The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (Nlrp) 6 maintains gut microbiota homeostasis and regulates antibacterial immunity. We now report a role for Nlrp6 in the control of enteric virus infection. Nlrp6−/− and control mice systemically challenged with encephalomyocarditis virus had similar mortality, however, the gastrointestinal tract of Nlrp6−/− mice exhibited increased viral loads. Nlrp6−/− mice orally infected with encephalomyocarditis virus had increased mortality and viremia compared to controls. Similar results were observed with murine norovirus 1. Nlrp6 bound viral RNA via the RNA helicase Dhx15 and interacted with Mavs to induce type I/III interferons (IFNs) and IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). These data demonstrate that Nlrp6 functions with Dhx15 as a viral RNA sensor to induce ISGs, and this effect is especially important in the intestinal tract.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is emerging as an important gasotransmitter but remains difficult to study. Here we report a novel two-photon fluorescent probe with NIR emission for H2S detection. It was successfully used to realize H2S imaging in bovine serum, living cells, tissues as well as in living mice.

Aqueous batteries with zinc metal anodes are promising alternatives to Li-ion batteries for grid storage because of their abundance and benefits in cost, safety, and nontoxicity. However, short cyclability due to zinc dendrite growth remains a major obstacle. Here, we report a cross-linked polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based cation exchange membrane that is low cost and mechanically robust. Li 2 S 3 reacts with PAN, simultaneously leading to cross-linking and formation of sulfur-containing functional groups. Hydrolysis of the membrane results in the formation of a membrane that achieves preferred cation transport and homogeneous ionic flux distribution. The separator is thin (30 μm-thick), almost 9 times stronger than hydrated Nafion, and made of low-cost materials. The membrane separator enables exceptionally long cyclability (>350 cycles) of Zn/Zn symmetric cells with low polarization and effective dendrite suppression. Our work demonstrates that the design of new separators is a fruitful pathway to enhancing the cyclability of aqueous batteries.

A novel route has been developed for surfactant-free synthesis of highly fluorescent gold quantum dots (GQDs) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The as-prepared GQDs show instinctive fluorescence and good solubility in water. The formation mechanism and functionalization of GQDs were investigated by UV-vis spectra, fluorescence excitation and emission spectra, mass spectra, and TEM observation. Ligand-dependent optical properties of functionalized GQDs were found to be dramatically different. The approach provides a facile method of functionalization of bare GQDs for further applications, such as fluorescent biolabels, energy transfer units, and light-emitting devices.