Investigating the inflammatory mechanism of notoginsenoside R1 in Diabetic nephropathy via ITGB8 based on network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Background: Diabetes often causes diabetic nephropathy (DN), a serious long-term complication. It is characterized by chronic proteinuria, hypertension, and kidney function decline, can progress to end-stage renal disease, lowering patients' quality of life and lifespan. Inflammation and apoptosis are key to DN development.

Notoginsenoside R1 can inhibit the interaction between FGF1 and VEGFA to retard podocyte apoptosis.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic condition resulting from microangiopathy in a high-glucose environment. The evaluation of vascular injury in DN has primarily focused on active molecules of VEGF, namely VEGFA and VEGF2(F2R). Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), a traditional anti-inflammatory medication, exhibits vascular activity.

Identification of Markers for Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on the Ferroptosis and Immune.

Background: In advanced diabetic kidney disease (DKD), iron metabolism and immune dysregulation are abnormal, but the correlation is not clear. Therefore, we aim to explore the potential mechanism of ferroptosis-related genes in DKD and their relationship with immune inflammatory response and to identify new diagnostic biomarkers to help treat and diagnose DKD.

Methods: Download data from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database and FerrDb database, and construct random forest tree (RF) and support vector machine (SVM) model to screen hub ferroptosis genes (DE-FRGs).

Relevance of the pyroptosis-related inflammasome drug targets in the Chuanxiong to improve diabetic nephropathy.

Background: A chronic inflammatory disease caused by disturbances in metabolism, diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Pyroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death in many inflammation-related diseases, including DN. Therefore, pyroptosis could be a promising target for DN therapy.

Identifying Potential Diagnostic Genes for Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Hypoxia and Immune Status.

Background: The prognosis of diabetic nephropathy is poor, and early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy is challenging. Fortunately, searching for DN-specific markers based on machine algorithms can facilitate diagnosis.

Methods: xCell model and CIBERSORT algorithm were used to analyze the relationship between immune cells and DN, and WGCNA analysis was used to evaluate the regulatory relationship between hypoxia gene and DN-related immune cells.

Metastable Facet-Controlled CuWS Single Crystals with Enhanced Adsorption Activity for Gaseous Elemental Mercury.

Purposively designing environmental advanced materials and elucidating the underlying reactivity mechanism at the atomic level allows for the further optimization of the removal performance for contaminants. Herein, using well facet-controlled I-CuWS single crystals as a model transition metal chalcogenide sorbent, we investigated the adsorption performance of the exposed facets toward gaseous elemental mercury (Hg). We discovered that the decahedron exhibited not only facet-dependent adsorption properties for Hg but also recrystallization along the preferential [001] growth direction from a metastable state to the steady state.

Microscopic investigations on the surface-state dependent moisture stability of a hybrid perovskite.

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIP) materials have caught significant attention in photovoltaics and photoelectronics for their outstanding photovoltaic properties. However, their instability to various environment, such as illumination, temperature, moisture and oxygen, hinders their way to commercialization. To figure out the interaction mechanism between HO and CHNHPbI (MAPbI), extensive theoretical studies have been carried out; however, the experimental results are insufficient and inconsistent.

Interstitial Hydrogen Atom Modulation to Boost Hydrogen Evolution in Pd-Based Alloy Nanoparticles.

Rational control of the components of noble metal alloys is paramount for achieving satisfactory electrocatalytic performances. Though transition metals are commonly used to modify noble metals, many potential elements remain to be explored. Here, we interstitially modulate hydrogen atoms into RhPd nanoparticles to boost the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

PdMo bimetallene for oxygen reduction catalysis.

The efficient interconversion of chemicals and electricity through electrocatalytic processes is central to many renewable-energy initiatives. The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has long posed one of the biggest challenges in this field, and electrocatalysts based on expensive platinum-group metals are often required to improve the activity and durability of these reactions. The use of alloying, surface strain and optimized coordination environments has resulted in platinum-based nanocrystals that enable very high ORR activities in acidic media; however, improving the activity of this reaction in alkaline environments remains challenging because of the difficulty in achieving optimized oxygen binding strength on platinum-group metals in the presence of hydroxide.

Biogenic Quantum Dots for Sensitive, Label-Free Detection of Mercury Ions.

Nanoparticle-based fluorescent probes, typically fabricated by a chemical synthesis route, have been widely used for monitoring trace heavy metals in environments. However, the high-cost and complicated, aggressive fabrication processes restrict their widespread application. In this work, we report the first use of biogenic quantum dots (Bio-QDs) as a highly sensitive, low-cost fluorescent probe for label-free detection of mercury ions (Hg), with comparable performance to conventional chemically synthesized counterparts.

