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Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Lifestyle intervention remains a preferred treatment modality for NAFLD. The glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have been developed as new glucose-lowering drugs, which can improve fatty liver via an insulin-independent glucose-lowering effect. However, studies exploring the efficacy of GLP-1 receptor agonists combined with SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with NAFLD and T2DM are scanty. Thus, the present randomised controlled trial aims at comparing the efficacy and safety of semaglutide plus empagliflozin with each treatment alone in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. Methods: This 52-week double-blinded, randomised, parallel-group, active-controlled trial evaluates the effects of semaglutide, empagliflozin and semaglutide + empagliflozin in 105 eligible overweight/obese subjects with NAFLD and T2DM. The primary outcome will be a change from baseline to week 52 in the controlled attenuation parameter, free fatty acid and glucagon. Secondary endpoints include changes in liver stiffness measurement, liver enzymes, blood glucose, lipid levels, renal function, electrolyte balances, minerals and bone metabolism, cytokines, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, ferritin, anthropometric indicators, nonalcoholic fatty liver fibrosis score, fibrosis 4 score and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance. In addition, intention-to-treat, interim analysis and safety analysis will be performed. Discussion: This double-blinded, randomised, clinical trial involves a multi-disciplinary approach and aims to explore the synergistic effects of the combination of semaglutide and empagliflozin. The results can provide important insights into mechanisms of GLP-1 receptor agonists and/or SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. Trial registration: This study has been registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300070674). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare clinical outcome between recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) with or without actual tibial tubercle lateralisation (TTL) after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL-R) combined with tibial tubercle transfer. Methods: From 2015 to 2018, a total of 172 knees with RPD and a tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance of > 20 mm were treated with MPFL-R combined with tibial tubercle transfer. Patients were divided into the lateralisation group (TT–PCL > 24 mm, n = 74) and the nonlateralisation group (TT–PCL ≤ 24 mm, n = 60) based on the presence or absence of actual TTL (TT–PCL > 24 mm). Clinical outcomes were assessed postoperatively at a minimum of 2 years. Second-look arthroscopic evaluations were available for 84 knees to assess cartilage damage. Results: A total of 134 knees with a median follow-up time of 32 months were included. Tibiofemoral rotation (TFR) was significantly higher in the nonlateralisation group than in the lateralisation group (15.4° vs. 9.4°, P < 0.001). At the final follow-up, the nonlateralisation group had significantly lower Kujala (78.2 vs. 86.4, P = 0.001) and Lysholm (80.3 vs. 88.2, P = 0.003) scores than the lateralisation group. At the time of the second-look arthroscopic assessment, 38.9% of the patients in the nonlateralisation group showed cartilage worsening in the medial patellar facet that was significantly higher than that in the lateralisation group (38.9% vs. 12.5%, P = 0.015). Conclusion: Patients with RPD and an increased TT–TG distance of > 20 mm but without actual tibial tubercle lateralisation benefit less from tibial tubercle transfer than patients with actual tibial tubercle lateralisation, which may be related to the significantly higher tibiofemoral rotation angle of the former. Level of evidence: III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Derotational distal femoral osteotomy (DDFO) has been used to treat patients with recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) with increased femoral anteversion. However, no study has reported second-look arthroscopic findings in the patellofemoral joint after DDFO. Purpose: To report clinical and second-look arthroscopic outcomes for DDFO with combined medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL-R) in treating RPD with increased femoral anteversion. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: From 2015 to 2019, 131 consecutive patients (144 knees) with RPD were treated with combined MPFL-R and DDFO. Patients with a femoral anteversion angle >30° and a minimum 2-year clinical follow-up period were included in the study. Three-dimensional computed tomography was performed to evaluate rotational deformities of the lower leg. Radiographic parameters presenting bony abnormalities associated with RPD were measured. Second-look arthroscopic evaluations were available for 86 knees to assess patellar tracking and chondral lesion changes. Moreover, clinical and radiologic outcomes were assessed pre- and postoperatively at a minimum 2 years. Results: A total of 102 knees in 92 patients were included in the present study with a mean clinical follow-up of 4.1 years (range, 2.0-5.6 years). Mean ± SD femoral anteversion changed significantly from 34.7°± 7.5° preoperatively to 11.3°± 0.2° postoperatively (P <.001), and mean tibial tubercle–trochlear groove distance decreased significantly from 19.6 ± 3.5 mm preoperatively to 17.4 ± 3.2 mm postoperatively (P <.001). In the majority of knees, at the time of second-look arthroscopic assessment, chondral lesion status remained unchanged at the lateral patellar facet (96%) and trochlear groove (95%); in contrast, chondral damage at the medial patellar facet was aggravated in 9 cases (10%). All functional scores (Tegner, Lysholm, visual analog scale, and Kujala scores) improved significantly at final follow-up. None of the patients experienced redislocation or subluxation after surgery. Conclusion: Chondral lesions in the patellofemoral joint remained unchanged in the majority of cases in second-look arthroscopy after combined MPFL-R and DDFO. Moreover, high-grade trochlear dysplasia and arthroscopic residual patellar maltracking might be associated with cartilaginous deterioration at the medial patellar facet after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RE3+ (RE = Pr, Sm, Er, Tm)-activated CaZnOS samples were prepared by a solid-state reaction method at high temperature, and their photoluminescence properties were investigated. Doping with RE3+ (RE = Pr, Sm, Er, Tm) into layered-CaZnOS resulted in typical RE3+ (RE = Pr, Sm, Er, Tm) f-f line absorptions and emissions, as well as the charge transfer band of Sm3+ at about 3.3 eV. The energy level scheme containing the position of the 4f and 5d levels of all divalent and trivalent lanthanide ions with respect to the valence and conduction bands of CaZnOS has been constructed based on the new data presented in this work, together with the data from literature on Ce3+ and Eu2+ doping in CaZnOS. The detailed energy level scheme provides a platform for interpreting the optical spectra and could be used to comment on the valence stability of the lanthanide ions in CaZnOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technology is a new green reinforcing technology in soil stabilization. Targeting