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Solar interfacial evaporation (SIE) is an eco-friendly and sustainable technology for addressing water pollution and freshwater scarcity. However, treating wastewater containing volatile organic compounds and heavy metal ions with a single SIE method is inefficient. The combination of adsorption, coagulation, and evaporation process provides an alternative solution for treating this type of wastewater. In this study, activated carbon powder (C) is introduced as an adsorbent and an integral part of photothermal conversion material, which is coagulated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) through a mold press process to fabricate PVA/C/PEG composite hydrogels. The volatile organic compounds and heavy metal ions in the wastewater are adsorbed by the activated carbon powder and the wastewater is then further purified into freshwater through SIE. This stepwise "adsorption first, then coagulation and evaporation" method can not only rapidly remove pollutants from the raw water, but also provides a much higher removal efficiency than the adsorption-evaporation synergetic process. This work demonstrates a successful attempt to utilize the SIE method for treating wastewater containing volatile organic compounds and heavy metal ions. [Display omitted] • The treatment process is focused on sewage containing VOCs and heavy metal ions. • A three-step treatment method of adsorption, coagulation, evaporation is designed. • Activated carbon has high adsorption efficiency for some VOCs and heavy metals. • Polymer solution composite method endows PVA/C/PEG with a high water supply rate. • PVA/C/PEG reaches 1.813 kg m−2 h−1 water evaporation rate under 1 sun for 7 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the incidence of symptoms related to brachial plexus neuropathy (BPN) and the dose distribution to the brachial plexus (BP) in patients with breast cancertreated with supraclavicular (SCV) irradiation and boost. In this study, 117 patients with initial ipsilateral supraclavicular lymph node (SLN) metastasis and 39 with recurrent SLN metastasis between 2008 and 2018 in our cancer center were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with 50 Gy of SCV irradiation in 25 fractions and a boost (median dose, 10 Gy; range, 10-16 Gy) to involved nodes in the SCV area. Symptoms related to BPN (including ipsilateral arm numbness, pain, and weakness) were recorded and graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. The BP was delineated on simulation computed tomography, and the dose distributions to the BP were evaluated. Meanwhile, 297 patients treated with SCV irradiation without boost during the same period were identified as a control group to compare the incidences of BPN-related symptoms and dosimetric data with patients who received an SCV boost. The 5-year overall survival rate was 80.3% for patients with initial SLN metastasis and 51.0% for patients with recurrent SLN metastasis. For patients who received an SCV boost, incidence rates of ipsilateral arm numbness, pain, and weakness were 23.9%, 18.3%, and 34.3%, respectively. Four patients (5.6%) developed grade 2 numbness and 3 (4.3%) developed grade 2 arm weakness. In the control group, incidence rates of arm numbness, pain, and weakness were 31.6%, 21.9%, and 36.0%, respectively. The incidence of BPN-related symptoms was not significantly different between the 2 groups. Symptoms of grade 3 were not observed in either cohort. The mean doses to the BP in patients who received boost and who did not were 56.8 and 46.8 Gy, respectively (P <.001). The maximum doses to the BP in patients who received boost and who did not were 64.5 and 53.5 Gy, respectively (P <.001). The BP volumes receiving at least 50 Gy, 60 Gy, 61 Gy, and 62 Gy were also significantly higher in the boosted group compared with the control group (P <.001). This study found that an SCV boost of 10 Gy did not increase the incidence of BPN-related symptoms and that the toxicity to the BP was acceptable. Comprehensive treatment including SCV irradiation and boost led to satisfactory survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer who had SLN metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Left-behind children in China offers "natural experiments" of maternal separation. • Parent-child separation in early childhood associated with shorter telomere length. • Shortened TL partially explained adverse effects of separation on psychopathology. • Shortened TL could also be a consequence of psychopathology associated with separation. Abstract Background Given the ethical limitations of exposing children to experimentally manipulated adverse experiences, evidence of the effects of parent-child separation on subsequent psychopathology are based mostly on animal studies. Left-behind children phenomenon resulting from rural-urban mobility in China offers unique "natural experiments" to explore the long-term physical and mental health consequences of parent-child separation in childhood. Objective To test the associations between parent-child separation with telomere length (TL) and psychopathology during adolescence. Method A total of 710 adolescents (age: M = 16.86, SD = 1.52) were recruited from local schools in rural area of Fuyang, one of the top inland areas for outward migration in Anhui province, China. Parent-child separation was collected through face to face interview. The MacArthur