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Chiral conjugated polymer has promoted the development of the efficient circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) device, nevertheless, it remains a challenge to develop chiral polymers with high electroluminescence performance. Herein, by the acceptor copolymerization of axially chiral biphenyl emitting skeleton and benzophenone, a pair of axially chiral conjugated polymers namely R‐PAC and S‐PAC are synthesized. The target polymers exhibit obvious thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) activities with high photoluminescence quantum yields of 81%. Moreover, the chiral polymers display significant circularly polarized luminescence features, with luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) of nearly 3 × 10−3. By using the chiral polymers as emitters, the corresponding circularly polarized organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐OLEDs) exhibit efficient CPEL signals with electroluminescence dissymmetry factor |gEL| of 3.4 × 10−3 and high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 17.8%. Notably, considering both EQEmax and |gEL| comprehensively, the device performance of R‐PAC and S‐PAC is the best among all the reported CP‐OLEDs with chiral conjugated polymers as emitters. This work provides a facile approach to constructing chiral conjugated TADF polymers and discloses the potential of axially chiral conjugated luminescent skeletons in architecting high‐performance CP‐OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic helical π‐conjugated skeleton makes helicenes highly promising for circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL). Generally, carbon helicenes undergo low external quantum efficiency (EQE), while the incorporation of a multi‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) BN structure has led to an improvement. However, the reported B,N‐embedded helicenes all show low electroluminescence dissymmetry factors (gEL), typically around 1×10−3. Therefore, the development of B,N‐embedded helicenes with both a high EQE and gEL value is crucial for achieving highly efficient CPEL. Herein, a facile approach to synthesize B,N‐embedded hetero[9]helicenes, BN[9]H, is presented. BN[9]H shows a bright photoluminescence with a maximum at 578 nm with a high luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) up to 5.8×10−3, attributed to its inherited MR‐TADF property and intrinsic helical skeleton. Furthermore, circularly polarized OLED devices incorporating BN[9]H as an emitter show a maximum EQE of 35.5 %, a small full width at half‐maximum of 48 nm, and, more importantly, a high |gEL| value of 6.2×10−3. The Q‐factor (|EQE×gEL|) of CP‐OLEDs is determined to be 2.2×10−3, which is the highest among helicene analogues. This work provides a new approach for the synthesis of higher helicenes and paves a new way for the construction of highly efficient CPEL materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic helical π‐conjugated skeleton makes helicenes highly promising for circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL). Generally, carbon helicenes undergo low external quantum efficiency (EQE), while the incorporation of a multi‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) BN structure has led to an improvement. However, the reported B,N‐embedded helicenes all show low electroluminescence dissymmetry factors (gEL), typically around 1×10−3. Therefore, the development of B,N‐embedded helicenes with both a high EQE and gEL value is crucial for achieving highly efficient CPEL. Herein, a facile approach to synthesize B,N‐embedded hetero[9]helicenes, BN[9]H, is presented. BN[9]H shows a bright photoluminescence with a maximum at 578 nm with a high luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) up to 5.8×10−3, attributed to its inherited MR‐TADF property and intrinsic helical skeleton. Furthermore, circularly polarized OLED devices incorporating BN[9]H as an emitter show a maximum EQE of 35.5 %, a small full width at half‐maximum of 48 nm, and, more importantly, a high |gEL| value of 6.2×10−3. The Q‐factor (|EQE×gEL|) of CP‐OLEDs is determined to be 2.2×10−3, which is the highest among helicene analogues. This work provides a new approach for the synthesis of higher helicenes and paves a new way for the construction of highly efficient CPEL materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tight sandstones of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation are important gas reservoirs in the western part of the Sichuan Basin, China. However, their diagenesis and the factors controlling diagenetic processes are poorly constrained. The petrological and geochemical nature of diagenetic minerals of the Xujiahe sandstone reservoirs was analysed from 105 core samples of three wells in the Xinchang Gas Field. The lower member, Xu‐2, sandstones have an average framework composition of Q65F16R19, and 47% of the total lithic fragments are volcanic rock fragments (VRFs). In contrast, the upper member, Xu‐4, sandstones have an average framework composition of Q53F0R47 with a near absence of feldspar and VRFs. The main phase of carbonate cementation in the Xu‐2 sandstones is mesogenetic ferroan dolomite, whereas in the Xu‐4 sandstones, it is intergranular poikilotopic calcite. A fair amount (0.97% in bulk rock and 29% in clay fraction) of authigenic