on the problem that seepage is the main factor of causing the instability of a tailings dam, a comparative experiment is conducted, which includes the MICP technology on reinforcing tailings with or without the effect of a seepage field. The results of the comparative experiment are as follow: the mercury penetration test indicates that, under the function of a seepage field, the total pore in the tailing is relatively decreased; SEM shows that under the function of a seepage field, the intergranular pore increases; the direct shear test shows that under the function of a seepage field, the tailings' shear strength decreases; the determination of calcium ion content shows that the distribution of calcium carbonate in the tailings under the action of a seepage field is more uneven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle flow numerical simulation software (PFC3D) was utilized to establish the consolidated-undrained triaxial compression test numerical models of mine tailings with different dry densities to deeply investigate the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of mine tailings in a tailing pond in Hunan Province. Comparing the results of the simulation and the laboratory experiment, the mesoscopic parameters of the particle flow numerical simulation were obtained through continuously adjusting the mesoscopic parameter with the higher degree of agreement between the stress-strain curve, the peak strength, and the elastic modulus as the determining standard. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of mine tailings were studied from the perspectives of stress-strain, axial strain-volume strain, coordination number, particle velocity vector, and contact force between particles. After numerous numerical tests, it was found that the PFC3D simulation results are consistent with experiment results of the dry density tailing samples under different confining pressures; compared with the high confining pressure, the simulation test results at lower confining pressures were more with that of the laboratory tests; low density and high confining pressure both have inhibitory effect on the dilatancy characteristics of triaxial samples; with the same confining pressure, the dilatancy tendency of low dry density samples is suppressed comparing with the high dry density samples. The initial coordination number of the numerical model is large, which proves that the contact degree of the model is good to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The endometrium of most unexplained infertility (UI) patients has been altered histologically. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is utilized to assess the signature of living tissue. This study aimed to explore the value of SWE in evaluating endometrial receptivity (ER) in UI patients. Methods: In total, 59 UI patients (UI group) and 52 normal control women (NC group) who received fertility consultation in our hospital were included between January 2022 and June 2023. We divided them into the late-proliferative phase of UI group (LPUI; n = 59), mid-secretory phase of UI group (MPUI; n = 41), late-proliferative phase of NC group (LPNC; n = 52), and mid-secretory phase of NC group (MPNC; n = 45). Transvaginal ultrasonography and SWE were performed during the LP and MP. Endometrial thickness (EMT), uterine artery pulsatility index (UA-PI), endometrial mean elasticity (E-mean), and mean shear wave velocities (SWV-mean) were measured. Results: There were significant differences in E-mean, SWV-mean, EMT, and UA-PI between the UI group and the NC group during both the LP and MP (p MPNC vs MPUI < 0.05, p LPNC vs LPUI < 0.05). E-mean and SWV-mean decreased with increasing EMT but increased with increasing UA-PI (p < 0.05). The most effective parameter for evaluating ER in UI patients is the E-mean (AUC = 0.89). Conclusions: UI patients exhibited thinner endometrium, increased endometrial stiffness, and poor endometrial blood perfusion. E-mean was the most effective parameter to evaluate ER in UI patients. The study preliminarily proved that SWE is a promising non-invasive tool for evaluating the condition of endometrium. Critical relevance statement: This study aimed to explore the significance of endometrial elasticity measured by SWE in evaluating patients with UI. The findings revealed a correlation between EMT, UA-PI, and E-mean. Endometrial elasticity can serve as an effective indicator for predicting ER. Key points: 1. To explore the significance of endometrial elasticity in assessing patients with UI. 2. The endometrium of UI patient exhibited thinness, stiffness, and poor blood perfusion. 3. Endometrial elasticity serves as a valuable indicator for evaluating endometrial receptivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(R)‐Phenylglycinol is an important chiral building block for pharmaceutical and fine chemical industry, and its efficient synthesis from cheap and commercially available starting materials is challenging and highly desirable. Herein, a new three‐step one‐pot cascade system employing epoxide hydrolase, glycerol dehydrogenase, and ω‐transaminase was designed for the asymmetric synthesis of (R)‐phenylglycinol from racemic styrene oxide. A cofactor self‐sufficient system employing AlaDH/L−Ala was utilized for the regeneration of expensive cofactor NAD+ and removal of by‐product pyruvate. Furthermore, in situ product removal by cation resin adsorption was used to drive the thermodynamic equilibrium of the cascade reaction to the direction of product generation. Finally, optically pure (R)‐phenylglycinol was successfully produced from racemic styrene oxide with high yield (81.9 %) and excellent enantioselectivity (99 % ee). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the boundary behavior of strictly convex large solutions to the Monge-Ampère equation detD2u(x) = b(x)f (u(x)), u > 0, x ∈ Ω, where Ω is a strictly convex and bounded smooth domain in ℝN with N ≥ 2, f is normalized regularly varying at infinity with the critical index N and has a lower term, and b ∈ C∞ (Ω) is positive in Ω, but may be appropriate singular on the boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodispersed Eu, Mn co-doped β -NaYF 4 nano-crystals with various morphologies, including nanoplates, hexagonal nanoprisms and microrod, have been prepared via a facile hydrothermal route. The trisodium citrate (Cit3−) and pH values, rather than Mn2+, play an important role in fine-tuning the morphologies. A broad band emission from the 5 d -4 f transition of Eu2+ as well as line emissions from the 4 f -4 f transitions of Eu3+ are observed in Eu, Mn co-doped β -NaYF 4. The quantum efficiency of Eu3+ was improved from 16% to 72% by inhibiting the luminescence of Eu2+. In addition, controllable emissions from Eu3+/Eu2+ can be achieved through the incorporation of Mn2+ in β -NaYF 4. The correlation between the tunable emission and enhanced quantum efficiency with Eu3+/Eu2+ and Mn2+ in β -NaYF 4 has been established and discussed in detail. Image 1 • Monodispersed Eu, Mn co-doped NaYF 4 nanocrystals with controllable morphology were prepared. • The quantum efficiency of Eu3+ was increased from 16% to 72%. • Controllable emission from Eu3+/Eu2+ is achieved in β -NaYF 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nitrilase from Hoeflea phototrophica DFL-43 (HpN) demonstrating excellent catalytic activity towards benzoylacetonitrile was