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Producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water has received increased attention. Nevertheless, a major challenge remains in the search for high performance hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts. In this work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) capped by TpPa covalent organic framework (TpPa-COF) react with cobalt nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO 3) 2 ·6H 2 O) to form a novel ternary one-body complex (MWCNTs@TpPa-COF@Co/CoO). Wherein, TpPa-COF is constructed from 2,4,6-Triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) and p -phenylenediamine (Pa) as structural units. This COF is relatively inexpensive, provides more coordination sites for metal loading, and is particularly stable in acidic and basic media. The results show that the composite material has high electrocatalytic HER activity in a potassium hydroxide (KOH) condition with an overpotential value of 28.8 mV and a Tafel slope of 69.07 mV dec−1 at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, the MWCNTs@TpPa-COF@Co/CoO showed excellent stability after 2000 cycles in alkaline media. The characterization demonstrated that the material provided low resistance during the charge transfer process, which resulted in improved electrochemical performance. In addition, the COF loaded with cobalt nanoparticles provided more active sites for the reaction. Thus, the synthesized MWCNTs@TpPa-COF@Co/CoO emerges turns out to be a Pt-free, stable and efficient HER electrocatalyst, holding significant promise for practical applications. • MWCNTs@TpPa-COF@Co/CoO electrocatalyst with high HER performance has been prepared. • The accessible active sites on MWCNTs and COF contribute to the electrocatalytic HER performance. • The best electrocatalyst exhibited an ultra-low overpotential of 28.8 mV@10 m A/cm2. • The composite shows remarkable long-term stability after 24 h and 2000 CV cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protecting bearings from electrical environments is crucial as modern industry evolves. With increasing exposure to electrical conditions, the risk of bearing failure due to electric erosion becomes a significant concern. To better understand how lubrication interacts with electric discharge in rolling bearings, an optical ball-on-disc tribometer was modified to measure film thickness under elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) with electric discharge. The results of the study revealed that an electrical potential difference between the surfaces separated by the lubrication film leads to a reduction in film thickness, which can be attributed to the generation of Joule heating. As the electrical potential difference increases, the film thickness decreases even further, ultimately resulting in destructive electric discharge. Interestingly, sporadic discharge was observed in the region of minimum film thickness as the entrainment velocities increased prior to the occurrence of destructive discharge. In addition, the study also investigated the use of grease with a conductive additive, a double trifluoro-sulfonate ionic liquid. It was found that incorporating this ionic liquid into the grease can decrease the energy during discharge, thereby mitigating bearing electric erosion. [Display omitted] • An optical ball-on-disc tribometer was revised to measure film thickness under an applied electric field. • The electric potential difference across oil film reduced film thickness, lessened friction due to Joule heating by current. • Two forms of electric discharge were identified in the contact area: sporadic discharge and destructive discharge. • With double trifluoro-sulfonate ionic liquid added as the additive it was shown that the electric discharge becomes weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many sensitizers have not only photodynamic effects, but also sonodynamic effects. Therefore, the combination of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) using sensitizers for sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT) provides alternative opportunities for clinical cancer therapy. Although significant advances have been made in synthesizing new sensitizers for SPDT, few of them are successfully applied in clinical settings. The anti-tumor effects of the sensitizers are restricted by the lack of tumor-targeting specificity, incapability in deep intratumoral delivery, and the deteriorating tumor microenvironment. The application of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) can solve the above shortcomings, thereby improving the SPDT efficacy. This review summarizes various sensitizers as sono/photosensitizers that can be further used in SPDT, and describes different strategies for enhancing tumor treatment by NDDSs, such as overcoming biological barriers, improving tumor-targeted delivery and intratumoral delivery, providing stimuli-responsive controlled-release characteristics, stimulating anti-tumor immunity, increasing oxygen supply, employing different therapeutic modalities, and combining diagnosis and treatment. The challenges and prospects for further development of intelligent sensitizers and translational NDDSs for SPDT are also discussed. This review summarizes various sensitizers as sono/photosensitizers that can be further used in sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT), and describes different strategies for enhancing sono-photodynamic therapeutic effects with the assistance of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs). [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination therapy offers promising opportunities for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we established a chitosan-based nanocomplex CE7Q/CQ/S to deliver molecular-targeted drug erlotinib (Er), Survivin shRNA-expressing plasmid (SV), and photothermal agent heptamethine cyanine dye (Cy7) in one platform for simultaneous near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging and triple-combination therapy of NSCLC bearing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. The obtained CE7Q/CQ/S exhibited favorable photothermal effects, good DNA binding ability, and pH/NIR dual-responsive release behaviors. The conjugated Er could mediate specific delivery of Cy7 to EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells to enable targeted NIR fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT). The in vitro and in vivo results showed that downregulation of Survivin expression and the photothermal effects could act synergistically with Er to induce satisfactory anticancer effects in either Er-sensitive or Er-resistant EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells. By integrating chemo/gene/photothermal therapies into one theranostic nanoplatform, CE7Q/CQ/S could significantly suppress EGFR-mutated NSCLC, indicating its potential use in treating NSCLC. The development of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) has improved overall survival in patients with NSCLC driven by EGFR mutations. Unfortunately, the emergence of acquired resistance of EGFR-TKIs is almost inevitable after treatment. Here, we constructed a NIR/pH dual-responsive nanocomplex CE7Q/CQ/S based on chitosan which could integrate targeted near-infrared fluorescence imaging and chemo/gene/phototheramal tri-therapies together. We found that CE7Q/CQ/S possessed a promising outcome in fighting against EGFR-mutated NSCLC. The inhibition of Survivin expression and the application of photothermal therapy could act synergistically with erlotinib and reverse erlotinib resistance. The results of this work suggested that this chitosan-based combination therapeutic nanoplatform could be a promising candidate for NSCLC treatment. