Completely Methylene-Free Side Chain Enables Significant Microphase Separation at Medium IECs for Fuel-Cell Anion Exchange Membranes.

The introduction of hydrophobic side chain structures in anion exchange membranes (AEMs) to facilitate ion transport has been widely studied; however, low or moderate hydrophobic hydrocarbon and semifluorinated side chains are insufficient to induce a high degree of microphase separation. Herein, we design and prepare poly(aryl piperidinium) AEMs with completely methylene-free perfluorinated side chains, which can maximize the thermodynamic incompatibility between main- and side chains, thus enhancing microphase separation at medium ion exchange capacities (IECs). According to the molecular dynamics study, the methylene-free perfluorinated side chain leads to better hydration of cations. The hydroxide conductivity of the methylene-free perfluorinated side chain-grafted PAP-pF-1 membrane reaches 124.9 mS cm-1 at 80 °C, and the PAP-sF-1 with semifluorinated side chains and PAP-CH-1 with hydrocarbon side chains show lower conductivity (116.8 and 104.0 mS cm-1). The H2/O2 fuel cell using the PAP-pF-1 membrane demonstrates a remarkable peak power density (1651 mW cm-2 at 80 °C) and durability (greater than 300 h). This work provides a novel insight into enhancing microphase separation in AEMs; it opens up new possibilities for developing high-performance AEMs.

Efficient reduction of Cr(VI) by guava (Psidium guajava) leaf extract and its mitigation effect on Cr toxicity in rice seedlings.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a toxic element that has negative impacts on crop growth and yield. Using plant extracts to convert toxic Cr(VI) into less toxic Cr(III) may be a more favorable option compared to chemical reducing agents. In this study, the potential effects and mechanisms of using an aqueous extract of Psidium guajava L. leaves (AEP) in reducing Cr(VI) toxicity in rice were comprehensively studied. Firstly, the reducing power of AEP for Cr(VI) was confirmed by the cyclic voltammetry combined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) assays. The highest Cr(VI) reduction efficiency reached approximately 78% under 1.5 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/mL of AEP and 10 mg/L Cr(VI) condition. Additionally, Cr(VI) stress had a significant inhibitory effect on rice growth. However, the exogenous application of AEP alleviated the growth inhibition and oxidative damage of rice under Cr(VI) stress by increasing the activity and level of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Furthermore, the addition of AEP restored the ultrastructure of root cells, promoted Cr adsorption onto root cell walls, and limited the translocation Cr to shoots. In shoots, AEP application also triggered the expression of specific genes involved in Cr defense and detoxification response, including photosynthesis pathways, antioxidant systems, flavonoids biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. These results suggest that AEP is an efficient reduction agent for Cr(VI), and exogenous application of AEP may be a promising strategy to mitigate the harm of Cr(VI) on rice, ultimately contributing to improved crop yield in Cr-contaminated environments.

Characteristics of psychological time in patients with depression and potential intervention strategies.

Psychological time reveals information about an individual's psychological state and psychopathological traits and, thus, has become a new perspective through which the occurrence and development of depression can be examined. Psychological time includes time perception, time perspective, circadian rhythms, and passage of time. Patients with depression are characterized by inaccurate time interval estimation, habitual negative thoughts about the past and future, evening-type circadian rhythms, and slow passage of time. Habitual negative thoughts about the past and future and evening-type circadian rhythms influence the formation of depression, and poor time interval estimation and slow passage of time may result from depression. Further study is needed accurately exploring psychological time and influencing factors in patients with depression, and prospective cohort studies could further clarify this complex relationship. In addition, the study of psychological time has important implications for developing effective interventions to reduce depression.

The effect of social exclusion on intertemporal choice in suicide attempters: A preliminary experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide-related theories and a growing body of evidence suggest that suicidal patients may have a tendency toward "short-sightedness"-the preference for immediate gratification when making intertemporal choice-and that social exclusion may exacerbate this tendency in suicidal patients. The present study examined the intertemporal choice performance of suicide attempters under conditions of social exclusion in a sample of affective disorder patients. METHODS: A total of 64 affective disorder patients (22 non-suicidal patients, 24 single-suicide attempters and 18 multiple-suicide attempters) completed an intertemporal choice task in an exclusion or a non-exclusion condition. Social exclusion was manipulated using the Cyberball paradigm. RESULTS: Non-suicidal patients and single-suicide attempters both exhibited an exaggerated preference for immediate rewards in the exclusion condition compared with the non-exclusion condition; in contrast, the multiple-suicide attempters appeared relatively indifferent to the social exclusion, exhibiting virtually identical preferences for immediate rewards in both the exclusion and non-exclusion conditions. In addition, the multiple-suicide attempters exhibited an exaggerated preference for immediate rewards compared with non-suicidal patients and single-suicide attempters in the non-exclusion condition, while the three groups did not differ in the exclusion condition. CONCLUSIONS: Affective disorder patients with a single or no suicide attempts are more short-sighted after being excluded, while those with multiple suicide attempts appeared consistent short-sightedness in both exclusion and non-exclusion conditions. The study provides preliminary evidence of the role of disadvantageous intertemporal choice in the suicidal process. Future research replicate and extend these findings could have implications for suicide prevention and intervention.

