Selective oxidation of ß-keto ester modulated by the d-band centers in D-A conjugated microporous metallaphotoredox catalysts containing M-salen (MZn, Cu and Co) and triazine monomers.

Photocatalytic selective oxidation plays an important role in developing green chemistry. However, it is challenging to design an efficient photocatalyst for controlling the selectivity of photocatalytic oxidation reaction and exploring its detailed mechanism. Here, we synthesized three conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) with D-A structures, named M-SATE-CMPs (MZn, Cu and Co), with different d-band centers based on different metal centers, resulting in the discrepancy in adsorption and activation capacities for the reactants, which produces the selectivity of ß-keto esters being catalyzed into α-hydroperoxide ß-keto esters (ROOH) or to α-hydroxyl ß-keto esters (ROH). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations also demonstrate that the adsorption and activation capacities of the metal active centers in M-SATE-CMPs (MZn, Cu and Co) for ROOH are the key factors to influence the photocatalytic selective oxidation of ß-keto ester. This study provides a promising strategy for designing a metallaphotoredox catalyst whose photocatalytic selectivity depends on the d-band center of metal site in the catalyst.

An α-hemoglobin-derived peptide (m)VD-hemopressin (α) promotes NREM sleep via the CB1 cannabinoid receptor.

Hemopressin and related peptides have shown to function as the endogenous ligands or the regulator of cannabinoid receptors. The previous studies demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system played important roles in modulating several physiological functions such as sleep, olfaction, emotion, learning and memory, and reward behaviors. Mouse VD-hemopressin (α) [(m)VD-HPα], an 11-residue peptide derived from the α1 chain of hemoglobin, was recently presumed as a selective agonist of the CB1 receptor. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of (m)VD-HPα on the sleep-wake cycle and power spectrum of cortical EEG in freely moving rats and the potential neurons in the brain activated by (m)VD-HPα. The results showed that 20.1 nmol of (m)VD-HPα i.c.v. administration increased non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in the first 2 h section accompanied by an increase in EEG delta (0.5-4 Hz) activity. The (m)VD-HPα-induced NREM sleep enhancement was due to extended episode duration instead of the episode number. In addition, the effect of (m)VD-HPα (20.1 nmol) on sleep-wake states was significantly attenuated by an antagonist of the CB1 receptor, AM251 (20 nmol, i.c.v.) but not by the CB2 receptor antagonist, AM630 (20 nmol, i.c.v.). In comparison with vehicle, (m)VD-HPα increased Fos-immunoreactive (-ir) neurons in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO), but reduced Fos-ir neurons in the lateral hypothalamus (LH), tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN), and locus coeruleus (LC). These findings suggest that (m)VD-HPα promotes NREM sleep via the CB1 cannabinoid receptor to probably activate VLPO GABAergic neurons, but inactivates the LH orexinergic, LC noradrenergic, and TMN histaminergic neurons.

Rapid Eye Movement Sleep during Early Life: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.

The ontogenetic sleep hypothesis suggested that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is ontogenetically primitive. Namely, REM sleep plays an imperative role in the maturation of the central nervous system. In coincidence with a rapidly developing brain during the early period of life, a remarkably large amount of REM sleep has been identified in numerous behavioral and polysomnographic studies across species. The abundant REM sleep appears to serve to optimize a cerebral state suitable for homeostasis and inherent neuronal activities favorable to brain maturation, ranging from neuronal differentiation, migration, and myelination to synaptic formation and elimination. Progressively more studies in Mammalia have provided the underlying mechanisms involved in some REM sleep-related disorders (e.g., narcolepsy, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)). We summarize the remarkable alterations of polysomnographic, behavioral, and physiological characteristics in humans and Mammalia. Through a comprehensive review, we offer a hybrid of animal and human findings, demonstrating that early-life REM sleep disturbances constitute a common feature of many neurodevelopmental disorders. Our review may assist and promote investigations of the underlying mechanisms, functions, and neurodevelopmental diseases involved in REM sleep during early life.

Stereotaxic atlas of the infant rat brain at postnatal days 7-13.

