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The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Semaglutide on intrauterine adhesions and discover new drugs for such adhesions. In this study, the cell model was simulated by TGF-β1-induced human endometrial epithelial cells, and the animal model was established through mechanical curettage and inflammatory stimulation. After co-culturing with TGF-β1 with or without different concentrations of Semaglutide for 48 h, cells were collected for RT-qPCR and Western blotting analyses. Three doses were subcutaneously injected into experimental mice once a day for two weeks, while the control group received sterile ddH2O. The serum and uterine tissues of the mice were collected. HE and Masson staining were used for the uterine histomorphological and pathological analyses. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used for mRNA and protein expression analyses. Serum indicators were detected using ELISA kits. The results showed that Semaglutide significantly reduced the mRNA levels of fibrosis indicators ACTA2, COL1A1, and FN and inflammatory indicators TNF-α, IL-6, and NF-κB in the two models. Semaglutide improved endometrium morphology, increased the number of endometrial glands, and reduced collagen deposition in IUA mice. The results also showed that Semaglutide could inhibit vimentin, E-Cadherin, and N-Cadherin in the two models. In summary, Semaglutide can ameliorate fibrosis and inflammation of intrauterine adhesions as well as inhibit epithelial–mesenchymal transition in IUA models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient, stable, and economic electrocatalysts are key to the large-scale application of electrochemical energy conversion. Porous carbon-based non-precious metal electrocatalysts are considered to be the most promising materials to replace Pt-based catalysts, which are limited in large-scale applications due to high costs. Because of its high specific surface area and easily regulated structure, a porous carbon matrix is conducive to the dispersion of active sites and mass transfer, showing great potential in electrocatalysis. This review will focus on porous carbon-based non-precious metal electrocatalysts and summarize their new progress, focusing on the synthesis and design of porous carbon matrix, metal-free carbon-based catalysts, non-previous metal monatomic carbon-based catalyst, and non-precious metal nanoparticle carbon-based catalysts. In addition, current challenges and future trends will be discussed for better development of porous carbon-based non-precious metal electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition and lifestyle have a great impact on reproduction and infertility in humans, as they are essential for certain processes such as implantation, placental growth, angiogenesis, and the transfer of nutrients from the mother to the fetus. The aim of this review is to provide the interconnection between nutrition and reproductive health through the insight of omics approaches (including metabolomics and nutrigenomics). The effect of various macronutrients, micronutrients, and some food‐associated components on male and female reproduction was discussed. Recent research work was collected through database search from 2010 to 2020 to identify eligible studies. Alterations of metabolic pathways in pregnant women were deliberated with an emphasis on different strategies of lifestyle and dietary interventions. Several nutritional methods, which are important for embryonic and child neurological development, nutritional supplements to lactation, and improved gestational length along with birth weight have been emphasized. Considerable advances in omics strategies show potential technological development for improving human reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Developing cost-effective and stable non-noble electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is now the critical issue for large-scale application of zinc-air batteries. Here, we presented a simple method to synthesize highly dispersed cobalt manganate spinel nanodots in-situ embedded in amine-functionalized carbon black. Silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) played dual roles in the preparation: (1) to achieve amine-functionalization of carbon support; (2) as weak alkali to precipitate metal hydroxides which were then converted to spinel nanodots after mild calcination. The hydrophilicity of the carbon substrate was enhanced by amine modification from APTES to disperse metal oxide evenly, and the electrochemical activity was promoted through the strong interface interaction between embedded spinel nanodots and carbon substrate during the calcination process. As expected, the CoMn 2 O 4 /C-NH 2 -300 catalyst exhibited satisfactory bifunctional catalytic performance for both ORR and OER with an ΔE (E 1/2 -E j10) = 0.75 V, which was lower than most state-of-the-art catalysts. In addition, CoMn 2 O 4 /C-NH 2 -300 as a cathode also exhibited remarkable zinc-air battery performance in alkaline solution. This strategy of APTES as a bifunctional coupling agent provided a novel way to design and explore highly active, durable, and cost-effective catalysts for renewable energy conversion and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formic acid (FA) as a safe and promising hydrogen carrier has attracted widespread attention. The use of solid catalysts in the controllable and efficient dehydrogenation of FA is still a challenge. Here, a series of Au nanoclusters supported on rare earth metal doped ZrO2 catalysts (Au/ReZrO2 (Re = Nd, Ce and Sm)) was prepared. Doping rare earth metals in zirconia stabilizes the mixed-phase zirconia into the tetragonal phase. Meanwhile, the rare earth metal dopants can promote the formation of oxygen vacancies in zirconia, which promotes charge transfer from the support to Au and enhances the metal–support interaction on all the three catalysts. As a result, Au/ReZrO2 (Re = Nd3+, Ce3+ and Sm3+) catalysts exhibited better catalytic performance in the liberation of CO-free H2 from FA, outperforming Au supported on primary ZrO2. Structural and electronic characterization by XPS and H2-TPR further confirmed the contribution of doping rare earth metal cations in Au/ReZrO2, which can enhance the metal–support interaction and accelerate the decomposition of HCOOH into H2, thus resulting in the improvement in catalytic activity for hydrogen production from FA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni nanoparticles were encapsulated in the channel of titanate nanotubes (TNTs) by the capillary forces under ultrasonic treatment (Ni@TNTs). The structure and properties of the catalyst were studied by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H 2 -temperature programmed reduction (H 2 -TPR), CO chemisorption and N 2 adsorption–desorption, respectively. The TEM, EDX and N 2 adsorption–desorption results demonstrated that Ni nanoparticles (NPs) were encapsulated in the channel of TNTs successfully. The results of XRD, H 2 -TPR and XPS indicated a strong metal-support interaction between Ni NPs and TNTs. Ni@TNTs exhibited a good catalytic performance for the decomposition of hydrous hydrazine which was due to the small nanoparticle size and high dispersion of Ni NPs after encapsulation in the channel of TNTs. The catalyst could be recycled six times without significant loss in catalytic activity, which was attributed that the confinement of TNTs prevents Ni NPs from leaching or aggregation. The design strategy for NPs confined in nanotubes may have potential applications in many heterogeneous reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noble-metal-free Ni nanoparticles without support and surfactant were prepared by H 2 reduction of triangular Ni(HCO 3 ) 2 nanosheets obtained by a hydrothermal method and used in the catalytic hydrogen generation from hydrous hydrazine. The structure, morphology and element valence were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results demonstrate that, after reduction at 250 °C, Ni nanoparticles are formed with uniform and relatively small size (25 nm), which exhibit excellent catalytic performance and 100% selectivity to H 2 for the decomposition of hydrous hydrazine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association of pathological features of cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenomas (ACAs) with somatic driver mutations and their molecular classification remain unclear. In this study, we explored the association between steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) expression and the driver mutations activating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling to identify the pathological markers of ACAs. Immunohistochemical staining for StAR and mutations in the protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha (PRKACA), protein kinase cAMP-dependent type I regulatory subunit alpha (PRKAR1A) and guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha stimulating (GNAS) genes were examined in 97 ACAs. The association of StAR expression with the clinical and mutational features of the ACAs was analyzed. ACAs with mutations in PRKACA, GNAS, and PRKAR1A showed strong immunopositive staining for StAR. The concordance between high StAR expression and mutations activating cAMP/PKA signaling in the ACAs was 99.0%. ACAs with high expression of StAR had significantly smaller tumor volume (P < 0.001) and higher urinary cortisol per tumor volume (P = 0.032) than those with low expression of StAR. Our findings suggest that immunohistochemical staining for StAR is a reliable pathological approach for the diagnosis and classification of ACAs with cAMP/PKA signaling-activating mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Radiotherapy promotes the binding of CDK2 and TRIM32, thus leading to increased CDK2-dependent phosphorylation of TRIM32 at serines 328 and 339. • Cis-trans isomerization of TRIM32 recruit PIN1, which resulting in importin α3 binding to TRIM32 and contributing to its nuclear translocation. • Nuclear TRIM32 inhibits TC45-dephosphorylated STAT3, Leading to increased transcription of STAT3 and radioresistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). • Regulating the CDK2/TRIM32/STAT3 pathway is a promising strategy for reducing radioresistance in TNBC, which is important for TNBC therapy. Despite radiotherapy being one of the major treatments for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), new molecular targets for its treatment are still required due to radioresistance. CDK2 plays a critical role in TNBC. However, the mechanism by which CDK2 promotes TNBC radioresistance remains to be clearly elucidated. