Soft-in-Rigid Strategy Promoting Rapid and High-Capacity Lithium Storage by Chemical Scissoring.

Large and rapid lithium storage is hugely demanded for high-energy/power lithium-ion batteries; however, it is difficult to achieve these two indicators simultaneously. Sn-based materials with a (de)alloying mechanism show low working potential and high theoretical capacity, but the huge volume expansion and particle agglomeration of Sn restrict cyclic stability and rate capability. Herein, a soft-in-rigid concept was proposed and achieved by chemical scissoring where a soft Sn-S bond was chosen as chemical tailor to break the Ti-S bond to obtain a loose stacking structure of 1D chain-like Sn1.2Ti0.8S3. The in situ and ex situ (micro)structural characterizations demonstrate that the Sn-S bonds are reduced into Sn domains and such Sn disperses in the rigid Ti-S framework, thus relieving the volume expansion and particle agglomeration by chemical and physical shielding. Benefiting from the merits of large-capacity Sn with an alloying mechanism and high-rate TiS2 with an intercalation mechanism, the Sn1.2Ti0.8S3 anode offers a high specific capacity of 963.2 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 after 100 cycles and a reversible capacity of 250 mA h g-1 at 10 A g-1 after 3900 cycles. Such a strategy realized by chemical tailoring at the structural unit level would broaden the prospects for constructing joint high-capacity and high-rate LIB anodes.

[Genetic analysis for a female carrying idic(Y)(p11.32) with Disorders of sex development].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a patient with Disorders of sex development (DSD). METHODS: A female patient who had presented at the Linyi People's Hospital due to primary amenorrhea on April 6, 2022 was selected as the study subject. Conventional chromosomal karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), fluorescence quantitative PCR and Sanger sequencing were carried out for the patient. RESULTS: The patient, a 14-year-old female, had featured short statue, multiple nevi, and primary amenorrhea. She was found to have a karyotype of 46,X,idic(Y)(p11.3)[59]/45,X[39]/47,X,idic(Y)(p11.3)×2[2]. The result of FISH assay was 46,X,der(Y).ish idic(Y)(p11.3)(SRY+)[59]/45,X[39]/47,X,der(Y)×2.ish idic(Y)(p11.3)(SRY+)[2]. That of CMA was arr[GRCh37](X)×1,(Y)×0-1,arr[GRCh37]Yp11.32(118552_472090)×1. The patient had no deletion in the AZF region of Y chromosome, and was negative for variant of SRY gene. Combining the above results, her molecular karyotype was determined as mos 46,X,idic(Y)(p11.32)[59]/45,X[39]/47,X,idic(Y)(p11.32)×2[2].ish 46,X,idic(Y)(p11.32)(DXZ1+,DYZ1++,DYZ3++,SRY+)[59]/45,X(DXZ1+,DYZ1-,DYZ3-,SRY-)[39]/47,X,der(Y)×2.ish idic(Y)(p11.32)(DXZ1+,DYZ1++,DYZ3++,SRY+)[2].arr[GRCh37](X)×1, (Y)×0-1，arr[GRCh37]Yp11.32(118552_472090)×1. The patient was diagnosed with mosaicism DSD with idic(Y)(p11.32). CONCLUSION: The abnormal mosaicism karyotype probably underlay the DSD in this patient.

Accelerating ion/electron transport by engineering an indium-based heterostructure toward large and reversible lithium storage.

The high activity of the In2O3/In2S3 heterostructure can be activated into homogeneous In2OxS3-x nanodots, thereupon stabilizing the subsequent cycles. The In2O3/In2S3 can offer a high capacity of 1140 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 after 290 cycles, and even at 1 A g-1, it harvests a reversible capacity of 900 mA h g-1 after 600 cycles.

Foliar methyl jasmonate (MeJA) application increased 2-acetyl-1-Pyrroline (2-AP) content and modulated antioxidant attributes and yield formation in fragrant rice.

Endogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) mediates abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. Exogenous MeJA application can stimulate and defend plant gene expression and induce plant chemical defense. The effects of foliar MeJA application on yield and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) biosynthesis of fragrant rice are scarcely investigated. The pot experiment was conducted by spraying different concentrations of MeJA (0, 1, and 2 µM; denoted as CK, MeJA-1, and MeJA-2) at the initial heading stage of two fragrant rice cultivars, Meixiangzhan and Yuxiangyouzhan. The results showed that foliar MeJA application significantly increased the grain 2-AP content by 32.1% and 49.7%, respectively, following MeJA-1 and MeJA-2 treatments, and the two cultivars showed the highest 2-AP content upon MeJA-2 treatment. However, the grain yield was increased in MeJA-1 as compared with MeJA-2 treatment for all rice cultivars and no significant differences were observed in yield and yield-related traits compared with CK. The aroma was improved by foliar MeJA application which was strongly associated with the regulation of the precursors and enzymes involved in 2-AP biosynthesis. In particular, the contents of proline, pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid, and pyrroline at maturity, as well as the activities of proline dehydrogenase, ornithine aminotransferase, and pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid synthetase, were positively correlated with grain 2-AP content. On the other hand, foliar MeJA application improved the contents of soluble protein, chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoid, and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, peroxidase activity and leaf chlorophyll contents were significantly positively correlated to 2-AP content following foliar MeJA application. Therefore, our results implied that foliar MeJA application increased aroma and influenced yield by regulating the physio-biochemistry characters and resistance, and suggested that the optimal concentration of MeJA for the best positive effect on the yield and aroma was 1 µM. However, further study is required to evaluate the metabolic level and molecular basis of the regulatory mechanism of foliar MeJA application on 2-AP in fragrant rice.

Factors that affect Pickering emulsions stabilized by mesoporous hollow silica microspheres.

HYPOTHESIS: Classical (solid particles stabilized) Pickering emulsions have been widely studied due to the irreversible adsorption of solid particles at the oil-water interface. Mesoporous hollow silica microspheres (MHSMs) are promising stabilizers for Pickering emulsion owing to its larger specific surface area and lower apparent density. However, this type of Pickering emulsion has not attracted enough attention. The stabilization mechanism of Pickering emulsion by MHSMs has not been studied in detail yet. EXPERIMENTS: Herein, stable Pickering emulsions were prepared using only MHSMs as stabilizers. In order to investigate its stabilization mechanism, the effect factors of size, shell thickness, wettability and concentration of MHSMs, and oil/water ratio on the stability of Pickering emulsions were analyzed deeply. FINDINGS: As a result, the stability of Pickering emulsion can be improved by MHSMs with smaller particle size and shell thickness. Also, MHSMs with the intermediate hydrophobicity and suitable oil/water ratio actually do favour for the stability of Pickering emulsion. As expected, the stability of Pickering emulsion can be enhanced by increasing the concentration of MHSMs in a certain range. The Pickering emulsions tend to achieve excellent stable state when the concentration of MHSMs is 1.25 mg/mL. All those results suggested that the stability of Pickering emulsions correlates directly to particle size, shell thickness, wettability and concentration of MHSMs, and oil/water ratio. This research paves a way for the fabrication of functional materials via Pickering emulsions.

Soil organic carbon stocks and dynamics in a mollisol region: A 1980s-2010s study.

Mollisols are globally distributed in grain-producing regions, and soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in mollisol regions are closely related to food security. Regional climate, land use and cover, and field management practice have massively changed since the 1980s in mollisol region in Northeast China, however, the dynamics of topsoil and profile SOC stocks and their distribution have not updated. To explore the dynamics of SOC stocks and their horizontal and vertical distributions in the 1980s-2010s, we took the mollisol region in Northeast China as an example location to conduct profile-scale soil surveys. The in situ surveys indicated that the topsoil SOC stock (0-20 cm) remained relatively stable throughout the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s, and was 57.3 ± 5.5, 58.2 ± 3.3, and 57.4 ± 4.4 t C ha-1, respectively. The average profile SOC stock (1 m) increased from 148.9 ± 18.5 t C ha-1 in the 1980s to 162.0 ± 14.0 t C ha-1 in the 2010s. A slowdown in land reclamation and implementation of conservation tillage helped maintain and restore SOC stocks. Although the overall SOC stock tended to accumulate, the study area suffered an increasingly unbalanced redistribution of SOC related to severe soil erosion. Soil particles and SOC at erosional positions such as backslope were stripped from the soil surface, leading to attenuated soil thickness and SOC stock; SOC-rich sediment accumulated and was buried at depositional positions, especially at the foot-slope, increasing the soil thickness and SOC stock. These results confirmed that not only the total SOC stock, but also changes in SOC spatial distribution deserve great attention. This study provides a platform to examine and modify the simulation effectiveness of carbon-cycling models, as well as solid foundations for optimal global mollisols management.

Reactive amphiphilic hollow SiO2 Janus nanoparticles for durable superhydrophobic coating.

