TiN/anatase/rutile phase junction obtained by in-situ thermal transformation for efficient photothermal-assisted photocatalytic hydrogen generation.

Phase junctions exhibit great potential in photocatalytic energy conversion, yet the narrow light response region and inefficient charge transfer limit their photocatalytic performance. Herein, an anatase/rutile phase junction modified by plasmonic TiN and oxygen vacancies (TiN/(A-R-TiO2-Ov)) is prepared through an in-situ thermal transformation from TiN for efficient photothermal-assisted photocatalytic hydrogen production for the first time. The content of TiN, oxygen vacancies, and phase components in TiN/(A-R-TiO2-Ov) hybrids can be well-adjusted by tuning the heating time. The as-prepared photocatalysts display a large specific area and wide light absorption due to the synergistic effect of plasmonic excitation, oxygen vacancies, and bandgap excitations. Meanwhile, the multi-interfaces between TiN, anatase, and rutile provide built-in electric fields for efficient separation of photoinduced carriers and hot electron injection via ohmic contact and type-Ⅱ band arrangement. As a result, the TiN/(A-R-TiO2-Ov) photocatalyst shows an excellent photocatalytic hydrogen generation rate of 15.07 mmol/g/h, which is 20.6 times higher than that of titanium dioxide P25. Moreover, temperature-dependent photocatalytic tests reveal that the excellent photothermal conversion caused by plasmonic heating and crystal lattice vibrations in TiN/(A-R-TiO2-Ov) has about 25 % enhancement in photocatalysis (18.84 mmol/g/h). This work provides new inspiration for developing high-performance photocatalysts by optimizing charge transfer and photothermal conversion.

A real-world case-control study on the efficacy and safety of pulsed field ablation for atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pulsed field ablation in individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. METHODS: A total of 36 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation were enrolled in the pulsed field ablation group, while another 36 patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation were included in the radiofrequency ablation group. Among the study participants, 15 patients in the pulsed field ablation group and 17 patients in the radiofrequency ablation group had persistent atrial fibrillation. Comprehensive comparisons were made between the two groups, including baseline data, underlying diseases, medication usage, intraoperative parameters, and atrial fibrillation recurrence rates at 1, 3, and 6 months during the postoperative follow-up period. RESULTS: (1) There were no significant differences observed between the two groups concerning baseline data and antiarrhythmic drug usage (P > 0.05); (2) the effective ablation time for both left and right pulmonary veins in the pulsed field ablation group was markedly shorter compared to the radiofrequency ablation group (P < 0.001 for each vein); (3) within the pulsed field ablation group, the number of discharges, catheter operation time, and effective ablation time for the left pulmonary vein were significantly higher than those for the right pulmonary vein (P < 0.05). Conversely, in the radiofrequency ablation group, the number of discharges for the left pulmonary vein was significantly higher than that for the right pulmonary vein (P < 0.05); and (4) when comparing sinus rhythm maintenance at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, no statistically significant differences were noted between the two groups for paroxysmal, persistent, and paroxysmal + persistent atrial fibrillation cases (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: During the 6-month follow-up period, pulsed field ablation demonstrated comparable efficacy to radiofrequency ablation with respect to recurrence rates for both paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation. Moreover, pulsed field ablation exhibited high safety levels, excellent surgical efficiency, and a notably brief learning curve, affirming its viability as a therapeutic option for these conditions.

[Distribution of phosphorus in surface sediments from the Yellow River estuary wetland].

Surface sediments were collected from Yellow River estuary wetland. The distribution of phosphorus in sediments was analyzed with modified SEDEX. The results indicated that the contents of TP in surface sediments varied from 12.12 micromol x g(-1) to 25.37 micromol x g(-1), and the mean value was 20.70 micromol x g(-1), in which the Detrital P and Authigenic P were the main forms. Median particle size was closely related with the distribution of phosphors, Exchangeable P, Authigenic P and Organic P mainly consisted of smaller sediment size, while Detrital P mainly consisted of larger sediment size. The distribution of P in sediment was affected by organic matter. Exchangeable P, organic P and refractory P increased with the increasing TOC. The bio-available phosphorus included exchangeable P, iron-bound P,organic P and ranged from 1.15-6.74 micromol x g(-1), with an average of 4.27 micromol x g(-1) for all sediment samples. The contribution of BAP to TP was 6.35% -30.4%.

[Construction of the eukaryotic expression vector containing rat transforming growth factor beta type II receptor and interferon gamma fusion genes].

OBJECTIVE: To express a bioactive fusion protein comprising rat soluble transforming growth factor beta type II receptor and interferon gamma(rsTGFbetaR II-IFN gamma) in mammalian cells. METHODS: mRNA was extracted from rat liver and the sTGFbetaR II-IFN gamma genes amplified by RT-PCR, then the two gene segments were cloned into the same pSecTag2A expression vector, and pSecTag2A/rsTGFbetaR II-IFN gamma recombinant plasmid was obtained, which was later transfected into CHO cells using liposomes. The expression of pSecTag2A/rsTGFbetaR II-IFN gamma in the supernatant was detected by ELISA and Western blotting. The bioactivities of the fusion protein were tested by sTGF betaR II-IFN gamma and IFN gamma bioassays. RESULTS: pSecTag2A/rsTGFbetaR II-IFN gamma transfectants expressed rsTGF betaR II-IFN gamma fusion protein. The purified fusion protein exhibited anti-viral activity and antagonized the proliferation-inhibitive effect of TGFbeta1 on CCL-64 cells. It inhibits the HSC activation in vitro. CONCLUSION: The pSecTag2A/rsTGFbetaR II-IFN gamma recombinant plasmid constructed in this study can express bioactive rsTGFbetaR II-IFN gamma fusion protein.

[Construction and expression of the eukaryotic expression vector containing human soluble transforming growth factor beta receptor II].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector encoding the gene of extracellular region of type II transforming growth factor beta receptor (sTGFbetaR II), to express the protein in CHO cell line and to determine its biological activity. METHODS: The extracellular region (amino acids 1-159) of the human TGFbetaR II cDNA was amplified by PCR from a TGFbetaR II chimeric plasmid,and the eukaryotic expression plasmid pCDNA3.1/myc-his(-)B-sTGFbetaR II(pCDNA-sTGFbetaR II) was constructed by inserting the sTGFbetaR II cDNA into the EcoR I/Hind III-digested pCDNA. The DNA sequence was confirmed by double digestion and the pCDNA-sTGFbetaR II plasmid was transfected into the CHO cell line. The sTGFbetaR II protein was confirmed by Western blotting analysis and its biological function was determined. RESULTS: The specific protein was observed in western blotting, and the protein abrogated the growth-inhibitory effects of TGF-beta1 on mink lung epithelial cells (Mv1Lu). CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expression plasmid pCDNA-sTGFbetaR II has been successfully constructed and the sTGFsTGFbetaR II protein with biological activity obtained.