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Non‐noble‐metal‐based and earth‐abundant electrocatalysts have been extensively investigated for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, they still suffer from large Tafel slopes and high overpotentials, resulting in inferior HER catalytic activity. Herein, a novel, cost‐effective, and electrochemically stable catalyst is presented by growing ultrasmall CoSe2 nanoparticles on MoS2 nanofilms using a facile hydrothermal method. The CoSe2/MoS2 hybrid catalyst shows superior catalytic activity in HER to both CoSe2 or MoS2 alone and their physical mixture. With the Tafel slope as small as 37.8 mV dec−1, the CoSe2/MoS2 shows excellent catalytic properties for HER in an acidic solution. The promising performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect of CoSe2 nanoparticles and MoS2 nanofilms. In addition, the catalytic activity of the CoSe2/MoS2 catalyst is almost unchanged after 1000 cyclic voltammetric sweeps, indicating its long‐term durability under acidic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: At present, the only potency assay approved in China for the in-country testing of botulinum toxin type A for injection products is the mouse bioassay (MBA). The Chinese market for neurotoxin products is rapidly expanding, but MBAs are subject to high variability due to individual variations in mice, as well as variations in injection sites, in addition to the limited number of batches tested for one MBA. Compared with the mLD50 method, the cell-based potency assay (CBPA) developed for the potency testing of onabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX) by AbbVie not only does not use any experimental animals but also allows for significant time and cost savings. Due to the significant benefits conferred by the replacement of the mLD50 assay with CBPA in China, the CBPA method has been transferred, validated, and cross-validated to demonstrate the equivalence of the two potency methods. (2) Methods: The differentiated SiMa cells were treated with both BOTOX samples and the reference standard, and the cleaved SNAP25197 in the cell lysates was quantified using Chemi-ECL ELISA. A 4-PL model was used for the data fit and sample relative potency calculation. The method accuracy, linearity, repeatability, and intermediate precision were determined within the range of 50% to 200% of the labeled claim. A statistical equivalence of the two potency methods (CBPA and mLD50) was initially demonstrated by comparing the AbbVie CBPA data with NIFDC mLD50 data on a total of 167 commercial BOTOX lots (85 50U lots and 82 100U lots). In addition, six lots of onabotulinumtoxinA (three 50U and three 100U) were re-tested as cross-validation by these two methods for equivalence. (3) Results: The overall assay's accuracy and intermediate precision were determined as 104% and 9.2%, and the slope, R-square, and Y-intercept for linearity were determined as 1.071, 0.998, and 0.036, respectively. The repeatability was determined as 6.9%. The range with the acceptable criteria of accuracy, linearity, and precision was demonstrated as 50% to 200% of the labeled claim. The 95% equivalence statistic test using margins [80%, 125%] indicates that CBPA and mLD50 methods are equivalent for both BOTOX strengths (i.e., 50U and 100U). The relative potency data from cross-validation were within the range of ≥80% to ≤120%. (4) Conclusions: The CBPA meets all acceptance criteria and is equivalent to mLD50. The replacement of mLD50 with CBPA is well justified in terms of ensuring safety and efficacy, as well as for animal benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin is a waste product in the paper industry and lignocellulosic biorefineries, in addition to being the second most abundant renewable biopolymer on Earth. Valorization of useless lignin into high value‐added advanced materials not only helps address the environmentally detrimental biowaste but also satisfies the societal need for energy. While lignin has been converted into porous carbon, made into slurry, and pasted onto metal forms as an electrode for lithium‐ion batteries and supercapacitors, there remains issues with how to scale up the process while achieving great area and mass capacitances in the fabricated lignin‐carbon electrodes. In this work, a thick freestanding electrode coupled by lignin carbon and sodium without any binder and additives was fabricated demonstrating a specific area capacitance of 19.7 F cm−2 at a current density of 1 mA cm−2, which is the highest among to date reported freestanding lignin carbon electrodes with similar thickness. This excellent electrochemical performance originates from high electro‐positivity and oxygen content promoted by the sodium. This work brings a new strategy towards lignin utilization and energy storage through coupling lignin carbon and alkali metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels with pure hydrophilic network have received much attention due to their excellent low frictional behavior. However, the lubrication performance of hydrogels is not satisfied under high‐speed condition due to the energy dissipation caused by adsorbed polymer chains as well as the failure of lubricating mechanisms accompanied by the transition of lubrication regime. In this work, interpenetrating double‐network organohydrogels were constructed by combining hydrophilic and oleophilic polymer networks to