No abstract

No abstract

Obesity has become an extensive threat to human health due to associated chronic inflammation and metabolic diseases. Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) is a critical link between inflammasome and apoptosis-inducing proteins. In this study, we aimed to clarify the role of ASC in lipid metabolism. With high-fat diet (HFD) and knockout leptin gene mice (ob/ob), we found that ASC expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) correlated with obesity. It could also positively regulate the reprogramming of cellular energy metabolism. Stromal vascular fractions (SVF) cells derived from the SAT of Asc−/− mice or SVF from wild-type (WT) mice transfected with ASC siRNA were used to further investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found ASC deficiency could lead to lipogenesis and inhibit lipolysis in SAT, aggravating lipid accumulation and impairing metabolic balance. In addition, our results showed that p53 and AMPKα expression were inhibited in SAT when ASC level was low. p53 and AMP-activated protein kinase α (AMPKα) were then assessed to elucidate whether they were downstream of ASC in regulating lipid metabolism. Our results revealed that ASC deficiency could promote lipid accumulation by increasing lipogenesis and decreasing lipolysis through p53/AMPKα axis. Regulation of ASC on lipid metabolism might be a novel therapeutic target for obesity.

No abstract

As one of the fastest-growing cathode materials, Nickel-rich layered cathode material has dained much attention in the “next-generation” Li-ion batteries (LIBs) owning to the high specific energy, high operating potential, and long cycling life. However, it still encounters a number of obstacles before realization of the improvement of poor cycle stability and structural defects. In an effort to investigate the obvious advantages of eco-friendly and low-cost W doping cathode material on the crystalline morphology and electrochemical properties, LiNi0.65-xCo0.15Mn0.20WxO2 (x=0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%) was synthesized by hydroxide coprecipitation and calcination crystallization method. When the amount of W is 1.0% molar ratio, the initial discharge capacity reaches 216.55 mAh/g and achieves a capacity retention of 95.95% after 100 cycles with the operation voltage of 2.7-4.4 V at 1 C. The reliable results show that the primary particle size via the appropriate W-doped content become significantly smaller which can effectively consolidate the stability of the crystal cathode material and improve the recycling performance evidently. In addition, the element of W was detected in the lattice of the crystal particle, which bring about somewhat increase of lattice spacing and expands the Li+ diffusion channels during charge/ discharge cycles.