Synthesis of dual-modified Fe-doped and carbon-coated Li4Ti5O12 anode based on industrial H2TiO3 for Li-ion batteries.

Spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is a promising candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes because of its exceptional stability and safety. However, its extensive application is limited by a high comprehensive cost, poor electronic conductivity, and other inherent defects. This work presents a novel synthesis procedure to synthesize carbon-coated Fe-doped LTO composites through carbon reduction, in the presence of Fe-containing industrial H2TiO3 as the titanium source, and glucose as the carbon source. The presence of the Fe-dopant is confirmed through XRD, with Rietveld refinement and EDS experiments. Results show that Fe2+ replaces a portion of Ti4+ after doping, leading to an increase in the LTO cell parameters and the corresponding cell volume. FLTO/C, presents a capacity of 153.79 mAh g-1 at 10 C, and the capacity decay per cycle is only 0.0074% after 1000 cycles at 5 C. Moreover, EIS experiments indicate that the incorporation of Fe and carbon lowers the charge transfer resistance and improves the diffusion and migration of Li+. Notably, since this preparation process requires no additional Fe source as a raw material, it is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for large-scale production and further application.

Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies a novel proliferation cell type affecting clinical outcome of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely deadly neoplasm, with only a 5-year survival rate of around 9%. The tumor and its microenvironment are highly heterogeneous, and it is still unknown which cell types influence patient outcomes. Methods: We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptome (ST) to identify differences in cell types. We then applied the scRNA-seq data to decompose the cell types in bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. We employed unbiased machine learning integration algorithms to develop a prognosis signature based on cell type makers. Lastly, we verified the differential expression of the key gene LY6D using immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Results: In this study, we identified a novel cell type with high proliferative capacity, Prol, enriched with cell cycle and mitosis genes. We observed that the proportion of Prol cells was significantly increased in PDAC, and Prol cells were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Additionally, the marker genes of Prol cell type, identified from scRNA-seq data, were upregulated and associated with poor prognosis in the bulk RNA-seq data. We further confirmed that mutant KRAS and TP53 were associated with an increased abundance of Prol cells and that these cells were associated with an immunosuppressive and cold tumor microenvironment in PDAC. ST determined the spatial location of Prol cells. Additionally, patients with a lower proportion of Prol cells in PDAC may benefit more from immunotherapy and gemcitabine treatment. Furthermore, we employed unbiased machine learning integration algorithms to develop a Prol signature that can precisely quantify the abundance of Prol cells and accurately predict prognosis. Finally, we confirmed that the LY6D protein and mRNA expression were markedly higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal pancreatic tissue. Conclusions: In summary, by integrating bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq, we identified a novel proliferative cell type, Prol, which influences the OS and PFS of PDAC patients.

Single-cell RNA sequencing highlights the role of PVR/PVRL2 in the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: The conflict between cancer cells and the host immune system shapes the immune tumour microenvironment (TME) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A deep understanding of the heterogeneity and intercellular communication network in the TME of HCC will provide promising strategies to orchestrate the immune system to target and eradicate cancers. Methods: Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and computational analysis of 35786 unselected single cells from 3 human HCC tumour and 3 matched adjacent samples to elucidate the heterogeneity and intercellular communication network of the TME. The specific lysis of HCC cell lines was examined in vitro using cytotoxicity assays. Granzyme B concentration in supernatants of cytotoxicity assays was measured by ELISA. Results: We found that VCAN+ tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) might undergo M2-like polarization and differentiate in the tumour region. Regulatory dendritic cells (DCs) exhibited immune regulatory and tolerogenic phenotypes in the TME. Furthermore, we observed intensive potential intercellular crosstalk among C1QC+ TAMs, regulatory DCs, regulator T (Treg) cells, and exhausted CD8+ T cells that fostered an immunosuppressive niche in the HCC TME. Moreover, we identified that the TIGIT-PVR/PVRL2 axis provides a prominent coinhibitory signal in the immunosuppressive TME. In vitro, antibody blockade of PVR or PVRL2 on HCC cell lines or TIGIT blockade on immune cells increased immune cell-mediated lysis of tumour cell. This enhanced immune response is paralleled by the increased secretion of Granzyme B by immune cells. Discussion: Collectively, our study revealed the functional state, clinical significance, and intercellular communication of immunosuppressive cells in HCC at single-cell resolution. Moreover, PVR/PVRL2, interact with TIGIT act as prominent coinhibitory signals and might represent a promising, efficacious immunotherapy strategy in HCC.