kaolinites appear in the Xu‐4 sandstones, but they are completely absent in the Xu‐2 sandstones. The observed textural occurrence of kaolinites, in combination with the positive relationship between δ13C and δ18O in the calcite cements, suggests that meteoric water flushed the Xu‐4 sandstones, resulting in the dissolution of feldspar to a negligible amount. Quartz cementation is more extensive (1.4 vol%) in the Xu‐2 sandstones than in the Xu‐4 sandstones (0.4 vol%). The fluid inclusions within the quartz cements in the Xu‐2 sandstones have a higher homogenization temperature interval (84–217°C) than those in the Xu‐4 sandstones (81–147°C), indicating that quartz cementation continued to affect the Xu‐2 sandstones during deep burial but ceased relatively early in the Xu‐4 sandstones. High‐intensity chlorite authigenesis, feldspar overgrowth, and albitization occur only in the Xu‐2 sandstones, suggesting that the source of these sandstones was primarily from the alteration of VRFs during late‐stage diagenesis. These clear variations in diagenetic features between the Xu‐2 and Xu‐4 members were most likely controlled by the significant variations in their depositional environments (marine vs. non‐marine) and in the original framework compositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant invasions can alter the behaviour and performance of native herbivorous insects because the insects are evolutionarily naïve to the novel plants. An ecological trap results when native insects prefer invasive plants over their native hosts but suffer reduced fitness on the invaders. Although such traps are predicted to occur frequently, given the prevalence of invasive plants, empirical support for ecological traps and their underlying mechanisms remains sparse.We examined the potential for the invasive plant Spartina alterniflora to act as an ecological trap for the native moth Laelia coenosa, which previously fed mainly on the indigenous plant Phragmites australis in a Chinese saltmarsh. We surveyed Laelia egg densities on Spartina and Phragmites in the field, and determined adult oviposition preference and offspring development on the two plant species. To investigate the causes of adult preference and offspring performance patterns, we compared resource abundance in the field, plant‐odour attractiveness and leaf nutritional and defensive traits between Spartina and Phragmites.We found that Laelia egg density and female preference for ovipositing were higher on Spartina than Phragmites. However, performance of offspring was poorer on Spartina than Phragmites. Spartina dominated a larger area and had greater leaf biomass than Phragmites in the field, and volatile odours released by Spartina were more attractive to Laelia females than those released by Phragmites. Although leaf C, C:P ratio and terpenoid content did not differ significantly between the two plant species, Spartina leaves were tougher and more waxy, had lower N and had higher concentrations of alkaloids and phenolics than Phragmites leaves.Synthesis. Our data suggest that invasive Spartina can create an ecological trap for the native insect Laelia. This trap appears to result from environmental cues (resource availability and leaf odours) that attract the herbivore to the plant, but do not reliably predict the dietary qualities (nutrition and defences) that negatively affect herbivore offspring performance. These findings reveal an important negative effect of plant invasions on resident herbivores and highlight the roles of resource availability and plant traits at different life stages of the insect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simple hydrothermal self‐assembly of metal ions, 5,5′‐(4,5‐dicarboxy‐1,2‐phenylene)bis(oxy)diisophthalic acid (L1'), and N2H4·H2O at pH = 8 (adjusted by oxalic acid) created two new acylhydrazinetetracarboxylate‐extended 3‐D Sr2+ and Ba2+ coordination polymers [Sr2(HL1)(H2O)] (H5L1 = 5,5′‐(1,4‐dioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrophthalazine‐6,7‐diyl)bis(oxy)diisophthalic acid) 1 and [Ba5(HL1)2(ox)(H2O)2]·6H2O·N2H4 (ox = oxalate) 2. H5L1 originated from the in situ acylation of L1′ with N2H4. X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction analysis reveals that (i) the 3‐D network of 1 is based on a rod‐like secondary building unit (SBU), which can be described as an alternate arrangement of two types of dinuclear Sr‐O clusters; (ii) the 3‐D network of 2 is also based on a rod‐like SBU. The different is that the SBU for 2 can be described as an alternate arrangement of a kind of trinuclear cluster and a kind of tetranuclear cluster. Both 1 and 2 emit blue light. With regard to their good photoluminescence properties, their trinitrophenol (TNP) sensing ability was investigated. The results indicate that both can selectively detect TNP. The quenching constants Ksv are calculated to be 3.21 × 104m–1 for 1 and 2.98 × 104m–1 for 2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Four-port bimanual vitrectomy is a surgical technique that facilitates removal of epiretinal membranes in severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). As the illumination is held by the assistant through the fourth scleral incision, fibrovascular membranes are removed by bimanual manipulation techniques. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four-port bimanual 23-gauge vitrectomy for patients with tractional retinal detachment (TRD) in severe PDR. Design Retrospective, comparative, consecutive, interventional case series. Methods Sixty-six eyes of 58 consecutive patients who underwent primary vitrectomy for severe diabetic TRD. Thirty-six eyes of 31 cases that were treated with four-port 23-gauge vitrectomy were compared with 30 eyes of 27 cases that were treated with 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal status, intraocular pressure, and incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications with at least 6 months of follow-up. Results The primary and ultimate anatomic success rates (94.4% versus 93.3%, and 100% in both groups, respectively) and the mean BCVA changes did not differ significantly between groups. The whole surgical time and the membrane removal time were significantly (p < 0.001, respectively) shorter in the four-port 23-gauge group than in the 23-gauge group. There was no difference in the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications in both groups. Conclusions Four-port bimanual 23-gauge vitrectomy offers comparable anatomic success and shortens the surgical time compared with conventional 23-gauge PPV in patients with TRD resulting from severe PDR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of soluble receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells ( sRCAS1) and carcinoembryonic antigen ( CEA) in lung cancer patients with malignant pleural effusion ( MPE) and benign pleural effusion ( BPE). Methods Pleural effusion samples from 118 patients were classified on the basis of diagnosis as MPE ( n = 60) and BPE ( n = 58). The concentration of sRCAS1 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CEA levels were also determined in all patients. Results Of 60 MPE patients, 50 had sRCAS1 > 9.7 U/mL and 54 had CEA > 5.5 ng/mL. The concentration of both sRCAS1 and CEA in MPE was significantly higher compared with that in BPE ( P < 0.01 in both cases). With a cutoff point of 9.7 U/mL, sRCAS1 had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 91.4% for differential diagnosis. The combined detection of sRCAS1 and CEA had a sensitivity of 98.3% and a specificity of 96.6% to distinguish MPE from BPE. Conclusion The combined detection of sRCAS1 and CEA may be more valuable in the differential diagnosis between MPE and BPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell wall is the first physical barrier to aluminum (Al) toxicity. Modification of cell wall properties to change its binding capacity to Al is one of the major strategies for plant Al resistance; nevertheless, how it is regulated in rice remains largely unknown. In this study, we show that exogenous application of putrescines (Put) could significantly restore the Al resistance of art1, a rice mutant lacking the central regulator Al RESISTANCE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 1 (ART1), and reduce its Al accumulation particularly in the cell wall of root tips. Based on RNA‐sequencing, yeast‐one‐hybrid and electrophoresis mobility shift assays, we identified an R2R3 MYB transcription factor OsMYB30 as the novel target in both ART1‐dependent and Put‐promoted Al resistance. Furthermore, transient dual‐luciferase assay showed that ART1 directly inhibited the expression of OsMYB30, and in turn repressed Os4CL5‐dependent 4‐coumaric acid accumulation, hence reducing the Al‐binding capacity of cell wall and enhancing Al resistance. Additionally, Put repressed OsMYB30 expression by eliminating Al‐induced H2O2 accumulation, while exogenous H2O2 promoted OsMYB30 expression. We concluded that ART1 confers Put‐promoted Al resistance via repression of OsMYB30‐regulated modification of cell wall properties in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is one of the most destructive pathogens in marine fish aquaculture and is capable of infecting more than 50 fish species worldwide, which resulted in great economic losses. Effective drugs for managing NNV infection are urgently required. Medicinal plants have been known for thousands of years and benefit of medicinal plants against pathogens in aquaculture have emerged. Nowadays, the most commonly used method for detecting virus infection and assessing antiviral drugs efficacy is reverse transcription‐quantitative real‐time PCR. However, the application is limited on account of high reagent costs, complex time‐consuming operations and long detection time. Aptamers have been widely applied in application of pathogens or diseases diagnosis and treatments because of high specificity, strong affinity, good stability, easy synthesized and low costs. This study aimed to establish an aptamer (GBN34)‐based high‐throughput screening (GBN34‐AHTS) model for efficient selection and evaluation of natural ingredients against NNV infection. GBN34‐AHTS is an expeditious rapid method for selecting natural ingredients against NNV, which is characterized with high‐speed, dram, sensitive and accurate. AHTS strategy could reduce work intensity and experimental costs and shorten the whole screening cycle of effective ingredients. AHTS should be suitable for rapid selection of effective ingredients against other viruses, which is important for improving the prevention and controlling of aquatic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is associated with various inflammatory diseases involving bone loss, and is expressed along with its receptor by bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM), which are osteoclast (OC) precursors. To investigate the role of MCP-1 in bone remodeling, we compared MCP-1-knockout (KO) mice with wild-type (WT) mice. The absence of MCP-1 increased bone mass and lowered serum collagen type I fragments (CTX-1) and TRACP 5b, but had no significant effect on the N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, suggesting that OCs are primarily responsible for the bone phenotype observed in the absence of MCP-1. MCP-1 deficiency resulted in reduced numbers and activity of OCs in vitro. It also led to a reduced level of c-Fms and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB receptor and impaired actin ring formation. Activation of ERK, Akt, Rac1, and Rho upon M-CSF stimulation was also reduced and our evidence suggests that the aberrant actin ring formation was partly due to reduced activation of these molecules. Our findings point to a role of osteoclast MCP-1 in regulating bone remodeling. The higher bone mass in the femurs of MCP-1-KO mice could be, at least in part, due to decreased osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption resulting from aberrant M-CSF signaling in OCs. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1619-1627, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, a diverse array of smart materials, drawing inspiration from nature, is developed, exhibiting remarkable shape or color‐changing capabilities, which hold great promise in applications such as bionic soft robots and information encryption platforms. Achieving reversible shape‐shifting and color variation harmoniously within a single material is a particularly appealing prospect. Herein, a facile approach to creating such materials is presented, capable of undergoing reversible shape and color‐change synchronously. This is achieved by harnessing the stress‐free two‐way shape‐memory effect (2W‐SME) of a liquid crystal elastomer (LCE), meticulously programmed at both macro and micro scales. Specifically, the LCE with stress‐free 2W‐SME is fabricated, and permanent grating nanostructures are meticulously constructed through UV‐assisted nanoimprinting. By enabling reversible shape alterations at multiple dimensions, encompassing both macro and micro scales, the LCE material concurrently exhibits reversible changes in shape and color, triggered by heat. As a result, intelligent information encryption and decryption platforms that leverage the unique capabilities of LCE are demonstrated. The outcomes of this research endeavor are poised to pave the way for the advancement of smart materials in the realms of data storage and encryption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium oxide has great potential in the development of battery technology. However, there are several key flaws, such as low rate performance and poor cyclic stability, that require urgent attention for such material. In view of these challenges, this work proposes a strategy to optimize the interlayer spacing of vanadium oxide framework so as to improve its electrochemical performance. In this work, vanadium‐oxide is modified with small molecules as molecular pillars, and through this method the as‐prepared NH4V4O10 is able to exhibit a larger interlayer spacing of 9.6 Å. This expanded interlayer spacing is particularly advantageous as it allows host material to accommodate more Zn2+ and to facilitate their migration. The as‐assembled Zn//NH4V4O10 (denoted as NVO) is able to deliver a capacity of 430 mAh g−1 at current density of 1 A g−1. A good cyclic retention of 85 % is achieved for Zn//NVO after deep cycling for 2000 cycles at 1 A g−1. Thus, based on the collective results, introducing small molecules into the interlayer spacing could be an advantageous strategy in improving the performance of the electrode effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large quantities of saddle dolomite, dolomite, calcite, celestite, fluorite, barite, quartz, and pyrite occur as fracture fillings in the fourth member of the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation in the Yuanba area, northeast Sichuan. They were found either as single mineral or mineral assemblages. The properties, origin, and evolution of the fluids from which these fracture fillings were precipitated were studied using a variety of methods, including polarized light microscopy, cathodoluminescence microscopy, fluid inclusions, and stable isotope analysis. Homogenization temperatures of the liquid–gas inclusions trapped within the dolomite ranged from 112 to 138 °C. Based on this temperature range and the oxygen isotope data, the δ18O values of the fluids from which the dolomite precipitated were determined to be between −5‰ and 7‰ (Standard Mean Ocean Water). The study suggests that the fracture‐filling dolomite, ubiquitous in the fourth member of the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation in the study area, was produced from high‐temperature, high‐salinity brines. These brines were interpreted to have originated from the mixtures of hot brines trapped in rock formations and hydrothermal fluids from deep sources and to have become enriched in strontium during diagenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review: 153 refs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Red pepper seeds account for 450-500 g kg−1 of the total pepper weight and are