Cd/Cd(OH)2 Nanosheets Enhancing the Electrocatalytic Activity of CO2 Reduction to CO.

Electric-driven conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) to carbon monoxide (CO) under mild reaction conditions offers a promising approach to mitigate the greenhouse effect and the energy crisis. Surface engineering is believed to be one of the prospective methods for enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of CO2 reduction. Herein, hydroxyl (OH) groups were successfully introduced to cadmium nanosheets to form cadmium and cadmium hydroxide nanocomposites (i. e. Cd/Cd(OH)2 nanosheets) via a facile two-step method. The as-prepared Cd/Cd(OH)2 /CP (CP indicates carbon paper) electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction to produce CO. The Faradaic efficiency of CO reaches 98.3 % and the current density achieves 23.8 mA cm-2 at -2.0 V vs. Ag/Ag+ in a CO2 -saturated 30 wt% 1-butyl-3-methylimidazole hexafluorophosphate ([Bmim]PF6 )-65 wt% acetonitrile (CH3 CN)-5 wt% water (H2 O) electrolyte. And the CO partial current density can reach up to 71.6 mA cm-2 with the CO Faradaic efficiency of more than 85 % at -2.3 V vs. Ag/Ag+ , which stands out against Cd/CP, Cd(OH)2 /CP, and Cd/CdO/CP electrodes. The excellent electrocatalytic performance of the Cd/Cd(OH)2 /CP electrode can be attributed to its unique structural properties, suitable OH groups, perfect interaction with electrolyte, abundant active sites and fast electron transfer rate.

Association of H-Type Hypertension with miR-21, miR-29, and miR-199 in Kazahks of Xinjiang, China.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the expressions of miR-21, miR-29, and miR-199 in the serum of the patients with H-type hypertension among Kazakhs. Then, we analyzed the effect of MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism on the association between the above miRNA and H-type hypertension. Method: In this study, the expression of miR-21, miR-29, and miR-199 was quantitatively measured in 120 serum samples and then stratified according to the C677T polymorphism to analyze the relationship between target miRNAs and HHcy. Results: The expression of miR-21/-29 in the hypertension group was higher than the normal group (P < 0.001). And the expression of miR-199 was higher in the hcy group than in the normal group (P < 0.001). In the CC and CT genotypes of MTHFR 677C > T, the expression of miR-21 was lower in the HHcy patients than in the normal individuals (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001) and miR-199 was significantly higher in the HHcy patients than in the normal ones (P = 0.002 and P = 0.048). No such difference was found in the TT genotype. Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and MTHFRC677 T gene polymorphism, miR-21 was negatively correlated with hcy (OR = 0.222, 95% CI (0.101-0.485), P < 0.001) and miR-199 was positively correlated with hcy (OR = 1.823,95%CI (1.272∼2.614), P = 0.001). Conclusion: miR-21, miR-29, and miR-199 are associated with H-type hypertension in the Kazakhs, especially hyperhomocysteinemia. And these three miRNAs may serve as biomarkers to provide clues to the potential pathogenesis of H-type hypertension.

Association of three insulin resistance indices with hypertension and body weight among Uyghur adults in rural areas of Xinjiang, China.

Obesity and insulin resistance are significant contributors to hypertension. There is a high prevalence of obesity among Uyghurs in the rural areas of Xinjiang, China. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between insulin resistance indices and hypertension according to different body weights in rural Uyghur residents of Xinjiang, China. A total of 12 813 local Uyghur residents were recruited for the study. Excluding those with incomplete data and those using antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, or glycemic drugs, 9577 permanent residents were eligible for the study. Three insulin resistance indicators were calculated: triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, product of fasting triglyceride and glucose (TYG), and metabolic score for insulin resistance. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between the three non-insulin-based insulin resistance indices and the risk of hypertension for different body weights. TYG was significantly associated with hypertension in the normal-weight group, particularly in women. In the obese group that was obese, all three indicators were associated with hypertension. Since TYG was associated with hypertension in the groups with normal weight and obesity, it may be useful as a reference indicator for insulin resistance. This indicator may provide a basis for the identification and management of hypertension risk among adults in the Uyghur population.

Correction: Critical size effect for the surface heat capacities of nano-CdS: theoretical and experimental studies.

Correction for 'Critical size effect for the surface heat capacities of nano-CdS: theoretical and experimental studies' by Shengjiang Zhang et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2022, 24, 6193-6207, https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CP04619E.

Comparison of obesity-related indicators for identifying metabolic syndrome among normal-weight adults in rural Xinjiang, China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the ability of certain obesity-related indicators to identify metabolic syndrome (MetS) among normal-weight adults in rural Xinjiang. METHODS: A total of 4315 subjects were recruited in rural Xinjiang. The questionnaire, biochemical and anthropometric data were collected from them. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the z-score of each index and MetS. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the diagnostic ability of each index. According to the cut-off value of each index, nomogram models were established and their diagnostic ability were evaluated. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, each indicator in different genders was correlated with MetS. Triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index) showed the strongest association with MetS in both males (OR = 3.749, 95%CI: 3.173-4.429) and females (OR = 3.521,95%CI: 2.990-4.148). Lipid accumulation product (LAP) showed the strongest diagnostic ability in both males (AUC = 0.831, 95%CI: 0.806-0.856) and females (AUC = 0.842, 95%CI: 0.820-0.864), and its optimal cut-off values were 39.700 and 35.065, respectively. The identification ability of the TyG index in different genders (males AUC: 0.817, females AUC: 0.817) was slightly weaker than LAP. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) had the similar AUC (males: 0.717, females: 0.747) to conicity index (CI) (males: 0.734, females: 0.749), whereas the identification ability of a body shape index (ABSI) (males AUC: 0.700, females AUC: 0.717) was relatively weak. Compared with the diagnostic ability of a single indicator, the AUC of the male nomogram model was 0.876 (95%CI: 0.856-0.895) and the AUC of the female model was 0.877 (95%CI: 0.856-0.896). The identification ability had been significantly improved. CONCLUSION: LAP and TyG index are effective indicators for identifying MetS among normal-weight adults in rural Xinjiang. Nomogram models including age, CI, LAP, and TyG index can significantly improve diagnostic ability.