Durable superhydrophobic coating is attractive due to its long-term superhydrophobicity, anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties. However, the fabrication of durable superhydrophobic coatings on a fragile surface, including leather and paper, is still a challenge due to its bad resistance to harsh environments such as high temperature, high pressure and strong acid or strong base. Herein, we developed a universal way to fabricate long-lasting superhydrophobic coating on leather via amphiphilic Janus particles, which have one of the semispheres functionalized with hydrophobic 1-dodecanethiol and the other semisphere functionalized with hydrophilic ß-mercaptoethylamine. Polyurethane with isocyanate end groups was sprayed on the leather surface as an intermediate layer to strongly link Janus particles with leather via cross-linking. Moreover, amphiphilic Janus particles were fabricated from hollow SiO2 particles via a thiol-ene click reaction due to its low density. The superhydrophobic coating on leather possessed a high water contact angle of 162.2°. Furthermore, it still retained excellent hydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 154° after 140 cycles of abrasion using sandpaper. This study not only provides a novel method for the fabrication of amphiphilic hollow SiO2 Janus nanoparticles, but also resolves the difficulties in constructing long-lived superhydrophobic coatings on fragile surfaces by existing methods. Meanwhile, the present study also suggests a potential way to translocate functional Janus microcapsules, which may give some significant suggestions on the future nanoparticle design for drug delivery and energy storage.

Novel fabrication of stable Pickering emulsion and latex by hollow silica nanoparticles.

HYPOTHESIS: In conventional Pickering emulsions, solid nanoparticles are usually employed as stabilizers. However, hollow nanoparticles are desirable candidates for the stabilization of Pickering emulsion and latex due to their strong adsorption property and low density stemming from the hollow cavity structure. EXPERIMENTS: In order to investigate the superiority of hollow silica nanoparticles in stabilizing emulsions, Pickering emulsion and polyacrylate latex were fabricated using hollow silica nanoparticles as stabilizers. For comparison purposes, oil/water emulsions and polyacrylate latices were prepared using sodium dodecylsulfate or silica nanoparticles as stabilizers, also they were prepared without the stabilizer. FINDINGS: The results showed that the stabilizing capability of hollow silica particles was comparable to surfactants and superior to conventional silica nanoparticles. Irreversible adsorption and effective mechanical barrier of hollow silica nanoparticles at the surface of latex particles were responsible for the outstanding emulsifying property and stability. Furthermore, the low density of hollow silica nanoparticles imparted by their cavity structure was the primary reason for the fabrication of stable Pickering emulsion and latex. This work broadens our understanding of the factors influencing the stability of Pickering emulsion and latex.

Polyelectrolyte complex from cationized casein and sodium alginate for fragrance controlled release.

CA/NaAlg polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) novelly obtained from cationized casein (CA) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) via electrostatic interactions was designed for fragrance (vanillin) controlled release. Structural variation between pristine CA/NaAlg PEC and vanillin-loaded CA/NaAlg PEC were investigated by ultraviolet (UV), fourier transform infrared (FI-TR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Pristine CA/NaAlg PEC and vanillin-loaded CA/NaAlg PEC were demonstrated spherical in shape by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that PEC's encapsulating could enhance the stability of vanillin whilst the vanillin encapsulation efficiency was 41.39% and the vanillin loading efficiency was 19.83%. The data also proved sustained release of vanillin in vitro. This work offers a feasible pathway of fabricating microcapsules for controlled releasing system, which have a great potential use in several fields, such as food packaging, cosmetics and textile.

LncRNA MEG3 inhibited osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from postmenopausal osteoporosis by targeting miR-133a-3p.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MEG3 has proven to be an important regulator involved in the pathogenesis and development of various human diseases. However, the functional involvement of MEG3 in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and its mechanism is still unclear. METHODS: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated and cultured from mouse pathologic models and patients with PMOP, respectively. The expression of MEG3 and miR-133a-3p in BMSCs was detected using qRT-PCR. The recombinant expression vector was constructed and transfected into BMSCs to regulate the endogenous expression of MEG3 and miR-133a-3p. The mineralized nodules formation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and Runx2, OCN, OPN expressions were used as specific markers for the differentiation of osteoblasts. RESULTS: The expressions of MEG3 and miR-133a-3p in BMSCs from PMOP were increased, and there was a positive correlation between MEG3 and miR-133a-3p expression in BMSCs. In the differentiation process from BMSCs to osteoblasts, the expressions of MEG3 and miR-133a-3p were markedly decreased, and MEG3 overexpression reversed the osteogenic induction-mediated downregulation of miR-133a-3p, which was accompanied by significant decline in SLC39A1 expression. Furthermore, miR-133a-3p silencing or upregulation eliminated the effects of MEG3 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through direct binding. CONCLUSIONS: The research indicated that MEG3 regulated the expression of miR-133a-3p, and inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs induced PMOP.

