Well-Dispersed CsPbBr3@TiO2 Heterostructure Nanocrystals from Asymmetric to Symmetric.

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have undergone rapid development in the fields of solar cells, light diodes, lasing, photodetectors, etc. However, the MHPs still face significant challenges, such as poor stability and heterocompositing with other functional materials at the single nanoparticle level. Herein, the successful synthesis of well-dispersed CsPbBr3@TiO2 heterostructure nanocrystals (NCs) is reported, in which each heterostructure NC has only one CsPbBr3 with a precise anatase TiO2 coating ranging from asymmetric to symmetric. Due to the protection of anatase TiO2, CsPbBr3 shows dramatically improved chemical stability and photostability. More significantly, the synthesized CsPbBr3@TiO2 heterostructure NCs form a type II heterojunction, which strongly promoted efficient photogenerated carrier separation between anatase TiO2 and CsPbBr3, hence leading to improved optoelectronic activity. This study provides a robust avenue for synthesizing stable and highly efficient MHPs@metal oxide heterostructure NCs, paving the way for the practical application of all inorganic perovskites.

Preliminary study on a novel biological scaffold loaded with Apelin-13 sustained-release microcapsules for promoting fallopian tube recanalization in rabbits. / è½½Apelin-13ç¼“é‡Šå¾®å›Šçš„æ–°åž‹ç”Ÿç‰©æ”¯æž¶ä¿ƒå ”è¾“åµç®¡å†é€šçš„åˆæ­¥ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: Tubal factor infertility severely impairs the natural fertility of women, and there is for genuine tubal recanalization, including restoration of both the anatomy and function of the diseased fallopian tubes. Currently, there is no effective treatment available. This study aims to explore methods for promoting the repair and recanalization of fallopian tubes from these 2 aspects. METHODS: Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) three-dimensional (3D) biodegradable scaffolds were prepared. The basic characteristics and in vivo degradation (mass loss rate) of the biodegradable scaffolds were tested, along with the in vitro drug release (cumulative release rate), the in vivo drug release (Apelin-13 plasma concentration), and in vitro degradation (degradation rate) of the microspheres. The Apelin-13 microspheres (microsphere group)/PLGA 3D scaffolds loaded with Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres (scaffold-microcapsule group) were injected/placed into the fallopian tubes of New Zealand rabbit of chronic salpingitis models. The patency, microscopic structure, and positive expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor of the fallopian tubes in the control group, the model group, the microcapsule group, and the scaffold-microcapsule group was observed and compared. RESULTS: At the 4th week post-operation, the mass loss rate of the PLGA 3D scaffolds, the degradation rate of the microspheres, and the Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres-generated cumulative release rate in vitro over 30 days were 98.66%, 70.58%, and 98.68% respectively. The plasma concentration of Apelin-13 reached its peak within 5 days and remained stable for 25 days. Compared with the model and microsphere groups, the scaffold-microsphere group showed a milder inflammatory reaction within the tubal lumen, a higher rate of fallopian tube patency, and higher expression levels of estrogen and progesterone receptors (all P<0.05). The indicators of the scaffold-microsphere group were close to those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The PLGA 3D scaffolds loaded with Apelin-13 sustained-release microspheres can comprehensively repair the anatomical structure and physiological function of the fallopian tubes and hold promise for truly effective tubal recanalization.

The Impacts of Family Educational Investment on Mental Health of Chinese Parents: Mediating and Moderating Effects.

Objectives: This review aims to explore the impact of family educational investment on parents' mental health in China. Through this study, we reveal the current public health challenges and propose some solutions. Methods: Family educational investment takes three forms: economic investment, emotional investment, and time investment. This study examined the mediating effect of social integration and the moderating effect of social participation and workload on the relationship between family educational investment and parental mental health. Results: Economic investment, emotional investment and time investment were all negatively correlated with parental mental health. Social integration could better explain the detrimental effects of family educational investment on parental mental health, and that social participation and workload could play a significant negative and positive moderating role, respectively. Conclusion: Family educational investment, particularly emotional investment, plays an important and negative role in influencing parental mental health. To cope with the increased pressure brought about by educational competition, the state, society, and individuals all need to take measures.

Mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowire electrocatalyst for efficient oxygen reduction.

The design of Pt-based nanoarchitectures with controllable compositions and morphologies is necessary to enhance their electrocatalytic activity. Herein, we report a rational design and synthesis of anisotropic mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowires for high-efficient electrocatalysis. The catalyst has a uniform core-shell structure with an ultrathin atomic-jagged Pt nanowire core and a mesoporous Pt-skin Pt3Ni framework shell, possessing high electrocatalytic activity, stability and Pt utilisation efficiency. For the oxygen reduction reaction, the anisotropic mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowires demonstrated exceptional mass and specific activities of 6.69 A/mgpt and 8.42 mA/cm2 (at 0.9 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode), and the catalyst exhibited high stability with negligible activity decay after 50,000 cycles. The mesoporous Pt@Pt-skin Pt3Ni core-shell framework nanowire configuration combines the advantages of three-dimensional open mesopore molecular accessibility and compressive Pt-skin surface strains, which results in more catalytically active sites and weakened chemisorption of oxygenated species, thus boosting its catalytic activity and stability towards electrocatalysis.