modify the physiochemical properties of surface polymer chains, especially the chain mobility. The oleophilic polymer network spatially restricting the mobility of the swollen hydrophilic network in water, resulted in a low coefficient of friction (ca. 0.01) compared with conventional hydrogels at high speed (0.1 m s−1). Meanwhile, the organohydrogels had superior wear resistance, with almost no wear observed on the sliding track after 5 k cycles of rubbing at high speed. The design concept of organohydrogels can be extended to a variety of low‐wear, highly‐lubricating materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and synthesis of high‐performance and economical carbon electrodes play a critical role in developing energy‐efficient water desalination technologies. As a sustainable approach, low‐cost and abundant biomass materials are promising candidates to prepare porous carbon for capacitive deionization. In this study, binder‐free porous carbon sheets are successfully prepared using natural balsa, pine, and basswood by thermal carbonization and treated by chemical activation. The carbon electrode materials converted from balsa and pine exhibit a comparable salt adsorption performance by capacitive deionization due to the extensive surface area, substantial electrical property, and superior hydrophilic performance. The following activation treatment of the balsa‐converted carbon further enhances the surface and electrical properties and benefits the desalination performance. The salt adsorption capacity of the activated balsa electrode exhibits 12.45 mg g−1. Additionally, 19.52 mg g−1 Pb2+ and 20.06 mg g−1 Cr3+ heavy metal adsorption capacity is also observed with the activated balsa electrode in 100 mg L−1 PbCl2 and 50 mg L−1 CrCl3, respectively. To the best of authors' knowledge, this is the highest NaCl adsorption capacity performance reported thus far by using pure wood converted carbon as the electrode, and these promising results indicate that activated balsa is an extraordinary material for water desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been effectively used for the treatment of hematological malignancies and some solid tumors, while ATO effects were not tested clinically in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods. Patients with primary or secondary platinum-resistant EOC were enrolled from October 2015 to December 2019. Patients were mainly treated with ATO-based combined sequential chemotherapy as follows: Regimen 1 (ATO combined taxanes weekly therapy); Regimen 2 (ATO + taxanes + 5-fluorouracil + adriamycin ± bevacizumab sequential chemotherapy), for 5 patients platinum-free interval >12 months, added oxaliplatin). Prespecified end points in this cohort included confirmed best overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results. A total of 33 patients were enrolled in this study. After a median follow-up time of 22.1 months (range 5.5–42.9 months), ORR was 42% and DCR was 85%. The overall PFS was 9.5 months (range 1–38.4 months). The main side effect was myelosuppression. Conclusions. ATO-based sequential combined chemotherapy is effective for primary and recurrent drug-resistant EOC patients in clinical phase II trials. The associated side effects could be controlled, while further study is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a 2D nanosheet (NS) of γ‐cyclodextrin (CD)‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is synthesized through a facile green chemistry approach. NS‐MOF carrier is constructed using a water system in a simple one‐pot reaction involving CD and potassium carbonate. Particle size optimization is achieved by adjusting the reaction temperature and the introduction of crystal growth suppressor (appropriate proportion of acetone). The NS‐MOF stability in aqueous medium is improved by polymerization reaction of crosslinked CD‐MOF (CL‐CD‐MOF) without blocking its cavity for drug loading. The effects of particle geometry and size of nanoporous materials on their pharmacokinetics during drug delivery are compared between the sheet‐like DXM@CL‐NS‐MOF and 3D‐cubic‐shaped DXM@CL‐CD‐MOF loaded with the same quantity of dexamethasone (DXM). The bioefficiency of these carriers in tear fluids and aqueous humors to deliver DXM is investigated in vivo. The results demonstrate that the 2D‐nanosheet particles significantly improve precorneal residence time and intraocular bioavailability over the commercial Maxidex (0.1% dexamethasone) and its 3D‐cubes counterpart of similar chemical composition. It suggests that the geometry of a carrier play a significant role in the biodistribution, and the carrier of CL‐NS‐MOF is a good candidate for ocular drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have dominated nanoscience for the last two decades. Among all 2D materials, graphene, MoS2, and h-BN are extremely popular and have been tentatively scaled up to fabricate nanocomposites, energy storage devices, flexible electronics, etc., ex situ and in situ mechanical characterization of 2D crystals can help us understand their mechanical behavior and measure their mechanical properties, which are of great significance in both fundamental science and practical engineering. To date, a great effort has been devoted to both theoretical and experimental mechanics with a focus on unveiling mechanical behaviors and quantifying mechanical properties. Beyond original research, several insightful review works