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine prescription sini decoction (SND) can alleviate inflammation, improve microcirculation, and modulate immune status in sepsis patients. However, its underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and therapeutic effects may vary among individuals. Through a comprehensive and systematic network pharmacology analysis, the purpose of this study is to investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of SND in treating sepsis. An analysis of WGCNA identified CX3CR1 as a key gene influencing sepsis prognosis. A drug-active component-target network for SND was created using the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and Cytoscape software. Shared targets between SND and CX3CR1 high-expression gene modules were found through the GEO database. Gene module functionality was analyzed using GO, KEGG, GSEA, and GSVA. Unsupervised clustering of sepsis patients was performed based on the ferroptosis gene set, and immune cell interactions and mechanisms were explored using CIBERSORT, single-cell sequencing, and intercellular communication analysis. This study demonstrates that high expression of CX3CR1 improves survival rates in sepsis patients and is associated with immune cell signaling pathways. SND contains 116 active components involved in oxidative stress and lipid metabolism pathways. HMOX1, a co-expressed gene in SND and CX3CR1 high-expression gene module, plays a crucial role in sepsis survival. Unsupervised clustering analysis classified sepsis patients into three clusters based on the ferroptosis gene set, revealing differences in immune cell expression and involvement in heme metabolism pathways. Notably, intercellular interactions among immune cells primarily occur through paracrine and autocrine mechanisms in MIF, GALECTIN, and IL16 signaling pathways, modulating the immune-inflammatory microenvironment in sepsis. This study identifies CX3CR1 as a crucial molecule impacting sepsis prognosis through WGCNA analysis. It reveals that SND's active component, quercetin and kaempferol, target HMOX1 via related pathways to regulate heme metabolism, reduce inflammation, inhibit ferroptosis, and improve immune function, ultimately improving sepsis prognosis. These findings offer a solid pharmacological foundation and potential therapeutic targets for SND in treating sepsis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption is commonly employed to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor air. However, the reversibility of this process has been rarely explored in prior research. Meanwhile, some previous research indicated partial reversibility in adsorption and desorption processes, which has not been described in traditional adsorption equilibrium models. In this study, we measured benzene adsorption and desorption isotherms on 6 activated carbons within two concentration ranges: 0–3 ppm and 0–6 ppm. The results showed that the adsorption process was partially reversible and the desorption isotherm was hysteretic for all the samples. Different carbons exhibited distinct isotherm patterns, yet the desorption isotherms in the experimental concentration range can be calculated from the adsorption isotherms using the same empirical equation. In addition, we measured the breakthrough curves using the oscillating benzene concentration (6 ppm to background) on the test columns. Reversible adsorption was observed at low degrees of saturation of the test column. Especially for microporous activated carbon, desorption could be sustained for several hours with purging even at the breakthrough rate of about 10%. An adsorption equilibrium model incorporating partially reversible adsorption and hysteretic desorption isotherm was developed based on the experimental data, which allows a preliminary interpretation of the measured breakthrough curves at fluctuating inlet concentrations. • Benzene adsorption on activated carbons is partially reversible at ppb-ppm level. • Hysteretic desorption isotherm across different activated carbon types. • Adsorption model: Partial reversibility, hysteresis in desorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although novel molecular targeted drugs have been recognized as an effective therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activating mutations, their efficacy fails to meet the expectation due to the acquired resistance in tumors. Up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Survivin was shown to contribute to the resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in EGFR mutation–positive NSCLC. However, the unorganized tumor blood vessels impeded drug penetration into tumor tissue. The resulting insufficient intracellular drug/gene delivery in drug-resistant cancer cells remarkably weakened the drug efficacy in NSCLC. In this work, a multi-functional drug delivery system AP/ES was developed by using anti-EGFR aptamer (Apt)-modified polyamidoamine to co-deliver erlotinib and Survivin-shRNA. Chloroquine (CQ) was used in combination with AP/ES to normalize tumor vessels for sufficient drug/gene delivery to overcome drug resistance in NSCLC cells. The obtained AP/ES possessed desired physicochemical properties, good biostability, controlled drug release profiles, and strong selectivity to EGFR-mutated NSCLC mediated by Apt. CQ not only enhanced endosomal escape ability of AP/ES for efficient gene transfection to inhibit Survivin, but also showed strong vessel-normalization ability to improve tumor microcirculation, which further promoted drug delivery and enhanced drug efficacy in erlotinib-resistant NSCLC cells. Our innovative gene/drug co-delivery system in combination with CQ showed a promising outcome in fighting against erlotinib resistance both in vitro and in vivo . This work