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Herein, we report the synthesis of novel narrow band gap phosphorus sulfide quantum dots (PSQDs)‐modified bismuth oxybromide (Bi24O31Br10) heterojunction (noted as BOB/PS) for the highly efficient photo‐degradation of hazardous organic pollutants including rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), and malachite green (MG). Such a high photocatalytic activity of BOB/PSQDs heterojunction derives from the improved visible‐light response capacity, high surface area/pore volume, and suitable band structure for efficient electron transfer to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS trapping experiments demonstrate that hydroxy (⋅OH) and superoxide radicals (⋅O2−) play important roles in the photo‐degradation. A possible S‐scheme mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of BOB/PS is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D materials have attracted considerable attention in the past decades for their unique properties, making the understanding of their nucleation process key to effective synthesis. Traditional explanations of thin‐film growth, focusing on the competition between atom interactions at the interface and within layers, often fall short of explaining real experimental results. Herein, a penetrated nucleation mechanism is proposed for 2D materials growth on metal substrates, taking into account the role of metal substrate atoms. This approach leads to a better understanding of how the surface shape evolves in two specific ways during growth in real experimental findings. Supported by detailed first‐principles simulations of boron on metal substrates and thermodynamic analyses of other studies involving metals and nonmetals, the above‐proposed mechanism is validated. Moreover, a broad strategy for growing large‐scale 2D materials on metal surfaces without creating undesired alloy layers is also presented, by adjusting the interfacial interactions by surface passivation, validated by existing experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diglucosyl gallic acid is a whitening active with powerful whitening function. When it acts on human skin, microorganisms on the skin surface and part of the stratum corneum produce α‐glucosidase to sever the glucose bond of diglucosyl gallic acid, thereby converting part of diglucosyl gallic acid into gallic acid, acting on the skin and exerting the excellent effects of diglucosyl gallic acid and gallic acid at the same time. Diglucosyl gallic acid has high stability and water solubility, it can reduce free radical generation, inhibit tyrosinase generation, prevent melanin transfer, and control skin inflammation. The present study investigates the in vitro tyrosinase inhibition activity, antioxidant capacity of diglucosyl gallic acid as well as its clinical efficacy as a cosmetic ingredient. Methods: Taking VC and gallic acid as controls, the pH = 6.8, 0.05 mmol/L Na2HPO4‐NaH2PO4 buffer solution was prepared to test the tyrosinase inhibitory activity and antioxidant capacity of diglucosyl gallic acid respectively. Using arbutin and nicotinamide, two common cosmetic raw materials as controls, 20 volunteers (aged 20–35 years old) were selected for the test. (2 ± 0.1) mg/cm2 take the lotion to be tested and apply it to the test part evenly, twice a day, volunteers are not allowed to use sunscreen or other sunscreen products during the study period. Results: The results show that diglucosyl gallic acid has a stronger ability to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase compared with VC, and its IC50 value is 2.68 mg/ mL. Their potential antioxidant activities are further evaluated by the DPPH (α, α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl) method and the ABTS [2,2´‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenz othiazoline‐6‐sulphonate)] radical cation (ABTS+) method, in which the gallic acid demonstrates a better performance than the traditional antioxidant vitamin C (VC), while the diglucosyl gallic acid shows poorer performance. As to the reducing ability, VC has the best performance, much better than gallic acid and diglucosyl gallic acid. Furthermore, through clinical experiments, it is shown the application of the diglucosyl gallic acid as a cosmetic ingredient can considerably improve the brightness of the skin and meanwhile reduce the area of ultraviolet spots, melanin and erythema over time. Conclusion: The above in vitro and in vivo studies on diglucosyl gallic provide the basis for its future application development in cosmetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential underlying molecular mechanisms for uric acid‐induced lipid metabolic disturbances had not been elucidated clearly. This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of uric