Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 with high operating voltage (∼4.7 V vs Li/Li+), high theoretical capacity of 148 mAh g–1, fast lithium ion diffusion kinetics, and potentially low cost is the most potential candidate material for high energy density LIBs used in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and pure electric vehicles. However, the high operating voltage of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 challenges the electrochemical stability of other components in the batteries and induces diverse interfacial side reactions, leading to irreversible capacity loss, poor cycling performance, and safety issues, especially at the elevated temperatures. Thus, a basic understanding of the intrinsic surface properties of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 and the mechanism of interfacial interactions between each component in the electrochemical system is a critical requirement for developing substantial enhancements of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-based batteries. In this review, we summarize the surface/interface reactions and challenges in the whole cell system of LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-based LIBs. Perspectives and strategies for LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-based high energy density batteries used in PHEV/EVs are also proposed at last.

Developing high‐voltage Mg‐compatible electrolytes (>3.0 V vs Mg) still remains to be the biggest R&D challenge in the area of nonaqueous rechargeable Mg batteries. Here, the key design concepts toward exploring new boron‐based Mg salts in a specific way of highlighting the implications of anions are proposed for the first time. The well‐defined boron‐centered anion‐based magnesium electrolyte (BCM electrolyte) is successfully presented by facile one‐step mixing of tris(2H‐hexafluoroisopropyl) borate and MgF2 in 1,2‐dimethoxyethane, in which the structures of anions have been thoroughly investigated via mass spectrometry accompanied by NMR and Raman spectra. The first all‐round practical BCM electrolyte fulfills all requirements of easy synthesis, high ionic conductivity, wide potential window (3.5 V vs Mg), compatibility with electrophilic sulfur, and simultaneously noncorrosivity to coin cell assemblies. When utilizing the BCM electrolyte, the fast‐kinetics selenium/carbon (Se/C) cathode achieves the best rate capability and the sulfur/carbon (S/C) cathode exhibits an impressive prolonged cycle life than previously published reports. The BCM electrolyte offers the most promising avenue to eliminate the major roadblocks on the way to high‐voltage Mg batteries and the design concepts can shed light on future exploration directions toward high‐voltage Mg‐compatible electrolytes.

Nitrile-based polymer electrolytes have unique characteristics such as a high dielectric constant, high anodic oxidization potential and favorable interaction with lithium ions. Recent progress in nitrile-based polymer electrolytes has been reviewed in terms of their potential application in flexible, solid-state or high voltage lithium batteries in this paper.

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonism may be of considerable therapeutic value in stress-related psychopathology such as depression. However, blockade of all GR-dependent processes in the brain will lead to unnecessary and even counteractive effects, such as elevated endogenous cortisol levels. Selective GR modulators are ligands that can act both as agonist and as antagonist and may be used to separate beneficial from harmful treatment effects. We have discovered that the high-affinity GR ligand C108297 is a selective modulator in the rat brain. We first demonstrate that C108297 induces a unique interaction profile between GR and its downstream effector molecules, the nuclear receptor coregulators, compared with the full agonist dexamethasone and the antagonist RU486 (mifepristone). C108297 displays partial agonistic activity for the suppression of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) gene expression and potently enhances GR-dependent memory consolidation of training on an inhibitory avoidance task. In contrast, it lacks agonistic effects on the expression of CRH in the central amygdala and antagonizes GR-mediated reduction in hippocampal neurogenesis after chronic corticosterone exposure. Importantly, the compound does not lead to disinhibition of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Thus, C108297 represents a class of ligands that has the potential to more selectively abrogate pathogenic GR-dependent processes in the brain, while retaining beneficial aspects of GR signaling.HPA axis | neuroendocrinology | steroid pharmacology | transcription regulation | NCoA1

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR predicts negative tumor prognosis and exhibits oncogenic activity. Herein, we demonstrate HOTAIR promotes human liver cancer stem cell malignant growth through downregulation of SETD2. Mechanistically, HOTAIR reduces the recuritment of the CREB, P300, RNA polII onto the SETD2 promoter region that inhibits SETD2 expression and its phosphorylation. Thereby, the SETD2 binding capacity to substrate histone H3 is weakened, triggering a reduction of trimethylation on histone H3 thirty-sixth lysine, and thereby the H3K36me3–hMSH2-hMSH6-SKP2 complex is also decreased. Strikingly, the complex occupancy on chromosome is depressed, preventing from mismatch DNA repair. While reducing the degradation capacity of Skp2 for aging histone H3 bound to damaged DNA, the aging histone repair is impaired. Furthermore, that the damaged DNA escaped to repair can causes microsatellite instability(MSI) and abnormal expression of cell cycle related genes that may trigger the hepatocarcinogenesis. This study provides evidence for HOTAIR to promote tumorigenesis via downregulating SETD2 in liver cancer stem cells.

Conjugated microporous polymers, which exhibit high specific capacity, superior cycle stability and remarkable rate capability, are explored as high-performance electrode materials for lithium and sodium storage. Their excellent electrochemical performance can be attributed to their conductive frameworks, plentiful redox-active units, high specific surface area and homogeneous microporous structure.In an effort to address the energy crisis and environmental issues, clean and sustainable energy systems have been investigated, such as solar cells, fuel cells and rechargeable batteries. Currently, lithium ion batteries (LIBs) dominate the portable consumer electronic market due to their high energy density.

Self-supported Ni3S2 ultrathin nanosheets were in situ formed by direct sulfurization of commercially available nickel foam using thioacetamide as sulfur source under hydrothermal process. The morphology and structure of the as-obtained sample were analyzed by using XRD, XPS, SEM, and TEM, revealing that an ultrathin nanosheets Ni3S2 were grown on the surface of Ni form. The as-obtained Ni3S2/Ni composite with uniform architecture was used as cathode material for alkaline Ni/Zn battery, which delivered high capacity of 125 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles with no obvious capacity fading, extraordinary rate capability (68 mAh g(-1) at the current density of 5.0 A g(-1)), and high operating voltage (1.75 V).

BackgroundLong noncoding RNA HULC is highly up-regulation in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the functions of HULC in hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear.MethodsRT-PCR, Western blotting, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assay, RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) and tumorignesis test in vitro and in vivo were performed.ResultsHULC is negatively associated with expression of PTEN or miR15a in patients of human liver cancer. Moreover, HULC accelerates malignant progression of liver cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HULC increasesthe expression of P62 via decreasing mature miR15a. On the other hand, excessive HULC increases the expression of LC3 on the level of transcription and then activates LC3 through Sirt1 (a deacetylase). Notably, HULC enhanced the interplay between LC3 and ATG3. Furthermore, HULC also increases the expression of becline-1(autophagy related gene). Therefore, HULC increases the cellular autophagy by increasing LC3II dependent on Sirt1.Noteworthy, excessive HULC reduces the expression of PTEN, β-catenin and enhances the expression of SAPK/JUNK, PKM2, CDK2, NOTCH1, C-Jun in liver cancer cells. Of significance, our observations also revealed that HULC inhibited PTEN through ubiquitin–proteasome system mediated by autophagy-P62.Ultimately,HULC activates AKT-PI3K-mTOR pathway through inhibiting PTEN in human liver cancer cells.ConclusionsThis study elucidates a novel mechanism that lncRNA HULC produces a vital function during hepatocarcinogenesis.