Unusual Flexibility of Microporous Sulfides during Ion Exchange.

Open-framework chalcogenides with ion-exchange capacity are promising materials for removing hazardous heavy-metal ions and for capturing radioactive Cs+. However, research on the exchange mechanism is limited, especially for the framework chalcogenides that have multiple bridging anions. Generally, open-framework chalcogenides that have multiple bridging anions at the window or wall of the channels are rigid during the ion-exchange process. We show here that microporous sulfides with µ3-S2- (where µ3 = triple bridging mode) at the windows exhibit framework flexibility upon ion exchange. Three new microporous sulfides Na4Cu8Ge3S12·2H2O (1), Na3(Hen)Cu8Sn3S12 (where en = ethylenediamine) (2) and (dap)2(Hdap)4Cu8Ge3S18 (where dap = 1,2-diaminopropane) (3) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Compounds 1 and 2 contain a copper-rich framework composed of icosahedral [Cu8S12]16- units linked via monomeric GeS44- or SnS44- tetrahedral units, whereas compound 3 features an expanded framework composed of icosahedral [Cu8S12]16- units interconnected with dimeric Ge2S64- units. These compounds exhibit unusual ion-exchange properties. Specifically, the frameworks of 1 and 2 (with µ3-S at the small windows) show "breathing action" upon ion exchange of K+ or Rb+, which have relative large sizes, and compound 3 exhibits framework flexibility upon Cs+ ion exchange with both space group and channels changed.

A prospective randomized double-blind study comparing the dose-response curves of epidural ropivacaine for labor analgesia initiation between parturients with and without obesity.

Background: Previous studies have explored the median effective concentration (EC50) of ropivacaine for labor epidural analgesia in parturients with obesity. However, the clinical relevance of the 90% effective concentration (EC90) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine and compare the dose-response curve of epidural ropivacaine for labor analgesia between parturients with and without obesity. Methods: Parturients were divided into two groups based on body mass index (BMI): group N, consisting of parturients with BMI <30 kg/m2, and group O, consisting of parturients with BMI >30 kg/m2. Within each group, the patients were randomized to receive one of five concentrations (0.0375%, 0.075%, 0.1125%, 0.15%, or 0.1875%) of epidural ropivacaine for labor analgesia. Analgesia was induced with a loading dose of 15 mL of the assigned concentration. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded at baseline and 30 min post-dose to calculate the response (%) using the formula [(baseline VAS pain score-VAS pain score at 30 min)/baseline VAS pain score] ×100%. The EC50 and EC90 values were determined via nonlinear regression analysis. Results: The EC50 and EC90 values of ropivacaine were 0.061% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.056%-0.066%) and 0.177% (95% CI, 0.152%-0.206%) in group N and 0.056% (95% CI, 0.051%-0.061%) and 0.161% (95% CI, 0.138%-0.187%) in group O, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the EC50 and EC90 values between the two groups (p-values = 0.121 and 0.351, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, within the parameters of this study, our findings suggest that obesity, characterized by a mean BMI value of 30.9, does not significantly influence the EC50 and EC90 values of epidural ropivacaine for labor analgesia. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the dose-response relationship between ropivacaine and obesity with higher BMI values. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=190747, Identifier ChiCTR2300073273.

Feline umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells: isolation, identification, and antioxidative stress role through NF-κB signaling pathway.

At present, the differentiation potential and antioxidant activity of feline umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) have not been clearly studied. In this study, feline UC-MSCs were isolated by tissue adhesion method, identified by flow cytometry detection of cell surface markers (CD44, CD90, CD34, and CD45), and induced differentiation toward osteogenesis and adipogenesis in vitro. Furthermore, the oxidative stress model was established with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (100 µM, 300 µM, 500 µM, 700 µM, and 900 µM). The antioxidant properties of feline UC-MSCs and feline fibroblasts were compared by morphological observation, ROS detection, cell viability via CCK-8 assay, as well as oxidative and antioxidative parameters via ELISA. The mRNA expression of genes related to NF-κB pathway was detected via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while the levels of NF-κB signaling cascade-related proteins were determined via Western Blot. The results showed that feline UC-MSCs highly expressed CD44 and CD90, while negative for CD34 and CD45 expression. Feline UC-MSCs cultured under osteogenic and adipogenic conditions showed good differentiation capacity. After being exposed to different concentrations of H2O2 for eight hours, feline UC-MSCs exhibited the significantly higher survival rate than feline fibroblasts. A certain concentration of H2O2 could up-regulate the activities of SOD2 and GSH-Px in feline UC-MSCs. The expression levels of p50, MnSOD, and FHC mRNA in feline UC-MSCs stimulated by 300 µM and 500 µM H2O2 significantly increased compared with the control group. Furthermore, it was observed that 500 µM H2O2 significantly enhanced the protein levels of p-IκB, IκB, p-p50, p50, MnSOD, and FHC, which could be reversed by BAY 11-7,082, a NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor. In conclusion, it was confirmed that feline UC-MSCs, with good osteogenesis and adipogenesis abilities, had better antioxidant property which might be related to NF-κB signaling pathway. This study lays a foundation for the further application of feline UC-MSCs in treating the various inflammatory and oxidative injury diseases of pets.