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between CDK2 and TRIM32 and the regulation mechanism in TNBC. We performed immunohistochemical staining to detect nuclear TRIM32, CDK2 and STAT3 on TNBC tissues. Western blot assays and PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA level changes. CRISPR/Cas9 used to knock out CDK2. shRNA-knockdown and transfection assays also used to knock out target genes. GST pull-down analysis, immunoprecipitation (IP) assay and in vitro isomerization analysis also used. Tumorigenesis studies also used to verify the results in vitro. Herein, tripartite motif-containing protein 32 (TRIM32) is revealed as a substrate of CDK2. Radiotherapy promotes the binding of CDK2 and TRIM32, thus leading to increased CDK2-dependent phosphorylation of TRIM32 at serines 328 and 339. This causes the recruitment of PIN1, involved in cis–trans isomerization of TRIM32, resulting in importin α3 binding to TRIM32 and contributing to its nuclear translocation. Nuclear TRIM32 inhibits TC45-dephosphorylated STAT3, Leading to increased transcription of STAT3 and radioresistance in TNBC. These results were validated by clinical prognosis confirmed by the correlative expressions of the critical components of the CDK2/TRIM32/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our findings demonstrate that regulating the CDK2/TRIM32/STAT3 pathway is a promising strategy for reducing radioresistance in TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beta zeolite, a crystal material with a three-dimensional twelve-ring cross-channel structure, has many advantages, such as high Brønsted acid concentration, high Si/Al ratio, thermal/hydrothermal stability, and large surface area. Due to these advantages, beta zeolite shows excellent catalytic performance in petroleum refining and petrochemical processes. However, traditionally microporous beta zeolite has strong steric hindrance and diffusion restrictions, which hinder large molecules from passing through its internal channels. In addition, carbon deposition occurs, resulting in catalyst deactivation. The main strategy to solve this problem is to prepare nanosized or hierarchical beta zeolites, which allow for large molecule conversion and shortening diffusion pathways. Therefore, researchers have explored different synthesis strategies to prepare beta zeolite with different particle sizes and porosities to obtain better zeolite catalysts. This paper briefly describes the recent research progress in the preparation of nanosized and hierarchical beta zeolite. Additionally, the mechanisms of various preparation methods, structural characteristics, and applications of the materials are introduced in detail. Furthermore, the main problems existing in its industrial application are describing by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods to prepare optimally nanosized and hierarchical zeolite to meet the requirements of industrial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submicron-sized low-silica SAPO-34 zeolite crystals with the hierarchical hollow structure are synthesized using a micron-sized SPAO-34 seed activation method hydrothermal synthesis in a low silica gel that contains triethylamine and polyethylene glycol. The resulting catalysts were characterized by XRD analysis, SEM, TEM, BET surface area analysis, etc.; The ~ 600–800 nm SAPO-34 crystals show superior MTO reaction performance of 10 h catalytic lifetime and enhanced olefins (C2H4 + C3H6) selectivity of 91.0%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mutually coupled dual three-phase switched reluctance motor (DTPSRM) is a new type of special 12/8 SRMs, which possesses high-reliability and fault-tolerant feature. In the past researches, the model, analysis, and fault-tolerant operation were mainly focused on the classical single three- and four-phase SRMs. This paper is mainly to analyze and investigate the fault-tolerant performances of a 12/8-pole mutually coupled DTPSRM drive under various open-circuit operations. First, the static magnetic characteristics of DTPSRM with single- and two-phase excitations are calculated by finite-element analysis. Then, the mathematic model of the DTPSRM drive under open-circuit condition is developed with a combination of state and fault functions. The simulation model of the DTPSRM drive system with a fault-tolerant control strategy is established for dynamic analysis. The faulty characteristics and fault-tolerant performances of the DTPSRM with diverse open circuits are predicted. Finally, a 12/8 DTPSRM is prototyped and an experimental setup is built for verification. The experimental normal results and diverse open-circuit operations and self-starting capability under lack of phases are presented, validating the accuracy of the analysis and simulation as well as fault-tolerant characteristics of the DTPSRM drive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are of paramount importance for electrochemical energy applications. Herein, a high-efficient carbon-based trifunctional electrocatalyst FeCoP/C is synthesized through a simple one-step supramolecular-assisted method, in which a supramolecular gel structure is formed by phosphoric acid and melamine to allow the efficient and homogeneous incorporation of highly active species. Experimentally, the as-obtained catalysts exhibit practical trifunctional activities in the ORR, OER, and HER. In alkaline electrolytes, requiring overpotentials of 95 and 282 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER, respectively, and presents the significantly increased alkalic ORR activity, with the half-wave potential of 0.849 V. Furthermore, the FeCoP/C also showed good integrated capabilities for Zn-air batteries. This supramolecular-assisted strategy could bring new inspiration to boost the electrocatalytic performance of transition metal-based electrocatalysts for energy conversion applications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hierarchically porous silica (NKM-5) was synthesized by the polyelectrolyte-surfactant