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Autophagy, a cellular process involving lysosomal self-digestion, plays a crucial role in recycling biomolecules and degrading dysfunctional proteins and damaged organelles. However, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), cancer cells can exploit autophagy to survive metabolic stress and develop resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR -TKIs), which reduce treatment efficacies. Currently, most studies have found that late-stage autophagy inhibitors can hinder EGFR -TKIs resistance, while research on early-stage autophagy inhibitors is still limited. This study investigates the mechanism via which the Xie-Bai-San (XBS) formula enhances NSCLC cell sensitivity to gefitinib, revealing the relationship between XBS-induced cell death and the inhibition of autophagosome formation. Cell viability was assessed using CCK-8 and EdU assays, lentivirus transfection was utilized to generate PC9 cells harboring the PIK3CA E545K mutation (referred to as PC9-M), autophagic flux was monitored using mCherry-GFP-LC3 adenovirus. Protein expression and colocalization were observed through immunofluorescence staining. The interaction between Bcl-2 and Beclin-1 in PC9-GR and PC9-M cells was determined via co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay, cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry and PI staining, and overall survival analysis of lung adenocarcinoma patients was conducted using the TCGA database. In vivo experiments included a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model with EGFR and PIK3CA mutations and subcutaneous mice xenografts of NSCLC cell lines (PC9 and PC9-GR). In addition, autophagic vesicles in mouse tumor tissues were observed via transmission electron microscopy analysis. XBS effectively inhibits the proliferation of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells and induces apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, XBS suppresses gefitinib-induced autophagic flux by inhibiting autophagy through the upregulation of p-mTOR and Bcl-2 and downregulation of Beclin-1. Additionally, XBS enhances the interaction between Bcl-2 and Beclin-1, and the overexpression of Beclin-1 promotes NSCLC cell proliferation and counteracts XBS-induced cell death, while XBS demonstrates minimal impact on autophagosome-lysosome fusion or lysosome function. This study reveals a novel role for the XBS formula in impeding autophagy initiation and demonstrates its potential as a candidate drug to counteract autophagy-induced treatment resistance in NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha nickel hydroxide has better performance than commercial beta nickel hydroxide. However, the main defect is that α-phase is easily transformed to β-phase Ni(OH) 2 upon aging in a strong alkaline solution. The different effects of the doping cations Al 3+ , Yb 3+ and Co 2+ on the chemical composition, morphology, structure and electrochemical properties of Ni(OH) 2 are studied, with the same doping ratio. The results demonstrate that the synergistic effect of the ternary doping samples is better than the binary. The Al-Yb-Co-Ni(OH) 2 exhibits excellent structural stability, which can stay the pure α-phase in strong alkaline solutions over 60 days. The CV measurements demonstrate that the relevant electrode has the highest proton diffusion coefficient, indicating a higher electrochemical activity and faster reaction kinetics due to the fast ionic transportation. Moreover, the above electrode has the higher charge efficiency, better reversibility and cycle stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Yb substituted α-nickel hydroxide was prepared by ultrasonic-assisted precipitation. [•] The electrode for 1.44wt.% Yb has the highest capacity of 295.1mAh/g at 0.2C. [•] EDS spectrum was tested to show that Yb distributing in the lattice of α-Ni(OH)2 uniformly. [•] The FWHM of peaks were marked to show the directional growth of the crystallite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanometer Cu-substituted α-nickel hydroxide was synthesized by means of ultrasonic-assisted precipitation. Particle size distribution (PSD) measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) were used to characterize the physical properties of the synthesized samples. The results indicate that the average particle size of the samples is about 96–110nm and the XRD diffraction peaks are anisotropic broadening. The crystal grains are mainly polycrystal structure with columnar or needle-like morphology, containing many defects. With increase of Cu content, the shape of primary particles transform from columnar to needle-like. The influences of doping amounts of Cu on the electrochemical performance were investigated through constant current charge/discharge and cyclic voltammetric measurements. The specific capacity increases initially and then decreases with increasing Cu-doping ratio, the electrode C containing 0.9wt.% Cu shows the maximum discharge capacity of 310mAh/g at 0.2C, and it has the lowest charging voltage, higher discharge voltage plateau, better cycle performance and larger proton diffusion coefficient than the other electrodes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP6) is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily. Expression of BMP6 and its receptors are increased when brain tissues of adult rats are injured, suggesting that BMP6 may have a neuroprotective function in the physiologic response to neurological damage. This research investigates the molecular mechanisms supporting a neuroprotective effect of BMP6 in neural cells traumatized by H2O2. We demonstrate that presence of BMP6 either before or after H2O2-induced injury protects the cultured primary cortical cells from apoptosis. However, molecular mechanisms mediating the protective effects of either pre- or post-treatment with BMP6 are different. Cells pre-treated with BMP6 have attenuated MAPK activity induced by H2O2, whereas the MAPK activity in cells post-treated with BMP6 remains unchanged. Further, pharmacological inhibitors of MAPKs, PD98059 and SB203580, block the protective effect of BMP6 in the cells pre-treated with BMP6 but not in the cells post-treated with BMP6. The protective effect of post-treatment with BMP6 appears to be mediated through regulation of p53 and Bax molecules, evidenced by decreased mRNA levels after BMP6 treatment. Taken together, these data suggest BMP6 protect cortical cells against oxidation stress induced by H2O2 via two different mechanisms, where (1) pre-treatment with BMP6 acts through MAPK pathway and (2) post-treatment with BMP6 works by down-regulating p53 and Bax. