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BACKGROUND: The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) seriously harms the environment and human health. The prevention and control of VOC pollution is a major challenge in the research field. Aiming at VOC pollution treatment using green solvents, the absorption of trichloromethane by synthesized tributyl(propyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([P4443] [Tf2N]), tributyl(propyl)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate ([P4443] [BF4]), tributyl(propyl)phosphonium trifluoroacetic acid ([P4443] [CF3COO]) and xylene by trioctyl(propyl)phosphonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([P8883] [Tf2N]) and trioctyl(propyl)phosphonium tetrafluoroborate ([P8883] [BF4]) were experimentally measured. The mechanism of trichloromethane and xylene absorption by phosphonium‐based ionic liquids (PILs) with different anions was further discussed through simulation calculation. RESULTS: PILs process excellent absorption capacity, such as [P4443] [CF3COO], with static saturation absorbing capacity up to 2.843 g g−1 for trichloromethane. PILs have a certain selective absorption ability for xylene, which has the highest absorption for o‐xylene, reaching 1.462 g g−1. The absorption energy data also prove that [CF3COO]− anion preferentially interacts with trichloromethane. Combined with the most stable structures of VOCs absorbed by PILs, the results of the Mulliken charge and frontier molecular orbitals indicate that PIL anions play a major role in chlorinated alkanes, and form hydrogen bonds with them. In addition, the cation can form CH···π bond interaction with xylene. CONCLUSION: The experimental and calculated results showed that PILs are a promising adsorbent for trichloromethane and xylene. The study provides a reference for PILs designed to deal with VOCs in the future. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of iRoot BP Plus on receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and inflammation‐mediated bone resorption in vivo and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Methodology: CCK‐8 was performed to test cell viability in RANKL‐induced RAW 264.7 cells and BMDMs in response to iRoot BP Plus. The effect of iRoot BP Plus on osteoclastogenesis was determined using TRAP staining and phalloidin staining, respectively. Pit formation assay was conducted to measure osteoclast resorptive capacity. Western blot and qPCR were performed to examine osteoclast‐related proteins and gene expression, respectively. Western blot was also used to investigate the signalling pathways involved. For in vivo experiments, an LPS‐induced mouse calvarial bone resorption model was established to analyse the effect of iRoot BP Plus on bone resorption (n = 6 per group). At 7 days, mouse calvaria were collected and prepared for histological analysis. Results: We identified that iRoot BP Plus extracts significantly attenuated RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis, reduced sealing zone formation, restrained osteolytic capacity and decreased osteoclast‐specific gene expression (p <.01). Mechanistically, iRoot BP Plus extracts reduced TRAF6 via proteasomal degradation, then suppressed the phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), blocked the nuclear translocation of c‐Fos and diminished nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) p65 and NFATc1 accumulation. Consistent with the in vitro results, iRoot BP Plus extracts attenuated osteoclast activity thus protecting against inflammatory bone resorption in vivo (p <.05), which was accompanied by a suppression of TRAF6, c‐Fos, NFATc1 and cathepsin K expression. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights into the signalling mechanisms underlying nanoparticulate bioceramic putty‐mediated bone homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Heavy oil has the characteristics of high viscosity and low American Petroleum Institute gravity, which makes it difficult to transport and produce. The key to efficiently utilizing heavy oil is reducing viscosity and improving quality. Hydroconversion has the advantages of viscosity reduction and decreased coke production, but it is difficult to separate nonmagnetic catalysts from the reaction system, which affects the industrial application. RESULTS: A spherical Fe3O4 (74.71 emu g−1) and a chain FeFe2O3 (110 emu g−1) were prepared as magnetic cores, and coated with SiO2 and Al2O3 layers, respectively. The metal‐supported catalyst modified with Co and Ni show irregular and honeycomb‐shaped surfaces, and the magnetic saturation strength decreases to 24.91 and 14.63 emu g−1, but still possessing superparamagnetic properties, enabling the catalysts to be separated from the reaction mixture. Fe‐Fe2O3@SiO2@Al2O3@CoNi catalyst has the best viscosity reduction effect for Canadian oil sands asphalt residue at about 410 °C and 10 MPa hydrogen pressure. The viscosity of the liquid product decreased significantly from 56 600 to 135 mPa s at 50 °C, with a viscosity reduction of 99.8%. CONCLUSION: Magnetic catalyst prepared from chain‐like Fe‐Fe2O3 has an excellent honeycomb structure, which can provide increased active surfaces and exhibit improved viscosity reduction performance. This work provides a strategy for the recovery of heavy oil hydrogenation catalysts and is expected to play a key role in the practical application of heavy oil hydrogenation catalytic viscosity reduction. