One-dimensional carbon based nanoreactor fabrication by electrospinning for sustainable catalysis.

An efficient and economical electrocatalyst as kinetic support is key to electrochemical reactions. For this reason, chemists have been working to investigate the basic changing of chemical principles when the system is confined in limited space with nanometer-scale dimensions or sub-microliter volumes. Inspired by biological research, the design and construction of a closed reaction environment, namely the reactor, has attracted more and more interest in chemistry, biology, and materials science. In particular, nanoreactors became a high-profile rising star and different types of nanoreactors have been fabricated. Compared with the traditional particle nanoreactor, the one-dimensional (1D) carbon-based nanoreactor prepared by the electrospinning process has better electrolyte diffusion, charge transfer capabilities, and outstanding catalytic activity and selectivity than the traditional particle catalyst which has great application potential in various electrochemical catalytic reactions.

Dehydration Accelerates Cytogenesis and Cyst Growth in Pkd1-/- Mice by Regulating Macrophage M2 Polarization.

Adult autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has been shown to be related as a "third hit" to the occurrence of acute or chronic kidney injury. Here, we examined whether dehydration, as a common kidney risk factor, could cause cystogenesis in chronic-onset Pkd1-/- mice by regulating macrophage activation. First, we confirmed that dehydration accelerated cytogenesis in Pkd1-/- mice and that macrophages infiltrated the kidney tissues even earlier than macroscopic cyst formation. Then, microarray analysis suggested that glycolysis pathway may be involved in macrophage activation in Pkd1-/- kidneys under conditions of dehydration. Further, we confirmed glycolysis pathway was activated and lactic acid (L-LA) was overproduced in the Pkd1-/- kidney under conditions of dehydration. We have already proved that L-LA strongly stimulated M2 macrophage polarization and overproduction of polyamine in macrophage in vitro, and in the present study, we further discovered that M2 polarization-induced polyamine production shortened the primary cilia length by disrupting the PC1/PC2 complex. Finally, the activation of L-LA-arginase 1-polyamine pathway contributed to cystogenesis and progressive cyst growth in Pkd1-/- mice recurrently exposed to dehydration.

Correction: Reactions of [60]fullerene with alkynes promoted by OH.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D2RA01300B.].

The role of the complement factor B-arginase-polyamine molecular axis in uremia-induced cardiac remodeling in mice.

The role of complement system in heart diseases is controversial. Besides, the mechanisms by which complement components participate in cardiac remodeling (CR) and heart failure during uremia are unclear. In this study, 5/6 nephrectomy was performed to adult mice to establish the uremic model and CR deteriorated over the course of uremia. Although complement pathways were not further activated over the course of the disease, soluble complement factor B (CFB) was upregulated at post-nephrectomy day 90 (PNx90) compared with PNx30. Further, CFB notably deteriorated CR in uremic mice but this effect was reversed by depletion of macrophages with liposomal clodronate. In vivo and in vitro CFB upregulated arginase 1 (ARG1) expression, increased ARG1 enzymatic activity, and stimulated the syntheses of ornithine, leading to polyamine overproduction in macrophages. Putrescine, an important polyamine, promoted cardiac fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, resulting in progressive CR. In vivo the inhibition of ARG1 activity with Nω -hydroxyl-l-arginine remarkably improved the general survival rates, inhibited the infiltration of cardiac fibroblasts, and alleviated progression of CR in uremic mice. Taken together, the CFB-ARG1-putrescine axis is related to progression of CR and ARG1 hyperactivity in macrophages may provide a novel therapeutic target against the heart injury in uremia.

Synthesizing 1,23-C60 Adducts with Improved Efficiency: A Type of Stable and Highly Soluble C60 Derivatives.

In addition to the 1,9- and 1,7-C60 adducts, the 1,23-C60 adducts are an important type of C60 derivatives, where the property of the fullerene compounds is significantly affected by the addition pattern. However, much less is known on the adducts due to the less availability of the compounds. Herein, the hydroxide-promoted reactions of C60 with 2-alkylmalonates are reported, which produce the 1,23-C60 adducts with improved efficiency. The reactions were studied with the in situ vis-NIR spectral measurement in order to probe into the reaction mechanism. The obtained 1,23-C60 adducts exhibited good thermal stability and better solubility with respect to the 1,7-isomers.

Facile Fabrication of Hierarchical rGO/PANI@PtNi Nanocomposite via Microwave-Assisted Treatment for Non-Enzymatic Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide.

A hierarchical composite based on the modified reduced graphene oxide with platinum-nickel decorated polyaniline nano-spheres (rGO/PANI@PtNi) was facilely prepared via microwave-assisted self-reduction for an application in nonenzymatic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection. Compared to the pristine rGO, the composite exhibited a much tougher surface due to the stacking of conductive PANI nano-spheres on rGO sheets, leading to good dispersion of PtNi nanoparticles and a large active area. Furthermore, the multi-valance Ni2+/3+ in the PtNi particles effectively promoted the catalytic property of Pt sites and facilitated a superior electrochemical performance of PtNi alloy than that of neat Pt. Owing to the synergistic effect of the improved electrical conductivity and the promoted electrocatalytical property, the modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with rGO/PANI@PtNi nanocomposite displayed an outstanding electrochemical sensitivity towards H2O2 with a fast response time (<2 s), a wide linear range (0.1-126.4 mM), a low detection limit (0.5 µM), as well as a long-life stability for one week without obvious degradation. This novel strategy opens a novel and promising approach to design high performance sensors for H2O2 detection.

