NANO-FE AND MWCNTS BASED NON-ENZYMATIC SENSOR FOR DETERMINATION OF GLUCOSE IN SERUUM

The enzyme sensors based on glucose oxidase have been widely used for the detection of blood glucose. However, the activity of enzyme can be easily affected by temperature, pH, humidity and toxic chemical. Nanostructured metal-oxides have been extensively explored to develop nonenzymatic glucose sensors. An amperometric electrode based on multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Fe nanoparticles has been successfully fabricated. The electrode exhibits the linear regression equation is: I = -0.1985 + 1.7499 CG (correlation coefficient is 0.9994). Linear response range: 0.2-20.0 mM, sensitivity: 1.75 a/am, the LOD was evaluated to be 0.03 mM according to IUPAC regulations (S/N = 3). Interference tests illustrated that 0.2 me of ascorbic acid and uric acid didn't have effect on the determination of glucose. In the presence of 0.02 M chloride ion, the current signal of 0.2 mM glucose almost keeps unchanged at the sensor, revealing that this new sensor has high tolerance level to chloride ion. The sensor has been successfully applied to determine glucose in the serum samples and obtained consist results with conventional spectrometry

Tin-graphene tubes as anodes for lithium-ion batteries with high volumetric and gravimetric energy densities.

Limited by the size of microelectronics, as well as the space of electrical vehicles, there are tremendous demands for lithium-ion batteries with high volumetric energy densities. Current lithium-ion batteries, however, adopt graphite-based anodes with low tap density and gravimetric capacity, resulting in poor volumetric performance metric. Here, by encapsulating nanoparticles of metallic tin in mechanically robust graphene tubes, we show tin anodes with high volumetric and gravimetric capacities, high rate performance, and long cycling life. Pairing with a commercial cathode material LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2, full cells exhibit a gravimetric and volumetric energy density of 590 W h Kg-1 and 1,252 W h L-1, respectively, the latter of which doubles that of the cell based on graphite anodes. This work provides an effective route towards lithium-ion batteries with high energy density for a broad range of applications

CO 2 emission characteristics and reduction responsibility of industrial subsectors in China

Abstract(#br)Industrial subsectors have an important role in reducing China’s carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. The present study analyzes the CO 2 emission characteristics of selected subsectors. Results show that the electric and heat power sector is the major industrial CO 2 emitter, and CO 2 emissions of most sectors present huge inter-provincial and inter-regional differences. Then, the CO 2 emission reduction responsibility of provincial-level industrial subsectors is confirmed by the decoupling model. Results show that the development of a low-carbon economy in the nonmetal sector is ideal, and the economic growth in Shanxi and Guizhou is moving toward a low-carbon and energy-saving mode. Moreover, the subsectors that each province should focus on are identified. Finally, constructive suggestions for policymakers to promote low-carbon economy and sustainable development are provided

CO2 emission characteristics and reduction responsibility of industrial subsectors in China.

Industrial subsectors have an important role in reducing China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The present study analyzes the CO2 emission characteristics of selected subsectors. Results show that the electric and heat power sector is the major industrial CO2 emitter, and CO2 emissions of most sectors present huge inter-provincial and inter-regional differences. Then, the CO2 emission reduction responsibility of provincial-level industrial subsectors is confirmed by the decoupling model. Results show that the development of a low-carbon economy in the nonmetal sector is ideal, and the economic growth in Shanxi and Guizhou is moving toward a low-carbon and energy-saving mode. Moreover, the subsectors that each province should focus on are identified. Finally, constructive suggestions for policymakers to promote low-carbon economy and sustainable development are provided

Mesoporous crystalline Ti1-xSnxO2 (0 < x < 1) solid solution for a high-performance photocatalyst under visible light irradiation

We report a facile and effective inorganic polycondensation combined with aerosol-spray strategy towards high-performance photocatalyst by fabricating mesoporous Ti1-xSnxO2 (0 &lt; x &lt; 1) solid solution. Such Ti1-xSnxO2 nanocrystals with high Sn-doped contents are self-assembled into mesoporous spheres can effectively promote visible-light harvest and high quantum yield, leading a longer lifetime of the photoelectron-hole pairs and less recombination. Such the photocatalysts enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). The representative Ti0.9Sn0.1O2 and Ti0.8Sn0.2O2 compounds reach an optimum degradation of ≈50% and 70%, respectively, after 120 min irradiation under visible irradiation. The mesoporous Ti1-xSnxO2 solid solution could inhibit the recombination of electron-hole pairs, which promote reaction thermodynamics and kinetics for RhB degradation

H2AX Deficiency is Associated with Erythroid Dysplasia and Compromised Haematopoietic Stem Cell Function

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal disorders of haematopoiesis characterised by dysplastic changes of major myeloid cell lines. However, the mechanisms underlying these dysplastic changes are poorly understood. Here, we used a genetically modified mouse model and human patient data to examine the physiological roles of H2AX in haematopoiesis and how the loss of H2AX contributes to dyserythropoiesis in MDS. H2AX knockout mice showed cell-autonomous anaemia and erythroid dysplasia, mimicking dyserythropoiesis in MDS. Also, dyserythropoiesis was increased in MDS patients with the deletion of chromosome 11q23, where H2AX is located. Although loss of H2AX did not affect the early stage of terminal erythropoiesis, enucleation was decreased. H2AX deficiency also led to the loss of quiescence of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, which dramatically compromised their bone marrow engraftment. These results reveal important roles of H2AX in late-stage terminal erythropoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell function

The Protective Effect of Magnesium Lithospermate B on Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion via Inhibiting the Jak2/Stat3 Signaling Pathway

Acute inflammation is an important component of the pathogenesis of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI). Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) has strong neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects. The purpose of this study was to determine whether MLB had underlying protective effects against hepatic I/R injury and to reveal the potential mechanisms related to the hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we first examined the protective effect of MLB on HIRI in mice that underwent 1 h ischemia followed by 6 h reperfusion. MLB pretreatment alleviated the abnormal liver function and hepatocyte damage induced by I/R injury. We found that serum inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, were significantly decreased by MLB during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, suggesting that MLB may alleviate hepatic I/R injury via inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways. Second, we investigated the protein level of p-Jak2/Jak2 and p-Stat3/Stat3 using Western blotting and found that MLB could significantly inhibit the activation of the Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway, which was further verified by AG490 in a mouse model. Finally, the effect of MLB on the Jak2/Stat3 pathway was further assessed in an in vitro model of RAW 264.7 cells; 1 µg/ml LPS induced the secretion of inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, TNF-α, and activation of the Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway. MLB significantly inhibited the abnormal secretion of inflammatory factors and the activation of the Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, MLB was found for the first time to reduce inflammation induced by hepatic I/R via suppressing the Jak2/Stat3 pathway

DNA Dumbbell and Chameleon Silver Nanoclusters for miRNA Logic Operations

Multiplex miRNA analysis is a fundamental issue for exploring a complex biological system and early diagnosis of miRNA-related diseases. Herein, we have developed a series of novel logic gates for miRNA analysis coupling DNA nanostructures and chameleon silver nanoclusters (AgNCs). DNA dumbbell structures are firstly designed with two independent nucleation sequences for AgNCs at the 5′ and 3′ ends, respectively. By introducing different miRNA inputs, separations of two AgNCs are controlled and the fluorescence property of AgNCs changes. By studying the ratiometric fluorescence responses, sensitive and selective analysis of multiple miRNAs can be achieved. The present work provides powerful tools for miRNA diagnostics and may also guide future DNA nanostructure-based logic gates