acid on the development of lipid metabolic disorders. We collected blood samples from 100 healthy people and 100 patients with hyperuricemia for whom serum lipid analysis was performed. Meanwhile, a mouse model of hyperuricemia was generated, and lipidomics was performed on liver tissues, comparing control and hyperuricemia groups, to analyze lipid profiles and key metabolic enzymes. Uric acid directly induced serum lipid metabolic disorders in both humans and mice based on triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Through lipidomic analysis, 46 lipids were differentially expressed in hyperuricemic mouse livers, and the phosphatidylcholine composition was altered, which was mediated by LPCAT3 upregulation. High‐uric acid levels‐induced p‐STAT3 inhibition and SREBP‐1c activation in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, LPCAT3‐knockdown significantly attenuated uric acid‐induced p‐STAT3 inhibition, SREBP‐1c activation, and lipid metabolic disorders in L02 cells. In conclusion, uric acid induces lipid metabolic disturbances through LPCAT3‐mediated p‐STAT3 inhibition and SREBP‐1c activation. LPCAT3 could be a key regulatory factor linking hyperuricemia and lipid metabolic disorders. These results might provide novel insights into the clinical treatment of hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductive transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have been considered as next generation semiconductors, but to date most device investigations are still based on microscale exfoliation with a low yield. Wafer scale growth of TMDs has been reported but effective doping approaches remain challenging due to their atomically thick nature. This work reports the synthesis of wafer‐scale continuous few‐layer PtSe2 films with effective doping in a controllable manner. Chemical component analyses confirm that both n‐doping and p‐doping can be effectively modulated through a controlled selenization process. The electrical properties of PtSe2 films have been systematically studied by fabricating top‐gated field effect transistors (FETs). The device current on/off ratio is optimized in two‐layer PtSe2 FETs, and four‐terminal configuration displays a reasonably high effective field effect mobility (14 and 15 cm2 V−1 s−1 for p‐type and n‐type FETs, respectively) with a nearly symmetric p‐type and n‐type performance. Temperature dependent measurement reveals that the variable range hopping is dominant at low temperatures. To further establish feasible application based on controllable doping of PtSe2, a logic inverter and vertically stacked p–n junction arrays are demonstrated. These results validate that PtSe2 is a promising candidate among the family of TMDs for future functional electronic applications. An improved method for the synthesis of wafer‐scale continuous PtSe2 films with an effective doping strategy in a controllable manner is developed. Nearly symmetric n‐type and p‐type field‐effect transistors have been fabricated, based on which logic inverter and vertically stacked p–n junction arrays are successfully demonstrated in wafer scale, which enable potential applications in future 2D material circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the on‐surface [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexabromotriphenylene (HBTP) on Ag(111), Cu(111), Au(111), and Cu‐dosed Au(111) surfaces using STM and DFT simulation focusing on the organometallic intermediates. The fully debrominated HBTP molecules form an organo‐silver framework on Ag(111) and an organo‐copper framework on Cu(111), both incorporating multinuclear metal adatom clusters. The organo‐silver framework is converted into porous covalent networks via [2+2] cycloaddition above 240 °C. In contrast, the organo‐copper framework is very stable and does not undergo [2+2] cycloaddition even at 300 °C. On Au(111), no organo‐gold intermediate of [2+2] cycloaddition is observed. After loading Cu onto Au(111), the partially debrominated HBTP molecules bind to Cu adatom dimers to form multinuclear organo‐copper complexes at 100 °C which undergo [2+2] cycloaddition at 140 °C. This study shows that the choice of surface can direct the reaction pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the on‐surface [2+2] cycloaddition reaction of 2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexabromotriphenylene (HBTP) on Ag(111), Cu(111), Au(111), and Cu‐dosed Au(111) surfaces using STM and DFT simulation focusing on the organometallic intermediates. The fully debrominated HBTP molecules form an organo‐silver framework on Ag(111) and an organo‐copper framework on Cu(111), both incorporating multinuclear metal adatom clusters. The organo‐silver framework is converted into porous covalent networks via [2+2] cycloaddition above 240 °C. In contrast, the