Catalyst Selection over an Electrochemical Reductive Coupling Reaction toward Direct Electrosynthesis of Oxime from NOx and Aldehyde.

Aqueous electrochemical coupling reactions, which enable the green synthesis of complex organic compounds, will be a crucial tool in synthetic chemistry. However, a lack of informed approaches for screening suitable catalysts is a major obstacle to its development. Here, we propose a pioneering electrochemical reductive coupling reaction toward direct electrosynthesis of oxime from NOx and aldehyde. Through integrating experimental and theoretical methods, we screen out the optimal catalyst, i.e., metal Fe catalyst, that facilitates the enrichment and C-N coupling of key reaction intermediates, all leading to high yields (e.g., ∼99% yield of benzaldoxime) for the direct electrosynthesis of oxime over Fe. With a divided flow reactor, we achieve a high benzaldoxime production of 22.8 g h-1 gcat-1 in ∼94% isolated yield. This work not only paves the way to the industrial mass production of oxime via electrosynthesis but also offers references for the catalyst selection of other electrochemical coupling reactions.

Salting-Out Aldehyde from the Electrooxidation of Alcohols with 100 % Selectivity.

Selective electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols to value-added aldehydes has attracted increasing attention. However, due to its higher reactivity than alcohol, the aldehyde is easily over-oxidized to acid in alkaline electrolytes. Herein we realize the selective electrooxidation of alcohol to aldehyde on NiO by tuning the local microenvironment to salt out the aldehyde from the reaction system. The origin of the high selectivity was found to be the inhibition of the hydration of aldehydes, which is the result of the decreased alkalinity and the increased cation and substrate concentration. This strategy could salt out the aldehyde at the gas|electrolyte interface from the electrooxidation of alcohol with 100 % selectivity and be easily extended to other selective oxidation reactions, such as 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) to 2,5-furandicarboxaldehyde (DFF) and amine to an imine.

Molecular cloning, characterization and antigenicity of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) (Babesia cf. motasi) apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1).

Apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) has been described as a potential vaccine candidate in apicomplexan parasites. Here we characterize the ama-1 gene. The full-length ama-1 gene of Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) (BLTAMA-1) is 1785 bp, which contains an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 65-kDa protein of 594 amino acid residues; by definition, the 5' UTR precedes the first methionine of the ORF. Phylogenetic analysis based on AMA-1 amino acid sequences clearly separated Piroplasmida from other Apicomplexa parasites. The Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) AMA-1 sequence is most closely associated with that of B. ovata and B. bigemina, with high bootstrap value. A recombinant protein encoding a conserved region and containing ectodomains I and II of BLTAMA-1 was constructed. BLTrAMA-1-DI/DII proteins were tested for reactivity with sera from sheep infected by Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan). In Western-blot analysis, native Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan) AMA-1 proteins were recognized by antibodies raised in rabbits against BLTrAMA-1 in vitro. The results of this study are discussed in terms of gene characterization, taxonomy and antigenicity.

Gum chewing combined with oral intake of a semi-liquid diet in the postoperative care of patients after gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of gum chewing combined with a semi-liquid diet on patients after gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery. BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that chewing gum before traditional postoperative care promotes the postoperative recovery of bowel motility and function after open and laparoscopic surgery. However, gum chewing combined with a semi-liquid diet has not been reported in postoperative care of patients following gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: A prospective randomised study. METHODS: Total 234 patients were randomly assigned after elective gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery to a gum chewing and semi-liquid diet group, a semi-liquid only diet group or a liquid diet group. The gum chewing and semi-liquid diet group chewed sugar-free gum with an oral intake of a semi-liquid diet six hours postoperatively. The semi-liquid only diet and liquid diet groups received a semi-liquid diet or a liquid diet, respectively. The time to first bowel sounds, time to first regular postoperative bowel sounds, time to first passage of flatus, time to first defecation, serum gastrin and incidences of hunger, nausea, vomiting and abdominal distension were recorded. Hunger and gastrointestinal sensations were assessed using a four-point scale. Serum gastrin was assayed pre- and postoperatively using a gastrin radioimmunoassay kit. RESULTS: The gum chewing and semi-liquid diet group had first bowel sounds, first regular bowel sounds, first passage of flatus and first defecation earlier than the semi-liquid only and liquid groups. Increased serum gastrin was observed in the gum chewing and semi-liquid diet group. Incidences of nausea, vomiting and abdominal distention were not significantly different between these groups. CONCLUSION: Chewing gum combined with an oral intake of a semi-liquid diet is safe and accelerates the postoperative recovery of bowel function. It might be recommended as a better postoperative care regimen for patients after gynaecologic laparoscopic surgery. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study developed a new postoperative diet regimen to improve the postoperative care of patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