Health & Behavior Questionnaire (HBQ) was used to assess internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure buccal TL. Results Nearly 60% (399/695) of the participants experienced separation from both parents. Childhood or persistent separation from parents was associated with increased internalizing symptoms (childhood: β = 0.13, 95% CI : 0.02, 0.23; persistent: β = 0.23, 95% CI : 0.14, 0.31), increased externalizing symptoms (childhood: β = 0.17, 95% CI : 0.03, 0.32; persistent: β = 0.23, 95% CI : 0.10, 0.35) and shorter telomere length (childhood: β = −0.16, 95% CI : −0.26, −0.05; persistent: β = −0.13, 95% CI : −0.22, −0.03). Shortened TL was estimated to explain 15.2% and 12.7% of the total effect of separation on internalizing and externalizing symptoms, while internalizing and externalizing symptoms explained 23.4% and 12.3% of the effect of separation on shortened TL. Conclusion Childhood and persistent parent-child separation, as experienced by rural left-behind children in China, associates with increased vulnerability for psychopathological symptoms and makers of cellular aging. The challenge for future research is to determine whether short telomere length is in fact a long-term consequence or an underlying vulnerability factor for future mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms underlying cardiorenal syndromes are complex and not fully understood; Fibrosis seems to be a primary driver of the diseases' pathophysiology. Spironolactone can reduce cardiac or renal fibrosis by inhibiting endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Spironolactone protection may rely on activation of adenosine receptors, but the role of the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) is unclear. We hypothesize that spironolactone may modulate A2AR to suppress EndMT and reduce cardiorenal remodeling. A model of renal injury followed by heart failure was established by subcutaneous administration of isoprenaline (Iso) to rats. Assessment of cardiac and renal function, fibrosis, EndMT markers, adenosine and A2AR expression was performed. TGF-β was used to induce EndMT in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Rats or cells were divided into four groups: those that treated with spironolactone alone or in combination with A2AR antagonist ZM241385 or neither, and compared to normal controls. Isoprenaline-treated rats exhibited cardiac and renal fibrosis, impaired cardiac and renal function, enhanced EndMT, and lower A2AR expression. Spironolactone significantly up-regulated A2AR expression and inhibited EndMT in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, spironolactone improved cardiorenal remodeling and reduced dysfunction. These changes were exacerbated by administration of ZM241385. Together, these findings show that spironolactone up-regulated A2AR to reduce EndMT and ameliorate cardiorenal fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic effects of spironolactone may partly depend on the up-regulation of A2AR, and that A2AR might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large discharge of chromium and chloride is a severe pollution source in conventional leather-making industry, which hinders the sustainable development of leather industry and affects human life greatly. Aiming at minimizing the emissions of chromium and chloride, novel materials rich in sulfonic acid group were synthesized and optimized in salt-free pickling and less chrome tanning process. The results showed that, the novel method would improve the chromium absorption and distribution in crust leather from 7 1 .6% to 98.6%, in comparison with conventional pickling chrome tanning, and the concentration of residual chromium in spent liquor was decreased to 45 mg/L. The SEM indicated that the resulting leather treated with novel salt-free pickling showed clean pores and well-dispersed fibrils. Further experiment proved this novel salt-free pickling and less chrome tanning method is feasible in terms of organoleptic and physical mechanical properties. The financial assessment showed that the novel method is 46.9% cheaper than conventional approach. This novel pickling chrome tanning method can successfully solve the emission of chromium and chloride as well as obtain cleaner products in leather-making industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal is an earth-abundant energy resource, however, its direct combustion results in serious environmental pollution. Therefore, it becomes important to design value-added products from coal and to maximize its value chain. Herein, brown coal was used to develop non-precious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells as green energy conversion systems. The brown coal was first pretreated with different acids, followed by N-doping at 800 °C in a stream of NH 3 . A trace amount of Fe was further added to improve the electrocatalytic performance of the prepared catalyst towards ORR. The prepared coal-derived N-doped carbon further modified with 0.5% Fe exhibited onset potential of 0.92 V vs. RHE at a current density of −0.1 mA cm −2 and a predominantly 4-electron transfer pathway of oxygen to water in 0.1 M NaOH, which was evaluated by RDE and RRDE. The prepared electrocatalysts were further characterized by elemental analysis, XRD, Raman and XPS. The results suggest that the coal-derived ORR catalyst have convoluted graphitic and amorphous carbon structures. The N-content increased after acid-pretreatment and subsequent functionalization with nitrogen, while it slightly decreased after Fe incorporation apparently due to coordination of Fe with N. ORR activity enhancement after the incorporation of Fe is expected to mainly arise from a synergetic effect involving the interaction of Fe with N groups distributed in the carbon matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a common inflammatory skin disorder, severely affects the life quality of patients and renders heavy financial burden on patient's family. The Chinese medicine Viola yedoensis Makino formula (VYAC) has been widely used for treating various skin disorders. Previous studies have reported that VYAC is effective in relieving DNCB-induced AD and inflammation. