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Solar thermal storage ceramic materials use photothermal power generation technology to store heat energy, which is an important way to use clean energy and reduce carbon emissions. In this paper, MgAl2O4 ceramics were prepared by pressureless sintering with fused magnesia and α‐Al2O3 as the primary raw materials and TiO2 as the additive. The phase composition, microstructure, physical properties, thermal shock resistance, and thermal physical properties of MgAl2O4 thermal storage ceramics were studied. The results show that the main crystalline phase of B4 is MgAl2O4 and the secondary crystalline phase is MgTi2O5. Ti4+ is dissolved into MgAl2O4 lattice, which distorts the lattice, reduces activation energy, and promotes sintering. The sample B4 (69.73 wt% α‐Al2O3, 30.27 wt% fused magnesia, and 7 wt% TiO2) sintered at 1510°C had the best comprehensive physical properties, and its bending strength and bulk density were 89.41 MPa and 3.27 g/cm3, respectively. After 30 thermal shock cycles, the bending strength of the sample B4 is slightly lost. The thermal stress generated during the expansion and contraction of the grain volume led to the decrease of the bending strength. From room temperature to 1000°C, the specific heat capacity of sample B4 is.44–1.25 J/(g·K). The heat capacity increases with the increase of temperature, and the heat storage density increases. The heat storage density is 1218.75 kJ/kg (1000°C). Heat capacity increases with temperature due to intensified lattice vibration at high temperatures. Therefore, magnesia alumina spinel ceramics show great potential in solar thermal energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the hydrophilicity of carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the paramagnetism of ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4), a CNT‐Fe3O4 nanocomplex was produced by in situ liquid phase synthesis and a magnetically induced polysulfone amide (PSA) composited CNT‐Fe3O4 ultrafiltration membrane was prepared using an immersion precipitation phase transformation with an inexpensive PSA fiber as the matrix. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were distributed evenly on the CNTs, and the obtained CNT‐Fe3O4 complex exhibited good magnetic properties. For the magnetically induced PSA composited CNT‐Fe3O4 ultrafiltration membrane, the water flux and retention rate under the magnetic field of 1450 Gs were 421.26 L/m2 h and 96.70%, respectively; porosity and pore size were 38.75% and 58.52 nm; contact angle was 39.48°; average tensile strength was 4.61 N/mm2; and weight retention rate reached 29.00% under heat treatment at 900°C. The water flux decreased by 5.40% and 39.33% after 3 weeks of acid and alkaline immersions, respectively. The inhibition zone diameter of Escherichia coli was 11 ± 0.24 mm, and that of Staphylococcus aureus was 11 ± 0.35 mm. The magnetically induced PSA composited CNT‐Fe3O4 ultrafiltration membrane demonstrated stronger electronegativity, smaller average roughness, higher flux recovery rate value, and lower irreversible flux recovery rate value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cedirogant is an inverse agonist of retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor gamma, thymus (RORγt) developed for treatment of psoriasis. This study aimed to characterize pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability of cedirogant following a single oral dose in Japanese participants and multiple oral doses in Japanese and Chinese participants. The single doses evaluated in healthy Japanese participants were 75, 225, and 395 mg. The multiple doses evaluated in both healthy Japanese and Chinese participants was 375 mg once daily for 14 days. Cedirogant plasma exposure increased dose proportionally with administration of single doses. Maximum cedirogant plasma concentration was reached within a median time of 4‐5 hours after dosing. The harmonic mean elimination half‐life ranged from 19 to 25 hours. Cedirogant pharmacokinetics were similar between Japanese and Chinese participants. Compared with healthy Western participants in a cross‐study analysis, steady‐state cedirogant plasma exposure was 38%‐73% higher in Japanese or Chinese participants. Ex vivo interleukin‐17 inhibition increased in a dose‐dependent manner and was maximized by 375 mg once‐daily doses. The cedirogant regimens tested were generally well tolerated, and no new safety issues were identified. The results supported enrollment of Japanese and Chinese subjects in subsequent clinical trials for cedirogant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mollisol is crucial for solving food security issues, but long‐term excessive application of chemical fertilizers has led to severe Mollisol degradation in Northeast China, especially a rapid decline in soil organic carbon (SOC). In context of the use of crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return as alternatives for some chemical fertilizers, it is important to understand how crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return combined with chemical fertilizers influence labile organic carbon (LOC) fractions that improve SOC. To address this, this study explored how the combined application of maize (Zea mays L.)–Melilotus officinalis intercropping, straw return, and chemical fertilizers affect LOC fractions and mineralized carbon (MC) from the perspective of physical property‐mediated pathways. Thus, a field experiment with six treatments was established in the Songnen Plain of Northeast China: (1) maize monoculture without chemical fertilizers and straw return (CK), (2) maize monoculture with chemical fertilizers and no straw return (CF), (3) maize monoculture with chemical fertilizers and straw return (CFS), (4) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return combined with full application of chemical fertilizers (CFSM), (5) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return combined with half application of chemical fertilizers (1/2CFSM), and (6) maize–M. officinalis intercropping and straw return without chemical fertilizers (SM). The CF and CFS groups had no effect on bulk density and porosity but reduced specific gravity. The CFSM group increased water contents, porosity, LOC fractions, SOC, MC, and CO2 release rate and decreased bulk density and specific gravity. Compared with the CF group, the 1/2CFSM group enhanced water contents, microbial biomass carbon, and water‐soluble organic carbon (WSOC) to 6.36%, 17.91%, and 11.6%, respectively. We found that maize–M. officinalis