Construction of a double-increasing emission fluorescent probe and its application in food detection of benzoyl peroxide and biosystem imaging.

In this work, based on the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism strategy, a new dual-increasing emission proportional near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe Lay-1 was designed for fast benzoyl peroxide (BPO) detection in real food samples and biosystems. Specifically, it employed a naphthylimide derivative and a NIR fluorophore dicyanoisophorone derivative as the energy transfer donor and acceptor, respectively, and a phenylboronic acid (Ph-B(OH)2) as the responding group of BPO. In addition, the results exhibited that the fluorescence color of Lay-1 was changed from red to orange in the absence and the presence of BPO with a fast response time (∼120 s), high sensitivity, and an excellent limit of detection as low as 60.8 nM. Impressively, Lay-1 has been successfully used for BPO detection in real food samples and biosystems with satisfactory results. Therefore, Lay-1 can be a robust molecular tool to further investigate the physiological and pathological function of BPO.

Does environmental public interest litigation improve the urban land green use efficiency?-Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China.

Environmental public interest litigation (EPIL) is a significant part of the judicial system; it is aimed at strengthening judicial protections and safeguarding public interests. Based on the quasi-natural experimental setting of China's EPIL pilot project, this study examines the impact of EPIL on the country's urban land green use efficiency (ULGUE). The findings show that effectively implementing EPIL enhances ULGUE. Specifically, this policy has led to a 6.6% increase in ULGUE in pilot cities, and its impact has grown stronger over time. Mechanism analysis results show that EPIL mainly enhances ULGUE by strengthening environmental supervision and law enforcement, by increasing public participation in environmental governance, and by promoting green innovation and industrial structure upgrades. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis revealed that the positive effects of this policy implementation are more pronounced in resource-based cities, cities with open environmental information, and cities with high marketization. This paper provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of environmental governance via EPIL.

Mitochondrial targeting sequence of magnetoreceptor MagR: More than just targeting.

Iron-sulfur clusters are essential cofactors for proteins involved in various biological processes, such as electron transport, biosynthetic reactions, DNA repair, and gene expression regulation. Iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscA1 (or MagR) is found within the mitochondria of most eukaryotes. Magnetoreceptor (MagR) is a highly conserved A-type iron and iron-sulfur cluster-binding protein, characterized by two distinct types of iron-sulfur clusters, [2Fe-2S] and [3Fe-4S], each conferring unique magnetic properties. MagR forms a rod-like polymer structure in complex with photoreceptive cryptochrome (Cry) and serves as a putative magnetoreceptor for retrieving geomagnetic information in animal navigation. Although the N-terminal sequences of MagR vary among species, their specific function remains unknown. In the present study, we found that the N-terminal sequences of pigeon MagR, previously thought to serve as a mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS), were not cleaved following mitochondrial entry but instead modulated the efficiency with which iron-sulfur clusters and irons are bound. Moreover, the N-terminal region of MagR was required for the formation of a stable MagR/Cry complex. Thus, the N-terminal sequences in pigeon MagR fulfil more important functional roles than just mitochondrial targeting. These results further extend our understanding of the function of MagR and provide new insights into the origin of magnetoreception from an evolutionary perspective.

Filamentous morphology engineering of bacteria by iron metabolism modulation through MagR expression.

The morphology is the consequence of evolution and adaptation. Escherichia coli is rod-shaped bacillus with regular dimension of about 1.5 µm long and 0.5 µm wide. Many shape-related genes have been identified and used in morphology engineering of this bacteria. However, little is known about if specific metabolism and metal irons could modulate bacteria morphology. Here in this study, we discovered filamentous shape change of E. coli cells overexpressing pigeon MagR, a putative magnetoreceptor and extremely conserved iron-sulfur protein. Comparative transcriptomic analysis strongly suggested that the iron metabolism change and iron accumulation due to the overproduction of MagR was the key to the morphological change. This model was further validated, and filamentous morphological change was also achieved by supplement E. coli cells with iron in culture medium or by increase the iron uptake genes such as entB and fepA. Our study extended our understanding of morphology regulation of bacteria, and may also serves as a prototype of morphology engineering by modulating the iron metabolism.

