Diagnostic value of the creatine kinase-MB/creatine kinase and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios in acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of the creatine kinase (CK)-MB/total CK ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and red blood cell distribution width in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 196 AMI cases from our hospital's cardiology department; healthy people were selected over the same period as the control. The two groups' test indexes were compared through multivariate logistic regression analysis to screen for AMI risk factors; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate their AMI predictive values. RESULTS: The serum CK, CK-MB, CK index, neutrophils and NLR values in the AMI group were significantly higher compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05); however, the levels of serum lymphocytes were significantly lower compared with those in the control group (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated CK-MB and NLR levels were risk factors for AMI (p < 0.05). The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of the NLR and CK levels were 0.917 and 0.594, respectively. CONCLUSION: The CK index and NLR have a clinical predicting value for AMI and could be used as a clinical auxiliary diagnostic index for the assessment of patients with AMI.

Stress-induced ordering evolution of 1D segmented heteronanostructures and their chemical post-transformations.

Investigations of one-dimensional segmented heteronanostructures (1D-SHs) have recently attracted much attention due to their potentials for applications resulting from their structure and synergistic effects between compositions and interfaces. Unfortunately, developing a simple, versatile and controlled synthetic method to fabricate 1D-SHs is still a challenge. Here we demonstrate a stress-induced axial ordering mechanism to describe the synthesis of 1D-SHs by a general under-stoichiometric reaction strategy. Using the continuum phase-field simulations, we elaborate a three-stage evolution process of the regular segment alternations. This strategy, accompanied by easy chemical post-transformations, enables to synthesize 25 1D-SHs, including 17 nanowire-nanowire and 8 nanowire-nanotube nanostructures with 13 elements (Ag, Te, Cu, Pt, Pb, Cd, Sb, Se, Bi, Rh, Ir, Ru, Zn) involved. This ordering evolution-driven synthesis will help to investigate the ordering reconstruction and potential applications of 1D-SHs.

S-Shaped Helical Singlet Diradicaloid and Its Transformation to Circumchrysene via a Two-Stage Cyclization.

Polycyclic hydrocarbons with diradical and polyradical characters usually display unique reactivities in ring-cyclization reactions. However, such reactions are rarely used to construct π-extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Here, we describe the synthesis of an S-shaped doubly helical singlet diradicaloid compound and its facile transformation into an unprecedented circumchrysene via a two-stage ring cyclization, which includes: (1) an eletrocylization from diradicaloid precursor and (2) a Scholl reaction. The reaction mechanism was investigated through in situ spectroscopic studies, assisted by theoretical calculations. This reaction sequence yields an optically resolved π-extended [5]helicene derivative with a fluorescence quantum yield up to 85% and a circularly polarized luminescence brightness up to 6.05 M-1 cm-1 in the far-red to near-infrared regions. This sequence also yielded a highly delocalized circumchrysene molecule, exhibiting large electron delocalization, moderate fluorescence quantum yield, and multistage redox properties.

Expanded Azahelicenes with Large Dissymmetry Factors.

Expanded azahelicenes, as heteroanalogues of helically chiral helicenes, hold significant potential for chiroptical materials. Nevertheless, their investigation and research have remained largely unexplored. Herein, we present the facile synthesis of a series of expanded azahelicenes NHn (n=1-5) consisting of 11, 19, 27, 35, and 43 fused rings, mainly by Suzuki coupling followed by Bi(OTf)3-mediated cyclization of vinyl ethers. The structures of NH2, NH3 and NH4 were confirmed through X-ray crystallography analysis, and their (P)- and (M)- enantiomers were also isolated with chiral high performance liquid chromatography. The enantiomers exhibit large absorption (abs) and luminescence (lum) dissymmetry factors, with |gabs|max=0.044; |glum|max=0.003 for NH2, |gabs|max=0.048; |glum|=0.014 for NH3, and |gabs|max=0.043; |glum|max=0.021 for NH4, which are superior to their respective all-carbon analogues.

A novel alternative for pyrogen detection based on a transgenic cell line.