intercropping, straw return, and reducing chemical fertilizers application improved LOC fractions to increase SOC by positively affecting bulk density, specific gravity, and water contents. Further analysis indicated that WSOC was a key determinant of SOC and maize yields. These findings provide a strategy to increase SOC and rehabilitate degraded soils through crop‐herbage intercropping and straw return combined with reducing chemical fertilizers application, which will contribute to a sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. Core Ideas: Intercropping, straw return, and 50% fertilizers increased labile C, organic C, and mineralized C.Bulk density and specific gravity had negative impacts on labile C and organic C.Water contents positively influenced microbial biomass carbon and water‐soluble organic carbon.Porosity and easily oxidized organic carbon had no effect on organic carbon.Water‐soluble organic carbon was a key determinant of organic carbon and maize yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cedirogant is an inverse agonist of retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor gamma thymus (RORγt) developed for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Here, we report the results from two phase I studies in which the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of cedirogant in healthy participants and patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis were evaluated. The studies consisted of single (20–750 mg) and multiple (75–375 mg once‐daily [q.d.]) ascending dose designs, with effect of food and itraconazole on cedirogant exposure also evaluated. Safety and PK were evaluated for both healthy participants and psoriasis patients, and efficacy was assessed in psoriasis patients. Following single and multiple doses, cedirogant mean terminal half‐life ranged from 16 to 28 h and median time to reach maximum plasma concentration ranged from 2 to 5 h across both populations. Cedirogant plasma exposures were dose‐proportional after single doses and less than dose‐proportional from 75 to 375 mg q.d. doses. Steady‐state concentrations were achieved within 12 days. Accumulation ratios ranged from approximately 1.2 to 1.8 across tested doses. Food had minimal effect and itraconazole had limited impact on cedirogant exposure. No discontinuations or serious adverse events due to cedirogant were recorded. Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Self‐Assessment of Psoriasis Symptoms (SAPS) assessments demonstrated numerical improvement with treatment of cedirogant 375 mg q.d. compared with placebo. The PK, safety, and efficacy profiles of cedirogant supported advancing it to phase II clinical trial in psoriasis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to identify the key genes involved in the development of multiple primary lung cancers. Methods: Differential expression analysis was performed, followed by comparing the infiltration levels of 22 immune cell types between multiple and single primary lung adenocarcinomas. Marker genes for epithelial cells with different proportions between the two types of lung adenocarcinomas were identified. The common genes between the marker genes and differentially expressed genes were identified. Finally, the effects of the key genes were tested on the in vitro proliferation, migration and morphology. Results: The infiltration levels of helper follicular T cells, resting NK cells, activated NK cells, M2 macrophages and resting mast cells were higher in the patients with multiple than in those with single primary lung adenocarcinomas. A total of 1553 differentially expressed genes and 4414 marker genes of epithelial cells were identified. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the 164 resulting genes. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression was positively associated with the occurrence of multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas. Moreover, its signalling pathway was the key pathway among the epithelial cells and multiple and single primary lung adenocarcinoma cells, and it was upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma cells. It also increased the expression of lung cancer markers, including NES and CA125, induced morphological changes in alveolar epithelial type II cells, and promoted their proliferation, migration and invasion. Conclusions: Multiple and single primary lung adenocarcinomas have different tumour immune microenvironments, and migration inhibitory factor may be a key factor in the occurrence of multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the performance and feasibility of magnesia‐alumina spinel (MgAl2O4) ceramics for thermal storage in solar thermal power generation, MgAl2O4 was prepared by theoretical composition using α‐Al2O3 as aluminium source, fused magnesia, magnesite, and light burned magnesia as different magnesium sources and kaolin as additive. The effects of magnesium source and the additive on sintering properties, thermal shock resistance and thermal properties of MgAl2O4 ceramics were researched. The results shown sample A1 (with fused magnesia) sintered at 1670°C possessed the optimum comprehensive properties, the bending strength increased by 7.71% after 30 thermal shock times (room temperature‐1000°C, air cooling), the specific heat capacity was 1.05 J/ (g·K). Therefore, the MgAl2O4 ceramics exhibited great potential in high‐temperature thermal storage material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of Li dendrites in a solid electrolyte is commonly idealized by a pressure‐filled crack. Recent observations in both garnet and sulfide electrolytes show that sparsely filled cracks exist prior to shorting of the cell, thereby invalidating this assumption. Herein, a variational principle that uses the Onsager formalism to couple Li deposition into the crack, elastic deformation of the electrolyte, and cracking of the electrolyte with the electrochemical driving forces and dissipation within the electrolyte and interfaces is developed. Consistent with observations, it is shown that Li ingress and cracking occur together for garnet electrolytes, but the cracks are sparsely filled. This sparse filling is a direct consequence of the mismatch between the elastic opening of the cracks and the deposition of Li into the cracks across the crack flanks. An increase in the resistance of Li ingress into the tips of Li filaments results in crack propagating ahead of the Li filaments, as observed for sulfide electrolytes. In such cases, the cracks are largely dry. The results provide a