indicates that normalization of tumor vessels could help intracellular erlotinib/Survivin-shRNA delivery and the down-regulation of Survivin could act synergistically with erlotinib for reversal of erlotinib resistance in EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. Statement of Significance NSCLC patients who benefited from EGFR-TKIs inevitably developed acquired resistance. Previous research focused on synthesis of new generation of molecular targeted drugs that could irreversibly inhibit EGFR with a particular gene mutation to overcome drug resistance. However, they failed to inhibit EGFR with other gene mutations. Activation of bypass signaling pathway and the changes of tumor microenvironment are identified as two of the mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs. We therefore constructed multifunctional gene/drug co-delivery nanocomplexes AP/ES co-formulated with chloroquine that could target the both two mechanisms. We found that chloroquine not only enhanced endosomal escape ability of AP/ES for efficient gene transfection to inhibit Survivin, but also showed strong vessel-normalization ability to improve tumor microcirculation, which further promoted drug delivery into tumor tissue and enhanced drug efficacy in erlotinib-resistant NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) was hindered by the poor water solubility and long-enduring photoactivities of photosensitizers. Here, we developed a novel controllable photodynamic agent CPHI based on β-cyclodextrin modified polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer (CP) co-delivery of indocyanine green (ICG) and hematoporphyrin (HP). The CPHI possessed appropriate particle sizes and zeta potentials, considerable photostability, and NIR-triggered release property. The fluorescence of HP could be quenched by ICG when HP and ICG were co-loaded inside the CP, and the quenching efficiency was related with the weight ratio of HP and ICG. When the feeding weight proportion of HP and ICG is 1/10, the fluorescence of HP was quenched by 87.3% in CPHI. Under 808 nm laser irradiation, the ICG in CP was degraded, and the fluorescence of HP could recover. The recovered HP was capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) for PDT with 606 nm laser irradiation. The cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis studies showed that CPHI could effectively induce MCF-7 cells apoptosis with PDT effects under 808/660 nm laser. These results suggested that CPHI could be an efficient cancer therapeutic agent for controllable PDT with low dark toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) is regarded as an anti-inflammatory factor in cardiovascular disorders. Mitophagy removes damaged mitochondria and thus promotes mitochondrial regeneration. We investigated whether DUSP1 could attenuate inflammation-induced cardiomyopathy by improving mitophagy. Lipopolysaccharide was used to induce septic cardiomyopathy in wild-type (WT) and DUSP1 transgenic (DUSP1 TG ) mice. Echocardiography revealed that lipopolysaccharide impaired heart function by reducing the cardiac systolic and diastolic capacities of WT mice. Freshly isolated single cardiomyocytes from lipopolysaccharide-treated WT mice also exhibited reduced contractile/relaxation parameters. However, DUSP1 overexpression not only maintained the mechanical properties of cardiomyocytes, but also improved heart performance. Lipopolysaccharide upregulated myocardial inflammatory gene transcription and adhesive factor expression, which increased myocardial neutrophil accumulation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in WT mice. DUSP1 overexpression inhibited the inflammatory response and therefore promoted cardiomyocyte survival. Lipopolysaccharide disrupted mitochondrial respiration and metabolism in WT cardiomyocytes, but DUSP1 overexpression restored mitochondrial metabolism, maintained the mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, possibly by increasing FUN14 domain-containing 1 (FUNDC1)-dependent mitophagy. Silencing of FUNDC1 abolished the protective effects of DUSP1 overexpression on cardiomyocytes and their mitochondria following lipopolysaccharide treatment. These results demonstrated that DUSP1 is a novel anti-inflammatory factor that protects against septic cardiomyopathy by improving FUNDC1-induced mitophagy. • DUSP1 overexpression alleviates LPS-mediated myocardial inflammation. • DUSP1 improves lipopolysaccharide-disrupted mitochondrial function. • DUSP1 restores FUN14 domain-containing 1 (FUNDC1)-dependent mitophagy in SCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiorenal syndrome type-3 (CRS-3) is an abrupt worsening of cardiac function secondary to acute kidney injury. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key pathological mechanism of CRS-3, and empagliflozin can improve mitochondrial biology by promoting mitophagy. Here, we assessed the effects of empagliflozin on mitochondrial quality surveillance in a mouse model of CRS-3. Cardiomyocyte-specific FUNDC1 -knockout (FUNDC1 CKO ) mice were subjected to CRS-3 prior to assessment of mitochondrial homeostasis in the presence or absence of empagliflozin. CRS-3 model mice exhibited lower heart function, increased inflammatory responses and exacerbated myocardial oxidative stress than sham-operated controls; however, empagliflozin attenuated these alterations. Empagliflozin stabilized the mitochondrial membrane potential, suppressed mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, increased mitochondrial respiratory complex activity and restored the oxygen consumption rate in cardiomyocytes from CRS-3 model mice. Empagliflozin also normalized the mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening rate in cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocyte-specific ablation of FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) in mice abolished the protective effects of empagliflozin on mitochondrial homeostasis and myocardial performance. Empagliflozin activated β-catenin and promoted its nuclear retention, thus increasing FUNDC1-induced mitophagy in heart tissues; however, a β-catenin inhibitor reversed these effects. In summary, empagliflozin activated Wnt/β-catenin to stimulate FUNDC1-dependent mitochondrial quality surveillance, ultimately improving mitochondrial function and cardiac performance during CRS-3. Thus, empagliflozin could be considered for the clinical management of heart function following acute kidney injury. • Empagliflozin reduces myocardial damage and improves myocardial function after CRS-3. • Empagliflozin normalizes the mitochondrial structure in cardiomyocytes during CRS-3. • Empagliflozin attenuates cardiomyocyte mitochondrial dysfunction during CRS-3. • Empagliflozin activates FUNDC1-dependent mitophagy and