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• We found a correlation between asthma and Crohn's disease, whereas there seems to be no association with ulcerative colitis. However, this result is not yet robust and further research is needed. • The present study seems to further confirm the existence of gut-lung axis. • Clinicians should be aware of possible links between asthma and gut and assess for comorbidities. : Based on the findings of current observational studies, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) are associated; however, their causal association cannot be established due to methodological limitations. : we use two-sample bidirectional mendelian randomization (MR) to overcome the confounding factors and explore the causal link between asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. : After selecting asthma and IBD-related genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data and screening single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), MR analysis was performed by four methods: inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, maximum likelihood, and weighted median (WM), while Cochran's Q test was used to detect heterogeneity and MR-Egger intercept to detect horizontal pleiotropy. Finally, we used the leave-one-out method and funnel plot to perform sensitivity analysis. : We screened 57, 59, and 60 SNPs in the association analysis of asthma and IBD, CD, and UC, respectively. The results of MR analysis showed that asthma only increased the risk of CD (IVW: OR = 1.1712, 95% CI = 1.0418-1.3167, P value = 0.0082; maximum likelihood: OR = 1.1739, 95% CI = 1.0428-1.3215, P value = 0.0080). Neither forward nor reverse MR analysis revealed heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. Similarly, we did not find potential directional pleiotropy by funnel plot, and the leave-one-out method did not suggest a significant effect of a single SNP on the overall results. : we found a negative correlation between asthma and Crohn's disease, but more research is needed to confirm this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Ti/Zr/Hf)CoSb 0.8 Sn 0.2 compounds are promising p -type thermoelectric materials. In this work, excessive Ga and Co deficiencies were introduced into Ti 0.2 Hf 0.8 CoSb 0.8 Sn 0.2 compounds. The microstructure, electrical, and thermal transport properties were investigated in the temperature range of 300 K < T < 1000 K. The excessive Ga formed nanoinclusions with Ti and Sn at the grain boundaries. The Co deficiencies lowered the thermal conductivity and simultaneously improved the electrical conductivity. As a result, the power factor was enhanced to 3.2 mW/m K2, and the maximum Z.T. of ∼0.93 at 988 K was obtained in the Ti 0.2 Hf 0.8 Co 0.99 Sb 0.8 Sn 0.2 –0.01Ga sample, which is an increase of ∼48% compared to that of the pristine Ti 0.2 Hf 0.8 CoSb 0.8 Sn 0.2 sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports an effective and facile strategy for developing multifunctional nanoplatforms by the in situ doping of manganese metal into stellate mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Mn-SMSN). The resulting Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780 effectively integrated enhanced chemodynamic therapy (CDT) combined with tumor imaging in a single platform after additional loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and IR-780 iodide (IR-780) onto Mn-SMSN. Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780 demonstrated excellent in vitro efficacy in killing cancer cells and inhibiting cancer cell migration and invasion. Further mechanistic investigations demonstrated that Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780 effectively promoted the production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species to kill tumor cells. Moreover, Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780 efficiently delivered DOX and IR-780 into cells, indicating potential for chemodynamic therapy and tumor imaging. In summary, the developed Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780 integrated CDT and image guidance, which can provide insights for future biomedical research applications concerning efficient prostate cancer treatment. [Display omitted] • Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780 is developed by in situ doping of manganese metal into Mn-SMSN. • Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is integrated with tumor imaging by Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780. • This is achieved by loading of doxorubicin hydrochloride and IR-780 iodide onto Mn-SMSN. • Mn-SMSN@DOX-IR-780 promoted cytotoxic reactive oxygen species to kill tumor cells. • CDT and image guidance integration can provide insights for prostate cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia cytogenetics and molecular subtypes are connected with microRNAs, although it