ABSTRACT
Background: Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) plays a crucial role in fatty acid metabolism, which is involved in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to determine the expressional variations of GPIHBP1 in CRC at different stages and to verify whether this protein affects the shaping of the immune microenvironment of cancer cells. Methods: Variations of GPIHBP1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were first analysed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Protein levels of GPIHBP1 in cancer nest cells, stromal cells or surrounding normal tissues from 68 patients with CRC were checked by immunohistochemistry. Infiltration of immune cells such as macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), CD8+ and CD56+ cells was parallelly stained in the same tissues. Ectopic GPIHBP1 expressed colonic tumour cells were transplanted into the back of mice. Tumour growth and immune cell infiltrations were also observed. Results: Compared with those in healthy tissues, GPIHBP1 mRNA and protein levels decreased in the patients with CRC at Dukes A-B stage but gradually increased in the patients at Dukes C-D stage. GPIHBP1 in foci or stroma was positively correlated with recruited macrophages or MDSCs and negatively correlated with recruited CD8+, CD56+ or granzyme+ cells. The mice injected with GPIHBP1 overexpression cells bore large tumours. Histological analysis confirmed the infiltration of many macrophages and MDSCs but less CD8+ T or CD56+ cells. Conclusions: The increased expression of GPIHBP1 is involved in the progression of CRC. High GPIHBP1 level of advanced CRC indicates efficient immune evasion in tumour microenvironment.
ABSTRACT
Polymer based low evaporation enthalpy materials have become a universal selection for improving the efficiency of solar steam generation. Although water cluster and intermediate water mechanisms have been proposed to explain the low evaporation enthalpy, the production process and microstructure of activated water are still unclear. Here, crystal plane engineering is used to investigate the intermediate water state and the water cluster activation mechanism. The unique open-closed coordination structure on the optimized crystal surface promotes the generation of firm water clusters by optimizing the intermediate water state. Under the similar solar energy absorption of all materials, crystal plane engineering increased the solar steam generation rate of the evaporator by 31.2% and increased the energy efficiency to 94.8%. Exploring the micro-evaporation process and activated water structure is expected to stimulate the development of the next generation low evaporation enthalpy materials.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Cognitive impairment is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Caffeine intake has been reported to improve cognitive performance in several studies. However, whether the benefits of caffeine intake on cognitive function apply to patients with CKD remains unknown. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The data of CKD subjects and non-CKD subjects from NHANES 2011-2014 were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed based on age, sex, diabetes, cancer, educational level, energy intake and protein intake to select subjects. The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word Learning Test (CERAD-WL), the CERAD Word List Recall Test (CERAD-DR), the Animal Fluency Test (AF) and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) were used, whereby the occurrence of cognitive impairment was identified. Logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the association between caffeine intake and cognitive performance in CKD and non-CKD participants. Stratified analyses according to the stage of CKD and the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio levels were performed. Plot curves were then generalized to present a non-linear relationship, and the inflection point for each non-linear model was obtained by using a recursive algorithm. Results: Cognitive impairment was more prevalent in CKD patients than in non-CKD subjects. For CKD patients, caffeine intake was associated with higher CERAD-WL, CERAD-DR, AF and DSST scores. For non-CKD subjects, caffeine intake was associated with higher DSST scores only. Subgroup analysis revealed that caffeine only benefited the cognitive function of patients with CKD stages 2 and 3. The analysis showed non-linear relationships of caffeine intake and cognitive function for both CKD and non-CKD subjects. The inflection point of caffeine intake for CKD patients was 279 mg/day. Conclusion: The recommended dose of caffeine intake to improve the cognitive function of CKD patients is ≤279 mg/day.
ABSTRACT
Lithium-oxygen batteries have attracted research attention due to their low cost and high theoretical capacity. Developing inexpensive and highly efficient cathode materials without using noble metal-based catalysts is highly desirable for practical applications in lithium-oxygen batteries. Herein, a heterostructure of NiFe and NiC x inside of N-doped carbon (NiC x -NiFe-NC) derived from bimetallic Prussian blue supported on biochar was developed as a novel self-standing cathode for lithium-oxygen batteries. The specific discharge capacity of the best sample was 27.14 mAh·cm-2 at a stable discharge voltage of 2.75 V. The hybridization between the d-orbital of Ni and s and p-orbitals of carbon in NiC x , formed at 900 °C, enhanced the electrocatalytic performance due to the synergistic effect between these components. The structure of NiC x -NiFe-NC efficiently improved the electron and ion transfer between the cathode and the electrolyte during the electrochemical processes, resulting in superior electrocatalytic properties in lithium-oxygen batteries. This study indicates that nickel carbide supported on N-doped carbon is a promising cathode material for lithium-oxygen batteries.
