Search Results (976)

Cytochrome c (Cytc) tyrosine 48 (Y48) has been previously shown to be phosphorylated in bovine liver, and phosphomimetic substitution (Y48E) inhibits key functions of Cytc in vitro, including respiration and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of Y48 modification in a double-knockout cell culture model that stably expressed either unphosphorylated wild-type (WT) Cytc, control Y48F Cytc, or phosphomimetic Y48E Cytc. Our findings revealed that Y48E Cytc caused partial inhibition of mitochondrial respiration in intact cells, which corresponded with lower mitochondrial membrane potentials (ΔΨ_m) and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. When subjected to an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model, which simulates ischemia/reperfusion injury, the Y48E phosphomimetic cell line showed lower ROS production compared to the unphosphorylated WT and Y48F Cytc cell lines, the latter of which generated higher levels of ROS upon reoxygenation. As a result, the Y48E Cytc cell line had significantly lower cell death rates when exposed to OGD/R, confirming the cytoprotective role of Y48 phosphorylation of Cytc. In summary, our research indicates that the loss of Y48 phosphorylation in Cytc during ischemia leads to reperfusion injury by driving maximum electron transport chain flow, hyperpolarization of ΔΨ_m, bursts of ROS, and death of cells through apoptosis. Full article

A ternary CdS–MoS₂–rGO photocathode was developed to enhance visible light-driven hydrogen evolution through interfacial heterostructure engineering. The composite was fabricated via a solution-based deposition method followed by thermal conversion, resulting in crystalline CdS and MoS₂ phases that were uniformly integrated within a conductive reduced graphene oxide (rGO) framework. Structural and surface analyses (XRD and XPS) confirmed the coexistence of Cd²⁺, Mo⁴⁺, and S²⁻ chemical states without detectable secondary phases. Photoelectrochemical measurements revealed that the ternary architecture significantly improves charge separation efficiency and interfacial charge-transfer kinetics compared to binary and single-component films. The CdS–MoS₂–rGO photocathode exhibited the highest photocurrent density, reduced charge-transfer resistance, and favorable Tafel slope under visible-light irradiation (0.25 sun, neutral electrolyte). Gas chromatography measurements verified that these electrochemical enhancements translate into increased hydrogen production rates, following the trend: CdS–MoS₂–rGO > CdS–rGO > MoS₂–rGO >> rGO. Applied bias photon-to-current efficiency (ABPE) analysis further confirmed improved photon utilization efficiency in the ternary system. The enhanced performance is attributed to synergistic integration of CdS (light harvesting), rGO (rapid electron transport), and MoS₂ (catalytic edge sites), which suppresses recombination and accelerates proton reduction kinetics. These findings demonstrate that rational multi-component heterostructure design is an effective strategy for improving hydrogen evolution rate under mild operating conditions. Full article

P2/O3-type Ni/Mn-based layered oxides are regarded as promising cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of their high energy density. However, their practical application is limited by low initial Coulombic efficiency, sluggish Na⁺ kinetics, transition-metal dissolution/migration and irreversible phase transitions during cycling. Herein, a controlled P2 phase was achieved through elemental ratio regulation, enabling systematic synthesis of a series of Na_xNi_0.4Co_0.1Mn_0.5O₂(x-NCMO) materials with tailored P2/O3 ratios. The optimized composition (x = 0.8), containing 16.6% P2 and 83.4% O3 phases, achieves an optimal phase equilibrium, thereby maximizing the synergistic coupling between the two layered polymorphs. This biphasic architecture demonstrates significantly enhanced Na⁺ transport kinetics and exceptional electrochemical performance, high initial capacity of 168.65 mAh g⁻¹ and excellent rate performance, maintaining 84.88 mAh g⁻¹ at 10 C, outperforming most reported P2/O3 biphasic cathodes. Structural analysis and electrochemical analysis reveal that elemental ratio regulation modulates the TM–O electronic structure, promotes electronic transport, and accelerates Na⁺ migration. These effects collectively reduce polarization, stabilize the structure, and thereby improve rate capability and long-term cycling capacity retention. This work provides an effective design strategy for designing high-performance layered oxide cathodes with improved structural and interfacial stability. Full article

