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In recent years, with the rapid development of global industry and economy, the environment is facing problems, particularly the heavy metal ion pollution. There are a number of technologies for environmental pollution control, among others, photo-catalysis has been widely concerned by researchers as an efficient and non-secondary-pollution technology. In this experimental study, a series of needle-shaped ZnWO4 photo-catalysts with oxygen defects were prepared by a hydrothermal method using sodium borohydride as an etching agent. Testing with potassium dichromate solution to simulate Cr(VI) containing wastewater was carried out, probing into the effect of oxygen defects on the photo-catalytic performance of Cr( VI) reduction over ZnWO4 photo-catalysts. The fabricated samples were characterized by several physico-chemical methods, e.g. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2 physical absorption, ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photo-electrochemical measurement. As a result, the experimental study showed that sodium borohydride etching could change the morphological feature of ZnWO4, increasing its specific surface area. In particular, the oxygen defects introduced by sodium borohydride etching broadened the light absorption range and reduced the recombination probability of photo-generated carriers, which significantly improved the photo-catalytic activity of ZnWO4 for Cr(VI) reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium metal, benefiting from its high theoretical capacity and natural abundance, is regarded as a promising anode for sodium‐metal batteries (SMBs). Unfortunately, the uncontrollable sodium dendrites formation caused from the sluggish ion‐transport kinetics and fragile solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) interlayer induces a low Coulombic efficiency and poor cycling stability. Constructing an artificial SEI interlayer with high ionic conductivity, stability, and mechanical toughness is an effective strategy for Na‐metal anode, yet it still presents major challenge for high current density and long cycling life. Herein, an artificial SEI interlayer composed of Na–Sn alloy, Sn, and Na2Te (denoted as NST) is designed via in‐situ conversion/alloying reaction of tin telluride (SnTe) with Na. Such artificial interlayer possesses rapid Na+‐transport kinetics and high Young's modulus (5.3 GPa), benefitting to even Na plating/stripping and suppressing Na dendrite growth. Owing to these merits, the symmetrical Na/NST cell presents an ultralong cycle life span over 1390 h with a small voltage hysteresis at 1 mA cm−2 with 1 mAh cm−2. And the Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP)||Na/NST full cell exhibits a prolonged life of 1000 cycles with a high‐capacity retention of 88% at 5C. Herein, a promising strategy is provided to construct a high‐performance artificial interlayer for SMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of intercropping with hyperaccumulator on cadmium (Cd) accumulation of non-hyperaccumulator, a pot experiment was conducted to study the effects of intercropping with three ploidies of hyperaccumulator Solanum species on the growth and cadmium uptake of Cyphomandra betacea seedlings. The hyperaccumulators Solanum photeinocarpum (diploid), Solanum nigrum (hexaploid), and colchicine-induced tetraploid S. photeinocarpum were intercropped with C. betacea seedlings under Cd-contaminated soil conditions. Intercropping with three ploidies of Solanum species decreased the root, stem, leaf, and shoot biomass of C. betacea seedlings. Intercropping with three ploidies of Solanum species also decreased the photosynthetic pigment contents (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid) in C. betacea seedlings but increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) and soluble protein content of C. betacea seedlings. Intercropping decreased the Cd content in C. betacea seedlings. The lowest level was observed after intercropping with the hexaploid species, while the Cd contents and extraction amount of three ploidies of Solanum increased by decreasing the pH of soil and increasing concentration of soil exchangeable Cd. Therefore, intercropping three ploidies of Solanum species could inhibit the Cd uptake of C. betacea, and the hexaploid (S. nigrum) was the best choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium (Na) metal as an anode is one of the ultimate choices for the high‐energy rechargeable batteries in virtue of its intrinsic high theoretical capacity (1166 mAh g−1) and low redox potential (−2.71V vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)), as well as its low cost and broad sources. Nevertheless, the dendrite‐related hazards seriously block its practical application. Na dendrite formation mainly emanates from the uncontrolled Na deposition behavior. Therefore, it seems particularly important to employ appropriate strategies towards the homogeneous deposition of Na for the dendrite‐free metal anode. In this review, the challenge of regulating Na homogeneous deposition for dendrite‐free Na anodes is first discussed. Then, recent advances in the strategies of regulating the Na uniform deposition are summarized, including adjusting Na+ flux near the solid‐liquid interface and improving sodiophilicity on the biphase interface. Lastly, perspectives on further research and important factors toward the practical application of high‐energy‐density Na metal batteries are emphasized in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The underlying mechanism of diabetic enteropathy, a common complication of type 1 diabetes, remains unclear. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is a ubiquitous type of Ca2+ influx involved in various cellular functions. Here, we show that SOCE-related stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and Orai1 participate in inappropriate cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, augmenting agonist-induced small intestinal smooth muscle contraction and small bowel transit speed in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. Methods and Results: We used small interfering (si)RNA to suppress STIM1 and Orai1 proteins, and employed intracellular Ca2+, small intestinal contraction and intestinal transit speed measurement to investigate the functional change. We found that SOCE activity and Orai1 and STIM1 expression levels of small intestinal smooth muscle were significantly increased in cells cultured in high glucose medium or in diabetic mice. Gastrointestinal transit speed and SOCE-mediated contractions were markedly increased in diabetic mice; Knocking down Orai1 or STIM1 with siRNA rescued both alterations in diabetic mice. However, the Orai1-large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channel interaction was decreased in diabetic mice, and suppressing Orai1 expression or inhibiting the BKCa channel increased agonist-induced small intestinal contractions in normal mice. Conclusion: We concluded that the increased SOCE caused by excessive STIM1 and Orai1 expression and decreased Orai1-BKCa interaction augmented small intestinal smooth muscle contraction and accelerated small bowel transit speed in diabetic mice. This finding demonstrates a pathological role for SOCE in diabetic enteropathy and provides a potential therapeutic target for diabetic enteropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common type of malignant tumor of the bile duct and is characterized by high morbidity and mortality; it is difficult to diagnose in the early stages and responds poorly to current conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The present study investigated the role of GSK-3β signaling on the anticancer effects of doxorubicin in human CCA cells. Blocking GSK-3β enhanced the sensitivity of human CCA cells to doxorubicin (Dox)-induced apoptosis, which was accompanied by decreased AKT and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity. Moreover, inhibiting GSK-3β using 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime, CHIR99021 or small interfering RNA decreased phosphorylation of FAK and AKT, and promoted apoptosis of Dox-induced human CCA cells. Moreover, FAK inhibition suppressed AKT activity independently of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity. These results indicated that GSK-3β protects human CCA cells against Dox-induced apoptosis via sustaining FAK/AKT activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]