Sulfide-based MOF material modification of separators: enhancing performance of lithium-sulfur batteries by suppressing shuttle effect

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are extensively studied owing to their high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, the shuttle effect of lithium-sulfur batteries hinders their development. In this study, we obtained a modified separator to inhibit the shuttle effect through physical and chemical adsorption. The CoS2 nanosheets (CSNS) derived from a cobalt-based metal-organic framework (Co-MOF) were synthesized by a simple two-step method involving hydrothermal sulfurization and thermal decomposition. The material was then coated onto a Polypropylene (PP) separator using vacuum filtration and assembled into a LSB for systematic testing and research of its electrochemical performance and mechanism. Thanks to the intrinsic polarity of the CSNs and more active sites brought by the Co-MOF material, the modified separator has strong chemical adsorption and catalytic effects on polysulfides, anchoring and accelerating their conversion. When using the CSNs-PP separator, the LSB achieved a high initial capacity of 1002.4 mAh g−1 at 1 C, with only a 0.099% decay per cycle after 500 cycles. The modified separator effectively alleviating the shuttle effect, reducing internal resistance, weakening reaction polarization, and improving the specific capacity, stability, and reversibility of the battery.</p

Flow chart of study selection.

<p>Flow chart of study selection.</p

All four included studies estimated the relationship between OS and <i>RUNX3</i> methylation/expression.

<p>The pooled HR for OS showed that decreased <i>RUNX3</i> expression was associated with worse survival in esophageal cancer, HR = 4.31, 95% CI = 2.57–7.37, P<0.00001.</p

Association of Promoter Methylation of <i>RUNX3</i> Gene with the Development of Esophageal Cancer: A Meta Analysis

<div><p>Background</p><p>Runt-related transcription factor 3 (<i>RUNX3</i>) is a member of the runt-domain family of transcription factors. Emerging evidence indicates that RUNX3 is a tumor suppressor gene in several types of human cancers including esophageal cancer. However, the association between <i>RUNX3</i> promoter methylation and esophageal cancer remains unclear. Here we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the effects of <i>RUNX3</i> promoter methylation on the incidence of esophageal cancer.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A detailed literature search was made on Medline, Pubmed and Web of Science for related research publications written in English and/or Chinese. Methodological quality of the studies was also evaluated. The data were extracted and assessed by two reviewers independently. Analysis of pooled data were performed, the odds ratios (OR) were calculated and summarized respectively.</p><p>Results</p><p>Final analysis of 558 patients from 9 eligible studies was performed. The result showed that <i>RUNX3</i> methylation was significantly higher in esophageal cancer than in normal squamous mucosa from the proximal resection margin or esophageal benign lesions (OR = 2.85, CI = 2.01–4.05, P<0.00001). The prevalence of lymph node involvement, tumor size (T1–T2 vs T3–T4) and histological grade was significantly greater in <i>RUNX3</i>-negative cases (<i>RUNX3</i> unmethylated groups) than in <i>RUNX3</i>-positive cases (OR = 0.25, CI = 0.14–0.43, P<0.00001). <i>RUNX3</i> methylation was significantly higher in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) than Barrett’s esophagus (OR = 0.35, CI = 0.20–0.59, P<0.0001). In addition, the pooled HR for overall survival (OS) showed that decreased <i>RUNX3</i> expression was associated with worse survival in esophageal cancer (HR = 4.31, 95% CI = 2.57–7.37, P<0.00001).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The results of this meta-analysis suggest that <i>RUNX3</i> methylation is associated with an increased risk, progression as well as worse survival in esophageal cancer. <i>RUNX3</i> methylation, which induces the inactivation of <i>RUNX3</i> gene, plays an important role in esophageal carcinogenesis.</p></div

The pooled OR from 6 studies including 347 esophageal cancers and 246 normal squamous mucosa OR = 2.85, CI = 2.01–4.05, P<0.00001.

<p>The pooled OR from 6 studies including 347 esophageal cancers and 246 normal squamous mucosa OR = 2.85, CI = 2.01–4.05, P<0.00001.</p

The funnel plots were largely symmetric suggesting there were no publication biases in the meta-analysis of <i>RUNX3</i> methylation/expression and clinicopathological features as well as overall survival respectively.

<p>The funnel plot from 6 studies comparing esophageal cancers and normal squamous mucosa (A). The funnel plot from 4 studies in determining <i>RUNX3</i> hypermethylation in advanced stage (T3–T4) and early stage (T1–T2) (B). The funnel plot from 2 studies in determining <i>RUNX3</i> hypermethylation in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) (C). The funnel plot from 4 studies in determining the relationship between <i>RUNX3</i> hypermethylation and overall survival (OS) in esophageal cancer (D).</p

<i>RUNX3</i> methylation significantly higher in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) than Barrett’s esophagus (BE), OR = 0.35, CI = 0.20–0.59, P<0.0001.

<p><i>RUNX3</i> methylation significantly higher in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) than Barrett’s esophagus (BE), OR = 0.35, CI = 0.20–0.59, P<0.0001.</p

Forest plot of odds ratio (OR) in 263 patients pooled in 4 studies in serum/cancer tissues DNA from advanced stage, including tumor size (T1–T2 vs T3–T4), lymph node involvement, lymph and blood vessels metastasis, and recurrence in esophageal carcinomas.

<p>The prevalence of lymph node involvement, tumor size (T1–T2 vs T3–T4) and histological grade was significantly greater in <i>RUNX3</i>-negative cases (<i>RUNX3</i> unmethylated group) than in <i>RUNX3</i>-positive cases, OR = 0.25, CI = 0.14–0.43, P<0.00001.</p

Controlled Crystallization of Carbon-blended Prussian Blue Analogs for Advanced Sodium-Ion Batteries

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) are a potential choice for cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. However, their electrochemical performance is hindered by intrinsic structural vacancies and weak electronic conductivity, resulting in a reduced reversible capacity, multiplicative ability, and cycle stability. Herein, the carbon-blended Na2CoFe(CN)6 (COHCF@C) prepared by a controlled crystallization method displays improved electrochemical characteristics. With 70% residual capacity after 200 cycles, the reversible specific capacity of the COHCF@C is 123 mAh g–1 at 1 C. Furthermore, the COHCF@C also exhibits higher structural stability in aqueous electrolytes. Based on experimental results, this enhancement can be attributed to the introduction of carbon, slowing down the crystallization process and resulting in higher crystallinity. Additionally, the reduced water content leads to fewer defects, which improves the utilization of active sites. Overall, the finding provides an experimental basis and theoretical guidance for the application of PBA cells

Detction of the expression of Lmx1α by western blot.

<p>Lane 1, was loaded with the cell lysis infected with Ad-Lmx1α. Lane 2, was loaded with the medium infected with Ad-Lmx1α. Lane 3, was loaded with the cell lysis from control hUC-MSCs. Lane 4, was loaded with the medium from control hUC-MSCs.</p