Achieving Near-Unity Red Light Photoluminescence in Antimony Halide Crystals via Polyhedron Regulation.

Exploration of efficient red emitting antimony hybrid halide with large Stokes shift and zero self-absorption is highly desirable due to its enormous potential for applications in solid light emitting, and active optical waveguides. However, it is still challenging and rarely reported. Herein, a series of (TMS)2SbCl5 (TMS=triphenylsulfonium cation) crystals have been prepared with diverse [SbCl5]2- configurations and distinctive emission color. Among them, cubic-phase (TMS)2SbCl5 shows bright red emission with a large Stokes shift of 312 nm. In contrast, monoclinic and orthorhombic (TMS)2SbCl5 crystals deliver efficient yellow and orange emission, respectively. Comprehensive structural investigations reveal that larger Stokes shift and longer-wavelength emission of cubic (TMS)2SbCl5 can be attributed to the larger lattice volume and longer Sb⋅⋅⋅Sb distance, which favor sufficient structural aberration freedom at excited states. Together with robust stability, (TMS)2SbCl5 crystal family has been applied as optical waveguide with ultralow loss coefficient of 3.67 ⋅ 10-4 dB µm-1, and shows superior performance in white-light emission and anti-counterfeiting. In short, our study provides a novel and fundamental perspective to structure-property-application relationship of antimony hybrid halides, which will contribute to future rational design of high-performance emissive metal halides.

ortho-Methoxycarbonylethynylphenyl Thioglycosides (MCEPTs): Versatile Glycosyl Donors Enabled by Electron-Withdrawing Substituents and Catalyzed by Gold(I) or Cu(II) Complexes.

With easily accessible and operator-friendly reagents, shelf-stable ortho-methoxycarbonylethynylphenyl thioglycosides were efficiently prepared. Based on these MCEPT glycoside donors, a novel glycosylation protocol featuring mild and catalytic promotion conditions with Au(I) or Cu(II) complexes, expanded substrate scope encompassing challenging donors and acceptors and clinically used pharmaceuticals, and versatility in various strategies for highly efficient synthesis of glycosides has been established. The practicality of the MCEPT glycosylation protocol was fully exhibited by highly efficient and scalable synthesis of surface polysaccharide subunits of Acinetobacter baumannii via latent-active, reagent-controlled divergent orthogonal one-pot and orthogonal one-pot strategies. The underlying reaction mechanism was investigated systematically through control reactions, leading to the isolation and characterization of the vital catalyst species in MCEPT glycosylation, the benzothiophen-3-yl-gold(I) complex. Based on the results obtained both from control reactions and from studies leading to the glycosylation protocol establishment, an operative mechanism was proposed and the effect of the vital catalyst species reactivity on the results of metal-catalyzed alkyne-containing donor-involved glycosylation was disclosed. Moreover, the mechanism for C-glycosylation side product formation from ortho-(substituted)ethynylphenyl thioglycoside donors with electron-donating substituents was also illuminated.

Rps6ka2 enhances iMSC chondrogenic differentiation to attenuate knee osteoarthritis through articular cartilage regeneration in mice.

Articular cartilage (AC) is most susceptible to degeneration in knee osteoarthritis (OA); however, the existing treatments for OA do not target the core link of the pathogenesis-"decreased tissue cell function activity and extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolic disorders" for effective intervention. iMSC hold lower heterogeneity and great promise in biological research and clinical applications. Rps6ka2 may play an important role in the iMSC to treat OA. In this study, the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing Rps6ka2-/- iMSC were obtained. Effect of Rps6ka2 on iMSC proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation was evaluated in vitro. An OA model was constructed in mice by surgical destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM). The Rps6ka2-/- iMSC and iMSC were injected into the articular cavity twice-weekly for 8 weeks. In vitro experiments showed that Rps6ka2 could promote iMSC proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. In vivo results further confirmed that Rps6ka2 could improve iMSC viability to promote ECM production to attenuate OA in mice.

LncRNA MALAT1-targeting antisense oligonucleotide ameliorates the AngII-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via Nrf2/GPX4 antioxidant pathway.