Taurine attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting autophagy and inducing ferroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is a compensatory response during the tissue repair process in chronic liver injury, and finally leads to liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis is associated with the progressive accumulation of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which can transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts to produce an excess of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Myofibroblasts are the main source of the excessive ECM responsible for hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs), the principal ECM producing cells in the injured liver, are a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. AIM: To explore the effect of taurine on aHSC proliferation and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: Human HSCs (LX-2) were randomly divided into five groups: Normal control group, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) (20 ng/mL) treated group, and low, medium, and high dosage of taurine (10 mmol/L, 50 mmol/L, and 100 mmol/L, respectively) with PDGF-BB (20 ng/mL) treated group. Cell Counting Kit-8 method was performed to evaluate the effect of taurine on the viability of aHSCs. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to estimate the effect of taurine on the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde, glutathione, and iron concentration. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the effect of taurine on the autophagosomes and ferroptosis features in aHSCs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were performed to detect the effect of taurine on the expression of α-SMA, Collagen I, Fibronectin 1, LC3B, ATG5, Beclin 1, PTGS2, SLC7A11, and p62. RESULTS: Taurine promoted the death of aHSCs and reduced the deposition of the ECM. Treatment with taurine could alleviate autophagy in HSCs to inhibit their activation, by decreasing autophagosome formation, downregulating LC3B and Beclin 1 protein expression, and upregulating p62 protein expression. Meanwhile, treatment with taurine triggered ferroptosis and ferritinophagy to eliminate aHSCs characterized by iron overload, lipid ROS accumulation, glutathione depletion, and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that taurine had a direct targeting effect on nuclear receptor coactivator 4, exhibiting the best average binding affinity of -20.99 kcal/mol. CONCLUSION: Taurine exerts therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis via mechanisms that involve inhibition of autophagy and trigger of ferroptosis and ferritinophagy in HSCs to eliminate aHSCs.

Tumor Microenvironment Activatable Nanoprodrug System for In Situ Fluorescence Imaging and Therapy of Liver Cancer.

The development of new imaging and treatment nanoprodrug systems is highly demanded for diagnosis and therapy of liver cancer, a severe disease characterized by a high recurrence rate. Currently, available small molecule drugs are not possible for cancer diagnosis because of the fast diffusion of imaging agents and low efficacy in treatment due to poor water solubility and significant toxic side effects. In this study, we report the development of a tumor microenvironment activatable nanoprodrug system for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. This nanoprodrug system can accumulate in the tumor site and be selectively activated by an excess of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the tumor microenvironment, releasing near-infrared solid-state organic fluorescent probe (HPQCY-1) and phenylboronic acid-modified camptothecin (CPT) prodrug. Both HPQCY-1 and CPT prodrugs can be further activated in tumor sites for achieving more precise in situ near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and treatment while reducing the toxic effects of drugs on normal tissues. Additionally, the incorporation of hydrophilic multivalent chitosan as a carrier effectively improved the water solubility of the system. This research thus provides a practical new approach for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.

Molecular engineering of a new method for effective removal of cadmium from water.

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread and highly toxic environmental pollutant, seriously threatening animal and plant growth. Therefore, monitoring and employing robust tools to enrich and remove Cd from the environment is a major challenge. In this work, by conjugating a fluorescent indicator (CCP) with a functionalized glass slide, a special composite material (CCPB) was constructed to enrich, remove, and monitor Cd2+ in water rapidly. Then Cd2+ could be effectively eluted by immersing the Cd-enriched CCPB in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution. With this, the CCPB was continuously reused. Its recovery of Cd2+was above and below 100 % after multiple uses by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), which was excellent for practical use in enriching and removing Cd2+ in real aqueous samples. Therefore, CCPB is an ideal material for monitoring, enriching, and removing Cd2+ in wastewater, providing a robust tool for future practical applications of Cd enrichment and removal in the environment.

Neo-construction of a SO2-tunable near-infrared ratiometric fluorescent probe for high-fidelity diagnosis and evaluation hazards of Cd2+-induced liver injury.