An important challenge for materials researchers in the modern era is the fabrication of high-performance electrodes with novel designs and structures to enhance electrochemical sensing and energy storage performance. Recently, perovskite-structured bimetallic hydroxide materials, owing to their high conductivity, decent surface area, abundant redox activity, and good stability, have emerged as promising candidates for bifunctional electrochemical applications. In this study, we designed perovskite-type CuSn(OH)₆ microspheres via a facile coprecipitation method for nifedipine (NFD) sensing and supercapacitors (SCs). Various characterization techniques were employed to confirm the successful synthesis of CuSn(OH)₆. The uniform formation and distribution of CuSn(OH)₆ within the sphere structure provide rich reactive sites and enhance structural stability, thereby improving electrochemical activity. This architecture also induces a synergistic effect between Cu and Sn, which increases conductivity and accelerates redox kinetics. Consequently, the electrode modified with CuSn(OH)₆/GCE exhibited a wide linear concentration range of 0.4–303.3 µM and a low detection limit of 0.44 µM for NFD detection. This sensor further demonstrated superior analytical reliability, with selectivity of <5%, cycling stability of 84.79%, reproducibility of 3.3%, and recovery rates of 99.2–99.8% in the serum sample. Concurrently, the CuSn(OH)₆/NF showcased a high specific capacitance of 514 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, good longevity of 83.05% retention after 5000 cycles, and low charge transfer resistance of 6.56 Ω and solution resistance of 1.04 Ω, validating fast ion–electron transport. These results underscore that perovskite-based CuSn(OH)₆ is an efficient dual-functional electrocatalyst for sensitive electrochemical detection and high-performance SCs. Full article

Perennial deciduous trees such as Prunus avium undergo seasonal transitions, culminating in bud dormancy establishment that involves coordinated physiological and metabolic adjustments. Dormancy monitoring in orchard systems still relies primarily on temperature-based models and forcing assays, which rarely incorporate physiological or biochemical indicators. Here, we tested whether seasonal metabolic dynamics associated with dormancy progression differ between sweet cherry genotypes and whether these physiological differences are reflected in canopy-scale vegetation indices derived from satellite observations. Field measurements were conducted in two genotypes with contrasting chilling behavior (‘Regina’ and ‘210’) during the transition from vegetative growth to dormancy. Leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were monitored across the season, polar metabolites in floral buds were profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and satellite-derived vegetation indices were used to characterize canopy dynamics. Dormancy progression was associated with declines in CO₂ assimilation, transpiration, PSII photochemical efficiency, and electron transport rate, accompanied by increases in intercellular CO₂ concentration and non-regulated energy dissipation. Metabolomic analysis revealed that genotype explained a larger proportion of metabolite variation than dormancy stage (PERMANOVA R² = 0.483, p = 0.001), while principal component analysis accounted for 79.7% of total variance. Fructose showed the strongest genotype difference during paradormancy I, corresponding to an approximately 9.5-fold increase in ‘Regina’. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted starch and sucrose metabolism and pyruvate metabolism as the most represented pathways during dormancy progression. Satellite-derived vegetation indices captured seasonal canopy decline and were significantly associated with several physiological variables. These results provide an integrated description of physiological and metabolic adjustments during dormancy establishment in sweet cherry and highlight the potential of combining metabolomics, plant physiology, and open-access satellite observations to monitor phenological transitions in orchard systems at scalable spatial and temporal resolutions. Full article

The activation of molecular oxygen driven by solar energy presents a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach in the area of environmental purification. Carbon quantum dots and semiconductor nanocomposite photocatalysts serve as an effective strategy for enhancing the separation and transport of photogenerated carriers, thereby boosting the activation of molecular oxygen. In this study, we prepared 0D tea biomass quantum dots (T-BCDs) coupled with 2D PbBiO₂Br nanosheets, which demonstrate enhanced molecular oxygen activation under visible light irradiation and were synthesized using a solvothermal method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis reveals that T-BCDs, with diameters of approximately 5 nm, are uniformly distributed on the surface of PbBiO₂Br. Notably, experimental results indicate a strong covalent interaction between PbBiO₂Br and T-BCDs, which enhances the absorbance of visible light, facilitates the transfer and separation of interfacial photogenerated carriers, and promotes the conversion of molecular oxygen into superoxide radicals. The degradation rate constant of ciprofloxacin achieved with 5 mL T-BCDs/PbBiO₂Br is 3.3 times greater than that obtained with pure PbBiO₂Br. This research offers a promising strategy for the development of efficient 0D/2D photocatalysts aimed at sustainable environmental remediation. Full article