ABSTRACT: The high level of oxidative stress induced by angiotensin II (AngII) is the main pathophysiological process that promotes the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and induces vascular remodeling. LncRNA Metastasis-related lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) has been determined to play an important role in the modulation of oxidative stress and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the function and underlying mechanism of MALAT1 in restenosis induced by hypertensive angioplasty remain unclear. AngII increased the expression of MALAT1 in VSMCs. We found that anti-sense oligonucleotide lncRNA MALAT1 (ASO-MALAT1) could inhibit AngII induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and VSMCs proliferation and migration by inducing the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), which can be reversed by siRNA-GPX4. And GPX4 overexpression can inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by AngII. In addition, we found that the process by which MALAT1 knockdown induces GPX4 expression involves nuclear factor erythrocyte 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). Overexpression of Nrf2 can increase the expression of GPX4, and down-regulation of GPX4 by ML385 (Nrf2 inhibitor) blocked the protective effect of ASO-MALAT1 on AngII-induced proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1, ip 5mg/kg per day for 2 weeks), a GPX4 agonist, significantly inhibited neointimal formation in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) by the inhibition of oxidative stress. In conclusion, these data imply that ASO-MALAT1 suppresses the AngII-induced oxidative stress, proliferation and migration of VSMCs by activating Nrf2/GPX4 antioxidant signaling. GPX4 may be a potential target for the therapeutic intervention of hypertensive vascular restenosis.

Pre-operative MRI features predict early post-operative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma with different degrees of pathological differentiation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the value of pre-operative gadoxetate disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced MRI predicting early post-operative recurrence (< 2 years) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with different degrees of pathological differentiation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of pre-operative MR imaging features of 177 patients diagnosed as suffering from HCC and that underwent radical resection. Multivariate logistic regression assessment was adopted to assess predictors for HCC recurrence with different degrees of pathological differentiation. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was utilized to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the predictors. RESULTS: Among the 177 patients, 155 (87.5%) were males, 22 (12.5%) were females; the mean age was 49.97 ± 10.71 years. Among the predictors of early post-operative recurrence of highly-differentiated HCC were an unsmooth tumor margin and an incomplete/without tumor capsule (p = 0.037 and 0.033, respectively) whereas those of early post-operative recurrence of moderately-differentiated HCC were incomplete/without tumor capsule, peritumoral enhancement along with peritumoral hypointensity (p = 0.006, 0.046 and 0.004, respectively). The predictors of early post-operative recurrence of poorly-differentiated HCC were peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity, and tumor thrombosis (p = 0.033, 0.006 and 0.021, respectively). The AUCs of the multi-predictor diagnosis of early post-operative recurrence of highly-, moderately-, and poorly-differentiated HCC were 0.841, 0.873, and 0.875, respectively. The AUCs of the multi-predictor diagnosis were each higher than for those predicted separately. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging parameters for predicting early post-operative recurrence of HCC with different degrees of pathological differentiation were different and combining these predictors can improve the diagnostic efficacy of early post-operative HCC recurrence.

Oroxylin-A and its phosphonate derivative potentiate eNOS/NO-mediated relaxation and attenuate vasoconstrictor-induced contraction in the mouse aorta.

Oroxylin-A (OroA), a flavonoid isolated from Scutellariae baicalensis, alleviates cardiovascular dysfunction. Several procedures for synthesizing OroA have been developed but show low production yield and regioselectivity. We synthesized OroA from baicalin using a one-pot reaction to increase its overall yield. We also determined the chemical properties and mechanism of action of the synthesized OroA and OroA phosphate diethyl ester (OroA-OET) in vascular function. The induction of vascular reactivity by OroA and OroA-OET was evaluated using blood vessel myography and biochemical analysis to assess nitric oxide synthase-mediated nitric oxide production in mouse aortic arteries. OroA and OroA-OET (0.1-30 µM) induced sustained vasorelaxation, which was partly mediated by the endothelium in isolated normal arteries pre-contracted with phenylephrine. OroA and OroA-OET significantly attenuated vasoconstrictors-induced contractile responses. Dilation effects were blocked by the non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N (omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester but not by tetraethylammonium or 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo [4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one. Notably, preincubation with OroA and OroA-OET potentiated acetylcholine-induced relaxation and endothelial nitric oxide production in the arteries with the endothelium. OroA and OroA-OET protected against cardiovascular dysfunction. The synthesis and lead compounds used not only improved the yield of OroA from natural sources but also potentially regulated vascular tone.

Anthropogenic enhancements to production of highly oxygenated molecules from autoxidation.

