A cascade of in situ conversion of bicarbonate to CO_(2) and CO_(2) electroreduction in a flow cell with a Ni-N-S catalyst

Combination of CO_(2) capture using inorganic alkali with subsequently electrochemical conversion of the resultant HCO_(3)^(-)to high-value chemicals is a promising route of low cost and high efficiency.The electrochemical reduction of HCO_(3)^(-)is challenging due to the inaccessible of negatively charged molecular groups to the electrode surface.Herein,we adopt a comprehensive strategy to tackle this challenge,i.e.,cascade of in situ chemical conversion of HCO_(3)^(-)to CO_(2) and CO_(2) electrochemical reduction in a flow cell.With a tailored Ni-N-S single atom catalyst(SACs),where sulfur(S)atoms located in the second shell of Ni center,the CO_(2)electroreduction(CO_(2)ER)to CO is boosted.The experimental results and density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the introduction of S increases the p electron density of N atoms near Ni atom,thereby stabilizing^(*)H over N and boosting the first proton coupled electron transfer process of CO_(2)ER,i.e.,^(*)+e^(-)+^(*)H+^(*)CO_(2)→^(*)COOH.As a result,the obtained catalyst exhibits a high faradaic efficiency(FE_(CO)~98%)and a low overpotential of 425 mV for CO production as well as a superior turnover frequency(TOF)of 47397 h^(-1),outcompeting most of the reported Ni SACs.More importantly,an extremely high FECOof 90%is achieved at 50 mA cm^(-2)in the designed membrane electrode assembly(MEA)cascade electrolyzer fed with liquid bicarbonate.This work not only highlights the significant role of the second coordination on the first coordination shell of the central metal for CO_(2)ER,but also provides an alternative and feasible strategy to realize the electrochemical conversion of HCO_(3)^(-)to high-value chemicals.

Effects of a periodic intermittent theta burst stimulation in Alzheimer's disease

Background Previous studies havedemonstrated that excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS)can improve the cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Intermittent theta burst stimulation(iTBS)is a novel excitatory rTMS protocol for brain activity stimulation with the ability to induce long-term potentiation-like plasticity and represents a promising treatment for AD.However,the long-term effects of iTBS on cognitive decline and brain structure in patients with AD areunknown.Aims We aimed to explore whether repeating accelerated iTBS every three months could slow down the cognitive decline in patients with AD.Methods In this randomised,assessor-blinded,controlled trial,iTBS was administered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(DLPFC)of 42 patients with AD for 14days every 13weeks.Measurements included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),a comprehensive neuropsychological battery,and the grey matter volume(GMV)of the hippocampus.Patients were evaluated at baseline and after follow-up.The longitudinal pipeline of the Computational Anatomy Toolbox for SPM was used to detect significant treatment-related changes over time.Results The iTBS group maintained MoCA scores relative to the control group(t=3.26,p=0.013)and reduced hippocampal atrophy,which was significantly correlated with global degeneration scale changes.The baseline Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)score,apolipoprotein E genotype and Clinical Dementia Rating were indicative of MoCA scores at follow-up.Moreover,the GMV of the left(t=0.08,p=0.996)and right(t=0.19,p=0.977)hippocampus were maintained in the active group but significantly declined in the control group(left:t=4.13,p<0.001;right:t=5.31,p<0.001).GMV change in the left(r=0.35,p=0.023)and right(r=0.36,p=0.021)hippocampus across the intervention positively correlated with MoCA changes;left hippocampal GMV change was negatively correlated with global degeneration scale(r=-0.32,p=0.041)changes.Conclusions DLPFC-iTBS maybe a feasible and easy-to-implement non-pharmacological intervention to slow down the progressive decline of overall cognition and quality of life in patients with AD,providing a new AD treatment option.Trial registration number NCT04754152.

Supply of terrigenous organic matter from tidal flat to the marine environment:An example of neritic source rocks in the Eocene Pinghu Formation,Xihu Depression,East China Sea Shelf Basin

The terrigenously-dominated marine shales which were deposited in the lower Eocene Pinghu Formation were thought to be a potential source rock in the Xihu Depression of the East China Sea Shelf Basin.However,the exceptionally high total organic carbon content(TOC,>6%on average)of the tidal sand ridge samples was not compatible with their sedimentary environment,indicating coal-bearing sedimentary debris may have been transferred from the coast to the ocean.In this study,new sights into the origins and supply of organic materials in the coastal environment were proposed in the neritic organic matter of the Eocene Pinghu Formation.A discriminant model was developed using plynofacies analysis data to pinpoint the source of organic materials in marine source rocks.The discrimination results suggested that marine mudstones were associated with tidal flat mudstones rather than deltaic ones.The biomarker characteristics of mudstones deposited in various environments support this assertion,indicating that the supply of plant materials in tidal flats is the primary organic matter source for the marine environment.The organic matter abundance was elevated in tidal flats due to their superior preservation conditions.Additionally,the lithological assemblage of tidal flats suggests that tidal currents can scour marshes and then transport dispersed terrigenous organic materials to neritic areas.These findings indicate that coal-bearing sedimentary debris was likely transferred from the coast to the ocean,and tidal currents are thought to be the dominant mechanism driving organic matter from the tidal to the marine environment.