Recently, researchers have paid progressively more attention to the study of neural development in infant rats. However, due to the lack of complete intracerebral localization information, such as clear nuclear cluster boundaries, identified main brain structures, and reliable stereotaxic coordinates, it is difficult and restricted to apply technical neuroscience to infant rat's brain. The present study was undertaken to refine the atlas of infant rats. As such, we established a stereotaxic atlas of the infant rat's brain at postnatal days 7-13. Furthermore, dye calibration surgery was performed in P7-P13 infant rats by injecting Methylene blue, and sections were incubated in Nissl solutions. From the panoramic images of the brain sections, atlases were made. Our article has provided the appearance and measurements of P7-P13 Sprague-Dawley rat pups. Whereas the atlas contains a series of about 530 coronal brain section images from olfactory bulbs to the brainstem, a list of abbreviations of the main brain structures, and reliable stereotaxic coordinates, which were demonstrated by vertical and oblique injections with fluorescent dye DiI. The present findings demonstrated that our study of P7-P13 atlases has reasonable nucleus boundaries and accurate and good repeatability of stereotaxic coordinates, which can make up for the shortage of postnatal rat brain atlas currently in the field.

Yikang decoction facilitates embryo implantation in mice with implantation dysfunction via upregulation of LIF expression.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates the effects and mechanisms of Yikang decoction on embryo implantation in mice. METHODS: Totally, mature female mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal, implantation failure (mifepristone treatment), Yikang decoction treatment (mifepristone and Yikang decoction treatment), and control (mifepristone and physiological saline treatment) groups. The efficacy of Yikang decoction was evaluated by the adhesion of uterine endometrial cells. The expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and integrin αvß3 in the endometrium were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. In addition, mouse endometrial cells were transfected with LIF specific siRNA-1, and the expression of LIF and αvß3 were detected. RESULTS: The number of embryos markedly decreased after mifepristone treatment. The adhesion of endometrial cells in the Yikang decoction treatment group significantly increased, when compared to the control group. The expression of LIF and integrin αvß3 was significantly reduced by mifepristone, but the attenuated expression of LIF and αvß3 was markedly reversed by treatment with Yikang decoction. In addition, after LIF siRNA-1 transfection, the expression of integrin αvß3 significantly decreased (P < 0.01). The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between LIF and αvß3 protein expression. CONCLUSION: Yikang decoction can regulate the expression of αvß3 and increase cell adhesion by upregulating the expression of LIF, thereby improving embryo implantation in mice. These data suggest that Yikang decoction may have therapeutic effect in treating infertility.

Increased local miR-21 expressions are linked with clinical severity in lumbar disc herniation patients with sciatic pain.

BACKGROUND: The miR-21 has been implicated in the process of neuroinflammation as well as neuropathic pain. OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between the plasma and local expression of miR-21 with disease severity of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients with sciatic pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-two LDH patients with sciatic pain and 25 scoliosis patients as painless controls were enrolled in the current study. Samples from nucleus pulposus (NP), annulus fibrosus (AF) and soft tissues around nerve root (STANR) were obtained. The plasma and local expressions of miR-21 were detected with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The visual analogue scale (VAS) for lumbar pain and leg pain, and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were selected to evaluate the clinical severity. The degree of disc compression on nerve was evaluated using the Pfirrmann grade based on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. For the convenience of analysis, LDH patients with sciatic pain were classified into a severe pain (SP) group (VAS ≥ 6) and a mild-moderate pain (MP) group (VAS < 6). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to detect the potential diagnostic power of miR-21 with regard to the Pfirrmann grade. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in serum miR-21 expressions among SP LDH patients, MP LDH patients and scoliosis painless controls. Local expressions of miR-21 in STANR, AF and NP were all drastically upregulated in the SP group in comparison with the MP group and scoliosis painless group. Local NP and STANR miR-21 expressions were positively associated with the Pfirrmann grade. Local miR-21 expressions in STANR and AF were positively associated with VAS score and negatively related to JOA score. The ROC curve analysis indicated that both STANR and AF miR-21 expressions may serve as significant diagnostic factors for the Pfirrmann grade. CONCLUSIONS: Increased local miR-21 expressions are linked with clinical severity of LDH in patients with sciatic pain.

A preliminary study on the immune responses of HPV16-E7 by combined intranasal immunization with lymphotoxin.

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) ranks the first cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer has high prevalence rates in women around the world. The HPV-E7 oncoprotein is expressed in cervical cancer and is a target of developing immunotherapies against HPV-associated tumors. However, the antigenicity of this protein is low. Due to this reason, potent adjuvants are required to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. This preliminary study aims to evaluate whether lymphotoxin (LT) could act as an effective immune adjuvant for HPV infection in mice models. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Intranasal immunization was used to explore the effect of HPV-E7 and/or LT immune response. After the third intranasal immunization, the titer for the HPV-E7 antibody was detected in serum and vaginal washing fluid. Also, we assessed the expression of chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) and Peripheral Node Addressin (PNAd) in the lymph nodes after intranasal immunization with immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: compared to HPV-E7 immunization, intranasal immunization with HPV-E7 plus LT significantly increased HPV-E7-specific serum IgG and vaginal IgA titers. Furthermore, the combined use of HPV-E7 and LT strongly induced E7-specific CTL responses. CONCLUSIONS: LT can be effective for intranasal immunized HPV-E7 to improve E7-specific immune responses to HPV infection. It is new approach to eradicate chronic HPV infection capable of inducing an effective anti-infection method.