Atmospheric oxidation of natural and anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leads to secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which constitutes a major and often dominant component of atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Recent work demonstrates that rapid autoxidation of organic peroxy radicals (RO2) formed during VOC oxidation results in highly oxygenated organic molecules (HOM) that efficiently form SOA. As NOx emissions decrease, the chemical regime of the atmosphere changes to one in which RO2 autoxidation becomes increasingly important, potentially increasing PM2.5, while oxidant availability driving RO2 formation rates simultaneously declines, possibly slowing regional PM2.5 formation. Using a suite of in situ aircraft observations and laboratory studies of HOM, together with a detailed molecular mechanism, we show that although autoxidation in an archetypal biogenic VOC system becomes more competitive as NOx decreases, absolute HOM production rates decrease due to oxidant reductions, leading to an overall positive coupling between anthropogenic NOx and localized biogenic SOA from autoxidation. This effect is observed in the Atlanta, Georgia, urban plume where HOM is enhanced in the presence of elevated NO, and predictions for Guangzhou, China, where increasing HOM-RO2 production coincides with increases in NO from 1990 to 2010. These results suggest added benefits to PM2.5 abatement strategies come with NOx emission reductions and have implications for aerosol-climate interactions due to changes in global SOA resulting from NOx interactions since the preindustrial era.

Mapping hydroxyl variability throughout the global remote troposphere via synthesis of airborne and satellite formaldehyde observations.

The hydroxyl radical (OH) fuels tropospheric ozone production and governs the lifetime of methane and many other gases. Existing methods to quantify global OH are limited to annual and global-to-hemispheric averages. Finer resolution is essential for isolating model deficiencies and building process-level understanding. In situ observations from the Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) mission demonstrate that remote tropospheric OH is tightly coupled to the production and loss of formaldehyde (HCHO), a major hydrocarbon oxidation product. Synthesis of this relationship with satellite-based HCHO retrievals and model-derived HCHO loss frequencies yields a map of total-column OH abundance throughout the remote troposphere (up to 70% of tropospheric mass) over the first two ATom missions (August 2016 and February 2017). This dataset offers unique insights on near-global oxidizing capacity. OH exhibits significant seasonality within individual hemispheres, but the domain mean concentration is nearly identical for both seasons (1.03 ± 0.25 × 106 cm-3), and the biseasonal average North/South Hemisphere ratio is 0.89 ± 0.06, consistent with a balance of OH sources and sinks across the remote troposphere. Regional phenomena are also highlighted, such as a 10-fold OH depression in the Tropical West Pacific and enhancements in the East Pacific and South Atlantic. This method is complementary to budget-based global OH constraints and can help elucidate the spatial and temporal variability of OH production and methane loss.

An Intelligent Correlation Real-Time Analysis Method for the Mechanical Properties of Members in Super-Span Valve Hall Grid Structure Hoisting Process.

The mechanical performance analysis of the members is the primary basis for evaluating the hoisting quality and safety of the valve hall grid structure. Ordinarily, manual analysis of monitoring data and on-site experience inspection are employed to structural judgment, but it is challenging to evaluate the correlation of the various members and the overall safety of a valve hall. In this paper, an intelligent correlation real-time analysis method based on a BPNN (Back Propagation Neural Network) for the mechanical properties of members is proposed to intelligently control the safety of valve hall grid structure hoisting. The correlation between the mechanical properties of multi-points in the grid structure is used to model the target measuring points. In addition, an intelligent real-time analysis system is used to manage and apply the mechanical property correlation and abnormality of members in real-time. Then, the model is applied to a super-span valve hall in South China, and the application effect is good. The mechanical property correlation model can accurately reflect the mechanical state of the valve hall grid structure hoisting process. Simultaneously, it can effectively pinpoint hidden dangers and locate risk members. It provides a new reference for the normal operation and maintenance of a super-span valve hall grid.

Understanding of carrier dynamics, heterojunction merits and device physics: towards designing efficient carrier transport layer-free perovskite solar cells.

