Medical exposure to micro(nano)plastics: An exposure pathway with potentially significant harm to human health that should not be overlooked.

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) are an emerging type of contaminants that are widely present in the environments that people live in. MNPs can enter the human body in a variety of pathways, but the three main ones are through dietary intake, air inhalation, and skin contact. However, it has been discovered that medical plastics used in medical activities also pose potential risks to MNPs exposure as exposure pathways are continuously refined and clarified.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the abdominal-B homeotic gene in the global pest, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

The Homeotic complex (Hox) genes play a crucial role in determining segment identity and appendage morphology in bilaterian animals along the antero-posterior axis. Recent studies have expanded to agricultural pests such as fall armyworm (FAW), scientifically known as Spodoptera frugiperda J. E.

ABLs and TMKs are co-receptors for extracellular auxin.

Extracellular perception of auxin, an essential phytohormone in plants, has been debated for decades. Auxin-binding protein 1 (ABP1) physically interacts with quintessential transmembrane kinases (TMKs) and was proposed to act as an extracellular auxin receptor, but its role was disputed because abp1 knockout mutants lack obvious morphological phenotypes. Here, we identified two new auxin-binding proteins, ABL1 and ABL2, that are localized to the apoplast and directly interact with the extracellular domain of TMKs in an auxin-dependent manner.

Boosting Reversibility of Mn-Based Tunnel-Structured Cathode Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries by Magnesium Substitution.

Electrochemical irreversibility and sluggish mobility of Na in the cathode materials result in poor cycle stability and rate capability for sodium-ion batteries. Herein, a new strategy of introducing Mg ions into the hinging sites of Mn-based tunnel-structured cathode material is designed. Highly reversible electrochemical reaction and phase transition in this cathode are realized.

Freestanding Double-Layer MoO/CNT@S Membrane: A Promising Flexible Cathode for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been regarded as a promising candidate of secondary batteries to satisfy the enormous demand for electric vehicles and energy storage applications. However, Li-S batteries still suffer from severe capacity fading due to the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides. Here, we develop a freestanding double-layer MoO/carbon nanotube@S (FMC@S) membrane by hydrothermal and suction filtration strategy, without polymer binder and current collector substrate.

Improving the Electrochemical Performance and Structural Stability of the LiNiCoAlO Cathode Material at High-Voltage Charging through Ti Substitution.

LiNiCoAlO (NCA) has been proven to be a good cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), especially in electric vehicle applications. However, further elevating energy density of NCA is very challenging. Increasing the charging voltage of NCA is an effective method, but its structural instability remains a problem.

Tuning P2-Structured Cathode Material by Na-Site Mg Substitution for Na-Ion Batteries.

Most P2-type layered oxides suffer from multiple voltage plateaus, due to Na/vacancy-order superstructures caused by strong interplay between Na-Na electrostatic interactions and charge ordering in the transition metal layers. Here, Mg ions are successfully introduced into Na sites in addition to the conventional transition metal sites in P2-type Na[MnNi]O as new cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. Mg ions in the Na layer serve as "pillars" to stabilize the layered structure, especially for high-voltage charging, meanwhile Mg ions in the transition metal layer can destroy charge ordering.

Cis/trans Fluorescent Recognition by Naphthalimide Dyes ⊂ CB [7] Assembly.

A novel method to recognize cis/trans isomers was studied here. The naphthalimide dye as guest could bind with host cucurbit [7]uril (CB [7]) and 1:1 naphthalimide dye ⊂ CB [7] assembly was formed. Moreover, this assembly was used as a fluorescent probe to recognized Fumaric acid (FA) and maleic acid (MA) via fluorescence titration.

[Effect of quercetin exposure during the prepubertal period on ovarian development and reproductive endocrinology of mice].

This study is to explore the effects of quercetin (QUE) on the 3 week-old mice ovarian development and relative hormone levels. The 3 week-old mice were exposed to QUE (45, 25, and 5 mg x kg(-1) x hd(-1)) by gavage for 50 days. The estrous cycle during 50 days and the changes of hormone level such as FSH, LH, etc were monitored.