Neuropeptide S Displays as a Key Neuromodulator in Olfactory Spatial Memory.

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is an endogenous peptide recently recognized to be presented in the brainstem and believed to play an important role in maintaining memory. The deletion of NPS or NPS receptor (NPSR) in mice shows a deficit in memory formation. Our recent studies have demonstrated that central administration of NPS facilitates olfactory function and ameliorates olfactory spatial memory impairment induced by muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist. However, it remains to be determined if endogenous NPS is an indispensable neuromodulator in the control of the olfactory spatial memory. In this study, we examined the effects of NPSR peptidergic antagonist [D-Val5]NPS (10 and 20 nmol, intracerebroventricular) and nonpeptidergic antagonist SHA 68 (10 and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on the olfactory spatial memory using computer-assisted 4-hole-board olfactory spatial memory test in mice. Furthermore, immunofluorescence was employed to identify the distributions of c-Fos and NPSR immunoreactive (-ir) neurons in olfactory system and hippocampal formation known to closely relate to the olfactory spatial memory. [D-Val5]NPS dosing at 20 nmol and SHA 68 dosing at 50 mg/kg significantly decreased the number of visits to the 2 odorants interchanged spatially, switched odorants, in recall trial, and simultaneously reduced the percentage of Fos-ir in NPSR-ir neurons, which were densely distributed in the anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform cortex, subiculum, presubiculum, and parasubiculum. These findings suggest that endogenous NPS is a key neuromodulator in olfactory spatial memory.

A Novel Continuously Recording Approach for Unraveling Ontogenetic Development of Sleep-Wake Cycle in Rats.

Sleep-wake development in postnatal rodent life could reflect the brain maturational stages. As the altricial rodents, rats are born in a very undeveloped state. Continuous sleep recording is necessary to study the sleep-wake cycle profiles. However, it is difficult to realize in infant rats since they rely on periodic feeding before weaning and constant warming and appropriate EEG electrodes. We developed a new approach including two types of EEG electrodes and milk-feeding system and temperature-controlled incubator to make continuously polysomnographic (PSG) recording possible. The results showed that there was no evident difference in weight gaining and behaviors between pups fed through the milk-feeding system and warmed with temperature-controlled incubator and those kept with their dam. Evolutional profiles of EEG and electromyogram (EMG) activities across sleep-wake states were achieved perfectly during dark and light period from postnatal day (P) 11 to P75 rats. The ontogenetic features of sleep-wake states displayed that the proportion of rapid eye movement (REM) was 57.0 ± 2.4% and 59.7 ± 1.7% and non-REM (NREM) sleep was 5.2 ± 0.8% and 4.9 ± 0.5% respectively, in dark and light phase at P11, and then REM sleep progressively decreased and NREM sleep increased with age. At P75, REM sleep in dark and light phase respectively, reduced to 6.3 ± 0.6% and 6.9 ± 0.5%, while NREM correspondingly increased to 37.5 ± 2.1% and 58.4 ± 1.7%. Wakefulness from P11 to P75 in dark phase increased from 37.8 ± 2.2% to 56.2 ± 2.6%, but the change in light phase was not obvious. P20 pups began to sleep more in light phase than in dark phase. The episode number of vigilance states progressively decreased with age, while the mean duration of that significantly increased. EEG power spectra in 0.5-4 Hz increased with age accompanied with prolonged duration of cortical slow wave activity. Results also indicated that the dramatic changes of sleep-wake cycle mainly occurred in the first month after birth. The novel approaches used in our study are reliable and valid for continuous PSG recording for infant rats and unravel the ontogenetic features of sleep-wake cycle.

Biosensors-Based In Vivo Quantification of 2-Oxoglutarate in Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria.

2-oxoglutarate (α-ketoglutarate; 2-OG) is an intermediate of the Krebs cycle, and constitutes the carbon skeleton for nitrogen assimilation and the synthesis of a variety of compounds. In addition to being an important metabolite, 2-OG is a signaling molecule with a broad regulatory repertoire in a variety of organisms, including plants, animals, and bacteria. Although challenging, measuring the levels and variations of metabolic signals in vivo is critical to better understand how cells control specific processes. To measure cellular 2-OG concentrations and dynamics, we designed a set of biosensors based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology that can be used in vivo in different organisms. For this purpose, we took advantage of the conformational changes of two cyanobacterial proteins induced by 2-OG binding. We show that these biosensors responded immediately and specifically to different 2-OG levels, and hence allowed to measure 2-OG variations in function of environmental modifications in the proteobacterium Escherichia coli and in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. Our results pave the way to study 2-OG dynamics at the cellular level in uni- and multi-cellular organisms.