Pyrogen, often as a contaminant, is a key indicator affecting the safety of almost all parenteral drugs (including biologicals, chemicals, traditional Chinese medicines and medical devices). It has become a goal to completely replace the in vivo rabbit pyrogen test by using the in vitro pyrogen test based on the promoted 'reduction, replacement and refinement' principle, which has been highly considered by regulatory agencies from different countries. We used NF-κB, a central signalling molecule mediating inflammatory responses, as a pyrogenic marker and the monocyte line THP-1 transfected with a luciferase reporter gene regulated by NF-κB as an in vitro model to detect pyrogens by measuring the intensity of a fluorescence signal. Here, we show that this test can quantitatively and sensitively detect endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide from different strains) and nonendotoxin (lipoteichoic acid, zymosan, peptidoglycan, lectin and glucan), has good stability in terms of NF-κB activity and cell phenotypes at 39 cell passages and can be applied to detect pyrogens in biologicals (group A & C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine; basiliximab; rabies vaccine (Vero cells) for human use, freeze-dried; Japanese encephalitis vaccine (Vero cells), inactivated; insulin aspart injection; human albumin; recombinant human erythropoietin injection (CHO Cell)). The within-laboratory reproducibility of the test in three independent laboratories was 85%, 80% and 80% and the interlaboratory reproducibility among laboratories was 83.3%, 95.6% and 86.7%. The sensitivity (true positive rate) and specificity (true negative rate) of the test were 89.9% and 90.9%, respectively. In summary, the test provides a novel alternative for pyrogen detection.

[2,2]Paracyclophane Bridged, Thiophene Based Macrocycles: Synthesis and Electronic Properties in Different Redox States.

The study of through-space electronic coupling in π-conjugated systems remains an underexplored area. In this work, we present the facile synthesis of two isomeric macrocycles (1 and 2) bridged by [2,2]paracyclophane (pCp) and based on thiophene. The structures of these macrocycles have been confirmed through X-ray crystallographic analysis. Our investigation centers on their electronic properties across various redox states, with a specific focus on potential through-space electronic coupling and global aromaticity. Experimental measurements, including UV-vis-NIR electronic absorption, NMR, ESR spectra, and X-ray diffraction, combined with theoretical calculations, reveal that both the neutral compounds and their tetracations exhibit a closed-shell ground state. However, their dications manifest as diradical dications with a subtle magnetic exchange interaction. Consequently, the through-space electronic coupling facilitated by the pCp unit in their respective ground states appears to be weak.

Simultaneous Enhancement of Thermal Insulation and Impact Resistance in Transparent Bulk Composites.

Transparent bulk glass is highly demanded in devices and components of daily life to transmit light and protect against external temperature and mechanical hazards. However, the application of glass is impeded by its poor functional performance, especially in terms of thermal isolation and impact resistance. Here, a glass composite integrating the nacre-inspired structure and shear stiffening gel (SSG) material is proposed. Benefiting from the combination of these two elements, this nacre-inspired SSG/glass composite (NSG) exhibits superior thermal insulation and impact resistance while maintaining transparency simultaneously. Specifically, the low thermal conductivity of the SSG combined with the anisotropic heat transfer capability of the nacre-inspired structure enhances the out-of-plane thermal insulation of NSG. The deformations over large volumes in nacre-inspired facesheets promote the deformation region of the SSG core, synergistic effect of tablet sliding mechanism in nacre-inspired structure and strain-rate enhancement in SSG material cause the superior impact resistance of overall panels in a wide range of impact velocities. NSG demonstrates outstanding properties such as transparency, light weight, impact resistance, and thermal insulation, which are major concerns for the application in engineering fields. In conclusion, this bioinspired SSG/glass composite opens new avenues to achieve comprehensive performance improvements for transparent structural materials.

Unveiling Möbius/Hückel Topology and Aromaticity in A Core-Expanded [10]Annulene at Different Oxidation States.

The exploration of annulene's conformation, electronic properties and aromaticity has generated enduring interest over the years, yet it continues to present formidable challenges for annulenes with more than ten carbon atoms. In this study, we present the synthesis of a stable [10]cyclo-para-phenylmethine derivative (1), which bears a resemblance to [10]annulene. 1 can be readily oxidized into its respective cations, wherein electrons are effectively delocalized along the backbone, resulting in different conformations and aromaticity. Both 1 and its tetracation (14+ ⋅ 4SbF6 - ) exhibit a nearly planar conformation with a rectangular shape, akin to the E,Z,E,Z,Z-[10]annulene. In contrast, the radical cation (1⋅+ ⋅ SbCl6 - ) possesses a doubly twisted Hückel topology. Furthermore, the dication (12+ ⋅ 2SbCl6 - ) displays conformational flexibility in solution and crystalizes with the simultaneous presence of Möbius-twisted (1a2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6 - ) and Hückel-planar (1b2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6 - ) isomers in its unit cell. Detailed experimental measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that: (1) 1 demonstrates localized aromaticity with an alternating benzenoid/quinoid structure; (2) 1a2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6 - and 1b2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6 - with 48π electrons are weakly Möbius aromatic and Hückel antiaromatic, respectively; (3) 14+ ⋅ 4SbF6 - exhibits Hückel aromaticity (46π) and open-shell diradical character.

