Engineering the Morphology and Electronic Structure of NiCoO to Boost the Electrocatalytic Oxidation of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural.

Electrocatalytic biomass conversion using green electricity is regarded as an important strategy to meet the requirement of sustainable development. NiCoO electrodes with different morphologies and electronic structures were fabricated by changing the precipitants used in the solvothermal process, and applied in the electrocatalytic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation (HMFOR). The experimental and theoretical calculation results showed NiCoO nanosheets (NCO-Ns) with low Co/Ni ratio exhibited larger adsorption energy towards HMF and superior intrinsic catalytic activity in HMFOR, while NiCoO nanoneedles (NCO-Nn) with larger electrochemical active surface areas presented faster electron transfer kinetics and enhanced catalytic performance for 50 mM HMF with a higher conversion rate (99.

Performance and mechanism investigation on the enhanced photocatalytic removal of atrazine on S-doped g-CN.

Developing efficient method for removing low-concentration atrazine, a poisonous chlorinated triazine herbicide with poor biodegradability, was an important measure to control its risk. In this work, highly efficient photocatalytic oxidation of atrazine was achieved on S-doped g-CN (S-g-CN). Approximate 99.

Structure design and wireless transmission application of hybrid nanogenerators for swinging mechanical energy and solar energy harvesting.

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things, the maintenance-free and reliable power supply of widely distributed sensors is still a huge challenge, especially in wireless areas. Wireless power transmission is expected to alleviate the issue that the sensors must be connected by wire to power supply devices. Herein, a novel hybrid nanogenerator combining a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and photovoltaic cell has been demonstrated, which can realize the simultaneous collection and wireless power transmission of swinging mechanical energy and solar energy.

High-Performance Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Based on Specific 3D Nano BCZT@Ag Hetero-Structure Design for the Application of Self-Powered Wireless Sensor System.

With the popularity of portable and miniaturized electronic devices in people's live, flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG) have become a research hotspot for harvesting energy from the living environment to power small-scale electronic equipment and systems because of its stability. For further enhancing output performance of PENG, chemical modification and structural design for piezoelectric fillers are effective ways. Thus, the 3D porous hetero-structure fillers of BCZT@Ag are prepared by freeze-drying method and subsequent chemical seeding reduction.

Highly efficient photoelectrochemical removal of atrazine and the mechanism investigation: Bias potential effect and reactive species.

In this work, efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) removal of atrazine, one of the most widely used chemical herbicides in the world, was obtained by adjusting the bias potential applied on the photo-anode, and the optimal atrazine removal efficiency reached 96.8% at the potential of 0.2 V vs.

Identification of CHRNB4 as a Diagnostic/Prognostic Indicator and Therapeutic Target in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors and there is a lack of biomarkers for ESCC diagnosis and prognosis. Family subunits of cholinergic nicotinic receptor genes (CHRNs) are involved in smoking behavior and tumor cell proliferation. Previous researches have shown similar molecular features and pathogenic mechanisms among ESCC, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).

Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction and Removal of Atrazine: Effect of Co-Catalyst and Cathode Potential.

Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) reduction and removal of atrazine, one typical endocrine disruptor chemical, was achieved on Pd quantum dots modified TiO nanotubes (PdQDs@TiONTs) under regulating potentials. Compared with that on TiONTs, the PEC reduction efficiency of atrazine on PdQDs@TiONTs significantly increased, mainly attributed to the reduced electron transfer resistance, longer lifetime of the photogenerated electrons and the faster electron injection from the catalyst to atrazine in the solution. Meanwhile, PdQDs could also function as cocatalyst so that the electrocatalytic activity of PdQDs@TiONTs was evidently improved.

Mechanism investigation on the enhanced photocatalytic oxidation of nonylphenol on hydrophobic TiO nanotubes.

Enhanced and selective photocatalytic oxidation of nonylphenol (NP), a typical hydrophobic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), was realized on hydrophobic titanium dioxide nanotubes (H-TiONTs), which was fabricated by an electrochemical anodization method, followed by grafting of perfluorooctyl groups. The water contact angle of catalyst surface changed from 21.1° to 128.