Prolonged Maternal Separation Induces the Depression-Like Behavior Susceptibility to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Exposure in Mice.

Early life stress is an important determinant for developing depression later in life. It is reported that maternal separation (MS) could trigger stress sensitivity in adulthood when exposed to stress again. However, it could also result in resilience to stress-induced depression. The conclusions are contradictory. To address this issue, C57BL/6N newborn pups were exposed to either daily short MS (MS for 15 min per day; MS15) or prolonged MS (MS for 180 min per day; MS180) from the first day postpartum (PD1) to PD21. Adult mice were then subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) exposure from PD64 to PD105. The behavior tests such as the forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open-field test were performed once a week during this time. Besides, the hippocampal neurosteroids, serum stress hormones, and hippocampal monoamine neurotransmitters were measured at PD106. We found that mice in the MS180 group displayed the reduced struggling time and the increased latency to immobility in both FST and TST. However, there was no significant difference in the MS15 group. The levels of hippocampal neurosteroids (progesterone and allopregnanolone) were decreased, and the serum levels of corticosterone, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone were overexpressed in the MS180 group. Besides, the expressions of monoamine neurotransmitters such as 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid significantly decreased in the MS180 group, but not in the MS15 group. All findings revealed that prolonged MS, rather than short MS, could increase the susceptibility to depression-like behavior when reexposed to stress in adulthood. However, future studies are warranted to identify the underlying neuromolecular mechanism of the MS experience on the susceptibility to adult stress reexposure.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of CONSTANS-like gene family in radish (Raphanus sativus).

Floral induction that initiates bolting and flowering is crucial for reproductive fitness in radishes. CONSTANS-like (CO-like, COL) genes play an important role in the circadian clock, which ensures regular development through complicated time-keeping mechanisms. However, the specific biological and functional roles of each COL transcription factor gene in the radish remain unknown. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of COL genes in the radish genome of three cultivars including 'Aokubi', 'kazusa' and 'WK10039', and we analyzed their exon-intron structure, gene phylogeny and synteny, and expression levels in different tissues. The bioinformatics analysis identified 20 COL transcription factors in the radish genome, which were divided into three subgroups (Group I to Group III). RsaCOL-09 and RsaCOL-12 might be tandem duplicated genes, whereas the others may have resulted from segmental duplication. The Ka/Ks ratio indicated that all the COL genes in radish, Arabidopsis, Brassica rapa, Brassica oleracea, Capsella rubella and rice were under purifying selection. We identified 6 orthologous and 19 co-orthologous COL gene pairs between the radish and Arabidopsis, and we constructed an interaction network among these gene pairs. The expression values for each COL gene during vegetable and flower development showed that the majority of Group I members had similar expression patterns. In general, the expression of radish COL genes in Groups I and III decreased during development, whereas the expression of radish COL genes in Group II first increased and then decreased. Substantial numbers of radish COL genes were differentially expressed after vernalization treatment. The expression levels of RsaCOL-02 and RsaCOL-04 were significantly increased during vernalization treatment, while the expression of RsaCOL-10 was significantly decreased. These outcomes provide insights for improving the genetic control of bolting and flowering in radish and other root vegetable crops, and they facilitate genetic improvements to radish yields and quality.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of Dof transcription factors in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.).

