Rechargeable Zn-H2O hydrolysis battery for hydrogen storage and production.

Reactive metals hydrolysis offers significant advantages for hydrogen storage and production. However, the regeneration of common reactive metals (e.g., Mg, Al, etc.) is energy-intensive and produces unwanted byproducts such as CO2 and Cl2. Herein, we employ Zn as a reactive mediator that can be easily regenerated by electrolysis of ZnO in an alkaline solution with a Faradaic efficiency of >99.9 %. H2 is produced in the same electrolyte by constructing a Zn-H2O hydrolysis battery consisting of a Zn anode and a Raney-Ni cathode to unlock the Zn-H2O reaction. The entire two-step water splitting reaction with a net energy efficiency of 70.4 % at 80 °C and 50 mA cm-2. Additionally, the Zn-H2O system can be charged using renewable energy to produce H2 on demand and runs for 600 cycles only sacrificing 3.76 % energy efficiency. DFT calculations reveal that the desorption of H* on Raney-Ni (-0.30 eV) is closer to zero compared with that on Zn (-0.87 eV), indicating a faster desorption of H* at low overpotential. Further, a 24 Ah electrolyzer is demonstrated to produce H2 with a net energy efficiency of 65.5 %, which holds promise for its real application.

Association between non-scarring alopecia and hypothyroidism: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Non-scarring alopecia is typically represented by two main types: alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). While previous observational studies have indicated a link between non-scarring alopecia and hypothyroidism, the precise causal relationship remains uncertain. To determine the potential links between non-scarring alopecia and hypothyroidism, we conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: We used independent genetic instruments from the FinnGen consortium for AA (682 cases, 361,140 controls) and AGA (195 cases, 201,019 controls) to investigate the association with hypothyroidism in the UK Biobank study (22,687 cases, 440,246 controls). The primary analysis was performed using the inverse variance-weighted method. Complementary approaches were employed to evaluate the pleiotropy and heterogeneity. Results: Genetically predicted AA exhibited a positive causal effect on hypothyroidism (odds ratio [OR], 1.0017; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0004-1.0029; P = 0.0101). Additionally, hypothyroidism was found to be strongly correlated with an increase in the risk of AA (OR, 45.6839; 95% CI, 1.8446-1131.4271, P = 0.0196). However, no causal relationship was demonstrated between AGA and hypothyroidism. A sensitivity analysis validated the integrity of these causal relationships. Conclusion: This MR study supports a bidirectional causal link between AA and hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, additional research is needed to gain a more thorough comprehension of the causal relationship between non-scarring alopecia and hypothyroidism.

Recovery of LiCoO2 and graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries by molten-salt electrolysis.

The recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries has not only economic value but also ecological benefits. In this paper, molten-salt electrolysis was employed to recover spent LiCoO2 batteries, in which NaCl-Na2CO3 melts were used as the electrolyte, the graphite rod and the mixtures of the spent LiCoO2 cathode and anode were used as the anode and cathode, respectively. During the electrolysis, the LiCoO2 was electrochemically reduced to Co, and Li+ and O2- entered into the molten salt. The O2- was discharged at the anode to generate CO2 and formed Li2CO3. After electrolysis, the cathodic products were separated by magnetic separation to obtain Co and graphite, and Li2CO3 was recovered by water leaching. The recovery efficiencies of Li, Co, and graphite reached 99.3%, 98.1%, and 83.6%, respectively. Overall, this paper provides a simple and efficient electrochemical method for the simultaneous recovery of the cathode and the anode of spent LiCoO2 batteries.

Improving the Initial Coulombic Efficiency of Sodium-Storage Antimony Anodes via Electrochemically Alloying Bismuth.

Improving cycling stability while maintaining a high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of the antimony (Sb) anode is always a trade-off for the design of electrodes of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we prepare a carbon-free Sb8Bi1 anode with an ICE of 87.1% at 0.1 A g-1 by a one-step electrochemical reduction of Sb2O3 and Bi2O3 in alkaline solutions. The improved ICE of the Sb8Bi1 anode is due to the alloying of bismuth (Bi) that prevents irreversible interfacial reactions during the sodiation process. Unlike carbon buffers, the use of Bi will reduce the number of side reactions between the carbon buffer and sodium. Moreover, Bi2O3 can promote the reduction of Sb2O3 and reduce the particle size of Sb from ∼20 µm to below 300 nm. The electrolytic products can be modulated by controlling the cell voltages and electrolysis time. The electrolytic Sb8Bi1 anode delivered a capacity of 625 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles with an ICE of 87.1% at 0.1 A g-1 and even 625 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 over 100 cycles. Hence, alloying Bi into Sb is an effective way to make a long-lasting Sb anode while maintaining a high Coulombic efficiency.

