Delicate modulations of CO2 activation and charge carrier separation/migration are challenging, yet imperative to augment CO2 photoreduction efficiency. Herein, by supporting diethylenetriamine (DETA)‐functionalized Cd0.8Zn0.2S nanowires on the exterior surface of hollow Co9S8 polyhedrons, hierarchical Co9S8@Cd0.8Zn0.2S‐DETA nanocages are fabricated as an S‐scheme photocatalyst for reducing CO2 and protons to produce syngas (CO and H2). The amine groups strengthen adsorption and activation of CO2, while the “nanowire‐on‐nanocage” hierarchical hollow heterostructure with an S‐scheme interface boosts separation and transfer of photoinduced charges. Employing Co(bpy)32+ as a cocatalyst, the optimal photocatalyst effectively produces CO and H2 in rates of 70.6 and 18.6 µmol h−1 (i.e., 4673 and 1240 µmol g−1 h−1), respectively, affording an apparent quantum efficiency of 9.45% at 420 nm, which is the highest value under comparable conditions. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, Kelvin probe, and electron spin resonance confirm the S‐schematic charge‐transfer process in the photocatalyst. The key COOH* species responsible for CO2‐to‐CO reduction is detected by in‐situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and endorsed by density functional theory calculations, and thus a possible CO2 reduction mechanism is proposed.

a b s t r a c tWe measured Dechlorane Plus (DP) and its dechlorinated analogs in the blood and milk from women living in e-waste recycling sites in Wenling of Taizhou region, China (n ¼ 49). Both syn-DP and anti-DP were detected in all samples. Another compound, Cl 11 -DP, was detected in 45% and 84% of milk and serum samples, respectively. DP levels in blood and milk from residents living in the local environment >20 yrs (R 20 group) were significantly higher than those living in Taizhou <3 yrs (R 3 group) (p < 0.05). The milk/serum partition coefficient from the same women was approximately 0.43 and 0.47 for syn-DP and anti-DP, respectively. A similar value in milk compared with anti-DP/ P DPs (f anti ) in serum suggested that stereoselective DP bio-accumulation did not occur during the DP transport from blood to milk. This result indicate that DP can bio-accumulate in blood and milk with the low milk/serum partition coefficient and similar blood and milk stereoselective bio-accumulation profiles.

Conducting polyaniline (PANI) exhibits interesting properties, such as high conductivity, reversible convertibility between redox states, and advantageous structural feature. It therefore receives ever‐increasing attention for various applications. This Minireview evaluates recent studies on application of PANI for Li‐ion batteries (LIBs), Li–S batteries (LSBs) and supercapacitors (SCPs). The flexible PANI is crucial for cyclability, especially for buffering the volumetric changes of electrode materials, in addition to enhancing the electron/ion transport. Furthermore, PANI can be directly used as an electroactive component in electrode materials for LIBs or SCPs and can be widely applied in LSBs due to its physically and chemically strong affinity for S and polysulfides. The evaluation of studies herein reveals significant improvements of electrochemical performance by physical/chemical modification and incorporation of PANI.

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By virtue of its potential effects on rates of energy expenditure, uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is an obesity candidate gene. We identified nine sequence variants in UCP3, including Val9Met, Val102Ile, Arg282Cys, and a splice site mutation in the intron between exons 6 and 7. The splice mutation results in an inability to synthesize mRNA for the long isoform (UCP3L) of UCP3. Linkage (sib pair), association, and transmission disequilibrium testing studies on 942 African-Americans did not suggest a significant effect of UCP3 on body composition in this group. In vastus lateralis skeletal muscle of individuals homozygous for the splice mutation, no UCP3L mRNA was detectable; the short isoform (UCP3S) was present in an increased amount. In this muscle, we detected no alterations of in vitro mitochondrial coupling activity, mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activity, or systemic oxygen consumption or respiratory quotient at rest or during exercise. These genetic and physiologic data suggest the following possibilities: UCP3S has uncoupling capabilities equivalent to UCP3L; other UCPs may compensate for a deficiency of bioactive UCP3L; UCP3L does not function primarily as a mitochondrial uncoupling protein.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered as significant regulators in a wide range of human cancers. Among them, lncRNA MNX1-AS1 has been proved to be an oncogene in ovarian cancer and glioblastoma. However, the regulatory mechanism of MNX1-AS1 in cervical cancer remains to be understood. Therefore, this study planned to explore the role of MNX1-AS1 in cervical cancer. In the beginning, we found that the expression of MNX1-AS1 was obviously upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with higher MNX1-AS1 expression level suffered from shorter overall survival time than those with lower MNX1-AS1 level. Moreover, by loss-of-function and gain-of-function assay, the effect of MNX1-AS1 on cell proliferation and apoptosis was examined on cellular level. Results showed that the proliferation of Hela cells was significantly inhibited and apoptosis enhanced by the transfection of shMNX1-AS1, while overexpressing MNX1-AS1 in E6E7 cells presented the contrary results. As for mechanism investigation, it was demonstrated that overexpression of MNX1-AS1 significantly improved the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK. And the effects of MNX1-AS1 on cell proliferation and apoptosis would be diminished after inactivating the phosphorylation of either ERK or JNK. Taken together, it was identified that MNX1-AS1 promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of cervical cancer cells through MAPK pathway. Highlights 1. Expression of MNX1-AS1 is upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines.2. MNX1-AS1 expression is of important clinical significance and it is a novel prognosis biomarker in cervical cancer. 3. MNX1-AS1 regulates cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. 4. MNX1-AS1 affects the progression of cervical cancer via MAPK pathway. K E Y W O R D S apoptosis, cervical cancer, MAPK pathway., MNX1-AS1, proliferation J Cell Biochem. 2019;120:4268-4277. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jcb 4268 |

Exploring affordable cocatalysts with high-performance for boosting charge separation and CO2 activation is an effective strategy to reinforce CO2 photoreduction efficiency. Herein, the well-defined Co9S8 cages are exploited as a...

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