Search

Glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) dysfunction plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) has been demonstrated to be involved in the development of DKD. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study investigated the role of TRPC6 in GMC dysfunction and the related mechanism. Diabetic rats and cultured GMCs were used in the experiment. The diabetic rat model was created by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Protein and mRNA levels were assessed by Western blotting and quantitative RT–PCR, respectively. Histological changes in the kidneys were observed by immunochemistry and hematoxylin and eosin. TRPC6 knockdown was achieved by adenovirus-mediated TRPC6 shRNA delivery in vivo and TRPC6 siRNA transfection in vitro. TRPC6 expression was increased in diabetic rat kidneys. Knockdown of TRPC6 attenuated diabetes-induced kidney functional deterioration. In addition, the increases in extracellular matrix components, including collagen IV, collagen I, and fibronectin production, as well as NFAT2 expression were also suppressed. In cultured GMCs, high glucose (25 mM, HG) treatment increased the expression of TRPC6. Knockdown of TRPC6 alleviated HG-induced increases in collagen IV, fibronectin, and NFAT2 expression. Knockdown of NFAT2 also inhibited the upregulation of proteins, including collagen IV and fibronectin, in HG-treated GMCs. These results demonstrate that inhibition of TRPC6/NFAT2 signaling attenuates GMC dysfunction and the development of DKD and suggest that pharmacological targeting of TRPC6/NFAT2 in GMCs may provide beneficial effects for DKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three organic-inorganic hybrid materials, namely [RE(H2O)3K(H2O)2 (pddc)2]2H4[SiW12O40]·2H2O (RE = Pr (1), Nd (2); H2pddc = 3,4-pyridine dicarboxylic acid) and [Y(pzdc)(H2O)3]2H2[SiW12O40]·4H2O (3) (H2pzdc = 2,3-pyrazine dicarboxylic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, UV spectra, TG analyses and X-ray crystallography. Single crystal X-ray analyses reveal that 1-3 all exhibit 2D layer structures. Interestingly, 1 and 2 are isostructural differenting from 3. In 3, the polyoxoanions [SiW12O40]4- connect the rare earth cations [Y(pzdc)(H2O)3]2C via Y-O bonds forming a (4, 4)-connected 2D topology net with Schl€afli symbol of 32.62.72. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent breathable polyurethane (PU) that is easily allowable for vapor transmission at critical temperature would have significant implication for numerous applications; however, fabrication of such materials has proven to be tremendously challenging. Herein, we reported novel breathable polyurethane material covalently modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). When an optimal amount of CNTs (0.5 wt%) was added, the resultant PU film presented high waterproofness with hydrostatic pressure up to 10.9 kPa, as well as enhanced mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 22.2 kPa and elongation at break of 990%. This smart PU film has a significant increase in water vapor transmission rate between 18°C (1400 g/(m2·d)) and 38°C (3440 g/(m2·d)). The type of intelligent polyurethane material is a promising candidate for applications in areas such as protective clothing, separator media, and wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We successfully designed and developed a new strategy for synthesizing an energetic material, poly(3,3ʹ-bisazidomethyl oxetane) (PBAMO), by microwave assistance, which dramatically shortened the reaction time and improved the safety of the synthetic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using hydroxylated carbon nanotubes (CNT-OH) as a crosslinking agent, covalently modified CNT/3,3′-bisazidomethyloxetane-3-azidomethyl-3′-methyloxetane (BAMO-AMMO) thermoset polyurethane elastomers with different CNT-OH content were prepared, and their structure and performance were analyzed. At a CNT-OH mass fraction of 1.0 wt%, the elongation ratio was 380% and the tensile strength was measured to be as high as 10.4 MPa, which is an 82.5% improvement compared to traditional trimethylolethane (TME)/BAMO-AMMO energetic binders. The measured onset decomposition temperature (i.e., the temperature with 5% weight loss) was 236°C, which is 7°C higher than that of corresponding TME/BAMO-AMMO energetic binders. Furthermore, the identified glass transition temperature (Tg) was −34°C. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Eu(III)–Sr(II)–K(I) and Tb(III)–Sr(II)–K(I) heterotrimetallic metal-organic frameworks with 2,4,6-pyridinetricarboxylic acid have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The complexes are isomorphic and both in triclinic space groupP-1. The ligands bond with three metal ions with two coordination modes. One connects seven metal ions and the other connects eight metal ions. IR spectra, thermal analysis, and photoluminescent properties have been studied. The results display strong characteristic emissions of Eu(III) or Tb(III) ions with excitation of ultraviolet radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Four transition metal complexes with Schiff base and 1,10-phenanthroline, [Cu(L)(phen)]2·C2H5OH (1), [Zn(L)(phen)]2·C2H5OH (2), [Ni(L)(phen)]2·C2H5OH (3), and [Co(L)(phen)]2·C2H5OH (4) (H2L = 1-((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical methods. The crystal structure of1was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis.1crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupPbcawitha = 15.008(9),b = 16.100(10),c = 37.54(2) Å,V = 9070(10) Å3,Z = 8,GOOF = 1.002,R1 = 0.0626, andwR2 = 0.0912. The fluorescence and urease inhibitory activities of the compounds were tested. The enzymatic activity study indicated that3possessed potent inhibition againstjack beanurease, with IC50 = 1.2 ± 0.1 μM, and about 35 times more than 42.1 ± 0.4 acetohydroxamic acid as positive reference. This suggests that inhibitory efficiency of these complexes can be strongly influenced by different transition metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three coordination polymers, [Ag4(bpy)3(pztc)] n (1), {[Ag6(bpy)2(pztc)(CN)2] · 2.6H2O} n (2), and {[Ag2(H2pdtc)(bpy)2] · 3H2O} n (3) (H4pztc = pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid, H4pdtc = pyridine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, UV spectra, fluorescent spectra, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 displays a 3-D network with infinite channels of about 6.4 × 3.1 Å2 along the a-axis. The structure of 1 can be simplified as a 3,4,4-connected framework. Complex 2 displays a 3-D network and can be simplified as a 6,6-connected pcu framework. Complex 3 shows a 1-D chain structure and the chains form a 2-D layer structure by hydrogen bonds. Complexes 1–3 emit intense fluorescence at around 500 nm on excitation at 340 nm, 320 nm, and 340 nm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of the decadentate ligand tpmen (H4tpmen = N,N,N'N'-tetrakis[(6-carboxypyridin-2-yl)methyl]ethylenediamine) with MnCl2·4H2O in aqueous solution gives a homodinuclear complex [Mn2(H2O)2(tpmen)]·16H2O, which has been characterized by elemental analysis, thermal gravimetric and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group Cmca, a = 28.786(5) Å, b = 11.5033(19) Å, c = 14.437(2) Å, Z = 8, R1 = 0.0432, wR2 = 0.0786. The tpmen ligand contains four picolinate groups, two of which bind each Mn(II) to form a dinuclear complex. The geometry around the Mn(II) is distorted octahedral with two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms from the picolinate groups and two oxygen atoms from coordinated water. The variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibilities shows an antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn(II) ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]