Highly Efficient Polydopamine-coated Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanofiber Supported Platinum⁻nickel Bimetallic Catalyst for Formaldehyde Oxidation at Room Temperature.

We fabricated one fibrous-membrane type of flexible and lightweight supported catalyst via loading platinum-nickel nanoparticles (PtNi NPs) directly on the polydopamine-coated polymethylmethacrylate electrospun-fibers (PMMA@PDA). The polymer support with the PDA layer provided numerous active sites, leading to well-monodispersed and sized PtNi NPs on the nanofibers. Through the rational design of PtNi NPs, the resultant catalyst system exhibited 90% conversion for decomposing HCHO (10 ppm) at room temperature with only a low dosage (0.02 g), retaining the high activity for 100 hours. This superior catalytic performance stems from the formate oxidation, which was the key intermediate during HCHO decomposition, and was promoted by the existence of a sufficient Pt-OH-Ni interface in the PtNi NPs with an appropriate Pt/Ni ratio of 1:5. Such tailored Pt-based nanoparticles ideally work together with the polymer nanofibers as a support for catalytic reaction. Compared with classical catalysts, our system can handle a comparable efficiency with much lower air resistance and remarkably lower dosage. Furthermore, the membrane-like morphology provides easy handling and minimizes the leaching of catalyst nanoparticles.

Synthesis of (MeO)2Bn2C70: Regiochemistry of 2-fold Additions to C70 with Addends That Are Preferential for Ortho Addition and Capable of Para Addition.

Three C70 tetraadducts, 2,10-(MeO)2-5,9-Bn2C70 (6), 1,56-Bn2-2,57-(MeO)2C70 (7, 2 o'clock isomer), and 1,41-Bn2-2,58-(MeO)2C70 (8, 12 o'clock isomer), were obtained from the reaction of C70 with MeO- and BnBr (benzyl bromide). The structures of 6-8 were resolved via single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic characterizations. Computational calculations on the electrophilic Fukui functions fk+, the stability of reaction intermediates, and activation barriers for the key processes of the reaction were performed to rationalize the regioselectivity of the reaction. A conversion of the 5 and 12 o'clock intermediates to the 2 o'clock intermediate was proposed to account for the regioselectivity related to the 2-fold additions at the two distinctive polar regions of C70. Electrochemical study showed a similar electron deficiency for the 2 and 12 o'clock isomers, while the 2,5,9,10-tetraadduct was more electron deficient with respect to the 2 and 12 o'clock isomers.

Methoxylation of Singly Bonded 1,4-1',4'-BnC60-C60Bn Dimer: Preferential Formation of 1,4-C60 Adduct with Sterically Less Demanding Addends and Stability Difference between 1,2- and 1,4-OMe(Bn)C60.

Methoxylation of the singly bonded 1,4-1',4'-BnC60-C60Bn dimer afforded 1,4-OMe(Bn)C60, a 1,4-C60 adduct with sterically less demanding addends, as the major adduct. The situation was different from that of direct functionalization of C60, where 1,2-OMe(Bn)C60 was obtained as the major product. The reaction was studied with in situ vis-NIR spectroscopy and computational calculations to obtain a better understanding of this unusual regioselectivity. The stability difference between 1,2- and 1,4-OMe(Bn)C60 was studied.

IgG4 anti-phospholipase A2 receptor might activate lectin and alternative complement pathway meanwhile in idiopathic membranous nephropathy: an inspiration from a cross-sectional study.

The deposition of IgG4 of antibodies against phospholipase A2 receptor (anti-PLA2R) is predominating in the kidneys of patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy, while its predictive value has not been determined. It was a retrospective study, and 438 patients were included. Serum samples of two time points [before intervention (baseline) and after 1.5-year treatment (endpoint)] were detected for total and IgG4 anti-PLA2R. IgG4 <0.26 RU/mL or total <20 RU/mL was considered as seronegativity. Bi-positivity/bi-negativity was defined when patients'antibodies were found positive or negative both at the baseline and endpoint. Completed remission (CR) was a major clinical outcome. A series of complement ingredients (MASP-1/2, MBL, C3a, C5a, Factor B, Ba, Bb and C5b-9) were measured in the patients of bi-positivity and bi-negativity: (1) meta-analysis based on six papers conducted seropositivity of anti-PLA2R was a useful predictor for achieving CR, but there was a high heterogeneity; (2) there was significant correlation between the baseline and decrease in IgG4 subclass and the achievement of CR; (3) bi-negativity of IgG4 has a high accuracy of predicting CR compared with total antibodies; (4) in patients of bi-positivity, those achieving CR showed lower MASP-1/2, MBL, C3a, C5a, FB, Ba and Bb than patients failing to achieve CR; (5) the titers of endpoint and decrease in Ba and Bb were associated with improvement of 24 h-UP in those of bi-positivity; and (6) the decrease in Ba was a significant factor for achieving CR in those of bi-positivity. Continuous IgG4 negativity was a useful tool to predict the achievement of CR; however, in patients of continuous IgG4 positivity, those with lower activation of lectin and alternative pathways would still more probably achieve CR.