IL1RAP Knockdown in LPS-Stimulated Normal Human Astrocytes Suppresses LPS-Induced Reactive Astrogliosis and Promotes Neuronal Cell Proliferation.

The reactivation of astrocytes plays a critical role in spinal cord injury (SCI) repairment. In this study, IL1RAP expression has been found to be upregulated in SCI mice spinal cord, SCI astrocytes, and LPS-stimulated NHAs. Genes correlated with IL1RAP were significantly enriched in cell proliferation relative pathways. In LPS-stimulated NHAs, IL1RAP overexpression promoted NHA cell proliferation, decreased PTEN protein levels, and increased the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR. IL1RAP overexpression promoted LPS-induced NHA activation and NF-κB signaling activation. Conditioned medium from IL1RAP-overexpressing NHAs inhibited SH-SY5Y cells viability but promoted cell apoptosis. Conclusively, IL1RAP knockdown in LPS-stimulated NHAs could partially suppress LPS-induced reactive astrogliosis, therefore promoting neuronal cell proliferation.

Apelin­13 ameliorates LPS­induced BV­2 microglia inflammatory response through promoting autophagy and inhibiting H3K9ac enrichment of TNF­α and IL­6 promoter.

Microglia is activated and polarized to pro­inflammatory M1 phenotype or anti­inflammatory M2 phenotype in neuroinflammation. Apelin­13 exerts protective properties against neuroinflammation in several neurological disorders. We aimed to investigate whether apelin­13 played a protective role on BV­2 microglia and explore its underlying mechanisms. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­stimulated BV­2 microglia cells were treated with apelin­13. Microglia activation was evaluated by immunofluorescence with F­actin. Western blot was performed to measure the expression of autophagy associated proteins. CD16/32 and CD206 were detected to assess microglia polarization by western blot and flow cytometry. qRT­PCR was utilized to measure inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), arginase­1 (Arg­1), interleukin­10 (IL­10), interleukin­6 (IL­6) and tumor necrosis factor­alpha (TNF­α). Histone H3 acetyl lysine 9 (H3K9ac) enrichment of TNF­α and IL­6 promoter was detected by ChIP. We discovered that apelin­13 impacted the actin cytoskeleton, recovering the control phenotype following LPS exposure. Apelin­13 improved autophagy­mediated microglia polarization towards M2 phenotype to alleviate inflammatory response in LPS­stimulated cells. Autophagy flux inhibitor chloroquine antagonized these effects of apelin­13 on LPS­stimulated cells. Besides, apelin­13 decreased the enrichment of H3K9ac at the promoter region of TNF­α and IL­6 to inhibit inflammatory response, which was reversed by histone deacetylase antagonist valproate. Taken together, apelin­13 alleviated inflammation via facilitating microglia M2 polarization due to autophagy promotion, and inhibiting H3K9ac enrichment on promoter regions of TNF­α and IL­6.

Thermoresponsive and Self-Healing Hydrogel Based on Chitosan Derivatives and Polyoxometalate as an Antibacterial Coating.

Hospital-acquired infections are a serious threat to the recovery of patients. To prevent such infections, an antibacterial coating is an effective method to eliminate bacterial colonization on healthcare-related surfaces. Herein, we report an antibacterial hydrogel composed of silver-containing polyoxometalate (AgP5W30 POM) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC). The silver ion is encapsulated inside the POM cage and demonstrates long-lasting bacteriostasis after repeated exposure to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The chemical structure of chitosan derivatives, as well as the concentration and pH, is studied to tune the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. The hydrogel undergoes a gel-sol transition above the critical temperature and possesses self-healing ability. This hydrogel can be readily coated on the surface of versatile bulk materials, which is especially convenient for porous objects and resists the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). In summary, we envision that the AgP5W30-CMC hydrogel has great potential to serve as an antibacterial coating to decrease the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections.

Sub-nanoscaled Metal Oxide Cluster-Integrated Polymer Network for Quasi-Homogeneous Catalysis.

The simultaneous improvement of catalytic activity and recyclability of metal oxides is exciting, however challenging, due to the paradox for particle size requirements. Herein, we report the design of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) by covalently integrating a sub-nanoscaled metal oxide cluster (∼0.7 nm) into a polymer network with superelasticity. Due to the ultrasmall sizes of loaded clusters and the high swelling ratios (SRs) of PNCs, the swelled organogels from PNCs claim similar catalytic efficiencies to homogeneous catalysts, while their recyclability can be simply achieved after the catalytic reactions. Thanks to their robust mechanical properties, the PNCs can be processed into microgel particles for column reactors, enabling large-scale and continuous-flow catalysis.