Metabolomics profiling reveals berberine-inhibited inflammatory response in human gingival fibroblasts by regulating the LPS-induced apoptosis signaling pathway.

This article examines berberine's biological effects and molecular mechanisms with an inflammatory response model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) using metabolomics. The viability of HGFs was determined using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK8). ELISA was used to measure inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α). An investigation of western blots was conducted to investigate the related proteins of apoptosis. Low concentrations of berberine (0.1, 0.5, and 1 µmol L-1) did not affect HGF growth, whereas high concentrations of berberine (5-25 µmol L-1) significantly activated cell proliferation. Berberine suppressed the elevated secretion of IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α induced by LPS in HGF. Western blot analysis showed that 10 µmol L-1 of berberine significantly inhibited LPS-induced apoptosis signaling pathway activation. Our results suggested that berberine could inhibit LPS-induced apoptosis and the production of proinflammatory mediators in HGFs cells. Berberine may be a potential therapeutic drug for the management of periodontitis.

Mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and anti-adherence characterization of pure titanium fabricated by casting, milling, and selective laser melting.

Milling and selective laser melting (SLM) technology have become new options for removable partial denture (RPD) processing. However, whether milling and SLM technology has an impact on the properties of RPD remains unclear, which is also the aim of our study. To investigate the effects of milling and SLM technology on pure titanium, mechanical property, corrosion resistance, and anti-adherence of specimens were evaluated, and specimens processed by lost-wax casting were used as control. Compared with casting and milling groups, the SLM group showed enhanced Vickers hardness (402.1 ± 13.0 HV), tensile stress (694.4 ± 4.5 MPa), and larger electrochemical capacitance arc radius compared with casting and milling groups. A series of adhesion-related genes (Als1, Als3, and HWP1) of Candida albicans cultured on SLM specimens were upregulated for more than two times that of casting and milling groups. However, images from scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy exhibited similar biofilm morphology and biomass of C. albicans on a titanium disk processed by casting, milling, and SLM. Dwindled water contact angle (64.7 ± 0.6°) and higher TiO2 constituents (40.82%) in the SLM group might lead to the incompatibility of genetic expression and biofilm generation. Our findings indicated that SLM is an ideal process to produce titanium dentures, providing a reference on the selection of processing technology for dentists.

An Application of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process in Risk Evaluation Model.

Conflicts in land exploration are incisive social problems which have been the subject in many studies. Risk assessment of land conflicts is effective to resolve such problems. Specifically, fuzzy mathematics and the analytic hierarchy process were combined together to evaluate risk in land conflicts in our work, which is proved useful to solve uncertainty and imprecision problems. Based on the analysis of the principles for the risk assessment of a land conflicts index system, a set of risk assessment indexes using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) was presented. The results show that the overall risk is at medium level, and the risk of the feasibility index and controllability index need to be paid more attention to. The contribution of this article is reflected in two aspects: (1) the application of FAHP in risk assessments of land conflicts is effective and valid; (2) it is helpful for governments to establish a stricter management system of work safety for conflicts in land exploration based on the risk assessment results.

Potential Osteoinductive Effects of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles on Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Endothelial Cell Interaction.

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) has attracted substantial attention in the field of regenerative medicine. Endothelial cell (EC)-mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) interactions are necessary for bone reconstruction, but the manner in which nano-HA interacts in this process remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the cytotoxicity and osteoinductive effects of HA nanoparticles (HANPs) on MSCs using an indirect co-culture model mediated by ECs and highlighted the underlying mechanisms. It was found that at a subcytotoxic dose, HANPs increased the viability and expression of osteoblast genes, as well as mineralized nodules and alkaline phosphatase production of MSCs. These phenomena relied on HIF-1α secreted by ECs, which triggered the ERK1/2 signaling cascade. In addition, a two-stage cell-lineage mathematical model was established to quantitatively analyze the impact of HIF-1α on the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. It demonstrated that HIF-1α exerted a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on the osteogenic differentiation rate of MSCs up to 1500 pg/mL, which was in agreement with the above results. Our data implied that cooperative interactions between HANPs, ECs, and MSCs likely serve to stimulate bone regeneration. Furthermore, the two-stage cell-lineage model is helpful in vitro system for assessing the potential influence of effector molecules in bone tissue engineering.