The Synthesis and Biological Function of a Novel Sandwich-Type Complex Based on {SbW } and Flexible bpp Ligand.

A novel sandwich-type complex [Na(H O) ][{Na (H O) }{Mn (bpp) } (SbW O ) }]·8H O (MnSbW-bpp) (bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl) propane) is synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The MnSbW-bpp compound is the first sandwich case bridged by a flexible ligand. Its biological function of MnSbW-bpp in antitumor activity is also determined in vitro and in vivo.

Psychological problems and quality of life of patients with oral mucosal diseases: a preliminary study in Chinese population.

Background: Psychological problems might play important roles in oral mucosal diseases such as recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU), oral lichen planus (OLP), burning mouth syndrome (BMS), but the relevance to patients' quality of life remained controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological problems and oral health-related quality of life in patients with RAU, OLP, and BMS in China, to assess the relationship between psychological problems and quality of life.

Method: Thirty-nine RAU patients, 45 OLP patients, 15 BMS patients and 45 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.

Preparation and Characterization of Acid Resistant Double Cross-Linked Hydrogel for Potential Biomedical Applications.

A novel biocompatible polysaccharide-based hydrogel with double cross-linked network (DN) was designed and developed by combining dynamic imine bond and Diels-Alder (DA) click reaction. Our results showed that the dynamic covalent imine bond led to the hydrogel's self-healing property, while the DA reaction gave the superior thermodynamic property and acid resistance to the hydrogel. At the same time, the double cross-linked structure improved the mechanical properties of hydrogels.

Prognostic genes of breast cancer revealed by gene co-expression network analysis.

The aim of the present study was to identify genes that may serve as markers for breast cancer prognosis by constructing a gene co-expression network and mining modules associated with survival. Two gene expression datasets of breast cancer were downloaded from ArrayExpress and genes from these datasets with a coefficient of variation >0.5 were selected and underwent functional enrichment analysis with the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery.

IMM-H007, a new therapeutic candidate for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, improves hepatic steatosis in hamsters fed a high-fat diet.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease in humans, is characterized by the accumulation of triacylglycerols (TGs) in hepatocytes. We tested whether 2',3',5'-tri-acetyl-N6-(3-hydroxylaniline) adenosine (IMM-H007) can eliminate hepatic steatosis in hamsters fed a high-fat diet (HFD), as a model of NAFLD. Compared with HFD-only controls, IMM-H007 treatment significantly lowered serum levels of TG, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids (FFAs) in hamsters fed the HFD, with a prominent decrease in levels of serum transaminases and fasting insulin, without affecting fasting glucose levels.

Cathodic photoelectrochemical detection of PCB101 in environmental samples with high sensitivity and selectivity.

A novel cathodic photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing method was developed for fast and convenient detection of PCB101 taking advantages of the excellent PEC reducibility of Pd quantum dots (QDs) modified molecularly imprinted TiO nanorods (NRs). Attributed to the efficient PEC reduction of PCB101 on the cathode surface, sensitive cathodic photocurrent would be produced with increasing PCB101 concentration under a negative bias potential, giving a low PCB101 detection limit of 5×10molL. Meanwhile, molecular imprinting (MI) technique was integrated by in situ introduction of MI sites on the surface of TiO NRs, so that highly specific adsorption and reduction of PCB101 congener could be obtained.

A highly sensitive and selective aptamer-based colorimetric sensor for the rapid detection of PCB 77.

A highly sensitive, specific and simple colorimetric sensor based on aptamer was established for the detection of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB 77). The use of unmodified gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric probe for aptamer sensors enabled the highly sensitive and selective detection of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB 77). A linear range of 0.

Cardiotoxicity and Mechanism of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) Exposure in Offspring Rats During Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiotoxicity and mechanism of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure on offspring rats during pregnancy.

Double-Layer 3D Macro-Mesoporous Metal Oxide Modified Boron-Doped Diamond with Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance.

