Construction of an MXene/MIL Fe-53/ZIF-67 derived bifunctional electrocatalyst for efficient overall water splitting.

Research on water splitting is paramount for developing low-carbon alternative energy sources. Nevertheless, creating an efficient, cost-effective, and bifunctional electrocatalyst that facilitates both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains an elusive goal. In this work, we report a novel hybrid nanostructured electrocatalyst by combining and pyrolyzing MXene, MIL-53(Fe), and ZIF-67.

Health Expenditures of Patients With Diabetes After Bariatric Surgery: Comparing Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) differ in their effects on body weight and risk for reoperation. However, it is unclear whether long-term health expenditures differ by procedure type in patients with diabetes.

Objective: To compare health expenditures 3 years before and 5.

Lattice-Doped Ir Cooperating with Surface-Anchored IrO for Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction with Ultralow Ir Loading.

Reducing iridium (Ir) loading while maintaining efficiency and stability is crucial for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this study, we develop a synthetic method of sequential electrochemical deposition and high-temperature thermal shock to produce an IrO/Ir-WO electrocatalyst with ∼1.75 nm IrO nanoparticles anchoring on Ir-doped WO nanosheets.

In-situ engineering of centralized mesopores and edge nitrogen for porous carbons toward zinc ion hybrid capacitors.

Porous carbons with large surface area (>3000 m/g) and heteroatom dopants have shown great promise as electrode materials for zinc ion hybrid capacitors. Centralized mesopores are effective to accelerate kinetics, and edge nitrogen can efficiently enhance pseudocapacitive capability. It is a great challenge to engineer centralized mesopores and edge nitrogen in large-surface-area porous carbons.

The Long-Term Immunity of a Microneedle Array Patch of a SARS-CoV-2 S1 Protein Subunit Vaccine Irradiated by Gamma Rays in Mice.

Background/objectives: COVID-19 vaccines effectively prevent severe disease, but unequal distribution, especially in low- and middle-income countries, has led to vaccine-resistant strains. This highlights the urgent need for alternative vaccine platforms that are safe, thermostable, and easy to distribute. This study evaluates the immunogenicity, stability, and scalability of a dissolved microneedle array patch (MAP) delivering the rS1RS09 subunit vaccine, comprising the SARS-CoV-2 S1 monomer and RS09, a TLR-4 agonist peptide.

Recombinant Anti-PF4 Antibodies Derived from Patients with Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT) Facilitate Research and Laboratory Diagnosis of VITT.

Background/objectives: Adenoviral vector-based vaccines against COVID-19 rarely cause vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT), a severe adverse reaction caused by IgG antibodies against platelet factor 4 (PF4). To study VITT, patient samples are crucial but have become a scarce resource. Recombinant antibodies (rAbs) derived from VITT patient characteristic amino acid sequences of anti-PF4 IgG are an alternative to study VITT pathophysiology.

High-Energy-Density Li-CO2 Battery at Elevated Temperatures: Advances with Fluorine-Substituted Graphdiyne and Ionic Liquid.

Li-CO2 batteries demonstrate promising prospects in terms of high-density energy storage and efficient CO2 fixation. However, their practical application is impeded by sluggish reaction kinetics and leakage of volatile and flammable organic electrolytes, especially for high temperature application scenarios, leading to large polarization and limited cycling stability. Herein, we fabricate a highly rechargeable and stable Li-CO2 battery with high temperature adaptability by employing fluorine-substituted graphdiyne (FGDY) as cathode catalysts and imidazolium-based ionic liquid as electrolyte solvents.

Enhanced Polysulfide conversion in Room-Temperature Sodium-Sulfur batteries via nanoscale TiO modified porous carbon structures.

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT Na-S) batteries, known for their high-energy density, low cost and environmental friendliness, have attracted much attention. However, the development of RT Na-S batteries has encountered a number of challenges, including low conductivity and large volume changes of sulfur during the charge-discharge cycles. In this study, TiO nanoparticles modified porous carbon hosts for sulfur in RT Na-S batteries were prepared by a simple and efficient spray drying method combined with solution immersion.

Commensal-derived tryptophan metabolites fortify the skin barrier: Insights from a 50-species gnotobiotic model of human skin microbiome.