Cadmium-contaminated water and food are seriously hazardous to the human health, especially liver injury. To understand the entanglement relationship between cadmium ion (Cd2+)-induced liver injury and the biomarker sulfur dioxide (SO2), a reliable bioanalytical tool is urgently needed, detecting SO2 to diagnose and evaluate the extent of liver injury in vivo. Herein, based on the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism, a novel SO2-tunable NIR ratiometric fluorescent probe (SMP) was developed, it was used to diagnose and treat liver injury induced by Cd2+ in biosystems. Specifically, it was constructed by conjugating a NIR dicyanoisophorone with a NIR benzopyranate as the donor and acceptor, respectively, and the ratiometric response of SO2- regulated by the Michael addition reaction. In addition, SMP exhibits rapid reaction time (<15 s), two well-resolved emission peaks (68 nm) with less cross-talk between channels for high imaging resolution, superior selectivity, and low limit of detection (LOD=80.3 nM) for SO2 detection. Impressively, SMP has been successfully used for intracellular ratiometric imaging of Cd2+-induced SO2 and diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation in liver injury mice models with satisfactory results. Therefore, SMP may provide a powerful molecular tool for revealing the occurrence and development relationship between SO2 and Cd2+-induced liver injury. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Cadmium ions are one of the well-known toxic environmental pollutants, which are enriched in the human body through inhalation of cadmium-contaminated air or from the food chain, leading to damage in various organs, especially liver injury. Therefore, we developed a novel fluorescent probe that can specifically detect SO2 in Cd2+-induced liver injury, which is critically important for the diagnosis and evaluation of Cd2+-induced liver injury diseases. The specific detection of SO2 of this probe has been successfully demonstrated in live HepG2 cells and Cd2+-induced liver injury mice.

Activatable fluorescent probes for early diagnosis and evaluation of liver injury.

With the increase in people's living standards, the number of patients suffering from liver injury keeps on increasing. Traditional diagnostic methods can no longer meet the needs of early and accurate diagnosis due to their limitations in application. However, fluorescent probes based on different fluorophores and nanomaterials have been gradually lighting up medical research due to their unique properties, such as high specificity and non-invasiveness. In addition, accurate identification of the different types of liver injury biomarkers can significantly improve the level of early diagnosis. Therefore, this review reviews the fluorescent probes used in the detection of biomarkers of liver injury over recent years and briefly summarizes the corresponding biomarkers of different types of liver injury. Impressively, this review also lists the structures and the response mechanisms of the different probes, and concludes with an outlook, suggesting directions in which improvements can be made. Finally, we hope that this review will contribute to the further development of fluorescent probes for the early diagnosis and assessment of liver injury.

DZ2002 alleviates corneal angiogenesis and inflammation in rodent models of dry eye disease via regulating STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular disorder with a multifactorial etiology. The pre-angiogenic and pre-inflammatory milieu of the ocular surface plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. DZ2002 is a reversible type III S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor, which has shown excellent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of DZ2002 in rodent models of DED. SCOP-induced dry eye models were established in female rats and mice, while BAC-induced dry eye model was established in female rats. DZ2002 was administered as eye drops (0.25%, 1%) four times daily (20 µL per eye) for 7 or 14 consecutive days. We showed that topical application of DZ2002 concentration-dependently reduced corneal neovascularization and corneal opacity, as well as alleviated conjunctival irritation in both DED models. Furthermore, we observed that DZ2002 treatment decreased the expression of genes associated with angiogenesis and the levels of inflammation in the cornea and conjunctiva. Moreover, DZ2002 treatment in the BAC-induced DED model abolished the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways in corneal tissues. We also found that DZ2002 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) while downregulating the activation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that DZ2002 exerts a therapeutic effect on corneal angiogenesis in DED, potentially by preventing the upregulation of the STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathways. Collectively, DZ2002 is a promising candidate for ophthalmic therapy, particularly in treating DED.

Effect of EDDS on the rhizosphere ecology and microbial regulation of the Cd-Cr contaminated soil remediation using king grass combined with Piriformospora indica.

The negative impacts of soil heavy metals composite pollution on agricultural production and human health are becoming increasingly prevalent. The applications of green chelating agents and microorganisms have emerged as promising alternate methods for enhancing phytoremediation. The regulatory effects of root secretion composition, microbial carbon source utilization, key gene expression, and soil microbial community structure were comprehensively analyzed through a combination of HPLC, Biolog EcoPlates, qPCR, and high-throughput screening techniques. The application of EDDS resulted in a favorable rhizosphere ecological environment for the king grass Piriformospora indica, characterized by a decrease in soil pH by 0.41 units, stimulation of succinic acid and fumaric acid secretion, and an increase in carbon source metabolic activity of amino acids and carbohydrates. Consequently, this improvement enhanced the bioavailability of Cd/Cr and increased the biomass of king grass by 25.7%. The expression of dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria was significantly upregulated by 99.2%, while there was no significant difference in Clostridium abundance. Furthermore, the richness of the soil rhizosphere fungal community (Ascomycota: 45.8%, Rozellomycota: 16.7%) significantly increased to regulate the proportion of tolerant microbial dominant groups, promoting the improvement of Cd/Cr removal efficiency (Cd: 23.4%, Cr: 18.7%). These findings provide a theoretical basis for the sustainable development of chelating agent-assisted plants-microorganisms combined remediation of heavy metals in soil.