Expression of sheep pathogen Babesia sp. Xinjiang rhoptry-associated protein 1 and evaluation of its diagnostic potential by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Ovine babesiosis is one of the most important tick-borne haemoparasitic diseases of small ruminants. The ovine parasite Babesia sp. Xinjiang is widespread in China. In this study, recombinant full-length XJrRAP-1aα2 (rhoptry-associated protein 1aα2) and C-terminal XJrRAP-1aα2 CT of Babesia sp. Xinjiang were expressed and used to evaluate their diagnostic potential for Babesia sp. Xinjiang infections by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Purified XJrRAP-1aα2 was tested for reactivity with sera from animals experimentally infected with Babesia sp. Xinjiang and other haemoparasites using Western blotting and ELISA. The results showed no cross-reactivities between XJrRAP-1aα2 CT and sera from animals infected by other pathogens. High level of antibodies against RAP-1a usually lasted 10 weeks post-infection (wpi). A total of 3690 serum samples from small ruminants in 23 provinces located in 59 different regions of China were tested by ELISA. The results indicated that the average positive rate was 30·43%, and the infections were found in all of the investigated provinces. This is the first report on the expression and potential use of a recombinant XJrRAP-1aα2 CT antigen for the development of serological assays for the diagnosis of ovine babesiosis, caused by Babesia sp. Xinjiang.

The emerging roles of irisin in vascular calcification.

Vascular calcification is a common accompanying pathological change in many chronic diseases, which is caused by calcium deposition in the blood vessel wall and leads to abnormal blood vessel function. With the progress of medical technology, the diagnosis rate of vascular calcification has explosively increased. However, due to its mechanism's complexity, no effective drug can relieve or even reverse vascular calcification. Irisin is a myogenic cytokine regulating adipose tissue browning, energy metabolism, glucose metabolism, and other physiological processes. Previous studies have shown that irisin could serve as a predictor for vascular calcification, and protect against hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and other risk factors for vascular calcification. In terms of mechanism, it improves vascular endothelial dysfunction and phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells. All the above evidence suggests that irisin plays a predictive and protective role in vascular calcification. In this review, we summarize the association of irisin to the related risk factors for vascular calcification and mainly explore the role of irisin in vascular calcification.

Paramyosin from field snail (Bellamya quadrata): Structural characteristics and its contribution to enhanced the gel properties of myofibrillar protein.

To assess the blending effect of field snails with grass carp muscle, the effects of paramyosin (PM) and actomyosin (AM) with different mixture ratios on the gel properties of the binary blend system were investigated in our work. The purified PM from field snail muscle was about 95 kDa on SDS-PAGE. Its main secondary structure was α-helix, which reached to 97.97 %. When the amount of PM increased in the binary blend system, their rheological indices and gel strength were improved. The water holding capacity (WHC) increased to 86.30 % at a mixture ratio of 2:8. However, the WHC and the area of immobile water (P22) dramatically decreased, and the area of free water (P23) increased when the mixture ratio exceeded 4:6. The low level of PM in binary blend system promoted the formation of a homogenous and dense gel network through non-covalent interactions as observed results of SEM and FTIR. When there were redundant PM molecules, the development of heterostructure via hydrophobic interaction of tail-tail contributed to the reduced gel properties of the binary blend system. These findings provided new insight into the binary blend system of PM and AM with different ratios to change the gel properties of myofibrillar protein.

