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A twice-walk strategy based on a three-dimensional (3D) cleatequipped DNA walking machine with a high signal amplification efficiency was investigated for ultrasensitive detection of miRNA. Impressively, addition of duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) just once drove the twice-walk strategy, making the strategy simpler. With the advantages of being simple, rapid and ultrasensitive, the biosensor offers potential for use in early clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aphids and Sclerotinia stem rot in oilseed rape are often studied in isolation, and their relationship is rarely explored. Our field studies have revealed a significant positive correlation between the number of aphids and the incidence of Sclerotinia stem rot. Hence, starting with the colonizing stages of the two pests, Breveroryne brassicae was assessed for its potential to acquire, transmit, and inoculate Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by being sprayed with an ascospore suspension. Moreover, distinctions in aphid feeding behavior were examined between aphids on inoculated/uninoculated winter and spring oilseed rape plants or aphids, both with and without S. sclerotiorum ascospores, using electropenetrography (EPG). The results showed that aphid feeding followed by dropping ascospore suspension significantly increased the incidence of S. sclerotiorum. Ascospores were able to adhere to aphids and were carried by aphids to healthy plants, causing disease. The results of the EPG analysis indicated that aphid feeding behavior was significantly altered in all leaf tissue levels following infection with S. sclerotiorum. Specifically, aphids initiated their first puncture significantly sooner, began probing mesophyll cells earlier, had a significantly shorter pathway duration, and secreted saliva more frequently but reduced salivation prior to feeding and ingestion compared to aphids feeding on uninfected oilseed rape. Additionally, the feeding behavior of aphids carrying ascospores was markedly different from that of aphids not carrying ascospores, implying that ascospores directly influence aphid feeding behavior but that this influence appeared to be beneficial only for S. sclerotiorum infection. Aphids carrying ascospores started to puncture cells more quickly, with a significant increase in the frequency and duration of short probes and cell punctures, shortened pathway durations, and reduced salivation before feeding compared to aphids not carrying ascospores. It is clear that there is an interaction between aphids and S. sclerotiorum. The impact of S. sclerotiorum on aphid feeding behavior is directional, favoring the spread of the fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoride is a common pollutant from nature, normal life, and production. Adsorption, electro-adsorption, and precipitation are dominant mechanisms corresponding to the adsorption and electro-adsorption technologies for removing fluoride. This paper presents Ti 3 AlC 2 as an effective reagent for removing fluoride under acidic conditions. The adsorption mechanisms of adsorption and electro-adsorption were compared to sedimentation at pH 2 and 1, leading to a higher removal rate of adsorption by pH 2 than at pH 1. The adsorptive behavior of Ti 3 AlC 2 with fluoride includes both multilayer sorption and chemisorption. Furthermore, the precipitation reaction induced a partial change of Ti 3 AlC 2 to MXene. Notably, electro-adsorption was more effective rather than sedimentation at pH 1 in capacitive deionization technology. The Al adsorption sites made it easier to combine fluoride than Ti, and aluminum fluoride was easier to produce than titanium (III) fluoride. These adsorption and electro-adsorption experiments were carried out to elucidate and delineate the performance of Ti 3 AlC 2 for removing fluoride. A molecular model of Ti 3 AlC 2 was also built to calculate adsorption using the density functional theory. Hence, the Ti 3 AlC 2 molecular model combined with XPS and other characterizations of materials provided an effective, easy-to-understand combinative mechanism for removing fluoride. [Display omitted] • Ti 3 AlC 2 was applied to remove fluoride. • The removal of fluoride was investigated by comparison of adsorption and electro-adsorption. • Different ratios of reaction mechanisms were analyzed by adsorption and electro-adsorption. • The reaction mechanisms were studied by combining experiments and density functional theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of subcutaneous Lixisenatide on body weight in patients with type 2 DM, remain inadequately understood; consequently, this systematic review and meta -regression analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the influence of subcutaneous Lixisenatide administration on BW and BMI values in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases, spanning from their inception to February 2023. We computed effect sizes employing the random-effects model and reported results in terms of weighted mean differences (WMD) along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). 23 articles with 26 RCT arms were included in the meta -analysis. The combined findings from a random-effects model demonstrated a significant reduction in body weight (WMD: −0.97 kg, 95 % CI: −1.10, −0.83, p < 0.001) and BMI (WMD: −0.48 kg/m2, 95 % CI: −0.67, −0.29, P < 0.001) after subcutaneous administration of Lixisenatide. Furthermore, a more pronounced reduction in body weight was discovered in RCTs lasting less than 24 weeks (WMD: −1.56 kg, 95 % CI: −2.91, −0.20, p < 0.001), employing a daily dosage of subcutaneous Lixisenatide lower than 19 µg per day (WMD: −1.94 kg, 95 % CI: −2.54, −1.34, p < 0.001) and with a mean participant age of 60 years or more (WMD: −1.86 kg, 95 % CI: −3.16, −0.57, p = 0.005). Lixisenatide was found to significantly decrease BW and BMI in patients with type 2 DM and could be considered as a therapeutic option for those suffering from weight gain caused by other anti-diabetic agents. However, while prescribing Lixisenatide, careful consideration of patient-specific factors is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to these phenomena about intercalation and deintercalation lithium-ion, thermal expansion, and external pressure in lithium-ion batteries, the interior separators are often subjected to compression stress. In this study, we have designed a novel model based on the Thiessen Polygon, which is used to describe 3D porous structure of polyethylene (PE) separator. It can simulate the structure evolution of separator during compression. The simulation results show that when the compression stress is up to 60 MPa, the thickness of the separator decreases by nearly 50%, and the porosity decreases from 42.6% to 10%, which severely affects the ionic transmission performance. Additionally, the separator with changed porosity structure under different compression conditions was applied to the electrochemistry-thermal model to simulate the discharge process of the battery. As results, it is found that the discharge capacity is significantly reduced and the temperature is increased due to the structural variation of the separator caused by compression stress. This study develops a novel mechanical model which can be used in the simulation of separator compression process, and involves the simulation of multiple physical fields. And it successfully correlates the mechanical properties of separator with its battery performance. • A novel mechanical model of the PE separator has been developed. • The structure evolution of separator during compression has been simulated. • Compressed separator causes degradation of the battery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective synthetic approach for various 1,2,2-triarylethanones from triaryl substituted alkenes has been developed via an electrochemical Wacker-type oxygenation with O2 as the sole oxygen source. It presents the first instance of the Wacker-type oxidation expanding its substrate scope to trisubstituted alkenes. The approach is transition-metal-free, compatible with various functional groups, and can be carried out under mild conditions resulting in satisfactory yields. Mechanistic experiments suggest the C＝O bond formation occurs through reactions between cationic carbon species and the superoxide radical, which involves the 1,2-shift of the electron-rich substituent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]