often discarded as waste. In this study, process optimization and characterization of fragrant oil from roasted red pepper seed extracted by subcritical butane extraction were carried out. RESULTS The optimal conditions of extraction were a temperature of 74.61 °C, a time of 68.65 min and a liquid/solid ratio of 30.24:1. The oil had a refractive index (25 °C) of 1.471, a relative density of 0.900, an acid value of 1.421 mg g−1 oil, an iodine value of 127.035 g per 100 g, a saponification value of 184.060 mg KOH g−1, an unsaponifiable matter content of 12.400 g kg−1, a peroxide value of 2.465 meq. O2 kg−1 and a viscosity of 52.094 cP. The main fatty acids in the oil were linoleic acid (72.95%) followed by palmitic acid (11.43%) and oleic acid (10.00%). The oil showed desirable thermal and oxidative stability. A total of 19 volatile compounds, mostly aldehydes and alkenes, were identified from the oil. CONCLUSION The results indicated that the method is appropriate for the preparation of fragrant red pepper seed oil, and the oil is suitable for used as edible oil. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is one of the preferred materials for researchers to design smart flexible sensors or devices due to its excellent chain flexibility as well as the unique features of transparency, nontoxicity, and biocompatibility. To fulfill the requirement of the service safety and long‐term application, the development of healable PDMS‐based substrates is booming. However, it is still a big challenge to develop PDMS elastomers with good healing performance, high strength, high stretchability, and high toughness simultaneously. Herein, a healable, recyclable, and highly stretchable PDMS‐based elastomer is prepared by incorporating different supramolecular interactions including π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding into the matrix. This elastomer is fabricated via a one‐pot polycondensation reaction among bis(3‐aminopropyl)‐terminated PDMS , functional monomer pyrene diol and 1,6‐diisocyanatohexane. The mechanical properties and self‐healing properties can be easily tuned by varying the density of π–π stacking to hydrogen bonding. The resultant elastomer exhibits very high strength and high stretchability with a fracture strength of 7.46 MPa and fracture strain of 2174%, and it achieves nearly complete self‐healing (96%) at 110 °C for 1 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated 4‐like (NEDD4L), a member of the E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligases, encoded by NEDD4L gene, was found to be involved in in salt sensitivity by regulating sodium reabsorption in salt‐sensitive rats. The authors aimed to explore the associations of NEDD4L genetic variants with salt sensitivity, blood pressure (BP) changes and hypertension incidence in Chinese adults. Participants from 124 families in Northern China in the Baoji Salt‐Sensitive Study Cohort in 2004, who received the chronic salt intake intervention, including a 7‐day low‐salt diet (3.0 g/day) and a 7‐day high‐salt diet (18 g/day), were analyzed. Besides, the development of hypertension over 14 years was evaluated. NEDD4L single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs74408486 was shown to be significantly associated with systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to low‐salt diet, while SNPs rs292449 and rs2288775 were significantly associated with pulse pressure (PP) response to high‐salt diet. In addition, SNP rs4149605, rs73450471, and rs482805 were significantly associated with the longitudinal changes in SBP, DBP, MAP, or PP at 14 years of follow‐up. SNP rs292449 was significantly associated with hypertension incidence over the 14‐year follow‐up. Finally, this gene‐based analysis found that NEDD4L was significantly associated with longitudinal BP changes and the incidence of hypertension over the 14‐year follow‐up. This study indicated that gene polymorphism in NEDD4L serve an important function in salt sensitivity, longitudinal BP change and development of hypertension in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Digit ratio, especially the second‐to‐fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), is a proxy indicator for prenatal exposure and sensitivity to sexual hormones which may influence the susceptibility to certain cancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is a possible association between 2D:4D and gastric cancer (GCA) in north Chinese women. Methods: Photographs of the left and right hands of 167 women (controls: 113; patients: 54) were collected. Left hand, right hand, and right minus left hand (Dr‐l) 2D:4D were analyzed and compared. Results: The GCA group presented significantly lower 2D:4D than controls (left: P < .01; right: P < .05). No significant difference was observed in Dr‐l between the two groups. In patients, there were no correlations between 2D:4D and age at GCA or tumor staging. Conclusions: Decreased 2D:4D (especially of the left hand) may suggest a higher prenatal testosterone (lower prenatal estrogen) exposure in north Chinese women with GCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A potentially pentadentate hydrazone ligand, N′-[1-(pyrazin-2-yl)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazide (H L), was prepared from the condensation reaction of nicotinohydrazide and acetylpyrazine. Reactions of H L with MnCl2, Mn(CH3COO)2 and