Search

Magnetic lanthanide (Ln) metal complexes exhibiting magnetic bistability can behave as molecular nanomagnets, also known as single-molecule magnets (SMMs), suitable for storing magnetic information at the molecular level, thus attracting extensive interest in the quest for high-density information storage and quantum information technologies. Upon encapsulating Ln ion(s) into fullerene cages, endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) have been proven as a promising and versatile platform to realize chemically robust SMMs, in which the magnetic properties are able to be readily tailored by altering the configurations of the encapsulated species and the host cages. In this review, we present critical discussions on the molecular structures and magnetic characterizations of EMF-SMMs, with the focus on their peculiar molecular and electronic structures and on the intriguing molecular magnetism arising from such structural uniqueness. In this context, different families of magnetic EMFs are summarized, including mononuclear EMF-SMMs wherein single-ion anisotropy is decisive, dinuclear clusterfullerenes whose magnetism is governed by intramolecular magnetic interaction, and radical-bridged dimetallic EMFs with high-spin ground states that arise from the strong ferromagnetic coupling. We then discuss how molecular assemblies of SMMs can be constructed, in a way that the original SMM behavior is either retained or altered in a controlled manner, thanks to the chemical robustness of EMFs. Finally, on the basis of understanding the structure–magnetic property correlation, we propose design strategies for high-performance EMF-SMMs by engineering ligand fields, electronic structures, magnetic interactions, and molecular vibrations that can couple to the spin states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression is one of the most common complications in patients with diabetes. Our previous study demonstrated puerarin, a dietary isoflavone, improved glucose homeostasis and β-cell regeneration in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice. Here, we aim to evaluate the potential effect of puerarin on diabetes-induced depression. The co-occurrence of diabetes and depression with related biochemical alterations were confirmed in HFD mice and db/db mice, respectively using behavioral analysis, ELISA and western blotting assay. Furthermore, impacts of puerarin on depression-related symptoms and pathological changes were investigated in HFD mice. The results showed that puerarin effectively alleviated the depression-like behaviors of HFD mice, down-regulated serum levels of corticosterone and IL-1β, while up-regulated the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine. Simultaneously, puerarin increased the number of hippocampal neurons in HFD mice, and suppressed the apoptosis of neurons to protect the hippocampal neuroplasticity. GLP-1R expression in hippocampus of HFD mice was enhanced by puerarin, which subsequently activated AMPK, CREB and BDNF/TrkB signaling to improve neuroplasticity. Importantly, our data indicated that puerarin had an advantage over fluoxetine or metformin in treating diabetes-induced depression. Taken together, puerarin exerts anti-depressant-like effects on HFD diabetic mice, specifically by improving hippocampal neuroplasticity via GLP-1R/BDNF/TrkB signaling. Puerarin as a dietary supplement might be a potential candidate in intervention of diabetes with comorbid depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible DC distribution networks have a strong capacity for new energy consumption and have received extensive attention from scholars in recent years, but fault location for DC distribution lines is a difficult task. To solve this problem, we propose using a comprehensive grey correlation degree analysis to analyze the similarity of aerial mode traveling differential current waveforms at the first and last ends of a DC line, thus achieving fault location by obtaining the optimal time shift. Additionally, we built a six-terminal flexible DC distribution network model in Matlab/Simulink for simulation and validation, showing that the method can complete the rapid and accurate location of all types of faults on a DC line, and that it possesses an anti-transition resistance capability, making it suitable and highly reliable for cases of low sampling frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with the pole-to-pole short circuit, the fault characteristics are not obvious when a monopolar grounding fault occurs in a DC distribution network, and it is difficult to locate the fault accurately. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a fault location method based on improved ReliefF and Weighted random forest (WRF). The 24 time and frequency-domain fault features of the postfault aerial mode current are calculated, and the most useful features are selected to form the optimal feature subset for input to the fault location estimator. In this paper, the ReliefF algorithm is utilized for automatic feature selection and obtaining the weights of features. In addition, the WRF algorithm is used to build the fault location estimator. Considering the fault location, fault resistance, noise and time window length, the Matlab/Simulink simulation platform is used to simulate the fault situation and compare it with other algorithms. The simulation results show that the average positioning error of the fault location method is less than 0.1%, which is not affected by the fault resistance and has strong robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We aimed to evaluate the effects of Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) on regulation of macrophage migration and expression of anti-inflammatory genes in pulpitis. Methods. Dental pulp inflammation was verified by histology in rat pulpitis model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect changes of the expression of EZH2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in dental pulp inflammation. The expression of EZH2, CCL2, and cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68: macrophage surface marker) was measured by immunofluorescence staining. The effect of EZH2 on microphage migration was assessed by cell migration assay. The expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukins (IL-4 and IL-10) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in HDPCs which were treated by EZH2 complex, CCL2 complex, and CCL2 antibody were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). Results. The expression of TNF-α gradually increased in dental pulp inflammation. The expression of EZH2 in dental pulp decreased in 8 hours after LPS stimulation. However, the expression of EZH2 gradually increased in dental pulp after 1 day stimulation by LPS. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the expressions of EZH2, CCL2, and CD68 were significantly upregulated in dental pulp inflammation of rats. EZH2 could enhance macrophage migration. And the chemotactic activity of macrophages exposed to supernatants of EZH2-treated HDPCs could be inhibited by CCL2 inhibition. In addition, EZH2 suppressed the expression of anti-inflammatory genes, but CCL2 inhibition reversed the downregulation of anti-inflammatory factors, including IL-4 and TGF-β in HDPCs. Conclusions. EZH2 might affect chemotaxis of macrophages and the expression of anti-inflammatory factors by regulating CCL2. EZH2 plays an important role in the development of dental pulp inflammation, and it might be as a target for treatment of pulpitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design molecular spin qubits with enhanced quantum coherence, a control of the coupling between the local vibrations and the spin states is crucial, which could be realized in principle by engineering molecular structures via coordination chemistry. To this end, understanding the underlying structural factors that govern the spin relaxation is a central topic. Here, we report the investigation of the spin dynamics in a series of chemically designed europium(II)‐based endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs). By introducing a unique structural difference, i. e. metal‐cage binding site, while keeping other molecular parameters constant between different complexes, these manifest the key role of the three low‐energy metal‐displacing vibrations in mediating the spin‐lattice relaxation times (T1). The temperature dependence of T1 can thus be normalized by the frequencies of these low energy vibrations to show an unprecedentedly universal behavior for EMFs in frozen CS2 solution. Our theoretical analysis indicates that this structural difference determines not only the vibrational rigidity but also spin‐vibration coupling in these EMF‐based qubit candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonconventional organic luminogens have attracted a great deal of interests owing to their intriguing properties (e.g., unusual fluorescence emission) and promising applications. According to previous studies, it was found that introduction of Si-O could enhance the fluorescence emission of the luminogens. Herein, we have synthesized some fluorescent siloxane derivatives and similar molecules without Si-O units by simple and efficient modification to investigate the role of Si-O units in the emission. It was found that the strong emission could be observed in dilute solutions of siloxane derivatives, but not in the carbon compounds. UV/Vis absorption, fluorescence spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and theoretical calculations indicated that the heteroatom and the Si-O unit formed the coordination bond in the siloxane derivatives, resulting in enhanced fluorescence emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report divergent additions of 2,2′‐diazidobiphenyls to C60 and Sc3N@Ih‐C80. In stark contrast to that of the previously reported bis‐azide additions, the unexpected cascade reaction leads to the dearomative formation of azafulleroids 2 fused with a 7‐6‐5‐membered ring system in the case of C60. In contrast, the corresponding reaction with Sc3N@Ih‐C80 switches to the C−H insertion pathway, thereby resulting in multiple isomers, including a carbazole‐derived [6,6]‐azametallofulleroid 3 and a [5,6]‐azametallofulleroid 4 and an unusual 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazole‐derived metallofullerene 5, whose molecular structures have been unambiguously determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. Among them, the addition type of 5 is observed for the first time in all reported additions of azides to fullerenes. Furthermore, unexpected isomerizations from 3 to 5 and from 4 to 5 have been discovered, providing the first examples of the isomerization of an azafulleroid to a carbazole‐derived fullerene rather than an aziridinofullerene. In