The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are already higher than those of other thin-film photovoltaic technologies, but the high-efficiency cells are based on complicated device architectures with multiple layers of coating. A promising strategy to commercialize this emerging technology is to simplify the device structure while simultaneously maintaining high-efficiency. Charge transport layers (CTLs) are generally indispensable for achieving high-performance PSCs, but the high cost and possibility of instability hinder the mass production of efficient, stable PSCs in a cost-effective manner. The ambipolar carrier transfer characteristic of perovskite materials makes it possible to fabricate efficient PSCs even in the absence of electron and/or hole transport layers. Encouragingly, the reported PCEs of CTL-free PSCs are already over 20%. However, it is still a mystery about why and how CTL-free devices can work efficiently. Here, we summarize the recent strategies developed to improve the performance of CTL-free PSCs, aiming at strengthening the comprehensive understanding of the fundamental carrier dynamics, heterojunction merits and device physics behind these mysteriously simple yet efficient devices. This review sheds light on identifying the limiting and determining factors in achieving high-efficiency CTL-free devices, and proposes some empirical charge transport models (e.g. p-type doping of perovskites for HTL-free PSCs, n-type doping of perovskites for ETL-free PSCs, constructing efficient p-n heterojunctions and/or homojunctions at one side/interface or employing perovskite single crystal-based lateral geometry for both HTL and ETL-free PSCs, etc.) that are useful to further improve device performance. In addition, an insightful perspective for the future design and commercial development of large-scale, efficient and stable optoelectronic devices by employing carbon electrodes is provided.

Real-Time Structural Monitoring of the Multi-Point Hoisting of a Long-Span Converter Station Steel Structure.

In the process of using a long-span converter station steel structure, engineering disasters can easily occur. Structural monitoring is an important method to reduce hoisting risk. In previous engineering cases, the structural monitoring of long-span converter station steel structure hoisting is rare. Thus, no relevant hoisting experience can be referenced. Traditional monitoring methods have a small scope of application, making it difficult to coordinate monitoring and construction control. In the monitoring process, many problems arise, such as complicated installation processes, large-scale data processing, and large-scale installation errors. With a real-time structural monitoring system, the mechanical changes in the long-span converter station steel structure during the hoisting process can be monitored in real-time in order to achieve real-time warning of engineering disasters, timely identification of engineering issues, and allow for rapid decision-making, thus avoiding the occurrence of engineering disasters. Based on this concept, automatic monitoring and manual measurement of the mechanical changes in the longest long-span converter station steel structure in the world is carried out, and the monitoring results were compared with the corresponding numerical simulation results in order to develop a real-time structural monitoring system for the whole long-span converter station steel structure's multi-point lifting process. This approach collects the monitoring data and outputs the deflection, stress, strain, wind force, and temperature of the long-span converter station steel structure in real-time, enabling real-time monitoring to ensure the safety of the lifting process. This research offers a new method and basis for the structural monitoring of the multi-point hoisting of a long-span converter station steel structure.

Resveratrol Butyrate Esters Inhibit BPA-Induced Liver Damage in Male Offspring Rats by Modulating Antioxidant Capacity and Gut Microbiota.

Resveratrol can affect the physiology or biochemistry of offspring in the maternal-fetal animal model. However, it exhibits low bioavailability in humans and animals. Fifteen-week SD pregnant female rats were orally administered bisphenol A (BPA) and/or resveratrol butyrate ester (RBE), and the male offspring rats (n = 4-8 per group) were evaluated. The results show that RBE treatment (BPA + R30) compared with the BPA group can reduce the damage caused by BPA (p < 0.05). RBE enhanced the expression of selected genes and induced extramedullary hematopoiesis and mononuclear cell infiltration. RBE increased the abundance of S24-7 and Adlercreutzia in the intestines of the male offspring rats, as well as the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the feces. RBE also increased the antioxidant capacity of the liver by inducing Nrf2, promoting the expression of HO-1, SOD, and CAT. It also increased the concentration of intestinal SCFAs, enhancing the barrier formed by intestinal cells, thereby preventing BPA-induced metabolic disruption in the male offspring rats, and reduced liver inflammation. This study identified a potential mechanism underlying the protective effects of RBE against the liver damage caused by BPA exposure during the peri-pregnancy period, and the influence of the gut microbiota on the gut-liver axis in the offspring.

Resveratrol Butyrate Esters Inhibit Obesity Caused by Perinatal Exposure to Bisphenol A in Female Offspring Rats.

