The synergistic effect of residues 32T and 550L in the PA protein of H5 subtype avian influenza virus contributes to viral pathogenicity in mice.

The avian influenza virus (AIV) PA protein contributes to viral replication and pathogenicity; however, its interaction with innate immunity is not well understood. Here, we report that the H5 subtype AIV PA protein strongly suppresses host antiviral defense by interacting with and degrading a key protein in interferon (IFN) signaling, Janus kinase 1 (JAK1). Specifically, the AIV PA protein catalyzes the K48-linked polyubiquitination and degradation of JAK1 at lysine residue 249. Importantly, the AIV PA protein harboring 32T/550L degrades both avian and mammalian JAK1, while the AIV PA protein with residues 32M/550I degrades avian JAK1 only. Furthermore, the residues 32T/550L in PA protein confer optimum polymerase activity and AIV growth in mammalian cells. Notably, the replication and virulence of the AIV PA T32M/L550I mutant are attenuated in infected mice. Collectively, these data reveal an interference role for H5 subtype AIV PA protein in host innate immunity, which can be targeted for the development of specific and effective anti-influenza therapeutics.

One-Dimensional La0.2Sr0.8Cu0.4Co0.6O3-δ Nanostructures for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Producing oxygen and hydrogen via the electrolysis of water has the advantages of a simple operation, high efficiency, and environmental friendliness, making it the most promising hydrogen production method. In this study, La0.2Sr0.8Cu0.4Co0.6O3-δ (LSCC) nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning to utilize non-noble perovskite oxides instead of noble metal catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction, and the performance and electrochemical properties of LSCC nanofibers synthesized at different firing temperatures were evaluated. In an alkaline environment (pH = 14, 6 M KOH), the nanofibers calcined at 650 °C showed an overpotential of 209 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2 as well as good long-term stability. Therefore, the prepared LSCC-650 NF catalyst shows excellent potential for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.

Electronic Structure and Oxidation Mechanism of Nickel-Copper Converter Matte from First-Principles Calculations.

The structural and electronic properties of Cu1.96S and Ni3S2 present in nickel-copper converter matte and sulfides such as CuS, Ni7S6, NiS, Ni3S4, and NiS2, likely existing as intermediates in the oxidative leaching of the matte, were investigated using first-principles calculations. Analyses of the total and partial density of states (DOS), with electron density and differential charge density, show that Cu-S and Ni-S bonds are of covalent character, and as the ratio of Ni/Cu to S decreases for the sulfides, Cu/Ni-3d orbital energies shift downward, while S-3p orbital energies shift upward. According to the values of their Cu/Ni-3d band centers, the oxidation activity decreases in the order Cu1.96S > Ni3S2 > Ni7S6 > NiS > Ni3S4 > NiS2 > CuS. This oxidation sequence leads to thermodynamically favorable substitution reactions between the nickel sulfides and Cu2+ for obtaining more stable CuS, which is the theoretical basis of Sherritt Gordon's selective leaching process.

Effect of Ti3C2T x -PEDOT:PSS modified-separators on the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have attracted much attention due to their high theoretical energy density, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, the practical application of Li-S batteries is impeded by a severe shuttle effect. Using polar and conductive materials to prepare a modified separator as the second collector is an effective strategy to solve the shuttle effect. Herein, a Ti3C2T x -PEDOT:PSS hybrid for modifying PP separators is successfully fabricated. In this hybrid, PEDOT:PSS can effectively prevent Ti3C2T x nanosheets from restacking and enhance the electrical conductivity of Li-S batteries, thereby promoting fast Li+/electron transport and improving the sulfur utilization. Meanwhile, the introduction of Ti3C2T x -PEDOT:PSS makes Ti3C2T x nanosheets effectively anchor polysulfide, thus inhibiting the shuttle effect. As a result, Li-S cells with Ti3C2T x -PEDOT:PSS modified-separators exhibit superior performances, including a high discharge capacity of 1241.4 mA h g-1 at 0.2C, a long cycling stability, and a low decay rate of 0.030% per cycle at 0.5C for 1000 cycles.