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries are promising candidates for next‐generation energy storage devices due to their outstanding theoretical energy density. However, they suffer from low sulfur utilization and poor cyclability, greatly limiting their practical implementation. Herein, we adopted a phosphate‐functionalized zirconium metal–organic framework (Zr‐MOF) as a sulfur host. With their porous structure, remarkable electrochemical stability, and synthetic versatility, Zr‐MOFs present great potential in preventing soluble polysulfides from leaching. Phosphate groups were introduced to the framework post‐synthetically since they have shown a strong affinity towards lithium polysulfides and an ability to facilitate Li ion transport. The successful incorporation of phosphate in MOF‐808 was demonstrated by a series of techniques including infrared spectroscopy, solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X‐ray pair distribution function analysis. When employed in batteries, phosphate‐functionalized Zr‐MOF (MOF‐808‐PO4) exhibits significantly enhanced sulfur utilization and ion diffusion compared to the parent framework, leading to higher capacity and rate capability. The improved capacity retention and inhibited self‐discharge rate also demonstrate effective polysulfide encapsulation utilizing MOF‐808‐PO4. Furthermore, we explored their potential towards high‐density batteries by examining the cycling performance at various sulfur loadings. Our approach to correlate structure with function using hybrid inorganic–organic materials offers new chemical design strategies for advancing battery materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: PTEN‐induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligase (Parkin) are critical for immune and inflammatory regulation in health and disease. PINK1 and Parkin have been confirmed to be involved in the progression of apical periodontitis by affecting mitophagy‐related osteoblast apoptosis; however, the expression of PINK1 and Parkin in macrophages, one of the most important cells in apical periodontitis, remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression of PINK1 and Parkin in human apical periodontitis lesions, as well as their possible localization in macrophages. Methodology: Thirty‐seven human periapical tissues, including periapical granulomas (PGs, n = 12), radicular cysts (RCs, n = 11) and healthy gingival tissues (n = 14) were examined. The inflammatory infiltrates of lesions were evaluated by haematoxylin staining, and the expression of PINK1 and Parkin was detected by immunohistochemistry. Double immunofluorescence was used to explore the colocalization of microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and TOMM20, as well as the localization of PINK1 and Parkin, in macrophages of human apical periodontitis lesions. The ultrastructural morphology of mitochondria in human apical periodontitis lesions was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Data were analysed by one‐way anova with Student–Newman‐Keul's test and the Mann–Whitney test. p <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significantly higher expression of PINK1 and Parkin proteins in human apical periodontitis lesions than in healthy gingival tissues (p <.0001), but no significant difference was demonstrated between PGs and RCs (p >.05). The higher expression of LC3 and the presence of more LC3‐TOMM20 double‐positive cells were also observed in human apical periodontitis. Double‐labelling analysis of PINK1, Parkin and LC3 with CD68 indicated that macrophage mitophagy might be present in the progression of human apical periodontitis. Finally, the results of TEM morphological analysis revealed the appearance of double‐membraned mitophagosomes and vacuolated mitochondria in macrophage‐like cells of apical periodontitis lesions. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that PINK1 and Parkin proteins were highly expressed in clinical apical periodontitis lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

D‐π‐A type 4‐((9‐phenylcarbazol‐3‐yl)ethynyl)‐N‐dodecyl‐1,8‐naphthalimide (CZNI) with a large dipole moment of 8.49 D and A‐π‐A type bis[(4,4′‐1,8‐naphthalimide)‐N‐dodecyl]ethyne (NINI) with a negligible dipole moment of 0.28 D, were smartly designed and synthesized to demonstrate the evidence of a molecular dipole as the dominant mechanism for controlling charge separation of organic semiconductors. In aqueous solution, these two novel naphthalimides can self‐assemble to form nanoribbons (NRs) that present significantly different traces of exciton dissociation dynamics. Upon photoexcitation of NINI‐NRs, no charge‐separated excitons (CSEs) are formed due to the large exciton binding energy, accordingly there is no hydrogen evolution. On the contrary, in the photoexcited CZNI‐NRs, the initial bound Frenkel excitons are dissociated to long‐lived CSEs after undergoing ultrafast charge transfer within ca. 1.25 ps and charge separation within less than 5.0 ps. Finally, these free electrons were injected into Pt co‐catalysts for reducing protons to H2 at a rate of ca. 417 μmol h−1 g−1, correspondingly an apparent quantum efficiency of ca. 1.3 % can be achieved at 400 