Facile Construction of CuFe-Based Metal Phosphides for Synergistic NOx -Reduction to NH3 and Zn-Nitrite Batteries in Electrochemical Cell.

The electrocatalytic nitrite/nitrate reduction reaction (eNO2RR/eNO3RR) offer a promising route for green ammonia production. The development of low cost, highly selective and long-lasting electrocatalysts for eNO2RR/eNO3RR is challenging. Herein, a method is presented for constructing Cu3P-Fe2P heterostructures on iron foam (CuFe-P/IF) that facilitates the effective conversion of NO2 - and NO3 - to NH3. At -0.1 and -0.2 V versus RHE (reversible hydrogen electrode), CuFe-P/IF achieves a Faradaic efficiency (FE) for NH3 production of 98.36% for eNO2RR and 72% for eNO3RR, while also demonstrating considerable stability across numerous cycles. The superior performance of CuFe-P/IF catalyst is due tothe rich Cu3P-Fe2P heterstuctures. Density functional theory calculations have shed light on the distinct roles that Cu3P and Fe2P play at different stages of the eNO2RR/eNO3RR processes. Fe2P is notably active in the early stages, engaging in the capture of NO2 -/NO3 -, O─H formation, and N─OH scission. Conversely, Cu3P becomes more dominant in the subsequent steps, which involve the formation of N─H bonds, elimination of OH* species, and desorption of the final products. Finally, a primary Zn-NO2 - battery is assembled using CuFe-P/IF as the cathode catalyst, which exhibits a power density of 4.34 mW cm-2 and an impressive NH3 FE of 96.59%.

Reduction of Autophagosome Overload Attenuates Neuronal Cell Death After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Previous studies have shown that alterations in autophagy-related proteins exist extensively after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, whether autophagy is enhanced or suppressed by TBI remains controversial. In our study, a controlled cortical impact was used to establish a model of moderate TBI in rats. We found that a significant increase in protein levels of LC3-II and SQSTM1 in the injured cortex group. However, there were no significant differences in protein levels of VPS34, Beclin-1, and phosphor-ULK1, which are the promoters of autophagy. Lysosome dysfunction after TBI might lead to autophagosome accumulation. In addition, the highly specific autophagy inhibitor SAR405 administration reduced TBI-induced apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 levels in the ipsilateral cortex, as well as brain edema and neurological defects accessed by mNSS. Furthermore, chloroquine treatment reversed the beneficial effects of SAR405 by increasing the accumulation of autophagosomes. Finally, our data showed that autophagy inhibition by VPS34 gene knockout method attenuated cell death after TBI. Our findings indicate that impaired autophagosome degradation is involved in the pathological reaction after TBI, and the inhibition of autophagy contributes to attenuate neuronal cell death and functional defects.

Impact of prostate cancer radiotherapy on the biological behavior and specific mortality of subsequent bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The impact of different radiotherapy modalities on the development and characteristics of second primary bladder cancers (BCa) and BCa-specific mortality (BCa-SM) remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated the incidence and biological behavior of subsequent BCa and related survival in patients who underwent radiation therapy for prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: A total of 530,581 patients in the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database with localized PCa between 1988 and 2013 were identified. PCa treatments included radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), radioactive implants (RI), and combined EBRT and RI (EBRI). A multivariable competing risk analysis based on a proportional sub distribution hazards model was used to determine the impact of different radiotherapy modalities on BCa incidence and specific mortality. RESULTS: Incidence of BCa was significantly high in patients treated with EBRT, RI, and EBRI vs. RP [sub distribution hazard ratio (SHR) 1.41, P < 0.001; SHR 1.58, P < 0.001; SHR 1.56, P < 0.001, respectively]. BCa following EBRT, RI, and EBRI were more commonly non-urothelial (3.3%, 2.9%, 3.3%, respectively, versus 1.2%) and T4 (3.5%, 6.1%, 5.0%, respectively, versus 1.6%) compared with RP. RI associated with a higher rate of BCa metastasis than RP (2.6% vs. 1.1%). Prior EBRT, RI, and EBRI increased BCa-SM (SHR 1.44, P = 0.001; SHR 1.21, P = 0.047; and SHR 1.42, P = 0.032, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving radiotherapy for PCa have a higher risk of BCa. BCa after EBRT, RI, and EBRI is more likely to be non-urothelial, stage T4, and with increased BCa-SM. Prior RI associated with a higher rate of BCa metastasis.