identified from a nitrilase tool-box, which was developed previously in our laboratory for (R)-o-chloromandelic acid synthesis from o-chloromandelonitrile. The HpN was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), purified to homogeneity by nickel column affinity chromatography, and its biochemical properties were studied. The HpN was very stable at 30-40 °C, and highly active over a wide range of pH values (pH 6.0-10.0). In addition, the HpN could tolerate against several hydrophilic organic solvents. Steady-state kinetics indicated that HpN was highly active towards benzoylacetonitrile, giving a KM of 4.2 mM and a kcat of 170 s−1, the latter of which is ca. fivefold higher than the highest record reported so far. A cascade reaction for the synthesis of optically pure (S)-β-phenylalanine from benzoylacetonitrile was developed by coupling HpN with an ω-transaminase from Polaromonas sp. JS666 in toluene-water biphasic reaction system using β-alanine as an amino donor. Various (S)-β-amino acids could be produced from benzoylacetonitrile derivatives with moderate to high conversions (73-99%) and excellent enantioselectivity (> 99% ee). These results are significantly advantageous over previous studies, indicating a great potential of this cascade reaction for the practical synthesis of (S)-β-phenylalanine in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new fawcettimine-type alkaloids ( 1 – 5 ) and three new natural products ( 6 – 8 ), along with four known analogues, fawcettimine ( 9 ), fewcettidine ( 10 ), lycopoclavamine B ( 11 ), and lycopladine B ( 12 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Lycopodium complanatum var. glaucum Ching. The structures of lycogladines A-H ( 1 – 8 ) were determined based on HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 possesses a new ring system that is formed through the linkage of C-13- O C-2, which is rarely present in Lycopodium alkaloids (LAs). Compounds 1 – 8 were tested for their β -site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Perilla essential oil (EO) possesses high antioxidant, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities, and has proven to be more reliable than chemically synthesized food preservatives. Nevertheless, EOs have disadvantages of facile photo‐degradation and oxidation, which limit their use in agriculture and food industries. Microencapsulation technology that generates a polymeric coating surrounding EOs could overcome these disadvantages. RESULTS: The EO concentration had a significant effect on encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC). The best encapsulation conditions were obtained with 2% v/v EO, for which EE and LC were 57% and 36%, respectively. EO‐loaded microspheres exhibited a crimped surface with phanic lumps by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal stability experiments revealed droplets that began to decompose sharply at 108 °C, with a 61% weight, loss, which was much lower than EOs of 98%. EO‐loaded microcapsules demonstrated good antibacterial activity. Strawberry preservation studies showed that EO‐loaded microcapsules could significantly inhibit strawberry decay, maintain the quality of strawberries and prolong shelf life. CONCLUSION: Perilla EO‐loaded microcapsules were successfully prepared by ionic gelation and were effective at inhibiting several bacterial strains. EO–alginate microcapsules could effectively delay the volatilization of EO. Perilla EO‐loaded microcapsules therefore have potential for use as an antimicrobial and preservative agent in the food industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work reports on the effect of annealing temperatures on the morphology and photoluminescence properties of SrAl 2 O 4 : Eu, Dy thin films on sapphire (0001) substrates fabricated by pulsed laser deposition technique. Scanning electronic microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to investigate the thickness, surface topography, and the morphology of the films. The film deposited using a higher annealing temperature was packed with a uniform layer of larger particle size grains. In addition, the surface of this film was shown to be relatively rougher than that without annealing treatment. An intense green emission, which is attributed to the 5 d -4 f transition of Eu 2 + was observed at about 520 nm from the films with annealing treatment. The effects of annealing treatment on the morphology, topography, and photoluminescence properties are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline Gd 5 Si 3 O 12 N: RE ( RE = Pr, Sm, Eu, Tb and Dy) phosphors have been synthesized via a solid-state reaction method at high temperature, and their photoluminescence properties were studied. The absorption peak at about 230 nm is attributed to the host absorption. For the Pr 3+ -doped sample, the typical excitation lines located at 273 nm originating from the 8 S 7/2 → 6 I J ( J = 5/2, 7/2) transitions of the Gd 3+ ions were observed in the excitation spectra. Upon excitation at 227 nm UV light, the 4 f 1 5 d → 4 f 2 emission band (350–450 nm) and typical 4 f 2 → 4 f 2 emission lines (450–700 nm) assigned to Pr 3+ were observed. The Sm 3+ -doped sample exhibits a bright red emission owing to the 4 G 5/2 → 6 H J ( J = 5/2, 7/2 and 9/2) transitions. However, the charge transfer band of Sm 3+ was not observed in the excitation spectrum. There is a broad band from 200 to 350 nm originating from the charge transfer transition (CT) of the Eu 3+ (O 2− /N 3− → Eu 3+ ) in the excitation spectra, and the strongest peak in the emission spectra located at 615 nm is due to the electric-dipole 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 transition of Eu 3+ . For the Tb 3+ -doped sample, it shows 5 D 3 → 7 F J ( J = 5, 4, 3, 2) blue line emissions and 5 D 4 → 7 F J ( J = 6, 5, 4, 3) green line emissions under the excitation of Tb 3+ . The Dy 3+ -activated sample upon excitation at 349 and 386 nm UV light shows blue-green and orange-red emission lines originating from 4 F 9/2 → 6 H J ( J = 15/2, 13/2) transitions. In addition, the energy transfer from the host lattice to the luminescence activators (i.e. Pr 3+ , Sm 3+ , Eu 3+ , Tb 3+ , Dy 3+ ) has been confirmed. In addition, the energy level diagram including the 4 f and 5 d energy levels of all Ln 2+ and Ln 3+ ions relative to the valence and conduction band of Gd 5 Si 3 O 12 N were constructed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain resulting from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system is a highly debilitating chronic pain state and is often resistant to currently available treatments. It has become clear that neuroinflammation, mainly mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, plays an important role in the establishment and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Chemokines were originally identified as regulators of peripheral immune cell trafficking and were also expressed in neurons and glial cells in the central nervous system. In recent years, accumulating studies have revealed the expression, distribution and function of chemokines in the spinal cord under chronic pain conditions. In this review, we provide evidence showing that several chemokines are upregulated after peripheral nerve injury and contribute to the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain via different forms of neuron-glia interaction in the spinal