Current progress in black phosphorus materials and their applications in electrochemical energy storage.

Recently, a new two-dimensional material, single- or few-layered black phosphorus (BP), has attracted considerable attention for applications in electronics, optoelectronics, and batteries due to its unique properties, including large specific surface area, anisotropy, and tunable and direct band gaps. In particular, contributions to electrochemical energy storage devices, such as lithium and sodium ion batteries and supercapacitors, have emerged. However, critical issues remain to be explored before scaled-up commercial production of BP, such as preparation, stability, and performance. Herein, we present the first review of recent progress in BP-based electrochemical energy storage device. The preparation and electrochemical properties of black phosphorus, recent advances, potential challenges, and relevant perspectives in electrochemical energy storage, and the potential of BP are discussed in this work.

Microarray-based gene expression profiles in rabbit retina due to negative pressure suction.

We investigated a possible molecular pathogenesis involving retinal ganglion cell apoptosis following transient high intraocular pressure. Changes in the gene expression profiles of the retina were detected via gene chip methodology. Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to control and 3-min negative pressure suction groups. The control group was treated only with a laser, and the experimental group was also treated with suction for 3 min, using a negative pressure generator. Total RNA was then extracted from the retinal tissue at different recovery stages to analyze gene expression profiles using the Agilent rabbit one-way gene chip. The groups were then compared. Immediately after negative pressure suction induction, 704 genes were differentially expressed. Among these, 485 genes were upregulated, and 219 were downregulated. Expression of the genes encoding CRYAA, CRYAB, and TLR3 genes, which are involved in apoptosis, was elevated. The KRT18 gene, which is involved in apoptosis, had reduced expression. Seven days after negative pressure suction, 482 genes were differentially expressed. Among these, 178 genes were upregulated, and 304 were downregulated. Expression of the genes encoding CRYAB, IL1-BETA and IL1R1, which are involved in apoptosis, was upregulated. Ten days after negative pressure suction, 402 genes were differentially expressed. Of these, 213 genes were upregulated, and 189 were downregulated. Apoptosis genes CRYAB, CRYBA3, CRYBB2, IL1- BETA, and IL1R1 showed higher expression levels. We concluded that negative pressure suction for long periods of time (for example, 3 min) results in changes in gene expression. Genes with higher fold changes help protect retinal ganglion cells from apoptosis. We suggest that promoting the expression of these genes should be considered as a new means for treating ischemic-hypoxic retinopathy.

Effects of sound preconditioning on hearing loss from low or middle-frequency noise exposure.

Objective. To explore prior noise exposures or sound conditioning as a moderator of hearing loss produced by traumatic exposure to low or middle-frequency noise. Method. Two experimental groups of guinea-pigs were conditioned using a 0.5 kHz octave band noise (OBN) at 85 dB, 6 h/d for 4 d. The subjects were allowed to recover for 3 d after conditioning. Then the first group was exposed to a 0.5 kHz OBN at 110 dB for 1 h, the second group was exposed to 1 kHz OBN at 110 dB for 1 h. Two control groups received 0.5 kHz and 1 kHz OBN respectively at 110 dB for 1 h without prior sound conditioning. Result. Hearing threshold shifts recorded at 48 h after the high-level noise exposure in conditioned groups and control groups demonstrated that conditioning provided significant protection on hearing threshold shift from low or middle frequency noise exposure. Histological examination revealed significantly less hair cell loss in the conditioned than in the control groups. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in red blood cell (RBC) of conditioned groups were significantly lower as compared with that of the control groups. Conclusion. Low-frequency conditioning provided significant protection not only on hearing threshold shift caused by noise of the same frequency, but also on that caused by middle frequency noise.