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of VYAC is still ill-defined and poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of VYAC on DNCB-induced AD and to elucidate the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms.Methodology: VYAC were extracted with 70% ethanol and lyophilized for use. AD mice were established by DNCB. The therapeutic effects of VYAC were evaluated by oral administration VYAC (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) daily in vivo. The histopathological and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze skin lesion and macrophages infiltration, RT-qPCR and Elisa were used to analyze the inflammatory factors in skin tissues and serum. To explore the underlying mechanism of VYAC against AD in vitro. RAW264.7 cells and bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were employed for macrophage polarization analysis. Flow cytometer, immunofluorescence and western blot were used to analyze M2 macrophages markers. STAT3 siRNA were transfected into both cells to validate the effects of VYAC-induced macrophages M2 polarization via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.Results: VYAC ameliorated skin lesion of DNCB-induced AD mice by decreased clinical scores and epidermal thickness, decreased the level of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-18) and enhanced IL-10 anti-inflammatory factor level, inhibited macrophages infiltration and promoted M2 macrophages polarization in vivo. VYAC significantly promoted M2 macrophages polarization in vitro. It is observed that VYAC not only inhibited the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in RAW264.7 cells and BMDMs, but also accelerated the translocation to the nucleus. What's more, VYAC reduced the polarization of M2 macrophage by activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway was observed in both cells.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that VYAC significantly ameliorates skin lesion of DNCB-induced AD mice and reduces the levels of inflammatory factors by activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and promoting M2 macrophages polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus was listed as the 2nd common food-borne pathogens, resulting in diseases such as pneumonia, pseudomembranous colitis, pericarditis and even sepsis. A rapid, simple and sensitive detection method is required to monitor food in cases of contamination by S. aureus. Hence, a novel immunochromatographic test strip (ICTS), based on the two-component reaction (i.e. digoxigenin and anti-digoxigenin, quantum dots-conjugated streptavidin and biotin) in test line with QDs as indicator, was developed for the rapid and sensitive detection of S. aureus. Genomic DNA from bacteria lysis by boiling was extracted easily and rapidly with silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles, and a species-specific gene was amplified by PCR using digoxigenin/biotin-labeled primers. The fluorescence of captured QD labels on the test line and control line served as signals was observed by UV light. The sensitivity and specificity of the ICTS were estimated using bacteria spiked food samples (artificially mixed with cell counts (108 CFU/mL for each bacterium) of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Lactobacillus plantarum). The limit of detection for S. aureus was 3 × 100 CFU/mL and 3 × 101 CFU/g in spiked milk powder and meat samples, respectively, which was not affected by those non-S. aureus strains. Our results showed that QDs-based ICTS was promising for rapid and sensitive detection of S. aureus within 2 h. Hence, this protocol might be useful for screening and monitoring the contamination of S. aureus in food products, and helpful for promoting the prevention and control of communicable disease caused by food-borne pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two feeding strategies for start-up of continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTR) treating source-sorted organic fraction of household municipal solid waste (SS-OFMSW) at 55°C were evaluated. Two reactors were started up separately with a limited amount of initial inoculum (i.e. 10% of the final volume of 3.5l) and operated in a fed batch mode until the reactors were filled (30 days). A reference reactor was filled up with 3.5l of inoculum and fed at a constant rate (11.4g volatile solids (VS)/d). Loading at progressively increasing rate (from 1.7 to 15gVS/d), as calculated based on an activated biomass concept, showed superior process performance compared to a fixed feed rate (5.7gVS/d). Methane yield of 0.32m3/kg VS was produced during the start-up in reactor filled at progressively increasing rate and was comparable to the reference reactor. On the contrary, significant inhibition due to volatile fatty acid (VFA) build-up, mainly due to butyrate, was noticed in the reactor filled at constant rate. Thus, low initial and progressive increasing inoculum loading rate could be used as a strategy for a successful start-up of CSTR treating SS-OFMSW as it allowed a gradual acclimation of the biomass. Lab-scale results were further reaffirmed from the start-up of a full-scale plant (7000m3 total capacity) which was supplied with inoculum corresponding to approx. 