Updating Framingham CVD risk score using waist circumference and estimated cardiopulmonary function: a cohort study based on a southern Xinjiang population.

PURPOSE: To explore the association between waist circumference (WC), estimated cardiopulmonary function (eCRF), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in southern Xinjiang. Update the Framingham model to make it more suitable for the southern Xinjiang population. METHODS: Data were collected from 7705 subjects aged 30-74 years old in Tumushuke City, the 51st Regiment of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. CVD was defined as an individual's first diagnosis of non-fatal acute myocardial infarction, death from coronary heart disease, and fatal or non-fatal stroke. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze the association between WC, eCRF and CVD risk. Restricted cubic spline plots were drawn to describe the association of the two indicators with CVD risk. We update the model by incorporating the new variables into the Framingham model and re-estimating the coefficients. The discrimination of the model is evaluated using AUC, NRI, and IDI metrics. Model calibration is evaluated using pseudo R2 values. RESULTS: WC was an independent risk factor for CVD (multivariate HR: 1.603 (1.323, 1.942)), eCRF was an independent protective factor for CVD (multivariate HR: 0.499 (0.369, 0.674)). There was a nonlinear relationship between WC and CVD risk (nonlinear χ2 = 12.43, P = 0.002). There was a linear association between eCRF and CVD risk (non-linear χ2 = 0.27, P = 0.6027). In the male, the best risk prediction effect was obtained when WC and eCRF were added to the model (AUC = 0.763((0.734,0.792)); pseudo R2 = 0.069). In the female, the best risk prediction effect was obtained by adding eCRF to the model (AUC = 0.757 (0.734,0.779); pseudo R2 = 0.107). CONCLUSION: In southern Xinjiang, WC is an independent risk factor for CVD. eCRF is an independent protective factor for CVD. We recommended adding WC and eCRF in the male model and only eCRF in the female model for better risk prediction.

Critical size effect for the surface heat capacities of nano-CdS: theoretical and experimental studies.

The unique physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials are closely related to their surface thermodynamic functions, which mainly depend on their sizes. In this study, the thermodynamic properties of nano-cadmium sulphide (nano-CdS) were investigated by solubility technology. The nano-CdS powders with different particle sizes were prepared via a traditional solvothermal method, and the electrical conductivities of nano-CdS aqueous solutions at different temperatures were measured. The standard dissolution equilibrium constants of nano-CdS at different temperatures were calculated using the theory of dissolution thermodynamics. The standard molar dissolution thermodynamic functions, the molar surface thermodynamic functions and the specific surface thermodynamic functions of nano-CdS with different particle sizes were calculated by combining the thermodynamic functions of bulk-CdS, the principle of the thermodynamic cycle and the principle of electrochemical equilibrium. The experimental results show that the critical size values for the molar surface heat capacity and the specific surface heat capacity for approximately spherical nanoparticles are 9.3 nm and 8.7 nm, respectively. Within an acceptable range of error, the thermodynamic functions have linear and curved relationships with particle sizes and temperatures. Based on these results, it is disclosed that the critical size effect on surface heat capacities of nano-CdS is valuable to understand the energy storage processes of nanomaterials.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Enzymatic Extraction Conditions for Improving Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and Antitumor Activities In Vitro from Trapa quadrispinosa Roxb. Residues.

Stems are the important residues of Trapa quadrispinosa Roxb., which are abundant in phenolic compounds. Ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction (UAEE) is confirmed as a novel extraction technology with main advantages of enhancing extraction yield and physiological activities of the extracts from various plants. In this study, UAEE was applied to obtain the highest yield of phenolic content, strongest antioxidant, and antitumor activities and to optimize the extraction conditions using response surface methodology (RSM). The extracts from the stems of T. quadrispinosa were characterized by determination of their antioxidant activities through 2,2-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazxyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAC) methods and of their antitumor activity by MTT method. The selected key independent variables were cellulase concentration (X1: 1.5%-2.5%), extraction time (X2: 20-30 min) and extraction temperature (X3: 40-60 °C). The optimal extraction conditions for total phenolic content (TPC) value of the extracts were determined as 1.74% cellulase concentration, 25.5 min ultrasonic extraction time and 49.0 °C ultrasonic temperature. Under these conditions, the highest TPC value of 53.6 ± 2.2 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight (DW) was obtained, which agreed well with the predicted value (52.596 mg GAE/g·DW. Furthermore, the extracts obtained from UAEE presented highest antioxidant activities through ABTS, DPPH, TAC and FRAC methods were of 1.54 ± 0.09 mmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g·DW; 1.45 ± 0.07 mmol·TE/g·DW; 45.2 ± 2.2 mg·GAE/g·DW; 50.4 ± 2.6 µmol FeSO4 equivalent/g·DW and lowest IC50 values of 160.4 ± 11.6 µg/mL, 126.1 ± 10.8 µg/mL, and 178.3 ± 13.1 µg/mL against Hela, HepG-2 and U251 tumor cells, respectively. The results indicated that the UAEE was an efficient alternative to improve extraction yield and enhance the antioxidant and antitumor activities of the extracts. The phenolic extracts from the stems of T. quadrispinosa had significant antioxidant and antitumor activities, which could be used as a source of potential antioxidant and antitumor agents.