Controlled morphology of thin film silicon integrated with environmentally responsive hydrogels.

Environmentally responsive hydrogels hold multiple important applications. However, the functionality of these materials alone is often limited in comparison to other materials like silicon; thus, there is a need to integrate soft and hard materials for the advancement of environmentally sensitive materials. Here we demonstrate the capability of integrating a thermoresponsive hydrogel, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), with thin film silicon ribbons, enabling the stiff silicon ribbons to become adaptive and drivable by the soft environmentally sensitive substrate. This integration provides a means of mechanical buckling of the thin silicon film due to changes in environmental stimuli (e.g., temperature, pH). We also investigate how advanced lithographic techniques can be used to generate patterned deformation on the aforementioned integrated structures. Furthermore, we explore multilayer hybrid hydrogel structures formed by the integration of different types of hydrogels that have tunable curvatures under the influence of different stimuli. Silicon thin film integration on such tunable curvature substrates reveal characteristic reversible buckling of the thin film in the presence of multiple stimuli. These results open new opportunities for developing stretchable and intelligent devices for multiple applications.

Sex differences in the association between visceral adipose tissue and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients with normal bodyweight: A study in a Chinese population.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: To investigate the impact of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) on atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients with normal bodyweight (OB[-]) in the Chinese population, and to further assess the sex-age differences between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 8,839 type 2 diabetes patients from two of the National Metabolic Management Centers in China were included in this study. Participants were classified into four groups by visceral fat area (VFA; cm2 ) and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2 ): VFA < 100 and BMI < 23.9 (VA[-]OB[-]), VFA < 100 and BMI ≥ 23.9 (VA[-]OB[+]), VFA ≥ 100 and BMI < 23.9 (VA[+]OB[-]), VFA ≥ 100 and BMI ≥ 23.9 (VA[+]OB[+]). Atherosclerosis was defined by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV; cm/s), and we analyzed the association between VFA, BMI and the tertiles of baPWV values. RESULTS: The VA(+)OB(-) prevalence was 3.7% among these participants. Patients with VA(+)OB(-) had the highest baPWV value (P < 0.001) and the highest proportion of the tertile 3 of baPWV (P < 0.001) among four groups, and were significantly associated with baPWV (standardized ß = 0.026, P = 0.008). VFA was significantly related to tertile 2 to tertile 3 of baPWV in (OB[-]) type 2 diabetes patients, when compared with tertile 1 of baPWV, respectively. In sex-age stratified analysis, the association of VFA and the tertiles of baPWV showed sex differences. For the 55 years age stratification analysis, there was no age difference in the relationship between VFA and baPWV in (OB[-]) patients. CONCLUSION: Increased VAT was an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis in female type 2 diabetes patients with normal weight.

Inhomogeneous mechanotransduction defines the spatial pattern of apoptosis-induced compensatory proliferation.

The number of cells in tissues is controlled by cell division and cell death, and its misregulation could lead to pathological conditions such as cancer. To maintain the cell numbers, a cell-elimination process called apoptosis also stimulates the proliferation of neighboring cells. This mechanism, apoptosis-induced compensatory proliferation, was originally described more than 40 years ago. Although only a limited number of the neighboring cells need to divide to compensate for the apoptotic cell loss, the mechanisms that select cells to divide have remained elusive. Here, we found that spatial inhomogeneity in Yes-associated protein (YAP)-mediated mechanotransduction in neighboring tissues determines the inhomogeneity of compensatory proliferation in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Such inhomogeneity arises from the non-uniform distribution of nuclear size and the non-uniform pattern of mechanical force applied to neighboring cells. Our findings from a mechanical perspective provide additional insight into how tissues precisely maintain homeostasis.

