Dual sulfur defect engineering of Z-scheme heterojunction on Ag-CdS@ZnInS hollow core-shell for ultra-efficient selective photocatalytic HO production.

Photocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide (HO) using sunlight as an energy source, water and molecular oxygen as feedstock is considered as a green and sustainable promising strategy to solve the energy and environmental crisis. Despite significant improvements in photocatalyst design tuning, however, the relatively low photocatalytic HO productivity is still far from satisfactory. Herein, we developed a multi-metal composite sulfide (Ag-CdS@ZnInS) with double S vacancies and hollow core-shell Z-type heterojunction structure for HO generation by a simple hydrothermal method.

All fabric and flexible wearable sensors for simultaneous sweat metabolite detection and high-efficiency collection.

Wearable sweat electrochemical sensors have attracted wide attention due to their advantages of non-invasive, portable, real-time monitoring, etc. However, existing sensors still have some problems with efficient sweat collection. Microfluidic channel technology and electrospinning technology are commonly used to collect sweat efficiently, but there are some limitations such as complex channel design and multiple spinning parameters.

Light-Activated Interface Charge-Alternating Interaction on an Extended Gate Photoelectrode: A New Sensing Strategy for EGFET-Based Photoelectrochemical Sensors.

Integration of extended gate field-effect transistors (EGFET) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurement to construct highly sensitive sensors is an innovative research field that was proven feasible by our previous work. However, it remains a challenge on how to adjust the interaction between the extended gate and the analyte and study its influence on EGFET-based PEC sensors. Herein, a new sensing strategy was proposed by a mutual electrostatic interaction.

Optimization of Sensors Data Transmission Paths for Pest Monitoring Based on Intelligent Algorithms.

The harm of agricultural pests presents a remarkable effect on the quality and safety of edible farm products and the monitoring and identification of agricultural pests based on the Internet of Things (IoT) produce a large amount of data to be transmitted. To achieve efficient and real-time transmission of the sensors' data for pest monitoring, this paper selects 235 geographic coordinates of agricultural pest monitoring points and uses genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and simulated annealing (SA) to optimize the data transmission paths of sensors. The three intelligent algorithms are simulated by MATLAB software.

An effective strategy for promoting charge separation by integrating heterojunctions and multiple homojunctions in TiO nanorods to enhance photoelectrochemical oxygen evolution.

It is important to achieve high photoelectrochemical (PEC) oxygen evolution performance in titanium oxide (TiO) via the separation and transportation of photogenerated carriers. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) TiO nanorod arrays growing on flexible carbon cloth (CC) were decorated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) to yield a 3D g-CN/TiO/CC heterojunction composite (TCN). The photocurrent density of TCN is 10.

Hyaluronic Acid Methacrylate Hydrogel-Modified Electrochemical Device for Adsorptive Removal of Lead(II).

This paper presents the development of a compact, three-electrode electrochemical device functionalized by a biocompatible layer of hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA) hydrogel for the adsorptive removal of detrimental lead (Pb(II)) ions in aqueous solutions. An adsorption mechanism pertaining to the observed analytical performance of the device is proposed and further experimentally corroborated. It is demonstrated that both the molecular interactions originating from the HAMA hydrogel and electrochemical accumulation originating from the electrode beneath contribute to the adsorption capability of the device.

USP9X Increased Tumor Angiogenesis in Mantle Cell Lymphoma by Upregulation of CCND1-Mediated SOX11.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive lymphoid malignancy with a poor prognosis. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 9, X-linked (USP9X), has been associated with multiple physiological pathways and regulates various cellular activities. In this study, we explored the role of USP9X in MCL and .

Technology for Rapid Detection of Cyromazine Residues in Fruits and Vegetables: Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors.

Cyromazine is an insect growth regulator insecticide with high selectivity and is widely used in the production and cultivation of fruits and vegetables. In recent years, incidents of excessive cyromazine residues in food have occurred frequently, and it is urgent to establish an accurate, fast, and convenient method for the detection of cyromazine residues to ensure the safety of edible agricultural products. To achieve rapid detection of cyromazine residues, we prepared a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for the detection of cyromazine residues in agricultural products.

Laser-Induced Graphene-Based Wearable Epidermal Ion-Selective Sensors for Noninvasive Multiplexed Sweat Analysis.