Experimental Study on the Role of Apelin-13 in Alleviating Spinal Cord Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through Suppressing Autophagy.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the effect of Apelin-13 in protecting rats against spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury (SCIR), as well as the related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: One week prior to the experiment, experimental Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with Apelin-13 and the autophagy activator rapamycin through the tail vein once a day for 7 consecutive days. The SCIR rat model was prepared through the abdominal aorta clamping method. At 72 h after injury, the spinal cord tissue water content, infarct volume, and normal neuron count were determined to evaluate the degree of spinal cord tissue injury in the rats. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scoring standard was adopted for functional scoring of the rat hind leg, to reflect the post-injury motor function. At 72 h after injury, changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species content, and mitochondrial ATP were detected. ELISA was carried out to detect the malonaldehyde content, as well as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione catalase activities in spinal cord tissues at 72 h after injury. Quantitative chemistry was conducted to examine the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in spinal cord tissues. Finally, the expression of autophagy-related proteins, Beclin1, ATG5, and LC3, in spinal cord tissues was detected through the Western blotting assay. RESULTS: Apelin-13 pretreatment alleviated SCIR, promoted motor function recovery, suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction, resisted oxidative stress, and inhibited autophagy in spinal cord tissues following ischemia reperfusion injury. CONCLUSION: Apelin-3 exerts protection against SCIR by suppressing autophagy.

Sustained release of Ag+ confined inside polyoxometalates for long-lasting bacterial resistance.

A polyoxometalate hosting Ag+, [AgP5W30O110]14-, has been studied for its sustained and controlled release of Ag+ triggered by Na+ replacement at room temperature for long-lasting bacteriostasis, whose antibacterial activity is not eliminated after repeated exposure tests because of the protection of Ag+ by the polyoxometalate skeleton.

Enhancement of miR-16-5p on spinal cord injury-induced neuron apoptosis and inflammatory response through inactivating ERK1/2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: To explore the effect and mechanism of miR-16-5p on neuron apoptosis and inflammatory response induced by spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Allen's weight-drop method and Basso Bcattie Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale were used to establish SCI rat model and assess locomotor function, respectively. Histopathology of SCI rats and Sham-operated rats was validated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. After intravenous injection of miR-16-5p agomir, miR-16-5p antagomir, pcDNA3.1-Apelin-13 or negative controls into SCI rat tails, neuron apoptosis and the expression of miR-16-5p, Apelin-13, apoptotic proteins, inflammatory response-related proteins and ERK1/2 pathway-related protein were detected. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was applied for identifying the binding between miR-16-5p and Apelin-13. RESULTS: SCI rats had locomotor impairment with markedly edema and hemorrhage. Upregulated miR-16-5p expression and downregulated Apelin-13 expression were presented in SCI rats. Intravenous injection of miR-16-5p antagomir or/and pcDNA3.1-Apelin-13 could increase the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Mcl-1) and p-ERK1/2 expression while decrease the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3 and Bax) and inflammatory response-related proteins (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6). The reverse pattern was shown in rats injected with miR-16-5p agomir. MiR-16-5p targeted Apelin-13. Promotion of miR-16-5p agomir on SCI was attenuated by injection of agomir + pcDNA3.1-Apelin-13. CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of miR-16-5p could upregulate Apelin-13 expression to activate ERK1/2 pathway, thus alleviating SCI-induced neuron apoptosis and inflammatory response.

Modeling and optimization of wet flue gas desulfurization system based on a hybrid modeling method.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the main air pollutants from many industries. Most coal-fired power plants in China use wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) as the main method for SO2 removal. Presently, the operating of WFGD lacks accurate modeling method to predict outlet concentration, let alone optimization method. As a result, operating parameters and running status of WFGD are adjusted based on the experience of the experts, which brings about the possibility of material waste and excessive emissions. In this paper, a novel WFGD model combining a mathematical model and an artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to forecast SO2 emissions. Operation data from a 1000-MW coal-fired unit was collected and divided into two separated sets for model training and validation. The hybrid model consisting a mechanism model and a 9-input ANN had the best performance on both training and validation sets in terms of RMSE (root mean square error) and MRE (mean relative error) and was chosen as the model used in optimization. A comprehensive cost model of WFGD was also constructed to estimate real-time operation cost. Based on the hybrid WFGD model and cost model, a particle swarm optimization (PSO)-based solver was designed to derive the cost-effective set points under different operation conditions. The optimization results demonstrated that the optimized operating parameters could effectively keep the SO2 emissions within the standard, whereas the SO2 emissions was decreased by 30.79% with less than 2% increase of total operating cost. Implications: Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is one of the main pollutants generated during coal combustion in power plants, and wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) is the main facility for SO2 removal. A hybrid model combining SO2 removal mathematical model with data-driven model achieves more accurate prediction of outlet concentration. Particle swarm optimization with a penalty function efficiently solves the optimization problem of WFGD subject to operation cost under multiple operation conditions. The proposed model and optimization method is able to direct the optimized operation of WFGD with enhanced emission and economic performance.