preserves mitochondrial integrity in the heart during CRS-3. • Loss of FUNDC1 abolishes the cardioprotective effects of empagliflozin during CRS-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Eighteen phenylpiperazine-phenylacetate derivatives with hypnotic potencies were synthesized. • Compound 10 showed apparently rapid recovery and higher safety than propanidid in animal models. • Compound 10 had a greater binding affinity for the GABA A receptor and a lower affinity for the off-target receptors. In this paper, we designed and synthesized a series of novel phenylpiperazine-phenylacetate derivatives as rapid recovery hypnotic agents. The best compound 10 had relatively high affinity for the GABA A receptor and low affinity for thirteen other off-target receptors. In three animal models (mice, rats, and rabbits), compound 10 exerted potent hypnotic effects (HD 50 = 5.2 mg/kg in rabbits), comparable duration of the loss of righting reflex (LORR), and significant shorter recovery time (time to walk) than propanidid. Furthermore, compound 10 (TI = 18.1) showed higher safety profile than propanidid (TI = 14.7) in rabbits. Above results suggested that compound 10 may have predictable and rapid recovery profile in anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sono-photodynamic therapy (SPDT) which is the combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT), could exert much better anti-cancer effects than monotherapy. The combination of chemotherapy and PDT or SDT has shown great potential for cancer treatment. However, the combination of SPDT and chemotherapy for cancer treatment is rarely explored. We utilized a natural hydrophobic anti-cancer drug oleanolic acid (OA) and a photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) through self-assembly technology to form a carrier-free nanosensitizer OC for combined chemotherapy and SPDT for cancer treatment. No studies involving using carrier-free nanomedicine for combined chemotherapy/SPDT have been reported yet. After fully characterization of OC, the in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer activities of OC were investigated and the mechanisms of the synergistic therapeutic effects were studied. OC were synthesized through self-assembly technology and characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and an atomic force microscope (AFM). Confocal microscope was used to investigate the intracellular uptake efficiency and the penetration ability of OC. The cell viability of PC9 and 4T1 cells treated with OC under laser and ultrasound (US) irradiation was determined by MTT assay. Furthermore, flow cytometry was performed to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Finally, the anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy of OC was investigated in orthotopic 4T1 breast tumor-bearing mouse model. OC showed an average particle size of around 100 nm with excellent light stability. OC increased more than 23 times accumulation of Ce6 in cancer cells and had strong tumor penetration ability in three-dimensional (3D) multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs). Compared with other therapeutic options, OC showed obvious synergistic inhibitory effects under light and US irradiation in PC9 and 4T1 cells with a significant decrease in IC 50 values. Mechanism studies showed that OC could generate high ROS, induce MMP loss, and cause apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. In vivo studies also approved the synergistic therapeutic effects of OC in 4T1 mouse models. Self-assembled carrier-free nanosensitizer OC could be a promising therapeutic agent for synergistic chemo/sono-photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new generation of non-precious metal catalysts, nickel phosphide is regarded as an ideal substitute for precious metal platinum in electrochemical hydrogen evolution. Here, a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst is developed by in situ growth of Ni 2 P/Ni 5 P 4 heterostructures on porous N decorated rGO foam (named Ni 2 P/Ni 5 P 4 /N-rGO). The porous rGO foam structure provides a larger surface area and abundant active sites. The Ni 2 P/Ni 5 P 4 nanoparticles with heterostructures are uniformly distributed on the rGO sheet, which enhance the charge transfer ability. The decorating of N element also correspondingly improves the HER performance. The as-prepared Ni 2 P/Ni 5 P 4 /N-rGO exhibits excellent HER performance in alkaline medium. When the current density is 10 mA cm−2, the overpotential is only 22 mV. No obvious loss of HER activity after 2000 cyclic voltammetry indicates that the composite has excellent stability. This work presents a valuable route for fabricating inexpensive and high-performance catalysts for electrocatalysis. [Display omitted] • The Ni 2 P/Ni 5 P 4 heterostructure enhanced the HER performance. • Porous rGO foams have larger surface area and more active sites. • The introduction of N increases the active site. • This material can reach 10 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 22 mV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with the traditional treatment, photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of malignant tumors has the advantages of less damage to normal tissues, quick therapeutic effect, and ability to repeat treatments to the same site. However, most of the traditional photosensitizers (PSs) have severe skin photosensitization, poor tumor targeting, and low therapeutic effect in hypoxic tumor environment, which limit the application of PDT. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems can improve the targeting of PSs and release drugs with controllable photoactivity at predetermined locations, so as to achieve desired therapeutic effects with minimal side-effects. The present review summarizes the current nanoparticle platforms for PDT, and offers the description of different strategies including tumor-targeted delivery, controlled-release of PSs and the triggered photoactivity to achieve controllable PDT by nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. The challenges and prospects for further development of intelligent PSs for PDT are also discussed. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of binding of several ligands to bovine serum albumin on the kinetics of fibril formation at denaturing conditions is studied. The considered ligands are clinical drugs with different binding constants to albumin: relatively strong binders (naproxen, ibuprofen, warfarin with 105 to 107 binding constant values) and weak binders (isoniazid, ranitidine with 103 to 104 binding constant values). The data of thioflavin fluorescence binding assay, Congo red binding assay, and circular dichroism spectroscopy indicate ligand concentration-dependent suppression of fibril formation in the presence of strong binders and no effects in the presence of weak binders. Analysis of kinetic curves shows no induction lag associated with fibril nucleation and the first-order kinetics of fibril formation with respect to albumin concentration for all the studied systems. Using DSC method, the fractions of unfolded albumin at incubation temperature were determined for each albumin-ligand system and ligand concentration. Their magnitudes ranging from 0 to 1 correlate with the initial rates of fibril formation and with equilibrium concentrations of fibrils formed in the system after incubation for at least 120 min. The results indicate that fibrils are formed from partially or completely denatured albumin form with the rate proportional to the fraction of this form. Strong albumin binders act as thermodynamic inhibitors of fibrillation shifting the unfolding equilibrium to the side of the native ligand-bound protein. • Strong albumin binders suppress the formation of fibrils • The amount of fibrils is decreased but not the rate of fibril growth • Weak binders play no effect on fibrillation • The amount of fibrils correlates with the fraction of denatured protein [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure semi-ionic F-doped graphene with the s-F concentration high up to 17.4 at.% (s-FG-17.4) and covalent F-doped graphene with the c-F concentration of 17.8 at.% (c-FG-17.8) were synthesized by fluorination of graphene respectively at the low temperature of 100 °C and the conventional temperature of 200 °C. The electronic and magnetic properties of the two samples were studied. The results show that s-FG-17.4 is metal and exhibits strong ferromagnetism with the Curie temperature of 229 K and high magnetization of 1.1 emu/g; by contrast, c-FG-17.8 is semiconductor and exhibits spin-half paramagnetism with low magnetization of 0.1 emu/g. Thus, this study provided a reliable method to synthesize high-concentration pure s-FG and proposed an effective sp 3 dopants for obtaining metallic and ferromagnetic graphene with high magnetization. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Yolk-Shell m-SiO 2 @ Nitrogen doped carbon (NC) has been synthesized by carbonization of m-SiO 2 @ZIF-8 and dispersed in polystyrenesulfonate-doped poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT: PSS) to prepare yolk-shell m-SiO 2 @NC-PEDOT: PSS composite as a counter electrode (CE) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrochemical studies confirmed that the yolk-shell m-SiO 2 @NC-PEDOT: PSS CE exhibits higher catalytic activity compared to (NC-PEDOT: PSS CE and pristine PEDOT: PSS. The DSSCs employing 5% yolk-shell m-SiO 2 @NC-PEDOT: PSS-PEDOT: PSS composite CE yield photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10.01%, which is superior to that of conventional platinum CE (8.50%). Owing to the simple preparation method, low cost and high catalytic activity, the yolk-shell m-SiO 2 @NC-PEDOT: PSS can be used as efficient Pt-free CE in DSSCs. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Yolk-Shell m-SiO 2 @NC was synthesized from carbonization of m-SiO 2 @ZIF-8. • Yolk-shell m-SiO 2 @NC-PEDOT: PSS composite was studied as a counter electrode for dye-sensitized solar cells. • Yolk-shell m-SiO 2 @NC-PEDOT: PSS CE exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity. • The efficieincy of DSSCs employing 5% yolk-shell m-SiO 2 @NC-PEDOT: PSS-PEDOT: PSS composite CE is 10.01%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ti3C2/Ag2O/La(OH)3 nanorods heterostructures were synthesized for the first tiem. • Ti3C2 MXene improve the visible light harvesting capacity effectively. • The Ag2O could promote the separation of charge carriers and improve the photocatalytic activity. Semiconductor photocatalysis driven by solar light irradiation is usually regarded as an effective technique to address the environmental pollution and energy crisis problems. Therefore, the development of highly effective photocatalysts is the key factor for the practical application of photocatalysis. Herein, Ti 3 C 2 MXene and Ag 2 O nanoparticles co-modified La(OH) 3 nanorods were synthesized firstly by hydrothermal method. The Ti 3 C 2 /Ag 2 O/La(OH) 3 composites represented remarkably enhanced photocatalytic MB (methylene blue) degradation activity under visible irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is owing to the synergistic effect of Ti 3 C 2 MXene and Ag 2 O, which improved the light harvesting ability and facilitated the transfer of carriers. This study contributed to the design and development of novel La(OH) 3 based high-active photocatalysts for practical pollution treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical with high detection frequency and content, which seriously harms the ecology and human health. Spirit-based distillers' grains (DG) are solid residues produced during the brewing process, and their treatment has gotten the concern. It is an attractive effort to combine the comprehensive utilization of DG with the removal of BPA. Herein, O-doped porous biochar (OPB) was fabricated using DG as the precursor and used in an electro-Fenton (EF) system to degrade BPA. OPB exhibited a large surface area (i.e., 1432 m2/g) and doping of oxygen, which can facilitate dissolved O 2 diffusion and enhance the yield of H 2 O 2 (i.e., 3.0–15.5 mmol/L), and 20 mg/L BPA was rapidly removed by the EF system at the optimum condition (i.e., −0.5 V, pH 4, and 0.3 mM Fe2+) during 30 min with the apparent kinetic constant of 0.267/min. In addition, OPB demonstrated efficient stability in removing BPA after four cycles in the EF system. According to the results of density functional theory calculation and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis, the three pathways were inferred to be hydroxylation, ketoneation, oxidation, and benzene ring cleavage, and then further decomposed into CO 2 and H 2 O, and the toxicity to the environment gradually decreased with the occurrence of the reaction. This study provides a new idea for resource recovery from waste biomass to solve the problem of water pollution. [Display omitted] • O-doped porous biochar (OPB) was prepared using spirit-based distiller's grains. • BPA was completely removed by the OPB-modified electro-Fenton system in 30 min. • The degradation mechanism of Bisphenol A was explored by DFT and LC-MS/MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety and reliability of mechanical systems are compromised by the lubricant degradation and excessive wear on contact surfaces. In response, a TiN-VN/PAO lubrication system was developed, and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles with highly ordered pore structures were introduced to improve friction performance. The findings indicate that the