Recent advances of MXene@MOF composites for catalytic water splitting and wastewater treatment approaches.

MXenes are a group of 2D material which have been derived from the layered transition metal nitrides and carbides and have the characteristics like electrical conductivity, high surface area and variable surface chemical composition. Self-assembly of clusters/metal ions and organic linkers forms metal organic framework (MOF). Their advantages of ultrahigh porosity, highly exposed active sites and many pore architectures have garnered them a lot of attention. But poor conductivity and instability plague several conventional MOF. To address the issue, MOF can be linked with MXenes that have rich surface functional groups and excellent electrical conductivity. In this review, different etching methods for exfoliation of MXene along with the synthesis methods of MXene/MOF composites are reviewed, including hydrothermal method, solvothermal method, in-situ growth method, and self-assembly method. Moreover, application of these MXene/MOF composites for catalytic water splitting and wastewater treatment were also discussed in details. In addition to increasing a single MOF conductivity and stability, MXenes can add a variety of new features, such the template effect. Due to these benefits, MXene/MOF composites can be effectively used in several applications, including photocatalytic/electrocatalytic water splitting, adsorption and degradation of pollutants from wastewater. Finally, the authors explored the current challenges and the future opportunities to improve the efficiency of MXene/MOF composites.

Selenium-enriched probiotics improve hepatic protection by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant capacity in broilers under heat stress conditions.

OBJECTIVE: High ambient temperature in poultry is a challenging and fatal stress among environmental factors. It affects the production quality, damages the liver, and increases mortality in broilers. The present study is focused to explore appropriate utilization of Selenium (Se) as a feed additive in broiler chickens against high temperature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) (n = 200) were grouped according to the supplements used in their basal diets such as: corn-soybean basal diet as control (Con), a basal diet containing sodium selenite, basal diet with probiotics, and a basal diet containing selenium-enriched probiotics (SP). At the end of the experimental period of 42 days, the liver was isolated and was used to determine the antioxidant capacity through a spectrophotometer. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines production in the liver was measured through a real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Hepatic analyses revealed the decreased level of malondialdehyde, whereas glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase levels were increased in the SP group. Furthermore, supplementation of SP significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), GPx4, IL6, and IL10 and down-regulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSION: It is thus concluded that SP as a potential nutritive supplement may facilitate hepatic protection by suppressing hepatic oxidation, inflammation, and necrosis during the high ambient temperature of summer.