Enhancing the Pseudocapacitive Energy Storage of Coordination Polymers by Artificially Constructed Defective Sites Anchoring Redox-Active Species.

Coordination polymers (CPs) have emerged as potential energy storage materials for supercapacitors due to their tunable chemical composition, structural diversity, and multielectron redox-active sites. However, besides poor cycling stability, the practical application of dense CPs in supercapacitors is generally limited by low specific capacitance and high resistance, which are caused by their low specific surface area and dense frameworks, resulting in insufficient redox reactions of metal sites and poor ion diffusion, respectively. Here, we synthesize a new dense CP {CP-1: [Ce(obb)(HCOO)]} via self-assembly of the Ce cation and 4,4'-oxidibenzoate (obb).

Intercalating Organic Hybrid Cadmium Antimony Sulfide Nanoparticles into Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Electrochemical Lithium Storage.

Inorganic metal sulfides have received extensive investigation as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, applications of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides as anode materials in LIBs are quite rare. In addition, combining the nanoparticles of crystalline organic hybrid metal sulfides with conductive materials is expected to enhance the electrochemical lithium storage performance.

MUC4 O-GlcNAcylation Regulates the Epithelial Phenotype in Conjunctival Epithelial Cells.

In the present study, our aim was to explore the role of MUC4 in IL-4-stimulated conjunctival epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms. Human recombinant IL-4 was employed in human conjunctival epithelial cells (HConEpic) cells, and MUC4 shRNA (sh-MUC4) was constructed to explore the functional role of MUC4. The protein level of MUC4, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), O-GlcNAc hydrolase (OGA), zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2), claudin-8 (CLDN8), and E-cadherin were detected by Western blot in HConEpic cells, the interaction between MUC4 and OGT/OGA was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation (IP) and Western blot in 293T cells.

Prolonged near-infrared fluorescence imaging of microRNAs and proteases by aggregation-enhanced emission from DNA-AuNC nanomachines.

Developing a comprehensive strategy for imaging various biomarkers (, microRNAs and proteases) is an exceptionally formidable task. Herein, we have designed a deoxyribonucleic acid-gold nanocluster (DNA-AuNC) nanomachine for detecting tumor-related TK1 mRNA and cathepsin B in living cells and . The DNA-AuNC nanomachine is constructed using AuNCs and DNA modules that incorporate a three component DNA hybrid (TD) and a single-stranded fuel DNA (FD).

Cell-Derived N/P/S-Codoped Fluorescent Carbon Nanodots with Intrinsic Targeting Ability for Tumor-Specific Phototheranostics.

Combining targeting ability, imaging function, and photothermal/photodynamic therapy into a single agent is highly desired for cancer theranostics. Herein, we developed a one-for-all nanoplatform with N/P/S-codoped fluorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) for tumor-specific phototheranostics. The CNDs were prepared via a one-pot hydrothermal process using cancer cells as sources of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.

The Role of Retinal Dopamine D1 Receptors in Ocular Growth and Myopia Development in Mice.

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the signaling cascade controlling ocular refractive development, but the exact role and site of action of dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs) involved in myopia remains unclear. Here, we determine whether retinal D1Rs exclusively mediate the effects of endogenous dopamine and systemically delivered D1R agonist or antagonist in the mouse form deprivation myopia (FDM) model. Male C57BL/6 mice subjected to unilateral FDM or unobstructed vision were divided into the following four groups: one noninjected and three groups that received intraperitoneal injections of a vehicle, D1R agonist SKF38393 (18 and 59 nmol/g), or D1R antagonist SCH39166 (0.

One-Pot Synthesis of Tumor-Microenvironment Responsive Degradable Nanoflower-Medicine for Multimodal Cancer Therapy with Reinvigorating Antitumor Immunity.

Multimodal cancer therapies show great promise in synergistically enhancing anticancer efficacy through different mechanisms. However, most current multimodal therapies either rely on complex assemblies of multiple functional nanomaterials and drug molecules or involve the use of nanomedicines with poor in vivo degradability/metabolizability, thus restricting their clinical translatability. Herein, a nanoflower-medicine using iron ions, thioguanine (TG), and tetracarboxylic porphyrin (TCPP) are synthesized as building blocks through a one-step hydrothermal method for combined chemo/chemodynamic/photodynamic cancer therapy.

A tumor microenvironment-activatable nanoplatform with phycocyanin-assisted in-situ nanoagent generation for synergistic treatment of colorectal cancer.

The in-situ generation of therapeutic agents in targeted lesions is promising for revolutionizing oncotherapy but is limited by the low production efficiency. Given the specific tumor microenvironment (TME) of colorectal cancer (CRC), i.e.