Correlating the Valence State with the Adsorption Behavior of a Cu-Based Electrocatalyst for Furfural Oxidation with Anodic Hydrogen Production Reaction.

The low-potential furfural oxidation reaction (FFOR) on a Cu-based electrocatalyst can produce H2 at the anode, thereby providing a bipolar H2 production system with an ultralow cell voltage. However, the intrinsic activity and stability of the Cu-based electrocatalyst for the FFOR remain unsatisfactory for practical applications. This study investigates the correlation between the valence state and the adsorption behavior of the Cu-based electrocatalyst in furfural oxidation. Cu0 is the adsorption site with low intrinsic activity. Cu+ , which exists in the form of Cu(OH)ads in alkaline electrolytes, has no adsorption ability but can improve the performance of Cu0 by promoting the adsorption of FF. Moreover, a mixed-valence Cu-based electrocatalyst (MV Cu) with high intrinsic activity and stability is prepared electrochemically. With the MV Cu catalyst, the assembled dual-side H2 production electrolyzer has a low electricity requirement of only 0.24 kWh mH2 -3 at an ultralow cell voltage of 0.3 V, and it exhibits sufficient stability. This study not only correlates the valence state with the adsorption behavior of the Cu-based electrocatalyst for the low-potential FFOR with anodic H2 production but also reveals the mechanism of deactivation to provide design principles for Cu-based electrocatalysts with satisfactory stability.

Molecular Characterization and Gene Expression Analysis of Aquaporin in Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are important functional proteins and are widely present in the cell membrane of almost all organisms, mediating transmembrane transport of liquid and other solutes. Much is known about the molecular characterization of AQPs in other tick species; however, nothing is known about them in Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis. In this study, we first sequenced the transcript variants of AQPs in H. qinghaiensis (HqAQPs), analyzed the biological structure features of AQPs, and investigated the pattern of gene expression of the AQP gene of H. qinghaiensis in different tick tissues and stages to predict their biological functions. In conclusion, four AQP transcript variants (i.e., HqAQP1-1, HqAQP1-2, HqAQP1-3, and HqAQP1-4) of H. qinghaiensis were found, and the sequences were comparable with its orthologs from the reported tick species. Gene expression of AQPs in different tick tissues and stages showed the higher expression level in salivary glands and gut of adult female, as well as in the female and nymph than in Malpighian tubules, ovary, male, larvae, and egg. Further studies will be performed to evaluate the function of HqAQPs against H. qinghaiensis infestation on animals.

Spatiotemporal characteristics of P-selectin-induced ß2 integrin activation of human neutrophils under flow.

Activation of integrins is crucial for recruitment of flowing leukocytes to inflammatory or injured vascular sites, but their spatiotemporal characteristics are incompletely understood. We discovered that ß2-integrin activation over the entire surface of neutrophils on immobilized P-selectin occurred via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or non-MAPK signaling with a minute-level timescale in a force-dependent manner. In flow, MAPK signaling required intracellular Ca2+ release to activate integrin within 2 min. Integrin activation via non-MAPK signaling occurred first locally in the vicinity of ligated P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) within sub-seconds, and then over the entire cell surface within 1 min in an extracellular Ca2+ influx-dependent manner. The transition from a local (but rapid) to global (but slow) activation mode was triggered by ligating the freshly activated integrin. Lipid rafts, moesin, actin, and talin were involved in non-MAPK signaling. Fluid loads had a slight effect on local integrin activation with a second-level timescale, but served as enhancers of global integrin activation.

Thermoresponsiveness of integrated ultra-thin silicon with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels.

Stimuli-sensitive polymer materials have limited device functionality, design and manufacturing flexibility although they are pushed to enable smart device applications. Here we demonstrate the capability of integrating thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels with silicon nanoribbons, and enable the stiff silicon ribbons to become adaptive and drivable by the soft environmentally sensitive substrate, such as becoming mechanically stretched and compressed on temperature change. These and related soft/hard smart devices and systems may open new opportunities in biomedical applications.