is unclear how miRNAs affect AML pathogenesis. miR-409–3p expression is downregulated in bone marrows, as we have previously demonstrated in our team. Nevertheless, the tumor-suppressing activities and molecular mechanisms of miR-409–3p remain unknown. Hence, in this study, we investigate at the functional significance of miR-409–3p in the development of AML. We found that a significant decrease in miR-409–3p expression was observed in THP-1 cell. The expression of miR-409–3p was altered in THP-1 by transfecting with agomiR-409–3p and agomiR-409–3p NC. A series of experiments showed that overexpression of miR-409–3p expression significantly suppressed proliferation and increased the apoptosis of THP-1. Moreover, Rab10 was confirmed as a direct target gene of miR-409–3p and was negatively modulated by miR-409–3p. Rab10 downregulation imitated the suppressed proliferation and increased the apoptosis of THP-1. Furthermore, miR-409–3p overexpression or Rab10 knockdown obviously down-regulated the expression levels of Bcl-2, but up-regulated Bax expression. In a xenograft mouse model, miR-409–3p-overexpressed THP-1 cells resulted in much less tumor weight and size in the mice bearing the cells as compared to the mock-transfected mice. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that miR-409–3p exerted tumor suppressor gene effects in AML by directly targeting Rab10, which might provide a promising therapeutic target for AML. [Display omitted] • miR-409–3p was downregulated and Rab10 was upregulated in THP-1 cells. • Rab10 was a target of miR-409–3p, and upregulation of miR-409–3p downregulated Rab10 mRNA and proteins levels. • miR-409–3p over-expression inhibited proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis, and inhibited AML tumor growth. • Rab10 knockdown inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis in THP-1 cells. • miR-409–3p inhibited the progression of AML via directly targeting Rab10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA are non-coding small RNAs that bind to their target mRNA and cause mRNA degradation or translation inhibition. MiRNA dysregulation is linked to a variety of human cancers and has a role in the genesis and development of cancer pathology. MiR-328 has been reported to be involved in various human cancers. And miR-328 is considered a key regulator in human cancer. It participates in biological processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, migration, and EMT. The present review will combine the basic and clinical studies to find that miR-328 promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis in human cancer. And we will describe the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic value of miR-328 in various human cancers. [Display omitted] • MiR-328 is differentially expressed in different types of cancer. • MiR-328 can target multiple different genes to regulate the biological functions of cancer cells. • MiR-328 can be regulated by lncRNAs and circRNAs and participates in multiple signaling pathways. • Targeting miR-328 could be a novel strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen production from electrochemical water splitting is a promising strategy to generating green energy, which requires development of efficient and stable bifunctional catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction (HER/OER). Herein, dual transition metal phosphides/N-doped carbon/Nickel foam composite (CoNiP/NC-NF) is prepared via direct phosphidation of ZIF-67, in which ZIF-67 can control the size and N-doping content of CoNiP/NC, boosting the bifunctional activities for the OER and HER. Then, the overall water splitting is performed by using CoNiP/NC-NF as the cathode and anode, showing a low cell voltage of 1.60 V to reach current density of 10 mA cm−2. Experimental studies indicate that ZIF-67 influences the electrocatalytic performance, and theoretical studies identify the active component of CoNiP/NC-NF for HER and OER, respectively. [Display omitted] • ZIF-67 based TMPs were prepared with good activities for the OER and HER. • The overall water splitting was applied using this material as the cathode and anode. • ZIF-67 influenced the electrocatalytic performance of OER and HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered TiS 2 is of great potential in thermoelectrics for room temperature and medium temperature applications due to its tunable transport properties, low environmental impact, low cost, and lightweight. Herein, we prepared Fe x TiS 2– δ with x varying from 0 to 0.05 through a two-step process, involving initial synthesis in sealed tubes followed by spark plasma sintering. Mössbauer spectroscopy indicated that Fe atoms occupy the octahedral sites in the van der Waals gaps and exist in the form of Fe2+ with a high spin state. Fe x TiS 2– δ with x ≤ 0.02 exhibit high in-plane power factors, reaching an average of ∼ 1.2 