16% of final volume and operated in a fed batch mode until the reactors were filled (58 days). Stable biogas production with low VFA (<3g/L; based on titration method) were noticed during the start-up period when fed at progressively increasing rate. Thus, a controlled and reliable start-up procedure was found essential, which could allow rapid process stabilization and time to focus on other technical aspects of plant operation. In addition, the influence of substrate to inoculum amount (1.5–30% TS) and temperature (5–65°C) on anaerobic degradation and methane production of SS-OFMSW was investigated in batch assays as a protocol for start-up procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Firms have a crucial role to play in driving the process of greenization, yet there exists a dearth of studies that have comprehensively examined the combined influence of external environmental regulation and corporate environmental commitment on corporate greenization. In this study, utilizing a database comprising Chinese firms listed on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges between 2011 and 2019, an empirical analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of external environmental regulation, corporate environmental commitment, and their interaction on corporate greenization. Textual analysis is employed to quantitatively evaluate the extent of these two variables. The findings reveal that external environmental regulation exerts a positive impact on both corporate greenization input and output, whereas corporate environmental commitment only significantly enhances the output. Moreover, notable substitution effects are discovered between external environmental regulation and corporate environmental commitments concerning the greenization output. Further heterogeneity analysis uncovers that such substitution effects are predominantly observable in non-state-owned firms and those with relatively lower levels of pollution. These empirical outcomes provide valuable theoretical support for both the Chinese government and firms alike to advance and promote the progress of greenization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for biomarkers and new actionable targets to improve radiosensitivity of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tumors. We characterized the radiosensitizing effects and underlying mechanisms of combined Aurora kinase A (AURKA) and CHK1 inhibition in TNBC. Different TNBC cell lines were treated with AURKA inhibitor (AURKAi, MLN8237) and CHK1 inhibitor (CHK1i, MK8776). Cell responses to irradiation (IR) were then evaluated. Cell apoptosis, DNA damage, cell cycle distribution, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) and Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase (PI3K) pathways were evaluated in vitro. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to facilitate the identification of potential biomarkers. Xenograft and immunohistochemistry were carried out to investigate the radiosensitizing effects of dual inhibition in vivo. Finally, the prognostic effect of CHEK1/AURKA in TNBC samples in the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and our center were analyzed. AURKAi (MLN8237) induced overexpression of phospho-CHK1 in TNBC cells. The addition of MK8776 (CHK1i) to MLN8237 greatly reduced cell viability and increased radiosensitivity compared with either the control or MLN8237 alone in vitro. Mechanistically, dual inhibition resulted in inducing excessive DNA damage by prompting G2/M transition to cells with defective spindles, leading to mitotic catastrophe and induction of apoptosis after IR. We also observed that dual inhibition suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK, while activation of ERK with its agonist or overexpression of active ERK1/2 allele could attenuate the apoptosis induced by dual inhibition with IR. Additionally, dual inhibition of AURKA and CHK1 synergistically enhanced radiosensitivity in MDA-MB-231 xenografts. Moreover, we detected that both CHEK1 and AURKA were overexpressed in patients with TNBC and negatively correlated with patient survival. Our findings suggested that AURKAi in combination with CHK1i enhanced TNBC radiosensitivity in preclinical models, potentially providing a novel strategy of precision treatment for patients with TNBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The indication for internal mammary node irradiation (IMNI) after preoperative systemic therapy in breast cancer remains vague. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of IMNI in patients with clinical stage II-III breast cancer after preoperative systemic therapy and surgery.Methods and Materials: Between August 2005 and December 2013, 497 patients with clinical stage II-III breast cancer underwent anthracycline- or taxane-based preoperative systemic therapy, surgery, and postoperative radiation therapy. A median dose of 50 Gy (range, 46-60 Gy) in 25 fractions was delivered to the chest wall or breast with IMNI (n = 236) or without IMNI (n = 261). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates with or without IMNI were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for the unbalanced characteristics between the 2 groups. Prognostic factors associated with survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: The median follow-up time was 64 months. Patients with IMNI presented with more advanced clinical T stage, pathologic N stage, positive lymph-vascular invasion, and medically or centrally located disease (P < .05). The 5-year DFS and OS rates were 73.7% and 86.3% in the IMNI group and 71.5% and 86.7% in the non-IMNI group, respectively (P > .05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that IMNI was an independent prognostic factor for DFS (P = .018) and resulted in a borderline improvement in OS (P = .067). After propensity score matching, characteristics were well balanced. The 5-year DFS rates of IMNI and non-IMNI group were 76.8% and 63.4%, respectively (P = .030), and the 5-year OS rates were 88.9% and 84.1%, respectively (P = .083). IMNI was independently prognostic for DFS (P = .014) and OS (P = .047) in matched patients.Conclusions: IMNI improves survival outcomes in patients with clinical stage II-III breast cancer after preoperative systemic therapy. Further prospective studies are warranted to identify the role of IMNI in the preoperative systemic therapy setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometritis is the inflammation of the endometrium that is associated with lower conception rates, increased intervals from calving to first service, and more culls for failure to conceive, which leads to serious economic losses in the dairy industry. Leonurine, a natural active compound of Leonurus cardiaca , has been proved to possess various biological activities. However, there is still no study about its anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced endometritis. The present study aimed to demonstrate the underlying mechanism responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of leonurine on LPS induced endometritis in mice and in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs). The results of pathological section displayed that leonurine alleviated LPS induced uterine injury. qRT-PCR and ELISA experiments suggested that leonurine inhibited the expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in uterus tissues and bEECs. Molecular studies showed that TLR4 expression and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation were both inhibited by leonurine treatment. These results suggested that the therapeutic effects of leonurine on LPS-induced endometritis in mice and bEECs may act by inhibiting the expression of TLR4 and its downstream mediated NF-κB pathway. Accordingly, leonurine may serve as an effective drug in preventing and treating LPS induced endometritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bagging of peach inhibited anthocyanin synthesis leading the poor color. • Debagging before peach harvest improved the anthocyanin content and the color. • Debagging in 'Xiahui 8′ increased the gene expression of invertase and hexokinase. • Debagging in peach enhanced the gene expression related to MBW complexes. • Debagging enhanced the expression of genes in anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. To understand the genetic regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in peach (Prunus persica L.) fruit and the effects of pre-harvest debagging, the peels of two peach varieties (nectarine 'Zijinhong 2′ and peach 'Xiahui 8′) were used to explore the accumulation of anthocyanins using a transcriptomics approach. A total of 28,595 genes were expressed during the fruit ripening stage. In addition to increasing the expression of genes for invertase and hexokinase, debagging of 'Xiahui 8′ increased the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of MBW complexes, and the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, which contributed to higher anthocyanin content. Similarly, debagging also increased the anthocyanin content of 'Zijinhong 2′, due to the higher expression of genes participating in MYB synthesis, and the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways. These genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis are of great importance for molecular marker-assisted fruit crop breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Climbing species display contrasting germination responses to light and temperature. • Seed mass is a good predictor of the germination-light requirement. • Species from coniferous mixed forest were greatly affected by temperature regimes. • Seasonal changes in temperature drive germination timing. Climbing plants may be classified as lianas (woody) or vines (herbaceous). This grouping is not taxonomic but is useful for functional ecology. We evaluated seed germination of three liana and four vine species from the Chinese subtropical forest zone. Seeds were collected from different environments (abandoned agricultural land, broadleaf forest, coniferous mixed forest) and seed traits characterized (seed fresh mass, seed shape index, water gain). Germination tests were conducted under different temperature regimes: 5/10, 10/20, 20/30, 25/35, 35/40 °C under