Comparison of Different Buffers for Protein Extraction from Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Specimens

<div><p>We determined the best extraction buffer for proteomic investigation using formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens. A Zwittergent 3–16 based buffer, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing buffer with/without polyethylene glycol 20000 (PEG20000), urea-containing buffer, and FFPE-FASP protein preparation kit were compared for protein extraction from different types of rat FFPE tissues, including the heart, brain, liver, lung, and kidney. All of the samples were divided into two groups of laser microdissected (LMD) and non-LMD specimens. For both kinds of specimens, Zwittergent was the most efficient buffer for identifying peptides and proteins, was broadly applicable to different tissues without impairing the enzymatic digestion, and was well compatible with mass spectrometry analysis. As a high molecular weight carrier substance, PEG20000 improved the identification of peptides and proteins; however, such an advantage is limited to tissues containing submicrograms to micrograms of protein. Considering its low lytic strength, urea-containing buffer would not be the first alternative for protein recovery. In conclusion, Zwittergent 3–16 is an effective buffer for extracting proteins from FFPE specimens for downstream proteomics analysis.</p></div

MS results from FFPE samples using five different extraction buffers.

<p>(a) When comparing the three SDS-containing extraction buffers (buffers 2, 3, 4), the number of unique identified proteins from the heart FFPE specimens was highest in the buffer 2 group. (b) When comparing the Zwittergent-containing buffer, the most efficient SDS-containing buffer (buffer 2), and the urea-containing buffer, the number of unique identified proteins from the heart FFPE specimen was highest in the Zwittergent-containing buffer group. (c) Total protein iBAQ of the Zwittergent-containing buffer was significantly lower than that of buffers 2 and 3, and was higher than that of buffers 4 and 5.</p

Comparison of the electrophoretic patterns of proteins extracted from the kidney FFPE sample using different buffers.

<p>a, extraction buffer 1; b, extraction buffer 4; c, extraction buffer 3; d, extraction buffer 5; e, extraction buffer 2.</p

Workflow of the current study.

<p>Workflow of the current study.</p

Comparison of proteins identified using five different extraction buffers after LMD/MS analysis.

<p>*: Extraction buffers 2–5 compared to extraction buffer 1.</p><p>Comparison of proteins identified using five different extraction buffers after LMD/MS analysis.</p

Uniform MnCo₂O₄ Porous Dumbbells for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Oxygen Evolution Reactions

Three-dimensional (3D) binary oxides with hierarchical porous nanostructures are attracting increasing attentions as electrode materials in energy storage and conversion systems because of their structural superiority which not only create desired electronic and ion transport channels but also possess better structural mechanical stability. Herein, unusual 3D hierarchical MnCo₂O₄ porous dumbbells have been synthesized by a facile solvothermal method combined with a following heat treatment in air. The as-obtained MnCo₂O₄ dumbbells are composed of tightly stacked nanorods and show a large specific surface area of 41.30 m² g^–1 with a pore size distribution of 2–10 nm. As an anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the MnCo₂O₄ dumbbell electrode exhibits high reversible capacity and good rate capability, where a stable reversible capacity of 955 mA h g^–1 can be maintained after 180 cycles at 200 mA g^–1. Even at a high current density of 2000 mA g^–1, the electrode can still deliver a specific capacity of 423.3 mA h g^–1, demonstrating superior electrochemical properties for LIBs. In addition, the obtained 3D hierarchical MnCo₂O₄ porous dumbbells also display good oxygen evolution reaction activity with an overpotential of 426 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^–2 and a Tafel slope of 93 mV dec^–1

Nanorod-Nanoflake Interconnected LiMnPO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C Composite for High-Rate and Long-Life Lithium-Ion Batteries

Olivine-type structured LiMnPO₄ has been extensively studied as a high-energy density cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, preparation of high-performance LiMnPO₄ is still a large obstacle due to its intrinsically sluggish electrochemical kinetics. Recently, making the composites from both active components has been proven to be a good proposal to improve the electrochemical properties of cathode materials. The composite materials can combine the advantages of each phase and improve the comprehensive properties. Herein, a LiMnPO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite with interconnected nanorods and nanoflakes has been synthesized via a one-pot, solid-state reaction in molten hydrocarbon, where the oleic acid functions as a surfactant. With a highly uniform hybrid architecture, conductive carbon coating, and mutual cross-doping, the LiMnPO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite manifests high capacity, good rate capability, and excellent cyclic stability in lithium-ion batteries. The composite electrodes deliver a high reversible capacity of 101.3 mAh g^–1 at the rate up to 16 C. After 4000 long-term cycles, the electrodes can still retain 79.39% and 72.74% of its maximum specific discharge capacities at the rates of 4C and 8C, respectively. The results demonstrate that the nanorod-nanoflake interconnected LiMnPO₄·Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃/C composite is a promising cathode material for high-performance lithium ion batteries

Nanoflake-Assembled Hierarchical Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃@C Microspheres for Ultrafast and Highly Durable Sodium Storage

The Na superionic conductor (NASICON)-type Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) is considered a potential commercial cathode for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) owing to its distinctive open 3D framework. However, NVP exhibits an unsatisfactory capacity at high rates and long-cycle instability due to its poor intrinsic conductivity. Herein, hierarchical flower-like NVP microspheres are synthesized via solvothermal reactions and subsequent annealing. The microsphere surface is coated with a dense and highly conductive carbon layer through the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The cathode demonstrates exceptional cycling stability, maintaining a discharge capacity of 84.3 mA h g–1 over 10 000 cycles at 40 C. Despite functioning as an anode, it maintains a 55.9 mA h g–1 discharge capacity at 10 C, demonstrating remarkable stability with negligible capacity degradation even after undergoing approximately 2000 cycles. Additionally, the symmetrical NVP-based full battery displays a discharge capacity of 63.2 mA h g–1 at 4 C even after 200 stable cycles. It is evident that this study further accelerates the development of electrodes for ultrafast and highly durable SIBs

Presentation_1_Electrospun Single Crystalline Fork-Like K2V8O21 as High-Performance Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.pdf

<p>Single crystalline fork-like potassium vanadate (K₂V₈O₂₁) has been successfully prepared by electrospinning method with a subsequent annealing process. The as-obtained K₂V₈O₂₁ forks show a unique layer-by-layer stacked structure. When used as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the as-prepared fork-like materials exhibit high specific discharge capacity and excellent cyclic stability. High specific discharge capacities of 200.2 and 131.5 mA h g⁻¹ can be delivered at the current densities of 50 and 500 mA g⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, the K₂V₈O₂₁ electrode exhibits excellent long-term cycling stability which maintains a capacity of 108.3 mA h g⁻¹ after 300 cycles at 500 mA g⁻¹ with a fading rate of only 0.043% per cycle. The results demonstrate their potential applications in next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries.</p