Constructing efficient conductive networks is essential to overcome the intrinsically low electronic conductivity of LiFePO₄ cathodes. Previous studies have demonstrated that different conductive agents possess distinct electrical conduction mechanisms. The synergistic integration of multiple types of conductive agents can achieve more favorable conductive performance. Nevertheless, most relevant studies are still limited to binary conductive systems, and the synergistic mechanism among various conductive agents has not been systematically investigated and deeply analyzed. In this work, a multidimensional ternary conductive system composed of Super P carbon black (SP), graphene (GN), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was systematically optimized to regulate electron and ion transport pathways. By adjusting the relative proportions of SP, GN, and CNTs, the evolution of conductive network structure and its impact on electrochemical performance were investigated, and the optimized composition (SP/GN/CNTs = 50/15/35, denoted as S5GC37) was identified. The results reveal that the multidimensional conductive framework formed by S5GC37 effectively integrates short-range ion diffusion with long-range electron transport, leading to reduced polarization, suppressed surface oxidation, and enhanced charge transport kinetics. As a result, the LiFePO₄ electrode with S5GC37 delivers an initial discharge capacity of 164.8 mAh·g⁻¹ and maintains 151.9 mAh·g⁻¹ after 200 cycles at 1C. Even at 3C, a capacity retention of 83.2% is achieved after 200 cycles, demonstrating excellent rate capability and cycling stability. These findings highlight the importance of multidimensional conductive network design for high-performance LiFePO₄ batteries. Full article

Owing to its high theoretical sodium-storage capacity of approximately 1000 mAh g⁻¹ and cost-efficient characteristics, Fe₂VO₄ has emerged as a highly attractive anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this work, MXene-incorporated Fe₂VO₄ composites were successfully synthesized. Comprehensive electrochemical characterization demonstrates that MXene incorporation significantly enhances the electronic conductivity and sodium-ion diffusion kinetics of Fe₂VO₄, while effectively mitigating volume expansion during cycling. The synthetic substantially improves its cycling stability and rate capability. When the MXene loading ratio is optimized at 5 wt%, the composite exhibits outstanding cyclic durability, with a remarkable reversible specific capacity of 323.3 mAh g⁻¹ maintained after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g⁻¹. Furthermore, the composite demonstrates outstanding rate performance, with a specific capacity of 164.5 mAh g⁻¹ achieved at a current density of 2 A g⁻¹. The synergistic integration of Fe₂VO₄ and MXene not only constructs a three-dimensional electrically conductive framework for efficient charge transport but also reinforces strong structural stability against cycling-induced degradation. This work proposes a versatile engineering strategy that can be adapted for other conversion-type electrode materials in the context of advanced energy storage technologies. Full article

In this study, a novel layered WO₃@Co₃O₄ composite electrode was synthesized via a controlled electrodeposition method employing different surfactants to finely tune its nanostructure. The incorporation of polyacrylic acid (PAA) surfactant yielded an optimized P-W@Co electrode with a hierarchical porous morphology and reduced crystallite size, markedly enhancing electroactive site exposure and electron transport. Structural analyses confirmed the amorphous nature of WO₃ and crystalline spinel Co₃O₄ phases forming an integrated composite architecture. Electrochemical characterizations in a three-electrode system revealed that the P-W@Co electrode exhibited superior pseudocapacitive behavior, with an areal capacitance of 11.70 F/cm² at 20 mA/cm² and excellent rate capability, retaining 80% capacitance at 40 mA/cm². Kinetic studies demonstrated enhanced diffusion-controlled charge storage attributed to improved ion accessibility and charge transfer kinetics. To evaluate practical feasibility, asymmetric supercapacitor devices incorporating P-W@Co as the positive electrode coupled with activated carbon as the negative electrode were fabricated. This device showcased a widened operational voltage (1.5 V), outstanding areal capacitance (211 mF/cm²), and energy density (0.066 mWh/cm²). Importantly, the device exhibited exceptional cycling stability, retaining 81.8% capacitance after 7000 cycles. This work signifies a major advancement in surfactant-mediated design of WO₃@Co₃O₄ layered electrodes for scalable, high-performance supercapacitor applications, combining structural stability, enhanced conductivity, and multifaceted charge storage mechanisms. Full article