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is an important vegetable cultivated in Asia, Africa and southern Europe and, following tomato and pepper, ranks as the third most important solanaceous vegetable crop. The Dof (DNA-binding with one finger) family is a group of plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in plant growth, development, and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. The genes in the Dof family have been identified and analysed in many plant species, but the information remains lacking for eggplant. In the present study, we identified 29 SmeDof members from the eggplant genome database, which were classifed into nine subgroups. The phylogeny, gene structure, conserved motifs and homologous genes of SmeDof genes were comprehensively investigated. Subsequently, we analysed the expression patterns of SmeDof genes in six different eggplant subspecies. The results provide novel insights into the family of SmeDof genes and will promote the understanding of the structure and function of Dof genes in eggplant, and the role of Dof expression during stress.

SmARF8, a transcription factor involved in parthenocarpy in eggplant.

Parthenocarpic fruit is a very attractive trait for consumers and especially in eggplants where seeds can lead to browning of the flesh and bitterness. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying parthenocarpy in eggplant still remain unknown. Some auxin response factors have been previously shown in model species, such as Arabidopsis and tomato, to play an important role in such a process. Here, we have identified a natural parthenocarpic mutant and showed that ARF8 from eggplant (SmARF8), is down-regulated in buds compared to wild-type plants. Further characterization of SmARF8 showed that it is a nuclear protein and an active transcriptional regulator. We determined that amino acids 629-773 of SmARF8 act as the transcriptional activation domain, the C terminus of SmARF8 is the protein-binding domain, and that SmARF8 might form homodimers. Expression analysis in eggplant showed that SmARF8 is expressed ubiquitously in all tissues and organs and is responsive to auxin. Eggplant transgenic lines harboring RNA interference of SmARF8 exhibited parthenocarpy in unfertilized flowers, suggesting that SmARF8 negatively regulates fruit initiation. Interestingly, SmARF8-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines also induced parthenocarpy. These results indicate that SmARF8 could affect the dimerization of auxin/indole acetic acid repressors with SmARF8 via domains III and IV and thus induce fruit development. Furthermore, the introduction of SmARF8 full-length cDNA could partially complement the parthenocarpic phenotypes in Arabidopsis arf8-1 and arf8-4 mutants. Collectively, our results demonstrate that SmARF8 may act as a key negative regulator involved in parthenocarpic fruit development of eggplant. These findings give more insights into the conserved mechanisms leading to parthenocarpy in which auxin signaling plays a pivotal role, and provide potential target for eggplant breeding.

Effectiveness of nurse-led early discharge planning programmes for hospital inpatients with chronic disease or rehabilitation needs: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of nurse-led early discharge planning programmes to standard care for inpatients with chronic disease or rehabilitation needs. BACKGROUND: Nurse-directed early discharge planning could shorten inpatient stays and reduce medical costs; however, it is not known whether the development of discharge planning programmes is effective for inpatients with chronic disease nor how such programmes might be optimally organised. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials assessing nurse-directed discharge planning for inpatients with chronic disease or rehabilitation needs. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Meta-analyses were conducted for the eligible studies by RevMan 5.2.6. Data were pooled using a fixed-effect or random effects model. Where meta-analysis was not possible, narrative analysis was reported. RESULTS: Ten randomized controlled trials and 3438 participants were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated that, compared to standard care, early discharge planning programmes are effective in reducing hospital readmission rates, duration of inpatient readmissions and all-cause mortality. However, no reduction in the length of stay of the index admission was demonstrated. Narrative analysis suggested that discharge planning may reduce total and readmission costs, as well as improving patients' satisfaction and overall quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to standard care, nurse-led early discharge planning programmes have a positive impact on several aspects of care for inpatients with chronic disease and rehabilitation requirements, including reducing readmission, readmission length of stay and mortality and improving quality of life. These findings should be taken into account in future health service policy development. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings are relevant to clinical and managerial staff in formulating and implementing discharge planning programmes for inpatients with chronic disease or rehabilitation needs.