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We report a new type of Au@TiO2-CdS ternary nanostructure by decorating CdS nanoparticles onto Au@TiO2 core-shell structures. In comparison to that of binary structures such as CdS-TiO2 and Au@TiO2, these ternary nanostructures exhibit a remarkably high photocatalytic H2-generation rate under visible-light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity is attributed to the unique ternary design, which builds up a transfer path for the photoexcited electrons of CdS to the core Au particles via the TiO2 nanocrystal bridge and thus effectively suppresses the electron-hole recombination on the CdS photocatalyst. This internal electron-transfer pathway (CdS → TiO2 → Au) eliminates the need for the postdeposition of the metal cocatalyst because the core Au nanoparticles can act as the interior active catalyst for proton reduction toward hydrogen evolution. We believe that our work demonstrates a promising way for the rational design of metal-semiconductor hybrid photocatalysts that can achieve a high photocatalytic efficiency for use in solar fuels production.

Objective To assess the effects of fetal-neonatal iron deficiency on recognition memory in early infancy. Perinatal iron deficiency delays or disrupts hippocampal development in animal models and thus may impair related neural functions in human infants, such as recognition memory. Study design Event-related potentials were used in an auditory recognition memory task to compare 2-month-old Chinese infants with iron sufficiency or deficiency at birth. Fetal- neonatal iron deficiency was defined two ways: high zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratio (ZPP/H > 118 μmol/mol) or low serum ferritin (< 75 μg/l) in cord blood. Late slow wave (LSW) was used to measure infant recognition of mother’s voice. Results ERP patterns differed significantly for fetal-neonatal iron deficiency as defined by high cord ZPP/H but not low ferritin. Comparing 35 infants with iron deficiency (ZPP/H > 118 μmol/mol) to 92 with lower ZPP/H (iron-sufficient), only infants with iron sufficiency showed larger LSW amplitude for stranger’s voice than mother’s voice in frontal-central and parietal-occipital locations, indicating the recognition of mother’s voice. Conclusions Infants with iron sufficiency showed electrophysiological evidence of recognizing their mother’s voice, whereas infants with fetal-neonatal iron deficiency did not. Their poorer auditory recognition memory at two months of age is consistent with effects of fetal-neonatal iron deficiency on the developing hippocampus.

WO3-x nanowires were successfully synthesized through a simple surfactant-free solvothermal method. These nanowires exhibit strong plasmonic absorption in the visible and near-infrared region owing to the abundant oxygen vacancies. The plasmon excitation of these WO3-x nanowires provide five times enhancement on the hydrogen generation from ammonia borane.

Neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are aging-associated diseases with irreversible damage of brain tissue. Oxidative stress is commonly detected in neurodegenerative diseases and related to neuronal injury and pathological progress. Exosome, one of the extracellular vesicles, is demonstrated to carry microRNAs (miRNAs) and build up a cell-cell communication in neurons. Recent research has found that exosomal miRNAs regulate the activity of multiple physiological pathways, including the oxidative stress response, in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we review the role of exosomal miRNAs and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. Firstly, we explore the relationship between oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. Secondly, we introduce the characteristics of exosomes and roles of exosome-related miRNAs. Thirdly, we summarized the crosstalk between exosomal miRNAs and oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. Fourthly, we discuss the potential of exosomes to be a biomarker in neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we summarize the advantages of exosome-based delivery and present situation of research on exosome-based delivery of therapeutic miRNA. Our work is aimed at probing and reinforcing the recognition of the pathomechanism of neurodegenerative diseases and providing the basis for novel strategies of clinical diagnosis and treatment.