Electrodeposition synthesis of cobalt-molybdenum bimetallic phosphide on nickel foam for efficient water splitting.

A reasonable design of excellent bifunctional catalyst is an effective strategy for large-scale hydrogen production. In this study, a two-stage electrodeposition method was used to prepare a crystalline-amorphous structure cobalt molybdenum phosphide layered particles with different sizes on a nickel foam (NF) substrate. Electron rearrangement at the Co/CoMoP2@CoMoO4 heterogeneous interface can reduce the reaction energy barrier for HER and OER, and accelerate the catalytic reaction kinetics. The doping of Mo can promote the synergistic effect between Co and Mo, thereby optimizing the Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption/desorption. This layered arrangement of different size particles greatly improves the active area of the catalyst. In alkaline solution, achieving a current density of 10 mA cm-2 only required overpotentials of 40 mV for HER and 278 mV for OER, respectively. The cell voltage required for the CoMo-P/NF||CoMo-P/NF electrolytic cell is only 1.53 V at 10 mA cm-2. This study provides a reference for the rapid, efficient, and environmentally friendly preparation of high-activity water splitting catalysts with large surface areas.

The efficacy of glycerin suppositories for preterm infants: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

BACKGROUND: The effect of glycerin suppositories on full enteral feeds remained controversial in preterm infants, and thus we conducted this meta-analysis to identify the influence of glycerin suppositories on full enteral feeds in preterm infants. METHODS: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD20214283090). We searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases through February 2020, and included randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of glycerin suppositories on full enteral feeds in preterm infants. This meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model. RESULTS: Six Randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group in preterm infants, glycerin suppositories demonstrated no significant effect on days to full enteral feeds (mean difference = -0.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.16 to 0.65; P = .58), the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (odd ratio = 3.62; 95% CI = 0.56-23.32; P = .18) or death (odd ratio = 1.46; 95% CI = 0.40-5.40; P = .57), but may increase the days under phototherapy (mean difference = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.43-0.57; P < .00001). Only low heterogeneity was seen among all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Glycerin suppositories may provide no additional benefits to preterm infants.

Discover boy specific-biomarkers and reveal gender-related metabolic differences in central precocious puberty.

The incidence of central precocious puberty (CPP) in boys is rising, but lack of effective molecular biomarkers often leads to delayed treatment and thus the terrible clinical complications in adulthood. This study aims to identify the specific-biomarkers of CPP boys and understand the gender-related differences in metabolic characteristics of CPP. The specific-biomarkers of CPP boys were identified from serum by cross-metabolomics combined with linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis after age correction, and union receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were perform to optimize the combination of specific-biomarkers. The differences in metabolic characteristics between boys and girls with CPP were explored by cross-metabolomics and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Results show that CPP activated in advance the HPG axis and induced gender-related clinical phenotypes. Seven serum metabolites were identified as specific-biomarkers of CPP boys, including acetoacetate, aspartate, choline, creatinine, myo-inositol, N,N-dimethylglycine and N-Acetyl-glycoprotein. The combination of aspartate, choline, myo-inositol and creatinine achieved an optimized diagnosis, where AUC is 0.949, prediction accuracy for CPP boys is 91.1%, and the average accuracy is 0.865. The metabolic disorders of CPP boys mainly involve in glycerophospholipid metabolism, and synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Betaine, glutamine, isoleucine, lactate, leucine, lysine, pyruvate, α-&ß-glucose were identified as gender-related biomarkers for CPP, and they are mainly involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pyruvate metabolism, and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. Biomarkers combination provides a promising diagnostic potential for CPP boy with a favorite sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the differences of metabolic characteristics between boys and girls with CPP will contribute to the development of individualized clinical treatments in CPP.

Complete genome analysis of PaGz-1 and PaZq-1, two novel phages belonging to the genus Pakpunavirus.

Pseudomonas phages PaGz-1 and PaZq-1, two new phages infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were isolated from fresh water in Guangdong province, China. The genomes of these two phages consist of 93,975 bp and 94,315 bp and contain 175 and 172 open reading frames (ORFs), respectively. The genome sequences of PaGz-1 and PaZq-1 share 95.8% identity with a query coverage of 94%, suggesting that these two phages belong to two different species. Based on results of nucleotide sequence alignment, gene annotation, and phylogenetic analysis, we propose PaGz-1 and PaZq-1 as representative isolates of two species in the genus Pakpunavirus within the family Myoviridae.

The efficacy of dopamine versus epinephrine for pediatric or neonatal septic shock: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of dopamine versus epinephrine for pediatric or neonatal septic shock remains controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to explore the influence of dopamine versus epinephrine on shock reversal for pediatric or neonatal septic shock. METHODS: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through July 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of dopamine versus epinephrine for pediatric or neonatal septic shock. RESULTS: Three RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall for pediatric or neonatal septic shock, dopamine and epinephrine reveal comparable shock reversal within 1 h (risk ratios (RR) = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.16 to 2.31; P = 0.47), mortality (RR = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.87 to 1.55; P = 0.30), heart rate (standard mean differences (SMD) = 0.03; 95% CI = -0.28 to 0.34; P = 0.85), systolic blood pressure (SMD = -0.18; 95% CI = -0.69 to 0.33; P = 0.49), mean arterial pressure (SMD = -0.15; 95% CI = -1.64 to 1.34; P = 0.84) and adverse events (RR = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.94 to 1.07; P = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Dopamine and epinephrine show the comparable efficacy for the treatment of pediatric or neonatal septic shock.