The epidermal barrier defends the body against dehydration and harmful substances. The commensal microbiota is essential for proper differentiation and repair of the epidermal barrier, an effect mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). However, the microbial mechanisms of AHR activation in skin are less understood.

Decoding the Hume-Rothery Rule in a Bifunctional Tetra-metallic Alloy for Alkaline Water Electrolysis.

The 90-year-old Hume-Rothery rule was adapted to design an outstanding bifunctional tetra-metallic alloy electrocatalyst for water electrolysis. Following the radius mismatch principles, Fe (131 pm) and Ni (124 pm) are selectively incorporated at the Pd (139 pm) site of MoPd nanosheets. Analogously, Cu (132 pm) alloys with only Pd, while Ag (145 pm) alloys with both Pd and Mo (154 pm).

Dredging and sediment discharge in a river with floodplain. Physicochemical and microbiological effects in Paraná river.

Alterations caused by human activities in the environment, such as dredging, modify the physicochemical conditions and affect the habitat. Maintenance dredging that allows large vessels access to inland ports is a recurring disruptive action. The study aimed to evaluate, during a maintenance dredging operation in a port area of the Paraná River, the modifications in the structure of the river, the presence of contaminants and bacterial organisms.

Genome-wide association study identifies candidate genes affecting body conformation traits of Zhongwei goat.

Background: Identifying markers or genes crucial for growth traits in Zhongwei goats is pivotal for breeding. Pinpointing genetic factors linked to body size gain enhances breeding efficiency and economic value. In this study, we used the MGISEQ-T7 platform to re-sequence 240 Zhongwei goats (133 male; 107 female) belonging to 5 metrics of growth traits at different growth stages (40 days and 6 months, here in after referred to as 40d and 6 m), namely, Body Weight (BW), Body Height (BH), Body Length (BL), Chest Circumference (CC), Tube Circumference (TC) were examined.

Determinants of Racial and Ethnic Differences in Maternal Cardiovascular Health in Early Pregnancy.

Background: Suboptimal cardiovascular health (CVH) in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and offspring outcomes. To guide public health efforts to reduce disparities in maternal CVH, we determined the contribution of individual- and neighborhood-level factors to racial and ethnic differences in early pregnancy CVH.

Methods: We included nulliparous individuals with singleton pregnancies who self-identified as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black (NHB), or non-Hispanic White (NHW) and participated in the nuMoM2b cohort study (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be).

A Two-in-One Strategy to Simultaneously Boost the Site Density and Turnover Frequency of Fe-N-C Oxygen Reduction Catalysts.

Site density (SD) and turnover frequency (TOF) are the two fundamental kinetic descriptors that determine the oxygen reduction activity of iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) catalysts that represent the most promising alternatives to precious and scarce platinum. However, it remains a grand challenge to simultaneously optimize these two parameters in a single Fe-N-C catalyst. Here we show that treating a typical Fe-N-C catalyst with ammonium iodine (NHI) vapor via a one-step chemical vapor deposition process not only increases the surface area and porosity of the catalyst (and thus enhanced exposure of active sites) via the etching effect of the in situ released NH, but also regulates the electronic structure of the Fe-N-C moieties by the iodine dopants incorporated into the carbon matrix.

Lentivirus-mediated gene therapy for Fabry disease: 5-year End-of-Study results from the Canadian FACTs trial.

Background: Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder due to a deficiency of α-galactosidase A (α-gal A) activity. Our goal was to correct the enzyme deficiency in Fabry patients by transferring the cDNA for α-gal A into their CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). Overexpression of α-gal A leads to secretion of the hydrolase; which can be taken up and used by uncorrected bystander cells.

Efficacy of GABA aminotransferase inactivator OV329 in models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain without tolerance or addiction.

Dysregulation of GABAergic inhibition is associated with pathological pain. Consequently, enhancement of GABAergic transmission represents a potential analgesic strategy. However, therapeutic potential of current GABA agonists and modulators is limited by unwanted side effects.