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO2 reduction to value‐added chemicals and fuels using renewable energy represents a promising strategy for reducing CO2 emissions and achieving effective energy storage. In this work, nano‐sized CuO catalysts were prepared by using the homogeneous precipitation method for electrochemical CO2 reduction to CO. The CO2 reduction studies combined with the characterization results show that structure‐activity relationships of the CuO catalysts depend on the calcination temperature. The as‐synthesized CuO catalysts calcined at different temperatures are capable of reducing CO2 to generate syngas with tunable CO/H2 ratios of 1 : 2 to 2 : 1. The desired CuO‐400 catalyst exhibits good morphology, small particle size, and enriched oxygen‐vacancy defects and, therefore, shows good performance for electrochemical CO2 reduction to CO. Under the given potential of −0.93 V vs. RHE, CuO‐400 exhibits good reduction activity and selectivity with a great electrochemically active surface area normalized CO partial current density of 1.44 mA/cm2 and a high CO faradaic efficiency of 48.2 %. The deactivation of CuO‐400 in the long‐term test is associated with the increase in particle size, the reduction of CuO to Cu2O and metallic Cu, and the coverage of surface active sites by the formed carbonate species. Our findings indicate that CuO catalysts with tunable physicochemical properties are promising candidates for electrochemical CO2 reduction to produce syngas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the functional and structural outcomes of macular buckling using a silicone sponge‐titanium exoplant for the treatment of foveoschisis (FS) and full‐thickness macular holes (FTMHs) in highly myopic eyes. Methods: Forty‐nine consecutive patients with high myopia who underwent macular buckling for the treatment of FS and FTMHs were included. The outcomes measured included the anatomical success rate with FS resolution, retinal reattachment, MH closure, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL) and complications of surgery. Moreover, the correlations between the BCVA at year three and series of factors, including age, duration of symptoms, baseline BCVA, AL, surgical type, preoperative macular status and severity of myopic maculopathy, were analysed. Results: This study involved 28 patients (28 eyes) with FS and 21 patients (21 eyes) with FTMHs with macular detachment. Retinal reattachment was achieved in 100% of cases, while MH closure was achieved in 76.19% of cases. The BCVA significantly improved one year after macular buckling in the FS cases and two years after macular buckling in the FTMH cases, and it remained stable throughout the rest of the follow‐up period. The mean AL decreased by 2.09 mm postoperatively. No major perioperative complications were observed, although one patient needed to explant the buckling device due to intolerable diplopia. Conclusion: Macular buckling with a silicone sponge‐titanium exoplant may represent a safe and effective surgical option for the treatment of FS and FTMH in highly myopic eyes. Macular buckling showed a high closure rate and virtually no tendency to recur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of macular buckling and vitrectomy for myopic traction maculopathy showing macular schisis (MS) and associated macular detachment (MD) but without full‐thickness macular hole (FTMH). Design: Prospective, randomized, parallel, open‐label study. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to either buckling or vitrectomy group. Macular buckling and intravitreal C3F8 gas injection were performed in the buckling group. Small gauge vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) and C3F8 gas tamponade were performed in the vitrectomy group. The patients were followed for 12 months. Main outcome measures: Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months. Results: A total of 85 patients were randomized, 80 eyes were included (41 receiving buckling, 39 received vitrectomy), and 78 patients completed the study. There were less eyes determined as surgical failure and required a second surgery in the buckling group than vitrectomy the group (2.4% versus 18.4%, p = 0.021). After surgery, macular buckling achieved more improvement in BCVA (+21.7 versus +4.5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, p = 0.002). FTMH development was observed in only 1 (2.4%) eye, after removing of the implant due to recurrent conjunctival erosion, in the buckling group and 10 (26.3%) eyes (seven with‐, three without MD) in the vitrectomy group (p < 0.001). More eyes developed cataracts in the vitrectomy group than did in the buckling group (28.9% versus 7.5%, p = 0.014). Macular buckling‐associated strabismus (esotropia), binocular diplopia and implant exposure were observed in limited cases. Conclusions and relevance: Macular buckling is superior to vitrectomy with ILM peeling plus gas injection for surgical treatment of MS and associated MD in high myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the detection of ultralow concentration target progesterone (Pro), a novel electrochemical aptasensor based on DNAzyme concatamers signal amplification strategy was proposed. The strategy consists of target DNA strands (TDNAs), and two different hairpin DNA molecules (H1 and H2). The signal is amplified by the large