On-site portable detection of gaseous methyl iodide using an electrochemical method.

We report an electrochemical device for portable on-site detection of gaseous CH3I based on PVIm-F for the first time. The device achieves detection of gaseous CH3I with a significant selectivity and a low detection limit (0.474 ppb) in 20 min at 50 °C and 50% relative humidity, which is of great significance for achieving real-time on-site monitoring of radioactive hazardous environments.

Bio-based ionic liquid filter with enhanced electrostatic attraction for outside filtration and inside collection of viral aerosols.

Hazardous biological pathogens in the air pose a significant public environmental health concern as infected individuals emit virus-laden aerosols (VLAs) during routine respiratory activities. Mask-wearing is a key preventive measure, but conventional filtration methods face challenges, particularly in high humidity conditions, where electrostatic charge decline increases the risk of infection. This study introduces a bio-based air filter comprising glycine ionic liquids (GILs) and malleable polymer composite (GILP) with high polarity and functional group density, which are wrapped around a melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resin skeleton, forming a conductive, porous GIL functionized ionic network air filter (GILP@MF). When subjected to low voltage, the GILP@MF composite efficiently captures VLAs including nanoscale virus particles through the enhanced electrostatic attraction, especially in facing high humidity bioaerosols exhaled by human body. The filtration/collection efficiency and quality factor can reach 98.3% and 0.264 Pa-1 at 0.1 m s-1, respectively. This innovative filter provides effective VLA protection and offers potential for non-invasive respiratory virus sampling, advancing medical diagnosis efforts.

Ionic Polyimine-Based Composite Membrane with Inductive and Complexation Synergistic Effects for Sensitive and On-Site Fluorescent Detection of Volatile Iodine.

Along with the development of nuclear power, concerns about radioactive emissions and the potential for nuclear leakage have been widely raised, particularly of harmful iodine isotopes. However, as a significant component of nuclear air waste, the enrichment and detection of air-dispersed gaseous iodine remain a challenge. In this work, it is focused on developing an attraction-immobilization-detection strategy-based fluorescence method for the on-site detection of volatile iodine, by employing a photoluminescent ionic polyimine network-polyvinylpyrrolidone (IPIN-PVP) composite membrane. This strategy synergizes ion-induced dipole interactions from IPIN and complexation effects from PVP, allowing effective iodine enrichment and immobilization. As a result, the optimized IPIN-PVP membrane exhibits rapid response times of 5 s and a low detection limit of 4.087 × 10-8 m for gaseous iodine. It also introduces a portable handheld detection device that utilizes the composite membrane, offering a practical solution for real-time on-site detection of volatile iodine. This innovation enhances nuclear safety measures and disaster management by providing rapid and reliable iodine detection capabilities.

Uranium speciation and distribution on the surface of Shewanella putrefaciens in the presence of inorganic phosphate and zero-valent iron under anaerobic conditions.

Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens) is one of the main microorganisms in soil bioreactors, which mainly immobilizes uranium through reduction and mineralization processes. However, the effects of elements such as phosphorus and ZVI, which may be present in the actual environment, on the mineralization and reduction processes are still not clearly understood and the environment is mostly in the absence of oxygen. In this study, we ensure that all experiments are performed in an anaerobic glove box, and we elucidate through a combination of macroscopic experimental findings and microscopic characterization that the presence of inorganic phosphates enhances the mineralization of uranyl ions on the surface of S. putrefaciens, while zero-valent iron (ZVI) facilitates the immobilization of uranium by promoting the reduction of uranium by S. putrefaciens. Interestingly, when inorganic phosphates and ZVI co-exist, both the mineralization and reduction of uranium on the bacterial surface are simultaneously enhanced. However, these two substances exhibit a certain degree of antagonism in terms of uranium immobilization by S. putrefaciens. Furthermore, it is found that the influence of pH on the mineralization and reduction of uranyl ions is far more significant than that of inorganic phosphates and ZVI. This study contributes to a better understanding of the environmental fate of uranium in real-world settings and provides valuable theoretical support for the bioremediation and risk assessment of uranium contamination.

Hydrogen-bonding and π-π interaction promoted solution-processable covalent organic frameworks.