framework to model Li ingress into solid electrolytes and explain why the observations are qualitatively so different from dendrites in liquid electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess whether the beta‐cell function of inpatients undergoing antidiabetic treatment influences achieving time in range (TIR) and time above range (TAR) targets. Materials and Methods: This cross‐sectional study included 180 inpatients with type 2 diabetes. TIR and TAR were assessed by a continuous glucose monitoring system, with target achievement defined as TIR more than 70% and TAR less than 25%. Beta‐cell function was assessed by the insulin secretion‐sensitivity index‐2 (ISSI2). Results: Following antidiabetic treatment, logistic regression analysis showed that lower ISSI2 was associated with a decreased number of inpatients achieving TIR (OR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.19‐8.06) and TAR (OR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.35‐8.55) targets after adjusting for potential confounders. Similar associations still existed in those participants treated with insulin secretagogues (TIR: OR = 2.91, 95% CI: 0.90‐9.36, P =.07; TAR, OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.01‐9.80) or adequate insulin therapy (TIR: OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 0.91‐8.81, P =.07; TAR, OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.08‐9.67). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the diagnostic value of the ISSI2 for achieving TIR and TAR targets was 0.73 (95% CI: 0.66‐0.80) and 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63‐0.79), respectively. Conclusions: Beta‐cell function was associated with achieving TIR and TAR targets. Stimulating insulin secretion or exogenous insulin treatment could not overcome the disadvantage of lower beta‐cell function on glycaemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of treatment for patients with 'driver‐gene‐negative' lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a critical problem to be solved. We aimed to explore the role of methylation of N6 adenosine (m6A)‐related long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in stratifying 'driver‐gene‐negative' LUAD risk. Patients negative for mutations in EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, MET, ALK, RET, and ROS1 were identified as 'driver‐gene‐negative' cases. RNA sequencing was performed in 46 paired tumors and adjacent normal tissues from patients with 'driver‐gene‐negative' LUAD. Twenty‐three m6A regulators and relevant lncRNAs were identified using Pearson's correlation analysis. K‐means cluster analysis was used to stratify patients, and a prognostic nomogram was developed. The CIBERSORT and pRRophetic algorithms were employed to quantify the immune microenvironment and chemosensitivity. We identified two clusters highly consistent with the prognosis based on their unique expression profiles for 46 m6AlncRNAs. A risk model constructed from nine m6A lncRNAs could stratify patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups with promising predictive power (C‐index = 0.824), and the risk score was an independent prognostic factor. The clusters and risk models were closely related to immune characteristics and chemosensitivity. Additional pan‐cancer analysis using the nine m6AlncRNAs showed that the expression of DIO3 opposite strand upstream RNA (DIO3OS) is closely related to the immune/stromal score and tumor stemness in a variety of cancers. Our results show that m6AlncRNAs are a reliable prognostic tool and can aid treatment decision‐making in 'driver‐gene‐negative' LUAD. DIO3OS is associated with the development of various cancers and has potential clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced glucose biosensors are highly desired for rapid, reliable and cost‐effective sensing of glucose. This work reports on a self‐powered glucose biosensor (SPGB) composed of a Cu anode and a glucose oxidase/Prussian blue/ITO biocathode. The SPGB is available for flow sensing of glucose, with a linear detection range of 0.10 and 1.20 mM, a high sensitivity of 35.62 μA ⋅ cm−2 ⋅ mM−1 and a detection limit of 14.34 μM (S/N=3). The SPGB is reproducible (RSD <5%) and has been successfully employed to determine glucose in juices with satisfactory recoveries (98–100 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an olivine‐based cathode with high discharge platform and theoretical capacity, Li3V2(PO4)3's (LVP's) low conductivity and excessive grain size are the important factors hindering its development in the battery field. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) is a natural and cheap nanotube‐like material with large specific surface area and abundant surface nucleation sites, which can cooperate with conductive carbon layer to solve the deficiency of LVP. In this paper, we design a cathode material for in‐situ growth of LVP on HNTs (LVP@HNTs) and demonstrate that it has the appropriate particle size and the excellent specific surface area in the mass ratio of LVP to HNTs is 2:1. The capacity retention rate of LVP@HNTs‐2 reached almost 100% (97.0 mAh g−1) after 100 cycles at a low rate of 0.5 C. Moreover, its specific discharge capacity is 89.3 mAh g−1 at a high rate of 20 C and its capacity retention rate is as high as 90.1% (80.5 mAh g−1) after 5,000 cycles, showing that the LVP@HNTs‐2 has marvelous rate capability and cycle stability. This study provides an innovative strategy for the development of the high‐performance cathode materials with low‐cost, excellent rate capability, and cycle stability of lithium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Examining the role of immune‐related genes (IRGs) in "driver gene negative" lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) may provide new ideas for the treatment and study for this LUAD subgroup. We aimed to find the hub immune‐related gene pairs can stratify the risk of "driver‐gene‐negative" LUAD. Materials and Methods: IRGs were identified according to ImmPort database based on RNA sequencing results of tumors and normal tissues from 46 patients with "driver gene negative" LUAD at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‐sen University and cyclically singly paired as immune‐related gene pairs (IRGPs). Multivariate Cox analysis was used to construct an immune risk model and a prognostic nomogram combining was also been developed. Immune microenvironment landscape described by CIBERSORT and drug sensitivity calculated by pRRophetic algorithm were used to explore possible treatment improvements. Results: A novel immune risk model with 5‐IRGPs (CD1A|CXCL135, CD1A|S100A7L2, IFNA7|CMTM2, IFNA7|CSF3, CAMP|TFR2) can accurately distinguish patients in the high‐ and low‐risk groups. Risk score act as an independent prognostic factor and is related to clinical stage. There are significant differences in tumor immune microenvironment and PD‐1/PD‐L1/CTLA‐4 expression between groups. The low‐risk patient may benefit more from the commonly used chemotherapy regimens such as gemcitabine and paclitaxel. Conclusion: This study constructed 5‐IRGPs as a reliable prognostic tool and may represent genes pairs that are potential rationale for choice of treatment for "driver gene negative" LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The achievement of high ionic conductivity for solid‐state electrolyte and low interface resistance between electrodes and electrolyte are keys to successful solid‐state lithium ion batteries. In this paper, an efficient solid‐state electrolyte with dual‐layer structure for dendrite‐free lithium metal battery is designed. A Li metal‐friendly poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) can serve as low‐voltage stable polymer electrolyte and ceramic‐dominating poly(vinylidene fluoride)–lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (PVDF–LATP) composite solid electrolyte is able to resist higher voltage facing cathode. More importantly, bistrifluoroacetamide (BTFA), as a polar molecular plasticizer, can simultaneously inhibit polymer crystallization, coordinate the delocalization of negative charges, and facilitate the solvation of lithium salts, providing absorption sites for lithium ion migration. The obtained BTFA‐activated PEO/PVDF–LATP double‐layer solid electrolyte exhibits satisfied ionic conductivity (4.4 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 25 °C), high Li+‐transfer number (0.68), and wide electrochemical stable windows (0–5.092 V vs Li/Li+). Moreover, both the assembled full cells with LiFePO4 and high‐voltage LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathodes show high initial discharge capacities (163.3 and 219.5 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, respectively), excellent cycling, and rate performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Activation of ALK leads to a high level of aerobic glycolysis related to crizotinib insensitivity in anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer (ALK+ NSCLC). The strategy and mechanism of glycolysis inhibition in sensitizing ALK+ NSCLC cells to crizotinib requires further investigation. Methods: The levels of glycolysis in H3122 and H2228 cells were evaluated through detection of glucose consumption and lactate production. MTT assay was used to explore the effects of glycolytic inhibitors on crizotinib sensitivity, and the potential mechanism of action were detected by colony formation, Ki67 incorporation assay, transwell assay, small interfering RNA technology and western blot analysis. Results: ALK+ NSCLC cells exhibited significantly higher levels of glycolysis compared to ALK− NSCLC cells. Long‐term exposure to crizotinib could decrease the sensitivity of ALK+ NSCLC cells to crizotinib via increasing the levels of glycolysis related to hexokinases II (HK2). Crizotinib in combination with glycolysis inhibitor 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (2DG) synergistically inhibited proliferation, glycolysis, colony formation and invasion ability of ALK+ NSCLC cells. 2DG sensitization crizotinib might be associated with the inhibition of HK2‐mediated glycolysis and P‐ALK/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in H3122 and H2228 cells. Conclusions: These results indicate that HK2‐mediated glycolysis plays a crucial role in the increased tolerance of ALK+ NSCLC cells to crizotinib. 2DG may sensitize ALK+ NSCLC to crizotinib via suppression of HK2‐mediated glycolysis and the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some significant differences exist between the outcomes of left‐ and right‐sided colon cancer patients. The presence of nodal metastases is a critical prognostic factor, especially in the absence of distant metastasis. Our research studied the lymph nodes status of left‐ and right‐sided colon cancer patients to determine the influence of this factor on prognosis. Methods: Our data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. We used the chi‐square test to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics. The X‐tile program was adopted to acquire optimal cutoff points of lymph node index. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze prognosis and multivariate Cox regression models were performed to identify the independent factors associated with survival. Nomograms were built to predict the overall survival of patients, Harrell's C‐index and calibration plots were used to validate the nomograms. Results: The study included 189,941 patients with colon cancer without metastasis (left 69,885, right 120,056) between 2004 and 2015. There are more patients with adequate examined lymph nodes in right‐sided. Lymph node status in patients with right colon cancer has a more significant impact on the risk of death. LODDS (C‐index: 0.583; AIC: 6875.4) was used to assess lymph node status. The nomograms showed that lymph node status was the main factor to predict the outcome in right‐sided colon patients. Conclusions: The influence of lymph node status on predicting prognosis is significantly different between patients with left and right colon cancer without metastasis. The tumor site needs to be considered when lymph node status is used to assess the outcome of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidation reactions of coumarin‐3‐carboxylic acids under mild conditions have been demonstrated in this work. Tetraalkylthiuram disulfides are utilized as the amidation reagents. This protocol is compatible with a variety of electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing functional groups and provides an attractive strategy for the preparation of coumarin‐3‐carboxamides in moderate to good yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and efficient process for the synthesis of alkyl dithiocarbamates from electrophilic alkenes and tetraalkylthiuram disulfides was presented. The reactions proceed under mild conditions to afford the products in high yields, excellent functional group tolerance and step efficiency. This protocol realizes a pretty interesting methodology for alkyl dithiocarbamates synthesis under a Michael‐type addition progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐state lithium batteries will revolutionize the lithium‐ion battery and energy storage applications if certain key challenges can be resolved. The formation of lithium‐protrusions (dendrites) that can cause catastrophic short‐circuiting is one of the main obstacles, and progresses by a mechanism that is not yet fully understood. By utilizing X‐ray computed tomography with nanoscale resolution, the 3D morphology of lithium protrusions inside short‐circuited solid electrolytes has been obtained for the first time. Distinguishable from adjacent voids, lithium protrusions partially filled cracks that tended to propagate intergranularly through the solid electrolyte, forming a large waved plane in the shape of the grain boundaries. Occasionally, the lithium protrusions bifurcate into flat planes in a transgranular mode. Within the cracks themselves, lithium protrusions are preferentially located in regions of relatively low curvature. The crack volume filled with lithium in two samples is 82.0% and 83.1%, even though they have distinctly different relative densities. Pre‐existing pores in the solid electrolyte, as a consequence of fabrication, can also be part‐filled with lithium, but do not have a significant influence on the crack path. The crack/lithium‐protrusion behavior qualitatively supports a model of propagation combining electrochemical and mechanical effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and facile synthesis of aryl benzyl sulfones was accomplished for the first time through copper‐catalyzed decarboxylative reductive sulfonylation reaction between α‐oxocarboxylic acids and aryl sulfonyl hydrazines. The protocol proceeds smoothly under simple conditions, and has the advantages of simple operation, high yields and good functional group compatibility. This approach realizes a conceptually novel methodology for aryl benzyl sulfone synthesis under a decarboxylative reductive progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient and simple procedure for the synthesis quinoline‐3‐carboxamides and their analogues via amidation reaction of quinoline‐3‐carboxylic acids with tetraalkylthiuram disulfides has been developed. The reaction proceeds efficiently under simple reaction conditions and features the generality of broad scope of substrates with good yields. This protocol provides a convenient procedure for the synthesis of various aza‐heteroaromatic carboxamides, which is of pharmaceutical interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a method for the synthesis of 2‐aryl‐2‐hydroxyethyl dithiocarbamates via difunctionalization of alkenes involving C−S and C−O bonds formation with tetraalkylthiuram disulfides as the functional reagents. The reaction proceeded well under transition‐metal‐free conditions and afforded up to 88% yield of the desired products. Numerous useful functional groups were tolerated under the reaction conditions. This methodology provides a direct approach to β‐hydroxy dithiocarbamates, featuring readily available starting materials and broad substrate scope, which shows its practical synthetic value in organic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New techniques for sustainable energy resources utilization are highly desirable to meet the continuously increasing energy demand and address growing environmental concerns. Herein, we report the fabrication of a CuO photocathode through a simple and scalable two‐step method and, by combining it with a glucose oxidase (GOD) bioanode, a photoelectrochemical fuel cell (PFC) has also been further developed. In the presence of 60 mM glucose and under visible‐light illumination, the PFC gives maximum power output densities of 14.4 μW cm−2 and 8.9 μW cm−2 at 0.1 V in air‐ and nitrogen‐saturated solutions together with open‐circuit potentials of 0.34 V and 0.38 V, respectively, demonstrating the capability of sourcing energy from visible light and glucose. The PFC shows promise as an efficient, user‐friendly option for sustainable energy resources utilization, and the CuO photocathode can be used for the development of other PFCs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding phase transition between the liquid and gaseous states has gained significant interest, and has been ubiquitously observed in many places ranging from natural systems to water–energy nexus and thermal management applications. Phase transition phenomena at liquid–vapor interfaces are greatly governed by intermolecular‐level kinetics, which requires the use of empirical parameters in continuum‐level relations to explain the discrete nature of molecular particles. Despite its significance, it has been a great challenge to find detailed expressions of empirical parameters such as accommodation coefficients, which represent the probabilities for phase transition of liquid or vapor molecules at the interface. Here, direct statistical measurements of accommodation coefficients are reported by tracking the trajectories of liquid and vapor molecules in molecular simulations. The measurements reveal that evaporation and condensation coefficients are different by ≈50%, whereas they have been assumed to be equal in most previous studies. Then, the indirect measurement method is studied from a perspective of theoretical genetics based on the diffusion approximation. A good agreement between two approaches suggests that diffusion approximation can contribute to provide empirical parameters with a cost‐effective method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osimertinib, a third‐generation irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI), provides marked clinical benefit for patients with EGFR‐activating mutations. Unfortunately, limited treatments exist for patients who acquire osimertinib resistance. We observed two 'special' patients who regained an antitumor response with osimertinib plus aspirin treatment. As previous data indicate that aspirin induces antiproliferative effects in tumor cells, we designed a preclinical study to explore whether aspirin combined with osimertinib could synergistically sensitize osimertinib‐resistant non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. The effects of combined treatment with osimertinib and aspirin on osimertinib‐resistant NSCLC cell lines were examined in vitro and in vivo. The combination of osimertinib and aspirin induced strong antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in osimertinib‐resistant NSCLC cells through inhibition of Akt/FoxO3a signaling component phosphorylation and increased Bim expression. Furthermore, Bim knockdown