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Due to the synergistic effect of the rapid transfer of photo-generated electrons and enrichment of reactive active sites, reasonably assembling dual cocatalysts with semiconductor is considered as an excellent method to enhance the photocatalytic properties of semiconductors. Herein, earth-abundant Co 9 S 8 and Ni 2 P dual cocatalysts modified-ZnIn 2 S 4 (ZIS/CS/NP) composite photocatalyst has been constructed by the low-temperature solvothermal and in-situ photodeposition methods. A series of characterizations indicate the hollow structure of Co 9 S 8 can reduce the charge transfer distance and enhance the migration of photo-generated electrons, while Ni 2 P acts as an electron collector and provides sufficient active sites for H 2 release in this dual cocatalysts system. Because of the synergistic effect of dual cocatalysts, ZIS/CS/NP composites exhibit superior activity in the photocatalytic H 2 production compared to blank ZIS, ZIS/CS and ZIS/NP. Notably, the optimal photocatalytic H 2 production rate of ZIS/CS/NP reaches 6823.64 μmol g−1 h−1, which is approximately 86 times higher that of blank ZIS. This work is expected to provide useful reference for the construction of high-performance dual-cocatalyst modified semiconductor composite for photocatalytic H 2 evolution. The ZnIn 2 S 4 /Co 9 S 8 /Ni 2 P composite photocatalyst was synthesized through low-temperature solvothermal and in-situ photodeposition methods to achieve efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. In this dual cocatalysts system, the hollow structure of Co 9 S 8 can reduce the charge transfer distance and enhance the migration of photo-generated electrons of ZnIn 2 S 4 , while Ni 2 P acts as an electron collector and provides sufficient active sites for H 2 release. [Display omitted] • ZnIn 2 S 4 /Co 9 S 8 /Ni 2 P ternary composite has been synthesized. • ZnIn 2 S 4 /Co 9 S 8 /Ni 2 P exhibits superior performance in photocatalytic H 2 evolution. • Co 9 S 8 and Ni 2 P dual cocatalysts are rationally utilized. • Dual cocatalysts synergistically enhance transfer of electrons and enrichment of active sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SCIRI) can cause dramatic neuron loss and lead to paraplegia in patients. In this research, the role of mGluR5, a member of the metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) family, was investigated both in vitro and in vivo to explore a possible method to treat this complication. In vitro experiment, after activating mGluR5 via pretreating cells with (RS)-2-Chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) and 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide (CDPPB), excitotoxicity induced by glutamate (Glu) was attenuated in primary spinal cord neurons, evidenced by higher neuron viability, decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and less detected TUNEL-positive cells. According to Western Blot (WB) results, Glu treatment resulted in a high level of large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channels, with activation relying on the mGluR5-IP3R (inositol triphosphate) pathway. In vivo part, a rat model of SCIRI was built to further investigate the role of mGluR5. After pretreating them with CHPG and CDPPB, the rats showed markedly lower spinal water content, attenuated motor neuron injury in the spinal cord of L4 segments, and better neurological function. This effect could be partially reversed by paxilline, a blocker of BK channels. In addition, activating BK channels alone using specific openers: NS1619 or NS11021 can protect spinal cord neurons from injury induced by either SCIRI or Glu. In conclusion, in this research, we proved that mGluR5 exerts a protective role in SCIRI, and this effect partially works via IP 3 R-mediated activation of BK channels. • In vitro experiment, activating mGluR5 using CHPG and CDPPB, attenuated excitotoxity of primary spinal cord neurons induced by glutamate (Glu), evidenced by the deceased cell viability and LDH release and less TUNEL positive cells. • A high level of large conductance Ca2+-, and voltage-activated K+ (BK) channels activation was observed after Glu treatment, and this phenomenon relied on mGluR5-IP 3 R pathway. • In vivo part, rats, which underwent molding of SCIRI, showed lower spinal water content, attenuated normal motor neuron injury in the spinal cord of L4 segments and better neurological function after pre-treating them with CHPG and CDPPB, and this effect could be reversed by paxilline. • No matter in vivo or vitro, activating BK channels alone via administration of specific openers: NS1619 or NS11021, could protect spinal cord neurons from injury induced by either SCIRI or Glu. • In conclusion, in this research, we prove that mGluR5 exerts protective role in SCIRI, and this effect partially works via IP 3 R-mediated activation of BK channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since occupational exposure to acrylamide (ACR) may cause nerve damage, sensitive biomarkers to evaluate the early effects of ACR on human health are needed. In the present study, we have compared a group of individuals with occupational exposure to ACR (contact group, n = 65) with a group of individuals with no exposure (non-contact group, n = 60). Serum metabolomics analysis of the contact and non-contact groups was carried out using ultra performance liquid chromatograph/time of flight mass spectrometry, combined with multivariate analysis, to identify potential metabolites. Serum biochemical indexes of the contact and non-contact groups were also determined using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. There was a clear separation between the contact group and the non-contact group; receiver operator characteristic curve analysis suggested that phytosphingosine, 4 E ,15 Z -bilirubin IXa and tryptophan were the best metabolites to use as biomarkers. Liver function was also found to be abnormal in the contact group. Important, ACR-related, metabolic changes were seen in the contact group and new biomarkers for assessing the toxicity of ACR on the central nervous system have been proposed. This study will provide a sound basis for exploring the toxic mechanisms and metabolic pathways of ACR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Explore global reactivity analysis on the molecular surface and obtain data results. • Perform local reactivity analysis on the surface of molecules and get visual results. • Analyze reactivity of methyl esters with different chain lengths and monounsaturation. Methyl ester is the main component of biodiesel, which plays a crucial role in constructing chemical kinetic models for the combustion. The carbon chain length and the degree of unsaturation have a significant influence on the molecular properties and reactivity of methyl esters. In this study, to explore the difference in chain length and reactive sites of methyl esters, the quantum chemical approach is used to examine the chemical reaction sites of methyl butyrate, methyl crotonate, methyl heptanoate, and methyl enanthate. Based on density functional theory, the structure of the four methyl ester molecules is optimized under the M06-2X method, and the global reactivity (including molecular electrostatic surface potential, frontier molecular orbital) and local reactivity (including Fukui function, charge, and natural bond orbital) are analyzed. At the same time, the visualization results are also obtained. The results show that the reactive sites of saturated methyl ester occur in the structure of the ester group, and the reactive sites of methyl crotonate occur on the ester group and the double bond. Further, the reactivity of methyl crotonate is stronger than that of the three saturated methyl esters. As the carbon chain grows, the reactivity of saturated methyl esters gradually increases. Overall, the results provide a theoretical basis for revealing the different structural properties of methyl esters and subsequent chemical kinetic calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]