A conserved epitope in VAR2CSA is targeted by a cross-reactive antibody originating from Duffy binding protein.

During infection in pregnancy, VAR2CSA is expressed on the surface of infected erythrocytes (IEs) and mediates their sequestration in the placenta. As a result, antibodies to VAR2CSA are largely restricted to women who were infected during pregnancy. However, we discovered that VAR2CSA antibodies can also be elicited by Duffy binding protein (PvDBP).

MOF-derived Co/Cu-embedded N-doped carbon for trifunctional ORR/OER/HER catalysis in alkaline media.

In this report, we demonstrate a bimetallic Co/Cu-embedded N-doped carbon structure for trifunctional catalysis of oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution and hydrogen evolution reactions in alkaline media. A hybrid catalyst synthesized through a metal-organic framework-based process (M-NC-CoCu) enables an active trifunctional catalysis due to its multi-faceted favorable characteristics. It is believed that a range of catalytically active sites are formed through the approach including well-dispersed tiny CuCo2O4 phases, a high concentration of pyridinic and graphitic N, and Cu-Ox, Cu-Nx and Co-Nx moieties.

Mechanism of Cathodic Performance Enhancement by a Few-Nanometer-Thick Oxide Overcoat on Porous Pt Cathodes of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

In a recent report, we demonstrated that few-nanometer-thick yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coating on a porous Pt cathode of a solid oxide fuel cell is an excellent facilitator of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics and an effective suppressor of Pt agglomeration. In this article, we reveal the actual role of the YSZ overcoat in the ORR process through a series of electrochemical analyses. Without the overcoat, the nanoporous Pt is significantly agglomerated during a high-temperature operation and the ORR becomes limited by the availability of triple phase boundaries (TPBs).