Temperature-Dependent Local Electrical Properties of Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskites: In Situ KPFM and c-AFM Investigation.

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite materials are emerging as a new class of photoelectric materials for its low cost, easy preparation, and, especially, outstanding optoelectronic properties. Although tremendous efforts have been made on the regulation and optimization of perovskite materials and their microscopic electrical properties for high-efficiency solar cells, few reports focus on the evolution of electrical properties with temperature changes, especially at the microscopic scale, which will directly affect the device performances at varying temperatures. Here, we map the contact potential difference and photocurrent distribution of MAPbI at different temperatures in situ by Kelvin probe force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy, emphasizing the different influences of variable temperature and phase transition on the photoelectric properties of grains and grain boundaries (GBs).

Substrate Metabolism-Driven Assembly of High-Quality CdS Se Quantum Dots in Escherichia coli: Molecular Mechanisms and Bioimaging Application.

Biosynthesis offers opportunities for cost-effective and sustainable production of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), but is currently restricted by poor controllability on the synthesis process, resulting from limited knowledge on the assembly mechanisms and the lack of effective control strategies. In this work, we provide molecular-level insights into the formation mechanism of biogenic QDs (Bio-QDs) and its connection with the cellular substrate metabolism in Escherichia coli. Strengthening the substrate metabolism for producing more reducing power was found to stimulate the production of several reduced thiol-containing proteins (including glutaredoxin and thioredoxin) that play key roles in Bio-QDs assembly.

Selenium Stimulates Cadmium Detoxification in Caenorhabditis elegans through Thiols-Mediated Nanoparticles Formation and Secretion.

Antagonism between heavy metal and selenium (Se) could significantly affect their biotoxicity, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying such microbial-mediated antagonistic processes as well as the formed products. In this work, we examined the cadmium (Cd)-Se interactions and their fates in Caenorhabditis elegans through in vivo and in vitro analysis and elucidated the machinery of Se-stimulated Cd detoxification. Although the Se introduction induced up to 3-fold higher bioaccumulation of Cd in C.

-60 °C solution synthesis of atomically dispersed cobalt electrocatalyst with superior performance.

Temperature can govern morphologies, structures and properties of products from synthesis in solution. A reaction in solution at low temperature may result in different materials than at higher temperature due to thermodynamics and kinetics of nuclei formation. Here, we report a low-temperature solution synthesis of atomically dispersed cobalt in a catalyst with superior performance.

Thermodynamically Stable Orthorhombic γ-CsPbI Thin Films for High-Performance Photovoltaics.

All-inorganic lead halide perovskites demonstrate improved thermal stability over the organic-inorganic halide perovskites, but the cubic α-CsPbI with the most appropriate bandgap for light harvesting is not structurally stable at room temperature and spontaneously transforms into the undesired orthorhombic δ-CsPbI. Here, we present a new member of black-phase thin films of all-inorganic perovskites for high-efficiency photovoltaics, the orthorhombic γ-CsPbI thin films with intrinsic thermodynamic stability and ideal electronic structure. Exempt from introducing organic ligands or incorporating mixed cations/anions into the crystal lattice, we stabilize the γ-CsPbI thin films by a simple solution process in which a small amount of HO manipulates the size-dependent phase formation through a proton transfer reaction.

Polar Solvent Induced Lattice Distortion of Cubic CsPbI Nanocubes and Hierarchical Self-Assembly into Orthorhombic Single-Crystalline Nanowires.

Despite the recent surge of interest in inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals, there are still significant gaps in their stability disturbance and the understanding of their destabilization, assembly, and growth processes. Here, we discover that polar solvent molecules can induce the lattice distortion of ligand-stabilized cubic CsPbI, leading to the phase transition into orthorhombic phase, which is unfavorable for photovoltaic applications. Such lattice distortion triggers the dipole moment on CsPbI nanocubes, which subsequently initiates the hierarchical self-assembly of CsPbI nanocubes into single-crystalline nanowires.

A Two-Dimensional Hole-Transporting Material for High-Performance Perovskite Solar Cells with 20 % Average Efficiency.

A readily available small molecular hole-transporting material (HTM), OMe-TATPyr, was synthesized and tested in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). OMe-TATPyr is a two-dimensional π-conjugated molecule with a pyrene core and four phenyl-thiophene bridged triarylamine groups. It can be readily synthesized in gram scale with a low lab cost of around US$ 50 g .