Covalent organic frameworks show great potential in gas adsorption/separation, biomedicine, device, sensing, and printing arenas. However, covalent organic frameworks are generally not dispersible in common solvents resulting in the poor processability, which severely obstruct their application in practice. In this study, we develop a convenient top-down process for fabricating solution-processable covalent organic frameworks by introducing intermolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions from ionic liquids. The bulk powders of imine-linked, azine-linked, and ß-ketoenamine linked covalent organic frameworks can be dispersed homogeneously in optimal ionic liquid 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bromide after heat treatment. The resulting high-concentration colloids are utilized to create the covalent organic framework inks that can be directly printed onto the surface. Molecular dynamics simulations and the quantum mechanical calculations suggest that C‒H···π and π-π interaction between ionic liquid cations and covalent organic frameworks may promote the formation of colloidal solution. These findings offer a roadmap for preparing solution-processable covalent organic frameworks, enabling their practical applications.

Multicenter evaluation of a simple and sensitive nucleic acid self-testing for SARS-CoV-2.

A rapid and accurate COVID-19 diagnosis is a prerequisite for blocking the source of infection as soon as possible and taking the appropriate medical action. Herein, we developed GeneClick, a device for nucleic acid self-testing of SARS-CoV-2, consisting of three modules: a sampling kit, a microfluidic chip-based disposable cartridge, and an amplification reader. In addition, we evaluated the clinical performance of GeneClick using 2162 nasal swabs collected at three medical institutions, using three commercial RT-qPCR kits and an antigen self-test as references. Compared to RT-qPCR, the sensitivity and specificity of the GeneClick assay were 97.93% and 99.72%, respectively, with a kappa value of 0.979 (P â€‹< â€‹0.01). Of the 2162 samples, 2076 were also tested for SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Among the 314 positive samples identified by GeneClick assay, 63 samples were undetected by antigen tests. Overall, the GeneClick nucleic acid self-test demonstrated higher accuracy than the antigen-based detection. Based on the additional features, including simple operation, affordable price, portable device, and reliability of smartphone APP-driven sampling and result reporting, GeneClick offers a powerful tool for field-based SARS-CoV-2 detection in primary healthcare institutions or at-home use.

Boost of Gas Adsorption Kinetics of Covalent Organic Frameworks via Ionic Liquid Solution Process.

Adsorption, storage, and conversion of gases (e.g., carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and iodine) are the three critical topics in the field of clean energy and environmental mediation. Exploring new methods to prepare high-performance materials to improve gas adsorption is one of the most concerning topics in recent years. In this work, an ionic liquid solution process (ILSP), which can greatly improve the adsorption kinetic performance of covalent organic framework (COF) materials for gaseous iodine, is explored. Anionic COF TpPaSO3 H is modified by amino-triazolium cation through the ILSP method, which successfully makes the iodine adsorption kinetic performance (K80% rate) of ionic liquid (IL) modified COF AC4 tirmTpPaSO3 quintuple compared with the original COF. A series of experimental characterization and theoretical calculation results show that the improvement of adsorption kinetics is benefited from the increased weak interaction between the COF and iodine, due to the local charge separation of the COF skeleton caused by the substitution of protons by the bulky cations of ILs. This ILSP strategy has competitive help for COF materials in the field of gas adsorption, separation, or conversion, and is expected to expand and improve the application of COF materials in energy and environmental science.

Lead Sequestration in Perovskite Photovoltaic Device Encapsulated with Water-Proof and Adhesive Poly(ionic liquid).

The inevitable usage of toxic lead impedes the commercialization of lead halide perovskite solar cells, especially considering lead ions potentially unseals from the discarded and damaged devices and consequently contaminates the environment. In this work, we proposed a poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) cohered sandwich structure (PCSS) to realize lead sequestration in perovskite solar cells by a water-proof and adhesive poly([1-(3-propionic acid)-3-vinylimidazolium] bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide (PPVI-TFSI). A transparent ambidextrous protective shield manufactured from PPVI-TFSI was achieved and applied in lead sequestration for perovskite solar cells. PCSS provides robustness and water-resistance, which improves device stability toward water erosion and extreme situations (such as acid, base, salty water, and hot water). PPVI-TFSI exhibited excellent affinity toward lead with adsorption capacity of 516 mg·g-1, which assisted to prevent lead leakage in abandoned devices as proved in the test of wheat germination vividly. PCSS provides a promising solution for complex lead sequestration and management issues, which contribute to the commercialization of perovskite solar cells.

Solvent-Responsive Reversible and Controllable Conversion between a Polyimine Membrane and an Organic Molecule Cage.

