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Melanoma is an aggressive malignant tumor. The crucial role of circular RNAs has been documented in many types of cancer, including melanoma. The objective of this study was to uncover the function of circ_0084043 in the biological process of melanoma and associated mechanism of action. The expression of circ_0084043, miR-31, and Krüppel-like factor 3 (KLF3) was determined by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were monitored by the MTT assay and flow cytometry assay, respectively. The progression of glycolysis was evaluated according to the levels of glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP concentration using appropriate detection kits. The relationship between miR-31 and circ_0084043 or KLF3 was predicted by the bioinformatics tool and ascertained by the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The protein levels of KLF3 and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) were quantified by western blot. A xenograft model was established to ascertain the role of circ_0084043 in vivo. As a result, circ_0084043 expression was reinforced in melanoma tissues and cells. Circ_0084043 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and restrained glycolysis. MiR-31 was a target of circ_0084043, and miR-31 deficiency reversed the role of circ_0084043 knockdown. KLF3 was targeted by miR-31, and KLF3 upregulation abolished the effects of miR-31 enrichment. Moreover, circ_0084043 knockdown impeded tumor growth in vivo and suppressed the level of Glut1 by modulating miR-31 and KLF3. Circ_0084043 promoted cell proliferation and glycolysis, and blocked apoptosis through the circ_0084043–miR-31–KLF3 regulatory axis in melanoma.

Electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction (CO 2 RR) has emerged as a promising approach for converting CO 2 into valuable chemicals and fuels to achieve a sustainable carbon cycle. However, the development of efficient electrocatalysts with high current densities and superior product selectivity remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present the synthesis of a porous nitrogen-doped carbon nanosheet loaded with heterostructured Ni/Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 nanoparticles through a facile hydrothermal-calcination method (Ni/Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 -NC). Remarkably, the Ni/Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 -NC catalyst exhibits outstanding performance towards CO 2 RR in an H-cell, demonstrating a high CO faradaic efficiency of 92.47% and a current density ( j CO ) of 15.77 mA cm -2 at 0.87 V vs. RHE. To further explore its potential industrial applications, we constructed a flow cell and a rechargeable Zn-CO 2 flow cell utilizing the Ni/Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 -NC catalyst as the cathode. Impressively, not only does the Ni/Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 -NC catalyst achieve an industrial high current density of 254 mA cm -2 at a voltage of -1.19 V vs. RHE in the flow cell, but it also exhibits a maximum power density of 4.2 mW cm -2 at 22 mA cm -2 in the Zn-CO 2 flow cell, while maintaining excellent rechargeability. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that Ni/Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 -NC possesses more spontaneous reaction pathways for CO 2 reduction to CO, owing to its heterogeneous structure in contrast to Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 -NC and Ni-NC. Consequently, Ni/Ni 3 ZnC 0.7 -NC demonstrates accelerated CO 2 RR reaction kinetics, resulting in improved catalytic activity and selectivity for CO 2 RR.