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Transition metal dichalcogenides experience severe structural degradation when used as anodes in potassium-ion batteries, resulting in undesirable electrochemical behaviors. To tackle this challenge, a novel approach involving "anti-solvent-enhanced local high-concentration electrolytes" was proposed to enhance the electrochemical stability of transition metal dichalcogenides for potassium-ion storage. This improvement is attributed to the facilitation of the aggregation of local solvation structures within the ether-based electrolyte. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method by utilizing nickel sulfide composite materials. By diluting the ether-based high-concentration electrolyte with 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (HFE) anti-solvent, the nickel sulfide containing anode achieved an ultra-high specific capacity of 382 mAh g−1 after 1500 cycles at 1 A g−1. We found that the HFE anti-solvent, with its high concentration of negatively charged fluorine atoms, exerts a strong electron-repulsion effect on the bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide anions, promoting the aggregation of local solvation structures. It not only lowers the desolvation energy but also exhibits high stability during interactions with the interface, thereby improving and keeping the K-ion's migration ability. This, in turn, improves the cycling stability of the electrode during the potassiation-depotassiation process. We believe that this new strategy of improving potassium-ion storage performance will drive advancements in related fields. [Display omitted] • Anti-solvent strategy achieving the enhanced electrochemical performance of NiS-containing K-ion batteries. • Identifying the role of anti-solvent in electrolyte for K-ion storage. • Our NiS-containing anode with anti-solvent achieved an ultra-high specific capacity of 382 mAh g−1 after 1500 cycles at 1 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is a common mental illness. Ferroptosis is a form of cell death that may be responsible for neurological disease, but the role of ferroptosis in depression remains unclear. tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) is an emerging non-coding small RNA, making it an important medium for studying neurological diseases. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to construct the depression model in mice, which was treated with ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1). Classical behavioral test, immunofluorescence and small RNA sequencing were used to detect depression-like behaviors, neuronal proliferation and the expression profile of tsRNAs in mice, respectively. The primary neuronal cell damage model was constructed by corticosterone (CORT), and the function of key tsRNA was investigated by quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and CCK-8 assays. Here, Fer-1 reduced the depression-like behavior of CUMS-induced mice and promoted neuronal growth. In addition, CUMS caused the disorder of tsRNA expression profile in hippocampal tissues of mice, and Fer-1 alleviated the abnormal tsRNA expression, among which tsRNA-3029b was an effective target. In vitro experiments manifested that ROS accumulation and decreased expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 were found in CORT-induced depression-like cell model, suggesting that ferroptosis was involved in neuronal injury. However, inhibition of tsRNA-3029b suppressed neuronal cell ferroptosis and facilitated neuronal regeneration. In conclusion, Fer-1 showed an antidepressant effect in CUMS-induced mice and alleviated the abnormal expression profile of tsRNA. tsRNA-3029b was a key target in depression, and silencing of tsRNA-3029b reduced the occurrence of ferroptosis and protected neurons from injury, which may provide novel target for the treatment of depression. • Fer-1 treatment alleviates antidepressant-like behaviors in CUMS-induced mice. • Fer-1 treatment alters the tsRNA expression profile in CUMS-induced mice. • tsRNA-3029b is down-regulated in CUMS-induced mice treated with Fer-1. • Knockdown of tsRNA-3029b represses ferroptosis and promotes cell regeneration in CORT-induced neuronal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DVDMS-SDT inhibits Hep-G2 cells proliferation and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. • DVDMS-SDT induces Hep-G2 cell cycle blocking in the G2/M phase. • DVDMS-SDT activates the p53-caspase-3 pathway of apoptosis via the increased ROS level. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a noninvasive therapeutic method via the activation of certain chemical sensitizers using low intensity ultrasound. In this work, we evaluated the antitumor effect of sinoporphyrin sodium (DVDMS) mediated SDT (DVDMS-SDT) on Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines both in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that DVDMS-SDT was significantly more efficacious than PpIX-SDT in treating hepatocellular cell line Hep-G2. DVDMS-SDT also increased the ratio of cells in the G2/M phase and decreased the CDK1 and Cyclin B1 protein level. DVDMS-SDT markedly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitro. The increased ROS production up-regulated the expression of p53 and Bax, and down-regulated Bcl-2 expression, which led to the activation of caspase-3, ultimately initiated cell apoptosis. These effects could be partially reversed by the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC). In vivo experiments revealed that the DVDMS-SDT resulted in an effective inhibition of tumor growth and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice. More importantly, no obvious signs of side effects were observed. These results suggested that DVDMS-SDT is very effective in treating Hepatocellular carcinoma without side effects. The primary mechanism of SDT is due to the increased ROS activated the p53/Caspase 3 axis of apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the adsorption process of collectors and the interaction between bubbles and mineral particles during KCl froth flotation are still weaknesses in our interpretation of the mechanism of flotation. In this study, we investigated in detail the adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm of a commonly used collector, octadecylamine hydrochloride (ODA), at the surface of KCl crystals. The effects of bubbling and temperature are discussed systematically. Our results indicated that the adsorption of ODA onto the surface of KCl crystals can be facilitated by bubbles, and that the adsorption kinetics of this process can be interpreted according to a pseudo-second order model. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were found to fit the adsorption isotherm of ODA on KCl crystal surface inappropriately, implying that the adsorption of ODA upon KCl crystal surfaces is a more complex process than typical monolayer, or multilayer, adsorption. This might be because the adsorption of ODA on KCl crystal surfaces takes place through an aggregated intermediate, rather than through the direct interaction of dispersed molecules. We note that the quantity of ODA adsorbed at 0 °C increased markedly with increasing numbers of bubbles. Micro-flotation tests suggested that increasing the gas flow rate effectively improved flotation recovery at 0 °C, consistent with the adsorption behavior. These results provide complementary information on the adsorption behavior of ODA at the surface of KCl crystals and on the effect of bubbles during froth flotation, which could help to design new flotation process and improve flotation recovery of KCl at low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low flotation recovery of sylvite from salt lakes at low temperatures has dogged the cryogenic producer for many years. Interfacial water structure at sylvite crystal surfaces has been considered as one noticeable aspect on interpreting the selected KCl collection during flotation, and so the microscopic structure of the water membrane over KCl crystal surfaces at low temperatures was modeled through the use of molecular dynamics methods. In our simulation, the properties of the water membrane adjacent to KCl crystal surface, such as molecular mobility, water structure and preferred molecular orientation, were compared to the results for an otherwise identical system at higher temperatures or in saturated KCl solutions in the absence of a KCl crystal. In our simulation, hydrogen atoms approached the KCl crystal surface more closely, and the mobility of water molecules was more restricted compared to results for saturated KCl solutions. When the temperature decreased, the mobility of water molecules decreased, the number of hydrogen bonds made by the water molecules in the membranes was reduced and the molecules exhibited greater order than in other systems we studied. It was proposed that the property of KCl salt may change from water ‘structure breaker’ to ‘structure maker’ when temperature decreases. These results may provide complementary information which cannot be obtained from experiments on the research of flotation at low temperature directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Two trisiloxane-tailed ionic liquids were synthesized by one two-step method. [•] Both the compounds could self-assemble into vesicular-like aggregates in water. [•] Both the ionic liquids had a superior surface activity than conventional ones. [•] The arrangements of molecules were proposed to explain the aggregates structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive nitrate in water systems is prevailing and a global risk of human health. Polluted river sediments are dominated by anaerobes and often the hotspot of denitrification. So far, little is known about the ecological effects of nitrate pollution on microbial dynamics, especially those in sulfide-rich sediments. Here we simulated a nitrate surge and monitored the microbial