Unexpected divergence in magnetoreceptor MagR from robin and pigeon linked to two sequence variations.

Birds exhibit extraordinary mobility and remarkable navigational skills, obtaining guidance cues from the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and long-distance movement. Bird species also show tremendous diversity in navigation strategies, with considerable differences even within the same taxa and among individuals from the same population. The highly conserved iron and iron-sulfur cluster binding magnetoreceptor (MagR) protein is suggested to enable animals, including birds, to detect the geomagnetic field and navigate accordingly. Notably, MagR is also implicated in other functions, such as electron transfer and biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters, raising the question of whether variability exists in its biochemical and biophysical features among species, particularly birds. In the current study, we conducted a comparative analysis of MagR from two different bird species, including the migratory European robin and the homing pigeon. Sequence alignment revealed an extremely high degree of similarity between the MagRs of these species, with only three sequence variations. Nevertheless, two of these variations underpinned significant differences in metal binding capacity, oligomeric state, and magnetic properties. These findings offer compelling evidence for the marked differences in MagR between the two avian species, potentially explaining how a highly conserved protein can mediate such diverse functions.

A preliminary investigation of the regulatory effect of acupuncture on hippocampal circHDAC2/miR-3065/SLC30A3 axis in CIRI rats. / å¤§é¼ æµ·é©¬ç»„ç»‡circHDAC2/miR-3065/SLC30A3è½´å‚ä¸Žé’ˆåˆºè°ƒèŠ‚è„‘ç¼ºè¡€å†çŒæ³¨æŸä¼¤çš„åˆæ­¥ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanisms of acupuncture against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) through observing the expression of circular RNA HDAC2 (circHDAC2) in the hippocampus of rats. METHODS: SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation, model and acupuncture groups, with 13 rats in each group. The rat model of CIRI was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was delivvered at "Dazhui" (GV14), "Shuigou" (GV26) and "Baihui" (GV20), and the needles were retained for 30 min each time and acupuncture was conducted once every 12 h for a total of 7 sessions. Before and after intervention, using modified Garcia scale, the neurological function of the rats were evaluated, and TTC staining was employed to determine the cerebral infarct area. Gene chip technology was used to screen the circRNAs with differential expressions in the ischemic hippocampus, and the circRNAs with co-differential expression (co-DE circRNAs) in the model group/sham-operation group, and the acupuncture group/model group separately. Among those circRNAs, the core circRNAs were screened according to P value, fold change (FC) and gene ontology (GO) analysis；and their expressions in the ischemic hippocampus were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Based on the verification results, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) prediction network was constructed. The expression levels of microRNA (miRNA) and mRNA with high node centrality in the prediction network were validated by qPCR. RESULTS: Before intervention, compared with the sham-operation group, the modified Garcia score of each modeling group decreased (P<0.01). After intervention, the modified Garcia score was reduced and the cerebral infarct area ratio increased (P<0.01) in the model group when compared with the sham-operation group. In the acupuncture group, the modified Garcia score was higher and the cerebral infarct area ratio lower (P<0.01) than those of the model group. The microarray results of gene chip showed that 16 co-DE circRNAs were down-regulated in the model group and up-regulated in the acupuncture group, and 7 co-DE circRNAs up-regulated in the model group and down-regulated in the acupuncture group. The core circHDAC2 and circNTRK2 were screened according to P value, FC and the enrichment number of GO entries. QPCR results showed that, compared with the sham-operation group, the expression of circHDAC2 and circNTRK2 of the ischemic hippocampal tissue was down-regulated in the model group (P<0.01)；and that of circHDAC2 and circNTRK2 up-regulated in the acupuncture group when compared with the model group (P<0.01). The relevant ceRNA regulatory network was constructed for circHDAC2 and the prediction results showed that the regulatory networks contained 12 miRNAs and 31 mRNAs. Results of verifying miRNA with high network node centrality and mRNA relevant with nerve regulation showed that, when compared with the sham-operation group, the expression levels of miR-29a, miR-29b and the solute carrier family 30 member 3 (SLC30A3) mRNA in the ischemic hippocampus were down-regulated (P<0.01)；and those of miR-3065 and mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST) up-regulated (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the expressions of miR-29a, miR-29b and SLC30A3 mRNA in the ischemic hippocampus were up-regulated (P<0.01, P<0.05), while that of miR-3065 down-regulated (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture significantly improves the neurological function and reduces the cerebral infarct area in CIRI rats, which may be related to the regulation of hippocampal circHDAC2/miR-3065/SLC30A3 axis.