Heme Competition Triggers an Increase in the Pathogenic Potential of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Porphyromonas gingivalis-Candida albicans Mixed Biofilm.

As one of the main pathogens of periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis often forms mixed biofilms with other bacteria or fungi under the gingiva, such as Candida albicans. Heme is an important iron source for P. gingivalis and C. albicans that supports their growth in the host. From the perspective of heme competition, this study aims to clarify that the competition for heme enhances the pathogenic potential of P. gingivalis during the interaction between P. gingivalis and C. albicans. Porphyromonas gingivalis single-species biofilm and P. gingivalis-C. albicans dual-species biofilm were established in a low- and high-heme environment. The results showed that the vitality of P. gingivalis was increased in the dual-species biofilm under the condition of low heme, and the same trend was observed under a laser confocal microscope. Furthermore, the morphological changes in P. gingivalis were observed by electron microscope, and the resistance of P. gingivalis in dual-species biofilm was stronger against the killing effect of healthy human serum and antibiotics. The ability of P. gingivalis to agglutinate erythrocyte was also enhanced in dual-species biofilm. These changes disappeared when heme was sufficient, which confirmed that heme competition was the cause of thepathogenicy change in P. gingivalis. Gene level analysis showed that P. gingivalis was in a superior position in the competition relationship by increasing the expression of heme utilization-related genes, such as HmuY, HmuR, HusA, and Tlr. In addition, the expression of genes encoding gingipains (Kgp, RgpA/B) was also significantly increased. They not only participate in the process of utilizing heme, but also are important components of the virulence factors of P. gingivalis. In conclusion, our results indicated that the pathogenic potential of P. gingivalis was enhanced by C. albicans through heme competition, which ultimately promoted the occurrence and development of periodontitis and, therefore, C. albicans subgingival colonization should be considered as a factor in assessing the risk of periodontitis.

Facial aesthetic evaluation of rehabilitation effects in edentulous patients with varying degrees of residual ridge resorption by 3D stereophotogrammetry.

BACKGROUND: Residual ridge resorption impairs patients' satisfaction with complete denture (CD) treatment, but influence of bone resorption on the aesthetic rehabilitation of edentulous patients still remains unclear due to insufficient quantitative investigations. OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively evaluate the effects of residual ridge resorption on facial aesthetic reconstruction in elderly edentulous patients. METHODS: According to radiological examination, a total of 19 edentulous subjects were categorised into two groups, atrophic patients (APs) and non-atrophic patients (NAPs). Before CD treatment and 3 months after treatment, patients were asked to complete the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES). The changes in facial appearance were measured by 3D stereophotogrammetry, and the facial parameters of two groups were compared. RESULTS: The patient's subjective satisfaction of oro-facial aesthetics and 3D objective assessment of facial appearance improved after CD treatment. Subnasale-gnathion (Sn-Gn) significantly increased from 60.13 ± 3.91 mm to 62.27 ± 3.82 mm. After rehabilitation, glabella-subnasale (G-Sn)/Sn-Gn, nasolabial (Cm-Sn-Ls) and mentolabial (Li-Sm-Pg) significantly decreased and were closer to normal values. Moreover, the subtraction value between G-Sn/Sn-Gn and normal value before treatment of APs and NAPs was 14.47 ± 8.04% and 6.94 ± 3.69%, respectively (P = .026), while after treatment, the values decreased to 10.61 ± 6.33% and 3.86 ± 2.31% (P = .013), respectively. CONCLUSION: The increased volume of lips and cheeks played an important role in the facial aesthetic reconstruction of edentulous patients. NAPs tended to have more attractive faces after CD treatment, as their facial profile parameters (G-Sn/Sn-Gn and Cm-Sn-Ls) were closer to normal Chinese with well-balanced faces.

AdipoRon promotes diabetic fracture repair through endochondral ossification-based bone repair by enhancing survival and differentiation of chondrocytes.