Resveratrol butyrate esters (RBE) are derivatives of resveratrol (RSV) and butyric acid and exhibit biological activity similar to that of RSV but with higher bioavailability. The aim of this study was designed as an animal experiment to explore the effects of RBE on the serum biochemistry, and fat deposits in the offspring rats exposed to bisphenol A (BPA), along with the growth and decline of gut microbiota. We constructed an animal model of perinatal Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure to observe the effects of RBE supplementation on obesity, blood lipids, and intestinal microbiota in female offspring rats. Perinatal exposure to BPA led to weight gain, lipid accumulation, high levels of blood lipids, and deterioration of intestinal microbiota in female offspring rats. RBE supplementation reduced the weight gain and lipid accumulation caused by BPA, optimised the levels of blood lipids, significantly reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and increased and decreased the abundance of S24-7 and Lactobacillus, respectively. The analysis of faecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels revealed that BPA exposure increased the faecal concentration of acetate, which could be reduced via RBE supplementation. However, the faecal concentrations of propionate and butyrate were not only significantly lower than that of acetate, but also did not significantly change in response to BPA exposure or RBE supplementation. Hence, RBE can suppress BPA-induced obesity in female offspring rats, and it demonstrates excellent modulatory activity on intestinal microbiota, with potential applications in perinatological research.

Reagent-Controlled Divergent Synthesis of C-Glycosides.

By turning on or switching off the directing effect of the C3-OH-located o-diphenylphosphanylbenzoyl (o-DPPB) group in glycals, a reagent-controlled protocol for divergent and regio- and stereoselective syntheses of C-glycosides has been established. In particular, the silence of the directing effect of o-DPPB was achieved by the introduction of a ZnCl2 additive, which is operationally simple and efficient. The flexibility of the novel protocol was exhibited not only by the easy access of both α- and ß-C-glycosides but also by the versatility of the obtained formal Ferrier rearrangement products, which can be easily derivatized to various C-glycoside analogues owing to the embedded multifunctionalities.

Total Synthesis and Structural Revision of Rebaudioside S, a Steviol Glycoside.

The total synthesis of rebaudioside S, a minor steviol glycoside from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, was investigated via a modular strategy, culminating not only in the first and highly efficient synthesis of Reb-S and analogues thereof but also in the revision of the originally proposed structure. The modular strategy dictated the application of C2-branched disaccharide Yu donors to forge C-13 steviol glycosidic linkages, posing considerable challenges in stereoselectivity control. Through systematic investigations, the effect of the internal glycosidic linkage configuration on the glycosylation stereoselectivity of 1,2-linked disaccharide donors was disclosed, and the intensified solvent effect by the 4,6-O-benzylidene protecting group was also observed with glucosyl donors. Through the orchestrated application of these favorable effects, the stereoselectivity problems were exquisitely tackled.

Family of Chiral ZnII-LnIII (Ln = Dy and Tb) Heterometallic Complexes Derived from the Amine-Phenol Ligand Showing Multifunctional Properties.

A family of chiral 3d-4f heterometallic complexes, namely, [Zn2Ln(R,R-L)2(H2O)4](ClO4)3) [Ln = Dy (1), Tb (3)], [Zn2Ln(S,S-L)2(H2O)4](ClO4)3 [Ln = Dy (2), Tb (4)], [Zn2Ln2(R,R-L)2(CO3)2(NO3)2]·2CH3OH [Ln = Dy (5), Tb (7)], and [Zn2Ln2(S,S-L)2(CO3)2(NO3)2]·2CH3OH [Ln = Dy (6), Tb (8)] {H2L = cyclohexane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl)bis(methylene)bis(2-methoxyphenol)}, has been synthesized and characterized. Crystal structure analysis reveals that complexes 1-4 are isostructural trinuclear clusters crystallized in chiral space group C2221, and 5-8 are isostructural tetranuclear clusters crystallized in chiral space group P1. Interestingly, the adjacent [ZnLn] units within the tetranuclear cluster in 5-8 are bridged by two carbonate anions via in situ incorporation of CO2 from air. Magnetic measurements indicate that complexes 1 and 3 exhibit field-induced single-molecule magnet behavior with energy barriers (Ueff) of 22.46 and 38.70 K (or 41.87 K), respectively. Complex 5 displays typical SMM behavior with Ueff = 19.61 K under zero dc field, while for complex 7, no obvious out-of-phase signals are observed even under 2 kOe dc field, the absence of SMM behavior. The solid-state luminescence studies reveal that all complexes display the characteristic fluorescence emission of lanthanide ions. Furthermore, the Kurtz-Perry measurements reveal these complexes are potential nonlinear optical materials.