Long-term feeding of sand rice(Agriophyllum squarrosum seed)can improve the antioxidant capacity of mice

Unhealthy eating habits with sugar-rich and high-fat foods can bring nutritional imbalance and other chronic diseases. At present, there is an increasing demand in regulating human sub-health through functional foods. Agriophyllum squarrosum(L.) Moq., a pioneer plant native to sand dunes with ecological restoration function, is a traditional food plant of sand regions and Mongolian folk medicine. Numerous studies have confirmed that A. squarrosum seed, also called sand rice, has high nutritional value. However, the long-term health effects of eating sand rice remain unclear. To better explore and evaluate its long-term effects, hereby, ICR mice were fed with sand rice flour at different ratios(control, 60% and 95%) for 100 days. Results show that the growth and blood glucose level curve of these experimental mice were lower and more stable than that of the control. In addition, mice fed pure sand rice ingredient(95%) gained more stable body weight and blood glucose after 28 days, which revealed that sand rice is a food with comprehensive nutritional value and rarely negatively impacts the body growth performance. Our data also demonstrates that, the content of triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) provided the lowest level in the blood of mice with a diet of pure sand rice ingredient, 0.48, 4.14, 0.91, 3.03 mmol/L, respectively. Also, T-SOD and GSH-PX activity provided a high level in mice with pure sand rice gradient, which significantly increased by 36%(T-SOD)and 19%(GSH-PX) compared to the control. These results suggest that long term intake of the pure sand rice ingredients is more helpful for stabilizing blood lipid and improve antioxidant capacity and beneficial to people suffering from chronic disease. This study supplies the first animal evidence to support the claim that sand rice is a promising functional food with comprehensive nutrition in the future. We are confident that, with increasing demands of daily sand rice usage, planting A. squarrosum in the vast desert regions will further increase the local economy and ecological restoration when coping with global warming.

The level of bile salt-stimulated lipase in the milk of Chinese women and its association with maternal BMI

This study aimed to investigate the bile salt-stimulated lipase(BSSL) concentration in the milk of Chinese women and its correlation with maternal body mass index(BMI), gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) and gestational hypertensive disorder(GHD). The BSSL levels in the milk samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). BSSL level in colostrum milk of mothers with full-term infants was positively correlated with pregnancy week and negatively correlated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and BMI late in pregnancy. Moreover, the BSSL concentration in mature milk was positively correlated with BMI gain during pregnancy. The BSSL concentration in colostrum milk was lower in GDM mothers than in normal mothers. The BSSL helps infants digest fat in early life and its level was associated with lactation. The changes in BSSL characteristics with maternal BMI and GDM in this study may have clinical implications regarding the effects of pregnancy weight and metabolism on the nutrition and health of the offspring.

Analysis on Occupational Well-being Status and Influencing Factors of Medical Staff in Tuberculosis Departments

Objective:To investigate the status of occupational well-being of medical staff in tuberculosis department and analyze its influencing factors,so as to provide a basis for improving the occupational well-being of medical staff in tuberculosis department.Methods:In May 2020,we adopted the method of cluster sampling to select staff members from the tuberculosis departments of the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University and infectious disease hospital.A total of 139 medical staff were recruited as the research subjects,and were investigated using medical staff occupational well-being scale.Results:The total score of occupational well-being was 76.4697 points,There were statistically significant differences(P<0.05)in occupational well-being score among tuberculosis medical staff with different age,years of work,job title,night shift,marital status,and occupational type.The influencing factors of occupational well-being were the night shift,years of work,occupational type,and marital status(P<0.05).Conclusion:The overall level of occupational well-being of tuberculosis medical staffs is moderate,and occupational well-being is affected by night shift,years of work,occupational type and marital status.It is recommended that managers take targeted measures to improve the occupational well-being of tuberculosis medical staff.

床旁超声评价淡水淹溺性心脏停搏复苏后肺损伤一例

患者,青年男性,25岁,因4h前溺水于2021年8月19日下午到解放军总医院第三医学中心急诊科就诊。患者当日上午在深约6m的淡水游泳池(池水温度27~30℃)初学游泳2h后溺水,沉入池底约3min后被人救起,即刻患者面色青紫、呼之无应答,无呼吸及心跳搏动,立即给予心肺复苏,约持续40s后心肺复苏成功。

新生儿Phelan-McDermid综合征1例

Phelan-McDermid综合征是一种罕见的常染色体显性遗传性疾病,由22号染色体长臂拷贝数缺失所致。本文报道1例以肌张力低、先天性心脏病、反复感染为主要表现的新生儿Phelan-McDermid综合征,以加强临床医生对本病的认识。

Basic fibroblast growth factor protects against influenza A virus-induced acute lung injury by recruiting neutrophils

