in situ observation of reversible phase transitions in Gd-doped ceria driven by electron beam irradiation.

Ceria-based oxides are widely utilized in diverse energy-related applications, with attractive functionalities arising from a defective structure due to the formation of mobile oxygen vacancies ( ). Notwithstanding its significance, behaviors of the defective structure and in response to external stimuli remain incompletely explored. Taking the Gd-doped ceria (CeGdO) as a model system and leveraging state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopy techniques, reversible phase transitions associated with massive rearrangement are stimulated and visualized in situ with sub-Å resolution.

Discovery of LHQ490 as a highly selective fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) inhibitor.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) represents an appealing therapeutic target for multiple cancers, yet no selective FGFR2 inhibitors have been approved for clinical use to date. Here, we report the discovery of a series of new selective, irreversible FGFR2 inhibitors. The representative compound LHQ490 potently inhibited FGFR2 kinase activity with an IC of 5.

Plasma-induced oxygen defects in titanium dioxide to address the long-term stability of pseudocapacitive MnO anode for lithium ion batteries.

In this work, we developed Manganese and Titanium based oxide composites with oxygen defects (MnO@aTiO) via plasma processing as anodes of lithium ion batteries. By appropriately adjusting the defect concentration, the ion transport kinetics and electrical conductivity of the electrodes are significantly improved, showing stable capacity retention. Furthermore, the incremental capacity is further activated and long-term stable cycling performance is achieved, with a specific capacity of 829.

Role of Fe/Co Ratio in Dual Phase CeGdO-FeCoO Composites for Oxygen Separation.

Dual-phase membranes are increasingly attracting attention as a solution for developing stable oxygen permeation membranes. CeGdO-FeCoO (CGO-F(3-x)CxO) composites are one group of promising candidates. This study aims to understand the effect of the Fe/Co-ratio, i.

Direct Visualization of Distorted Twin Boundaries in Ce-Doped GdFeO.

Utilizing advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the structure at the (110)-type twin boundary (TB) of Ce-doped GdFeO (C-GFO) has been investigated with picometer precision. Such a TB is promising to generate local ferroelectricity within a paraelectric system, while precise knowledge about its structure is still largely missing. In this work, a direct measurement of the cation off-centering with respect to the neighboring oxygen is enabled by integrated differential phase contrast (iDPC) imaging, and up to 30 pm Gd off-centering is highly localized at the TB.

TiC MXene Membranes for Gas Separation: Influence of Heat Treatment Conditions on D-Spacing and Surface Functionalization.

Two-dimensional (2D) MXene materials have recently been the focus of membrane research due to their unique properties, such as their single-atomic-layer thickness, flexibility, molecular filtration abilities and microstructural similarities with graphene, which is currently the most efficient precursor material for gas separation applications. In addition, the potential to process nanoscale channels has motivated investigations of parameters which can improve membrane permeability and selectivity. Interlayer spacing and defects, which are still challenging to control, are among the most crucial parameters for membrane performance.

Sevoflurane preconditioning alleviates myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury through mitochondrial NAD-SIRT3 pathway in rats.

Objectives: Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs occasionally in the process of ischemic heart disease. Sevoflurane preconditioning has an effect on attenuating IRI. Preserving the structural and functional integrity of mitochondria is the key to reduce myocardial IRI.

Ultra-thin graphene cube framework@TiO heterojunction as high-performance anode materials for lithium ion batteries.

Here, we proposed a new strategy to build the integrated graphene cube (Gr) framework@TiO composite to improve the ion transport kinetics and electrical conductivity of TiO as a long-life and high-capacity anode for lithium ion batteries. Combined with the salt template method for ultra-thin framework, the distinct structure of Gr@TiO shows an excellent electrochemical performance, e.g.

Measurement of polarization effects in dual-phase ceria-based oxygen permeation membranes using Kelvin probe force microscopy.

In this study, a dual phase composite (CSO-FC2O) consisting of 60 vol % CeSmO as oxygen-conductive phase and 40 vol % FeCoO as electron-conductive phase was synthesized. TEM measurements showed a relatively pure dual-phase material with only minor amounts of a tertiary (Sm,Ce)(Fe,Co)O perovskite phase and isolated residues of a rock salt phase at the grain boundaries. The obtained material was used as a model to demonstrate that a combination of polarization relaxation measurements and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM)-based mapping of the Volta potential before and after the end of polarization can be used to determine the chemical diffusion coefficient of the ceria component of the composite.

Formation of Kiss1R/GPER Heterocomplexes Negatively Regulates Kiss1R-mediated Signalling through Limiting Receptor Cell Surface Expression.

Kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1R) is an important receptor that plays central regulatory roles in reproduction by regulating hormone release in the hypothalamus. We hypothesize that the formation of heterocomplexes between Kiss1R and other hypothalamus G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) affects their cellular signaling. Through screening of potential interactions between Kiss1R and hypothalamus GPCRs, we identified G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) as one interaction partner of Kiss1R.

Effect of obesity on the prognosis and recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy: a meta-analysis.

Background: Obesity has been found to be closely related to the increased risk of fatal prostate cancer (PCa), however there remains no evidence that further clarifies the relationship between obesity and the postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis of PCa. In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to systematically evaluate the effect of obesity on the prognosis and recurrence of PCa after radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods: A literature search of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases was performed covering articles published between January 2013 and January 2020.

DNA introduces an independent temperature responsiveness to thermosensitive microgels and enables switchable plasmon coupling as well as controlled uptake and release.