Wearable sweat sensors are a rapidly rising research area owing to their convenience for personal healthcare and disease diagnosis in a real-time and noninvasive manner. However, the fast and scalable fabrication of flexible electrodes remains a major challenge. Here, we develop a wearable epidermal sensor for multiplexed sweat analysis based on the laser-induced graphene (LIG) technique.

Amorphous-Amorphous Coupling Enhancing the Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity and Stability of the NiFe-Based Catalyst.

Efficient and stable electrocatalytic water splitting plays a critical role in energy storage and conversion but is strongly restricted by the low activity and stability of catalysts associated with the complicated oxygen evolution reaction (OER). This work provides a strategy to fabricate an advanced NiFe-based catalyst to steadily speed up the OER based on a strong amorphous-amorphous coupling effect generated through amorphous CuS that induces the formation of amorphous NiFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets (A-NiFe NS/CuS). The presence of the strong coupling effect not only modifies the electronic structure of catalytic sites to accelerate the reaction kinetics but also enhances the binding between the catalyst and substrate to strengthen the durability.

Constructing a 3D interconnected "trap-zap" β-CDPs/Fe-g-CN catalyst for efficient sulfamethoxazole degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation: Performance, mechanism, intermediates and toxicity.

A novel and high-efficiency catalyst Fe doped g-CN (Fe-g-CN) composited with β-cyclodextrin polymers (β-CDPs) was synthesized for activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the catalyst was 3D interconnected porous structure. The degradation rate constant of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in β-CDPs/Fe-g-CN+PMS system was estimated to be 0.

IrO Nanoclusters Modified by BaCO Enable ″Two Birds with One Stone″ in Solar-Driven Direct Unbuffered Seawater Electrolysis.

Direct seawater electrolysis (DSE) coupled with renewable energy can maximize the sustainability of hydrogen energy acquisition by effectively alleviating the dependence on pure water resources. In a practical sense, the parallel chlorine evolution reaction (CER) of DSE opens up an opportunity to hit ″two birds with one stone″ by the dual values of anode and cathode. However, the biggest challenge is how to control the selectivity of CER to balance its values and drawbacks.

Smartphone-based molecularly imprinted sensors for rapid detection of thiamethoxam residues and applications.

In order to achieve rapid detection of thiamethoxam residues in mango, cowpea and water, this study modified the screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE) to make a specific molecular imprinting sensor (Thiamethoxam-MIP/Au/rGO/SPCE) for thiamethoxam. An integrated smartphone platform was also built for thiamethoxam residue analysis. The performance of the complete system was analyzed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV).

In situ formation of grain boundaries on a supported hybrid to boost water oxidation activity of iridium oxide.

Coupling electrochemical water splitting with renewable energy sources shows great potential to produce hydrogen fuel. The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) resulting from the complicated reaction mechanism and the requirement of the noble metal iridium as the anode catalyst are the two key challenges in implementing proton exchange membrane electrolysis. These challenges may be overcome by the nanoscale design and assembly of novel hybrid materials.

Analysis of imidacloprid residues in mango, cowpea and water samples based on portable molecular imprinting sensors.

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in the production and cultivation of crops. In recent years, the extensive use of imidacloprid in agricultural production has resulted in large amounts of pesticide residues in agricultural products and the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a rapid, accurate, sensitive and convenient method for detecting imidacloprid pesticide residues to ensure the safety of agricultural products and the environment.

Zinc sulfide quantum dots/zinc oxide nanospheres/bismuth-enriched bismuth oxyiodides as Z-scheme/type-II tandem heterojunctions for an efficient charge separation and boost solar-driven photocatalytic performance.

A novel zinc sulfide quantum dot (ZnS QD)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanosphere/bismuth-enriched bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) tandem heterojunction photocatalyst is fabricated through two-step solvothermal, calcination and one-step hydrothermal strategies. The successfully constructed core-shell nanostructure can increase the interface area and the active sites of the composite photocatalysts. The formation of a Z-scheme/Type-II tandem heterojunction favors the transfer and spatial separation of charge carriers, in which BiOI plays a bridging role to connect ZnO and ZnS.

Exploring the mechanism of resistance to sorafenib in two hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines.

Sorafenib has long been the only approved systemic therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but most patients show primary or acquired drug resistance. In the present study, RNA was extracted from sorafenib-resistant and -sensitive clones of the HCC cell lines HepG2 and Huh7. Protein-protein interaction networks of the up- and down-regulated genes common to the two sorafenib-resistant cell lines were extracted and subjected to modular analysis in order to identify functional modules.