In this work, a TiO/Sb-doped SnO electrode was prepared on the boron-doped diamond (BDD) substrate with double-layer three-dimensional macro-mesoporous (DL3DOM-m) structure, using the polystyrene sphere (PS) vertical deposition method. The as-prepared DL3DOM-m TiO/SnO/BDD was employed for organic contaminant removal, showing excellent photoelectrocatalytic performance. SEM, XRD and XPS indicated that DL3DOM-m electrode possessed a 3D macroporous layered framework with uniform pore size (about 400 nm), nanosized particles (4.

A highly selective and picomolar level photoelectrochemical sensor for PCB 101 detection in environmental water samples.

A highly selective and sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor was fabricated for fast and convenient detection of PCB 101 in environmental water samples with a low detection limit of 1.0×10(-14)molL(-1) based on single crystalline TiO2 nanorods (NRs). By integration with molecular imprinting (MI) technique, the PEC sensor's selectivity towards PCB 101 was significantly improved, so that the interference caused by 100-fold excess of PCB 126 and PCB 77 which had similar structure with PCB 101 was below 37%, not to mention other coexisted pollutants.

In situ grown, self-supported iron-cobalt-nickel alloy amorphous oxide nanosheets with low overpotential toward water oxidation.

Electrocatalytic water oxidation by in situ grown iron-cobalt-nickel ternary alloy amorphous oxides is reported. This catalytic material was prepared by simple anodization of an alloy plate followed by low-temperature annealing, which shows superior electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen evolution reaction with an overpotential of only 170 mV and a low Tafel slope.

A simple highly sensitive and selective aptamer-based colorimetric sensor for environmental toxins microcystin-LR in water samples.

A simple and highly sensitive aptamer-based colorimetric sensor was developed for selective detection of Microcystin-LR (MC-LR). The aptamer (ABA) was employed as recognition element which could bind MC-LR with high-affinity, while gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) worked as sensing materials whose plasma resonance absorption peaks red shifted upon binding of the targets at a high concentration of sodium chloride. With the addition of MC-LR, the random coil aptamer adsorbed on Au NPs altered into regulated structure to form MC-LR-aptamer complexes and broke away from the surface of Au NPs, leading to the aggregation of AuNPs, and the color converted from red to blue due to the interparticle plasmon coupling.

A simple and label-free aptasensor based on nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles as signal probe for highly sensitive detection of 17β-estradiol.

A simple and label-free electrochemical aptasensor was developed for detecting 17β-estradiol (E2). To translate the binding events between aptamer and E2 into the measurable electrochemical signal, the nickel hexacyanoferrate nanoparticles (NiHCF NPs) as signal probe was in situ introduced on the electrode by a simple two-step deposition method, exhibiting well-defined peaks with good stability and reproducibility. Subsequently, Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) was covered on the NiHCF NPs, which not only provided a platform for immobilizing the aptamer by S-Au interaction, but further enhanced the conductivity and stability of the signal probe.

A femtomolar level and highly selective 17β-estradiol photoelectrochemical aptasensor applied in environmental water samples analysis.

Driven by the urgent demand of determining low level of 17β-estradiol (E2) present in environment, a novel and ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform based on anti-E2 aptamer as the biorecognition element was developed onto CdSe nanoparticles-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays. The designed PEC aptasensor exhibits excellent performances in determination of E2 with a wide linear range of 0.05-15 pM.

Aptamer-based colorimetric sensing of acetamiprid in soil samples: sensitivity, selectivity and mechanism.

A simple and selective aptamer-based colorimetric method was developed for highly sensitive detection of acetamiprid, taking advantages of the sensitive target-induced colour changes that arisen from the interparticle plasmon coupling during the aggregation of Au nanoparticles (NPs). The results showed that the established method could be applied to detect acetamiprid in the linear range between 75 nM to 7.5 μM, with a low detection limit of 5 nM.

A highly selective electrochemical impedance spectroscopy-based aptasensor for sensitive detection of acetamiprid.

A simple aptasensor for sensitive and selective detection of acetamiprid has been developed based on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). To improve sensitivity of the aptasensor, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were electrodeposited on the bare gold electrode surface by cycle voltammetry (CV), which was employed as a platform for aptamer immobilization. With the addition of acetamiprid, the formation of acetamiprid-aptamer complex on the AuNPs-deposited electrode surface resulted in an increase of electron transfer resistance (Ret).