organo‐copper framework is very stable and does not undergo [2+2] cycloaddition even at 300 °C. On Au(111), no organo‐gold intermediate of [2+2] cycloaddition is observed. After loading Cu onto Au(111), the partially debrominated HBTP molecules bind to Cu adatom dimers to form multinuclear organo‐copper complexes at 100 °C which undergo [2+2] cycloaddition at 140 °C. This study shows that the choice of surface can direct the reaction pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report a novel narrow band gap sulfur quantum dots (SQDs)‐modified BiOCl heterojunction (BOC/SQDs) for the photo‐degradation of hazardous organic pollutants via rhodamine B (RhB)‐sensitization. Such a high photocatalytic activity of RhB‐sensitized BOC/SQDs heterojunction derives not only from the improved visible‐light response capacity, high surface area/pore volume, suitable band structure for efficient electron transfer, but also from the surge of the number of electrons via RhB‐sensitization for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Superoxide radicals (⋅O2−), holes (h+), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) play the important roles in the photo‐degradation. A possible mechanism for RhB‐sensitization enhanced degradation performance for treating organic pollutants by BOC/SQDs is proposed. The combination of dye‐sensitization with BOC/SQDs heterojunction can explore a greener, energy saving, and efficient photo‐induced nanoplatform for treating organic pollutants in aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

* Premise of the study: Expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed in Dendrobium officinale by screening a cDNA library. The loci were verified by sequencing and explored for polymorphism among 19 genotypes and transferability among 30 other distantly related Dendrobium species. * Methods and Results: One hundred ten EST-SSRs were developed, and a set of 20 amplified two to six nucleotide repeats with a mean number of 2.5 alleles per locus and with an observed heterozygosity and polymorphism information content per locus ranging from 0.3463 to 0.9003 and 0.0997 to 0.6537 in 19 D. officinale genotypes, respectively. Furthermore, 92 of these markers have cross-taxa transferability, ranging from 6.45% to 100% among 30 other distantly related Dendrobium species. * Conclusions: The developed markers have potential for application in germplasm appraisal, genetic diversity study, genetic mapping, and molecular breeding in D. officinale and other congeneric species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient electron communication between molecular catalyst and support is critical for heterogeneous molecular electrocatalysis and yet it is often overlooked during the catalyst design. Taking CO2 electro‐reduction on tetraphenylporphyrin cobalt (PCo) immobilized onto graphene as an example, we demonstrate that adding a relay molecule improves the interfacial electron communication. While the directly immobilized PCo on graphene exhibits relatively poor electron communications, it is found that diphenyl sulfide serves as an axial ligand for PCo and it improves the redox activity of PCo on the graphene surface to facilitate the generation of [PCo].‐ active sites for CO2 reduction. Thus, the turnover frequencies of the immobilized Co complexes are increased. Systematic structural analysis indicates that the benzene rings of diphenyl sulfide exhibit strong face‐to‐face stacking with graphene, which is proposed as an efficient medium to facilitate the interfacial electron communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient electron communication between molecular catalyst and support is critical for heterogeneous molecular electrocatalysis and yet it is often overlooked during the catalyst design. Taking CO2 electro‐reduction on tetraphenylporphyrin cobalt (PCo) immobilized onto graphene as an example, we demonstrate that adding a relay molecule improves the interfacial electron communication. While the directly immobilized PCo on graphene exhibits relatively poor electron communications, it is found that diphenyl sulfide serves as an axial ligand for PCo and it improves the redox activity of PCo on the graphene surface to facilitate the generation of [PCo].