In-Plane Mesoporous 3D Flower-Like MoTiCCl MXene Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries: From Structure to Performance.

MXenes are known for their exceptional electrical conductivity and surface functionality, gaining interest as promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries. However, conventional 2D multilayered MXenes often exhibit limited electrochemical applicability due to slow ion transport kinetics and low structural stability. Addressing these challenges, this study develops a 3D flower-type double transition metal MXene, MoTiCCl, with precisely engineered in-plane mesoporosity using HF-free Lewis acid-assisted molten salt method, coupled with intercalation and freeze-drying.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT-1: A versatile regulator in cancer progression, metastasis, immunity, and therapeutic resistance.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides that do not code for proteins but have been linked to cancer development and metastasis. Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT-1) influences crucial cancer hallmarks through intricate molecular mechanisms, including proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The current article highlights the involvement of MALAT-1 in drug resistance, making it a potential target to overcome chemotherapy refractoriness.

Designing lithium halide solid electrolytes.

All-solid-state lithium batteries have attracted widespread attention for next-generation energy storage, potentially providing enhanced safety and cycling stability. The performance of such batteries relies on solid electrolyte materials; hence many structures/phases are being investigated with increasing compositional complexity. Among the various solid electrolytes, lithium halides show promising ionic conductivity and cathode compatibility, however, there are no effective guidelines when moving toward complex compositions that go beyond ab-initio modeling.

Bone mineral density after exercise training in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3 to 5: a sub-study of RENEXC-a randomized controlled trial.

Background: We evaluated the effects of 12 months of exercise training on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5 not on kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

Methods: A total of 151 patients were randomized to 12 months of either balance or strength training, both together with endurance training. Some 112 patients completed and 107 (69 men, 38 women) were analysed, with a mean age 66 ± 13.

Anti-Apoptosis Therapy for Meniscal Avascular Zone Repair: A Proof-of-Concept Study in a Lapine Model.

In the present study, 24 rabbits were firstly used to evaluate the apoptosis index and matrix degeneration after untreated adult meniscal tears. Vertical tears (0.25 cm in length) were prepared in the avascular zone of the anterior horn.

Identification of Hub Genes and Potential Molecular Pathogenesis in Substantia Nigra in Parkinson's Disease via Bioinformatics Analysis.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, with significant socioeconomic burdens. One of the crucial pathological features of PD is the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). However, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown.

Construction of a flower-like SnS/SnO junction for efficient photocatalytic CO reduction.

Photoreduction of CO to value-added chemicals and fuels is an attractive solution to alleviate environmental problems and energy crisis at the same time. However, engineering efficient photocatalysts with high activity and product selectivity is still challenging. Herein, we achieved three-dimensional (3D) spatial configuration design at micro-scale and heterogeneous interface construction at nano-scale on a SnS/SnO composite, which featured hierarchical flower-like morphology consisted of nanosheets and type-II semiconductor structure.

Solid Polymer Electrolytes with High Conductivity and Transference Number of Li Ions for Li-Based Rechargeable Batteries.

Smart electronics and wearable devices require batteries with increased energy density, enhanced safety, and improved mechanical flexibility. However, current state-of-the-art Li-based rechargeable batteries (LBRBs) use highly reactive and flowable liquid electrolytes, severely limiting their ability to meet the above requirements. Therefore, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are introduced to tackle the issues of liquid electrolytes.

Regulating the Grain Orientation and Surface Structure of Primary Particles through Tungsten Modification to Comprehensively Enhance the Performance of Nickel-Rich Cathode Materials.

Nickel-rich layered oxides, as the most promising commercial cathode material for high-energy density lithium-ion batteries, experience significant surface structural instabilities that lead to severe capacity deterioration and poor thermal stability. To address these issues, radially aligned grains and surface LiNiWO-like heterostructures are designed and obtained with a simple tungsten modification strategy in the LiNiCoMnO cathode. The formation of radially aligned grains, manipulated by the WO modifier during synthesis, provides a fast Li diffusion channel during the charge/discharge process.

Twelve months of exercise training did not halt abdominal aortic calcification in patients with CKD - a sub-study of RENEXC-a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Arteriosclerosis is prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aims were to investigate (1) the effects of 12 months of either balance- or strength- both in combination with endurance training on abdominal aortic calcification (AAC); on some lipids and calcific- and inflammatory markers; and (2) the relationships between the change in AAC score and these markers in non-dialysis dependent patients with CKD stages 3 to 5.

Methods: One hundred twelve patients (mean age 67 ± 13 years), who completed 12 months of exercise training; comprising either balance- or strength training, both in combination with endurance training; with a measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) 22.

Muscle mass and plasma myostatin after exercise training: a substudy of Renal Exercise (RENEXC)-a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Sarcopenia increases as renal function declines and is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle growth. Its expression in response to exercise is unclear.

Second-Sphere Polyhedron-Distortion-Induced Broadened and Red-Shifted Emission in Lu(MgAl)(AlSi)O:Ce for Warm WLED.

Orange-yellow phosphors with extended broadband emission are highly desirable for warmer white-light-emitting diodes (WLED) with a higher color-rendering index. Targeted phosphors Ce-doped Lu(MgAl)(AlSi)O ( = 0, 0.25, 0.

Cyan-Green Phosphor (LuM)(AlSi)O:Ce for High-Quality LED Lamp: Tunable Photoluminescence Properties and Enhanced Thermal Stability.