addition of ZIF-8 significantly reduces the friction coefficient and wear rate in the composite system. The outstanding anti-friction performance is attributed to the heterogeneous TiN-VN nanolaminates material, which provides exceptional deformation tolerance and interface friction products. XPS analysis reveals the formation of a low shear strength Magnéli phases (V 2 O 5) on the wear track surface, while TEM observations demonstrate that a ∼18 nm Zn-rich layer was developed at the interface, acting as a lubricating barrier layer. • The tribological performance of TiN-VN film is evaluated in PAO oil with ZIF-8. • The presence of ZIF-8 reduced the CoF and wear rate for TiN-VN/PAO system. • ZIF-8 nanoparticles on the friction interface form a lubricating support barrier layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An inverted Gaussian model (IGM) based vegetation fluorescence remote-sensing inversion algorithm (IGM-FLD) was proposed on the basis of the comparison and analysis of the FLD algorithms. • The proposed algorithm uses the inverted Gaussian reflectance model to construct the apparent reflectance baseline of the red-edge region of vegetation (680–800 nm spectral range) and can simultaneously invert fluorescence intensity at the O2-B and O2-A bands. • The IGM-FLD algorithm shows definite physical meanings because the model has been found to provide an effective quantitative representation of the shape and position of the vegetation red edge reflectance in terms of parameters of physical significance in the manuscript. In this study, the principle, advantages, and disadvantages of the three representative chlorophyll fluorescence remote-sensing inversion algorithms standard Fraunhofer Line Discrimination(FLD), 3FLD, and improved FLD (iFLD) were compared and analyzed, and the inverted Gaussian model fluorescence inversion algorithm (IGM-FLD) was proposed. Vegetation canopy spectral data were simulated by the soil canopy observation, photochemistry, and energy flux (SCOPE) model. The analysis of the simulated and measured spectral data revealed that in contrast to the model parameters of sFLD, 3FLD, and iFLD, those of IGM-FLD have definite physical meanings. In addition, the apparent reflectance baseline of IGM-FLD was more reasonable than that of the other models. Given these properties, the fluorescence inversion accuracy of the IGM-FLD model was higher than that of the other three models. Moreover, it only required the construction of a reflectance baseline in the 680–800 nm spectral range and can simultaneously invert the fluorescence information of the O 2 -B and O 2 -A bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uranium mining and processing has left a serious problem in terms of waste disposal. Microbially mediated U release from crystalline rocks has made the problem even more challenging, but the specific mechanisms for such U release have remained elusive. In this work, bio-weathering experiments of a U-bearing rhyolitic rock were conducted to investigate the rates and mechanisms of microbially-induced U mobilization. Four bacterial isolates from Xiangshan uranium deposit, one of the largest volcanic rock-hosted U deposits worldwide, were able to grow in an oligotrophic medium (OM) in the presence of a U-bearing rhyolitic rock. These bacteria liberated U from the rock through a combination of acidolysis, metabolite-promoted complexation, and oxidative dissolution, among which U mobilization via complexation with citrate was one of the most significant mechanisms. Metabolite secretion was strain-specific, which accounted for the differences in U mobilization efficiency among different bacterial isolates. In particular, Microbacterium sp. 6-1 selectively colonized the surface of U-bearing minerals and mobilized a substantially higher amount of U than other isolates, suggesting a potentially active, mineral-specific attachment and bio-weathering mechanism. Our results demonstrated a high potential and capacity of native microorganisms to mobilize U from U-bearing rock, posing a great challenge for long-term U waste disposal, but also providing an opportunity for U recovery from mine tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles through nucleation of Au clusters have been extensively studied. However, due to low potency, prolonged tissue retention, and irreversible accumulation, the safety considerations have limited their therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Novel gold nanostructures with retained physical properties and higher biodegradability could be prepared by alternative approaches. Previously, a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform carrying gadolinium (Gd3+) has been reported to eliminate through the biliary without accumulation in the liver or kidney within 24 h. Inspired by this discovery, we investigated a new approach of forming gold nanoparticles using preformed LNPs grafting diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid as a chelating agent. Tiny Au nanoparticles are formed by simply mixing Au3+ with preformed diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid–LNP. The Au3+ associates stably to these LNPs after a systematic optimization. The Au-grafted LNPs are scalable and showed excellent photothermal effects when subjected to near-infrared light irradiation. They exhibit enhanced light-induced tumor cell killing at higher efficiency, compared with that of classical gold nanoparticles (citrated reduced). Given an additional small dose (2 Gy) of gamma irradiation, Au-grafted LNP could produce synergistic photothermal and radiotherapeutic effects under reduced light dose. The simple and adaptive nanoparticle design may enhance the margin of safety of gold nanoparticles in the treatment of cancers and other diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and facile Pd-catalyzed direct phosphonation of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles with dialkyl phosphites has been developed to give the corresponding C-5 phosphonated products in moderate to good yields with high regioselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming and ice extent reduction in Arctic makes commercial shipping through Arctic waters be promising in the near future. The fuel consumption and emission from ships on the Arctic shipping routes, which mainly depends on the ship resistance, is key factor to determine if it is more cost-effective comparing to traditional shipping route. The shipping route in Arctic water include open water and ice-covered water areas. The polar ships traveling through Arctic water need to have ice-strengthened hull to have ice-breaking capability to proceed safely in ice-covered water. Usually the bow hull form with good ice-breaking capability have high resistance in open water, while