[Prediction and analysis of Q-markers of Elephantopus scaber based on its UPLC fingerprint, content determination of components, and in vitro a nti-tumor activity].

This study aimed to provide scientific evidence for predicting quality markers(Q-markers) of Elephantopus scaber by establishing UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber from different geographical origins and determining the content of 13 major components, as well as conducting in vitro anti-cancer activity investigation of the main components. The chromatographic column used was Waters CORTECS UPLC C_(18)(2.1 mm×150 mm, 1.6 µm), and the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid solution(gradient elution). The column temperature was set at 30 ℃, and the flow rate was 0.2 mL·min~(-1). The injection volume was 1 µL, and the detection wavelength was 240 nm. The UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber was fitted using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine(2012 edition) to determine common peaks, evaluate similarity, identify and determine the content of major components. The CCK-8 assay was used to explore the inhibitory effect of the main components on the proliferation of lung cancer cells. The results showed that in the established UPLC fingerprint of E. scaber, 35 common peaks were identified. Thirteen major components, including neochlorogenic acid(peak 1), chlorogenic acid(peak 2), cryptochlorogenic acid(peak 3), caffeic acid(peak 4), schaftoside(peak 6), galuteolin(peak 9), isochlorogenic acid B(peak 10), isochlorogenic acid A(peak 12), isochlorogenic acid C(peak 18), deoxyelephantopin(peak 28), isodeoxyelephantopin(peak 29), isoscabertopin(peak 31), and scabertopin(peak 32) were identified and quantified, and a quantitative analysis method was established. The results of the in vitro anti-cancer activity study showed that deoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, isoscabertopin, and scabertopin in E. scaber exhibited inhibition rates of lung cancer cell proliferation exceeding 80% at a concentration of 10 µmol·L~(-1), higher than the positive drug paclitaxel. These results indicate that the fingerprint of E. scaber is highly characteristic, and the quantitative analysis method is accurate and stable, providing references for the research on quality standards of E. scaber. Four sesquiterpene lactones in E. scaber show significant anti-cancer activity and can serve as Q-markers for E. scaber.

Fluorescence probes evaluated the hydrogen peroxide level in rice roots under cadmium ion stress.

Abiotic stress and oxidative stress are closely related to the health status of plants. Plants will produce oxidative stress under abiotic stress, induce mitochondrial dysfunction, cause programmed cell death, and decrease plant survival rate. It is well known that rice is an essential crop for humans, but its cadmium tolerance is poor. Therefore, it is crucial to determine whether cadmium stress causes oxidative stress in rice in order to guide rice cultivation. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), is one of the most critical signals in corps under oxidative stress. In this work, we adopted a near-infrared (NIR) H2O2 fluorescent probe YFE-1 and a cadmium ion (Cd2+) fluorescent probe SCP to observe the fluctuation of H2O2 in rice roots under Cd2+ co-incubation conditions. Due to the advantages of fast response (within 2 min), a large Stokes shift (181 nm), good selectivity, and a low detection limit (LOD:26.4 nM), YFE-1 achieved the visualization of H2O2 produced by Cd2+ stress in rice roots. This study provides a new idea for assessing the risk of oxidative stress of Cd2+ in rice roots. It is expected to guide the control of Cd2+ in the rice planting industry to improve rice yield.

High-fidelity fluorescent probes for visualizing the inhibitory behavior of selenium on cadmium uptake in rice.

Cadmium (Cd), a widespread and highly toxic environmental contaminant, has seriously impacted the growth of rice and the quality of its products. Hence, it is crucial to monitor and employ robust means to reduce Cd levels in rice, and selenium (Se) has been proven to chelate cadmium ion (Cd2+) in rice with rational use. Herein, for the first time, the reported selenocysteine (Sec) probe NN-Sec and the newly designed Cd2+ probe SCP were chosen as visualization tools to monitor Sec-inhibited Cd2+ uptake in rice. Specifically, reduced fluorescence of rice precultured with Cd2+ was observed by SCP after Se application, while similarly decreased fluorescence of rice pretreated with Se was observed by NN-Sec after Cd2+ addition. The diminished fluorescence indicated the formation of Cd-Se complexes reduced the Cd2+ content in rice. Additionally, it was Cd2+ and Se that entered the rice causing the fluorescence generation, as demonstrated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). To conclude, the two probes successfully visualized Se inhibited Cd2+ uptake in rice, which could provide a robust tool for supporting the development of novel organic fertilizers and reagents to reduce Cd2+ content in rice and the environment.