by siRNA significantly attenuated osimertinib resensitization by aspirin. In vivo, combination of aspirin and osimertinib significantly decreased tumor growth of PC‐9GROR cell xenografts. Data of patients with NSCLC who received osimertinib treatment at Daping Hospital between January 2015 and January 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. According to clinical data for 45 patients with NSCLC, retrospective analysis showed that the median progression‐free survival was significantly longer in the osimertinib plus aspirin group than in the osimertinib group. In summary, aspirin synergistically enhances the antitumor activity of osimertinib in osimertinib‐resistant lung cancer cells through promoting Bim‐dependent apoptosis. This combination therapy may be effective in overcoming acquired resistance to osimertinib and prolonging survival in patients with NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The third‐generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor osimertinib is a promising therapeutic option for patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in second‐line or first‐line treatment because of its applications in selectively inhibiting EGFR T790M and EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor sensitizing mutations. However, the activation of autophagy associated with osimertinib treatment may play a protective role in NSCLC cells injury induced by osimertinib. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to study the effects of the osimertinib‐induced autophagy in NSCLC cells and whether metformin modulates the autophagy and enhances osimertinib sensitivity. Methods: The effect of metformin on enhancing osimertinib sensitivity was examined in vitro and in vivo using MTT, BrdUrd incorporation assay, colony formation assay, invasion assay, flow cytometry analysis, western blot analysis and siRNA technique. Results: In the present study, we confirmed that osimertinib induced pro‐survival autophagy in H1975 and PC‐9GR cells, and metformin further sensitized H1975 and PC‐9GR cells to osimertinib via inhibiting autophagy. The potential mechanism was that the continual activation of AMPK induced by metformin could inhibit autophagy in a time‐dependent manner. Conclusion: Metformin inhibited autophagy and enhanced osimertinib sensitivity via inducing AMPK activation in a time‐dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cost‐effective and highly‐efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction are crucial for electrolytic hydrogen production. Here, we report core–shell NiO@Ni‐P nanosheet arrays as a high‐performance 3D catalyst for water oxidation electrocatalysis. Such nanoarrays demand overpotentials of 292 and 350 mV to drive geometrical catalytic current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2, respectively, with an activity superior to its NiO and Ni‐P counterparts. Notably, this catalyst also shows a high long‐term electrochemical durability with a Faradaic efficiency of 98.1 %. Density functional theory calculation reveals that the superior activity benefits from the synergistic effect between NiO and Ni‐P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the present study, we investigated the possible tumor suppressive effect of microRNA-107 (miR-107) in human breast cancer. Methods: Gene expression of miR-107 in breast cancer cell lines and clinical breast tissues was evaluated by a quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MiR-107 was stably overexpressed in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells via lentiviral transduction. Its role in regulating in vitro cancer proliferation, cell cycle, invasion and in vivo tumor growth was evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry, transwell and in vivo tumorigenicity assays, respectively. Association of miR-107 and its downstream target, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), was evaluated by luciferase assay and qRT-PCR. BDNF was further upregulated in miR-107-overexpressed MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells to evaluate its role in regulating breast cancer with respect to in vitro proliferation, cell cycle and invasion. Results: MiR-107 was markedly downregulated in both breast cancer cell lines and breast tumors. MiR-107 overexpression was markedly suppressed with respect to in vitro breast cancer proliferation, cell cycle progression and invasion, as well as with respect to in vivo development of breast cancer xenograft. BDNF was found to be the downstream target of miR-107 in breast cancer. BDNF upregulation functionally facilitated in vitro proliferation, cell cycle progression and invasion in miR-107-overexpressed breast cancer cells. Conclusions: MiR-107 is downregulated and has a tumor suppressive effect in breast cancer, likely through regulation via its inverted downstream target of BDNF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is highly desirable to develop a simple, fast and straightforward method to boost the alkaline water oxidation of metal oxide catalysts. In this communication, we report our recent finding that the generation of amorphous Co-borate layer on Co3O4 nanowire arrays supported on Ti mesh (Co3O4@Co-Bi NA/TM) leads to significantly boosted OER activity. The as-prepared Co3O4@Co-Bi NA/TM demands overpotential of 304 mV to drive a geometrical current density of 20 mA cm-2 in 1.0 M KOH, which is 109 mV less than that for Co3O4 NA/TM, with its catalytic activity being preserved for at least 20 h. It suggests that the existence of amorphous Co-Bi layer promotes more CoOx(OH)y generation on Co3O4 surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentally friendly electrochemical hydrogen production needs the development of earth-abundant catalyst materials for the hydrogen evolution reaction with high activity and durability at neutral pH. In this work, the self-templating construction of a hollow amorphous CoMoS4 nanotube array on carbon cloth (CoMoS4 NTA/CC) is reported, using hydrothermal treatment of a Co(OH)F nanowire array on CC in (NH4)2MoS4 solution. When used as a 3D electrode for hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis, the resulting CoMoS4 NTA/CC demonstrates superior catalytic activity and strong long-term electrochemical durability in 1.0 M phosphate buffer solution (pH=7). It shows small onset overpotential of 21 mV and requires low overpotentials of 104 and 179 mV to drive geometrical current densities of 10 and 50 mA cm−2, respectively. Density functional theory calculations suggest that CoMoS4 has a more favorable hydrogen adsorption free energy than Co(OH)F. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Searching for a simple and fast strategy to effectively enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of non-noble-metal electrocatalysts in alkaline media remains a significant challenge. Herein, the OER activity of NiFe-LDH nanoarray on carbon cloth (NiFe-LDH/CC) in alkaline media is shown to be greatly boosted by an amorphous NiFe-Borate (NiFe-Bi) layer formation on NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) surface. Such a NiFe-LDH@NiFe-Bi/CC catalyst electrode only needs an overpotential of 294 mV to drive 50 mA cm−2 in 1.0 m KOH; 116 mV less than that needed by NiFe-LDH/CC. Notably, this electrode also demonstrates strong long-term electrochemical durability. The superior activity is ascribed to the pre-formed amorphous NiFe-Bi layer effectively promoting active species generation on the NiFe-LDH surface. This work opens up exciting new avenues for developing high-performance water-oxidation catalyst materials for application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high-performance and cost-effective water oxidation catalysts operating under mild conditions is attractive for the conversion of electricity into chemical fuels. In this communication, we report the in situ electrochemical development of a Ni-Bi layer (5-8 nm thick) on a NiS2 nanoarray supported on carbon cloth (i.e., NiS2@Ni-Bi/CC) for efficient water oxidation in 0.1 m potassium borate electrolyte at pH 9.2. As a durable 3 D catalyst electrode, core-shell-structured NiS2@Ni-Bi/CC shows excellent catalytic activity for water oxidation and approaches a geometrical catalytic current density of 20 mA cm−2 at an overpotential of 486 mV, with long-term electrochemical stability for at least 24 h with a high turnover frequency of 0.28 mol O2 s−1 at an overpotential of 500 mV and nearly 100 % Faradic efficiency for oxygen evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a non-toxic species, Zn fulfills a multitude of biological roles, but its promoting effect on electrocatalysis has been rarely explored. Herein, the theoretic predications and experimental investigations that nonelectroactive Zn behaves as an effective promoter for CoP-catalyzed hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and alkaline media is reported. Density function theory calculations reveal that Zn doing leads to more thermal-neutral hydrogen adsorption free energy and thus enhanced HER activity for CoP catalyst. Electrochemical tests show that a Zn0.08Co0.92P nanowall array on titanium mesh (Zn0.08Co0.92P/TM) needs overpotentials of only 39 and 67 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current of 10 mA cm-2 in 0.5 m H2SO4 and 1.0 m KOH, respectively. This Zn0.08Co0.92P/TM is also superior in activity over CoP/TM for urea oxidation reaction (UOR), driving 115 mA cm-2 at 0.6 V in 1.0 m KOH with 0.5 m urea. The high HER and UOR activity of this bifunctional electrode enables a Zn0.08Co0.92P/TM-based two-electrode electrolyzer for energy-saving hydrogen production, offering 10 mA cm-2 at a low voltage of 1.38 V with strong long-term electrochemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel-borate nanosheets array on titanium mesh (Ni−Bi NA/TM) was derived from NiSe2 nanosheets array on titanium mesh (NiSe2 NA/TM) by electrochemical transformation. As a three-dimensional electrode, Ni−Bi NA/TM exhibited high catalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction and required a low overpotential of 430 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 0.1 m potassium borate (pH 9.2), with outstanding long-term stability and high turnover frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among reported electrode materials, a nanoarray is an attractive architecture for molecular detection because of its large specific surface area and easy accessibility for target molecules. Here, a new Fe3N-Co2N nanowires array grown on carbon cloth (Fe3N-Co2N/CC) is reported as a non-noble-metal bifunctional catalyst electrode for high-performance glucose oxidation and H2O2 reduction. As an electrochemical non-enzymatic sensor for glucose detection, Fe3N-Co2N/CC shows a fast response time of 8 s, a low detection limit (LOD) of 77 n m (signal/noise=3), and a high sensitivity of 4333.7 μA m m−1 cm−2. As an H2O2 sensor, it shows a LOD of 59 n m (signal/noise=3) and a sensitivity of 2273.8 μA m m−1 cm−2 with a response time of 2 s. In addition, the proposed sensor is stable with high selectivity, specificity, and reproducibility, and its application for real sample analysis has been successfully demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is highly attractive to develop non-noble-metal nanoarray architecture as a 3D-catalyst electrode for molecular detection due to its large specific surface area and easy accessibility to target molecules. Here, we report the development of a copper-nitride nanowires array on copper foam (Cu3N NA/CF) as a dual-functional catalyst electrode for efficient glucose oxidation in alkaline solutions and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) reduction in neutral solutions. Electrochemical tests indicate that such Cu3N NA/CF possesses superior non-enzymatic sensing ability toward rapid glucose and H2O2 detection with high selectivity. At 0.40 V, this sensor offers a high sensitivity of 14 180 μA m m cm−2 for glucose detection, with a wide linear range from 1 μ m to 2 m m, a low detection limit of 13 n m ( S/ N=3), and satisfactory stability and reproducibility. Its application in determining glucose in human blood serum is also demonstrated. Amperometric H2O2 sensing can also been realized with a sensitivity of 7600 μA m m cm−2, a linear range from 0.1 μ m to 10 m m, and a detection limit of 8.9 n m ( S/ N=3). This 3D-nanoarray architecture holds great promise as an attractive sensing platform toward electrochemical small molecules detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance supercapacitors require the design and development of electrode materials with high conductivity and a large electrolyte-accessible surface area. Here, the use of a conductive NiCoP nanoarray on nickel foam (NiCoP/NF) as a superior pseudocapacitor electrode is demonstrated. This 3D electrode exhibits high areal capacitances of 9.2 and 5.97 F cm−2 at current densities of 2 and 50 mA cm−2, respectively, with good rate capability and cycling stability. The asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device assembled using NiCoP/NF as positive electrode and active carbon