The first record of Egglestonichthys bombylios (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from China with its first fresh colouration information.

During bottom trawl surveys carried out between 20132021, 52 specimens (33.854.0 mm SL) of Egglestones bumblebee goby Egglestonichthys bombylios were collected at a depth of 1.515 m from Dongshan Bay, Sanmen Bay, and Niushan Island, China. They represent the first records of this species from China. A full description, including fresh colouration of the species is provided as it is poorly known. The individuals collected in China agree with most morphological features of the holotype, except for the pelvic fin fraenum that was not observed or appears to be absent in most specimens. A strong relationship between E. bombylios, Larsonella pumilus, and the genus Priolepis is herein demonstrated by the mitochondrial genome sequences of E. bombylios and twenty closely related species. This study enriches the existing genetic data of the so-called Priolepis lineage and provides useful insights into the phylogenetic relationships across species of the genera Egglestonichthys, Priolepis, and Larsonella.

Blockade of Hepatocyte PCSK9 Ameliorates Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Promoting Pink1-Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a significant complication of partial hepatic resection and liver transplantation, impacting the prognosis of patients undergoing liver surgery. The protein proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is primarily synthesized by hepatocytes and has been implicated in myocardial ischemic diseases. However, the role of PCSK9 in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of PCSK9 in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: We first examined the expression of PCSK9 in mouse warm ischemia-reperfusion models and AML12 cells subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation. Subsequently, we explored the impact of PCSK9 on liver ischemia-reperfusion injury by assessing mitochondrial damage and the resulting inflammatory response. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that PCSK9 is up-regulated in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury and exacerbates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Blocking PCSK9 can alleviate hepatocyte mitochondrial damage and the consequent inflammatory response mediated by ischemia-reperfusion. Mechanistically, this protective effect is dependent on mitophagy. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibiting PCSK9 in hepatocytes attenuates the inflammatory responses triggered by reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial DNA by promoting PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy. This, in turn, ameliorates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Coexistence and Coevolution of Wrinkle and Ridge Patterns in the Film-Substrate System by Uniaxial Compression.

Homogeneous wrinkles and localized patterns are ubiquitous in nature and are useful for a wide range of practical applications. Although various strain-driven surface instability modes have been extensively investigated in the past decades, understanding the coexistence, coevolution, and interaction of wrinkles and localized patterns is still a great challenge. Here, we report on the formation and evolution of coexisting wrinkle and ridge patterns in metal films deposited on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrates by uniaxial compression. It is found that the evolving surface patterns show unique features of morphological transition from stages I to III: namely, transition from localized ridges to coexisting wrinkles and ridges, and finally to sinusoidal-like structures, as the compression increases. Based on the compressive strain-driven surface instability theory and finite element numerical simulation, the morphological features, transition behaviors, and underlying mechanisms of such complex patterns are investigated in detail, and the changes of amplitude and wavelength versus the strain are consistent with our experiments. This work could promote a better understanding of the effect of strain localization and the interaction of multiple surface patterns in hard film-soft substrate systems.

Corrigendum: Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the role of phosphorylation-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.734287.].

Layered Inorganic Silicate Aerogel Pillared by Nanoclusters for High Temperature Thermal Insulation.