Adaptive bionic self-correcting behavior offers an attractive property for chemical systems. Here, based on the dynamic feature of imine formation, we propose a solvent-responsive strategy for smart switching between an amorphous ionic polyimine membrane and a crystalline organic molecule cage without the addition of other building blocks. To adapt to solvent environmental constraints, the aldehyde and amine components undergo self-correction to form a polymer network or a molecular cage. Studies have shown that the amorphous film can be switched in acetonitrile to generate a discrete cage with bright birefringence under polarized light. Conversely, the membrane from the cage crystal conversion can be regained in ethanol. Such a membrane-cage interconversion can be cycled continuously at least 5 times by switching the two solvents. This work builds a bridge between the polymer network and crystalline molecules and offers prospects for smart dynamic materials.

E2F1-initiated transcription of PRSS22 promotes breast cancer metastasis by cleaving ANXA1 and activating FPR2/ERK signaling pathway.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant tumor in women worldwide. Metastasis is the main cause of BC-related death. The specific mechanism underlying BC metastasis remains obscure. Recently, PRSS22 was discovered to be involved in tumor development, however, its detailed biological function and regulatory mechanism in BC are unclear. Here, we characterized that PRSS22 expression is upregulated in BC tissues compared with non-tumorous breast tissues. Dual luciferase assays, bioinformatics analyses and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays indicated that transcription factor E2F1 directly binds to the PRSS22 promoter region and activates its transcription. Functionally, upregulation of PRSS22 promoted invasion and metastasis of BC cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas knockdown of PRSS22 inhibited its function. Mechanistically, the combination of PRSS22 and ANXA1 protein in BC cells was first screened by protein mass spectrometry analysis, and then confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and western blot assays. Co-overexpression of PRSS22 and ANXA1 could promote BC cell migration and invasion. We further demonstrated that PRSS22 promotes the cleavage of ANXA1 and in turn generates an N-terminal peptide, which initiates the FPR2/ERK signaling axis to increase BC aggressiveness.

Hydrogen-bonding and "π-π" interaction promoted solution-processable mixed matrix membranes for aromatic amines detection.

Detection of hazardous compounds can alleviate risk to human health. However, it remains a challenge to develop easy-to-use testing tools for carcinogenic aromatic amines. Herein, we presented a conjugated molecule-based aniline detector, mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), through the solution-processable strategy. The pentacene-based dispersed phase is achieved using the state-of-the-art ionic liquids (ILs) as the continuous phase, based on which MMMs are easily manufactured by a solution process. Moreover, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and quantum mechanical calculations suggested that hydrogen bonding and π-π interaction between ILs cations and pentacene could promote the dissolution. These prepared MMMs can offer easy-operation and on-site detection of carcinogenic primary aromatic amines with eye-readable fluorescence signal. This work provides a paradigm for the design of a portable testing device for various hazardous compounds.

CircKDM4B suppresses breast cancer progression via the miR-675/NEDD4L axis.

Increasing studies have indicated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in various cancers. Here, we aimed to explore the roles of circRNAs in breast cancer. We identified a novel circRNA circKDM4B (hsa_circ_0002926) by whole-transcriptome sequencing and validated this by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Sanger sequencing. It was significantly decreased in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues. Furthermore, circKDM4B, which is mainly localized in the cytoplasm, was more resistant to actinomycin D or ribonuclease R than its linear transcript KDM4B. In addition, the overexpression of circKDM4B inhibited cell migration and invasion in vitro, while knockdown of circKDM4B induced the opposite effects. In vivo, circKDM4B suppressed tumor growth and metastasis. Additionally, circKDM4B inhibited migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Mechanically, circKDM4B sponged miR-675 to upregulate the expression of NEDD4-like E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (NEDD4L), which catalyzes ubiquitination of PI3KCA, thereby inhibiting PI3K/AKT and VEGFA secretion. Collectively, these findings uncovered the tumor-suppressor role of circKDM4B in breast cancer, especially in angiogenesis and tumor metastasis, indicating that circKDM4B could be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer progression.

Superoxide Dismutase Prevents SARS-CoV-2-Induced Plasma Cell Apoptosis and Stabilizes Specific Antibody Induction.