The increasing demand for higher energy density in lithium-ion batteries has driven significant interest in layered oxide cathode materials. However, their development is hindered by an inherent trade-off between structural stability and ion transport kinetics. This compromise often manifests as a conflict between achieving high capacity, long cycle life, and excellent rate performance. Consequently, mitigating structural degradation and minimizing interfacial side reactions have emerged as core research priorities. Based on this, this review summarizes the crystal chemistry and key challenges of three main types of layered oxide cathode materials, and critically evaluates two main modification strategies: bulk doping, which enhances performance by regulating the electronic structure and suppressing phase transitions; and surface coating, which builds a protective layer at the particle–electrolyte interface to suppress side reactions and metal dissolution. Looking ahead, in terms of modification, the focus should be on multi-scale co-doping to construct a stable bulk phase structure and multi-functional coating to optimize the interface. Integrating artificial intelligence with high-throughput computation will powerfully enable the pursuit of these advanced modification strategies. This integrated approach may resolve the fundamental contradiction between energy density and stability, thereby paving a new pathway for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Full article

Background: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria, a high rate of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, and altered oxidative metabolism. There are no existing circulating biomarkers to distinguish metastatic ChRCC from clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Methods: High-throughput plasma proteomic profiling using the SomaScan platform was performed in 18 ChRCC (including 16 metastatic ChRCC) and 197 metastatic ccRCC patients. Data were harmonized to generate a unified 7K-protein matrix. Results: Differential expression analysis was performed using limma (version 3.62.2). Of 7272 quantified human plasma proteins, 209 were differentially expressed between ChRCC and ccRCC. Upregulated proteins in ChRCC included essential β-oxidation enzymes such as ECH1 (enoyl-CoA hydratase 1) and ECI1 (enoyl-CoA delta-isomerase 1), suggesting increased long-chain fatty acid degradation. Creatine and energy-buffering pathways were also represented, with increased CKMT1A (Creatine Kinase, Mitochondrial 1A) in ChRCC. KIM-1 (Kidney Injury Molecule-1) and leptin were lower in ChRCC, consistent with the known upregulation of these proteins in ccRCC. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed an overrepresentation of mitochondrial protein degradation, fatty acid β-oxidation, and respiratory electron transport in ChRCC, suggesting that ChRCC sheds a unique mitochondrial signature into the peripheral circulation. A bootstrap-based LASSO logistic regression restricted to upregulated mitochondrial proteins in ChRCC vs. ccRCC consistently selected ECI1 and CKMT1A. The LASSO model achieved an AUROC of 0.964. Conclusions: Compared to ccRCC, the plasma proteome of metastatic ChRCC is dominated by mitochondrial metabolic enzymes, revealing a systemic metabolic phenotype strikingly aligned with the known histologic accumulation of abnormal mitochondria in ChRCC cells. Full article

This study addresses the challenges associated with deep-well drilling mud cuttings, including large waste volumes, high transportation costs, and complex organic pollutants. A low-cost synergistic technology was developed for the resource utilization of pyrolyzed drilling waste residue (PDWR) and the in situ remediation of oil-contaminated drill cuttings. A ternary photocatalytic system consisting of PDWR, H₂O₂, and oxalic acid was proposed and demonstrated to effectively degrade total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in drill cuttings under solar irradiation. Systematic optimization identified optimal dosages of PDWR, H₂O₂, and oxalic acid as 250 mg, 280 mg, and 90 mg, respectively. The addition of oxalic acid significantly enhanced photocatalytic oxidation performance, increasing H₂O₂ utilization by 63.8% and improving the TPH degradation rate by a factor of 3.03. Under optimal conditions and 7 days of solar irradiation, TPH degradation efficiencies of 65.19–88.66% were achieved for initial TPH concentrations ranging from 5000 to 12,000 mg kg⁻¹. Mechanistic analysis revealed that a Fenton-like reaction between transition metals in PDWR and H₂O₂ dominated the photocatalytic process, while oxalic acid facilitated metal redox cycling through coordination and electron transfer, promoting sustained generation of reactive oxygen species (·OH). This study demonstrates a feasible and sustainable approach for high-value utilization of drilling waste residue and solar-driven in situ remediation of oil-contaminated drill cuttings, highlighting its strong potential for practical application. Full article