A novel DNA-microgel hybrid system with dual thermal responsiveness is introduced uitilizing covalent coupling of single stranded DNA (ssDNA) to thermoresponsive microgels (μGs). The spatial distribution of the coupling sites for the ssDNA was characterized with 3D superresolution fluorescence microscopy. The DNA-functionalized μGs remain thermoresponsive and can take up dye-labeled complementary ssDNA, which can be released again by overcoming the dehybridization temperature of the DNA independently of the volume phase transition (VPT) of the μGs.

GIP receptor suppresses PAC1receptor-mediated neuronal differentiation via formation of a receptor heterocomplex.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) receptor (PAC1R) is a class B Gprotein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is widely expressed in the human body and is involved in neuronal differentiation. As class B GPCRs are known to form heterocomplexes with family members, we hypothesized that PAC1R mediates neuronal differentiation through interaction with a class B GPCR. We used the BRET assay to identify potential interactions between PAC1R and 11 class B GPCRs.

Direction observation of the grain boundary segregation in molybdenum substituted lanthanum tungstate membranes.

Molybdenum substituted lanthanum tungstate membranes (LWO-Mo) offer a good alternative for the separation of hydrogen from gas mixtures. During several essential steps of the membrane processing, an intensive employment of ZrO milling balls is usually inevitable. However, how these milling balls affect the final LWO-Mo membranes, is still largely unknown.

Molecular identification of Cerithiidae (Mollusca: Gastropod) in Hainan island, China.

A number of same species of Cerithiidae are morphologically unlike, whereas most of species in the same genus are morphologically similar and just exhibit subtle differences. It is difficult to identify them by morphological methods alone. DNA barcoding is a modern molecular technique that can be used to identify species accurately, and is particularly helpful when distinguishing morphologically similar species.

Tamsulosin Monotherapy Is Effective in Reducing Ureteral Stent-related Symptoms: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of tamsulosin monotherapy for the treatment of ureteral stent-related symptoms (SRSs) and compare it with that of solifenacin monotherapy and combined therapy of tamsulosin and silifenacin. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which evaluated the effectiveness of tamsulosin for the treatment of SRSs, were searched from the databases PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library published up to November 2018. Eight RCTs involving 1087 participants were finally included in this meta-analysis.

Understanding the functions of kisspeptin and kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1R) from clinical case studies.

It is widely acknowledged that kisspeptin and its receptor Kiss1R play central regulatory roles in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis and reproduction. Mutations of KISS1 and KISS1R lead to disorders associated with pubertal development, such as central precocious puberty (CPP) and idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). This review focuses on KISS1 and KISS1R mutations found in CPP and IHH and its purposes are twofold: Firstly, based on the mutations found in KISS1 and KISS1R, this review provides insights into the precise mechanism of kisspeptin and the kisspeptin/Kiss1R pathway in the reproductive axis and in puberty.

Plasma concentrations of second-line antituberculosis drugs in relation to minimum inhibitory concentrations in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in China: a study protocol of a prospective observational cohort study.

Introduction: Individualised treatment through therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) may improve tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes but is not routinely implemented. Prospective clinical studies of drug exposure and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) are scarce. This translational study aims to characterise the area under the concentration-time curve of individual MDR-TB drugs, divided by the MIC for isolates, to explore associations with markers of treatment progress and to develop useful strategies for clinical implementation of TDM in MDR-TB.

Dexmedetomidine may upregulate the expression of caveolin‑1 in lung tissues of rats with sepsis and improve the short‑term outcome.

Dexmedetomidine (DXM) is a selective α2-adrenoceptor (α2‑AR) and imidazoline receptor (IR) agonist that has been reported to regulate inflammatory responses mediated by diverse signaling pathways through α2‑AR. The majority of the reported receptors or downstream molecules have been demonstrated to locate with caveolin‑1, a protein suggested to participate in regulating Toll‑like receptor 4 (TLR4)‑mediated inflammatory responses and the pathogen endocytosis capability of macrophages. The present study hypothesized that DXM may influence these pathways by regulating the expression of caveolin‑1 and mediating the subsequent effects.

Switching behaviour of individual Ag-TCNQ nanowires: an in situ transmission electron microscopy study.

The organic semiconductor silver-tetracyanoquinodimethane (Ag-TCNQ) exhibits electrical switching and memory characteristics. Employing a scanning tunnelling microscopy setup inside a transmission electron microscope, the switching behaviour of individual Ag-TCNQ nanowires (NWs) is investigated in detail. For a large number of NWs, the switching between a high (OFF) and a low (ON) resistance state was successfully stimulated by negative bias sweeps.

A microspectroscopic insight into the resistivity switching of individual Ag-TCNQ nanocrystals.

We investigate the resistivity switching in individual Ag-TCNQ wires with on/off-ratios of up to 10(3). Raman and soft X-ray absorption microspectroscopy studies disclose reverse charge transfer. Quantifying of the fraction of neutral TCNQ within the switched material yields values up to 22.

Differential hippocampal protein expression between normal aged rats and aged rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction: A proteomic analysis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in the expression of hippocampal proteins between normal control aged rats and aged rats with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). A total of 24 aged rats were randomly divided into a surgery group (n=12) and a control group (n=12). The rats in the surgery group were treated with 2 h isoflurane anesthesia and splenectomy, while the rats in the control group received 40% oxygen for 2 h without surgery.