‐ active sites for CO2 reduction. Thus, the turnover frequencies of the immobilized Co complexes are increased. Systematic structural analysis indicates that the benzene rings of diphenyl sulfide exhibit strong face‐to‐face stacking with graphene, which is proposed as an efficient medium to facilitate the interfacial electron communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronics allowing for visible light to pass through are attractive, where a key challenge is to make the core functional units transparent. Here, it is shown that transparent electronics can be constructed by epitaxial growth of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) on single‐layer graphene (SLG) to give a desirable transparency of 95.7% to 550 nm visible light and an electrical conductivity of 4.0 × 104 S m−1. Through lattice and symmetry match, collective alignment of MOF pores and dense packing of MOFs vertically on SLG are achieved, as directly visualized by electron microscopy. These MOF‐on‐SLG constructs are capable of room‐temperature recognition of gas molecules at the ppb level with a linear range from 10 to 108 ppb, providing real‐time gas monitoring function in transparent electronics. The corresponding devices can be fabricated on flexible substrates with large size, 3 × 5 cm, and afford continuous folding for more than 200 times without losing conductivity or transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2D metal–organic framework (2D‐MOF) was formed on a Cu(111) substrate using benzenehexol molecules. By means of a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density‐functional theory, the structure of the 2D‐MOF is determined to be Cu3(C6O6), which is stabilized by O–Cu–O bonding motifs. We find that upon adsorption on Cu(111), the 2D‐MOF features a semiconductor band structure with a direct band gap of 1.5 eV. The O–Cu–O bonds offer efficient charge delocalization, which gives rise to a highly dispersive conduction band with an effective mass of 0.45 me at the band bottom, implying a high electron mobility in this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 2D metal–organic framework (2D‐MOF) was formed on a Cu(111) substrate using benzenehexol molecules. By means of a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density‐functional theory, the structure of the 2D‐MOF is determined to be Cu3(C6O6), which is stabilized by O–Cu–O bonding motifs. We find that upon adsorption on Cu(111), the 2D‐MOF features a semiconductor band structure with a direct band gap of 1.5 eV. The O–Cu–O bonds offer efficient charge delocalization, which gives rise to a highly dispersive conduction band with an effective mass of 0.45 me at the band bottom, implying a high electron mobility in this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface‐confined covalent coupling reactions of the linear compound 4‐(but‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)‐4′‐ethynyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl (1), which contains one alkyne and one enyne group on opposing ends, have been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The reactions show a surface‐dependent chemoselectivity: on Au(111), compound 1 preferentially yields cyclotrimerization products, while on Cu(111), a selective coupling between the enyne and alkyne groups is observed. Linear, V‐shaped string formations combined with Y‐shaped bifurcation motifs result in a random reticulation on the entire surface. DFT calculations show that the C−H⋅⋅⋅πδ− transition state of the reaction between the deprotonated alkyne group and a nearby H‐donor of the alkene group plays a key role in the mechanism and high chemoselectivity. This study highlights a concept that opens new avenues to the surface‐confined synthesis of covalent carbon‐based sp–sp2 polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface‐confined covalent coupling reactions of the linear compound 4‐(but‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)‐4′‐ethynyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl (1), which contains one alkyne and one enyne group on opposing ends, have been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The reactions show a surface‐dependent chemoselectivity: on Au(111), compound 1 preferentially yields cyclotrimerization products, while on Cu(111), a selective coupling between the enyne and alkyne groups is observed. Linear, V‐shaped string formations combined with Y‐shaped bifurcation motifs result in a random reticulation on the entire surface. DFT calculations show that the C−H⋅⋅⋅πδ− transition state of the reaction between the deprotonated alkyne group and a nearby H‐donor of the alkene group plays a key role in the mechanism and high chemoselectivity. This study highlights a concept that opens new avenues to the surface‐confined synthesis of covalent carbon‐based sp–sp2 polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Multinuclear heterometallic nanoclusters with controllable stoichiometry and structure are anticipated to possess promising catalytic, magnetic, and optical properties. Heterometallic nanoclusters with precise stoichiometry of Bi3Cu4 and Bi7Cu12 can be stabilized in the scaffold of two‐dimensional metal–organic networks on a Cu(111) surface through on‐surface metallosupramolecular self‐assembly processes. The atomic structures of the nanoclusters were