Enhancing rice yield under high-input systems increasingly relies on optimizing physiological processes rather than further increasing external inputs. This study aimed to clarify the physiological basis underlying the yield advantage of super hybrid rice, focusing on photosynthetic capacity and assimilate transport. We compared super hybrid rice (Yliangyou 3218 and Yliangyou 5867) with super conventional rice (Zhendao 11 and Nanjing 9108) under field conditions in 2023–2024. Super hybrid rice consistently outperformed super conventional rice, with grain yield 19.7% higher in 2023 and 23.7% higher in 2024, primarily due to an increased number of spikelets per panicle, and grain yield was also positively correlated with photosynthetic capacity (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, maximum carboxylation rate, maximum electron transport rate and triose phosphate utilization rate). In 2024, spikelets per panicle and grain yield were also positively associated with phloem soluble sugar and vascular bundle number, indicating that enhanced assimilate transport contributed to higher spikelet formation. These results demonstrate that, compared to super conventional rice, the yield advantage of super hybrid rice is underpinned by coordinated enhancement of photosynthesis and assimilate transport, highlighting the importance of source–sink optimization for further yield improvement. Full article

In₂O₃ has high electron mobility, strong affinity for oxidizing gases, and abundant tunable surface oxygen species. These features enable efficient charge transfer during ozone adsorption, making In₂O₃ a promising ozone-sensing material. However, conventional In₂O₃-based gas sensors still suffer from insufficient sensitivity at low ozone concentrations and slow response/recovery rates, limiting their performance for high-precision gas detection. In this study, morphology-controlled In₂O₃ nanorods were synthesized via a glucose-assisted hydrothermal method, enabling coordinated regulation of the material structure and surface properties. Compared with conventional In₂O₃ nanocubes, the glucose-modulated In₂O₃ nanorods exhibited an approximately sevenfold increase in response toward 1 ppm O₃, indicating markedly improved capability for detecting low-concentration ozone. In addition, the sensor demonstrated a relatively low detection limit of about 80 ppb and fast response/recovery behavior (108 s/238 s). This strategy improves gas sensing performance through morphology optimization, increased surface active sites, and enhanced electron transport, offering a feasible materials design route for high-performance ozone gas sensors and showing potential for real-time environmental ozone monitoring and related applications. Full article

A synergistic and magnetically recoverable NiFe₂O₄–MWCNT–CA nanocomposite was developed for efficient UV-driven photodegradation of hazardous organic pollutants. Biogenic NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized using Costus speciosus extract exhibited a crystallite size of 32.5 nm, which increased to 83.6 nm upon incorporation into the MWCNT–cellulose acetate matrix. XRD confirmed the preservation of the cubic spinel structure, while VSM analysis showed maintained ferrimagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization of 9.64 emu/g, enabling rapid magnetic separation. Although BET analysis revealed a reduction in surface area from 112.46 to 30.99 m²/g due to hybridization, the conductive MWCNT network significantly enhanced charge separation and interfacial electron transport. The composite displayed a widened optical bandgap of 5.3 eV, necessitating UV excitation for photocatalytic activity. Under UV irradiation, it achieved rapid degradation of methylene blue (97%) and Congo red (91%) at 20 mg/L, with corresponding rate constants of 0.119 and 0.076 min⁻¹. Scavenger experiments confirmed hydroxyl radicals (•OH) as the dominant reactive species, followed by photogenerated holes (h⁺). These results demonstrate a robust and synergistically engineered photocatalyst with high efficiency in removing organic pollutants under UV illumination. Full article