cord. First, chemokine CX3CL1 is expressed in primary afferents and spinal neurons and induces microglial activation via its microglial receptor CX3CR1 (neuron-to-microglia signaling). Second, CCL2 and CXCL1 are expressed in spinal astrocytes and act on CCR2 and CXCR2 in spinal neurons to increase excitatory synaptic transmission (astrocyte-to-neuron signaling). Third, we recently identified that CXCL13 is highly upregulated in spinal neurons after spinal nerve ligation and induces spinal astrocyte activation via receptor CXCR5 (neuron-to-astrocyte signaling). Strategies that target chemokine-mediated neuron-glia interactions may lead to novel therapies for the treatment of neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases CYP120As are the unique non-membrane P450s, which are extensively involved in retinoid biodegradation. As the O-functionalized 1,3,3-trimethylcyclohex-1-ene moiety exists in many bioactive compounds which could only be catalyzed by Class II P450s, exploration of the catalytic repertoire of CYP120As is therefore highly attractive. However, up to date, only one bacteriogenic candidate (CYP120A1) was demonstrated for the hydroxylation of C16 and C17 of retinoic acid, by utilizing the integral membrane protein cytochrome P450 reductase redox partner for the electron transfer. Herein, we provided an efficient prokaryotic functional expression system of CYP120As in E. coli by expression of the CYP120A1 coupled with several reductase partners. Fusion redox partners to the C-terminal of the heme-domain are also working on other CYP120A members. Among them, the fusion protein of CYP120A29 and FAD/FMN reductase from Bacillus megaterium P450BM3 (CYP101A2) showed the highest expression level. Based on the available translational fusion systems, the regioselectivity and the substrate scope of the CYP120As have also been explored. This work represents a good starting point for further expanding the catalytic potential of CYP120 family. Key Points: • Characterization of CYP120As in E. coli is firstly achieved by constructing fusion proteins. • The feasibility of three P450 reductase domains to CYP120As was evaluated. • Hydroxylated products of retinoic acid by six CYP120As were sorted and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue-emitting phosphors (Gd 1- x Ce x ) 5 Si 3 O 12 N (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.07) were prepared through a solid-state reaction under a reducing atmosphere. The excitation spectra exhibited several broad bands in the wavelength range from 240 to 400 nm, and the emission spectra consisted of a broad band covering from 360 to 550 nm. Two different emission centers corresponding to two different crystallographic sites in the host lattice were confirmed. The influence that the Ce 3+ concentration had on the photoluminescence of the prepared samples was examined, and the results indicate that an increase in the Ce 3+ concentration introduces a red-shift of the emission peak due to an increase in the Stokes shift. Concentration quenching occurs when the Ce 3+ content exceeds 3 mol%. In addition, the configurational coordinate model was used to finely explain the thermal quenching behavior of the phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mechanisms of the numerosity coding of random and regular dot distribution patterns. Experiment 1 revealed that connectedness significantly affected the numerosity perception of randomly distributed dots, and two adjacent dots were considered to be one numeral unit when connected via lines. The connectedness effect was much weaker on the numerosity perception of regularly distributed dots in vertical or horizontal queues and was absent in the perception of dots in diagonal queues. Experiment 2 demonstrated that randomly distributed adaptors induced a stronger effect of adaptation compared with regular adaptors when random dots after adaptation were used to test participants' numerosity perception. Experiment 3 found that the change in stimulus orientation has no effect on adaptation for random patterns. However, for regular patterns, adapting stimuli with an orientation identical to the tests caused stronger aftereffects compared with those with a different orientation. In Experiment 4, when random adaptors were presented in one eye of a participant, the adaptation aftereffect was shown to exist in both the exposed and un-exposed eyes (binocular transfer), whereas the aftereffect of regular adaptors remained only in the exposed eye (monocular transfer). We interpret that distinct mechanisms might control the numerosity processing of randomly and regularly distributed dots. Generic numerosity processing seems to be automatically inhibited based on the coding of regular patterns. The absence of numeral unit individuation, which is coded at a higher visual-processing level, might play an important role in this inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopic properties of rare-earth RE 3+ - activated (RE 3+ = Sm 3+ , Eu 3+ , Tb 3+ and Dy 3+ ) Ba 6 Gd 9 B 79 O 138 borates (BGBO) are investigated. The strong absorption bands in the VUV range of un-doped and RE 3+ -activated BGBO were observed. The band range from 140 to 200 nm with a peak at about 173 nm results from the host lattice absorption. For Sm 3+ -activated BGBO, the charge transfer transition from O 2- to Sm 3+ was observed at 202 nm. In addition, it exhibits bright red emission originating from the Sm 3+ f - f transitions of 4 G 5/2 → 6 H J ( J = 5/2, 7/2 and 9/2). The O 2- -Eu 3+ charge transfer (CT) at 249 nm is observed in the excitation spectrum for Eu 3+ -doped BGBO. For Tb 3+ -activated BGBO, the broad bands around 208 and 230 nm are due to the spin-allowed and spin-forbidden f - d transitions of Tb 3+ , respectively. In addition, the absence of the f - d transitions of Sm 3+ and Dy 3+ in the excitation spectra probably due to the photo-ionization effect. It is demonstrated that there are energy transfers from the BGBO host lattice to the luminescent activators depending on the activators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional flower-like Eu 3+ and Sm 3+ -activated BiOCl globular microarchitectures were synthesized by the solvothermal method employing urea as a dispersing agent for the first time. The crystal structure, morphologies and luminescence properties of Eu 3+ and Sm 3+ doped BiOCl have been systematically investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and spectroscopy, respectively. The unit cell volumes show a nearly linear decrease by about 0.18 and 0.15% with increasing Eu 3+ and Sm 3+ concentration up to 9 mol%, respectively. All of the prepared samples show flower-like globular microarchitectures with an average diameter about 3–5 μm with different Eu 3+ and Sm 3+ concentrations. Possible formation mechanism for the flower-like microarchitectures is proposed on the basis of time-dependent experiment. Both BiOCl:Eu 3+ and BiOCl:Sm 3+ samples show a strong red emission corresponding to the 5 D 0 → 7 F 4 transition (700 nm) of Eu 3+ and 4 G 5/2 → 6 H 7/2 transition (600 nm) of Sm 3+ , respectively. This work sheds some light on the design and preparation of red-emitting phosphors with novel microstructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cooperation between host and activator ions in nature could enable novel controllability of emission colors in single host. This work presents the vacuum ultraviolet-visible (VUV-Vis) spectroscopic properties of Tb 3+ -doped NASICON-type RE 1/3 Zr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 ( RE = Y, La, Gd and Lu) prepared by a Pechini method. The cooperation between self-active host and Tb 3+ ions leads to tunable emission from the (greenish-)blue to yellowish-green region by appropriate adjusting the Tb 3+ content. The visible cross relaxation between Tb 3+ ions and energy transfer from host/Gd 3+ to Tb 3+ were observed and confirmed. A detailed energy level diagram that contains 4 f levels of all divalent and trivalent lanthanide ions with respect to the valence and conduction bands of Gd 1/3 Zr 2 (PO 4 ) 3 has been constructed and explained. In addition, the energy transfer processes and cross relaxation processes were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perilla seed oil (PSO) is a major source of α-linolenic acid (ALA). In order to better separate ALA from PSO and to improve its purity and yield, a purification method for ALA that combines urea complexation (UC) with rapid preparative reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-RPLC) has been studied. Within the selected ranges of conditions, four one-factor experiments were found to have significant effects on the purity and yield of ALA from PSO. A response surface methodology (RSM) has been applied to optimize UC for separating and purifying ALA from PSO, which yielded optimal parameters of 95% ethanol/urea (w/w) = 5:1, urea/esterified fatty acids (E-FAs) (w/w) = 2:1, complexation time 16.3 h, and complexation temperature 17 °C. The optimal purity and optimal yield of the one-time purification ALA (OTP-ALA) obtained by UC thereby reached 86.977 ± 0.082% and 34.696 ± 0.948 %, respectively. Two-time purification conditions of OTP-ALA by RP-RPLC were also determined, and the purity of the two-time purification ALA (TTP-ALA) was increased to 99.200 ± 0.061%, corresponding to a yield of 53.888 ± 0.904 %. The effect of different added amounts of α-tocopherol on the oxidation stability of TTP-ALA has also been studied. Accelerated oxidation tests showed that the addition of α-tocopherol effectively inhibited the oxidation of TTP-ALA by reducing the peroxide value (PV). [Display omitted] • An improved method for purification of ALA from perilla seed oil was developed. • RSM has been used to optimize the separation of ALA from perilla seed oil. • The combined use of the two methods results in ALA purity exceeding 99.2 %. • Add an appropriate amount of α-tocopherol improved the oxidation stability of ALA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bitterness of foodstuffs is often associated with toxicity, which negatively influences product acceptability. However, bitter compounds have many benefits, and a slight bitter taste is sometimes favored. In this review, we summarize the methods used to isolate and evaluate the taste of bitter compounds in different foods. The chemical structures and threshold concentrations of these compounds are also recapped. Although the structures and thresholds of many bitter compounds have been confirmed, further studies are needed to develop detailed bitter-masking strategies and establish the relation between functional groups (hetero-cyclic substituents and bonding types) and taste quality. Furthermore, a comprehensive bitterness database and chemometric data must be provided in order to quickly assess the bitterness of unfamiliar products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastic and tensile properties of mixed-anion oxysulfide CaZnOS have been theoretically investigated by first principle method of density functional theory (DFT). Elastic constants were obtained by stress–strain relationships, and bulk structure parameters including bulk modulus, shear modulus, as well as Poisson's ratio were then calculated using Voigt-Reuses-Hill (VRH) approximation. The results of shear anisotropic factors, compressibility anisotropic factor and directional Young's modulus showed that CaZnOS is almost elastically isotropic in {001} planes and maintains elastic anisotropy in {100} or {010} planes. Chemical bond anisotropy shown by Mulliken atomic charges and bond overlap populations is responsible for the elastic anisotropy behavior aforementioned. Moreover, theoretical uniaxial and biaxial tensile results showed the crystal collapsed at strain more than 12%, except in the biaxial extension where CaZnOS collapsed at strain of 7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, 19-hydroxyl-10-methoxy-19, 20-dihydrovinorine (1), 19-O-acetyl-10-methoxy-19, 20-dihydrovinorine (2), and 19, 21α-dihydroxyl-10-methoxy-19, 20-dihydrovinorine (3), along with five known analogues (4–8), were isolated from the whole plants of Vinca major. The new structures were elucidated by extensive NMR and MS analysis and comparison with known compounds. In addition, compounds 1–3 were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, vinmajorines C-E ( 1- 3), along with 18 known analogues ( 4- 21), were isolated from the whole plants of Vinca major. The new structures were elucidated as (5 α,15 β,16 R,17 α,19 β,20 α,21 β)-10,17-dimethoxy-21-methyl-18-oxa-5,16-cycloyohimban-19-ol ( 1), (5 α,15 β,16 R,17 α,20 α,21 β)-10-methoxy-21-methyl-18-oxa-5,16-cycloyohimban-17-ol ( 2), and (5 α,15 β,16 R,17 α,20 α,21 β)-10-methoxy-21-methyl-18-oxa-5,16-cycloyohimban-17-yl acetate ( 3), respectively, by extensive NMR and MS analysis and comparison with known compounds. Compounds 1- 3 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines, compounds 1 and 3 showing moderate cytotoxic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions of perilla seed oil including extraction temperature, time, and liquid-to-solid ratio. The results revealed that extraction time had a significant effect on oil yield. Based on the RSM results, the optimum conditions included an extraction temperature of 41.26 °C, an extraction time of 17.11 min, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 7.02:1. Under these conditions, the maximum oil yield was 36.27%. The physical and chemical characteristics of perilla oil were evaluated. Perilla had high iodine and low acid and peroxide values, indicating that the seed oil has the good qualities of an edible oil and can be stored for a long period of time without deterioration. The fatty acid profile of perilla oil included saturated (6.99%), monounsaturated (16.76%), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (76.25%). Linolenic (63.93%), linoleic (12.32%), and oleic acid (16.65%) were the main fatty acids in perilla seed oil. The thermal stability experiments revealed that perilla oil decomposition began at 320.2 °C, with two stages at 421.3 °C and 466.6 °C. Based on its physical and chemical properties, perilla oil should have applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic structures of M Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 ( M 2+ = Ca 2+ , Sr 2+ ) were calculated using the CASTEP and the band gaps for CaZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 and SrZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 can reach up to 4.30 and 4.45 eV, respectively. Eu 2+ doped M Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 were prepared by solid-state reaction method. The XRD patterns, luminescence, decay curves and thermal quenching properties of the samples were investigated. The Eu 2+ ion can be totally incorporated