Termination-acidity tailoring of molybdenum carbides for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction.

Transition-metal carbides have been advocated as the promising alternatives to noble-metal platinum-based catalysts in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction over half a century. However, the effectiveness of transition-metal carbides catalyzing hydrogen evolution in high-pH electrolyte is severely compromised due to the lowered proton activity and intractable alkaline-leaching issue of transition-metal centers. Herein, on the basis of validation of molybdenum-carbide model-catalyst system by taking advantage of surface science techniques, MoC micro-size spheres terminated by Al doped MoO layer exhibit a notable performance of alkaline hydrogen evolution with a near-zero onset-potential, a low overpotential (40 mV) at a typical current density of 10 mA/cm, and a small Tafel slope (45 mV/dec), as well as a long-term stability for continuous hydrogen production over 200 h.

The mechanisms of thermal processing techniques on modifying structural, functional and flour-processing properties of whole-grain highland barley.

The mechanisms underlying three thermal processing methods, namely hot-air drying, microwave irradiation, and heat fluidization, were systematically investigated to evaluate their effects on the structural, functional, and flour-processing properties of whole-grain highland barley. Starch granules were partially damaged when treated with hot-air drying and microwave irradiation. However, these granules were predominantly aggregated or encapsulated in proteins following heat fluidization.

Large-scale ecological infrastructures enhance the productivity of agro-socio-ecological systems by reducing soil erosion in the Loess Plateau.

Agro-socio-ecological systems are a crucial link connecting urbanization, agricultural development and environmental evolution. However, there is no effective research on realizing regional collaborative development and environmental governance of the agricultural social-system collaborative governance model, especially spatial differentiation governance. In this study, the region with the most severe soil erosion in the world was selected as the research area.

Exposure to air pollution and the risk of type II diabetes mellitus: a time-series study.

Background: Environmental factors have been identified as primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, studies on the association between environmental factors and T2DM have mainly focused on morbidity and mortality, which do not fully reflect the disease burden stemming from air pollution. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between air pollution and T2DM, including hospital length of stay (LOS) and costs.

Class B Scavenger Receptor CD36 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Inflammation Induced by Danger-Associated Molecular Patterns.

The class B scavenger receptor CD36 is known to bind and mediate the transport of lipid-related ligands and it functions as a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) for a variety of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. In this study, we assessed CD36's role as a PRR mediating pro-inflammatory effects of several known Danger-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) used either as a single preparation or as a combination of DAMPs in the form of total cell/skeletal muscle tissue lysates. Our data demonstrated that multiple DAMPs, including HMGB1, HSPs, histone H3, SAA, and oxPAPC, as well as cell/tissue lysate preparations, induced substantially higher (~7-10-fold) IL-8 cytokine responses in HEK293 cells overexpressing CD36 compared to control WT cells.

Nanobinders advance screen-printed flexible thermoelectrics.

Limited flexibility, complex manufacturing processes, high costs, and insufficient performance are major factors restricting the scalability and commercialization of flexible inorganic thermoelectrics for wearable electronics and other high-end cooling applications. We developed an innovative, cost-effective technology that integrates solvothermal, screen-printing, and sintering techniques to produce an inorganic flexible thermoelectric film. Our printable film, comprising BiTe-based nanoplates as highly orientated grains and Te nanorods as "nanobinders," shows excellent thermoelectric performance for printable films, good flexibility, large-scale manufacturability, and low cost.

Adiponectin receptor 1-mediated basolateral amygdala-prelimbic cortex circuit regulates methamphetamine-associated memory.

The association between drug-induced rewards and environmental cues represents a promising strategy to address addiction. However, the neural networks and molecular mechanisms orchestrating methamphetamine (MA)-associated memories remain incompletely characterized. In this study, we demonstrated that AdipoRon (AR), a specific adiponectin receptor (AdipoR) agonist, inhibits the formation of MA-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in MA-conditioned mice, accompanied by suppression of basolateral amygdala (BLA) CaMKIIα neuron activity.

M2 macrophages secrete CCL20 to regulate iron metabolism and promote daunorubicin resistance in AML cells.

Chemotherapy resistance is a significant clinical challenge in the treatment of leukemia. M2 macrophages have been identified as key contributors to the development of chemotherapy resistance in cancer, yet the precise mechanisms by which macrophages regulate this resistance remain elusive. Our study has identified CCL20 as a pivotal factor in the promotion of chemoresistance in AML cells by M2 macrophages.

T-2 toxin triggers depression-like behaviors via upregulation of dopamine transporter in nucleus accumbens of male mice.

The T-2 toxin is a frequent contaminant in the global environment and agricultural production. Existing evidence suggests that the ingested T-2 toxin can enter the brain and exhibit neurotoxicity. However, it is still unknown whether T-2 toxin causes the depression-like behaviors.

PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade in breast cancer: research insights and sensitization strategies.

Immunotherapy targeting programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and PD-L1 immune checkpoints has reshaped treatment paradigms across several cancers, including breast cancer. Combining PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with chemotherapy has shown promising efficacy in both early and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, although only a subset of patients experiences durable responses. Identifying responders and optimizing immune drug selection are therefore critical.