Effect of ambroxol on the concentration of cefotaxime in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of rats with pulmonary fibrosis.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ambroxol on the concentration of cefotaxime in the bronchioalveolar lavage fluid of rats with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. A total of 54 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely the normal control group, model group and ambroxol group. On experimental day 0, the rats were intratracheally instilled with bleomycin (5 mg/kg body weight) or sterile saline. The rats in the ambroxol group were then treated with ambroxol (35 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally. On days 7, 14, 28 after instillation, six rats from each group were sacrificed, bronchial alveolar fluids were recovered and the lungs were collected for histopathological examination following the injection of cefotaxime (600 mg/kg) intravenously. The concentration of cefotaxime in the bronchial alveolar fluids was assayed by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. On day 7, the concentration of cefotaxime in the bronchial alveolar fluid of the ambroxol group was lower than that of the model group. On day 14, the concentration of cefotaxime in the bronchial alveolar fluids of the ambroxol group was higher than that of the model group, and the difference between these groups was significant statistically (P<0.001). On day 28, the concentration of cefotaxime in the bronchial alveolar fluids of the ambroxol group decreased sharply, and was lower than that of the model group (P=0.126). These results indicate that ambroxol increased the concentration of cefotaxime in the bronchial alveolar fluids at the primary fibrosis stage.

[Clinical investigation on anterior capsule preservation in surgical management for severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of patients treated with the anterior capsule preservation technique used in surgical management for severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Anterior capsule was preserved following pars plana lensectomy or fragmentation during vitrectomy for cataract patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, all eyes presented tractional and tractional/rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and involvement of posterior retina. Postoperatively, the transparency of anterior capsule was classified into A, B, C and D degrees according to the photographic record. The outcomes of visual acuity, retinal reattachment, intraocular pressure and the complications related to the operation as well as their managements were analyzed. RESULTS: Vitrectomy, silicone oil tamponade and anterior capsule preservation were performed in 58 eyes. The transparency of the anterior capsule in these eyes was degree A in 26 eyes (44.8%); degree B in 20 eyes (34.5%); degree C in 7 eyes (12.1%) and degree D in 5 eyes (8.6%). Forty eyes (79.3%) had a postoperative best corrected visual acuity > or = 0.05, 21 eyes received secondary intraocular lens implantation. Finally, 7 eyes were classified to be silicone oil-depended eyes because of severe proliferative changes occurred and the presence of macular hole. Complications related to the operation included iris mal-cut in 1 eye, silicone oil escaped into anterior chamber in 7 eyes, iris neovascularization and new vascular glaucoma in 1 eye respectively, intraocular pressure elevation in 4 eyes, secondary pre-macular membrane formation in 11 eyes and macular hole in 2 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior capsule preservation procedure and selective secondary intraocular lens implantation is an acceptable method in surgical management for severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The main causes of the opacification of anterior capsule are the proliferation of residual lens epithelial cells and blood deposit on the posterior surface. Silicone oil escaped into the anterior chamber is one of the most common complications related to this procedure.

Development and assessment of a neuropsychological battery to aid in predicting driving performance.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to select a neuropsychological battery that correlated with driving simulator skills, thus enabling practitioners to provide information to older patients and their families about driving risks. METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, a survey inquiring as to the kinds of neuropsychological tests currently used to screen patients for driving was sent to 292 licensed neuropsychologists. Of these 292 surveys, 125 (43%) were returned. We used the responses to develop a battery of nine tests, including eight neuropsychological tests and one other cognitive measure: (1) the Seashore Rhythm Test, (2) Logical Memory (Immediate [I] and Delayed [II]) of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), (3) WMS-R Visual Reproduction (Immediate [I] and Delayed [II]), (4) Trails A and B, (5) Digit Span, (6) Digit Symbol, (7) Block Design, (8) Visual Form Discrimination, and (9) a Zoo Map Test. The complete battery included 12 measures. In Phase 2, 22 licensed drivers were recruited ranging in age from 67 to 91 years (14 males and 8 females). The Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) was administered to all subjects. Scores on this test served as a criterion cutoff for placement into a group of subjects with suspected dementia (Group 1, MMSE score below 25) or a group of control subjects (Group 2, with a MMSE score of 25 or above). None of the patients had any gross motor difficulties. Following screening, subjects were administered the neuropsychological battery, a driving simulator test, and a Driving Habits Interview. RESULTS: Data revealed a significant difference between the performance of Groups 1 and 2 on the driving simulator test in two distinct areas, staying within one's lane boundaries and speed. The suspected dementia subjects had significantly more lane boundary crossings than the control subjects and drove at significantly slower speeds. Ten neuropsychological measures correlated with driving simulator performance. The number of lane boundary crossings correlated with the greatest number of neuropsychological tests, with more lane boundary crossings correlated with poorer performance on the neuropsychological tests. In particular, Trails A, Trails B, and Logical Memory (Immediate) correlated with the largest number of driving measures. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings show that commonly used neuropsychological tests correlated with driving simulator skills as measured with a driving simulator. Because the driving simulator has been shown to be correlated with actual on-road driving, one may hypothesize that these neuropsychological tests may be predictive of on-road driving. This research is important in defining an appropriate battery to screen for driving skills in patients with known or suspected dementia.