Clinical Characteristics and Renal Histology in Pediatric Patients with Hypertension and Prehypertension Secondary to IgA Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It has been shown that hypertension (HT) and prehypertension (Pre-HT) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, the significance of secondary HT/Pre-HT in children with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is uncertain. This study aimed to examine the clinical and histopathological features of pediatric patients with HT/Pre-HT. METHODS: Data on children with IgAN from a single Chinese nephrology center were retrospectively reviewed. Morphological changes were evaluated using the Oxford classification, parameters including crescents, glomerular activity index, glomerular chronicity index (GCI), arterial lesions and Lee's grading. The clinical and pathological features were compared according to the occurrence of HT/Pre-HT. RESULTS: One hundred and eight previously untreated children with IgAN were included. HT/Pre-HT was present in 19.44% of children. Children with HT/Pre-HT were older (14.67 ± 2.37 vs. 12.07 ± 2.94 years, p < 0.01) and had higher uric acid (380.62 vs. 301.68 µmol/l, p < 0.01) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; 89.95 vs. 111.84 ml/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.01). These children also had a higher proportion of segmental glomerulosclerosis or adhesion, GCI, tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis and arteriole wall thickening (all p < 0.05). Blood pressure (BP) values were significantly correlated with eGFR, uric acid, segmental glomerulosclerosis or adhesion, tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis and arteriole wall thickening (all p < 0.05). In particular, serum uric acid levels had a stronger association with systolic BP (r = 0.434, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results show that elevated serum uric acid level might be a marker of HT/Pre-HT. In renal histology, chronic lesions were more severe and prevalent in patients with HT/Pre-HT than in those without HT/Pre-HT.

Evaluating renal biopsy-associated hemorrhage complications by the equation and providing an early intervention: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the risk for major hemorrhage complications (MHC) prior to percutaneous renal biopsy and apply a specific procedure in high-risk patients to decrease their incidence. Hemorrhage complications that required blood transfusion or other interventions were diagnosed as MHC. METHODS: One retrospective (Group A, n = 1314) and two prospective cohorts (Group B, n = 249 and Group C, n = 422) were involved in the study. Group A was used to establish a risk equation for MHC, Group B to test its performance, and Group C to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed procedure to reduce MHC incidence. Group C was classified, based on the equation, into high-risk (C1) and low-risk (C2) patients, who received different interventions. The intervention in Group C1 consisted of use of 18-gauge needles, a 12-h rest period post-operation, and reptilase injection; in Group C2, 16-gauge needles were used, with a 6-h rest, and no reptilase injection. Group B was also divided into B1 (high-risk) and B2 (low-risk) using the same cut-off, for further comparison. RESULTS: (1) In Group A, 4.8% of patients experienced MHC and the equation: Logit (PMHC) = 0.022 × mean arterial pressure (mmHg) + 0.216 × bleeding time (min) - 0.011 × eGFR [ml/(min 1.73 m(2))] - 0.894 × kidney length (cm) - 2.100 × renal cortical thickness (cm) + 6.225 (cutoff = -1.664) was established. (2) The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.848 (95 % CI 0.797-0.890) for Group B. (3) MHC occurred in 4.8 and 2.8% of patients in Group B and C, respectively; Group B1 suffered significantly more frequent gross hematuria, hematoma and MHC than Group C1; however, no significant difference except for large hematoma was found between Groups B2 and C2 for all complications. CONCLUSIONS: The equation is reliable to predict the risk for MHC; the interventions proposed can decrease the incidence of MHC in high-risk patients.

Electronic vs steric effects on the stability of anionic species: a case study on the ortho and para regioisomers of organofullerenes.

The stability of the anionic species of the ortho and para regioisomers of (MeO)BnC(2n) (Me = methyl, Bn = benzyl, n = 30 or 35) has been examined. The results show that the ortho adducts (electronically favored regioisomers) are stable upon receiving one or two electrons, while the para ones (sterically favored adducts) decompose by removing the methoxy group under similar conditions. Computational calculations indicate that the stability of the anionic species is significantly affected by the electronic structure, where the [5,6]-double bond is responsible for the instability of the reduced species of the para adducts. Further study with 1,15-(MeO)2-2,4-Bn2C60, an adduct with both the ortho and para positioned methoxy, shows that the reduced species is stable, indicating that the 1,2,4,15-configuration is an electronically preferential structure even though it has a [5,6]-double bond.