Optimizing biphoton generation via reconfigurable nonlinear waveguide arrays based on scattering tensor.

Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) plays a pivotal role in the field of quantum optics, especially in generating quantum entangled states. This study delves into utilizing the scattering tensor of nonlinear waveguide arrays to characterize the SPDC process and optimize its efficiency. By computing the pseudo-inverse of the third-order scattering tensor describing the nonlinear arrays for biphoton generation, we determine the optimal pump profile and array conditions that best approximate a desired output biphoton distribution.

Combined ANFIS and numerical methods to reveal the mass transfer mechanism of ultrasound-enhanced extraction of proteins from millet.

Millet protein, as a promising plant-based protein substitute source, is an excellent basis for essential amino acids compared to commonly consumed staple grains. Compared with the traditional extraction process, ultrasound has been used to enhance the extraction efficiency of various plant-based proteins. To reveal the mechanism of ultrasound-enhanced extraction of proteins, adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) algorithm and numerical simulation based on Fick's law were applied to illustrate the mass transfer behavior of millet proteins under different ultrasonic conditions including solid-liquid ratios (S/L ratios), pH and acoustic energy density levels (AED).

Changes in corneal curvature and astigmatism in senile cataract patients after phacoemulsification.

Purpose: Analysis of changes in corneal curvature and astigmatism after phacoemulsification for senile cataracts.

Methods: Retrospective collection of clinical data from patients who underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. The changes in total corneal curvature, anterior surface curvature, posterior surface curvature, and astigmatism were measured by the Sirius system.

Defect Engineering Advances Thermoelectric Materials.

Defect engineering is an effective method for tuning the performance of thermoelectric materials and shows significant promise in advancing thermoelectric performance. Given the rapid progress in this research field, this Review summarizes recent advances in the application of defect engineering in thermoelectric materials, offering insights into how defect engineering can enhance thermoelectric performance. By manipulating the micro/nanostructure and chemical composition to introduce defects at various scales, the physical impacts of diverse types of defects on band structure, carrier and phonon transport behaviors, and the improvement of mechanical stability are comprehensively discussed.

The benefit and risk of addition of chemotherapy to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors for EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases: a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials.

Background: Combining epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) with chemotherapy (ETC) offers more advantages for patients with EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than using EGFR TKIs alone (ET). However, whether this conclusion applies to patients with brain metastases (BM) remains controversial. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the benefits and risks of the two groups.

Inhibition of viability of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells by vialinin A under high glucose condition.

Aim: To investigate the effects of vialinin A on viability of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) under high glucose condition and its potential mechanism.

Methods: The HRECs were divided into four groups: normal glucose control group (NG, 5 mmol/L D-glucose), high glucose group (HG, 30 mmol/L D-glucose), HG+1 µmol/L vialinin A group, and HG+5 µmol/L vialinin A group. The cell viabilities were measured with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay for proliferation, with scratch assay for migration, and tube formation, for evaluation of the impact of vialinin A on cellular behaviour.

Bufalin induces ferroptosis by modulating the 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase (DECR1)-SLC7A11 axis in breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase (DECR1), an auxiliary component of beta-oxidation, has been recognized for its role in enhancing lipid peroxidation and inducing ferroptosis in prostate cancer. However, its involvement in breast cancer remains largely unexplored.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors: targeting epigenetic regulation in the treatment of acute leukemia.

Acute leukemia (AL) is a rare yet perilous malignancy. Currently, the primary treatment for AL involves combination chemotherapy as the cornerstone of comprehensive measures, alongside hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a radical approach. However, despite these interventions, mortality rates remain high, particularly among refractory/recurrent patients or elderly individuals with a poor prognosis.

Biomimetic polymeric nanoreactors with photooxidation-initiated therapies and reinvigoration of antigen-dependent and antigen-free immunity.

Immune cell-mediated anticancer modalities usually suffer from immune cell exhaustion and limited efficacy in solid tumors. Herein, the oxygen-carrying biomimetic nanoreactors (BNR2(O)) have been developed with photooxidation-driven therapies and antigen-dependent/antigen-free immune reinvigoration against xenograft tumors. The BNR2(O) composes polymeric nanoreactors camouflaged with cancer cell membranes can efficiently target homotypic tumors.

A circuit from lateral hypothalamic to dorsal hippocampal dentate gyrus modulates behavioral despair in mice.

Behavioral despair is one of the clinical manifestations of major depressive disorder and an important cause of disability and death. However, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying behavioral despair are poorly understood. In a well-established chronic behavioral despair (CBD) mouse model, using a combination of viral tracing, in vivo fiber photometry, chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulations, in vitro electrophysiology, pharmacological profiling techniques, and behavioral tests, we investigated the neural circuit mechanisms in regulating behavioral despair.

Understanding m6A changes in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and predicting patient outcomes survival.

N6-methyladenosine (mA) is a prevalent mRNA modification known for its implications in various cancer types, yet its role in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC) remains largely unexplored. In this study, we performed m6A-SEAL-seq and RNA-seq analyses on tissues from three chRCC subjects, aiming to uncover mA alterations in chRCC. Our findings revealed reduced expression levels of four mA regulators in chRCC tissues and highlighted differences in mA levels compared to normal tissues.