High-quality white light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs) are mainly determined by conversion phosphors and the enhancement of cyan component that dominates the high color rendering index. New phosphors (LuM)(AlSi)O:Ce (M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba), showing a cyan-green emission, have been achieved via the co-substitution of Lu-Al by M-Si pair in LuAlO:Ce to compensate for the lack of cyan region and avoid using multiple phosphors. The excitation bands of (LuM)(AlSi)O:Ce (M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) show a red-shift from 434 to 445 nm which is attributed to the larger centroid shift and crystal field splitting.

Relationships between abdominal aortic calcification, glomerular filtration rate, and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease .

Background: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesized that AAC is associated with a decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as well as with some other cardiovascular risk factors.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled clinical trial (RENEXC).

Comparison of DEXA and Bioimpedance for Body Composition Measurements in Nondialysis Patients With CKD.

Objectives: The aims of this study are (1) to compare dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bioimpedance for body composition measurements in nondialysis patients with chronic kidney disease, and (2) to investigate factors associated with any measurement differences.

Design And Methods: This is a substudy using some baseline data from a randomized controlled clinical trial. One hundred twenty patients (aged 65 ± 14 years) with a measured glomerular filtration rate 8 to 55 mL/min/1.

Sarcopenia and relationships between muscle mass, measured glomerular filtration rate and physical function in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-5.

Background: Sarcopenia and poor physical function are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to investigate the relationships between muscle mass and measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and between muscle mass and strength and balance, respectively, in patients with CKD stages 3-5.

Methods: This is a baseline data analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

High concentrations of uric acid inhibit angiogenesis via regulation of the Krüppel-like factor 2-vascular endothelial growth factor-A axis by miR-92a.

Background: Angiogenesis is a critical component of many pathological conditions, and microRNAs (miRNAs) are indispensable in angiogenesis. It is unclear whether miRNAs regulate angiogenesis in the presence of high concentrations of uric acid (HUA), and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods and results: It was found that HUA inhibited the angiogenic ability of endothelial cells.

Using Next-Generation Sequencing to Identify a Mutation in Human MCSU that is Responsible for Type II Xanthinuria.

Background: Hypouricemia is caused by various diseases and disorders, such as hepatic failure, Fanconi renotubular syndrome, nutritional deficiencies and genetic defects. Genetic defects of the molybdoflavoprotein enzymes induce hypouricemia and xanthinuria. Here, we identified a patient whose plasma and urine uric acid levels were both extremely low and aimed to identify the pathogenic gene and verify its mechanism.

Activation of Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in S-type neuroblastoma cell lines.

The effects of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway activation on S-type neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and its role in NB tumorigenesis were investigated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Shh pathway components-Patched1 (PTCH1) and Gli1 in 40 human primary NB samples. Western blotting and RT-PCR were used to examine the protein expression and mRNA levels of PTCH1 and Gli1 in three kinds of S-type NB cell lines (SK-N-AS, SK-N-SH and SHEP1), respectively.

Activation of sonic hedgehog signaling pathway in olfactory neuroblastoma.

Objectives: Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is associated with tumor development; however, the role of Shh signaling in the development of olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the regulation of Shh signaling and the pathogenesis of ONB.

Methods: The expression of Shh signaling components was characterized by immunohistochemistry in human non-tumor olfactory epithelium and ONB specimens, and by RT-PCR and immunoblotting in human ONB cell lines.

A critical role of Sonic Hedgehog signaling in maintaining the tumorigenicity of neuroblastoma cells.

Accumulated evidence suggests a major role for the activation of the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway in the development of neural crest stem cells that give rise to the sympathetic nervous system. We therefore investigated the involvement of SHH signaling in the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma, a common childhood malignant tumor of the sympathetic nervous system. Human neuroblastoma cell lines and a majority of primary neuroblastoma specimens showed high-level expression of the pathway targets and components, indicating persistent activation of the SHH pathway.

[Suppression of nicotinic ACh receptors-mediated currents by activation of Eph/Ephrin-B1 signaling involves Src tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase in ciliary ganglion neurons].

Recent studies showed that Eph/Ephrin tyrosine kinase family plays an important role in the development and functional maintenance of the nervous system, but its function in the sympathetic nervous system is still obscure. In the present study, we examined the effect of Eph/Ephrin-B1 signaling on the whole-cell currents mediated by either alpha7 or alpha3-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in acutly dissociated ciliary ganglion (CG) neurons. Firstly, we detected the effect of Ephrin-B1 on nAChRs currents.

Enhanced coagulation of ferric chloride aided by tannic acid for phosphorus removal from wastewater.

Phosphorus removal from wastewater is of great importance. In the present study, ferric chloride was selected as the coagulant, and tannic acid (TA), a natural polymer, as the coagulant aid to develop an effective coagulation process with the emphasis of phosphorus recovery from different types of wastewater. The results showed that TA can accelerate the settling speed by forming flocs with large size, reduce the residual Fe(III) to eliminate the yellow color caused by Fe(III), and slightly increase the phosphorus removal efficiency.

Enhanced ozonation of simulated dyestuff wastewater by microbubbles.

The ozonation of synthetic wastewater containing azo dye, CI Reactive Black 5, was investigated using a microbubble generator and a conventional bubble contactor. The microbubble generator produced a milky and high intensity microbubble solution in which the bubbles had a mean diameter of less than 58 microm and a numerical density of more than 2.9 x 10(4) counts ml(-1) at a gas flow rate of less than 0.

Biological wastewater treatment by a bioreactor with repeated coupling of aerobes and anaerobes aiming at on-site reduction of excess sludge.

Activated sludge has been widely used in wastewater treatment throughout the world. However, the biggest disadvantage of this method is the by-production of excess sludge in a large amount, resulting in difficulties in operation and high costs for wastewater treatment. Technological innovations for wastewater treatment capable of reducing excess sludge have thus become research topics of interest in recent years.