Prussian Blue Analogues "Dressed" in MXene Nanosheets Tightly for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

MXenes, have been considered as a new generation anode material in lithium-ion batteries for lower lithium-ion diffusion barriers and superior conductivity. Unfortunately, their structures are prone to aggregation and stacking, hindering further shuttle of lithium ions and electrons, resulting in lower discharge capacity. Therefore, the introduction of interlayer spacers for the preparation of MXene-based hybrids has attracted much attention.

CASR, CLDN 14, ALPL & SLC34A1 genes are associated with the risk of nephrolithiasis in Egyptian children.

Backgrounds: The pathophysiology of nephrolithiasis is complex, influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Calcium is the most prevalent metabolite present in the stone matrix. Stimulating the basolateral calcium sensing receptor (CASR) in the renal tubules leads to an increase in claudin-14 expression, reducing paracellular calcium permeability and increasing urinary Ca excretion.

Binding the Power of Cycloaddition and Cross-Coupling in a Single Mechanism: An Unexpected Bending Journey to Radical Chemistry of Butadiynyl with Conjugated Dienes.

What if an experiment could combine the power of cycloaddition and cross-coupling with the formation of an aromatic molecule in a single collision? Crossed molecular beam experiments augmented with electronic structure and statistical calculations provided compelling evidence on a novel radical route involving 1,3-butadiynyl (HCCCC; X∑) radicals synthesizing (substituted) arylacetylenes in the gas phase upon reactions with 1,3-butadiene (CHCHCHCH; XA) and 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene; CHC(CH)CHCH; XA'). This elegant mechanism merges two previously disconnected concepts of cross-coupling and cycloaddition-aromatization in a single collision event via the formation of two new C(sp)-C(sp) bonds and bending the 180° moiety of the linear 1,3-butadiynyl radical out of the ordinary by 60° to 120°. In addition to its importance to fundamental organic chemistry, this unconventional mechanism links two previously separated routes of gas-phase molecular mass growth processes of polyacetylenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respectively, in low-temperature environments such as in cold molecular clouds like the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1) and in hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres of planets and their moons such as Titan, which revises the established understanding of low-temperature molecular mass growth processes in the Universe.

Racism and Postpartum Blood Pressure in a Multiethnic Prospective Cohort.

Background: Postpartum hypertension is a key factor in racial-ethnic inequities in maternal mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that experiences of racism, both structural and interpersonal, may contribute to disparities. We examined associations between gendered racial microaggressions (GRMs) during obstetric care with postpartum blood pressure (BP).

Controlled Structural Activation of Iridium Single Atom Catalyst for High-Performance Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis.

Iridium single atom catalysts are promising oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), as they can reduce the reliance on costly Ir in the OER catalysts. However, their practical application is hindered by their limited stability during PEMWE operation. Herein, we report on the activation of Ir-doped CoMnO in acidic electrolyte that leads to enhanced activity and stability in acidic OER for long-term PEMWE operation.

Biomedical Application Prospects of Gadolinium Oxide Nanoparticles for Regenerative Medicine.

Background/objectives: The aim was to study the possibilities of biomedical application of gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (GdO NPs) synthesized under industrial conditions, and evaluate their physicochemical properties, redox activity, biological activity, and safety using different human cell lines.

Methods: The powder of GdO NPs was obtained by a process of thermal decomposition of gadolinium carbonate precipitated from nitrate solution, and was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The redox activity of different concentrations of GdO NPs was studied by the optical spectroscopy (OS) method in the photochemical degradation process of methylene blue dye upon irradiation with an optical source.

Effects of Tai Chi Chuan on physical function and health in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the effects of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on physical function, hematological metabolic biomarkers, sleep quality, and mental health in breast cancer patients.

Methods: This was a prospective clinical trial that involved 37 breast cancer patients who had completed surgery treatment. Participants' motor function, hematological examination, and self-rated questionnaire were assessed at the baseline and after the intervention.

Antimicrobial polyketides from the endophytic fungus Fusarium asiaticum QA-6 derived from medicinal plant Artemisia argyi.

Seven previously undescribed polyketide derivatives, fusariumtides A-G (1-7), together with three known analogues (8-10), were isolated from the culture extract of Fusarium asiaticum QA-6, an endophytic fungus obtained from the fresh stem tissue of the medicinal plant Artemisia argyi H. Lev. & Vaniot.