N-Doped Graphene Quantum Dot-Decorated Three-Dimensional Ordered Macroporous In2O3 for NO2 Sensing at Low Temperatures.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) detection is of great importance because the emission of NO2 gas profoundly endangers the natural environment and human health. However, a few challenges, including lowering detection limit, improving response/recovery kinetics, and reducing working temperature, should be further addressed before practical applications. Herein, a series of N-doped graphene quantum dot (N-GQD)-modified three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) In2O3 composites are constructed and their NO2 response properties are studied. The results show that compared to pure 3DOM In2O3, reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/3DOM In2O3, and N-doped graphene sheets (NS)/3DOM In2O3, the N-GQDs/3DOM In2O3 sensing materials exhibit higher NO2 responses with fast response and recovery speed and low working temperature (100 °C). In addition, the detection limit of NO2 response for the optimal N-GQDs/In2O3 sensor is as low as 100 ppb. Upon exposure to CO, CH4, NH3, acetone, ethanol, toluene, and formaldehyde, only very weak responses could be observed, indicating good selectivity for the synthesized material. More attractively, the responses of the optimized N-GQDs/In2O3 sensor exhibit no obviously big fluctuation over 60 days, implying good long-term stability. We suggest that the formation of heterojunctions between 3DOM In2O3 and N-GQDs and the doping N atoms in N-GQDs play crucial roles in improving the NO2 sensing properties.

First detection and molecular identification of Borrelia species in Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) from Northwest China.

Comprehensive epidemiological surveys for Lyme disease have not been conducted for the Bactrian camel in China. In this study, a total of 138 blood specimens collected from Bactrian camels from Zhangye City in Gansu Province and Yili and Aksu in Xinjiang Province, China, were examined for the presence of Borrelia spp. Species-specificity nested PCR based on the 5S-23S rRNA, OspA, flaB and 16S rRNA genes revealed that the total positive rate of Borrelia spp. was 3.6% (5/138, 95% CI = 0.2-17.9). These results were confirmed by sequence analysis of the positive PCR products or positive colonies. This is the first report of Borrelia pathogens in camels in China. Two Borrelia species that cause Lyme disease and one that causes relapsing fever were identified in the camel blood samples by sequencing. The findings of this study indicate that the Bactrian camel may serve as a potential natural host of Lyme disease and/or relapsing fever in China.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection Attenuates Diabetic Retinopathy in Adult Rats with Experimentally Induced Diabetes in the Early Stage.

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness, yet its treatment is very limited. Anti-VEGF drug has been widely applied in ocular disease, but its effects on diabetic retinopathy and the underlying mechanism have remained to be fully explored. To elucidate the role of anti-VEGF treatment, we sought to determine the effects of bevacizumab on diabetic neurovascular changes extending from the 3rd to 9th week with induced diabetes in adult rats. The retinal neurovascular changes included increased expression of VEGF, nNOS, iNOS, eNOS, and NO in the course of diabetes progression. In diabetic rats given bevacizumab injection, the ganglion cell loss and alterations of retinal thickness were ameliorated. In this connection, the immunofluorescence labeling of the above biomarkers was noticeably decreased. Along with this, Western blotting confirmed that bevacizumab treatment was associated with a decrease of VEGF, Flk-1, and cAMP response element binding and protein kinase C protein expression. The present results suggest that bevacizumab treatment in the early stage of the retinopathy may ameliorate the lesions of retinopathy, in which VEGF/Flk-1 signaling has been shown here to play an important role.

Genetic characterization and molecular survey of Babesia sp. Xinjiang infection in small ruminants and ixodid ticks in China.