Neuropeptide S Counteracts Paradoxical Sleep Deprivation-Induced Anxiety-Like Behavior and Sleep Disturbances.

Disturbed sleep is a common subjective complaint among individuals with anxiety disorders. Sleep deprivation increases general and specific anxiety symptoms among healthy individuals. The amygdala is critical for regulating anxiety and also involved in mediating the effects of emotions on sleep. Neuropeptide S (NPS) and NPS receptors (NPSR) are reported as a novel endogenous arousal and anxiolytic system, but it is unclear yet whether this system is involved in anxiety-like behavior and sleep caused by sleep deprivation, and how it plays anxiolytic effect underlying the comorbid condition. In the present study, we demonstrate that paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) induced by modified multiple platform method (MMPM) for 24 h caused anxiety-like behavior, a prolonged sleep latency and subsequent paradoxical sleep (PS) rebound accompanied by an increase in electroencephalogram (EEG) theta (4.5-8.5 Hz) activities across light and dark phase in rats. The increase of PS after PSD was due to an increase of episode number during light phase and both episode number and duration during dark phase. Central action of NPS (1 nmol) attenuated PSD-induced anxiety-like behavior, and altered PSD-induced sleep-wake disturbances through increasing wakefulness, and suppressing PS and EEG theta activities. The reduction in PS time following NPS administration during light phase was because of a decreased episode number. Furthermore, sleep amount in 24 h in PSD rats given NPS was lesser than that given saline. PSD significantly enhanced NPSR mRNA expression level in the amygdala. NPS remarkably increased the number of Fos-ir neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA), the central amygdala (CeA) and medial amygdala (MeA). The majority of Fos-ir neurons induced by NPS also expressed NPSR. These results suggest that NPSR upregulation in the amygdala is presumably related to the PSD-induced anxiety-like behavior and sleep disturbances, and that NPS counteracts PSD-induced anxiety-like behavior and sleep disturbances possibly through activating the neurons bearing NPSR in the amygdala. In addition, the little sleep increase in PSD rats treated with NPS suggests that NPS can function as an anxiolytic without causing a subsequent sleep rebound.

Preparing bulk ultrafine-microstructure high-entropy alloys via direct solidification.

In the past three decades, nanostructured (NS) and ultrafine-microstructure (UFM) materials have received extensive attention due to their excellent mechanical properties such as high strength. However, preparing low-cost and bulk NS and UFM materials remains to be a challenge, which limits their industrial applications. Here, we report a new strategy to prepare bulk UFM alloys via the direct solidification of high-entropy alloys (HEAs). As a proof of concept, we designed AlCoCrxFeNi (1.8 ≤ x ≤ 2.0) HEAs and achieved a complete UFM in bulk materials. The compositional requirements for obtaining the formation of the UFM are highly demanding, necessitating the coupling of near eutectic alloy composition and the high temperature decomposition of supersaturated primary and secondary phases. Our strategy provides a low-cost and highly efficient method to prepare bulk UFM alloys, with great potential to accelerate the engineering application of these materials.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer based on interaction of PII and PipX proteins provides a robust and specific biosensor for 2-oxoglutarate, a central metabolite and a signalling molecule.

2-Oxoglutarate is a central metabolite and a signalling molecule in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The cellular levels of 2-oxoglutarate vary rapidly in response to environmental changes, but an easy and reliable approach is lacking for the measurement of 2-oxoglutarate. Here we report a biosensor of 2-oxoglutarate based on the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dissociation of the PII-PipX protein complex from cyanobacteria. Fusions of PII and PipX to either cyan or yellow fluorescent protein can form a complex and their interaction can be detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Mutations in PII or PipX that affect their interaction strongly decrease the FRET signal. Furthermore, the FRET signal is negatively affected, in a specific and concentration-dependent manner, by the presence of 2-oxoglutarate. This 2-oxoglutarate biosensor responds specifically and rapidly to a large range of 2-oxoglutarate levels and is highly robust under different conditions, including in bacterial cell extracts. We further used this biosensor to study the interaction between PII and its effectors, and our data indicate that excess of Mg(2+) ions is a key factor for PII to respond efficiently to an increase in 2-oxoglutarate levels. This study paves the way for probing the dynamics of 2-oxoglutarate in various organisms and provides a valuable tool for the understanding of the molecular mechanism in metabolic regulation.

