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Background and purpose: Methyltransferase Wilms’ tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP) has been proven to play an important role in the development of tumors. This study aimed to explore the influence of WTAP on the occurrence and development of glioma from the perspective of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Methods: The differentially expressed m6A regulators in glioma were screened from GEO database. The expression of WTAP/B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI1) in glioma tissue and cell lines was evaluated by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) and Western blot. Methyl thiazoyl terazolium (MTT) was used to explore the effects of WTAP/BMI1 on glioma cell proliferation. Extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) kits and glucose consumption and lactate production detection kits were utilized to detect aerobic glycolysis of glioma cells. Results: Compared with normal tissues, WTQP and BMI1 expressions were upregulated in glioma tissues. Otherwise, compared with WTAP (1.01±0.13) and BMI1 (1.02±0.11) expressions in HEB cells, WTAP (2.38±0.17) and BMI1 (2.25±0.14) expressions in U251 cells were increased (P

The interactions between charge carriers and electrode structures represent one of the most important considerations in the search for new energy storage devices. Currently, ionic bonding dominates the battery chemistry. Here we report the reversible insertion of a large molecular dication, methyl viologen, into the crystal structure of an aromatic solid electrode, 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride. This is the largest insertion charge carrier when non-solvated ever reported for batteries; surprisingly, the kinetic properties of the (de)insertion of methyl viologen are excellent with 60% of capacity retained when the current rate is increased from 100 mA g-1 to 2000 mA g-1. Characterization reveals that the insertion of methyl viologen causes phase transformation of the organic host, and embodies guest-host chemical bonding. First-principles density functional theory calculations suggest strong guest-host interaction beyond the pure ionic bonding, where a large extent of covalency may exist. This study extends the boundary of battery chemistry to large molecular ions as charge carriers and also highlights the electrochemical assembly of a supramolecular system.

Solid‐state potassium metal batteries are promising candidates for grid‐scale energy storage due to their low cost, high energy density and inherent safety. However, solid state K‐ion conductors struggle with poor ionic conductivity due to the large ionic radius of K+‐ions. Herein, we report precise regulation of phase heterogeneity and reciprocity of the P2/P3‐symbiosis K0.62Mg0.54Sb0.46O2 solid electrolyte (SE) for boosting a high ionic conductivity of 1.6×10−4 S cm−1 at 25 °C. The bulk ionic conducting mechanism is explored by elucidating the effect of atomic stacking mode within the layered framework on K+‐ion migration barriers. For ion diffusion at grain boundaries, the P2/P3 biphasic symbiosis property assists in tunning the SE microstructure, which crystallizes in rod‐like particles with lengths of tens of micrometers facilitating long‐distance ion transport and significantly decreasing grain boundary resistance. Potassium metal symmetric cells using the modified SE deliver excellent cycling life over 300 h at 0.1 mA cm−2 and a high critical current density of 0.68 mA cm−2. The quasi‐solid‐state potassium metal batteries (QSSKBs) coupled with two kinds of layered oxide cathodes demonstrate remarkable stability over 300 cycles, outperforming the liquid electrolyte counterparts. The QSSKB system provides a promising strategy for high‐efficiency, safe, and durable large‐scale energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnesium chalcogenide spinel MgSc2Se4 with high Mg‐ion room‐temperature conductivity has recently attracted interest as solid electrolyte for magnesium ion batteries. Its ionic/electronic mixed‐conducting nature and the influence of the spinel composition on the conductivity and Mg2+ migration barrier are yet not well understood. Here, results from a combined experimental and computational study on four MgB2Se4 spinels (B = Sc, Y, Er, Tm) are presented. The room‐temperature ionic conductivities (σion = 2 × 10−5–7 × 10–5 S cm−1) of the spinels are accurately measured, as electron transport is effectively suppressed by purely Mg‐ion conducting electrode interlayers. Using the same approach, reversible Mg plating/stripping as well as good electrochemical stability are achieved. Driven by the good accordance of the computationally and experimentally obtained Mg2+ migration barriers Ea(th) and Ea, respectively, further periodic density functional calculations are performed on the MgB2Se4 spinel system, revealing the role of trigonal distortion on the migration path geometry and Ea(th). These findings provide deeper understanding how to reach small Mg2+ migration barriers Ea in the MgB2Se4 spinels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification recognition protein YTHDF2 has been shown to play an important role in cancer progression. This research was designed to explore whether YTHDF2 regulated cell cycle and apoptosis of glioblastoma (GBM) via promoting mRNA decay of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) and activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase (AKT) signaling pathway. Methods: The expressions of YTHDF2 and IGFBP7 in GBM tissues and cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR). The cell cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry. Protein expressions of p-AKT, AKT, p-PI3K and PI3K were detected by Western blot. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA stability experiment were used to verify the relationship between YTHDF2and IGFBP7. Results: Compared with adjacent tissues and normal astrocyte line (NHA cells) expression of YTHDF2 was increased while expression of IGFBP7 was decreased in GBM tissues and cells (all P