responses, as well as the changes of important environmental parameters in a sulfide-rich river sediment for a month. Our analysis of sediment microbial communities showed that elevated nitrate led to (i) a functional convergence at denitrification and sulfide oxidation, (ii) a taxonomic convergence at Proteobacteria , and (iii) a significant loss of biodiversity, community stability and other functions. Two chemolithotrophic denitrifiers Thiobacillus and Luteimonas were enriched after nitrate amendment, although the original communities were dominated by methanogens and syntrophic bacteria. Also, serial dilutions of sediment microbial communities found that Thiobacillus thiophilu s dominated 18/30 communities because of its capability of simultaneous nitrate reduction and sulfide oxidation. Additionally, our network analysis indicated that keystone taxa seemed more likely to be native auxotrophs (e.g., syntrophic bacteria, methanogens) rather than dominant denitrifiers, possibly because of the extensive interspecific cross-feeding they estabilished, while environment perturbations probably disrupted that cross-feeding and simplified microbial interactions. This study advances our understanding of microbial community responses to nitrate pollution and possible mechanism in the sulfide-rich river sediment. Unlabelled Image • Nitrate led to a functional convergence at sulfide oxidation and denitrification. • Resulting sediments were depleted of sulfide and Fe(II) after 1 month. • Resulting microbial communities underwent a significant loss of biodiversity • Microbial interactive networks were mostly sustained by cross-feeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Depression caused by CUMS is closely related to gut microbiota. • DHA significantly reduced CUMS-induced depression-like behaviors on mice. • DHA up-regulated the diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota in depression-like mice. Depression is one of the most common forms of psychopathology, which is associated with gut microbiota dysfunction. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been shown to regulate gut microbiota and ameliorate neuropathies, but whether it can be used to treat depression remains unclear. Our study found that DHA treatment raised the preference for sugar water in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced mice and reduced the immobility time in open field, forced swimming and tail suspension experiments, and promoted doublecortin expression. Additionally, DHA up-regulated the diversity and richness of intestinal microbiota in depression-like mice, and restored the abnormal abundance of microbiota induced by CUMS, such as Turicibacter, Lachnospiraceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Erysipelatoclostridium, Eubacterium, Psychrobacter, Atopostipes, Ileibacterium, Coriobacteriacea, Alistipes, Roseburia, Rikenella, Eggerthellaceae, Ruminococcus, Tyzzerella, and Clostridia. Furthermore, KEGG pathway analysis revealed that gut microbiota involved in the process of depression may be related to glucose metabolism, energy absorption and transport, and AMPK signaling pathway. These results indicated that DHA may play a protective role in CUMS-induced depression by mediating gut-microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Spodumene surfaces are naturally hydrophilic. • Interfacial water structure is described for each surface. • Surface state accounts for collector adsorption. • Oleate chemisorbs at aluminum sites for the (1 0 0) and (1 1 0) surfaces. • Dodecyl amine adsorbs at all surfaces. Abstract The selective flotation separation of spodumene from other aluminosilicate minerals remains a challenging problem in flotation chemistry, and the surface chemistry features are of fundamental importance. In this study, the interfacial chemistry features, particularly the wetting characteristics of selected spodumene surfaces (1 1 0, 0 0 1, 0 1 0, and 1 0 0 crystal surfaces), in the absence and presence of collectors, were studied by water contact angle and bubble attachment measurements, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy (SFVS). The experimental results revealed the interfacial water structure at spodumene surfaces. Contact angle, bubble attachment measurements, and MD simulation results showed that the four spodumene surfaces were naturally hydrophilic, whereas in the presence of collectors, preferential adsorption of sodium oleate on the (1 0 0) and (1 1 0) surfaces was found to create a hydrophobic surface state. Detailed analysis of the interfacial water structure was conducted in order to understand the wetting characteristics at the molecular level, and SFVS was used to study the state of collectors at selected surfaces. The MD simulation and SFVS results revealed that the natural state of the surfaces contributes to the distinct interfacial water structure and the adsorption state of collectors. It seems that unsaturated Al sites at the spodumene surface and