Structure and Transport Properties of the LiPF₆ Doped 1-Ethyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium Hexafluorophosphate Ionic Liquids: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on 1-ethyl-2,3-dimethyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (EMMIPF6) ionic liquids (ILs) doped with different molar ratios of LiPF6 at 523.15 K and 1 bar. Ionic conductivity, self-diffusion coefficients, density, and viscosity predicted by MD simulations were found to be in good agreement with previous studies. Structural analysis shows that the Li+ cation is strongly coordinated by the F atom of the PF6− anion, and the number of F atoms coordinated with a Li+ cation in the first solvation shell is about six for all molar ratios of LiPF6/EMMIPF6 0.05, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.50. The coordination number of the PF6− anion within the first solvation shell of Li+ cation is about four, which tends to increase slightly when the salt concentration is increased. The two-dimensional radial-angular distribution study shows that the Li+−PF6− complex tends to form the C2v conformation at low salt concentration, whereas C4v conformation becomes important at higher salt concentration. It is found that the aggregation of Li+−PF6− complexes occurs in all four molar ratios, whereas ionic conductivity decreases and viscosity increases at higher salt concentration. The residence time correlation of PF6− within the first solvation shell of Li+ shows a strong memory effect. The Li+-hopping function further shows that the hopping of Li+ is strongly affected by its environment with different exchange rates of the PF6− anions for the structure diffusion, and the system of 0.5 LiPF6/EMMIPF6 molar ratio has the slowest hopping rate

Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Cross-Linked Intact Multiprotein Complexes: Enhanced Gas-Phase Stabilities and Altered Dissociation Pathways

Analysis of protein complexes by ion mobility-mass spectrometry is a valuable method for the rapid assessment of complex composition, binding stoichiometries, and structures. However, capturing labile, unknown protein assemblies directly from cells remains a challenge for the technology. Furthermore, ion mobility-mass spectrometry measurements of complexes, subcomplexes, and subunits are necessary to build complete models of intact assemblies, and such data can be difficult to acquire in a comprehensive fashion. Here, we present the use of novel mass spectrometry cleavable cross-linkers and tags to stabilize intact protein complexes for ion mobility-mass spectrometry. Our data reveal that tags and linkers bearing permanent charges are superior stabilizers relative to neutral cross-linkers, especially in the context of retaining compact forms of the assembly under a wide array of activating conditions. In addition, when cross-linked protein complexes are collisionally activated in the gas phase, a larger proportion of the product ions produced are often more compact and reflect native protein subcomplexes when compared with unmodified complexes activated in the same fashion, greatly enabling applications in structural biology

DataSheet1_A Potential Target for Diabetic Vascular Damage: High Glucose-Induced Monocyte Extracellular Vesicles Impair Endothelial Cells by Delivering miR-142-5p.DOCX

Endothelial dysfunction is a key accessory to diabetic cardiovascular complications, and the regulatory role of the extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the innate immune system is growing. We tested whether EVs derived from high glucose-induced monocytes could shuttle microRNAs and impair endothelial cells. EVs from high glucose- and basal glucose-treated THP-1 cells (HG-THP-1 EVs and BG-THP-1 EVs) were isolated and identified. After coculture with THP-1 EVs, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were tested by proliferation, migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection assays, and western blot for Nrf2/NLRP3 signaling. MiR-142-5p was predicted by miRNAs databases and further verified by RT–qPCR and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays that inhibit Nrf2 expression. The regulation of miR-142-5p in HUVECs was further evaluated. A type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) mouse model was developed for miR-142-5p inhibition. Aorta tissue was harvested for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Compared to BG-THP-1 EVs, HG-THP-1 EVs significantly reduced migration and increased ROS production in HUVECs but did not affect proliferation. HG-THP-1 EVs induced suppression of Nrf2 signaling and NLRP3 signaling activation. RT–qPCR results showed that HG-THP-1 EVs overexpressed miR-142-5p in HUVECs. The transfection of miR-142-5p mimics into HUVECs exhibited consistent regulatory effects on HG-THP-1 EVs, whereas miR-142-5p inhibitors demonstrated protective effects. The miR-142-5p antagomir significantly reduced the IL-1β level in T1DM aortas despite morphological changes. To conclude, miR-142-5p transferred by high glucose-induced monocyte EVs participates in diabetic endothelial damage. The inhibition of miR-142-5p could be a potential adjuvant to diabetic cardiovascular protection.</p