A metal–organic framework (MOF) quasi‐solid‐state Mg2+‐ion conductor is prepared with a conductivity of 0.6 × 10−4 S cm−1 already at room temperature. Mg‐MOF‐74 acts as host for MgX2 (X = Cl−, Br−, BF4−) dissolved in propylene carbonate, leading to dry free‐flowing powders with liquid electrolyte exhibiting low activation energy of 0.2 eV with Arrhenius‐type behavior (233–333 K). Different halides and pseudohalides reveal an influence of the anions on ionic conductivity, activation energy, and chemical stability. High transference numbers 0.45–0.80 for Mg2+ ions are recorded, being among the highest reported with small and low‐cost halides. Against magnesium, an insulating solid electrolyte interface layer forms that prevents a steady‐state and full‐MOF decomposition, as shown by powder X‐ray diffraction, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. Comparison with pure propylene carbonate shows that the electrolyte is enhanced by MOF addition. Computational studies using density functional theory (DFT) calculations of complexes in solution indicate correlations between the activation energy for Mg2+ migration through the MOF and the Gibbs energy needed to form charged Mg compounds in solution. Furthermore, DFT calculations of complexes within the MOF pore reveal variations in binding energy and charge transfer correlating with experimental transference numbers. Altogether, the high potential of MOFs for quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes with multivalent cations stability issues are illuminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High entropy materials have garnered considerable attention recently as a class of materials with intricate stoichiometry, exhibiting high levels of entropy. These materials hold great promise as candidates for electrochemical energy storage devices due to their ideal regulation, good mechanical and physical properties and attractive synergy effects of multi‐elements. In this perspective, we provide an overview of high entropy materials used as anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes in rechargeable batteries, with insight into the materials' structure‐property relationship and the influence on battery performance. Additionally, we offer insights into the future perspectives of high entropy materials, emphasizing their crucial role in next‐generation batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid improvement of compact smart devices, fabricating anode materials with high volumetric capacity has gained substantial interest for future sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) applications. Herein, a novel bimetal sulfide CuCo5S8 material is proposed with enhanced volumetric capacity due to the intrinsic metallic electronic conductivity of the material and multi‐electron transfer during electrochemical procedures. Due to the intrinsic metallic behavior, the conducting additive (CA) could be removed from the electrode fabrication without scarifying the high rate capability. The CA‐free CuCo5S8 electrode can achieve a high volumetric capacity of 1436.4 mA h cm−3 at a current density of 0.2 A g−1 and 100 % capacity retention over 2000 cycles in SIBs, outperforming most metal chalcogenides, owing to the enhanced electrode density. Reversible conversion reactions are revealed by combined measurements for sodium systems. The proposed new strategy offers a viable approach for developing innovative anode materials with high‐volumetric capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium batteries offer promising potential as next‐generation sustainable energy‐storage solutions due to the high theoretical capacity of the magnesium metal anode. Facilitating dendrite‐free operation of metal anodes necessitates the development of solid electrolytes with high magnesium‐ion conductivity. While the chalcogenide spinel MgSc2Se4 is predicted to exhibit high magnesium ion mobility, unequivocal experimental evidence for magnesium ion conduction beyond short‐range motion is still missing. This study confirms magnesium‐ion transport in MgSc2Se4 through two independent electrochemical methods: electrochemical deposition of magnesium metal and reversible magnesium plating/stripping cycling. To overcome the difficulty of measuring the ionic conductivity of the mixed conducting MgSc2Se4 spinel, a pure ion conducting interlayer is employed in a symmetric transference cell. This approach effectively suppresses the electron transport, allowing accurate characterization of the ionic conductivity. The experimental results confirm a low migration barrier of (386 ± 24) meV for magnesium ion transport in MgSc2Se4 and demonstrate one of the best performances at room temperature among the reported inorganic magnesium solid electrolytes. The findings open a new door for exploring additional mixed magnesium ion conductors and highlight the potential of magnesium chalcogenide spinels as a promising class of magnesium solid electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-structure designs with conductive networks have been demonstrated as an efficient strategy to boost sodium storage properties for transition metal sulfides. Herein, an exquisite nanosheets self-assembled hierarchical flower-ball-like CuFeS2 embedded into the reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheet matrix (F-CuFeS2@RGO) is fabricated via a concise two-step solvothermal method. Such a well-designed architecture affords increased active reaction interfaces and enhanced mixed ionic/electronic conductivity. Meanwhile, the external RGO matrix can effectively alleviate the volume expansion and create a stable structure during long cycles. As a result, the composite material exhibits a high reversible capacity of 559 mAh·g−1 at 0.1 A·g−1, a superior rate capability of 455 mAh·g−1 at 5 A·g−1 and excellent cyclic stability with 96% capacity retention after 4800 cycles at 5 A·g−1, among the best in the state-of-the-art transition metal sulfide anodes. Especially, F-CuFeS2@RGO delivers outstanding low-temperature performances with a high capacity retention of 100% and 91% at −20 and −40 °C, respectively, over 200 cycles. The proposed hierarchical structure fabrication paves a new direction in the design of high-performance electrodes for all-temperature energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]