Diabetic bone defects may exhibit impaired endochondral ossification (ECO) leading to delayed bone repair. AdipoRon, a receptor agonist of adiponectin polymers, can ameliorate diabetes and related complications, as well as overcome the disadvantages of the unstable structure of artificial adiponectin polymers. Here, the effects of AdipoRon on the survival and differentiation of chondrocytes in a diabetic environment were explored focusing on related mechanisms in gene and protein levels. In vivo, AdipoRon was applied to diet-induced-obesity (DIO) mice, a model of obesity and type 2 diabetes, with femoral fracture. Sequential histological evaluations and micro-CT were examined for further verification. We found that AdipoRon could ameliorate cell viability, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and promote mRNA expression of chondrogenic markers and cartilaginous matrix production of ATDC5 cells in high glucose medium via activating ERK1/2 pathway. Additionally, DIO mice with intragastric AdipoRon administration had more neocartilage and accelerated new bone formation. These data suggest that AdipoRon could stimulate bone regeneration via ECO in diabetes.

Effects of Different Surface Treatments on Bond Strength of Resin Cement to Machined Pure Titanium.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of grit blasting, acidic or alkaline/heat treatments, and metal primer application on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement to machined commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Titanium plates were machined and received one of the following treatments: grit-blasting (GB), or grit-blasting followed by either acidic treatment (GB/AC) or alkaline/heat treatment (GB/AH). The specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups and treated with Rely X Ceramic Primer (RCP), Z Prime Plus (ZPP), and Alloy Primer (ALP), or without primer as the control. The pairs of titanium plates were cemented together with the Rely X Unicem cement. SBS was measured before and after thermocycling between 5°C and 55°C for 5000 cycles. RESULTS: SEM observation showed that honeycomb-shaped pores formed on the surface of machined CP-Ti after GB/AC treatment, whereas a uniform net-like pattern formed after GB/AH treatment. In descending order, the surface roughness was GB, GB/AC, and GB/AH. The GB/AH group showed the highest SBS among all the treatments. As for primers, ALP group showed the highest SBS, while the RCP group showed the lowest. GB followed by ALP presented the highest SBS. CONCLUSION: A fine, uniform network structure was formed on the surface of CP-Ti following GB/AH treatment, providing an effective micromechanical interlocking mechanism for resin bonding. At the same time, after AH treatment, the -OH formed on the surface of the machined CP-Ti triggered a chemical reaction with the acid monomers in the resin adhesives, creating a chemical bond. As a result, GB/AH treatment significantly improved the bond strength relative to GB/AC treatment. In addition, ALP treatment facilitated the formation of hydrogen bonds, which further improved the chemical bond strength. Finally, the combination of the effects mentioned above resulted in the most robust bond between machined CP-Ti and the resin adhesives.

The Phytopathogenic Fungus Pallidocercospora crystallina-Caused Localized Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis in a Patient with a Homozygous Missense CARD9 Mutation.

PURPOSE: In the past decade, an increasing number of otherwise healthy individuals suffered from invasive fungal infections due to inherited CARD9 mutations. Herein, we present a patient with a homozygous CARD9 mutation who was suffering from localized subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Pallidocercospora crystallina which has not been reported to cause infections in humans. METHODS: The medical history of our patient was collected. P. crystallina was isolated from the biopsied tissue. To characterize this novel pathogen, the morphology was analyzed, whole-genome sequencing was performed, and the in vivo immune response was explored in mice. Whole-exome sequencing was carried out with samples from the patient's family. Finally, the expression and function of mutated CARD9 were investigated. RESULTS: A dark red plaque was on the patient's left cheek for 16 years and was diagnosed as phaeohyphomycosis due to a P. crystallina infection. Whole-genome sequencing suggested that that this strain had a lower pathogenicity. The in vivo immune response in immunocompetent or immunocompromised mice indicated that P. crystallina could be eradicated within a few weeks. Whole-exome sequencing revealed ahomozygous missense mutation in CARD9 (c.1118G>C p.R373P). The mRNA and protein expression levels were similar among cells carrying homozygous (C/C), heterozygous (G/C), and wild-type (G/G) CARD9 alleles. Compared to PBMCs or neutrophils with heterozygous or wild-type CARD9 alleles, however, PBMCs or neutrophils with homozygous CARD9 alleles showed impaired anti-P. crystallina effects. CONCLUSION: Localized subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by P. crystallina was reported in a patient with a homozygous CARD9 mutation. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of a CARD9 mutation in seemingly healthy patients with unexplainable phaeohyphomycosis.