Magnetic Fields Affect Alcoholic Liver Disease by Liver Cell Oxidative Stress and Proliferation Regulation.

It is well known that alcohol consumption leads to substantially increased free radical levels and health risks, which lacks effective treatment besides alcohol abstinence. Here, we compared different static magnetic field (SMF) settings and found that a downward quasi-uniform SMF of ~0.1 to 0.2 T could effectively alleviate alcohol-induced liver damage and lipid accumulation and improve hepatic function. SMFs of two different directions can reduce the inflammation, reactive oxygen species levels, and oxidative stress in the liver, while the downward SMF had more obvious effects. Moreover, we found that the upward direction SMF of ~0.1 to 0.2 T could inhibit DNA synthesis and regeneration in hepatocytes, which caused detrimental effects on the lifespan of "heavy drinking" mice. In contrast, the downward SMF prolongs survival of "heavy drinking" mice. On one hand, our study shows that ~0.1 to 0.2 T moderate quasi-uniform SMFs with a downward direction have great promises to be developed into a physical method to reduce alcohol-induced liver damage; on the other hand, although the internationally recognized upper limit for SMF public exposure is 0.4 T, people should also pay extra attention to SMF strength, direction, and inhomogeneity that could generate harmful effects on specific severe pathological conditions.

High-Voltage Cyclic Ether-Based Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Cyclic ethers are promising solvents for low-temperature electrolytes, but they still suffer from intrinsic poor antioxidant abilities. Until now, ether-based electrolytes have been rarely reported for high-voltage sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) operated under a low-temperature range. Herein, a novel ether-based electrolyte consisting of tetrahydrofuran as the main solvent is proposed and it could be utilized for a high-voltage Na2/3Mn2/3Ni1/3O2 (MN) cathode in a wide-temperature range from -40 to 25 °C. Meanwhile, a thin and robust inorganic component-rich cathode electrolyte interface layer is elaborately introduced on the MN cathode by this tailored electrolyte, resulting in excellent cycle life of MN cathode. Specifically, a capacity retention of 97.2% after 140 cycles could be delivered by MN at 0.3 C at room temperature (RT). Especially at an ultra-low temperature of -40 °C, the initial discharge capacity of MN could still approach 89.3% of that at RT, and the capacity retention is 94.1% at 0.2 C after 100 cycles. This work provides a new insight into the rational design of ether-based electrolytes for high-voltage and stable SIBs operated in a wide-temperature range.

Rationally Constructed De Novo Fluorescent Nanosensor for Nitric Oxide Detection and Imaging in Living Cells and Inflammatory Mice Models.

For the early diagnosis and effective evaluation of treatment effects of inflammation, a de novo bioanalytical method is urgently needed to monitor the metabolite nitric oxide (NO) associated with inflammatory diseases. However, developing a reliable detection method with excellent water solubility, biocompatibility, long retention time, and blood circulation is still challenging. In this work, we reported for the first time a de novo host-guest self-assembled nanosensor CTA for the quantitative detection and visualization of NO levels in inflammatory models. CTA mainly consists of two parts: (i) an adamantyl-labeled guest small-molecule RN-adH containing a classical response moiety o-phenylenediamine for a chemical-specific response toward NO and fluorophore rhodamine B with excellent optical properties as an internal reference for self-calibration and (ii) a remarkable water-soluble and biocompatible supramolecular ß-cyclodextrin polymer (Poly-ß-CD) host. In the presence of NO, the o-phenylenediamine unit was reacted with NO at a low pH value of ∼7.0, accompanied by changes in the intensity of the two emission peaks corrected for each other and the change in fluorescence color of the CTA solution from fuchsia to pink. Furthermore, CTA was an effective tool for NO detection with a fast response time (∼60 s), high selectivity, and sensitivity (LOD: 22.3 nM). Impressively, the CTA nanosensor has successfully achieved the targeted imaging of NO in living inflammatory RAW 264.7 cells and mice models with satisfactory results, which can provide a powerful molecular tool for the visualization and assessment of the occurrence and development of NO-related inflammatory diseases in complex biosystems.