mesomorphous complex templating method, and the NKM-5 was used as the carrier to load different amounts of ceria to prepare x Ce/NKM-5 samples (x represents the CeO 2 loading amount) by the impregnation method, and then supported Pt to prepare Pt/ x Ce/NKM-5 catalyst for toluene catalytic combustion. NKM-5 sample has excellent specific surface area and pore structure, with the increase of CeO 2 loading amount, the specific surface area and pore volume of x Ce/NKM-5 sample decreased gradually. As the CeO 2 loading amount increased, XRD and TEM characterization showed that the Pt dispersion of Pt/ x Ce/NKM-5 catalyst increased; XPS results showed that the proportion of Pt0 decreased and the proportion of Ce3+ increased; H 2 -TPR characterization showed that the reducibility increased; and the interaction between Pt and CeO 2 increased gradually. The toluene catalytic combustion activity of Pt/ x Ce/NKM-5 catalyst first increased and then decreased with the increase of CeO 2 loading amount. Pt/30Ce/NKM-5 catalyst has the most excellent catalytic activity with 50% toluene conversion at 174 °C and 90% conversion at 195 °C, which is the result of the synergy effect of the hierarchical pore structure of the support and the metal-support interaction between Pt and CeO 2. • Hierarchically porous silica supported ceria and platinum nanoparticles catalysts were prepared. • The addition of ceria promoted the Pt dispersion, reducibility, and metal-support interaction of the catalysts. • The toluene catalytic combustion activity of Pt/ x Ce/NKM-5 catalyst first increased and then decreased. • Pt/30Ce/NKM-5 catalyst has the most excellent catalytic activity of toluene and outstanding thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pseudo-boehmite with different crystal plane orientations. • Gamma spherical alumina with low surface hydroxyl content. • Gamma spherical alumina with more AlO 4 species. • Gamma spherical alumina had high crystallinity. • Gamma spherical alumina displsyed high hydrothermal stability. Porous spherical γ-alumina supports play the key role in the petroleum reforming industry with strict requirement in hydrothermal stability of pore structure. Here, a series of pseudo-boehmite samples with different crystal orientations were synthesized in a separate nucleation and aging steps method by adjusting the rotating speed. The pseudo-boehmite (PB-1000) at 1000 rpm yields a high (0 2 0) plane proportion of 44.52 %, which is comparable with that of 43.91 % for the Sasol Boehmite (SB) powder. The Al 2 O 3 -1000 from the PB-1000 demonstrated the highest content of γ-Al 2 O 3 phase, the lowest surface hydroxyl number of 1.56/nm2, and the highest hydrothermal stability with the retention rate of 75.0 % (174 m2·g−1) at 600 °C under water vapor for 120 h, which is comparable to that of 72.3 % (191 m2·g−1) for the Sasol sample. It is the first time to investigate hydrothermal stability of alumina from the content of γ-Al 2 O 3 phase and the surface hydroxyl groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Pd NPs can be anchored and stabilized by the pyridine N atoms of g-C 3 N 4. • Triazine unit of g-C 3 N 4 is beneficial to catalyse Knoevenagel condensation reaction. • Confinement effect of nanotubes concentrates the reactants. • Pd/triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs shows excellent catalytic activity in tandem reaction. Abstract Pd nanoparticles (NPs) were immobilized within triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 nanotubes (NTs) to obtain a novel bifunctional catalyst, which was used as an efficient catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation-reduction tandem reaction. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that Pd NPs were successfully immobilized within triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs. The base amounts of the catalysts were determined by CO 2 temperature programmed desorption (CO 2 -TPD). The textural and morphology of Pd/triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs were characterized by N 2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electronic micrograph (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and CO adsorption. The characterization results indicated that Pd NPs were mainly immobilized on the inner surface of triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs. Pd/triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs showed excellent catalytic performance in the tandem reaction, in which the conversion of benzaldehyde and selectivity to benzylmalononitrile were 100% and 99.2%, respectively. The result was attributed to the high base amounts (especially -NH 2 and -NH groups) and the high catalytic activities of Pd NPs within Pd/triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs. Furthermore, the high catalytic activity of Pd/triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs is also attributed to the confinement effect of the nanotube structure. The structure of nanotube not only tune the Pd particle size of the catalysts, but also provide spatial restriction on metal catalyst encapsulated in their channels, which hampered particles aggregation during the reaction, thus maintaining good catalytic activity and stability. Moreover, the anchor and stabilization effects of pyridine N atoms of triazine-based g-C 3 N 4 NTs inhibited the aggregation and the leak of active sites, thereby achieving a good catalytic recyclability with almost unchanged catalytic activity for more than eight times in the tandem reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]