Data_Sheet_1_Inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC ameliorates neointimal formation via CBX3-mediated VSMCs phenotypic switching.docx

Background and aimtRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are a new class of non-coding RNAs involved in a variety of pathological processes, but their biological functions and mechanisms in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) phenotype transition and vascular intimal hyperplasia are unclear.Methods/resultstiRNA-Gly-GCC is upregulated in synthetic HASMCs, atherosclerotic arteries, plasma, and the balloon injured carotid artery of rats. Functionally, the inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC represses HASMCs proliferation, migration, and reversed dedifferentiation, whereas the overexpression of tiRNA- Gly-GCC have contrary effects. Mechanistically, tiRNA-Gly-GCC performs these functions on HASMCs via downregulating chromobox protein homolog 3 (CBX3). Finally, the inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC could ameliorate neointimal formation after vascular injury in vivo.ConclusionstiRNA-Gly-GCC is a mediator of HASMCs phenotypic switching by targeting CBX3 and inhibition of tiRNA-Gly-GCC suppresses neointimal formation.</p

Se-Doping Activates FeOOH for Cost-Effective and Efficient Electrochemical Water Oxidation

Ni or Co is commonly required in efficient electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Although Fe is much more abundant and cheaper, full-Fe or Fe-rich catalysts suffer from insufficient activity. Herein, we discover that Se-doping can drastically promote OER on FeOOH and develop a facile on-site electrochemical activation strategy for achieving such a Se-doped FeOOH electrode via an FeSe precatalyst. Theoretical analysis and systematic experiments prove that Se-doping enables FeOOH as an efficient and low-cost OER electrocatalyst. By optimizing the electrode structure, an industrial-level OER current output of 500 mA cm–2 is secured at a low overpotential of 348 mV. The application of such an Fe-rich OER electrode in a practical solar-driven water splitting system demonstrates a high and stable solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 18.55%, making the strategy promising for exploring new cost-effective and highly active electrocatalysts for clean hydrogen production

Metastable Rock Salt Oxide-Mediated Synthesis of High-Density Dual-Protected M@NC for Long-Life Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries with Record Power Density

Creating high-density durable bifunctional active sites in an air electrode is essential but still challenging for a long-life rechargeable zinc–air battery with appealing power density. Herein, we discover a general strategy mediated by metastable rock salt oxides for achieving high-density well-defined transition-metal nanocrystals encapsulated in N-doped carbon shells (M@NC) which are anchored on a substrate by a porous carbon network as highly active and durable bifunctional catalytic sites. Small-size (15 ± 5 nm) well-dispersed Co2Fe1@NC in a high density (metal loading up to 54.0 wt %) offers the zinc–air battery a record power density of 423.7 mW cm–2. The dual protection from the complete graphitic carbon shells and the anchoring of the outer carbon network make Co2Fe1@NC chemically and mechanically durable, giving the battery a long cycling life. Systematic in-situ temperature-dependent characterizations as well as DFT modeling rationalize the rock salt oxide-mediated process and its indispensable role in achieving high-density nanosized M@NC. These findings open up opportunities for designing efficient electrocatalysts for high-performance Zn–air batteries and diverse energy devices

Metastable Rock Salt Oxide-Mediated Synthesis of High-Density Dual-Protected M@NC for Long-Life Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries with Record Power Density

Creating high-density durable bifunctional active sites in an air electrode is essential but still challenging for a long-life rechargeable zinc–air battery with appealing power density. Herein, we discover a general strategy mediated by metastable rock salt oxides for achieving high-density well-defined transition-metal nanocrystals encapsulated in N-doped carbon shells (M@NC) which are anchored on a substrate by a porous carbon network as highly active and durable bifunctional catalytic sites. Small-size (15 ± 5 nm) well-dispersed Co2Fe1@NC in a high density (metal loading up to 54.0 wt %) offers the zinc–air battery a record power density of 423.7 mW cm–2. The dual protection from the complete graphitic carbon shells and the anchoring of the outer carbon network make Co2Fe1@NC chemically and mechanically durable, giving the battery a long cycling life. Systematic in-situ temperature-dependent characterizations as well as DFT modeling rationalize the rock salt oxide-mediated process and its indispensable role in achieving high-density nanosized M@NC. These findings open up opportunities for designing efficient electrocatalysts for high-performance Zn–air batteries and diverse energy devices