Dual interfaces and confinements on FeN@FeO/VN heterojunction toward high-efficient lithium storage.

Ferroferric oxide (FeO) as an anode material of lithium-ion battery has been widely investigated due to its high theoretical capacity, environmental friendliness, natural abundance, and low cost. However, it suffers from severe aggregation and volume expansion during energy storage. Herein, we rationally construct an advanced FeN@FeO/VN heterostructure via a hydrothermal and followed nitridation process, where the wrapping of conductive FeN on the surface of FeO effectively improves the electron conductivity and alleviates the volume expansion, and VN inhibits the agglomeration of FeN@FeO.

Chronic stress promotes colorectal cancer progression by enhancing glycolysis through β2-AR/CREB1 signal pathway.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy worldwide, and chronic stress has been considered as a significant risk factor for CRC. However, the role of chronic stress in CRC progression is unclear. The present study showed that pre-exposure to chronic stress facilitated CRC tumor growth in mice, and epinephrine promoted CRC cell proliferation .

Endothelial METRNL determines circulating METRNL level and maintains endothelial function against atherosclerosis.

METRNL is a recently identified secreted protein with emerging functions. This study is to find major cellular source of circulating METRNL and to determine METRNL novel function. Here, we show METRNL is abundant in human and mouse vascular endothelium and released by endothelial cells using endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi apparatus pathway.

Regulating d-Band Center of Ti C MXene Via Nb Alloying for Stable and High-Efficient Supercapacitive Performances.

Ti C MXene with the lowest formula weight is expected to gain superior advantages in gravimetric capacitances over other heavier MXenes. Nevertheless, its poor chemical and electrochemical stability is the most fatal drawback and seriously hinders its practical applications. Herein, an alloy engineering strategy at the transition metal-sites of Ti C MXene is proposed.

Two-Dimensional Ordered Double-Transition Metal Carbides for the Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction.

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) provides a green and sustainable strategy as an alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. The development of electrocatalysts with low overpotential, high selectivity, and fast reaction kinetics remains a significant challenge. Here, density functional theory computations are carried out to systematically predict the prospect of 18 two-dimensional (2D) ordered double-transition metal carbides (MXenes) as NRR electrocatalysts.

Ginsenosides in cancer: A focus on the regulation of cell metabolism.

Metabolic alterations play a key role in promoting tumor initiation and progression, leading to extensive tumor heterogeneity and adaptability. Thus, targeting abnormal metabolic processes is a promising novel approach for cancer treatment. Numerous pharmacological studies have indicated that many traditional Chinese medicines possess remarkable antitumor activities.

Preliminary prediction of semen quality based on modifiable lifestyle factors by using the XGBoost algorithm.

Introduction: Semen quality has decreased gradually in recent years, and lifestyle changes are among the primary causes for this issue. Thus far, the specific lifestyle factors affecting semen quality remain to be elucidated.

Materials And Methods: In this study, data on the following factors were collected from 5,109 men examined at our reproductive medicine center: 10 lifestyle factors that potentially affect semen quality (smoking status, alcohol consumption, staying up late, sleeplessness, consumption of pungent food, intensity of sports activity, sedentary lifestyle, working in hot conditions, sauna use in the last 3 months, and exposure to radioactivity); general factors including age, abstinence period, and season of semen examination; and comprehensive semen parameters [semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive and total sperm motility, sperm morphology, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI)].

Distribution of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide after Intravenous Injection in Normal and Ischemic Stroke Mice.

Objective: This study determined for the first time the distribution of intravenous nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and its metabolite nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in normal and ischemic stroke mice, examined the therapeutic effect of NMN on ischemic brain infarction, and evaluated acute toxicity of NMN after intravenous injection of NMN.

Methods: NMN and NAD levels were determined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in biological samples from mice with or without middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) at different time points post intravenous NMN injection (300 mg/kg). Brain infarction was evaluated 24 h post-MCAO.

Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang ameliorates tumor growth in cancer comorbid depressive symptoms via modulating gut microbiota-mediated TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background: Depressive symptoms are thought to promote cancer development and depressive remission has been reported to be effective for defeating cancer. The herbal formula Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (XCHT), that has an anti-depressive efficacy, has been widely utilized in China. However, its anti-cancer effect and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Effects of the E1 activating enzyme UBA2 on porcine oocyte maturation, apoptosis, and embryonic development in vitro.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the E1 activating enzyme UBA2 on the expression of the SUMO-1 protein during in vitro maturation (IVM) of pig oocytes and embryonic development. In the 5 μg/ml UBA2 treatment group, the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and the embryo cleavage rate was significantly increased, while the proapoptotic gene Bax was significantly reduced. When 10 μg/ml UBA2 was added, the in vitro maturation rate, blastocyst rate, and SUMO-1 protein content of oocytes increased significantly (p < .