mWm–1K–2. The structural disorder caused by Fe intercalation leads to a significant decrease in out-of-plane lattice thermal conductivity. The anisotropy in the figure of merit, ZT , of Fe x TiS 2– δ is suppressed due to Fe intercalation. Fe 0.01 TiS 2– δ possesses the highest ZT of 0.39 at 625 K along the in-plane direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-substitution of Eu and Nb into insulating CaTiO 3 can make it a good n-type potential thermoelectric (TE) material. In the present work, solid solution compounds with the nominal composition Ca 0.8 Eu 0.2 Ti 1– x Nb x O 3– δ (x = 0.05, 0.08, 0.1, 0.12) were synthesized and sintered in different atmospheres, including argon (Ar) and forming gas (5 vol% H 2 in Ar). Notably, the different reduction effects of these atmospheres resulted in significant differences in phase formation, grain size, oxygen deficiency, and TE properties of the synthesized samples. Introducing additional electrons to the system by donor substitution of Ti with Nb leads to significant changes in the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. The most favorable TE performance of the prepared samples was found in the sample with x = 0.05, primarily attributed to its proper charge carrier concentration. This work highlights the crucial role of the sintering atmosphere in manipulating the TE performance of n-type CaTiO 3 -based ceramics, an effect similar to donor doping. [Display omitted] • Sintering atmospheres play a vital role in determining thermoelectric transport properties of titanate perovskites. • Nb is an efficient electron donor in the titanate perovskite system. • Tungsten carbide impurity can significantly enhance the thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is the infusion of blood or blood system. To explore the mechanism of TLR4-mediated T cell immune effect in TRALI. In this animal study, a mouse model of LPS-induced TRALI was established. Sixty adult C57/BL6 mice (wild-type, WT) were randomly divided into 5 groups: 1) normal WT type, 2) LPS control group of WT type lipopolysaccharide, 3) WT type TRALI group (LPS + MHC-I mAb), 4) (TLR4 antibody) lipopolysaccharide LPS control group, 5) (TLR4 antibody) TRALI group (LPS + MHC-I mAb). Mice were injected with LPS (0.1 mg/kg) and MHC-I mAb (2 mg/kg) into the tail vein. H&E staining was performed to detect pathological features. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the level of inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue homogenate supernatant were measured. Blood, spleen single-cell suspension, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected to detect the ratio of Treg and Th17 cells by flow cytometry. RT-PCR and WB were used to detect mRNA or protein expression. TLR4 mAb treatment alleviated the pathogenesis of LPS-induced TRALI in vivo, the MPO activity, and the level of proinflammatory factors in lung tissues. TLR4 exerted its function by changing of Treg/Th17 ratio via the SLIT2/ROBO4 signaling pathway and downregulating CDH5 and SETSIP. TLR4 mediates immune response in the LPS-induced TRALI model through the SLIT2/ROBO4 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures (HSs) is an effective method to tune the physical and chemical properties of 2D materials. Using first-principles calculations, we explore the photocatalytic activity of CdS/PtSSe HSs (CPHSs) including CdS/SPtSe HSs (CPHS(S)s) and CdS/SePtS HSs (CPHS(Se)s). The small lattice mismatches and the negative interface formation energies suggest that the CPHSs are feasible, and the small bandgaps guarantee the CPHSs to absorb sufficient visible light. The stacking configurations can hardly affect the electronic structures of CPHS(S)s and CPHS(Se)s, but the contact sides can switch CPHSs between type-I and type-II. The type-I CPHS(Se)s are potential candidates as light-emitting diodes. For the CPHS(S)s, the type-II band alignments promote the spatial separation of photogenerated carriers, and the induced built-in electric fields around the interface region also promote the separation of photoinduced carriers. In addition, the band edges of CPHS(S)s fulfill the thermodynamic requirements for photocatalytic water-splitting, and the solar-to-hydrogen efficiencies are up to 37.5%. All these factors prove the CPHS(S)s are highly efficient photocatalysts to split water. [Display omitted] • The electronic, optical, and photocatalytic properties of 2D CdS/PtSSe heterostructures are studied. • The CdS/PtSSe heterostructures could switch between type-I and type-II by the change of contact sides. • The CdS/SPtSe heterostructures are promising water-splitting photocatalysts with the solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 37.