An atomic Fe/Mo-metal dimer in situ anchored on defect-rich graphene layers realizes selective electroreduction of nitrogen to ammonia by numerous FeMoN6 active sites.

DNA replication is a central procedure of cell proliferation, whereas aberrant DNA replication is indicated to be a driving force of oncogenesis. Minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7) plays an essential role in initiating DNA replication. To investigate the potential oncogenic properties and prognostic value of MCM7 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we conducted immunohistochemistry staining of MCM7 in 153 HCC samples and found that MCM7 high expression level was associated with worse overall survival (OS) of HCC patients. Mechanistically, knockdown of MCM7 significantly inhibited cellular proliferation in vitro and HCC tumorigenicity in vivo. Cyclin D1 was proved to be regulated by MCM7–MAPK signaling pathway. Clinically, high expression of both MCM7 and cyclin D1 exhibited a relatively high sensitivity and specificity to predict worse outcome of HCC patients. Taken together, our results suggest that MCM7–cyclin D1 pathway may participate in cancer progression and serve as a biomarker for prognosis in HCC.

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ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to present the therapeutic outcome of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with pancreatoduodenectomy combined with vascular resection and reconstruction in addition to highlighting the mortality/morbidity and main prognostic factors associated with this treatment.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of a total of 566 pancreatic cancer patients who were treated with PD from five teaching hospitals during the period of December 2006–December 2011. This study included 119 (21.0%) patients treated with PD combined with vascular resection and reconstruction. We performed a detailed statistical analysis of various factors, including postoperative complications, operative mortality, survival rate, operative time, pathological type, and lymph node metastasis.ResultsThe median survival time of the 119 cases that received PD combined with vascular resection was 13.3 months, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 30.3%, 14.1%, and 8.1%, respectively. The postoperative complication incidence was 23.5%, and the mortality rate was 6.7%. For the combined vascular resection group, complications occurred in 28 cases (23.5%). For the group without vascular resection, complications occurred in 37 cases (8.2%). There was significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.001). The degree of tumor differentiation and the occurrence of complications after surgery were independent prognostic factors that determined the patients’ long-term survival.ConclusionsCompared with PD without vascular resection, PD combined with vascular resection and reconstruction increased the incidence of postoperative complications. However, PD combined with vascular resection and reconstruction could achieve the complete removal of tumors without significantly increasing the mortality rate, and the median survival time was higher than that of patients who underwent palliative treatment. In addition, the two independent factors affecting the postoperative survival time were the degree of tumor differentiation and the presence or absence of postoperative complications.

In hepatic fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are activated and change into myofibroblast-like cells which are characterized by increased proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on hepatic fibrosis. We detected the proliferation, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free calcium levels in ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-activated HSCs treated with sodium hydrogen sulphide (NaHS), an H2S-releasing molecule. We also evaluated the effects of NaHS on fibrosis and ECM synthesis in rats with hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). MTT assay revealed that NaHS (500 µmol/l) suppressed the Fe-NTA-induced proliferation of HSC-T6 cells in a dose-dependent manner. NaHS induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the Fe-NTA-treated HSC-T6 cells. Furthermore, in the Fe-NTA-treated HSC-T6 cells, NaHS reduced intracellular levels of ROS at 1, 3 and 6 h and reduced intracellular free calcium levels at 3 and 6 h. H2S administration attenuated hepatic fibrosis and collagen Ⅰ protein expression in the rats with CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, exogenous H2S inhibits proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in activated HSCs and attenuates CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis and ECM expression.

NLR is associated with GBC prognosis and is a potential prognostic marker for GBC, not only preoperatively but also postoperatively.

Metallic‐state 2D SnS2 nanosheets with expanded lattice spacing and a defect‐rich structure were synthesized by the intercalation of Ni into the van der Waals gap of SnS2. The expanded lattice spacing efficiently enhanced the electrochemical performance of the SnS2 for sodium‐ion batteries owing to the change electron state density and energy band structure. In operando synchrotron XRD and theoretical calculations were used to gain insight into the influence of foreign metal‐ion doping and its location. The optimized architecture obtained by in situ uniform growth of nanosheets on carbon fibers significantly enhanced the electrochemical performance. The inherent advantages of this architecture are shorter paths for ion insertion and extraction, larger contact area for more sodium diffusion pathways, and superior electrolyte penetration. Benefiting from the Ni intercalated SnS2 bilayer, the internal adjustment of the electronic state and the enlarged interlayer spacing significantly enhanced the electron transport kinetics, which can be explained by the metallic‐state properties. The integrated electrode exhibited an initial high reversible capacity of 795 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, with a stable capacity retention of 666 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. Good rate capability was also exhibited with specific capacities of 691, 564, 437 mAh g−1 at current densities of 200, 500, and 1000 mA g−1, respectively.

Summary Even though the energy density of O3-type layer-structured metal oxide cathode can fully reach the requirement for large-scale energy storage systems, the cycling lifespan still cannot meet the demand for practical application once it is coupled with a non-sodium-metal anode in full-cell system. Transition metal dissolution into the electrolyte occurs along with continuous phase transformation and accelerates deterioration of the crystal structure, followed by migration and finally deposition on the anode to form a vicious circle. Surface engineering techniques are employed to modify the interface between active materials and the electrolyte by coating them with a thin layer of AlPO 4 ion conductor. This stable thin layer can stabilize the surface crystal structure of the cathode material by avoiding element dissolution. Meanwhile, it can protect the anode from increased resistance by suppressing the dissolution-migration-deposition process. This technique is a promising method to improve the lifetime for the future commercialization.