particular, the isomerism of the [5,6]‐isomer 4 to the [5,6]‐isomer 5 is unprecedented in fullerene chemistry, contradicting the present understanding that isomerization generally occurs between [5,6]‐ and [6,6]‐isomers. Control experiments have been carried out to rationalize the reaction mechanism. Furthermore, representative azafulleroids have been applied in organic solar cells, thereby resulting in improved power conversion efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report divergent additions of 2,2′‐diazidobiphenyls to C60 and Sc3N@Ih‐C80. In stark contrast to that of the previously reported bis‐azide additions, the unexpected cascade reaction leads to the dearomative formation of azafulleroids 2 fused with a 7‐6‐5‐membered ring system in the case of C60. In contrast, the corresponding reaction with Sc3N@Ih‐C80 switches to the C−H insertion pathway, thereby resulting in multiple isomers, including a carbazole‐derived [6,6]‐azametallofulleroid 3 and a [5,6]‐azametallofulleroid 4 and an unusual 1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyrrolo[3,2‐c]carbazole‐derived metallofullerene 5, whose molecular structures have been unambiguously determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. Among them, the addition type of 5 is observed for the first time in all reported additions of azides to fullerenes. Furthermore, unexpected isomerizations from 3 to 5 and from 4 to 5 have been discovered, providing the first examples of the isomerization of an azafulleroid to a carbazole‐derived fullerene rather than an aziridinofullerene. In particular, the isomerism of the [5,6]‐isomer 4 to the [5,6]‐isomer 5 is unprecedented in fullerene chemistry, contradicting the present understanding that isomerization generally occurs between [5,6]‐ and [6,6]‐isomers. Control experiments have been carried out to rationalize the reaction mechanism. Furthermore, representative azafulleroids have been applied in organic solar cells, thereby resulting in improved power conversion efficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Delirium is commonly present in elderly patients in intensive care units. • Malnutrition may be an independent predictor of the development of delirium. • This study supports nutritional risk screening for elderly patients in intensive care units and emphasizes the importance of nutritional risk in predicting delirium. Malnutrition is associated with clinical outcomes in several diseases. However, the role of malnutrition in the risk of delirium in elderly patients in intensive care units (ICU) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the association between the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and the risk of delirium in elderly patients in the ICU. Elderly patients from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) and the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD) were included in this study, totaling 11,310 and 5,627, respectively. All subjects were stratified according to their GNRI score: those with no nutritional risk (GNRI > 98), mild nutritional risk (92 ≤ GNRI ≤ 98), moderate nutritional risk (82 ≤ GNRI ≤ 92), and severe nutritional risk (GNRI < 82). The primary outcome was delirium. The GNRI in MIMIC-IV and eICU-CRD were 93.82 (84.88, 101.26) and 83.39 (75.95, 89.35), respectively. Compared to the cohort without nutritional risk, there was an increased risk of delirium in patients with mild nutritional risk (OR: 1.39, 95 % CI: 1.23–1.58), moderate nutritional risk (OR: 1.72, 95 % CI: 1.52–1.95), and severe nutritional risk (OR: 2.07, 95 % CI: 1.79–2.39). Inclusion of the GNRI score in the multivariate models improved the prediction of delirium. Similar results were found in the eICU-CRD database. Nutritional assessment using the GNRI may be an independent predictor of the development of delirium in elderly patients in the ICU. The addition of the GNRI score to the delirium prediction model improves its predictive accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulpitis is a complicated chronic inflammatory process which can be in a dynamic balance between damage and repair. The extracellular matrix plays an important regulatory role in wound healing and tissue repair. The aim of this study was to explore the role of the epigenetic mark, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) on the degradation of extracellular matrix during pulpitis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and type I collagen in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) upon EZH2 and EI1 (EZH2 inhibitor) stimulation. The mechanism of EZH2 affecting extracellular matrix was explored through quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. A rat model of dental pulp inflammation was established, and the expression of type I collagen in dental pulp under EZH2 stimulation was detected by immunohistochemical staining. EZH2 upregulated the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-10 and decreased the production of type I collagen in HDPCs, while EI1 had the opposite effect. EZH2 activated the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and p38 signaling pathways in HDPCs, the inhibition of which reversed the induction of MMPs and the suppression of type I collagen. EZH2 can downregulate the type I collagen levels in an experimental model of dental pulpitis in rats. EZH2 promotes extracellular matrix degradation via nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and