the bow form with good open-water efficiency (such as bulbous bow) may not have ice-breaking capability. This paper is to develop a methodology for optimized hull form design so that the minimum overall resistance in open-water and ice-covered water can be achieved, while maintaining desired level of ice-breaking capability for considered shipping route with expected ice conditions. The methodology proposed in this paper is based on the ship's desired route with historic ice data to define its typical operation profile. For the test example of this methodology, based on the desired route, the historic ice data are extracted from public available data source to determine the sections of open-water and ice-covered water, as well as the ice-thickness distribution along the route. The ship's resistance in open-water is calculated based on Rankine source method, while the ice resistance is calculated by Lindqvist formula. The overall resistance is weight-averaged based on the route's sections of open-water and ice-covered water. The ice-breaking capability is measured by the ice loads giving by the IACS Polar UR, which serves as the constraint during the optimization process. The parametric model is established for the optimization process. With an ice-breaking bow base design, the optimized bow hull form is achieved on the specified shipping route with historic ice condition. The result shows that the overall resistance is reduced by 5.42% while maintaining enough ice-breaking capability for the considered sample ship. Discrete Element Method is used to verify the optimized hull form's ice-breaking performance compatible with original hull form. It is shown that the methodology developed in this paper can be generally applied to polar ship hull form design for different shipping route and ice conditions. • An optimization procedure for ice-breaking bow hull form based on scenario analysis model is proposed. • Ice data of the sample shipping route are analyzed to classify open and ice-covered water with specific ice thickness. • The full parametric modeling method is used to model the ship to create hull form variations for optimization. • Minimizing total resistance considering open and ice-covered water is optimization target with rule ice loads as constraint. • Discrete element method is used to simulate ship/ice interaction for both original and optimized hull form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs)-based targeted molecular therapies (TMT) is inevitably hampered by the development of acquired drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Sonodymanic therapy (SDT) is a promising new cancer treatment approach, but its effects are restricted by tumor hypoxia. Herein, a nanoplatform fabricated by erlotinib-modified chitosan loading sonosensitizer hematoporphyrin (HP) and oxygen-storing agent perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB), namely CEPH, was developed to deliver HP to erlotinib-sensitive cells. CEPH with ultrasound could alleviate hypoxia inside the three-dimensional multicellular tumor spheroids, suppress NSCLC cell growth under normoxic or hypoxic condition, and enhance TMT/SDT synergistic effects through elevated production of reactive oxygen species, decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, and down-regulation of the expression of the proteins EGFR, p-EGFR, and HIF-1α. Hence, CEPH could be a potential nanoplatform to improve the efficacy of oxygen-dependent SDT and overcome hypoxia-induced TMT resistance for enhanced synergistic TMT/SDT. • Erlotinib-modified chitosan loading hematoporphyrin and PFOB was fabricated. • Nanoplatform showed pH/ultrasound-responsive release property with targeting ability. • Ultrasound enhanced penetration of nanocomplex in multicellular tumor spheroids. • Nanoplatform synergized targeted molecular therapy and sonodynamic therapy. • Nanoplatform overcomes hypoxia-induced drug resistance with multiple mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A nanoplatfrom APFHG constructed by aptamer modified fluorinated dendrimer co-loaded with hematoporphyrin and gefitinib was developed. • APFHG could specifically recognize EGFR-positive NSCLC cells and release drugs in response to intracellular pH. • APFHG could ameliorate tumor hypoxia condition, enhance PDT, and reverse gefitinib resistance. • APFHG could synergize targeted molecular therapy and PDT with multiple mechanisms. Although epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs)-based molecular targeted therapy are proved to be effective in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutation, its efficacy is limited by the acquired drug resistance. The combination of EGFR-TKIs with photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been explored to combat NSCLC with promising synergistic results. However, hypoxic tumor microenvironment is associated with the development of EGFR-TKIs resistance and severely limits the efficacy of PDT. Here, we synthesized an aptamer modified fluorinated dendrimer (APF) as a drug carrier and prepared nanocomplexes APFHG by encapsulation of gefitinib (Gef) and hematoporphyrin (Hp). APF has good oxygen-carrying capacity, high drug entrapment efficiency, and could release Gef and Hp in response to intracellular pH. APF can specifically recognize EGFR-positive NSCLC cells and effectively improve the tumor hypoxic microenvironment due to the targeting effect of aptamer and the good oxygen-carrying capacity of the fluorinated dendrimer. Under the laser irradiation, APFHG can significantly increase the production of the intracellular reactive oxygen species and produce a synergistic therapeutic effect in inhibition of cellular growth and induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis on both Gef-sensitive and Gef-resistant EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells through PDT/molecular targeted therapy. This work indicates that fluorinated dendrimer could be a potent drug delivery platform to overcome hypoxia-related resistance and the co-delivery of EGFR-TKI and photosensitizer by the fluorinated dendrimer could be a promising therapeutic approach for reversal of EGFR-TKIs resistance in EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some phosphate rock contains elevated concentrations of natural uranium. China is the largest phosphate rock producing country in the world and will soon have the largest uranium requirements in the world as well. Most phosphate rock deposits in China show low uranium concentrations (20–30 mg/kg) so that the recovery of radiotoxic heavy metals is neither economically appropriate nor ecologically necessary. China does, however, also have elevated uranium concentrations (≥90 mg/kg) in phosphate rock deposits in Sichuan and Yunnan. We estimate that China could