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cells are typically characterized by abnormal quality control of mitochondria, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), dysregulation of the cell redox state, and the Warburg effect. Mutation or depletion of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) or Parkin leads to mitophagy defects and accumulation of malfunctioning mitochondria, and is often detected in a variety of tumors. However, PINK1's role in the progression of gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear, with its main effect being on mitochondrial turnover, metabolic reprogramming, and tumor microenvironment (TME) alteration. To address these issues, we first assessed the expression levels of PINK1, mitophagy-associated molecules, ROS, HIF-1α, glycolysis-associated genes, and macrophage signatures in GC tissues and matched tumor-adjacent normal samples. In addition, GC cell lines (AGS and MKN-45) and xenograft mouse models were used to determine the mechanism by which PINK1 regulates mitophagy, metabolic reprogramming, tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) polarization, and GC progression. We found that PINK1 loss correlated with advanced stage GC and poorer overall survival. GC tissues with lower PINK1 levels showed compromised mitophagy signaling and enhanced glycolytic enzyme expression. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PINK1 deficiency promoted GC cell proliferation and migration through the inhibition of mitophagy, production of mitochondrial ROS, stabilization of HIF-1α, and facilitation of the Warburg effect under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Moreover, PINK1 deficiency in GC cells promoted TAM polarization toward the M2-like phenotype. Reintroduction of PINK1 or inhibition of HIF-1α effectively repressed PINK1 deficiency-mediated effects on GC cell growth, metabolic shift, and TAM polarization. Thus, mitophagy defects caused by PINK1 loss conferred a metabolic switch through accumulation of mtROS and stabilization of HIF-1α, thereby facilitating the M2 polarization of TAM to remodel an immunosuppressive microenvironment in GC. Our results clarify the mechanism between PINK1 and GC progression and may provide a novel strategy for the treatment of GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic SiCN nanocomposites modified with nanocellulose derived defect-rich carbon nanofibers (CNFs-SiCN) were developed by thermolysis of nanocelulose-polysilazane single-source precursors (SSPs). Multi-loss mechanisms (i.g. polarization loss and conductive loss) were established in the SiCN ceramic nanocomposites by employing the defect-rich structure of CNFs. Cole-Cole circle plots indicate that the CNFs-SiCN ceramics possess strong polarization capability due to the defect-rich structure of the CNFs. Dielectric loss values fitted by the Debye theory showed that the proportion of polarization loss reaches an unprecedented high value, accounting for 52.1% of the total dielectric loss. When the content of nanocellulose is 10 wt% of SSPs, the minimal reflection coefficient (RC min) and effective absorption bandwidth (EABs) of CNFs-SiCN ceramic can reach −36.3 dB and 3.0 GHz, respectively. This work may contribute new ideas for establishing multi-loss mechanisms in ceramic-based materials, finding a new application for nanocellulose, and shaping the design of novel absorbents. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and sustainable paper template-based method was developed for the fabrication of advanced niobium carbide (NbC)-based free-standing films for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding application. Through employing the porous structure of paper template, the simultaneous optimization of thickness, flexibility, density and shielding effectiveness (SE) of NbC-based films was facilely achieved. The pyrolytic carbon (PyC) derived from paper worked as a carbon source for the growth of the NbC phase. A hierarchically porous structure with a porosity of ∼80 vol % was established to optimize the flexibility and density of the resultant films. Adjusted heterogeneous NbC-PyC nano-interfaces were formed by controlling the amount of NbC and the remaining PyC phase in the films, which significantly improved the absorption capability of EM waves. At the highest NbC content, the film possesses shielding effectiveness of 50 and 86 dB when the sample thickness is ∼55 and ∼220 μm, respectively compared to 32 dB of pristine paper-derived PyC film (∼55 μm). These results provide guidance to explore more eco-friendly and commercially effective routes for the recycling of used paper through developing their application in the EM field. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a significant risk factor for development of gastric cancer (GC), one of the deadliest malignancies in the world. However, the mechanism by which H. pylori induces gastric oncogenesis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the function of IL-6 in gastric oncogenesis and macrophage-epithelial cell interactions. We analyzed publicly available datasets to investigate the expression of IL-6 and infiltration of M2 macrophages in GC tissues, and determine the inter-cellular communication in the context of IL-6. Human gastric epithelial and macrophage cell lines (GES-1 and THP-1-derived macrophages, respectively) were used in mono- and co-culture experiments to investigate autocrine-and paracrine induction of IL-6 expression in response to H. pylori or IL-6 stimulation. We found that IL-6 is highly expressed in GC and modulates survival. M2 macrophage infiltration is predominant in GC and drives an IL-6 mediated communication with gastric epithelium cells. In vitro , IL-6 triggers its own expression in GES-1 and THP-1-derived macrophages cells. In addition, these cell lines are able to upregulate each other's IL-6 levels in an autocrine fashion, which is enhanced by H. pylori stimulation. This study indicates that IL-6 in the tumor microenvironment is essential for intercellular communication. We show that H. pylori enhances an IL-6-driven autocrine and paracrine positive feedback loop between macrophages and gastric epithelial cells, which may contribute to gastric carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste plastics and electromagnetic radiation pollution have been two serious issues that largely affect our environment. How to solve them in a single approach is a social and scientific challenge. In this work, advanced Co/MnO@carbon nanotube composite (Co/MnO@CNTs) absorbents were prepared via pyrolysis-catalysis conversion of face masks as post-consumer plastic waste with multi-scale designed Co x Mn 3– x O 4 spinel pre-catalysts. The (nano)structure (e.g., MnO-carbon and Co-carbon hetero-interface), composition, and graphitic degree of the Co/MnO@CNTs absorbents were facilely controlled by varying the catalytic reaction temperature and the composition of spinel pre-catalysts. By constructing multi-loss mechanisms (e.g., magnetic loss, conductive loss, interface polarization loss, and defects-induced polarization loss), the largest effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of the Co/MnO@CNTs/wax composites can reach as wide as 5.28 GHz at a thickness of 1.7 mm. When the content of the Co/MnO@CNTs absorbents is 17 wt%, the EAB and minimal reflection loss (RL min) achieves 5.04 GHz and −38.1 dB, respectively. This work is based on a sustainable and cost-effective feedstock as well as an innovative method for the large-scale production of advanced CNTs-based materials in electromagnetic absorption application. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief and authors. Following the publication of the above article, the Editor was notified by a concerned reader that the authors supplied duplicated images. Specifically, that in Fig. 5 A, both FACS panels are identical and in Fig 5E, two different proteins (HK2 and PDK1) have the same western blot. After checking the data in relation with Fig. 5A and E, the authors have confirmed that the two pictures indeed have the problems of duplication. The authors reported that this problem came from the authors' unintentional behavior, which may be due to a copy and paste error in the manner of image processing. The authors sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our Editors and readers. Due to this duplication error, the authors and Editor have made the decision to retract this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) Z-scheme photocatalytic systems can usually achieve high catalytic efficiencies by separating the photoinduced carriers attend water redox reaction at different positions and providing much stronger overpotentials to drive water redox reaction. However, it is filled with challenges to develop Z-scheme photocatalysts (PCs) due to the strict requirement of proper band edge alignment and built-in electric field. Based on hybrid density functional, the photocatalytic properties of CdO/PtSSe heterojunctions (HJs) including CdO/SPtSe and CdO/SePtS HJs are investigated. The analysis of electronic structures, work functions, and charge transfer suggest the proper band alignments and the existence of built-in electric field from CdO to PtSSe, confirming the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism of CdO/SPtSe and CdO/SePtS HJs. The light absorption curves show that CdO/SPtSe and CdO/SePtS HJs could harvest sufficient solar light. Furthermore, both CdO/SPtSe and CdO/SePtS HJs can provide sufficient overpotentials to finish water redox reaction. These findings indicate that CdO/SPtSe and CdO/SePtS HJs are promising water-splitting PCs. • The small bandgaps promote the CdO/SPtSe and CdO/SePtS HJs to utilize sufficient solar light. • Both CdO/SPtSe and CdO/SePtS heterojunctions are both direct Z-scheme photocatalysts. • The heterojunctions could provide sufficient driving force to finish the HER and OER processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]