resolved using scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations. The nanoclusters feature highly symmetric planar hexagonal shapes and core–shell charge modulation. The clusters are arranged as triangular lattices with a periodicity that can be tuned by choosing molecules of different size. This work shows that on‐surface metallosupramolecular self‐assembly creates unique possibilities for the design and synthesis of multinuclear heterometallic nanoclusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Multinuclear heterometallic nanoclusters with controllable stoichiometry and structure are anticipated to possess promising catalytic, magnetic, and optical properties. Heterometallic nanoclusters with precise stoichiometry of Bi3Cu4 and Bi7Cu12 can be stabilized in the scaffold of two‐dimensional metal–organic networks on a Cu(111) surface through on‐surface metallosupramolecular self‐assembly processes. The atomic structures of the nanoclusters were resolved using scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations. The nanoclusters feature highly symmetric planar hexagonal shapes and core–shell charge modulation. The clusters are arranged as triangular lattices with a periodicity that can be tuned by choosing molecules of different size. This work shows that on‐surface metallosupramolecular self‐assembly creates unique possibilities for the design and synthesis of multinuclear heterometallic nanoclusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent evidence from genetic, cell biology, and animal model studies has suggested a pivotal role of autophagy in mediating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the genetic basis has not yet been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify additional susceptibility variants in autophagy‐related genes along with their functional significance. Methods: First, we performed a gene family–based genetic association analysis in SLE patients with the use of ImmunoChip arrays, and then we selected the most strongly associated polymorphisms for replication in additional cohorts. To identify regulatory clues, we analyzed publicly available blood expression quantitative trait locus data and Encyclopedia of DNA Elements data on transcription factor binding sites and cell type‐specific differential expression. Functional effects were tested by luciferase reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and differential gene expression assays. Results: In 14,474 samples, we observed that the rare Chinese variant rs933717T was associated with susceptibility to SLE (0.11% in cases versus 0.87% in controls; P = 2.36 × 10–10, odds ratio 0.13). The rs933717 risk allele C correlated with increased MAP1LC3B expression; increased MAP1LC3B messenger RNA was observed in SLE patients and in lupus‐prone mice. In reporter gene constructs, the risk allele increased luciferase activity up to 2.7‐3.8‐fold in both HEK 293T and Jurkat cell lines, and the binding of HEK 293T and Jurkat cell nuclear extracts to the risk allele was also increased. Conclusion: We observed a likely genetic association between light chain 3B, a widely used marker for autophagy, and susceptibility to SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution by polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons has always been a global issue. In this work, we reported a synthesis of supported palladium catalysts Pd/C, Pd/CeO2, Pd/SBA-15, Pd/ZrO2,Pd/SiO2, and Pd/Al2O3 as well as their catalytic activities on hydrodechlorination (HDC) of 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB). These Pd catalysts were characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF), CO-chemisorption, and H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR) analysis. Pd/C, Pd/CeO2 and Pd/SBA-15 catalysts showed relatively high catalytic activities. The catalytic activities were associated with dispersion of Pd, metal surface area, and reaction temperature, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase ( EPSPS) gene from Malus domestica ( MdEPSPS) was cloned and characterized by rapid amplification of c DNA ends to identify an EPSPS gene appropriate for the development of transgenic glyphosate-tolerant plants. However, wild-type MdEPSPS is not suitable for the development of transgenic glyphosate-tolerant plants because of its poor glyphosate resistance. Thus, we performed DNA shuffling on MdEPSPS, and one highly glyphosate-resistant mutant with mutations in eight amino acids ( N63 D, N86 S, T101 A, A187 T, D230 G, H317 R, Y399 R and C413 A.) was identified after five rounds of DNA shuffling and screening. Among the eight amino acid substitutions on this mutant, only two residue changes ( T101 A and A187 T) were identified by site-directed mutagenesis as essential and additive in altering glyphosate