their spatial locations account for chemisorption of sodium oleate, while electrostatic attraction appears to be the main driving force for dodecylamine adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH, encoded by EPHX2) and P2X2 (a subtype of ATP receptors) may mediate the antidepressant-like effects of ATP. We sought to determine whether polymorphisms and mRNA expression of EPHX2 and P2X2 are associated with depression and suicidal behavior and how cognition may mediate such associations.Method: We examined 83 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of EPHX2 and P2X2. Subjects were MDD suicide attempters (N = 143), MDD non-suicide attempters (N = 248), and healthy volunteers (HV, N = 110). Data on demographics, depression severity, and suicide attempts were collected. Participants completed a set of cognitive tasks. Polymorphisms were genotyped using MALDI-TOF MS within the MassARRAY system. The expression of mRNA was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: Cognitive function was a significant mediator (p = 0.006) of the genetic effect on depression. Allele C of rs202059124 was associated with depression risk (OR = 11.57, 95%CI: 2.33-209.87, p = 0.0181). A significant relationship was found between P2X2 mRNA expression and depression (OR = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.49-0.94, p = 0.0199). One haploblock (rs9331942 and rs2279590) was associated with suicide attempts: subjects with haplotype GC (frequency = 19.8 %, p = 0.017) and AT (frequency = 35.2 %, p < 0.001) had a lower rate of suicide attempts.Conclusions: Our results confirmed that cognitive impairment plays a role in the effect of rs9331949 on depression. Moreover, we confirmed a relationship between P2X2, EPHX2, and MDD in humans and presented preliminary haplotype-based evidence that implicates EPHX2 in suicide.Limitations: The main limitation of this study is the limited sample size. More comprehensive and multi-domain cognition tasks and different assessment measures are required in further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Depressed patients suffered from severe psychological distress even after the first COVID-19 outbreak was initially controlled. The longitudinal changes and associations among stress and other psychological problems during this period remained unknown. In this study we investigated stress symptoms and the longitudinal impact of stress symptoms on other psychological symptoms in depressed patients after the first COVID-19 outbreak was initially controlled.Methods: A total of 5241 depressed patients at the outpatients of 56 hospitals across mainland China were recruited from May 18 to June 18, 2020. Five months later, 2113 of them responded again. Demographic characteristics were collected and psychological symptoms were evaluated at baseline and the follow-up. The longitudinal associations between stress symptoms at baseline and the changes of other psychological problems were assessed using Poisson regression.Results: The prevalence of stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms declined over time. Having stress symptoms at baseline was positively associated with the new occurrences of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms (range, adjusted RRs 1.69-1.81).Limitations: The sampling method and the high dropout rate are the major limitations. Additionally, the mental conditions of the participants were not obtained, which may lead to unavoidable bias.Conclusions: The prevalence of stress symptoms declined over time after the first COVID-19 outbreak was initially controlled. We found that having stress symptoms at baseline was a predictor for the new occurrences of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and insomnia symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoO 3 /N, P co-doped carbon sheets are fabricated, which exhibit the excellent water splitting reactivity. [Display omitted] • MoO 3 /N, P co-doped carbon sheets are fabricated. • MoO 3 is anchored on N, P co-doped carbon sheets. • It exhibits excellent water oxidation reactivity with 231 mV at 10 mA/cm2. • It drives alkaline water splitting with a low voltage of 1.59 V at 10 mA/cm2. Catalytic water splitting into H 2 is a prospective way to alleviate the fossil fuels crisis. To date, α-MoO 3 nanostructures show the low activity in water electrolysis reaction because of their poor conductive ability. The rational design of α-MoO 3 with tunable electron structure is greatly desired to promote electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we utilize a facile one-pot method to prepare MoO 3 /N, P co-doped carbon sheets (MoO 3 /NPC). Carbon sheets are regulated by N and P doping, which are generated by thermal pyrolysis of melamine phosphate. Accordingly, the partial reduction of MoO 3 nanosheets is elaborated by coordinative unsaturated Mo5+ sites. Experimental investigations show that MoO 3 nanosheets are anchored on N and P co-doped carbon sheets. The