The infection of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) seriously threatens human life. It is urgent to generate effective and safe specific antibodies (Abs) against the pathogenic elements of COVID-19. Mice were immunized with SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigens: S ectodomain-1 (CoV, in short) mixed in Alum adjuvant for 2 times and boosted with CoV weekly for 6 times. A portion of mice were treated with Maotai liquor (MTL, in short) or/and heat stress (HS) together with CoV boosting. We observed that the anti-CoV Ab was successfully induced in mice that received the CoV/Alum immunization for 2 times. However, upon boosting with CoV, the CoV Ab production diminished progressively; spleen CoV Ab-producing plasma cell counts reduced, in which substantial CoV-specific Ab-producing plasma cells (sPC) were apoptotic. Apparent oxidative stress signs were observed in sPCs; the results were reproduced by exposing sPCs to CoV in the culture. The presence of MTL or/and HS prevented the CoV-induced oxidative stress in sPCs and promoted and stabilized the CoV Ab production in mice in re-exposure to CoV. In summary, CoV/Alum immunization can successfully induce CoV Ab production in mice that declines upon reexposure to CoV. Concurrent administration of MTL/HS stabilizes and promotes the CoV Ab production in mice.

lncRNA THAP7-AS1, transcriptionally activated by SP1 and post-transcriptionally stabilized by METTL3-mediated m6A modification, exerts oncogenic properties by improving CUL4B entry into the nucleus.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are dysregulated in different cancer types, and thus have emerged as important regulators of the initiation and progression of human cancers. However, the biological functions and the underlying mechanisms responsible for their functions in gastric cancer (GC) remain poorly understood. Here, by lncRNA microarray, we identified 1414 differentially expressed lncRNAs, among which THAP7-AS1 was significantly upregulated in GC tissues compared with non-tumorous gastric tissues. High expression of THAP7-AS1 was correlated with positive lymph node metastasis and poorer prognosis. SP1, a transcription factor, could bind directly to the THAP7-AS1 promoter region and activate its transcription. Moreover, the m6A modification of THAP7-AS1 by METTL3 enhanced its expression depending on the "reader" protein IGF2BP1-dependent pathway. THAP7-AS1 promoted GC cell progression. Mechanistically, THAP7-AS1 interacted with the 1-50 Amino Acid Region (nuclear localization signal) of CUL4B through its 1-442 nt Sequence, and it promoted interaction between nuclear localization signal (NLS) and importin α1, and improved the CUL4B protein entry into the nucleus, repressing miR-22-3p and miR-320a expression by CUL4B-catalyzed H2AK119ub1 and the EZH2-mediated H3K27me3, subsequently activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote GC progression. Moreover, LV-sh-THAP7-AS1 treatment could suppress GC growth, invasion and metastasis, indicating that THAP7-AS1 may act as a promising molecular target for GC therapies. Taken together, our results show that THAP7-AS1, transcriptionally activated by SP1 and then modified by METTL3-mediated m6A, exerts oncogenic functions, by promoting interaction between NLS and importin α1 and then improving the CUL4B protein entry into the nucleus to repress the transcription of miR-22-3p and miR-320a.

Ultralow-cost portable device for cesium detection via perovskite fluorescence.

Public anxiety and concern from cesium pollution in oceans have been back on the agenda since tons of nuclear waste water were announced to be poured into oceans. Cesium ion can easily enter organisms and bioaccumulate in animals and plants, thus its harm is chronic to humans through food chains. Here we showed a kind of hybrid ionic liquid membrane (HILM) for detection of cesium ion in seawater through CsPbBr3 perovskite fluorescence. With sustainability in mind, HILM was built frugally. The lowest cost of HILM is below 3 cents per piece. The HILM can detect cesium ion quickly with eye-readable fluorescence signal. Ultracheap, portable, easy-to-use on-site detection device could offer benefit for personal security and applications in environment science and ecology in the future decades.

Modulating oxidative stress counteracts specific antigen-induced regulatory T-cell apoptosis in mice.

Treg are known to have a central role in orchestrating immune responses, but less is known about the destiny of Treg after being activated by specific Ags. This study aimed to investigate the role of superoxide dismutase, an active molecule in the regulation of oxidative stress in the body, in the prevention of Treg apoptosis induced by specific Ags. Ag-specific Tregs were isolated from the DO11.10 mouse intestine. A food allergy mouse model was developed with ovalbumin as the specific Ag and here, we observed that exposure to specific Ag induced Treg apoptosis through converting the precursor of TGF-ß to its mature form inside the Tregs. Oxidative stress was induced in Tregs upon exposure to specific Ags, in which Smad3 bound the latency-associated peptide to induce its degradation, converting the TGF-ß precursor to its mature form, TGF-ß. Suppressing oxidative stress in Tregs alleviated the specific Ag-induced Treg apoptosis in in vitro experiments and suppressed experimental food allergy by preventing the specific Ag-induced Treg apoptosis in the intestine. In conclusion, exposure to specific Ags induces Treg apoptosis and it can be prevented by upregulating superoxide dismutase or suppressing reactive oxidative species in Tregs.