Cd(CH3COO)2 afforded three metal complexes, namely dichlorido{ N′-[1-(pyrazin-2-yl-κ N1)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazide-κ2 N′, O}manganese(II), [MnCl2(C12H11N5O)], (I), bis{ N′-[1-(pyrazin-2-yl-κ N1)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato-κ2 N′, O]manganese(II), [Mn(C12H10N5O)2], (II), and poly[[(acetato-κ2 O, O′){μ3- N′-[1-(pyrazin-2-yl-κ2 N1: N4)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato-κ3 N′, O: N1}cadmium(II)] chloroform disolvate], {[Cd(C12H10N5O)(CH3COO)]·2CHCl3} n, (III), respectively. Complex (I) has a mononuclear structure, the MnII centre adopting a distorted square-pyramidal coordination. Complex (II) also has a mononuclear structure, with the MnII centre occupying a special position ( C2 symmetry) and adopting a distorted octahedral coordination environment, which is defined by two O atoms and four N atoms from two N′-[1-(pyrazin-2-yl)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidate ( L−) ligands related via a crystallographic twofold axis. Complex (III) features a unique three-dimensional network with rectangular channels, and the L− ligand also serves as a counter-anion. The coordination geometry of the CdII centre is pentagonal bipyramidal. This study demonstrates that H L, which can act as either a neutral or a mono-anionic ligand, is useful in the construction of interesting metal-organic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain energetics disturbance is a hypothesized cause of depression. Glucose is the predominant fuel of brain energy metabolism; however, the cell‐specific change of glucose metabolism and underlying molecular mechanism in depression remains unclear. In this study, we firstly applied 18F‐FDG PET and observed brain glucose hypometabolism in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of corticosterone‐induced depression of rats. Next, astrocytic glucose hypometabolism was identified in PFC slices in both corticosterone‐induced depression of rats and cultured primary astrocytes from newborn rat PFC after stress‐level corticosterone (100 nM) stimulation. Furthermore, we found the blockage of glucose uptake and the decrease of plasma membrane (PM) translocation of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in astrocytic glucose hypometabolism under depressive condition. Interestingly, thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), a glucose metabolism sensor and controller, was found to be over‐expressed in corticosterone‐stimulated astrocytes in vivo and in vitro. High TXNIP level could restrict GLUT1‐mediated glucose uptake in primary astrocytes in vitro. Adeno‐associated virus vector‐mediated astrocytic TXNIP over‐expression in rat medial PFC suppressed GLUT1 PM translocation, consequently developed depressive‐like behavior. Conversely, TXNIP siRNA facilitated GLUT1 PM translocation to recover glucose hypometabolism in corticosterone‐exposed cultured astrocytes. Notably, astrocyte‐specific knockdown of TXNIP in medial PFC of rats facilitated astrocytic GLUT1 PM translocation, showing obvious antidepressant activity. These findings provide a new astrocytic energetic perspective in the pathogenesis of depression and, more importantly, provide TXNIP as a promising molecular target for novel depression therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corin, a transmembrane serine protease that can cleave pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (Pro-ANP) into smaller bioactive molecule atrial natriuretic peptide, has been shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy. We sought to examine the associations of corin genetic variations with salt sensitivity, blood pressure (BP) changes and hypertension incidence. We studied participants of the original Baoji Salt-Sensitive cohort, recruited from 124 families from seven Chinese villages in 2004 who sequentially received a usual baseline salt diet, a 7-day low salt diet (3 g/day) and a 7-day high salt diet (18 g/day), respectively. They were followed up for 8 years (in 2009, 2012) to evaluate the development of hypertension. Corin SNP rs3749584 was significantly associated with diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) response to low-salt diet, while rs4695253, rs17654278 were associated with pulse pressure (PP) response to low-salt diet. SNPs rs4695253, rs12509275, rs2351783, rs2271036, rs2271037 were significantly associated with systolic BP (SBP), DBP, and MAP responses to high-salt diet. In addition, SNPs rs12641823, rs6834933, rs2271036, and rs22710367 were significantly associated with the longitudinal changes in SBP, DBP, MAP, or PP over 8 years of follow-up. SNP rs73814824 was significantly associated with the incidence of hypertension over 8 years. Gene-based analysis showed that corin gene was significantly associated with longitudinal BP changes and hypertension incidence after 8-year follow-up. This study suggests that corin may play a role in salt sensitivity, BP progression, and development of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uromodulin, also named Tamm Horsfall protein, have been associated with renal function and sodium homeostasis regulation. The authors sought to examine the effects of salt intake on plasma and urinary uromodulin levels and the association of its genetic variants with salt sensitivity in Chinese adults. Eighty patients from our natural population cohort were