Mitigating Interfacial Potential Drop of Cathode-Solid Electrolyte via Ionic Conductor Layer To Enhance Interface Dynamics for Solid Batteries.

The rapid capacity decay caused by the poor contact and large polarization at the interface between the cathode and solid electrolytes is still a big challenge to overcome for high-power-density solid batteries. In this study, a superior Li conductive transition layer LiAlTi(PO) is introduced to coat LiNiCoMnO, as a model cathode, to mitigate polarization and enhance dynamic characteristics. The critical attribute for such superior dynamics is investigated by the atomic force microscopy with boundary potential analysis, revealing that the formed interfacial transition layer provides a gradual potential slope and sustain-released polarization, and endows the battery with improved cycling stability (90% after 100 cycles) and excellent rate capability (116 mA h g at 2 C) at room temperature, which enlightens the comprehension of interface engineering in the future solid batteries systems.

Spectral insights into the transformation and distribution of CdSe quantum dots in microorganisms during food-chain transport.

The discharge of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) into environment is raising widespread concern not only due to their direction bio-toxicity but also their bio-concentration and bio-magnification through food web. However, the transformation and distribution of ENMs during food-chain transport are poorly understood, due to lack of accurate, reliable analytical methods. In this study, by using a suite of advanced spectrum techniques, we successfully tracked the distribution and biotransformation dynamics of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) during their transport from Shewanella onedensis to Caenorchabditis elegans in predation.

General Space-Confined On-Substrate Fabrication of Thickness-Adjustable Hybrid Perovskite Single-Crystalline Thin Films.

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite single-crystalline thin films (SCTFs) are promising for enhancing photoelectric device performance due to high carrier mobility, long diffusion length, and carrier lifetime. However, bulk perovskite single crystals available today are not suitable for practical device application due to the unfavorable thickness. Herein, we report a facile space-confined solution-processed strategy to on-substrate grow various hybrid perovskite SCTFs in a size of submillimeter with adjustable thicknesses from nano- to micrometers.

Biaxially strained PtPb/Pt core/shell nanoplate boosts oxygen reduction catalysis.

Compressive surface strains have been necessary to boost oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in core/shell M/platinum (Pt) catalysts (where M can be nickel, cobalt, or iron). We report on a class of platinum-lead/platinum (PtPb/Pt) core/shell nanoplate catalysts that exhibit large biaxial strains. The stable Pt (110) facets of the nanoplates have high ORR specific and mass activities that reach 7.

Tuning the Fermi-level of TiO mesoporous layer by lanthanum doping towards efficient perovskite solar cells.

Tuning the band alignment is proved to be an effective way to facilitate carrier transportation and thus enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solar cells. Doping the compact layer with metal ions or modifying the interfaces among functional layers in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) can appreciably improve the PCE of PSCs. Inspired by the rare earth elemental doping of TiO, which has witnessed the success in photocatalysis and dye-sensitized solar cells, we firstly demonstrated here that La doping in the mesoporous TiO layer of a mesostructured PSC can tune its Fermi level and thus significantly enhance the device PCE.

Influence of N,N-Dimethylformamide Annealing on the Local Electrical Properties of Organometal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells: an Atomic Force Microscopy Investigation.

Organometal halide perovskites have been recognized as a new class of materials for photovoltaic application. Solvent annealing introduced during crystallization of bulk or thin-film materials can improve the performance of perovskite solar cells. Herein, we present Kelvin probe force microscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM) measurements to investigate the local optoelectronic properties of a perovskite film after N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) annealing.

Solvent-Assisted Preparation of High-Performance Mesoporous CH₃NH₃Pbl₃ Perovskite Solar Cells.

Organometal trihalide perovskite based solar cells have attracted great attention worldwide since their power conversion efficiency (PCE) have risen to over 15% within only 3 years of development. Comparing with other types of perovskite solar cells, mesostructured perovskite solar cells based on CH₃NH₃Pbl₃ as light harvesting material have already demonstrated remarkable advance in performance and reproducibility. Here, we reported a mesoscopic TiO₂/CH₃NH₃Pbl₃ heterojunction solar cell with uniform perovskite thin film prepared via solvent-assisted solution processing method.

CHRNA5 polymorphisms and risk of lung cancer in Chinese Han smokers.

Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer among men in many countries. It is the result of interactions between genetic and environmental factors, among which tobacco smoking is a key environmental factor. CHRNA5, Cholinergic Receptor, Neuronal Nicotinic, Alpha Polypeptide-5, was previously reported to be associated with lung cancer risk.