3D Ti3C2Tx aerogels with enhanced surface area for high performance supercapacitors.

Two-dimensional titanium carbide as a novel electrode material has been widely researched in the field of energy storage in recent years. However, the restacking of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets is still a challenge, which largely restricts their development. Here, we employ the 3D architecture of a Ti3C2Tx aerogel to restrict the restacking of 2D Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. This special structure can not only effectively reduce the restacking of 2D materials, but also accelerate the transport of electrolyte ions in the electrode. The as-prepared Ti3C2Tx aerogel possessed a large special surface area of 108 m2 g-1 and achieved a special capacitance of 349 F g-1 which is retained even at a high scan rate of 2000 mV s-1 in the 3 M H2SO4 electrolyte, indicating an ultrahigh rate capability. Moreover, at a higher current density of 20 A g-1, 90% of the initial capacitance is also retained after 20 000 charging-discharging cycles, revealing an excellent cycling stability. Furthermore, the mechanism of charge storage was investigated.

Three new three-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid compounds based on PMo12O40(n-) (n = 3 or 4) polyanions and Cu(I)-pyrazine/Cu(I)-pyrazine-Cl porous coordination polymers.

Three new organic-inorganic hybrid compounds based on PMo12O40(n-) (n = 3 or 4) polyanions and Cu(I)-pz/Cu(I)-pz-Cl porous coordination polymers: [Cu(I)(pz)]3[PMo(VI)12O40] (1), [Cu(I)(pz)1.5]4[PMo(V)Mo(VI)11O40]·pz·2H2O (2), [Cu(I)3(pz)3Cl][Cu(I)2(pz)3(H2O)][PMo(V)Mo(VI)11O40] (3) (pz = pyrazine) have been hydrothermally prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG, XRD, XPS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 presents a three-dimensional Cu(I)-pz framework with cube-like chambers, into which PMo(VI)12O40(3-) Keggin ions are incorporated. Compound 2 shows a three-dimensional sandwich-like framework, and PMo(V)Mo(VI)11O40(4-) polyanions are located in the octagonal voids of every two-dimensional Cu(I)-pz 4(1)8(2) network structure. Compound 3 exhibits a two-dimensional Cl-bridged Cu(I)-pz-Cl double-layer structure, and two kinds of PMo(V)Mo(VI)11O40(4-) polyanions as bridging linkers connect two adjacent double-layers to form a three-dimensional organic-inorganic framework through Cu(I)-O bonds. Additionally, their electrochemical characters, electrocatalytic behaviors and solid state fluorescent properties at room temperature have been investigated in detail.

[In vitro comparison of transdermal characteristics of xiaoyu ointment and xiaoyu plaster].

OBJECTIVE: Through the comparison of Xiaoyu ointment and xiaoyu plaster by in vitro transdermal demonstrate, to demonstrate the scientificity and feasibility of reformed formulation. METHOD: The improved Franz diffusion cells and in vitro rabbit skin were used in vitro penetration experiment with emodin as an indicator of penetration rate quantitated by HPLC. RESULT: The cumulative penetration rate of emodin in Xiaoyu ointment fit the model of Weibull distribution, while the cumulative penetration rate of emodin in Xiaoyu plaster fit the model of Density equation. Take emodin as an index,the transdermal rate in Xiaoyu plaster was 1.93 times as Xiaoyu ointment, and the total penetrated amount was 2.84 times as Xiaoyu ointment. The results showed that the emodin of xiaoyu plaster reserved in the skin were 3.95 times more than the ointment. CONCLUSION: The penetration rate, total penetrated amount and the reserves in the skin of Xiaoyu plaster were better than the ointment, and the transdermal dosage form was better than the original form.