Layered inorganic material, with large-area interlayer surface and interface, provides an essential material platform for constructing new configuration of functional materials. Herein, a layered material pillared with nanoclusters realizing high temperature thermal insulation performance is demonstrated for the first time. Specifically, systematic synchrotron radiation spectroscopy and finite element calculation analysis show that ZrOx nanoclusters served as "pillars" to effectively produce porous structures with enough boundary defect while maintaining the layered structure, thereby significantly reducing solid state thermal conductivity (≈0.32 W m-1  K-1 , 298-573 K). Moreover, the layered inorganic silicate material assembled aerogel also exhibits superior thermal insulation performance from room temperature (0.034 W m-1  K-1 , 298 K, air conditions) to high temperature (0.187 W m-1  K-1 , 1073 K, air conditions) and largely enhanced compressive strength (42 kPa at 80% compression), which is the best layered material-based aerogel that has achieved synergistic improvement in thermal and mechanical performance so far. Layered inorganic silicate aerogel pillared by nanoclusters will pave a new avenue for the design of advanced thermal insulation materials under extreme conditions.

Helical fused 1,2:8,9-dibenzozethrene oligomers with up to 201° end-to-end twist: "one-pot" synthesis and chiral resolution.

Twisted polyarenes with persistent chirality are desirable but their synthesis has remained a challenge. In this study, we present a "one-pot" synthesis of 1,2:8,9-dibenzozethrene (DBZ) and its vertically fused dimers and trimers using nickel-catalyzed cyclo-oligomerization reactions. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed highly twisted helical structures that consist of equal parts left- and right-handed enantiomers. Notably, the end-to-end twist between the terminal anthracene units measured 66°, 130°, and 201° for the DBZ monomer, dimer, and trimer, respectively, setting a new record among twisted polyarenes. Furthermore, the chiral resolution by HPLC yielded two enantiomers for the fused DBZ dimer and trimer, both of which maintained stable configurations and showed absorption dissymmetry factors of around 0.008-0.009. Additionally, their optical and electrochemical properties were investigated, which exhibited a chain-length dependence.

Twisted Diindeno-Fused Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene Derivatives and their Dianions.

We report a facile synthesis of diindeno-fused dibenzo[a,h]anthracene derivatives (DIDBA-2Cl, DIDBA-2Ph, and DIDBA-2H) with different degrees of non-planarity using three substituents (chloro, phenyl, and hydrogen) of various sizes. The planarization of their cores, as evidenced by the decreased end-to-end torsional angles, was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their enhanced energy gaps with twisting were investigated by a combination of spectroscopic and electrochemical methods with density functional theory, which showed a transition from singlet open-shell to closed-shell configuration. Moreover, their doubly reduced states, DIDBA-2Ph2- and DIDBA-2H2- , were achieved by chemical reduction. The structures of dianions were identified by X-ray crystallographic analysis, which elucidated that the electron charging further distorted the backbones. The electronic structure of the dianions was demonstrated by experimental and theoretical approaches, suggesting decreased energy gaps with larger non-planarity, different from the neutral species.

Unexpected bending behavior of architected 2D lattice materials.

Architected two-dimensional (2D) lattice materials consisting of elastic beams are appealing because of their tunable sign of Poisson's ratio. A common belief is that such materials with positive and negative Poisson's ratios display anticlastic and synclastic curvatures, respectively, when bent in one direction. Here, we show theoretically and demonstrate experimentally that this is not true. For 2D lattices with star-shaped unit cells, we find a transition between anticlastic and synclastic bending curvatures controlled by the beam's cross-sectional aspect ratio even at a fixed Poisson's ratio. The mechanisms lay in the competitive interaction between axial torsion and out-of-plane bending of the beams and can be well captured by a Cosserat continuum model. Our result may provide unprecedented insights to the design of 2D lattice systems for shape-shifting applications.

Aromaticity in Fully π-Conjugated Multicyclic Macrocycles.

The research on aromaticity has mainly focused on monocyclic [n]annulene-like systems or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For fully π-conjugated multicyclic macrocycles (MMCs), the electronic coupling between the individual constitutional macrocycles would lead to unique electronic structures and aromaticity. The studies on MMCs, however, are quite limited, presumably due to the great challenges to design and synthesize a fully π-conjugated MMC molecule. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of two MMCs (2TMC and 3TMC) in which two and three thiophene-based macrocycles are fused together by employing both intramolecular and intermolecular Yamamoto coupling reactions of a properly designed precursor (7). The monocyclic macrocycle (1TMC) was also synthesized as a model compound. The geometry, aromaticity, and electronic properties of these macrocycles at different oxidation states were investigated by X-ray crystallographic analysis, NMR, and theoretical calculations, which disclosed how the constitutional macrocycles interplay with each other and lead to unique aromatic/antiaromatic character. This study provides new insights into the complex aromaticity in MMC systems.