Effects of E2 binding enzyme UBC9 on porcine oocyte maturation, apoptosis and embryo development.

SUMOylation is a dynamic post-translational modification process. However, the function of small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs) in the maturation of porcine oocytes and embryo growth is not well known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of E2 binding enzyme UBC9 on the expression of SUMO-1 protein during the in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes and embryo development after in vitro fertilization.

Nur77-activated lncRNA WFDC21P attenuates hepatocarcinogenesis via modulating glycolysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77, which is low expressed in HCC, functions as a tumor suppressor to suppress HCC. However, the detailed mechanism is still not well understood.

The Role of Cell Growth-Related Gene Copy Number Variation in Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is a recurrent and refractory clinical endocrine disease. Some studies have shown that the incidence of AITD is not only related to iodine, a kind of environmental factor, but that susceptibility genes also play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Since research on susceptibility genes is still underway, the aims of this study were to assess the association between copy number variations (CNVs) and AITD, to identify genes related to susceptibility to AITD, and to explore the risk factors in the occurrence of AITD.

Copy Number Variation of Immune-Related Genes and Their Association with Iodine in Adults with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases.

Background: Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are complex conditions that are caused by an interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. Iodine is already known to be an environmental trigger for AITD, but genes associated with susceptibility need to be further assessed. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess the association between copy number variations (CNVs) and AITD, to identify genes related with susceptibility to AITD, and to investigate the interaction between iodine status and CNVs in the occurrence of AITD.

Association of TSHR Gene Copy Number Variation with TSH Abnormalities.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is secreted by the pituitary gland and promotes thyroid growth and function, with increased TSH levels typically associated with hypothyroidism. By consulting the literature, we found that the TSHR, PAX8, and PDE4B genes are associated with thyroid function. Recently, copy number variations (CNVs) have been used as genetic markers to investigate inter-individual variation.

Nuclear Receptor Nur77 Facilitates Melanoma Cell Survival under Metabolic Stress by Protecting Fatty Acid Oxidation.

Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is crucial for cells to overcome metabolic stress by providing ATP and NADPH. However, the mechanism by which FAO is regulated in tumors remains elusive. Here we show that Nur77 is required for the metabolic adaptation of melanoma cells by protecting FAO.

The application of serum iodine in assessing individual iodine status.

Context: The prevalence of thyroid disease in China is on the rise, and this could be partly associated with excessive iodine intake in some individuals; therefore, increased attention is being paid to individual iodine status. However, current indices are not appropriate for evaluating individual iodine status.

Objective: To evaluate the association between serum iodine and urinary iodine (UI), as well as thyroid diseases, and provide an excellent base for future individual iodine status assessment.

Neuroprotective Efficacy of an Aminopropyl Carbazole Derivative P7C3-A20 in Ischemic Stroke.

Aim: NAMPT is a novel therapeutic target of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a potential NAMPT activator, P7C3-A20, an aminopropyl carbazole derivative, on ischemic stroke.

Methods: In vitro study, neuron protection effect of P7C3-A20 was investigated by co-incubation with primary neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) or oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury.

Hepatic NAD(+) deficiency as a therapeutic target for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in ageing.

Background And Purpose: Ageing is an important risk factor of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, we investigated whether the deficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+) ), a ubiquitous coenzyme, links ageing with NAFLD.

Experimental Approach: Hepatic concentrations of NAD(+) , protein levels of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) and several other critical enzymes regulating NAD(+) biosynthesis, were compared in middle-aged and aged mice or patients.

Depletion of NAD pool contributes to impairment of endothelial progenitor cell mobilization in diabetes.

Objective: The impaired mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from bone marrow (BM) critically contributes to the diabetes-associated vascular complications. Here, we investigated the relationship between the nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT)-controlled nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism and the impaired mobilization of BM-derived EPCs in diabetic condition.

Methods: The NAMPT-NAD pool in BM and BM-derived EPCs in wild-type (WT) and diabetic db/db mice was determined.

Adipocyte Metrnl Antagonizes Insulin Resistance Through PPARγ Signaling.

Adipokines play important roles in metabolic homeostasis and disease. We have recently identified a novel adipokine Metrnl, also known as Subfatin, for its high expression in subcutaneous fat. Here, we demonstrate a prodifferentiation action of Metrnl in white adipocytes.

Discovery of Novel Inhibitors and Fluorescent Probe Targeting NAMPT.

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is a promising antitumor target. Novel NAMPT inhibitors with diverse chemotypes are highly desirable for development of antitumor agents. Using high throughput screening system targeting NAMPT on a chemical library of 30000 small-molecules, we found a non-fluorescent compound F671-0003 and a fluorescent compound M049-0244 with excellent in vitro activity (IC50: 85 nM and 170 nM respectively) and anti-proliferative activity against HepG2 cells.