as negative electrode delivers a high energy density of 1.16 mWh cm−2 at a power density of 1.6 mW cm−2 with 72 % retention of its initial specific capacitance after 2000 cycles at 50 mA cm−2. The practical use is further demonstrated with two such ASC devices in series to light six LED indicators and also to drive an alkaline water electro- lyzer using NiCoP/NF as both cathode and anode for hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topotactic conversion of cobalt phosphide nanoarray on Ti mesh into a cobalt phosphate nanoarray (Co-Pi NA) via oxidative polarization in phosphate-buffered water is presented. As a 3D oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalyst electrode at neutral pH, the resulting Co-Pi NA/Ti shows exceptionally high catalytic activity and demands an overpotential of only 450 mV to drive a geometrical catalytic current density of 10 mA cm−2. Notably, this catalyst also shows superior long-term electrochemical stability. The excellent catalytic activity can be attributed to that such 3D nanoarray configuration allows for the exposure of more active sites and the easier diffusion of electrolytes and oxygen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is highly attractive but challenging to develop earth-abundant electrocatalysts for energy-saving electrolytic hydrogen generation. Herein, we report that Ni2P nanoarrays grown in situ on nickel foam (Ni2P/NF) behave as a durable high-performance non-noble-metal electrocatalyst for hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR) in alkaline media. The replacement of the sluggish anodic oxygen evolution reaction with such the more thermodynamically favorable HzOR enables energy-saving electrochemical hydrogen production with the use of Ni2P/NF as a bifunctional catalyst for anodic HzOR and cathodic hydrogen evolution reaction. When operated at room temperature, this two-electrode electrolytic system drives 500 mA cm−2 at a cell voltage as low as 1.0 V with strong long-term electrochemical durability and 100 % Faradaic efficiency for hydrogen evolution in 1.0 m KOH aqueous solution with 0.5 m hydrazine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) has been reported to promote progression of many physiological processes. However, whether TCTP is involved in liver regeneration has been rarely studied. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of serum TCTP in liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy. Methods The synthesis rate and accumulated expression of TCTP was assessed by phosphor imaging and Western blot analysis, respectively. The mRNA expression of tctp was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of serum TCTP on hepatocyte proliferation was investigated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, liver/body weight ratio, albumin concentration, and histological examination of liver following treatment of rat with anti-TCTP antibody or prokaryotic TCTP protein before hepatectomy. The MTT assay was used to examine effect of TCTP on hepatocyte proliferation in vitro. Results The results showed that the expression of intracellular and serum TCTP protein was significantly increased in rats after two-thirds partial hepatectomy. In vivo bromodeoxyuridine labeling assay suggested that treatment with anti-TCTP antibody before hepatectomy significantly decreased hepatocyte proliferation and liver/body weight ratio. The prokaryotic TCTP had a potential promoting effect on hepatocyte proliferation both in vivo and in vitro, although prokaryotic TCTP given to rats prior to hepatectomy did not increase the proliferation ratio or liver/body weight ratio. Furthermore, anti-TCTP antibody pretreatment decreased the expression of cyclin E, cdk2, and interleukin-6 in rat liver. Conclusion These findings suggest serum TCTP is involved in rat liver regeneration through promoting hepatocyte proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are key players in a variety of cancers including malignant melanoma. miR-137 has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in melanoma and several targets have been identified for this miRNA. We previously developed a novel proteomics technology, 35S in vivo/vitro labelling analysis for dynamic proteomics (SiLAD). Because of its high sensitivity in analysing protein expression rates, SiLAD has the potential to unravel miRNA effects on mRNAs coding for proteins with long half-lives or high abundance. Using SiLAD, we discovered that miR-137 significantly downregulated the expression rate of p21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) in melanoma cells. Bioinformatics analysis predicted PAK2 as a direct target of miR-137, which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and Western blot analysis. We found that overexpression of miR-137 inhibited the proliferation of melanoma cells, which could be phenocopied by knockdown of PAK2 using siRNAs. Furthermore, overexpression of PAK2 restored miR-137-mediated suppression of cell proliferation. These findings indicate that miR-137 could inhibit proliferation through targeting PAK2 in melanoma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simultaneous reduction and functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) was realized through a chemical grafting reaction with a functionalization agent N,N‐bis(3‐aminopropyl)methylamine (APMEL). The reduced and functionalized reduced GO (rGO‐APMEL) sheets can be well dispersed in water without any added surfactant and the formed stable rGO aqueous dispersion can be kept for a long time, which can be used for the preparation of rubber–graphene (GE) composites by latex mixing. The electrostatic interaction between rGO–APMEL (positively charged) and natural rubber latex particles (negatively charged) leads to the formation of NR/rGO–APMEL composites with strong interaction. Compared with blank NR, the tensile strength and modulus for NR/rGO–APMEL increase with the rGO–APMEL loading. Especially, when the filler content is 5 phr, the tensile strength of NR/rGO–APMEL‐5 increases by 32.7%, as a control the tensile strength of NR/GO‐5 and NR/rGO‐5 decrease by 20.1 and 15.6%, respectively. The entanglement‐bound rubber tube model was used to analyze the reinforcing effect of GE on NR/rGO–APMEL nanocomposites at a molecular level. This study may provide us a novel approach to prepare well dispersed and exfoliated rGO–polymer nanocomposites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47375. Simultaneous reduction and surface functionalization of graphene oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]