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Problems, such as toxic side effects and drug resistance of chemoradiotherapy, target therapy and immunotherapy accompanying the current anti-cancer treatments, have become bottlenecks limiting the clinical benefit for patients. Therefore, it is urgent to find promising anti-cancer strategies with higher efficacy and lesser side effects. Baicalein, a flavonoid component derived from the Chinese medicine scutellaria baicalensis, has been widely studied for its remarkable anti-cancer activity in multiple types of malignancies both at the molecular and cellular levels. Baicalein exerts its anti-tumor effects by inhibiting angiogenesis, invasion and migration, inducing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as regulating cell autophagy, metabolism, the tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells with no obvious toxic side effects. The role of classic signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK, AMPK, Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT3, MMP-2/-9, have been highlighted as the major targets for baicalein exerting its anti-malignant potential. Besides, baicalein can regulate the relevant non-coding RNAs, such as lncRNAs, miRNAs and circ-RNAs, to inhibit tumorigenesis and progression. In addition to the mentioned commonalities, baicalein shows some specific anti-tumor characteristics in some specific cancer types. Moreover, the preclinical studies of the combination of baicalein and chemoradiotherapy pave the way ahead for developing baicalein as an adjunct treatment with chemoradiotherapy. Our aim is to summary the role of baicalein in different types of cancer with its mechanisms based on in vitro and in vivo experiments, hoping providing proof for baicalein serving as an effective and safe compound for cancer treatment in clinic in the future. [Display omitted] • The latest and most comprehensive anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of baicalein in specific cancer types are summarized. • The whole molecular mechanisms of baicalein's anti-tumor effects are summarized. • The signaling pathways of combination efficacy of baicalein and chemotherapy drugs in cancers are summarized. • Both the commonalities of baicalein inhibiting tumor, and the specific anti-tumor properties of baicalein are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of color tunable phosphors K2Ca1−x−y P2O7:xMn2+, yEu3+ are synthesized by solid state reaction method. The energy transfer phenomenon from Mn2+ to Eu3+ has been observed in the Mn2+/Eu3+ codoped non-magnetic K2CaP2O7 host, which was confirmed by PL spectra and decay curves. The Mn2+→Eu3+ energy transfer is controlled by quadrupole–quadrupole interaction between sensitizer and activator. The maximum efficiency of energy transfer is estimated to be 33% with x=0.125 and y=0.03 in K2Ca1−x−y P2O7:xMn2+, yEu3+ phosphor. The phosphors can emit light from green to yellow and eventually to orange under 400nm excitation by changing the Mn2+/Eu3+ content ratio, indicating that K2CaP2O7: Mn2+, Eu3+ would be potential candidates for use in lighting and displays applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using LaNi5 alloy particles as catalyst. The effect of 40–60nm MWNTs treated with different temperature in nitrogen on the electrochemical properties of CNTs–Ni electrode were investigated. Three-electrode system was introduced for testing electrochemical hydrogen storage of the electrode. The CNTs–Ni electrodes were used as the working electrode, which were prepared by mixing MWNTs and Ni powder in a weight ratio of 1:10 (MWNTs:Ni). Ni(OH)2/NiOOH worked as the counter electrode and Hg/HgO as the reference electrode. A 6mol/L KOH solution acted as the electrolyte. MWNTs treated with different temperature in nitrogen ambient represented a great discrepancy in the electrochemical hydrogen storage capability under the same testing condition. The CNTs–Ni electrodes with 40–60nm diameter CNTs which were treated in a temperature of 800°C in nitrogen has the best electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity of 588.1mAh/g and a corresponding discharging plateau voltage of 1.18V. From 500 to 800°C, the higher temperature the MWNTs treated, the better the electrochemical hydrogen storage property of them is. This shows that the temperature of treatment is an important factor that influences electrochemical hydrogen storage performance of MWNTs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have investigated the electrochemical hydrogen storage performances of LaNi5 electrodes doped with carbon nanotubes (CNTs); the CNTs were prepared by chemical vapor deposition using a rare earth alloy as catalyst in a C2H2/H2 atmosphere. A three-electrode system was introduced; the above electrodes were used as the cathodes of the electronic cell, NiOOH/Ni(OH)2 as the anodes, and Hg/HgO as the reference electrodes. A 6M aqueous KOH solution was introduced as the electrolyte. When the LaNi5 electrode was doped with 10% carbon nanotubes to its active material, it had a capacity of 407mAh/g under the charge/discharge current density 200 and 100mA/g, respectively. The discharge voltage limit was set as 0V. The discharge trend is steadier while discharge plateau is improved to 0.875V. Furthermore, we compared the electrochemical hydrogen storage capability of the LaNi5 electrodes doped with different ratios of CNTs (15%, 10%, 7% and 5%) under the same charge/discharge condition and found that the optimum doped quantity of CNTs is 10% in our experiment confines. The polarization peculiarity of each electrode was tested by the Transistor Potentiostat, which exhibited that LaNi5 electrodes doped with CNTs of different ratios have different electrochemical activation character. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were prepared by continuous wave CO2 laser ablation without applying additional heat to the target. Transmission electron microscope and Raman spectrum were used to investigate the effect of laser power on the growth and diameter distribution of the tubes. The average diameter of single wall carbon nanotubes produced by CO2 laser increases with increasing laser power. We have presented the radial breathing mode of Raman spectrum of SWNTs prepared by using CO2 continuous laser vaporization in laser power from 500 to 850 W, and the Raman spectrum are also compared with those of single-walled carbon nanotubes produced by pulsed CO2 laser ablation of previous reports. SWNTs and bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes were observed from web-like carbon soot in a lower laser power of 500 W. Experiment confirmed that laser power play a crucial role in SWNTs formation and diameter distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]