Siyu Yang

While asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) have huge potential as efficient, durable, and cost-effective energy storage devices, they fail to meet expectations because of the unoptimized architecture and composition of their electrode materials. Herein, PPy/PANI@MoS2 (PPMS) ternary composites with a dual-channel structure are obtained by facile hydrothermal and in situ polymerization methods. These dual conductive channels synergistically improve the electrode’s electrical conductivity, facilitate ion diffusion, enlarge the interlayer distance, and increase the accessible surface area. Taking advantage of such a favorable architecture, PPMS composites exhibit outstanding electrochemical properties, including a huge specific capacitance (1171 F g–1 at 1 A g–1) and rate capability (861 F g–1 at 20 A g–1) in three-electrode systems. Based on charge storage mechanism analyses, we demonstrate that the kinetic behavior of PPMS electrodes is dominated by the surface capacitance (95.9% at 100 mV s–1). Besides, PPMS-based ASCs (PPMS//activated carbon) operate in a broad voltage window (1.8 V), delivering an ultrahigh energy density of 93.4 Wh kg–1 at a power density of 884.8 W kg–1. They also show a superior cycling stability of 90.4% and a remarkable Coulombic efficiency of 99.2% for 10,000 cycles. This work affords an inspiration for rational structural optimization of PANI-based electrode materials with great prospects in the development of next-generation high energy density ASCs.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents worldwide. Identification of novel therapeutic targets and development of targeted drugs are one of the most feasible strategies for OS treatment. Ferroptosis, a recently discovered mode of programmed cell death, has been implicated as a potential strategy for cancer therapy. Sulforaphane (SFN), the main bioactive compound derived from cruciferous vegetables, has shown potential anti-cancer effects with negligible toxicity. However, the role of ferroptosis in the effect of SFN on OS remains unknown. In the present study, we found that SFN acted as a potent ferroptosis inducer in OS, which was demonstrated by various inhibitors of cell death. The SFN-induced ferroptotic cell death was characterized by elevated ROS levels, lipid peroxidation, and GSH depletion, which was dependent on decreased levels of SLC7A11. Mechanically, SFN directly targeted p62 protein and enhanced p62/SLC7A11 protein-protein interaction, thereby promoting the lysosomal degradation of SLC7A11 and triggering ferroptosis. Notably, both subcutaneous and intratibial OS models in nude mice confirmed the ferroptosis associated anti-cancer efficacy of SFN in vivo. Hence, our findings demonstrate that SFN exerts its anti-cancer effects through inducing SLC7A11-dependent ferroptosis in OS, providing compelling evidence for the application of SFN in OS treatment.

Tebuconazole is a widely used fungicide for various crops that targets sterol 14-α-demethylase (CYP51) in fungi. However, attention has shifted to aromatase (CYP19) due to limited research indicating its reproductive impact on aquatic organisms. Herein, zebrafish were exposed to 0.5 mg/L tebuconazole at different developmental stages. The proportion of males increased significantly after long-term exposure during the sex differentiation phase (0–60, 5–60, and 19–60 days postfertilization (dpf)). Testosterone levels increased and 17β-estradiol and cyp19a1a expression levels decreased during the 5–60 dpf exposure, while the sex ratio was equally distributed on coexposure with 50 ng/L 17β-estradiol. Chemically activated luciferase gene expression bioassays determined that the male-biased sex differentiation was not caused by tebuconazole directly binding to sex hormone receptors. Protein expression and phosphorylation levels were specifically altered in the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway despite excluding the possibility of tebuconazole directly interacting with kinases. Aromatase was selected for potential target analysis. Molecular docking and aromatase activity assays demonstrated the interactions between tebuconazole and aromatase, highlighting that tebuconazole poses a threat to fish populations by inducing a gender imbalance.

Hydrogels have attracted widespread attention in anticounterfeiting due to their unique physical/chemical properties and designability. However, hydrogels' poor mechanical properties and sluggish response to chemical stimuli pose challenges for their wide application. A fluorescent tough organohydrogel capable of freeform writing of information is reported in this work. By incorporation of the fluorescent monomer 7-methylacryloxy-4-methylcoumarin into the polyacrylamide network in a covalently cross-linked manner while intertwining with the carboxymethyl cellulose sodium network, a fluorescent tough organohydrogel with a dual-network structure is prepared. The organohydrogel shows acid-base-mediated adjustable fluorescence through the transformation of fluorescent monomers. Ion printing and electrical stimulation design achieved free information storage and encryption. In addition, the prepared organohydrogel has good antifreezing properties and can be encrypted and decrypted at subzero temperatures. The encrypted information in the organohydrogel can be read only after UV-light irradiation. These patterned fluorescent organohydrogels should find applications in protected message displays for improved information security.