurred investigations into engineering strategies aimed at leveraging osteoclasts to not only inhibit bone resorption but also facilitate bone regeneration. This review seeks to comprehensively examine the mechanisms by which osteoclasts impact bone metabolism. Additionally, it explores various engineering methodologies, including the modification of bioactive material properties, localized drug delivery, and the introduction of exogenous cells, assessing their potential and mechanisms in aiding bone repair by targeting osteoclasts. Finally, the review proposes current limitations and future routes for manipulating osteoclasts through biological and material cues to facilitate bone repair.

A water transfer printing method for contact lenses surface 2D MXene modification to resist bacterial infection and inflammation.

Contact lenses (CLs) are prone to adhesion and invasion by pollutants and pathogenic bacteria, leading to infection and inflammatory diseases. However, the functionalization of CL (biological functions such as anti-fouling, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory) and maintaining its transparency still face great challenges. In this work, as a member of the MXenes family, vanadium carbide (V2C) is modified onto CL via a water transfer printing method after the formation of a tightly arranged uniform film at the water surface under the action of the Marangoni effect. The coating interface is stable owing to the electrostatic forces. The V2C-modified CL (V2C@CL) maintains optical clarity while providing good biocompatibility, strong antioxidant properties, and anti-inflammatory activities. In vitro antibacterial experiments indicate that V2C@CL shows excellent performance in bacterial anti-adhesion, sterilization, and anti-biofilm formation. Last, V2C@CL displays notable advantages of bacteria elimination and inflammation removal in infectious keratitis treatment.

Nitrogen-Based Gas Molecule Adsorption on a ReSe2 Monolayer via Single-Atom Doping: A First-Principles Study.

Two-dimensional materials have shown immense promise for gas-sensing applications due to their remarkable surface-to-volume ratios and tunable chemical properties. However, despite their potential, the utilization of ReSe2 as a gas-sensing material for nitrogen-containing molecules, including NO2, NO, and NH3, has remained unexplored. The choice of doping atoms in ReSe2 plays a pivotal role in enhancing the gas adsorption and gas-sensing capabilities. Herein, the adsorption properties of nitrogen-containing gas molecules on metal and non-metal single-atom (Au, Pt, Ni, P, and S)-doped ReSe2 monolayers have been evaluated systematically via ab initio calculations based on density functional theory. The findings strongly suggest that intrinsic ReSe2 has better selectivity toward NO2 than toward NO and NH3. Moreover, our results provide compelling evidence that all of the dopants, with the exception of S, significantly enhance both the adsorption strength and charge transfer between ReSe2 and the investigated molecules. Notably, P-decorated ReSe2 showed the highest adsorption energy for NO2 and NO (-1.93 and -1.52 eV, respectively) with charge transfer above 0.5e, while Ni-decorated ReSe2 exhibited the highest adsorption energy for NH3 (-0.76 eV). In addition, on the basis of transition theory, we found that only Au-ReSe2 and Ni-ReSe2 can serve as reusable chemiresisitve gas sensors for reliable detection of NO and NH3, respectively. Hence, our findings indicate that gas-sensing applications can be significantly improved by utilizing a single-atom-doped ReSe2 monolayer.

Research on Dynamic Modeling Method and Flying Gait Characteristics of Quadruped Robots with Flexible Spines.

In recent years, both domestic and international research on quadruped robots has advanced towards high dynamics and agility, with a focus on high-speed locomotion as a representative motion in high-dynamic activities. Quadruped animals like cheetahs exhibit high-speed running capabilities, attributed to the indispensable role played by their flexible spines during the flight phase motion. This paper establishes dynamic models of flexible spinal quadruped robots with different degrees of simplification, providing a parameterized description of the flight phase motion for both rigid-trunk and flexible-spine quadruped robots. By setting different initial values for the spine joint and calculating the flight phase results for both types of robots at various initial velocities, the study compares and analyzes the impact of a flexible spine on the flight phase motion of quadruped robots. Through comparative experiments, the research aims to validate the influence of a flexible spine during the flight phase motion, providing insights into how spine flexibility affects the flight phase motion of quadruped robots.

NAP-seq reveals multiple classes of structured noncoding RNAs with regulatory functions.

Up to 80% of the human genome produces "dark matter" RNAs, most of which are noncapped RNAs (napRNAs) that frequently act as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) to modulate gene expression. Here, by developing a method, NAP-seq, to globally profile the full-length sequences of napRNAs with various terminal modifications at single-nucleotide resolution, we reveal diverse classes of structured ncRNAs. We discover stably expressed linear intron RNAs (sliRNAs), a class of snoRNA-intron RNAs (snotrons), a class of RNAs embedded in miRNA spacers (misRNAs) and thousands of previously uncharacterized structured napRNAs in humans and mice. These napRNAs undergo dynamic changes in response to various stimuli and differentiation stages. Importantly, we show that a structured napRNA regulates myoblast differentiation and a napRNA DINAP interacts with dyskerin pseudouridine synthase 1 (DKC1) to promote cell proliferation by maintaining DKC1 protein stability. Our approach establishes a paradigm for discovering various classes of ncRNAs with regulatory functions.

Mesoporous and Encapsulated In2O3/Ti3C2Tx Schottky Heterojunctions for Rapid and ppb-Level NO2 Detection at Room Temperature.

Rapid and ultrasensitive detection of toxic gases at room temperature is highly desired in health protection but presents grand challenges in the sensing materials reported so far. Here, we present a gas sensor based on novel zero dimensional (0D)/two dimensional (2D) indium oxide (In2O3)/titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) Schottky heterostructures with a high surface area and rich oxygen vacancies for parts per billion (ppb) level nitrogen dioxide (NO2) detection at room temperature. The In2O3/Ti3C2Tx gas sensor exhibits a fast response time (4 s), good response (193.45% to 250 ppb NO2), high selectivity, and excellent cycling stability. The rich surface oxygen vacancies play the role of active sites for the adsorption of NO2 molecules, and the Schottky junctions effectively adjust the charge-transfer behavior through the conduction tunnel in the sensing material. Furthermore, In2O3 nanoparticles almost fully cover the Ti3C2Tx nanosheets which can avoid the oxidation of Ti3C2Tx, thus contributing to the good cycling stability of the sensing materials. This work sheds light on the sensing mechanism of heterojunction nanostructures and provides an efficient pathway to construct high-performance gas sensors through the rational design of active sites.