Babesia sp. Xinjiang is a large ovine Babesia species that was recently isolated in China. Compared with other ovine Babesia species, it has different morphological features, pathogenicity and vector tick species. The known transmitting vector is Hyalomma anatolicum. In this study, the distribution and the presence of Babesia sp. Xinjiang in small ruminants and ixodid ticks in China were assessed by specific nested-PCR assay based on the rap-1a gene. A total of 978 blood samples from sheep or goats from 15 provinces and 797 tick specimens from vegetation from 10 provinces were collected and analysed for the presence of the Babesia sp. Xinjiang. Full-length and partial rap-1a of Babesia sp. Xinjiang were amplified from field samples. The PCR results were further confirmed by DNA sequencing. Overall, 38 (3.89%) blood samples and 51 (6.4%) tick samples were positive for Babesia sp. Xinjiang infection. The highest presence (26.92%) was found in blood samples from Yunnan province, while H. qinghaiensis ticks with the highest presence of infection (21.3%) were from Gansu province. This study identified for the first time Babesia sp. Xinjiang infection in H. longicornis tick species. The rap-1a sequences of Babesia sp. Xinjiang from field blood and tick samples indicated 100% identity. The presence of Babesia sp. Xinjiang infection may increase in China. Novel potential transmitting vectors might be more extensive than previously thought.

First Molecular Detection of Piroplasm Infection in Pet Dogs from Gansu, China.

Babesiosis, the hemolytic disease caused by Babesia, which is a tick-transmitted obligate intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite. This disease is responsible for significant mortality and morbidity rates and enormous economic losses to the livestock industry in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In this study, blood samples were collected from 141 pet dogs from Gansu, China, and analyzed for Babesia or Theileria spp. infection using specific PCR and sequencing based on 18S rRNA gene fragments. The results indicated that 18S rRNA gene sequences from 11 samples were similar to the 18S rRNA gene sequences in Babesia canis vogeli (2) and Theileria sinensis (9). The total infected rates of B. canis vogeli and T. sinensis were 1.4% (2/141) and 6.4% (9/141), respectively. This represents the first molecular report of T. sinensis in dogs worldwide and of B. canis vogeli in dogs from Gansu province of China. Furthermore, the finding of T. sinensis in dogs may represent the common infection of this parasite occurring in Gansu.

Genetic diversity and molecular characterization of Babesia motasi-like in small ruminants and ixodid ticks from China.

Ovine babesioses, an important tick-borne disease of sheep and goats in China, is caused by the reproduction of intraerythrocytic protozoa of the Babesia genus. Babesia motasi-like is a Babesia parasite that infects small ruminant in China, and two sub-groups of B. motasi-like can be subdivided based on differences in the rhoptry-associated-protein-1 gene. This study aimed to characterize the distribution, epidemiology and genetics of B. motasi-like in animals and ticks. A molecular investigation was carried out from 2009 to 2015 in 16 provinces in China. In total, 1081 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats originating from 27 different regions, and 778 ixodid tick samples were collected from 8 regions; the samples were tested for the presence of B. motasi-like using a specific nested PCR assay based on the rap-1b gene. The results indicated that 139 (12.9%), 91 (8.4%), 48 (4.4%) and 6 (0.7%) of the blood samples were positive for general B. motasi-like, Babesia sp. BQ1 (Lintan and Ningxian), Babesia sp. Tianzhu and Babesia sp. Hebei sub-groups, mixed infections, respectively. Among the collected 778 ixodid ticks (including Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, Dermacentor silvarum, Ixodes persulcatus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus), the most frequently infected with Babesia were D. silvarum and I. persulcatus (35.7%), followed by H. longicornis (26.8%), H. qinghaiensis (24.8%) and R. sanguineus (9.3%). The PCR results were confirmed by DNA sequencing. The positive rates of B. motasi-like infection in ticks were found to be higher in China, compared with previous studies in other countries. B. motasi-like infections have not previously been reported in D. silvarum, I. persulcatus or R. sanguineus. The findings obtained in this study could be used for planning effective control strategies against babesiosis in China.