MiR-19a/miR-96-mediated low expression of KIF26A suppresses metastasis by regulating FAK pathway in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms. Invasion and metastasis are the main causes of GC-related deaths. Recently, kinesins were discovered to be involved in tumor development. The aim of this study was to elucidate the roles of kinesin superfamily protein 26A (KIF26A) in GC and its underlying molecular mechanism in regulating tumor invasion and metastasis. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we showed that KIF26A expression was lower in GC tissues without lymph node metastasis (LNM) than in nontumorous gastric mucosa, and even lower in GC tissues with LNM than in GC tissues without LNM. Functional experiments showed that KIF26A inhibited migration and invasion of GC cells. We further identified focal-adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit alpha (PI3KR1), VAV3, Rac1 and p21-activated kinase 2, and ß-PAK (PAK3) as downstream effectors of KIF26A in the focal-adhesion pathway, and we found that KIF26A could regulate FAK mRNA expression through inhibiting c-MYC by MAPK pathway. c-MYC could bind to the promoter of FAK and activate FAK transcription. Moreover, we found that KIF26A-mediated inactivation of the focal-adhesion pathway could reduce the occurrence of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by increasing expression of E-cadherin and reducing that of Snail. Luciferase assays and Western blotting revealed that miR-19a and miR-96 negatively regulate KIF26A. Finally, we found that decreased expression of KIF26A has been positively correlated with histological differentiation, Lauren classification, LNM, distal metastasis, and clinical stage, as well as poor survival in patients with GC. These data indicate that KIF26A could inhibit GC migration and invasion by regulating the focal-adhesion pathway and repressing the occurrence of EMT.

Designing high-performance hypergolic propellants based on materials genome.

A new generation of rocket propellants for deep space exploration, ionic liquid propellants, with long endurance and high stability, is attracting more and more attention. However, a major defect of ionic liquid propellants that restricts their application is the inadequate hypergolic reactivity between the fuel and the oxidant, and this defect results in local burnout and accidental explosions during the launch process. We propose a visualization model to show the features of structure, density, thermal stability, and hypergolic activity for estimating propellant performances and their application abilities. This propellant materials genome and visualization model greatly improves the efficiency and quality of developing high-performance propellants, which benefits the discovery of new advanced functional molecules in the field of energetic materials.

E2F1-activated SPIN1 promotes tumor growth via a MDM2-p21-E2F1 feedback loop in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancers around the world. Searching for specific gene expression changes during the development of GC could help identify potential therapy targets. We previously showed that the histone code reader SPIN1 may act as an oncogene in breast cancer. At present, the biological function and regulation of SPIN1 in GC remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SPIN1 is upregulated in GC tissues, compared with nontumorous gastric tissues. Increased expression of SPIN1 is closely associated with poor prognosis for patients with GC. Increased SPIN1 expression enhances GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promotes cell cycle progression. Mechanically, SPIN1 sustains GC cell proliferation via activation of the MDM2-p21-E2F1 signaling pathway by binding to H3K4me3 of the MDM2 promoter region. Interestingly, E2F1 could directly bind to the SPIN1 promoter and activate its transcription, thus forming a positive feedback loop. Our data suggest that SPIN1 plays an important role in the development of GC and could be used as a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for GC.

Long Non-coding RNA AK025387 Promotes Cell Migration and Invasion of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of gastric cancer. However, there are very few researches focusing on the effects of lncRNAs on metastatic gastric cancer. In this research, we identify one kind of lncRNA, called AK025387, which is highly expressed in metastatic gastric cancer samples compared with non-metastatic gastric cancer samples. The expression of AK025387 is significantly positively correlated with lymph node metastasis. The in situ hybridization demonstrates that AK025387 is located in both nucleus and cytoplasm, but mostly in cytoplasm. AK025387 promotes gastric cancer cells migratory and invasive ability, but it inhibits apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, AK025387 regulates Raf-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and is involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway to perform its biological functions. We conclude that AK025387 is highly expressed in metastatic gastric cancer, and its biological functions suggest the potential of AK025387 to be a biomarker of metastatic gastric cancer.