into M Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 forming complete solid solutions. M 1− x Eu x Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 1) shows typical broad band emission in energy range from 1.91 to 3.11 eV originating from the 4 f 6 5 d 1 → 4 f 7 5 d 0 transition of Eu 2+ . With increasing Eu 2+ concentration, there is an abnormal blue-shift of the emission for CaZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 :Eu 2+ due to the decreasing crystal field strength and Stokes shift. However, there is no significant change in the position of the emission spectra in Eu 2+ -activated SrZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 . M 0.97 Eu 0.03 Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 shows the abnormal blue shift with decreasing emission intensity as an increase in temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory calculations on monoclinic Lu 2 WO 6 is carried out using the Cambridge Sequential Total Energy Package code. The result indicates that Lu 2 WO 6 is a broad band gap semiconductor with an indirect band gap of 3.13 eV. Eu ions are trivalency and the average coordination number is 7.6(5), indicating that the site of Lu is occupied by Eu. The activation energy Δ E is calculated as 0.314 eV. In addiation, the thermal quenching mechnism of Eu-activated Lu 2 WO 6 and the different concentration quenching mechanisms for 5 D 0 and 5 D 1 emissions of Eu ions have been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new C 21 steroidal glycosides ( 1 – 6 ) and one dideoxysaccharide ( 7 ), named atratcynosides A–F and atratcynose A, were isolated from the 80% ethanol extract of the root of Cynanchum atratum , together with three known compounds ( 8 – 10 ). The structures of the new compounds were determined on the basis of extensive spectral analyses and qualitative chemical methods. All compounds were subjected to detect the immunosuppressive activities by an in vitro model of concanavalin A-induced proliferation of T-lymphocytes from mice. Compounds 1 – 3 showed significant immunosuppressive activities in dose-dependent manners with the IC 50 values from 3.3 to 7.0 μM. Moreover, the structure–activity relationship of the steroidal glycosides on the immunosuppression was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electronic structure of CaZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 was calculated using the CASTEP code and the band gap for CaZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 can reach up to 4.30 eV. Ca 1− x Eu x Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 (0.01 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) samples were prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction method. XRD analysis shows that Eu 2+ ion can be totally incorporated into CaZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 forming complete solid solutions with trigonal lattice. Ca 1− x Eu x Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 (0.01 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) shows typical broad band emission in wavelength range from 400 to 650 nm for both under ultraviolet (UV) light and X-ray excitation, originating from the 4 f 6 5 d 1 → 4 f 7 5 d 0 transition of Eu 2+ ions. With increasing Eu 2+ concentration, there is abnormal blue-shift of the emission peaks for Ca 1− x Eu x Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 due to the decreasing crystal field strength and Stokes shift. With increasing temperature in CaZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 : Eu 2+ , its emission bands show the anomalous blue-shift with decreasing intensity. The overall scintillation efficiency of Ca 0.9 Eu 0.1 Zr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 is 1.7 times of that of Bi 4 Ge 3 O 12 (BGO) powder under the same conditions. In addition, its predominant decay time is about 50 ns at room temperature. The potential application of Eu 2+ -doped CaZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 has been pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facile and effective synthesis strategy is dramatically desirable for basic studies and practical applications of Eu2+ luminescent materials. In this work, facile chemical lithiation is used for reduction of trivalent Eu3+ ions into divalent Eu2+ ions in Eu1/3Zr2(PO4)3 crystal structure using nBu-Li solution at room temperature. VUV/Vis luminescence properties, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), and magnetic properties were used to characterize the valence state of Eu ions in crystal structure of host lattice. The emission light color changes from orange-red [Eu1/3Zr2(PO4)3] to blue-green [Li xEuII xEuIII1/3- xZr2(PO4)3], and the samples are paramagnetic after this facile chemical lithiation. The ultra-fast decay time (<50 ns) of Li0.286EuII0.286EuIII0.047Zr2(PO4)3 is attributed to the luminescence quenching effects of Eu3+ and Eu2+ co-existing in the crystal structure. All the results indicate that this chemical lithiation method is a facile and effective method for Eu2+ luminescent materials fabrication and Li xEuII xEuIII1/3- xZr2(PO4)3 is a potential luminescent material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The apatite related compound Sr 10 [(PO 4 ) 5.5 (BO 4 ) 0.5 ]BO 2 (SrBPO) doped with Ce 3+ was synthesized via solid state reaction method. Undoped SrBPO shows blue-green emission under ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray excitation due to the defects in the host. When excited by vacuum ultraviolet–ultraviolet (VUV–UV) light or X-ray, Ce 3+ doped SrBPO shows a broad emission band peaking at 450 nm originating from 5 d –4 f transition of Ce 3+ and defects in the host. The phosphor exhibits strong excitation bands in UV range and a weak broad excitation band in VUV region. The site occupation of Ce 3+ was proposed based on fluorescence decay curves. Electronic structure shows the compound is an indirect semiconductor with a band gap of 3.04 eV. The extremely small density of states of [PO 4 ] 3− or [BO 4 ] 5− group near Fermi level or in the conduction band is a possible origin of the weak excitation band in the VUV range. A possible mechanism was proposed to explain the luminescence properties observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy drugs such as vincristine can produce painful peripheral neuropathy for which is still lack of effective treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) was shown to mediate the resolution of inflammation. In this study, we investigated the contribution of HO-1 in the modulation of vincristine-induced pain and the mechanisms implicated. Injection of vincristine induced persistent mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in mice. The expression of HO-1 mRNA and protein was increased in 2 weeks in the spinal cord. Immunostaining showed that HO-1 was mainly expressed in neurons of spinal cord dorsal horn in naïve animals, but induced in astrocytes and microglia after vincristine injection. Intraperitoneal injection of HO-1 inducer increased HO-1 expression in the spinal cord and attenuated vincristine-induced pain. Persistent induction of HO-1 by intraspinal injection of HO-1-expressing lentivirus alleviated vincristine-induced pain for more than 2 weeks. Furthermore, vincristine induced activation of glial cells (astrocytes and microglia), phosphorylation of MAPKs (JNK, ERK, and p38), and