Deciphering the Endophytic and Rhizospheric Microbial Communities of a Metallophyte Commelina communis in Different Cu-Polluted Soils.

Metallophytes microbiota play a key role in plant growth and resistance to heavy metal stress. Comparing to the well-studied single or some specific plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacterial strains, our current understanding of the structural and functional variations of microbiome of metallophytes is still limited. Here, we systematically investigated the endophytic and rhizosphere bacterial community profiles of a metallophyte Commelina communis growing in different Cu-polluted soils by high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the rhizosphere communities of C. communis exhibited a much higher level of diversity and richness than the endosphere communities. Meanwhile, shifts in the bacterial community composition were observed between the rhizosphere and endosphere of C. communis, indicating plant compartment was a strong driver for the divergence between rhizosphere and endosphere community. Among the environmental factors, soil Cu content, followed by OM, TP and TN, played major roles in shaping the bacterial community structure of C. communis. At the highly Cu-contaminated site, Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas were the predominant genera in the endophytic and rhizospheric bacterial communities, respectively, which might enhance copper tolerance as PGP bacteria. In summary, our findings will be useful to better understand metallophyte-microbe interactions and select suitable bacterial taxa when facilitating phytoremediation.

Quercetin alleviates myocyte toxic and sensitizes anti-leukemic effect of adriamycin.

Objectives Derived from plants, flavonoids have been proven to possess anti-cancer activities. Adriamycin (ADM), an anthracycline antibiotic, is widely applied in the chemotherapy for leukemia; however, it has a side effect of heart damage. This study aims to explore potential anti-leukemia effects of quercetin (Que) and the underlying mechanism. Methods The P388 xenograft mice models were first established and then treated with Que alone or in combination with ADM. Subsequently, we evaluated their effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis by observing the cell cycle and detecting the Caspase-3 level, respectively. The underlying pro-apoptotic mechanism was further investigated by detecting the expression levels of NF-κB, Bcl-2, and Bax. The cardiomyocyte ultrastructural changes of P388 leukemic mice after drug treatment were also observed. The protective effect of Que on cardiomyocyte was evaluated by detecting enzymatic activity changes of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde. Results Compared with ADM group, the combination of ADM and Que showed prolonged survival time and less peripheral white blood cells. Que could sensitize the anti-leukemic effect of ADM by inhibiting the proliferation of white blood cells through trapping the cells at the S phase; caspase-3 was activated via the expressional regulation of Bcl-2, Bax, and NF-κB. When applied in combination with ADM, Que could attenuate heart damage by cleaning the reactive oxygen species. Conclusion Our study may provide informative evidences for the underlying mechanism of anti-cancer effects of Que and sheds light on the clinical application of Que in leukemia treatment.

Sertraline and periodic limb movements during sleep: an 8-week open-label study in depressed patients with insomnia.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might induce or exacerbate periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS). However, most of these studies were retrospective and cross-sectional studies with small sample sizes on a selective SSRI, fluoxetine. Because different SSRIs have different pharmacologic profiles, it was not certain if other SSRIs also might lead to PLMS. METHODS: Data were taken from an open-label 8-week trial of sertraline in depressive patients with insomnia (n=31). Depressed patients were administered sertraline 50mg at 8:00am on the first day, and the dosage was subsequently titrated up to a maximum of 200mg daily during the 8-week trial. All participants were tested by repeated polysomnography (PSG) (baseline, first day, 14th day, 28th day, and 56th day). Periodic leg movements (PLM) were visually counted and the PLM index (PLMI) was calculated. PLMS was defined as PLMI ⩾5, and significant PLMS was defined as PLMI ⩾15. RESULTS: Compared with baseline (PLMI, 3.6±1.5), all PLMI indices increased on the immediate administration of sertraline on the first day (PLMI, 5.1±3.9). From the 14th day onward, PLMI became stable and significantly higher than baseline and the first day (8.7±3.1 on the 14th day, 8.3±3.7 on the 28th day, and 8.5±3.6 on the 56th day; F[11.81]; P=.003). The clinical responses and PSG characteristics continuously improved during the 8-week trial. The PLMS group (PLMI ⩾5) had a higher arousal index (AI) than the non-PLMS group on the 14th day (9.4±5.5 vs 5.2±3.7; t test, 4.22; P=.03) and the 56th day (8.1±5.5 vs 4.3±3.7; z score, 3.11; P=.04); albeit, there was no significant clinical disturbances in the PLMS group. CONCLUSIONS: PLMS were increased during sertraline treatment, but only a few of the PLMS reached the significant level. This effect of sertraline on PLMS might be dosage dependent. Although the sertraline-induced PLMS did not seem to cause significant clinical disturbance, the PLMS group (PLMI ⩾5) had a higher AI than the non-PLMS group. Thus clinicians should pay more attention to PLMS during SSRI antidepressant treatment.