Electronic Structure and Aromaticity of an Unusual Cyclo[18]carbon Precursor, C Br.

Herein, the electronic structure and bonding character of the stable cyclo[18]carbon (C ) precursor, C Br , are thoroughly characterized by molecular orbital (MO), density of states (DOS), bond order (BO), and interaction region indicator (IRI) analyses. The delocalization characters of out-of-plane and in-plane π-electrons (labeled as π - and π -electrons, respectively) in bonding regions were examined using localized orbital locator (LOL) and electron localization function (ELF). The aromaticity was investigated, studying the molecular magnetic response to external magnetic field by computing the magnetically induced current density (J ), iso-chemical shielding surface (ICSS), anisotropy of the induced current density (AICD), and the induced magnetic field (B ).

TaN Nanobelt-Loaded Ru Nanoparticle Hybrids' Electrocatalysis for Hydrogen Evolution in Alkaline Media.

Electrochemical hydrogen evolution is a highly efficient way to produce hydrogen, but since it is limited by high-cost electrocatalysts, the preparation of high-efficiency electrocatalysts with fewer or free noble metals is important. Here, TaN nanobelt (NB)-loaded Ru nanoparticle (NP) hybrids with various ratios, including 1~10 wt% Ru/TaN, are constructed to electrocatalyze water splitting for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. The results show that 5 wt% Ru/TaN NBs have good HER properties with an overpotential of 64.

Thermodynamic Transformation of Crystalline Organic Hybrid Iron Selenide to FeSe@CN Microrods for Sodium Ion Storage.

Carbon-coated metal chalcogenide composites have been demonstrated as one type of promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, combining carbon materials with micronanoparticles of metal chalcogenide always involve complicated processes, such as polymer coating, carbonization, and sulfidation/selenization. To address this issue, herein, we reported a series of carbon-coated FeSe@CN (FeSe = FeSe, FeSe, FeSe) composites prepared via the thermodynamic transformation of a crystalline organic hybrid iron selenide [Fe(phen)](Se) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline).

Application of two-dimensional layered materials in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

The subject of this perspective is the application of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). 2D materials are regarded as promising SERS substrates because of their inexpensive and non-toxic characteristics. However, compared with the traditional precious metal substrates, its enhancement factor and detection limit are lower.

Synthesis of Renal-Clearable Multicolor Fluorescent Silicon Nanodots for Tumor Imaging and In Vivo HO Profiling.

Fluorescent silicon nanodots have shown great prospects for bioimaging and biosensing applications. Although various fluorescent silicon-containing nanodots (SiNDs) have been developed, there are few reports about renal-clearable multicolor SiNDs. Herein, renal-clearable multicolor fluorescent SiNDs are synthesized by using silane molecules and organic dyes through a facile one-step hydrothermal method.

[Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Migration Patterns in Xiangxi River Basin].

Microplastics as a prevalent pollutant in water bodies have recently attracted widespread attention. To investigate the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of microplastics in freshwater rivers and their migration patterns, the surface water, sediments, and subsidence zone of the Xiangxi River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, were sampled and analyzed in November 2020 and April 2021, respectively. The results showed that the average abundance of microplastics in the surface water of Xiangxi River was (6.

One-step simultaneous quantitative detection of three pesticides based on bimetallic organic framework nanomaterials and aptamers.

We have developed a new method of one-step simultaneous detection for three pesticides including acetamiprid, atrazine and carbendazim based on organic framework nanomaterial Cu/UiO-66 and three different fluorescent dyes labeled pesticide aptamers. Cu/UiO-66 can be easily combined with pesticide aptamers through strong coordination, and then aptamers were adsorbed to the surface of Cu/UiO-66, which brings the dyes and Cu/UiO-66 into close proximity. Then, the fluorescence of dyes was quenched by Cu/UiO-66.

Photophysical properties and optical nonlinearity of cyclo[18]carbon (C) precursors, C-(CO) ( = 2, 4, and 6): focusing on the effect of the carbonyl groups.

The electronic spectra and (hyper)polarizability of C-(CO) ( = 2, 4, and 6) are studied using theoretical calculations to reveal the effect of introducing carbonyl (-CO) groups on the molecular optical properties. Successive introduction of -CO groups is observed to cause a red-shift in the absorption spectrum, but maximum absorption of all molecules is mainly due to the charge redistribution within the C moiety. The (hyper)polarizabilities of the cyclocarbon oxides present an ascending trend with the -CO groups in the molecule, and the higher-order response properties are more sensitive.

Bonding Character, Electron Delocalization, and Aromaticity of Cyclo[18]Carbon (C ) Precursors, C -(CO) (n=6, 4, and 2): Focusing on the Effect of Carbonyl (-CO) Groups.

