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Solar-driven water splitting to produce hydrogen is an important solution to the problem of energy shortage and environmental pollution. The photolysis of water to produce hydrogen requires highly efficient and stable photocatalysts, and the anode used as catalyst for oxygen evolution is a bottleneck in this process. In this paper, the a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P composite photo-anode was constructed by electrodeposition to anchor the Ni 2 P co-catalyst for oxygen evolution at the active site of TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs). The a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P delivered excellent oxygen evolution at a photocurrent density of 1.058 mA cm-2, an improvement of 2.78 times, 13.2 times, and 15.8 times over a-TNTAs, TNTAs/Ni 2 P, and TNTAs photo-anodes, respectively. The Mott-Schottky curve showed that Ni 2 P as co-catalyst for oxygen evolution accelerated the rates of separation and transfer of the photogenerated electrons. This research provides a simple and efficient method to promote the OER performance of optical semiconductors. • a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P is synthesized by a simple and convenient electrodeposition. • Ni 2 P cocatalyst reduce the water oxidation overpotential of anatase TiO 2. • a-TNTAs/Ni 2 P photocatalyst has good photocurrent stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: RAD51 and RAD54, members of the RAD52 epistasis group, play key roles in homologous recombination (HR). The efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) can be increased by over-expression of either of them. A vector that allows co-expression of RAD51 and RAD54 was constructed to investigate interactions between the two proteins during extra-chromosomal HR. The efficiency of extra-chromosomal HR evaluated by GFP extra-chromosomal HR was enhanced (110–245%) in different transfected Human sarcoma (HT-1080) cell colonies. We observed that RAD51 clearly promotes extra-chromosomal HR; however, the actions of RAD54 in extra-chromosomal HR were weak. Our data suggest that RAD51 may function as a universal factor during HR, whereas RAD54 mainly functions in other types of HR (gene targeting or intra-chromosomal HR), which involves interaction with chromosomal DNA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Processing technologies of polysaccharides from sea cucumber species are elaborated. • Commercial polysaccharide processing from sea cucumber faces technical limitations. • Safe methods of pretreatment and purification need to be exploited. • Combination of polysaccharide processing technology will raise industrial efficiency. • Polysaccharide extraction will consider sea cucumber products processing technology. Sulfated polysaccharide (SP) from sea cucumber possesses unique structure with a wide range of biological activities and health benefits. Many SPs from sea cucumbers have been extracted, purified and fractionated by different methods. However, commercial processing technologies of SPs from sea cucumbers have not been well established. This review summarizes the methods of pretreatment, extraction, separation, purification, and fractionation of various SPs from different sea cucumber species, and deficiencies and limitations of the methods are pointed out. Besides, suggestion on the combination of the processing methods and technologies of SPs are put forward, and SPs extraction in combination with traditionally well-established sea cucumbers food processing technology should be considered. In addition, standardized processing methods have to be confirmed and commercial applications need to be officially approved for SPs. Finally, a promising future perspective of SPs is optimistically forecast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleeping thermal environment in winter has been generally regulated to avoid the influence of cold exposure on human thermal experience and sleep quality. However, existing studies have focused primarily on manipulating the thermal environment either before or during sleep, and it remains unclear whether these two phases of sleeping thermal environments exert identical influences on human thermal states and sleep quality. This study aims to investigate the coupling effect of pre-sleep and during-sleep thermal environment regulations on human thermal comfort and sleep quality. Experiments were conducted under four conditions using different combinations of pre-sleep and during-sleep thermal environments. The human thermal state and sleep quality were determined via physiological monitoring and subjective assessments. The data confirmed that (1) warmer pre-sleep thermal environment within human thermoregulation range decreased sleep latency, (2) sleep fragmentation increased monotonically with thermal discomfort in bed climate, and (3) excessively warm sensation (higher than 0.8) was counter-productive for sleep quality improvement. Additionally, correlations between thermal sensation and thermal environments were determined, and the principles for pre-sleep and during-sleep thermal environment regulation were proposed, including consistency in key zones of bed climate and difference in heating intensity. The results provided implications with regard to human thermal perception control and personalized device usage for creating a suitable sleeping thermal environment. • Coupling effect of pre-sleeping and sleep thermal environment on sleep quality was studied. • Pre-sleep thermal environment mainly influenced SOL despite subsequent thermal inertia. • Sleep efficiency and stability were more influenced by thermal environment during sleep. • Optimal LF/HF ratio was suggested for higher sleep efficiency and less sleep fragmentation. • Respective effect of indoor and bed temperature on thermal sensation were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study comprehensively characterized the flavor differences between different varieties of douchis from different origins using headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) coupled with gas chromatography-olfactometry-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-O-QTOF/MS). A total of 91 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified using HS-GC-IMS and 70 VOCs were identified using GC-O-QTOF/MS, mainly including acids, aldehydes, esters and alcohols. Additionally, 23 key aroma-presenting compounds were screened in five douchi species using relative odor activity value (ROAV) and the aroma compounds that contributed the most to the aroma varied among the five douchi species. Comparative analysis of the GC-IMS and GC-O-QTOF/ MS results yielded 13 VOCs that were detected by both techniques. Nonanal, hexanal, eucalyptol, 1-octen-3-ol, isoamyl acetate, and 2-pentylfuran were identified as key VOCs in the douchi species using both methods. These findings will provide deeper insights for exploring flavor differences in douchi from different geographic sources. • Characterization of VOCs of five douchi species by GC-IMS and GC-O-QTOF/MS. • 91 VOCs were identified by GC-IMS, 70 by GC-O-QTOF/MS. • Relative contents of acids and esters were high in five douchi species. • The key aroma compounds in five douchi species were completely different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DRP1 expression is significantly higher in BC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. • Increased DRP1 expression predicts poor survival in BC patients. • DRP1 expression is correlated with the infiltrating levels of diverse immune cells. • High DRP1 expression influences the prognosis of BC patients partially via immune infiltration. Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. The identification of effective markers for early diagnosis and prognosis is important for reducing mortality and ensuring that therapy for BC is effective. Dynamin-related protein-1 (DRP1) is a regulator of mitochondrial fission. However, the prognostic value of DRP1 and its association with immune infiltration in BC remain unknown. The TCGA, Oncomine, UALCAN and HPA databases were used to examine DRP1 expression in BC. Kaplan-Meier plotter and PrognoScan were used to evaluate the association of DRP1 with the prognosis of patients with BC. The mechanism was investigated with Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, and the relationship between DRP1 expression and immune infiltration in BC was investigated using the TIMER database and CIBERSORT algorithm. DRP1 expression was significantly upregulated in BC compared to healthy breast tissues. In addition, elevated DRP1 expression was associated with various clinicopathological parameters. High DRP1 expression was significantly correlated with poor survival of BC patients. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that DRP1 was closely correlated with various signaling pathways and immune response. Functional analyses revealed that DRP1 was positively correlated with infiltration levels of B cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Moreover, DRP1 affected the prognosis of BC patients partially via immune infiltration. Our results suggest that DRP1 is a marker of poor prognosis in patients with BC and plays an important role in tumor-related immune infiltration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With average life expectancy rising greatly, the incidence rate of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) has significantly increased. The heart disease has now become the number one killer that threatens the global population health, the second is stroke. It will be of great significance to investigate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of ASCVD in order to promote effective prevention and treatment. The neuropeptide Y (NPY) has now been discovered for more than thirty years and is widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. By combining with certain receptors, NPY performs a variety of physiological functions, including the regulation of food intake, cardiovascular effects, development, hormonal secretion, sexual behavior, biological rhythms, temperature and emotion. In ASCVD, increased peripheral NPY was involved in the pathophysiological process of atherosclerosis through affecting the vascular endothelial dysfunction, the formation of foam cells, the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, the local inflammatory response of plaques and the activation and aggregation of platelets. Via central and/or the peripheral nervous system, increased NPY was associated with dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and smoking which are all risk factors for ASCVD. In this review, we summarize the role of neuropeptide Y in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel process for the conversion of ethylene carbonate (EC) to ethylene glycol (EG) in high temperature water was investigated. As a result, even there is no external catalyst and additive, the reaction of EC proceeded well and provided the desired EG in 99% yield with 25% water filling at 250 °C for 2 h. Moreover, only CO 2 as by-product was observed in the process. High temperature water exhibits an unique merits and plays an catalytic role for EC conversion. From viewpoint of practice, this work provides a simple, environmentally benign, catalyst/additive-free process for the production of ethylene glycol from ethylene carbonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The role of circulating inflammatory factors in atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence and recurrence remains inconclusive. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies evaluating the association of inflammatory factors with AF risk, postoperative AF (POAF) occurrence after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, and AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion (EC) or catheter ablation. Results: Increased C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly associated with AF risk (standardized mean difference [SMD] [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 0.95 [0.72–1.18], 0.89 [0.64–1.15] and 2.20 [1.17–3.23], respectively). In subgroup analysis, CRP was significantly associated with persistent and permanent AF risk, but not with paroxysmal AF. Increased preoperative CRP and IL-6 were associated with greater risk of post-CABG AF (SMD [95% CI]: 0.28 [0.02–0.54] and 1.03 [0.03–2.04], respectively). Consistent significant associations between CRP and AF recurrence were found in both patient subgroups who underwent EC (SMD, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36–0.76) and ablation (SMD, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.11–0.86). IL-6 was significantly associated with AF recurrence after ablation (SMD, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.25–0.85), but not with the recurrence after EC (SMD, 0.85; 95% CI, −0.26–1.95). Conclusion: Increased circulating inflammatory factors, such as CRP and IL-6, are associated with greater AF risk in general population and patients who underwent CABG, as well as with AF recurrence after EC or ablation. Future research is warranted to elucidate the roles of other inflammatory markers, such as white blood cell, IL-8, and transforming growth factor-β1, in occurrence and recurrence of well-established different clinical subtypes of AF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]