production of TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the spinal cord, which were all reduced by intrathecal injection of HO-1 inducer. Taken together, our data provide the first evidence that induction of HO-1 attenuates vincristine-induced neuropathic pain via inhibition of glia-mediated neuroinflammation in the spinal cord. This suggests that exogenously induced HO-1 may have potential as therapy in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study characterized the spatial selectivity of numerosity adaptation. In Experiment 1, adaptors were arranged vertically with 8 dots at the top of the visual field and 400 dots at the bottom, and participants' perceived magnitude in the left field decreased compared to that in the right, as revealed in the numerosity comparing task after adaptation. In contrast, the perceived magnitude in the right field decreased compared to that in the left with inversed adaptors (400 dots at top, 8 at bottom). In Experiment 2, adaptors were presented horizontally, and they showed no significant effect on numerosity perception, which was tested vertically. This study demonstrated that numerosity adaptation along the vertical orientation could affect numerosity perception along the horizontal orientation, and the latter was affected by the former according to a rule of associating 'top' with 'right' and 'bottom' with 'left.' The spatial selectivity of numerosity adaptation showed distinguishing features that should function to abstract spatial relationships rather than create purely retinotopic mapping. We proposed that numerosity adaptation is based on spatial-numerical-associated codes. Vertical adaptors could activate both the vertical and horizontal Mental Number Lines (MNLs) and involve an interaction between these types of MNLs. According to behavioral data, horizontal adaptors showed no significant influence on perception along the vertical orientation, which might be due to the higher threshold required to activate the vertical MNL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resting cells or immobilized cells are preferentially used as biocatalyst for biocatalytic processes due to the easy preparation and operation, however, the catalytic efficiency of biocatalyst is usually limited by the transport barrier of cell membrane. In this work, the transport barrier of recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing the nitrilase from Alcaligenes sp. ECU0401 was relieved by isopropanol permeabilization. Under the optimal permeabilization conditions, the nitrilase activity of the permeabilized cells was 4.6-fold that of the cells without permeabilization. The permeabilized cells were evaluated for the enantioselective hydrolysis of mandelonitrile, which showed an initial reaction rate of about 2-fold that of the cells without permeabilization. The permeabilization process did not impair the stability of the cells and after simple immobilization by glutaraldehyde cross-linking, the immobilized permeabilized cells were successfully recycled for 15 runs without significant activity loss, suggesting the potential application of the immobilized permeabilized cells for the production of ( R )-(−)-mandelic acid. The technology reported in this work might also be extended to other bioprocesses facing cell membrane transport barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopic properties of Sm 3+ , Tb 3+ and Dy 3+ -activated MZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 (M 2+ = Ca 2+ , Sr 2+ ) phosphates, which have been prepared by solid-state reaction method, are presented. The strong absorption bands in the VUV range of undoped and rare-earth activated MZr 4 (PO 4 ) 6 were observed. The band range from 7.76–9.56 eV is due to the host lattice absorption, and the band at 6.21–7.76 eV is attributed to the charge transfer transition of O 2 − –Zr 4+ . Doped with Sm 3+ resulted in bright red emission originating from 4 G 5/2 → 6 H J ( J = 5/2, 7/2 and 9/2) transitions. For Tb 3+ -activated samples, the broad band around 5.52 and 4.76 eV are identified as the spin-allowed and spin-forbidden f – d transitions of Tb 3+ . Typical f – f transitions of Dy 3+ were observed in Dy 3+ -activated samples. Because the 2 p electrons of O 2 − are tightly bound to Zr 4+ rather than RE 3+ , making the O 2 − –Sm 3+ and O 2 − –Dy 3+ charge transfer bands too weak to be observed. It is demonstrated that there is energy transfer from the host to the luminescent activators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, vincamajorines A ( 1 ) and B ( 2 ), were isolated from Vinca major . Their structures were elucidated by means of 1D and 2D NMR, and HREIMS spectroscopic data. The relative and absolute configurations were deduced by comparing the experimental 13 C NMR, ECD spectra, and OR data with those theoretically calculated. Vincamajorine A ( 1 ) represents a new C 20 carbon skeleton arranged compactly in seven rings, and vincamajorine B ( 2 ) is an alkaloid with an unprecedented 6/5/7/5/6 pentacyclic ring system. A possible biosynthetic pathway was also proposed for the formation of 1 and 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that CXCL1 upregulation in spinal astrocytes is involved in the maintenance of neuropathic pain. However, whether and how CXCL1 regulates inflammatory pain remains unknown. Here we show that intraplantar injection of CFA increased mRNA and protein expressions of CXCL1 and its major receptor CXCR2 in the spinal cord at 6 h and 3 days after the injection. Immunofluorescence double staining showed that CXCL1 and CXCR2 were expressed in spinal astrocytes and neurons, respectively. Intrathecal injection of CXCL1 neutralizing antibody or CXCR2 antagonist SB225002 attenuated CFA-induced mechanical and heat hypersensitivity on post-CFA day 3. Patch-clamp recordings showed that CXCL1 potentiated NMDA-induced currents in lamina II neurons via CXCR2, and this potentiation was further increased in CFA-treated mice. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of CXCL1 increased COX-2 expression in dorsal horn neurons, which was blocked by pretreatment with SB225002 or MEK (ERK kinase) inhibitor PD98059. Finally, pretreatment with SB225002 or PD98059 decreased CFA-induced heat hyperalgesia and COX-2 mRNA/protein expression and ERK activation in the spinal cord. Taken together, our data suggest that CXCL1, upregulated and released by spinal astrocytes after inflammation, acts on CXCR2-expressing spinal neurons to increase ERK activation, synaptic transmission and COX-2 expression in dorsal horn neurons and contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel Lu 2 WO 6 :Eu 3+ films with excellent luminescence performance were successfully prepared by Pechini method for the first time and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro X-ray fluorescence imaging (μ-XRF), atomic force microscope (AFM), and X-ray excited luminescence (XEL), etc. Eu 3+ -doped films emitted strong red light peak wavelength at 612 nm under both UV light or X-ray excitation. The optimal annealing temperature and Eu 3+ -doped concentration are around 950 °C and 10 mol%, respectively. In addition, luminescence mechanism associated with Eu 3+ site occupation and possible energy transfer of Lu 2 WO 6 :Eu 3+ films have also been proposed. The optimized thin film shows great potential for applications as a candidate for X-ray imaging due to its high density, suitable emission wavelength and high light yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The direct band gap of CaZnOS is calculated to be 2.4eV using the CASTEP mode. [•] CaZnOS:Ce3+ exhibits a broad band emission in the wavelength range of 450–650nm. [•] The mechanism of luminescence and concentration quenching of Ce3+ have been investigated in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Eu2+-activated Ba3BP3O12 single crystals have been grown by the top-seeded solution growth method (TSSG) for the first time. [•] Ba3BP3O12:Eu2+ single crystal exhibits wide transparency in the wavelength range from 250 to 700nm. [•] Ba3BP3O12:Eu2+ single crystal shows high overall scintillation efficiency (1.8 times of BGO) and moderate decay time (860ns). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new conception of original hardness was proposed to evaluate the settling characteristics of coal slime water. The mineralogical and water quality analysis of four coal preparation plants shows the original hardness is determined by the basic hardness of washing water and the minerals composition of coal ores, and the mathematical iteration model of original hardness was developed, and the model has high reliability which is verified by laboratory simulation tests of coal slime water cycle. The settling tests indicate that the higher water hardness, the higher settling rate, and the clearer supernatant when the water hardness under 5 mmol/L. Some examples of coal preparation plants show that coal slime water is hard to settle at low original hardness, and it is easy to clarify at high original hardness. As a result, the original hardness is key influence factor of settling characteristics of coal slime water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-stoichiometric YAG powder samples were prepared via a simple sol-gel combustion method by introducing antisite defects YAl,16a intentionally. The investigation of structure and luminescence properties confirmed that the antisite defects with different concentrations can be created through adjusting the composition in YAG at relatively low (1000^\circC) temperature. The X-ray excited luminescence and vacuum ultra-violet spectroscopies show that the luminescence intensity of non-stoichiometric YAG increases with increasing antisite defects concentration, which is much stronger than that of the stoichiometric counterpart under the same conditions. It indicates that non-stoichiometric YAG with antisite defects YAl,16a might be used as a potential candidate for scintillator. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Three series of novel sulfonylurea podophyllotoxin derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against four tumor cell lines (A-549, DU-145, KB and KBvin). Compounds 14c (IC50: 1.41–1.76μM) and 14e (IC50: 1.72–2.01μM) showed superior cytotoxic activity compared with etoposide (IC50: 2.03 to >20μM), a clinically available anticancer drug. Significantly, most of the compounds exhibited comparable cytotoxicity against the drug-resistant tumor cell line KBvin, while etoposide lost activity completely. Preliminary structure–activity relationship (SAR) correlations indicated that the 4′-O-methyl functionality in podophyllotoxin analogues may be essential to maintain cytotoxic activity, while an arylsulfonylurea side chain at podophyllotoxin’s 4β position can significantly improve cytotoxic activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Recent studies have indicated an important role of chemokines such as CCL2 in the development of chronic pain. However, the distinct roles of different chemokines in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and in their interactions with neurons have not been clearly elucidated. We found that spinal nerve ligation (SNL) not only induced persistent neuropathic pain symptoms, including mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia, but also produced sustained CXCL1 upregulation in the spinal cord. Double staining of immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization revealed that CXCL1 was primarily induced in spinal astrocytes. In cultured astrocytes, tumor necrosis factor-α induced robust CXCL1 expression via the activation of the c-jun N-terminal kinase. Intrathecal administration of CXCL1 neutralizing antibody transiently reduced SNL-induced pain hypersensitivity, suggesting an essential role of CXCL1 in neuropathic pain sensitization. In particular, intraspinal delivery of CXCL1 shRNA lentiviral vectors, either before or after SNL, persistently attenuated SNL-induced pain hypersensitivity. Spinal application of CXCL1 not only elicited pain hypersensitivity but also induced rapid neuronal activation, as indicated by the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase and cAMP response element binding protein, and c-Fos in spinal cord neurons. Interestingly, CXCR2, the primary receptor of CXCL1, was upregulated in dorsal horn neurons after SNL, and the CXCR2 antagonist SB225002 completely blocked the CXCL1-induced heat hyperalgesia. SB225002 also attenuated SNL-induced pain hypersensitivity. Collectively, our results have demonstrated a novel form of chemokine-mediated glial-neuronal interaction in the spinal cord that can drive neuropathic pain. Inhibition of the CXCL1-CXCR2 signaling may offer a new therapy for neuropathic pain management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A double-leg elevator with an electron-rich anthracene moiety at the platformlike component and an electron-deficient naphthalenediimide unit in the middle of a double-leg riglike component was prepared through “click chemistry”, in which the reversible elevator movement between different levels could be controlled upon the addition of base and acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new eremophilane sesquiterpene, (2 β)-2-deoxo-2-methoxytessaric acid ( 1), and two new eudesmane sesquiterpenes, (3 β,10 α)-3-methoxyleudesma-4,11(13)-dien-12-oic acid ( 2) and (3 α,4 β,8 α)-4-(acetyloxy)-3-(2,3-dihydroxy)-2-methyl-1-oxobutoxy-8-hydroxyeudesm-7(11)-eno-12,8-lactone ( 3), along with the ten known compounds 4- 13 were isolated from the aerial parts of Laggera pterodonta. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D-NMR data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Upgrading bio-oil by addition reactions across olefins represents a route to refine bio-oil to combustible and stable oxygen-containing fuels. Development and application of highly active strong solid acid catalysts with good hydrothermal stability has become a key determinant for success, because bio-oil’s complexity includes large amounts of water. Temperatures of 120°C or more are needed for satisfactory kinetics. Batch upgrading of a model bio-oil (phenol/water/acetic acid/acetaldehyde/hydroxyacetone/d-glucose/2-hydroxymethylfuran) over five water-tolerant solid acid catalysts (Dowex50WX2, Amberlyst15, Amberlyst36, silica sulfuric acid (SSA) and Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 supported on K-10 clay (Cs2.5/K-10, 30wt.%)) with 1-octene/1-butanol were studied at 120°C/3h. SSA, ▪, exhibited the highest water tolerance and activity. Upgrading using olefin/1-butanol is complex, involving many simultaneous competing esterification, etherification, olefin hydration, phenol alkylation, aldol condensation, sugar dehydration etc. reactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]