maintained sequentially either on a usual diet for 3 days, a low-salt diet (3.0 g) for 7 days, and a high-salt diet (18.0 g) for an additional 7 days. In addition, the authors studied 514 patients of the Baoji Salt-Sensitive Study, recruited from 124 families who received the same salt intake intervention, and investigated the association of genetic variations in uromodulin gene with salt sensitivity. Plasma uromodulin levels were significantly lower on a high-salt diet than on a baseline diet (28.3 ± 4.5 vs. 54.9 ± 8.8 ng/ml). Daily urinary excretions of uromodulin were significantly decreased on a high-salt diet than on a low-salt diet (28.7 ± 6.7 vs. 157.2 ± 21.7 ng/ml). SNPs rs7193058 and rs4997081 were associated with the diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to the high-salt diet. In addition, several SNPs in the uromodulin gene were significantly associated with pulse pressure (PP) response to the low-salt intervention. This study shows that dietary salt intake affects plasma and urinary uromodulin levels and that uromodulin may play a role in the pathophysiological process of salt sensitivity in the Chinese populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the major opportunistic pathogen to both marine animals and humans, Vibrio alginolyticus (V. alginolyticus) has caused heavy economic losses to mariculture. ssDNA aptamer VA2 targeting live V. alginolyticus was generated by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) technology in our previous study. In this study, we first developed aptamer (VA2)‐based enzyme‐linked apta‐sorbent assay (VA2‐ELASA) for rapid detection of mariculture pathogen V. alginolyticus. The VA2‐ELASA could achieve the rapid detection for V. alginolyticus infection with high specificity and sensitivity. The VA2‐ELASA could specifically identify V. alginolyticus, but not other non‐target bacterial strains. VA2‐ELASA could detect V. alginolyticus at the concentration of 5 × 104/ml, the incubation time short to 1 min and the incubation temperature as high as 45°C, which proved sensitivity and stability of the novel VA2‐ELASA in this study. It took less than one hour to accomplish the detection process by VA2‐ELASA. The characteristics of specificity, sensitivity and easy operation make VA2‐ELASA a novel useful technology for the rapid diagnosis of pathogen V. alginolyticus in mariculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel molecular model of connecting electron‐donating (D) and electron‐withdrawing (A) moieties via a space‐enough and conjugation‐forbidden linkage (D‐Spacer‐A) is proposed to develop efficient non‐doped thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. 10‐(4‐(4‐(4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl) phenoxy) phenyl)‐9,9‐dimethyl‐9,10‐dihydroacridine (DMAC‐o‐TRZ) was designed and synthesized accordingly. As expected, it exhibits local excited properties in single‐molecule state as D‐Spacer‐A molecular backbone strongly suppress the intramolecular charge‐transfer (CT) transition. And intermolecular CT transition acted as the vital radiation channel for neat DMAC‐o‐TRZ film. As in return, the non‐doped device exhibits a remarkable maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 14.7 %. These results prove the feasibility of D‐Spacer‐A molecules to develop intermolecular CT transition TADF emitters for efficient non‐doped OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel molecular model of connecting electron‐donating (D) and electron‐withdrawing (A) moieties via a space‐enough and conjugation‐forbidden linkage (D‐Spacer‐A) is proposed to develop efficient non‐doped thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. 10‐(4‐(4‐(4,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl) phenoxy) phenyl)‐9,9‐dimethyl‐9,10‐dihydroacridine (DMAC‐o‐TRZ) was designed and synthesized accordingly. As expected, it exhibits local excited properties in single‐molecule state as D‐Spacer‐A molecular backbone strongly suppress the intramolecular charge‐transfer (CT) transition. And intermolecular CT transition acted as the vital radiation channel for neat DMAC‐o‐TRZ film. As in return, the non‐doped device exhibits a remarkable maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 14.7 %. These results prove the feasibility of D‐Spacer‐A molecules to develop intermolecular CT transition TADF emitters for efficient non‐doped OLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multistimuli-responsive shape-memory polymers are highly desirable in various applications, and numerous modes have been developed in recent years. However, most of them need to reprogram before they are ready to respond to another stimulus while one is triggered. Here, a new strategy is developed to achieve dual-stimuli-responsive triple-shape memory with non-overlapping effect in one programming cycle. Here, a series of poly( l-lactide)-poly(tetramethylene oxide) glycol copolymers (PLA-PTMEG-A) is prepared by selected dangling photoresponsive anthracene moieties on the crystalline PTMEG backbone. The architectures of the copolymers are well-controlled in order to keep a good balance between the crystallinity of the soft segment and the mobility of the anthracene moieties. Thus, PLA-PTMEG-A's can respond to heat and light with non-overlapping effect. The thermally-induced shape-memory effect (TSME) is realized by the crystallization-melting transition of