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Based on Interaction of PII and PipX Proteins Provides a Robust and Specific Biosensor for 2-Oxoglutarate, a Central Metabolite and a Signaling Molecule.

2-Oxoglutarate is a central metabolite and a signalling molecule in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The cellular levels of 2-oxoglutarate vary rapidly in response to environmental changes, but an easy and reliable approach is lacking for the measurement of 2-oxoglutarate. Here we report a biosensor of 2-oxoglutarate based on the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dissociation of the PII-PipX protein complex from cyanobacteria. Fusions of PII and PipX to either CFP or YFP could form a complex and their interaction could be detected by FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer). Mutations in PII or PipX that affect their interaction strongly decrease the FRET signal. Furthermore, the FRET signal is negatively affected, in a specific and concentration-dependent manner, by the presence of 2-oxoglutarate. This 2-oxoglutarate biosensor responds specifically and rapidly to a large range of 2-oxoglutarate levels, and is highly robust under different conditions, including in bacterial cell extracts. We further used this biosensor to study the interaction between PII and its effectors, and our data indicate that excess in Mg2+ ions is a key factor for PII to respond efficiently to an increase in 2-oxoglutarate levels. This study paves the way for probing the dynamics of 2-oxoglutarate in various organisms and provides a valuable tool for the understanding of the molecular mechanism in metabolic regulation. STRUCTURED DIGITAL ABSTRACT: PipX binds to PII by fluorescent resonance energy transfer (1, 2, 3) This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

[Performance of desulfurizing absorbent of roasted navajoite].

An innovative flue gas desulfurization (FGD) coupling process was proposed in this study to overcome the problems in wet-type limestone/lime processes which include fouling, clogging, and difficulty of selling the by-products and the problems in traditional process for vanadium extraction from navajoite ore such as excessive consumption of sulfuric acid and emissions of pollutants. The performance of a jet bubbling reactor (JBR) at pilot-scale was evaluated using navajoite ore produced in the process of extracting vanadium pentoxide as desulfurization absorbent. Results showed that navajoite ore slurry achieved better desulfurization performance than limestone slurry. When the inlet flue gas pressure drop was 3.0 kPa, the gas flow was about 2350 m3 x h(-1) and the pH of the navajoite ore slurry was higher than 4.5, the desulfurization efficiency was stable about 90%. The SO2 removal efficiency appeared to increase along with the increasing of absorbent cycle-index. The efficiency of the second circulation was improved 3.5% compared to the first circulation. After an operating duration of 40 minutes, the leaching rate of vanadium pentoxide was about 20%, and reached 60% when the by-products were leached with 5% dilute sulfuric acid for 10 hours. The by-product from this process not only could be used to produce vanadium pentoxide which is a valuable industrial product, but also could significantly overcome the pollution problem existing in the traditional refining process of vanadium pentoxide when navajoite ore is used as the feed material. This FGD process using roasted navajoite slurry as absorbent is environmental sound and cost-effective, and shows the potential for application in the field of flue gas desulfurization as well as hydrometallurgy.

[Therapeutic effect of acupoint-injection combined with electroacupuncture on chronic pharyngitis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of acupoint-injection combined with electroacupuncture and oral administration of medicine on chronic pharyngitis. METHODS: The treatment group of 71 cases were treated by injection of fufangdanshen injectio into Tiantu (CV 22) combined with electroacupuncture at Renying (ST 9), and the control group of 51 cases were treated by oral administration of acetylspiramycin and qingyan tablet. RESULTS: The cured rate and the total effective rate were 60.5% and 90.1% in the treatment group, and 21.6% and 68.6% in the control group, with significantly differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic effect of acupoint-injection combined with electroacupuncture on chronic pharyngitis is superior to that of oral administration of medicine.

Multiple descriptions based wavelet image coding.

We present a simple and efficient scheme that combines multiple descriptions coding with wavelet transform under JPEG2000 image coding architecture. To reduce packet losses, controlled amounts of redundancy are added to the wavelet transform coefficients to produce multiple descriptions of wavelet coefficients during the compression process to produce multiple descriptions bit-stream of a compressed image. Even if a receiver gets only parts of descriptions (other descriptions being lost), it can still reconstruct image with acceptable quality. Specifically, the scheme uses not only high-performance wavelet transform to improve compression efficiency, but also multiple descriptions technique to enhance the robustness of the compressed image that is transmitted through unreliable network channels.