light and dark conditions. Additionally, we tested the relationships of germination responses (germination percentage, mean germination times, and relative light-germination index) with seed traits. The two species from abandoned agricultural land (Glycine max subsp. soja and Ipomoea triloba) had impermeable seed coats and reached only intermediate values of germination percentage, from 20 to 40% in the tested temperatures, with little effect from light regimes. In the broadleaf forest, Ipomoea nil also had impermeable seeds, but reached 91% of germination under 25/35 °C. Seeds of I. nil were the largest ones (4.8 g per 100 seeds), and there was a positive relationship of seed mass with G%. Seeds of Kadsura longipedunculata (liana) had low G% under all tested temperatures, probably related to some dormancy type, which requires further investigation. Species from coniferous mixed forest were greatly affected by temperature regimes, and Coptosapelta diffusa (the smallest seeds) had also the most light-dependent germination. Light-germination index had thus a significant/negative relationship with seeds mass. Environmental factors may help to explain the distribution of seed traits in our study, but further research should examine a larger set of species to better understand regeneration ecology of climbing plants in contrasting ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Z-scheme heterostructure of α-Fe 2 O 3 coupled with Zn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S is reported in the field of PEC water oxidation for the first time. • Incorporation of elemental S in heterostructure improves the photogenerated carrier separation. • The formed Z-type heterojunction provides strong driving force for the photoelectrochemical water oxidation reaction. A Z-type heterojunction system is proven to be an efficient strategy to promote the separation of photo-generated carriers and maintain strong redox capacity for an enhanced photoanode. Herein, we synthesized a S-modified Fe 2 O 3 /Zn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S (Fe/ZCS) photoanode by one-pot hydrothermal treatment of FeOOH/Zn 0.2 Cd 0.8 S precursor film, followed by vapor deposition treatment. The as-synthesized S-modified Fe/ZCS displayed enhanced PEC water oxidation performance with a photocurrent density (2.76 mA cm−2) of about 2.63 times that of a pure phase Fe 2 O 3 and 2.05 times that of Fe/ZCS at 1.23 V RHE. After 8 h of continuous operation, the photocurrent density retention rate was still 96.4 % demonstrating its satisfactory stability. Benefiting from the morphology of fine nanorods, the fabricated Z-scheme heterostructure exhibited strong oxidation–reduction ability and the well-distributed Fe(III)-SO 4 2- bonds played key roles as the electron capture centers. The fabricated Z-scheme photoanode exhibited prospective applications in sustainable photoelectrochemical water oxidation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peptide-functionalized hydrogel is one of commonly used biomaterials to introduce hydrogel-induced vessel regeneration. Despite many reports about the discoveries of high-active peptides (or ligands) for regeneration, the study on the conjugating methods for the hydrogel functionalization with peptides is limited. Here, we compared the vasculogenic efficacy of the peptide-functionalized hydrogels prepared by two commonly used conjugating methods, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino propyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and Click methods, through cell models, organ-on-chips models, animal models, and RNA sequencing analysis. Two vascular-related cell types, the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), have been cultured on the hydrogel surfaces prepared by EDC/Click methods. It showed that the hydrogels prepared by Click method supported the higher vasculogenic activities while the ones made by EDC method compromised the peptide activities on hydrogels. The vasculogenesis assays further revealed that hydrogels prepared by Click method promoted a better vascular network formation. In a critical ischemic hindlimb model, only the peptide-functionalized hydrogels prepared by Click method successfully salvaged the ischemic limb, significantly improved blood perfusion, and enhanced the functional recoveries (through gait analysis and animal behavior studies). RNA sequencing studies revealed that the hydrogels prepared by Click method significantly promoted the PI3K-AKT pathway activation compared to the hydrogels prepared by EDC method. All the results suggested that EDC method compromised the functions of the peptides, while Click method preserved the vascular regenerating capacities of the peptides on the hydrogels, illustrating the importance of the conjugating method during the preparation of the peptide-functionalized hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We aimed to examine whether elective inclusion of the posterolateral supraclavicular node (SCL) region to the standard medial SCL target volume improves SCL control and survival outcomes in patients with high-risk node-positive breast cancer undergoing regional nodal irradiation (RNI).Methods and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed 544 consecutive women with high-risk breast cancer treated with postoperative chest wall/breast and RNI in our center from January 2015 to December 2016. High-risk features were defined as clinical