PTMEG soft segments, while the light-induced shape-memory effect (LSME) is achieved by the reversible photodimerization of anthracene groups. In view of the non-overlapping effect of TSME and LSME in the copolymers, a triple-shape-memory effect triggered by dual-stimuli is realized in one programming and recovery cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary aims of this study were to determine the effects of lifelong exercise and detraining on age-related alterations in mitochondrial function, inflammation associated with senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and lipolysis in the perirenal fat and liver of rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: young control (n = 12), old control (n = 12), detraining (n = 12), and lifelong exercise (n = 12). We then investigated mitochondrial function, SASP-associated inflammation, and lipolysis in the perirenal fat and liver using qRT-PCR and western blotting to assess the expression of AKT, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), c-jun kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK). In the tissues of both the perirenal fat and liver, lifelong exercise significantly improved mitochondrial function, SASP-associated inflammation, and lipolysis. Meanwhile, pathways associated with inflammatory regulation were inhibited, predominantly via the activation of phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT) and suppression of HIF-1α in both tissues, and via JNK in the perirenal fat and p38MAPK in the liver. Furthermore, detraining activated NF-κB expression in both tissues and induced the upregulation of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. Collectively, lifelong exercise was found to exert beneficial effects by ameliorating age-related alterations in mitochondrial function, SASP-associated inflammation, and lipolysis in perirenal fat and liver tissues, potentially inhibiting inflammation via the JNK and p38 MAPK pathways, respectively, as well as the HIF-1α and AKT pathways in both tissues. In contrast, detraining induced high levels of circulating hsCRP by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway in both tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have indicated that Tec tyrosine kinase is differentially expressed in the regenerating liver. The purpose of the present study was to further investigate the potential involvement of Tec tyrosine kinase in hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration. Methods: Tec kinase gene expression after partial (two-thirds) hepatectomy was examined by representational difference analysis. Tissue distribution and potential involvement of Tec kinase in liver regeneration and hepatocyte proliferation were then determined by northern blotting, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), and western blotting. Full-length rat Tec cDNA was cloned. Results: Using this cDNA as the probe, northern blotting showed that Tec was specifically expressed in liver and kidney, the highest expression of Tec being detected in embryonic day 15–19 fetal livers. In contrast, the expression level of Tec in adult and neonatal rat livers was significantly decreased. Similar results were obtained from western blotting analyzes. It was thus hypothesized that Tec might be involved in hepatocyte proliferation. To test this hypothesis, Tec expression was examined in regenerating rat livers. An increase in Tec expression and activation of Tec kinase were observed within 1 h after partial hepatectomy. Moreover, it has been shown that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) dramatically induces Tec expression in primary rat hepatocytes. Additionally, it was observed that Tec gene expression in serum-starved liver tumor cell line HepG2 was substantially decreased. Stimulation with 10% fetal bovine serum and insulin but not epidermal growth factor resulted in dramatic elevation of Tec expression in these cells. Conclusion: Tec is an inducible early response gene that might enhance hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the field of shape memory polymers (SMPs) has developed rapidly, it is still highly challenging to obtain SMPs in the form of aerogels (SMPAs) due to the unique technique used for the fabrication of the aerogels and their high porosity. Herein, a thermally induced SMPA based on chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (CS/PEGDA) semi‐interpenetrating networks is reported that are produced using an eco‐friendly strategy. The main network is responsible for the shape memory effect (SME) and can be easily tuned by varying the feed ratio of the two PEGDA precursors, which have different molecular weights. The crystalline segment in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) with higher molecular weight acts as the molecular switch, and the PEGDA with lower molecular weight endows the network with an efficient degree of crosslinking. Meanwhile, the chitosan (CS) is interpenetrated into the main network to enhance the aerogel. The SME is realized both at the macroscale and the microscale, as is further demonstrated for three different models with various shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new diterpenoids, anthogonoid A (I) and antsimplexin A (II), are isolated together with the structurally related and already known klysimplexin G. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]