Hexagonal Nanoplate-Textured Micro-Octahedron Zn₂SnO₄: Combined Effects toward Enhanced Efficiencies of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell and Photoreduction of CO₂ into Hydrocarbon Fuels

A complex, hexagonal nanoplate-textured micro-octahedron Zn₂SnO₄, abbreviated as nanoplate/micro-octahedrons, was synthesized with the assistance of l-tryptophan. The generation of this unique architecture was found to undergo two consecutive nucleation processes. In comparison with as-prepared micro-octahedron and atactic particles, the complex architecture proves favorable for enhancement of overall dye-sensitized solar cells light-conversion efficiency via (1) generation of light scattering centers to be in favor of enhancing the light absorption; (2) enhancement of electron transport along the nanoplate; (3) facilitation of electrolyte diffusion as a result of the relatively open structure of the micro-octahedron films. The unique nanoplate/micro-octahedron Zn₂SnO₄ was also demonstrated to greatly promote the photocatalytic reduction of greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, CO₂) into renewable hydrocarbon fuel (methane, CH₄) in the presence of water vapor

Quasi-Topotactic Transformation of FeOOH Nanorods to Robust Fe₂O₃ Porous Nanopillars Triggered with a Facile Rapid Dehydration Strategy for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting

A facile rapid dehydration (RD) strategy is explored for quasi-topotactic transformation of FeOOH nanorods to robust Fe₂O₃ porous nanopillars, avoiding collapse, shrink, and coalescence, and compared with a conventional treatment route. Additionally, the so-called RD process is capable of generating a beneficial porous structure for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. The obtained RD-Fe₂O₃ photoanode exhibits a photocurrent density as high as 2.0 mA cm^–2 at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a saturated photocurrent density of 3.5 mA cm^–2 at 1.71 V versus RHE without any cocatalysts, which is about 270% improved photocurrent density over Fe₂O₃ with the conventional temperature-rising route (0.75 mA cm^–2 at 1.23 V vs RHE and 1.48 mA cm^–2 at 1.71 V vs RHE, respectively). The enhanced photocurrent on RD-Fe₂O₃ is attributed to a synergistic effect of the following factors: (i) preservation of single crystalline nanopillars decreases the charge-carrier recombination; (ii) formation of long nanopillars enhances light harvesting; and (iii) the porous structure shortens the hole transport distance from the bulk material to the electrode–electrolyte interface

Stress Responsive Proteins Are Actively Regulated during Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i>) Embryogenesis as Indicated by Quantitative Proteomics Analysis

<div><p>Embryogenesis is the initial step in a plant’s life, and the molecular changes that occur during embryonic development are largely unknown. To explore the relevant molecular events, we used the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) coupled with the shotgun proteomics technique (iTRAQ/Shotgun) to study the proteomic changes of rice embryos during embryogenesis. For the first time, a total of 2 165 unique proteins were identified in rice embryos, and the abundances of 867 proteins were actively changed based on the statistical evaluation of the quantitative MS/MS signals. The quantitative data were then confirmed using multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) and were also supported by our previous study based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2 DE). Using the proteome at 6 days after pollination (DAP) as a reference, cluster analysis of these differential proteins throughout rice embryogenesis revealed that 25% were up-regulated and 75% were down-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis implicated that most of the up-regulated proteins were functionally categorized as stress responsive, mainly including heat shock-, lipid transfer-, and reactive oxygen species-related proteins. The stress-responsive proteins were thus postulated to play an important role during seed maturation.</p></div

Relative abundance of lipid transfer proteins during embryogenesis.

<p>The error bars indicate the standard derivation. 1 indicates the LTP with Locus ID LOC_Os07g11630.1; 2, LOC_Os03g02050.1; 3, LOC_Os12g02320.1; 4, LOC_Os11g40530.1; 5, LOC_Os08g03690.1; 6, LOC_Os05g40010.1; 7, LOC_Os01g60740.2; 8, LOC_Os11g02400.1; 9, LOC_Os10g36170.1.</p

Cluster result of the significantly regulated proteins.

<p>(A) Cluster heatmap of significantly regulated proteins using the protein abundance information. The five columns from left to right are labeled 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 DAP at the top of the heatmap. The left braces indicate the two groups classified by cluster analysis. (B) Color diagram of the heatmap.</p

Scatter plot of iTRAQ quantified log2 (protein ratio) and MRM quantified log2 (protein ratio).

<p>(A) iTRAQ versus MRM log2(12 DAP/6 DAP). (B) iTRAQ versus MRM log2(18 DAP/6 DAP). (C) iTRAQ versus MRM log2(24 DAP/6 DAP). (D) iTRAQ versus MRM log2(30 DAP/6 DAP).</p

Evaluation of three technical replicates.

<p>(A) Venn chart showing the overlap of the identified proteins from the three replications. (B) Accumulated frequency graph of the coefficient of variation.</p

Rice embryogenesis stages and embryo phenotypes for each stage.

<p>(A) Embryogenesis stages and sampling time settings. (B) Pattern of embryo length change during embryogenesis. (C) Pattern of embryo weight change during embryogenesis. (D) Newly germinated bud length of embryos during embryogenesis. For (B) (C) and (D), the error bars indicate the standard derivation.</p

Targeted treatment of atherosclerosis with protein–polysaccharide nanoemulsion co-loaded with photosensitiser and upconversion nanoparticles

Macrophages are the most abundant cell group in atherosclerosis (AS) lesions and play a vital role in all stages of AS progression. Recent research has shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation from photodynamic therapy (PDT) induces macrophage autophagy to improve abnormal lipid metabolism and inflammatory environment. Especially in macrophage-derived foam cells, which has become a potential strategy for the treatment of AS. In this study, we prepared the conjugate (DB) of dextran (DEX) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). The DB was used as the emulsifier to prepare nanoemulsion loaded with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) (UCNPs-Ce6@DB). The DEX modified on the surface of the nanoemulsion can recognise and bind to the scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) highly expressed on macrophages and promote the uptake of macrophage-derived foam cells in AS plates through SR-A-mediated endocytosis. In addition, UCNPs-Ce6@DB-mediated PDT enhanced ROS generation and induced autophagy in macrophage-derived foam cells, enhanced the expression of ABCA1, a protein closely related to cholesterol efflux, and inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Ultimately, UCNPs-Ce6@DB was shown to inhibit plaque formation in mouse models of AS. In conclusion, UCNPs-Ce6@DB offers a promising treatment for AS.</p

Global regulation of AR signaling by miRNAs.

<p>.A. miRNA-mediated AR signalling network. B. miRNA dominant regulation. The Pie chart for miRNAs shows their dominant regulation on identified targets. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 represent the numbers of miRNAs, which co-regulate on the same target mRNA.</p