P38 signaling pathways in pulpitis. EZH2 can decrease the type I collagen levels in vivo and in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Two main types of sphalerites were identified and showed significant trace element differences. • The occurrence of trace elements in sphalerite was discussed, and several possible coupled substitutions are discovered. • PCA on trace elements in Sphalerite from the Fankou Pb-Zn deposit suggest the Fankou Pb-Zn deposit belongs to MVT deposit. Sphalerite is one of the most ubiquitous and abundant sulfides in the Fankou Pb-Zn deposit, Guangdong province, South China, which is hosted predominately in Middle-Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous carbonate strata. Two main generations of sphalerites were identified during the filed investigation and microscopic observation: Sphalerite I (including Sp Ia and Sp Ib), "brownish-red" in color, coexists with pyrite, galena, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and minor arsenopyrite. By contrast, Sphalerite II (including sphalerite IIa and Sp IIb),"yellow" in color, is associated with galena, pyrite, calcite, and dolomite. The EMPA and LA-ICP-MS analyses show that: (1) Sphalerite I contains higher Fe, Ga, Ge, and Ag, but relatively lower Zn, Sn, Sb, and Pb, compared to sphalerite II; (2) Iron, Mn, Cd, Ga, Ge, In and Sn occur in solid substitution with rhythmically banded compositional changes, with Cu, Sb, and Pb likely also present in solid substitution or microscopic inclusions in the Fankou sphalerite; (3) Possible trace element substitution mechanisms are summarized as follows: (1) Zn2+ ↔ (Fe2+, Mn2+, Cd2+), (2) potential coupled substitutions of 2Zn2+ ↔ Cu+ + Ga3+, 3Zn2+ ↔ 2Cu+ + Ge4+ and 3Zn2+ ↔ 2Ag+ + Ge4+. Principal component analysis (PCA) of selected sphalerite from deposits of the Jinding Pb-Zn deposit, MVT, SEDEX, skarn, VMS, and the Fankou Pb-Zn deposit reveal significant differences. Our study suggests that crystallization temperatures and trace and minor element behaviors of sphalerite from the Fankou deposit were similar to those of sphalerite from typical Mississippi-valley-type (MVT) deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the acceleration of urbanization and aging and the change of lifestyle, inflammatory diseases have become one of the important threats to the health of the global population. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are involved in the metabolism of extracellular matrix (ECM). They play a key role in inflammation-related diseases. Factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress and growth factors stimulate the production of MMPs with subsequent ECM remodeling. Recently, the studies of epigenetic regulation, including the ability to predict disease progression, important pathophysiological deficiencies as well as treatment methods have been extensively discussed. This article reviews the current studies on epigenetic alterations in MMPs during inflammatory response. It is likely to provide new insights into development of efficient medications of epigenetic therapy for inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Most consumer webpages failed to provide accurate information on the benefits of spine surgery. • Harms were rarely presented with quantitative estimates. • Unbiased resources containing information about spine surgery are needed. It is unknown whether online information about the benefits and harms of surgery contains an accurate description of evidence. To describe the proportion of webpages containing information about surgery for spinal pain (decompression and fusion) that accurately described the evidence on the benefits of surgery, described harms, and provided quantitative estimates of these harms. We performed a content analysis of webpages containing information about spine surgery. Two reviewers identified webpages and extracted data. Primary outcomes were the proportion of webpages that accurately described the evidence on the benefits, described harms, and provided quantitative estimates of these harms. We included 117 webpages. Only 29 (25%) webpages accurately described the evidence on the benefits of spine surgery, and more webpages on decompression accurately described the evidence compared to webpages on fusion (31% vs 15%, difference in proportions = 16%; 95% CI: 2%, 31%). Harms of surgery were described in most webpages (n = 76, 65%), but a much smaller proportion of webpages (n = 18, 15%) provided a quantitative estimate for the mentioned harms. Most webpages failed to accurately describe the benefits and harms of decompression and fusion surgeries for spinal pain. Unbiased consumer resources and educating the public on how to critically evaluate health claims are important steps to improve knowledge on the benefits and harms of spine surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron-, phosphorus-, nitrogen-doped and co-doped single-wall carbon nanohorns were produced using an arc-vaporization method. These as-prepared doped materials consist of uniform isolated nanohorns and exhibit greatly enhanced catalytic capabilities in the reduction reaction of nitrobenzene and a volcano-shape trend between their activities with a B dopant content is found. Moreover, the B-C3 and P-C3 species in doped nanohorns might act as the acidic and basic sites to promote this reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]