or pathologic stage N2-3b disease. Patients were classified into the medial SCL irradiation (M-SCLI) group and the entire SCL irradiation (E-SCLI) group, which included both the medial and the posterolateral SCL region. SCL recurrence (SCLR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated and compared. Propensity-score matching (PSM) and multivariate cox regression were used for analysis.Results: The median follow-up time was 64.2 months. Before PSM, there was no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of SCLR between the 2 groups, with 5-year rates of 2.0% in the M-SCLI group and 0.6% in the E-SCLI group (P = .1). After PSM, there was also no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of SCLR (2.1% vs 0.5%; P = .2). Only 2 patients had recurrence in the posterolateral SCL region, with 1 patient in each group. Similarly, there was no significant difference in DFS and OS between the M-SCLI and E-SCLI group both before PSM (5-year rates of 78.5% vs 78.8%, P = .8; 92.2% vs 90.0%, P = .2) and after PSM (76.7% vs 77.2%, P = .8; 91.5% vs 88.4%, P = .1). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that E-SCLI was not independently prognostic for DFS and OS.Conclusions: E-SCLI does not appear to be associated with improved SCL control and survival outcomes in high-risk node-positive breast cancer. These data do not support the routine use of E-SCLI in N2-3b disease. We initiated a multicenter randomized controlled phase 3 study comparing M-SCLI and E-SCLI to further validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiphoton absorbing (MPA) materials have been extensively investigated due to their crucial merits of long wavelength excitation and short wavelength emission, of which the organometallic complexes are the most promising but still challenging candidates for developing efficient MPA materials. Herein, a novel cyclometallated iridium complex (abbreviated as SQ) is reported as a multiphoton absorption phosphorescent probe, which is constructed by coordinating the central metal Ir with diethoxyphenyl terpyridine, phenyl pyridine and SCN ligands. The single crystal of SQ exhibits a twisted octahedral structure that can avoid phosphorescence quenching caused by π-π stacking, and the push-pull electron effect of the ligand endows SQ with excellent nonlinear optical (NLO) properties under near-infrared excitation. As a result, two-photon imaging with deep tissue penetration depths is realized at the excitation wavelength of 750 nm. Meanwhile, the planar conjugated structure of diethoxyphenyl terpyridine facilitates the insertion of SQ into base pairs of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), thus limiting the intramolecular rotation. Consequently, the emission intensity of the SQ solution enhanced approximately 10-fold after mtDNA was introduced, which led to mtDNA-specific recognition. Our work proves a new way of designing a phosphorescence probe that can specifically identify mtDNA, thus realizing dynamic monitoring of mitochondria. • A novel cyclometallated iridium complex has been synthesized. • The complex was studied by single crystal and multi-photon emission spectra. • The mechanism of specific binding of the complex to mtDNA was revealed. • mtDNA-specific recognition and two-photon bioimaging of complex were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroptosis, a unique form of nonapoptotic-regulated cell death caused by overwhelming lipid peroxidation, represents an emerging tumor suppression mechanism. Growing evidence has demonstrated that cell metabolism plays an important role in the regulation of ferroptosis. Specifically, the association between methionine metabolism and ferroptosis remains undefined. We performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to evaluate the influence of methionine metabolism on ferroptosis sensitivity. Pharmacological and genetic blockade of the methionine cycle was utilized and relevant molecular analyses were performed. We identified MAT2A as a driver of ferroptosis resistance. Mechanistically, MAT2A mediates the production of S -adenosylmethionine (SAM), which upregulates ACSL3 by increasing the trimethylation of lysine-4 on histone H3 (H3K4me3) at the promoter area, resulting in ferroptosis resistance. Collectively, these results established a link between methionine cycle activity and ferroptosis vulnerability in gastric cancer. [Display omitted] • Ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death caused by overwhelming lipid peroxidation, has gained a lot of interest in the field of cancer therapeutics. • However, few studies have thoroughly investigated the association between methionine metabolism and ferroptosis. • MAT2A mediates the production of S -adenosylmethionine (SAM), which upregulates ACSL3 by increasing the trimethylation of lysine-4 on histone H3 (H3K4me3) at the promoter area, resulting in ferroptosis resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A hierarchical carbon-fiber composite was synthesized based on carbon cloth (CC) modified with primary carbon microfibers (CMF) and subsequently secondary carbon nanotubes (CNT), thus forming a three-dimensional hierarchical structure with high BET surface area. The primary CMFs and the secondary CNTs are grown with electrodeposited iron nanoparticles as catalysts from methane and ethylene, respectively. After deposition of Pt nanoparticles by chemical vapor deposition from (trimethyl)cyclopentadienylplatinum, the resulting hierarchical composite was used as catalyst in the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction (oxygen reduction reaction, ORR) as specific test reaction. The modification of the CC with CMFs and CNTs improved the electrochemical properties of the carbon composite as revealed by electrochemical impedance measurements evidencing a low charge transfer resistance for redox mediators at the modified CC. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were carried out to identify the chemical state and the surface atomic concentration of the Pt catalysts deposited on the hierarchical carbon composites. The ORR activity of Pt supported on different composites was investigated using rotating disk electrode measurements and scanning electrochemical microscopy. These electrochemical studies revealed that the obtained structured catalyst support is very promising for electrochemical applications, e.g. fuel cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The redox competition mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (RC-SECM) has been utilized to visualize the local electrocatalytic activity of metalloporphyrin spots towards oxygen reduction in 0.1M phosphate buffer as electrolyte solution. The metalloporphyrin spots were obtained by electrochemically induced deposition using a droplet cell. Tetratolyl porphyrins (TTPs) of Mn, Fe and Co have been investigated, with that containing Mn as central metal atom showing highest catalytic activity. The multiple stable oxidation states of Mn were seen as a key factor in the influence of the metal ion on the catalytic activity. From the RC-SECM results, it is shown that oxygen reduction at a manganese TTP (MnTTP) modified electrode surface yielded the least amount of H2O2 when compared to iron TTP (FeTTP) and cobalt TTP (CoTTP). As further confirmed by means of rotating disc electrode (RDE) measurements this was attributed to the high activity of MnTTP for H2O2 reduction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Transition metal hexacyanoferrates are versatile inorganic compounds widely employed for the assembling of sensors and biosensors in a variety of different electroanaytical applications. A modified version of the recently introduced redox competition mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (RC-SECM) was exploited to visualize the local electrocatalytic activity of microstructured Prussian blue (PB) films towards the reduction of H2O2 with improved lateral resolution. The PB films were electrochemically deposited in a spot on glassy carbon surfaces using a droplet cell. The influence of the potential applied to the PB modified surface on the current at the SECM tip was evaluated when both the sample and the SECM tip were competing for H2O2 in solution. Thus, high local electrocatalytic activity is indicated by low currents at the SECM tip. The same strategy was successfully employed for the characterization of the performances of a biosensor employing the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) immobilized within a polymer hydrogel matrix on the top of PB-modified glassy carbon electrodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• CiIRF8 can respond to poly(I:C) stimulation. • poly(I:C) facilitates the nuclear translocation of CiIRF8. • Interaction between CiIRF8 and CiIRF2 following poly(I:C) stimulation. • CiIRF8 and CiIRF2 synergistically down-regulates the transcription of Ciifn1. • CiIRF1 alleviates the transcription inhibition of Ciifn1 by competitive combination with CiIRF2 or CiIRF8. Interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), also known as interferon consensus sequence-binding protein (ICSBP), is a negative regulatory factor of interferon (IFN) and plays an important role in cell differentiation and innate immunity in mammals. In recent years, some irf 8 homologous genes have been cloned and confirmed to take part in innate immune response in fish, but the mechanism still remains unclear. In this paper, a grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) irf8 gene (Ciirf8) was cloned and characterized. The deduced protein (CiIRF8) possesses a highly conserved N-terminal DNA binding domain but a less well-conserved C-terminal IRF association domain (IAD). Ciirf8 was widely expressed in all tested tissues of grass carp and up-regulated following poly(I:C) stimulation. Ciirf8 expression was also up-regulated in CIK cells upon treatment with poly(I:C). To explore the molecular mechanism of how fish IRF8 regulates ifn1 expression, the similarities and differences of grass carp IRF8 and IRF2 were compared and contrasted. Subcellular localization analysis showed that CiIRF8 is located both in the cytoplasm and nucleus; however, CiIRF2 is only located in the nucleus. The nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation of CiIRF8 was observed in CIK cells under stimulation with poly(I:C). The interaction of CiIRF8 and CiIRF2 was further confirmed by a co-immunoprecipitation assay in the nucleus. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed that the promoter activity of Ciifn1 was significantly inhibited by co-transfection with CiIRF2 and CiIRF8. The transcription inhibition of Ciifn1 was alleviated by competitive binding of CiIRF2 and CiIRF8 to CiIRF1. In conclusion, CiIRF8 down-regulates Ciifn1 expression via interaction with CiIRF2 in cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]