have been published with a specific focus on the mechanics of 2D materials. To have a complementary contribution to the overview of the mechanics of 2D materials, we would like to review the developed experimental techniques being used to mechanically characterize 2D materials. The working mechanism and associated advantages and disadvantages of the techniques will be briefly discussed. Based on the existence of arguments in mechanical properties and behaviors of 2D crystals, and immature mechanical characterization of 2D materials, more intensive and comprehensive studies are expected toward a full understanding of these novel and promising materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The association between accessory renal artery (ARA) and hypertension remains not fully understood. We observed the association between ARA and clinical characteristics among middle-aged patients with primary hypertension. Methods. One hundred and sixty-two middle-aged (mean 39.82 ± 10.25 years, 58.0% male) patients with primary hypertension were enrolled, and patients underwent Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) of renal arteries, ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM), echocardiography, physical examination, and routine blood chemistry examinations. According to the CTA results, patients were divided into a non-ARA (n = 108) and ARA (n = 54) group. Direct renin concentration (DRC), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), ABPM, echocardiography, creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate were compared between the two groups. Results. DRC (mU/L) (11.21 (5.34, 20.87) vs. 18.24 (10.32, 33.59), P = 0.002) was significantly higher in the ARA group than in the non-ARA group. However, PAC (ng/dL) (98.30 (67.30, 134.00) vs. 116.50 (78.80, 137.25), P = 0.103) was similar between these two groups. ABPM (mmHg) results showed that daytime (146.75 ± 17.04/95.86 ± 11.39 vs. 155.50 ± 14.76/100.48 ± 10.69, P < 0.05), night time (133.44 ± 17.50/85.28 ± 12.80 vs. 139.81 ± 14.64/89.83 ± 11.21, P < 0.05), and 24 h blood pressure (143.95 ± 15.99/93.90 ± 11.78 vs. 152.07 ± 13.85/98.11 ± 10.36, P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the ARA group than in the non-ARA group. Accordingly, echocardiographic-derived posterior left ventricular wall thickness value was higher in the ARA group than in the non-ARA group. Conclusion. ARA is related to higher blood pressure and higher direct renin concentration in middle-aged patients with primary hypertension, and these patients deserve stricter blood pressure control. Our results provide important evidence for that ARA is a cause of hypertension and target organs damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Aldosterone-to-plasma renin activity ratio (ARR) derived from traditional radioimmunoassay (RIA) is widely used to detect primary aldosteronism (PA). Recently, aldosterone-to-direct renin concentration ratio (ADRR), which is calculated by direct renin concentration (DRC) measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), is proposed to replace ARR as the screening test method for PA. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the diagnostic accuracy and cutoff value of ADRR as screening test for PA. Methods. 450 hypertensive patients with suspected PA referred to hypertension center of our department were enrolled and underwent screening and confirmatory tests of PA. Plasma renin activity (PRA), DRC, and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were measured by both RIA and CLIA simultaneously during screening and confirmatory test. Results. 386 patients were diagnosed as primary hypertension (PH) and 64 patients as PA. Within-patient correlation between PRA and DRC (r=0.88, P<0.001) and correlation between PAC measured by RIA and CLIA were high (r=0.80, P<0.001). The optimal cutoff value of ADRR was 2.93 (ng/dL)/(mU/L), sensitivity 80.33%, and specificity 92.11%. The optimal cutoff value of ARR was 25.28 (ng/dL)/(ng/mL/h), sensitivity 76.92%, and specificity 93.38%. Conclusion. The optimal cutoff values of ADRR and ARR for screening PA are defined in this patient cohort with high sensitivity and specificity. Our results are of clinical importance for accelerating the extensive use of ADRR as a screening test for PA in daily practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The overall electrocatalytic activity toward hydrogen evolution reaction for layered transition metal dichalcogenides is governed by their intrinsic activity, the corresponding density of active sites, and the electron transfer resistance. Here, nanoengineering strategies to scale down both the lateral size and thickness of layered 1T‐TiS2 powder to quantum dots (QDs) by bath sonication and probing sonication incision are employed. Uniform lateral size of 3–6 nm in the resulting QDs enhances the density of edge sites while the atomic layer thickness (1–2 nm) facilitates the electron transfer from the substrate to the edge sites. The obtained TiS2 QDs exhibit superior hydrogen evolution reaction activity over TiS2 nanosheets and MoS2 QDs prepared by the same method. The turnover frequency of TiS2 QDs with a small loading of 0.7 ng cm−2 in an optimal deposition on electrode reached ≈2.0 s−1 at an overpotential of −0.2 V versus RHE, several orders of magnitude higher than TiS2 nanosheets (0.01 s−1) and MoS2 QDs (0.07 s−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]