amount of DNAzyme. The TDNAs modified on the electrode open H1 structures in sequence and propagate a reaction of hybridization events between two alternating hairpins (H1and H2) to obtain abundant DNAzyme concatamers. Upon target Pro introduction, a specific Pro‐TDNAs reaction was executed, thereby resulting in the release of DNAzyme concatamers from the electrode. Subsequent differential pulse voltammetry(DPV) detection of aminoazobenzene (DAP) resulting by DNAzyme catalyze the oxidation of o‐phenylenediamine (OPD) with the aid of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Likewise, a small amount of target Pro can efficiently induce the release of a large number of the DNAzyme from the electrode in the form of DNAzyme concatamer. Under optimal conditions, the the proposed assay presents good electrochemical responses for determination of target Pro in the range of 0.5 to 15 ng/mL with the detection limit of 0.36 ng/mL. In addition, the resulting sensor can successfully distinguish Pro from coexisting interfering substance and show good stability and high repeatability. What's more, the methodology has also been demonstrated by assaying Pro‐spiked samples in serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The microRNAs (miRNA) have been found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. We try to explore the miRNA and piwi‐interacting RNA (piRNA) profile in the aqueous humour of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) using next‐generation sequencing (NGS). Methods: Aqueous humour samples were collected from nine PDR eyes and nine cataract control eyes, and NGS was performed. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to validate the sequencing results. An oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR) model was used to validate the angiogenesis related miRNA. Results: In total, 484 miRNAs were differently expressed between the PDR eyes and cataract control eyes, including 210 mature miRNAs and 274 novel miRNAs. Furthermore, eight miRNAs and 30 piRNAs were identified as the most differently expressed between the two groups (P > .85). This differential expression of miRNA was predicted to regulate Rho protein signal transduction, neurotransmitter uptake and histone lysine methylation. Relative expression patterns of miR‐184, ‐150‐5p and ‐93‐5p were confirmed by qPCR. A reduced expression of miR‐93‐5p was confirmed in the OIR model. Conclusions: This study comprehensively demonstrated the miRNA and piRNA expression profile of the aqueous humour of PDR eyes, which may serve as a potential biomarker and involved in the pathogenesis of PDR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study focused on investigating the expression and underlying molecular mechanism of early growth response 1 (Egr1) in diabetic retinopathy. Methods: A microarray assay was applied to examine differentially expressed genes in the retina tissues of normal rats, as well as in those of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HRVECs) transfected with sh‐NC, sh‐Egr1 or sh‐Egr1+ pVax1‐p53 were cultured under high‐glucose conditions and then used to explore the role of Egr1 in vitro. The effect of Egr1 on retinal vascular dysfunction caused by diabetes was examined by sh‐Egr1 administration in vivo Results: Early growth response 1 was found to be up‐regulated in the retinas of diabetic rats compared to those of normal rats. Down‐regulation of Egr1 in HRVECs under high‐glucose conditions inhibited the apoptosis, migration and tube formation in vitro. Moreover, sh‐Egr1 partially reduced the injurious effects of hyperglycaemia on retinal vascular function by decreasing apoptotic cells and microvascular formation in vivo. The reduction of Egr1 evidently down‐regulated the p53 expression. Overexpression of p53 rescued the inhibition of sh‐Egr1 in HRVECs under high‐glucose concentration on apoptosis, migration and tube formation in vitro. Conclusion: Down‐regulation of Egr1 partially reduced the injurious effects of hyperglycaemia on retinal vascular function via inhibiting p53 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance The optimal treatment regimen for myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) is essential to understand but currently poorly studied. Background: To date, there is still no consensus on the optimal dosage and frequency of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor injections in treating mCNV. Design A prospective, single‐centre, single‐blind, randomized controlled study. Participants: Adult patients with active mCNV. Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1 to one or three doses initial ranibizumab treatments. Additional injections were administered pro re nata (prn) over 12 mo. Main Outcome Measures: Number and frequency of injections. Results: Fifty patients participated in the study. Patients in both 1 + prn or 3 + prn groups experienced similar best‐corrected visual acuity gain and anatomical improvement, including central retinal thickness (CRT), CNV thickness, area of CNV and area of leakage. Over 12 mo, patients in the 1 + prn group received fewer ranibizumab injections (2.04 ± 1.22) compared with the 3 + prn group (3.58 ± 0.72, P<0.0001), but no statistic difference of the injection received was observed in the prn period. During the follow‐up, 15 of 26 eyes in the 1 + prn group and 10 of 24 eyes in the 3 + prn group received additional injections after initial dosing (P = 0.2575). Cox regression analysis showed that 1 + prn, female, age > 55 y and CRT > 300 μm are risk factors for retreatment. Conclusions and Relevance: The eyes with a single loading dose achieved parallel anatomical and functional visual improvement, while required less injections over 1 y. The risk factors for retreatment include 1 + prn, female, older age and thick retina thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The graft‐through synthesis of Janus graft block copolymers (GBCPs) from branched macromonomers composed of various combinations of homopolymers is presented. Self‐assembly of GBCPs resulted in ordered nanostructures with ultra‐small domain sizes down to 2.8 nm (half‐pitch). The grafted architecture introduces an additional parameter, the backbone length, which enables control over the thermomechanical properties and processability of the GBCPs independently of their self‐assembled nanostructures. The simple synthetic route to GBCPs and the possibility of using a variety of polymer combinations contribute to the universality of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor metastasis is the major cause of mortality of cancer patients, being responsible for ∼90% of all cancer deaths. One of the key steps during tumor metastasis is tumor cell migration which requires actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Among the critical actin cytoskeletal protrusion structures are antenna-like filopodia. Fascin protein is the main actin-bundling protein in filopodia. Here we report the development of fascin-specific small-molecules that inhibit the interaction between fascin and actin. These inhibitors block the in vitro actin-binding and actin-bundling activities of fascin, tumor cell migration and tumor metastasis in mouse models. Mechanistically, these inhibitors likely occupy one of the actin-binding sites, reduce the binding of actin filaments, and thus lead to the inhibition of the bundling activity of fascin. At the cellular level, these inhibitors impair actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Our data indicate that target-specific anti-fascin agents will have great potential for treating metastatic tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have designed a new molecularly imprinted co-polymer (MIP) for the sensitive detection of streptomycin (STR) in food using enzymes as signal amplification. The MIP was fabricated via co-polymerization of aniline and o-phenylenediamine on gold substrate in the presence of STR as template. The assay is based on competitive binding of free STR and glucose oxidase-labeled STR (GOx-STR) to the imprinters on the MIP. On addition of glucose, hydrogen peroxide is formed that is detected by differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimal conditions, the decrease of the catalytic current is proportional to the STR concentration in the range from 0.01 to 10 ng mL−1, with a detection limit ( LOD) of 7.0 pg mL−1 STR (at 3 sB). Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) are<10.5 %. The system was further validated and evaluated with STR-spiked samples including honey and milk, and the recovery was between 82 and 124.2 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pluripotent stem cells can be induced from somatic cells by the transcription factors Oct3/4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4 when co-cultured with mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder cells. To date, the role of the feeder cells in the reprogramming process remains unclear. In this study, using a comparative analysis, we demonstrated that MEF feeder cells did not accelerate reprogramming or increase the frequency of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell colonies. However, feeder conditions did improve the growth of primary iPS colonies and were necessary for passaging the primary colonies after reprogramming was achieved. We further developed a feeder-free culture system for supporting iPS growth and sustaining pluripotency by adding bFGF and activin A (bFA) to the medium. These data will facilitate the generation of human iPS cells without animal feeders for regenerative medicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Microinjection of adult stem cells (ASCs) into blastocysts provides a classic model for studying ASC plasticity. To explore the molecular mechanisms that govern the reprogramming of ASCs, we evaluated the experimental model through microinjection of human epidermal stem cells (hEpiSCs) into mouse blastocysts. Mouse blastocysts underwent regular embryogenesis after microinjection of allogeneic cells, confirmed by morphological observation and embryo cell counting. hEpiSCs survive and integrate into mouse embryos, by monitoring the migration of injected cells at 2, 4, 12, 16 and 24 h. In this xenogeneic system, hEpiSCs could be reprogrammed within 24 h, as evidenced by the silencing of CK15 and Integrinβ1 gene expression, without activation of Oct4 and Nanog. Microinjection of hEpiSCs into mouse blastocysts provides an efficient model for studying the molecular mechanisms of their plasticity. Moreover, the possibility of inducing pluripotent stem cells without transgenes or viruses can be entertained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]