Effect of an ICU diary on psychiatric disorders, quality of life, and sleep quality among adult cardiac surgical ICU survivors: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although studies on the effectiveness of the use of ICU diaries on psychiatric disorders and quality of life have been published, the results still seem to be controversial. The study aimed to determine the effects of using an ICU diary on psychiatric disorders, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) in adult ICU survivors in China. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six patients who underwent a scheduled cardiac surgery and were expected to stay ≥ 24 h in ICU were randomized to two groups (63 in each group). The patients in the intervention group received the use of ICU diaries during the period of post-ICU follow-up, while the patients in the control group received usual care without ICU diaries. The primary outcome was significant PTSD symptoms (Chinese version of Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R; total score ≥ 35 was defined as significant PTSD symptoms) and its severity in patients 3 months post-ICU. The secondary outcomes included memories of the ICU at 1 month, QoL (Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form, SF-36), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire, PSQI), anxiety, and depression symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) at 3 months. RESULTS: Eighty-five and 83 patients completed the follow-up interviews at 1 month and 3 months post-ICU, respectively. Significant PTSD symptoms were reported by 6 of 41 (14.63%) in the intervention group vs 9 of 42 (21.43%) in the control group (risk difference, - 9% [95% CI, - 2% to 21%], P = 0.10). There was no significant differences between groups in IES-R score, symptoms of intrusion, symptoms of avoidance, numbers of memories of feeling and delusional memories, SF-36 score and anxiety score (P > 0.05), while significant differences were found in symptom of hyperarousal score, numbers of factual memories and PSQI score (P < 0.05). No adverse effect was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Using an ICU diary is not useful for preventing PTSD symptoms and anxiety symptoms and preserving the quality of life of the patients at 3 months post-ICU, while it significantly improves the survivor's factual memory of ICU and sleep quality, and prevents the hyperarousal symptom. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-IOR-16009109, registered on 28 August 2016.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Resveratrol Butyrate Esters That Have the Ability to Prevent Fat Accumulation in a Liver Cell Culture Model.

To facilitate broad applications and enhance bioactivity, resveratrol was esterified to resveratrol butyrate esters (RBE). Esterification with butyric acid was conducted by the Steglich esterification method at room temperature with N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and 4-dimethyl aminopyridine (DMAP). Our experiments demonstrated the synthesis of RBE through EDC- and DMAP-facilitated esterification was successful and that the FTIR spectra of RBE revealed absorption (1751 cm-1) in the ester region. 13C-NMR spectrum of RBE showed a peak at 171 ppm corresponding to the ester group and peaks between 1700 and 1600 cm-1 in the FTIR spectra. RBE treatment (25 or 50 µM) decreased oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. This effect was stronger than that of resveratrol and mediated through the downregulation of p-ACC and SREBP-2 expression. This is the first study demonstrating RBE could be synthesized by the Steglich method and that resulting RBE could inhibit lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. These results suggest that RBE could potentially serve as functional food ingredients and supplements for health promotion.

Suppressing Interfacial Charge Recombination in Electron-Transport-Layer-Free Perovskite Solar Cells to Give an Efficiency Exceeding 21 .

The performances of electron-transport-layer (ETL)-free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are still inferior to ETL-containing devices. This is mainly due to severe interfacial charge recombination occurring at the transparent conducting oxide (TCO)/perovskite interface, where the photo-injected electrons in the TCO can travel back to recombine with holes in the perovskite layer. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that a non-annealed, insulating, amorphous metal oxyhydroxide, atomic-scale thin interlayer (ca. 3 nm) between the TCO and perovskite facilitates electron tunneling and suppresses the interfacial charge recombination. This largely reduced the interfacial charge recombination loss and achieved a record efficiency of 21.1 % for n-i-p structured ETL-free PSCs, outperforming their ETL-containing metal oxide counterparts (18.7 %), as well as narrowing the efficiency gap with high-efficiency PSCs employing highly crystalline TiO2 ETLs.

RNA-seq analysis provides insights into cold stress responses of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri.

BACKGROUND: Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (Xcc) is a citrus canker causing Gram-negative bacteria. Currently, little is known about the biological and molecular responses of Xcc to low temperatures. RESULTS: Results depicted that low temperature significantly reduced growth and increased biofilm formation and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) ratio in Xcc. At low temperature Xcc formed branching structured motility. Global transcriptome analysis revealed that low temperature modulates multiple signaling networks and essential cellular processes such as carbon, nitrogen and fatty acid metabolism in Xcc. Differential expression of genes associated with type IV pilus system and pathogenesis are important cellular adaptive responses of Xcc to cold stress. CONCLUSIONS: Study provides clear insights into biological characteristics and genome-wide transcriptional analysis based molecular mechanism of Xcc in response to low temperature.