The bonding character, electron delocalization, and aromaticity of the cyclo[18]carbon (C ) precursors, C -(CO) (n=6, 4, and 2), have been studied by combining quantum chemical calculations and various electronic wavefunction analyses with different physical bases. It was found that C -(CO) (n=6, 4, and 2) molecules exhibit alternating long and short C-C bonds, and have out-of-plane and in-plane dual π systems (π and π ) perpendicular to each other, which are consistent with the relevant characteristics of C . However, the presence of carbonyl (-CO) groups significantly reduced the global electron conjugation of C -(CO) (n=6, 4, and 2) compared to C .

Effective Enrichment of Low-Concentration Rare-Earth Ions by Three-Dimensional Thiostannate KSnS.

Rare-earth elements (REEs) in industrial wastewaters have great value for recycling and reuse, but their characteristic of low concentration poses a challenge to an efficient enrichment from wastewaters. In recent years, thiometallates featuring two-dimensional layers have shown great potential in the enrichment of REEs via the ion-exchange process. However, investigations on thiometallates featuring three-dimensional anionic frameworks for the recovery of REEs have not been reported.

Oncogenic enhancers drive esophageal squamous cell carcinogenesis and metastasis.

The role of cis-elements and their aberrations remains unclear in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC, further abbreviated EC). Here we survey 28 H3K27ac-marked active enhancer profiles and 50 transcriptomes in primary EC, metastatic lymph node cancer (LNC), and adjacent normal (Nor) esophageal tissues. Thousands of gained or lost enhancers and hundreds of altered putative super-enhancers are identified in EC and LNC samples respectively relative to Nor, with a large number of common gained or lost enhancers.

Near infrared imaging of intracellular GSH by AuNCs@MnO core-shell nanoparticles based on the absorption competition mechanism.

Dynamically monitoring intracellular glutathione (GSH), a crucial biomarker of oxidative stress, is of significance for the diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. Although manganese dioxide (MnO2) based GSH fluorescent sensors have exhibited high sensitivity and good selectivity owing to the specific reactivity between GSH and MnO2, near-infrared (NIR) MnO2 based nanoprobes for GSH detection are scarce. Herein, we have developed a NIR activatable fluorescence nanoprobe for the imaging and determination of intracellular GSH based on a core-shell nanoparticle, consisting of NIR emitted gold nanocluster doped silica as the fluorescent core and manganese dioxide as the GSH-responsive shell (named AuNCs@MnO2).

Two Series of Main-Group Heterometallic Selenides Synthesized in Two Different Types of Ionic Liquids.

Imidazolium-based ionic liquids have been widely applied in the synthesis of organic hybrid chalcogenidometalates, while the other types of ionic liquids are rarely tried. Reported here is the first application of a pyridinium-based ionic liquid in the preparation of two main-group heterometallic selenides featuring isomorphic three-dimensional frameworks. Of particular interest is that three gallium-tin selenides possessing another type of three-dimensional framework have been prepared by replacing the pyridinium-based ionic liquid with imidalolium-based ionic liquids under the same reaction conditions.

Bimetallic organic framework-based aptamer sensors: a new platform for fluorescence detection of chloramphenicol.

A fluorescence method for the quantitative detection of chloramphenicol (CAP) has been developed using phosphate and fluorescent dye 6-carboxy-x-rhodamine (ROX) double-labeled aptamers of CAP and the bimetallic organic framework nanomaterial Cu/UiO-66. Cu/UiO-66 was prepared by coordinate bonding of metal organic framework (MOF) nanomaterial UiO-66 with copper ions. Cu/UiO-66 contains a large number of metal defect sites, which can be combined with phosphate-modified nucleic acid aptamers through strong coordination between phosphate and zirconium to form "fluorescence turn-on" sensors.

Dual-Templating Approaches to Soybeans Milk-Derived Hierarchically Porous Heteroatom-Doped Carbon Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Biomass derived carbon materials are widely available, cheap and abundant resources. The application of these materials as electrodes for rechargeable batteries shows great promise. To further explore their applications in energy storage fields, the structural design of these materials has been investigated.

Hypoxia-induced lncRNA ANRIL promotes cisplatin resistance in retinoblastoma cells through regulating ABCG2 expression.

Cisplatin (DDP) resistance limits its efficacy for retinoblastoma (Rb). Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) has been shown to contribute to chemotherapy resistance in tumours under hypoxic conditions. This study was designed to explore the role and mechanism of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) in regulating DDP resistance in Rb cells under hypoxia and to validate whether HIF-1α was involved in this process.