have recovered nearly 648 metric tU (1.43 million lb U 3 O 8) from those mines in 2016. The amount corresponds to 9.7% of the total reported uranium requirements in this year or 39.3% of reported domestic uranium production in 2016. The future uranium recovery potential may be even higher in total numbers (1158 tU or 3.01 million lb U 3 O 8 in 2030). The main reason are potentially increasing imports of phosphate rock from large exporting countries such as Morocco that show higher average uranium content. In addition, medium- to lower-grade domestic phosphate rock resources with larger shares of accompanying heavy metals, that include rare earths and uranium, will have to be processed. Although the uranium supply for China is currently not at risk, the supply security could be further increased by obtaining unconventional uranium from domestic and imported phosphate rock. • We estimate the quantity of uranium that can be recovered from phosphates in China. • Uranium from phosphates could have covered 10% of China's uranium requirements in 2016. • Uranium from phosphates could be as high as 39% of the domestic production in 2016. • Future uranium recovery potential is even more considerable but dwarfed by uranium needs. • China may loosely follow a "four-fourths-rule" for the country's uranium supply security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the traditional photosensitizers (PSs) used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) have poor tumor targeting and phototoxic side effects. Drug delivery systems can be designed to be triggered to release payload PSs in response to intracellular hypoxia and acidic environment of tumors with controllable photoactivity to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects with minimal side-effects. In this work, we synthesized nitroimidazole-modified chitosan (Cs-NA) and prepared Cs-NA/rose bengal ω-carboxyheptyl ester (a rose bengal derivative, RBD) complex nanoparticles (Cs-NA/RBD) for pH and hypoxia double-responsive RBD delivery. Cs-NA/RBD possessed appropriate particle size of about 86.9 nm and zeta potential of +33.4 mV, showed good stability in cell culture medium, and demonstrated increased accumulative release at acidic and hypoxia condition by about 60% compared to that at neutral pH. The cellular uptake efficiency of Cs-NA/RBD in non-small cell lung cancer PC9 cells increased more than 10 times compared with Cs-NA/RB. The anti-proliferative effects and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC9 cells indicated the notable photodynamic therapeutic effects of Cs-NA/RBD. These results suggested that Cs-NA/RBD could be a promising nanoplatform for enhanced controllable photodynamic anticancer therapy. • Nitroimidazole-modified chitosan (Cs-NA) was synthesized for RBD delivery. • Cs-NA/RBD showed pH/hypoxia dual-responsive release manner with controllable PDT. • Cs-NA/RBD could generate ROS and obtain enhanced photodynamic anticancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• H 2 S donor NaHS improved pulmonary function and relieved emphysema in CS-exposed mice. • H 2 S donor NaHS downregulated inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in vivo and in vitro. • H 2 S donor NaHS inhibited alveolar epithelial cell injury and apoptosis in vivo and in vitro. • H 2 S donor NaHS suppressed CS-activated PHD2/HIF-1α signaling. • H 2 S donor NaHS inhibited CS-induced activation of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Chronic obstructive pulmonary fibrosis (COPD) is a chronic and fatal lung disease with few treatment options. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a donor of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), was found to alleviate cigarette smoke (CS)-induced emphysema in mice, however, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been clarified. In this study, we investigated its effects on COPD in a CS-induced mouse model in vivo and in cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-stimulated alveolar epithelial A549 cells in vitro. The results showed that NaHS not only relieved emphysema, but also improved pulmonary function in CS-exposed mice. NaHS significantly increased the expressions of tight junction proteins (i.e., ZO-1, Occludin and claudin-1), and reduced apoptosis and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in CS-exposed mouse lungs and CSE-incubated A549 cells, indicating H 2 S inhibits CS-induced inflammation, injury and apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells. NaHS also upregulated prolyl hydroxylase (PHD)2, and suppressed hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression in vivo and in vitro , suggesting H 2 S inhibits CS-induced activation of PHD2/HIF-1α axis. Moreover, NaHS inhibited CS-induced phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK in vivo and in vitro , and treatment with their inhibitors reversed CSE-induced ZO-1 expression and inflammation in A549 cells. These results suggest that NaHS may prevent emphysema via the suppression of PHD2/HIF-1α/MAPK signaling pathway, and subsequently inhibition of inflammation, epithelial cell injury and apoptosis, and may be a novel strategy for the treatment of COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcome of application of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) always suffers from acquired drug resistance. Its combination with other therapies has been explored with promising synergistic results. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment modality for NSCLC, but the low tumor selectivity of currently available photosensitizers (PSs) hampered the wide clinical application of PDT. Here, we synthesized erlotinib modified chitosan (ECs) by click coupling and developed ECs/indocyanine green (ICG) self-assembled nanoparticles (GECs) for combined targeted chemo-photodynamic therapy. GECs showed oval-shaped particles with a diameter of 267.5 nm, a zeta potential of −15.2 mV, and considerable photostability. In vitro release experiment showed that erlotinib and ICG could be slowly released from GECs in acidic condition with lysozyme. GECs were capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) for PDT under near-infrared laser irradiation. GECs showed synergistic molecular targeted and photodynamic therapeutic effects in inhibition of cellular growth and induction of apoptosis in NSCLC cells. This study demonstrated that the GECs could be a promising platform by combination of targeted chemo-photodynamic therapy for NSCLC treatment. • ICG-encapsulated erlotinib modified chitosan nanomedicine GECs were developed. • GECs were capable of generating ROS for PDT under NIR laser irradiation. • Synergistic molecular targeted and PDT effects in GECs have been discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]