Combined network analysis and machine learning allows the prediction of metabolic pathways from tomato metabolomics data.

The identification and understanding of metabolic pathways is a key aspect in crop improvement and drug design. The common approach for their detection is based on gene annotation and ontology. Correlation-based network analysis, where metabolites are arranged into network formation, is used as a complentary tool. Here, we demonstrate the detection of metabolic pathways based on correlation-based network analysis combined with machine-learning techniques. Metabolites of known tomato pathways, non-tomato pathways, and random sets of metabolites were mapped as subgraphs onto metabolite correlation networks of the tomato pericarp. Network features were computed for each subgraph, generating a machine-learning model. The model predicted the presence of the ß-alanine-degradation-I, tryptophan-degradation-VII-via-indole-3-pyruvate (yet unknown to plants), the ß-alanine-biosynthesis-III, and the melibiose-degradation pathway, although melibiose was not part of the networks. In vivo assays validated the presence of the melibiose-degradation pathway. For the remaining pathways only some of the genes encoding regulatory enzymes were detected.

Applications of Microfluidics in Quantitative Biology.

Quantitative biology is dedicated to taking advantage of quantitative reasoning and advanced engineering technologies to make biology more predictable. Microfluidics, as an emerging technique, provides new approaches to precisely control fluidic conditions on small scales and collect data in high-throughput and quantitative manners. In this review, the authors present the relevant applications of microfluidics to quantitative biology based on two major categories (channel-based microfluidics and droplet-based microfluidics), and their typical features. We also envision some other microfluidic techniques that may not be employed in quantitative biology right now, but have great potential in the near future.

Transcriptomic Comparison Reveals Candidate Genes for Triterpenoid Biosynthesis in Two Closely Related Ilex Species.

Native to Southern China, Ilex pubescens and Ilex asprella are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine. Both of them produce a large variety of ursane-type triterpenoid saponins, which have been demonstrated to have different pharmacological effects. However, little is known about their biosynthesis. In this study, transcriptomic analysis of I. pubescens and comparison with its closely related specie I. asprella were carried out to identify potential genes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis. Through RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and de novo transcriptome assembly of I. pubescens, a total of 68,688 UniGene clusters are obtained, of which 32,184 (46.86%) are successfully annotated by comparison with the sequences in major public databases (NCBI, Swiss-Prot, and KEGG). It includes 128 UniGenes related to triterpenoid backbone biosynthesis, 11 OSCs (oxidosqualene cyclases), 233 CYPs (cytochrome P450), and 269 UGTs (UDP-glycosyltransferases). By homology-based blast and phylogenetic analysis with well-characterized genes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis, 5 OSCs, 14 CYPs, and 1 UGT are further proposed as the most promising candidate genes. Transcriptomic comparison between two Ilex species using blastp and OrthoMCL method reveals high sequence similarity. All OSCs and UGTs as well as most CYPs are classified as orthologous genes, while only 5 CYPs in I. pubescens and 3 CYPs in I. asprella are species-specific. One of OSC candidates, named as IpAS1, was successfully cloned and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae INVSc1. Analysis of the yeast extract by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) shows IpAS1 is a mixed amyrin synthase, producing α-amyrin and ß-amyrin at ratio of 5:1, which is similar to its ortholog IaAS1 from I. asprella. This study is the first exploration to profile the transcriptome of I. pubescens, the generated data and gene models will facilitate further molecular studies on the physiology and metabolism in this plant. By comparative transcriptomic analysis, a series of candidate genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of triterpenoid saponins are identified, providing new insight into their biosynthesis at transcriptome level.

Protective Effect of SFE-CO2 of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort Against d-Galactose-Induced Injury in the Mouse Liver and Kidney.

This study was designed to explore how supercritical fluid CO2 extract of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort (CX) protects mouse liver and kidney from d-galactose-induced injury. The antioxidant capacity of CX was confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. The d-galactose-induced malondialdehyde increase was attenuated by CX, as well as the increase in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine level. In addition, the activities of antioxidant enzymes were markedly renewed, and the gene expressions of these enzymes were upregulated in CX groups. The results of histological analysis suggested that CX could effectively attenuate the d-galactose-induced structure damage. Furthermore, results of Western blotting analysis showed that CX significantly inhibited the upregulation of nuclear factor protein expression caused by d-galactose. In conclusion, CX could attenuate the liver and kidney injury in d-galactose-treated mice, and the mechanism might be associated with attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

miR­221 targets HMGA2 to inhibit bleomycin­induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating TGF­ß1/Smad3-induced EMT.