resistance, which was further confirmed by kinetic analyses. The single-site A187 T mutation has also never been previously reported as an important residue for glyphosate resistance. Furthermore, transgenic rice was used to confirm the potential of MdEPSPS mutant in developing glyphosate-resistant crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Little is known about the potential role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the carcinogenesis of gastric cancer induced by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Here, we showed that microRNA-222 (miR-222) was up-regulated in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa and gastric cancer. Ectopic expression of miR-222 promoted cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro. Mechanistically, we identified RECK as a novel target of miR-222, and also confirmed their relationship by the inverse correlation of mRNA expression ex vivo. Furthermore, we found that RNA interference silencing of RECK can mimic the oncogenic effects of miR-222. Collectively, H. pylori may function as an initiator in the process of carcinogenesis by up-regulating miR-222, which further participates in the progression of cancer by promoting proliferation and inhibiting RECK. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effect of sintering atmosphere on the microstructure and electrical properties of the doped BSCT ceramics was investigated. More oxidizing sintering atmosphere weakened the donorincorporation effect in the sample and improved the density, grain size, resistivity, and dielectric properties. Especially, when the sintering atmosphere changed from air to O2, the resistivity and maximum of ∂ϵ/∂T increased about four orders of magnitude and two times, respectively, while the tan δ at TC decreased about 60%. This was very suitable and important for pyroelectric materials working at the DB mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) has been implicated as a central regulator of the immune system. We have previously reported that miR-155 negatively regulates Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced inflammation, but the molecular mechanism of miR-155 regulating the inflammation is not fully clear. Here, we identified myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88) as a target gene of miR-155, and found that miR-155 decreased MyD88 expression at the protein but not the mRNA message level, suggesting that the miR-155-mediated inhibition is a post-transcriptional event. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-155 led to significantly reduced IL-8 production induced by H. pylori infection. Thus, we have demonstrated that miR-155 can negatively regulate inflammation by targeting a key adaptor molecule MyD88 in inflammatory pathways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Development of Helicobacter pylori vaccine would be a new effective strategy for prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection. Recombinant H. pylori vaccine comprising a single subunit antigen can only induce immune response with limited protection efficiency. In this study, the protective effect of H. pylori multicomponent vaccines consisting of three recombinant subunit antigens was investigated using the Mongolian gerbil model. Materials and methods: Mongolian gerbils were immunized with different formulations of three recombinant H. pylori antigens (UreB, HspA, and HpaA) with two different adjuvants (Al(OH)3, LTR72DITH) by intragastric (i.g.) or intramuscular (i.m.) routes. The protective effects of multicomponent vaccines were assessed after H. pylori challenge in different studies. The specific IgG antibodies in serum were monitored by ELISA, and the mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IFN-γ in spleen tissue were detected by reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The protective effect against H. pylori challenge in gerbils immunized with three recombinant antigens and LTR72DITH or Al(OH)3 was significantly higher than that in single- or double-antigen vaccine-immunized and control gerbils. Furthermore, the protective effect of the triple-antigen vaccine combined with the LTR72DITH adjuvant (average 86.3%) was significantly greater than that of vaccine combined with the Al(OH)3 adjuvant (average 53.4%). After the first immunization, the anti-UreB/HspA/HpaA serum IgG level in gerbils immunized with triple-antigen vaccine combined with Al(OH)3 was higher than that in gerbils immunized with the vaccine combined with LTR72DITH. Splenic interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 transcript levels were significantly increased in LTR72DITH vaccine-immunized gerbils as compared to the Al(OH)3 vaccine group. Moreover, splenic IL-4 mRNA levels were higher than IFN-γ in gerbils immunized with triple-antigen vaccine with either LTR72DITH or Al(OH)3. Conclusions: This study indicated that the recombinant multicomponent vaccine provided effective protection against H. pylori infection as compared to the single-antigen vaccine. This protective immunity would be closely associated with a predominant Th2-type response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking is well known to play an important role in the development of lung cancer. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) can either promote or inhibit cell proliferation and growth, which makes its role in the development of malignant tumors controversial. The relation between cigarette smoking and iNOS in human lung cancer is unknown.Methods: The study examined the levels of iNOS/NO in nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues of smokers and nonsmokers and in NSCLC cells (NCI-H23) treated by 4-(N-Methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a potent tobacco-specific carcinogen.Results: The level of iNOS/NO was significantly higher in lung cancer tissues of smokers than that of nonsmokers. Unlike iNOS/NO, the activity of caspase-3 was reduced in the former compared with the latter. The expression of the cleaved caspase-3 was deceased in NCI-H23 cells treated with S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), an NO donor, whereas treatment with NG-methyl-L-arginine (NMA), an NO inhibitor, caused an increase in cleaved caspase-3. Consistent with the change in caspase-3, SNAP treatment inhibited cell death induced by UCN01, a potent cell death-inducer. NMA treatment greatly enhanced the sensitivity of the cells to UCN01. Further, the cells treated by NNK showed an increase in iNOS protein, accompanied by an elevation of cell proliferation.Conclusions: The study demonstrates that cigarette smoking promotes the level of iNOS/NO but suppresses the activity of caspase-3, which may lead to the proliferation and growth of lung cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial applications of Pt‐based oxygen‐reduction‐reaction (ORR) catalysts are limited by high cost and low stability. Here, facile large‐scale synthesis of sub‐3‐nm ordered Pt3In clusters on commercial carbon black as ORR catalyst that alleviates both these shortcomings is reported. As‐prepared Pt3In/C exhibits a mass activity of 0.71 mA mg−1 and a specific area activity of 0.91 mA cm−2 at 0.9 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode, which are 4.1 and 2.7 times the corresponding values of commercial Pt/C catalysts. The as‐prepared ordered Pt3In/C catalyst is also remarkably stable with negligible activity and structural decay after 20 000 accelerated electrochemical durability cycles, due to its ordered structure. Density‐functional‐theory calculations demonstrate that ordered‐Pt3In is more energetically favorable for ORR than the commercial Pt/C catalysts because ∆GO is closer to the peak of the volcano plot after ordered incorporation of indium atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to tailor a new crystalline structure and associated functionalities with a variety of stimuli is one of the key issues in material design. Developing synthetic routes to functional materials with partially absorbed nonmetallic elements (i.e., hydrogen and nitrogen) can open up more possibilities for preparing novel families of electronically active oxide compounds. Fast and reversible uptake and release of hydrogen in epitaxial ABO3 manganite films through an adapted low‐frequency inductively coupled plasma technology is introduced. Compared with traditional dopants of metallic cations, the plasma‐assisted hydrogen implantations not only produce reversibly structural transformations from pristine perovskite (PV) phase to a newly found protonation‐driven brownmillerite one but also regulate remarkably different electronic properties driving the material from a ferromagnetic metal to a weakly ferromagnetic insulator for a range of manganite (La1−xSrxMnO3) thin films. Moreover, a reversible perovskite‐brownmillerite‐perovskite transition is achieved at a relatively low temperature (T ≤ 350 °C), enabling multifunctional modulations for integrated electronic systems. The fast, low‐temperature control of structural and electronic properties by the facile hydrogenation/dehydrogenation treatment substantially widens the space for exploring new possibilities of novel properties in proton‐based multifunctional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, C12H21NO3, is an important inter­mediate for new dopamine transporter inhibitors. The six-membered ring of the aza­bicyclo­[3.2.1]octane system adopts a chair conformation with the hydroxyl group axial. The fused five-membered ring is in an envelope conformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]