Influenza virus (IAV)infection is a major cause of severe respiratory illness that affects almost every country in the world.IAV infections result in respiratory illness and even acute lung injury and death,but the underlying mechanisms responsible for IAV pathogenesis have not yet been fully elucidated.In this study,the basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)level was markedly increased in H1N1 virus-infected humans and mice.FGF2,which is predominately derived from epithelial cells,recruits and activates neutrophils via the FGFR2-PI3K-AKT-NFKB signaling pathway.FGF2 depletion or knockout exacerbated influenzaassociated disease by impairing neutrophil recruitment and activation.More importantly,administration of the recombinant FGF2 protein significantly aUeviated the severity of IAV-induced lung injury and promoted the survival of IAV-infected mice.Based on the results from experiments in which neutrophils were depleted and adoptively transferred,FGF2 protected mice against IAV , infection by recruiting neutrophils.Thus,FGF2 plays a critical role in preventing IAV-induced lung injury,and FGF2 is a promising potential therapeutic target during IAV infection.

Formation and evolution of layered structure in dissimilar welded joints between ferritic-martensitic steel and 316L stainless steel with fillers

Dissimilar high-energy beam(HEB)welding is necessary in many industrial applications.Different composition of heat-affected zone(HAZ)and weld metal(WM)lead to variation in mechanical properties within the dissimilar joint,which determines the performance of the welded structure.In the present study,appropriate filler material was used during electron beam welding(EBW)to obtain a reliable dissimilar joint between reduced-activation ferritic-martensitic(RAFM)steel and 316L austenitic stainless steel.It was observed that the layered structure occurred in the weld metal with 310S filler(310S-WM),which had the inferior resistance to thermal disturbance,leading to severe hardening of 310S-WM after one-step tempering treatment.To further ameliorate the joint inhomogeneity,two-step heat treatment processes were imposed to the joints and optimized.δ-ferrite in the layered structure transformed intoγ-phase in the first-step normalizing and remained stable during cooling.In the second-step of tempering,tempered martensite was obtained in the HAZ of the RAFM steel,while the microstructure of 310S-WM was not affected.Thus,the optimized properties for HAZ and 310S-WM in dissimilar welded joint was both obtained by a two-step heat treatment.The creep failure position of two dissimilar joints both occurred in CLAM-BM.

红砂基因组大小变异及物种分化

红砂(Reaurnuria soongarica,柽柳科)是广泛分布于亚洲内陆干旱区温带荒漠的建群灌木,该物种内部经历过分化和杂交事件,是研究荒漠植物多样性发生和杂交物种形成的理想模型。然而,红砂不同群体的倍性水平尚不清楚,制约了对其物种形成机制的深入研究。为了确定红砂不同支系的倍性及基因组大小变异模式,本研究以红砂幼苗根尖为实验材料,以野生番茄(Solanum pimpine llifolium)作为内标物种,利用流式细胞术对分别来自北疆支系及其可能的亲本支系(东部和西部支系)的共8个红砂群体进行了DNA 1C-值测定和分析。结果显示:红砂东部支系的DNA 1C-值(1.149±0.012 pg)略小于西部支系的1C-值(1.195±0.031 pg)。北疆支系中阜康(FK)和沙湾(SW)群体的DNA 1C-值处于东、西支系的1C-值之间,而火烧山(HSS)和五彩城(WCC)群体的1C-值接近东、西支系1C-值的2倍。结合之前的分子标记结果,我们推测北疆支系中阜康和沙湾群体为东、西部支系的同倍体杂交种群,而火烧山和五彩城群体属于异源四倍体杂交种群。不同倍性的北疆群体起源于不同的杂交事件,可以划归为不同的物种。

A non-ACE2 competing human single-domain antibody confers broad neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and circulating variants

The current COVID-19 pandemic has heavily burdened the global public health system and may keep simmering for years.The frequent emergence of immune escape variants have spurred the search for prophylactic vaccines and therapeutic antibodies that confer broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants.Here we show that the bivalency of an affinity maturated fully human singledomain antibody(n3113.1-Fc)exhibits exquisite neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus,and confers effective prophylactic and therapeutic protection against authentic SARS-CoV-2 in the host cell receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)humanized mice.The crystal structure of n3113 in complex with the receptor-binding domain(RBD)of SARS-CoV-2,combined with the cryo-EM structures of n3113 and spike ecto-domain,reveals that n3113 binds to the side surface of up-state RBD with no competition with ACE2.The binding of n3113 to this novel epitope stabilizes spike in up-state conformations but inhibits SARS-CoV-2 S mediated membrane fusion,expanding our recognition of neutralization by antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.Binding assay and pseudovirus neutralization assay show no evasion of recently prevalent SARS-CoV-2 lineages,including Alpha(B.1.1.7),Beta(B.1.351),Gamma(P.1),and Delta(B.1.617.2)for n3113.1-Fc with Y58L mutation,demonstrating the potential of n3113.1-Fc(Y58L)as a promising candidate for clinical development to treat COVID-19.