LncRNA TUG1 reverses LPS-induced cell apoptosis and inflammation of macrophage via targeting MiR-221-3p/SPRED2 axis.

This study aimed to identify the role of lncRNA TUG1 with miR-221-3p on mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Animal model was established, and lung tissue histopathologic status and permeability were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) or Evans blue dye assay respectively. Levels of inflammation cytokines, lncRNA TUG1, miR-221-3p, sprouty related EVH1 domain-containing 2 (SPRED2), and phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 were determined by ELISA, qRT-PCR or Western blot.

Assembly of a Highly Active Iridium-Based Oxide Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalyst by Using Metal-Organic Framework Self-Dissolution.

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer for hydrogen production has multiple advantages but is greatly restricted by expensive iridium and sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics. The most promising way to reduce the precious metal loading is to design and develop highly active Ir-based catalysts. In this study, a versatile approach is reported to prepare a hybrid in the form of a catalyst-support structure (Fe-IrO@α-FeO, abbreviated Ir@Fe-MF) by utilizing the self-dissolving properties of Fe-MIL-101 under aqueous conditions.

Characterization of the gut microbiota in frail elderly patients.

Background: The change in the composition of gut microbiota has been reported in the elderly and in the frail individuals; however, studies on gut microbiota in frail elderly are limited.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the gut microbiota of the frail elderly.

Methods: From September 2017 to February 2018, 27 elderly patients hospitalized in the Department of Geriatrics of our hospital were enrolled and divided into the frailty group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 12) based on the cutoff of 0.

Bone-derived Nestin-positive mesenchymal stem cells improve cardiac function via recruiting cardiac endothelial cells after myocardial infarction.

Background: Bone-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation has been reported to be effective for the treatment of ischemic heart disease, but whether BMSCs are the optimal cell type remains under debate. Increasing numbers of studies have shown that Nestin, an intermediate filament protein, is a potential marker for MSCs, which raises the question of whether Nestin cells in BMSCs may play a more crucial role in myocardial repair.

Methods: Nestin cells were isolated using flow cytometry by gating for CD45 Ter119 CD31 cells from the compact bone of Nestin-GFP transgenic mice, expressing GFP driven by the Nestin promoter.

Functional Sensing Interfaces of PEDOT:PSS Organic Electrochemical Transistors for Chemical and Biological Sensors: A Mini Review.

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are promising devices for applications in in vitro and in vivo measurements. OECTs have two important sensing interfaces for signal monitoring: One is the gate electrode surface; the other is the channel surface. This mini review introduced the new developments in chemical and biological detection of the two sensing interfaces.

Study of Acute Kidney Injury on 309 Hypertensive Inpatients with ACEI/ARB - Diuretic Treatment.

Background: The present study investigated risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients found to be hypertensive during hospitalization who were prescribed angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor antagonists (ARB) + diuretic combinations, in order to determine which type of diuretic or combination of diuretics used in ACE/ARB-treated patients leads to a higher risk of acute kidney injury.

Method: Data on basic information, medical history, diagnostic information and medications prescribed were obtained from the patients' medical records. Retrospective analysis of potential risk factors and ACEI/ARB + diuretic use with AKI was performed.

Electrochemical and density functional theory investigation on the differential behaviors of core-ring structured NiCoO nanoplatelets toward heavy metal ions.

In order to further improve the electroanalytical performance toward heavy metal ions, core-ring structured NiCoO nanoplatelets were used to modify glass carbon electrode (GCE) for the determination of heavy metal ions in water. Owing to the high surface area of NiCoO nanoplatelets, the Pb(II) sensitivity increased by a factor of 1.70, and the detection limit decreased by a factor of 2.

Regulation of the Electroanalytical Performance of Ultrathin Titanium Dioxide Nanosheets toward Lead Ions by Non-Metal Doping.

Three non-metallic elements, sulfur, fluorine, and iodine, were used to dope the ultrathin two-dimensional TiO₂ nanosheets, which would regulate their electroanalytical properties toward heavy metal ions. Among these doped materials, fluorine-doped TiO₂ nanosheets shows the highest electrochemical sensitivity and a superior detection limit toward Pb(II) when the doping concentration is 10%. When compared with the bare TiO₂ nanosheets, the sensitivity increased by 102%, and the detection limit decreased by 36.