MicroRNA (miR)-221 plays an essential role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). High mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), is a key regulator of EMT. However, the role of miR­221 in pulmonary fibrosis, and the association between miR­221 and HMGA2 remain largely unknown. For this purpose, we examined the expression of miR­221 and HMGA2 in human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) tissues and pulmonary cells, namely the adenocarcinoma A549 and human bronchial epithelium (HBE) cell lines, and found that the expression of miR­221 was inhibited in both tissues and cells whereas high mRNA and protein expression of HMGA2 was observed. Additionally, transforming growth factor­ß1 (TGF­ß1) induced the EMT, characterized by the upregulated expression of the mesenchymal markers, namely N­cadherin, vimentin, α­smooth muscle actin, collagen I and collagen III, and the downregulated expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin in A549 and HBE cells. We then performed transfection with miR­221 mimics, and found that the expression of phosphorylated-Smad3 in miR­221­overexpressing cells was significantly downregulated, compared with that in the TGF­ß1-treated cells without transfection. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR­221 decreased the expression of HMGA2, suppressed the EMT, and inhibited the proliferation of A549 and HBE cells. HMGA2 was directly targeted by miR­221 which was confirmed by the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Finally, a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)­induced pulmonary fibrosis was used to confirm the effect of miR­221 on EMT. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that BLM induced thicker alveolar walls and more collagen deposition, whereas miR­221 treatment reduced lung fibrosis and the tissues exhibited thinner alveolar walls and normal lung alveoli. Furthermore, the EMT process was suppressed following miR­221 injection. Taken together, these findings sugest that miR­221 targets HMGA2 to inhibit BLM­induced pulmonary fibrosis through the TGF­ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Characterisation of two oxidosqualene cyclases responsible for triterpenoid biosynthesis in Ilex asprella.

Ilex asprella, a plant widely used as a folk herbal drug in southern China, produces and stores a large amount of triterpenoid saponins, most of which are of the α-amyrin type. In this study, two oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) cDNAs, IaAS1 and IaAS2, were cloned from the I. asprella root. Functional characterisation was performed by heterologous expression in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Analysis of the resulting products by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that both genes encode a mixed amyrin synthase, producing α-amyrin and ß-amyrin at different ratios. IaAS1, which mainly produces α-amyrin, is the second triterpene synthase so far identified in which the level of α-amyrin produced is ≥80% of total amyrin production. By contrast, IaAS2 mainly synthesises ß-amyrin, with a yield of 95%. Gene expression patterns of these two amyrin synthases in roots and leaves of I. asprella were found to be consistent with the content patterns of total saponins. Finally, phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignment of the two amyrin synthases against several known OSCs from other plants were conducted to further elucidate their evolutionary relationship.

Effect of perioperative intravenous flurbiprofen axetil on chronic postmastectomy pain.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether perioperative intravenous flurbiprofen axetil can reduce the incidence and intensity of chronic pain for breast cancer after surgical treatment. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial enrolled 60 patients undergoing mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection under general anesthesia. All patients accepted Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) tests the day before the surgery to evaluate depression and anxiety. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 50 mg flurbiprofen axetil intravenously 15 minutes before the surgical incision and 6 hours later (group F) or intravenous 5 mL intralipid as a control (group C). All patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with fentanyl postoperatively. Peripheral venous blood samples were drawn before the surgery, at 4 and 24 h after the surgery to detect the plasma level of PGE2 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Postoperative fentanyl consumption, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores and adverse effects were recorded at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after the surgery. The duration and intensity of pain were followed up by telephone at the 2nd-12th month after the surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of pain at 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after the breast surgery was 33%, 20%, 15%, and 10%, respectively, and the average pain score was 0.77, 0.57, 0.28, and 0.18, respectively. Compared with group C, the scores of pain in group F were significantly lower at 2, 4, 6 and 12 months postoperatively (F=7.758, P=0.007). The incidence of pain in group F was significantly lower at 2, 4 and 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of pain between the groups at 12 months postoperatively (P>0.05). Preoperatively and at 4 and 24 h after the surgery, there was no significant difference in the level of TNF-α between the two groups (F=0.530, P=0.470); but plasma concentration of PGE2 in group F was significantly lower than that in group C (F=5.646, P=0.021). No patients developed abnormal bleeding, peptic ulcer, impaired liver or renal function and respiratory depression. CONCLUSION: Perioperative intravenous infusion of 100 mg flurbiprofen axetil can decrease the intensity and incidence of chronic pain for breast cancer after surgical treatment.

Efficient hyper-Raman scattering in resonant coherent media.

We propose and analyze a hyper-Raman scheme for generation of coherent light in a five-level atomic system based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). We show that EIT suppresses linear and nonlinear photon absorption and enables the hyper-Raman process to proceed through real, near-resonant intermediate states. The scheme greatly enhances hyper-Raman efficiency and may be used for generating short-wavelength radiation at low pump intensities.