electrochemical studies indicate that MoO 3 /NPC presents excellent water oxidation reactivity with 231 mV@10 mA/cm2, which is superior to RuO 2 (283 mV). In comparison to α-MoO 3 nanosheets (204 mV), the enhanced water reduction reactivity is achieved on MoO 3 /NPC with 144 mV at 10 mA/cm2. Serving as the bi-functional catalysts to drive water splitting, MoO 3 /NPC exhibits a low voltage of 1.59 V at 10 mA/cm2. Our work highlights that heteroatom engineering could mediate the electron state of MoO 3 and thereby accelerate water splitting rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• HIP W/O emulsion enhances the flotation of fine oxidized coal at low dosage. • Stable W 1 /O/W 2 double emulsion is formed when HIP emulsion is dispersed in water. • Emulsion droplets dispersed in water attach and spread at the oxidized coal surface. • H-bonds between Span 80 and coal surface expected to facilitate droplet attachment. Flotation recovery of fine oxidized coal is frequently inefficient when using conventional oily collectors. A large amount of fine coal is discharged as tailings, leading to resource waste and environmental pollution. To solve the problem of high oil consumption and low efficiency associated with traditional flotation, research efforts have been focused on the use of oil-in-water emulsion to reduce oil consumption. Few studies concerning water-in-oil emulsion, especially the high internal phase water-in-oil (HIP W/O) emulsion, have been conducted. Our microflotation results showed a significant oil dosage reduction when a HIP W/O emulsion was used as a collector for coal flotation. The state of the HIP W/O emulsion dispersion in water and the emulsion droplets attachment at the coal surface are vital issues associated with achieving efficient flotation. In this study, optical microscopy and high speed video microscopy were employed to study the dispersion behavior and microstructure of the HIP W/O emulsion in water. This study found that the HIP emulsion tends to be dispersed as a W 1 /O/W 2 double emulsion during mixing in water because of the migration of the surplus Span 80 in the oil phase to the O-W 2 interface. The presence of NaCl in W 1 is also essential for a stable W 1 /O/W 2 double emulsion, which is formed when equilibrium of the Laplace and osmotic pressures between the W 1 phase and W 2 phase is obtained. In addition, the W 1 /O/W 2 emulsion droplets are negatively charged, and the emulsion aggregation appears to be inhibited by electrostatic repulsion. More importantly, the Span 80 emulsifier at the O-W 2 interface seems to facilitate hydrogen bond formation between the hydrophilic moieties of Span 80 and the oxygen containing functional groups at the coal surface, which is verified by the results from molecular dynamics simulation (MDS). The hydrogen bond formation plays a leading role in the attachment and/or spreading of the emulsion droplets at the oxidized coal surface. The HIP W/O emulsion could be a potential economical and efficient replacement for the traditional oily collectors as a promising collector for the flotation of fine oxidized coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Three room-temperature ILs, Si(3)N-CA(n)(n =1, 2, 3), were synthesized. [•] They can significantly reduce the surface tension of water. [•] They can self-assemble into multilamellar vesicles spontaneously in aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) present as malignant tumors with high mortality in the female reproductive system diseases. Acquired resistance to paclitaxel (PTX), one of the first-line treatment of EOC, remains a therapeutic challenge. ClC-3, a member of the voltage-gated Cl- channels, plays an essential role in a variety of cellular activities, including chemotherapeutic resistance. Here, we demonstrated that the protein expression and channel function of ClC-3 was upregulated in PTX resistance A2780/PTX cells compared with its parental A2780 cells. The silence of ClC-3 expression by siRNA in A2780/PTX cells partly recovered the PTX sensitivity through restored the G2/M arrest and resumed the chloride channel blocked. ClC-3 siRNA both inhibited the expression of ClC-3 and β-tubulin, whereas the β-tubulin siRNA reduced the expression of itself only, without affecting the expression of ClC-3. Moreover, treatment of ClC-3 siRNA in A2780/PTX cells increased the polymerization ratio of β-tubulin, and the possibility of proteins interaction between ClC-3 and β-tubulin was existing. Take together, the over-expression of ClC-3 protein in PTX-resistance ovarian cancer cells promotes the combination of ClC-3 and β-tubulin, which in turn increase the ration of free form and decrease the quota of the polymeric form of β-tubulin, and finally reduce the sensitivity to PTX. Our findings elucidated a novel function of ClC-3 in regulating PTX resistance and ClC-3 could serve as a potential target to overcome the PTX resistance ovarian cancer. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]