Enhanced Charge Transfer Process and Photocatalytic Activity over a Phosphonate-based MOF via Amorphization Strategy.

Recently, amorphous materials have gained great attention as an emerging kind of functional material, and their characteristics such as isotropy, absence of grain boundaries, and abundant defects are very likely to outrun the disadvantages of crystalline counterparts, such as low conductivity, and ultimately lead to improved charge transfer efficiency. Herein, we investigated the effect of amorphization on the charge transfer process and photocatalytic performance with a phosphonate-based metal-organic framework (FePPA) as the research object. Comprehensive experimental results suggest that compared to crystalline FePPA, amorphous FePPA has more distorted metal nodes, which affects the electron distribution and consequently improves the photogenerated charge separation efficiency. Meanwhile, the distorted metal nodes in amorphous FePPA also greatly promote the adsorption and activation of O2. Hence, amorphous FePPA exhibits a better performance of photocatalytic C(sp3)-H bond activation for selective oxidation of toluene to benzaldehyde. This work illustrates the advantages of amorphous MOFs in the charge transfer process, which is conducive to the further development of high performance MOFs-based photocatalysts.

Investigating the effects of rifampicin and ursodeoxycholic acid on bile acid metabolism in a rat cholestasis model: implications for liver health and athletic performance in patients

Objective: This study aims to explore the combined effect of rifampicin and ursodeoxycholic acid on cholestasis hepatitis treatment in rats and its impact on bile acid metabolism, with a view to understanding potential implications for liver health and athletic performance in patients. Methods: We induced an intrahepatic cholestasis model in Sprague-Dawley rats using alpha-naphthalene isothiocyanate (ANIT, 60 mg/kg). The rats were then treated with rifampicin, ursodeoxycholic acid, or a combination of both. The study involved analyzing serum concentrations of six bile acid compounds (CA, GDCA, GCA, GCDCA, THCA, and GLCA) using LC-MS/MS technology. We also measured serum levels of AST, ALT, γ-GGT, and TBIL and conducted histopathological examinations of liver tissues using HE staining. Results: Biochemical analysis revealed significantly elevated levels of AST, ALT, γ-GGT, and TBIL in the model rats. LC-MS/MS analysis indicated increased serum concentrations of the six bile acids in the cholestasis model. Treatment with a combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and rifampicin significantly reduced serum levels of transaminases and bile acids, and ameliorated cellular swelling and inflammatory infiltration in liver tissues. Conclusion: The combination of rifampicin and ursodeoxycholic acid shows promise in treating intrahepatic cholestasis, outperforming treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid alone. These findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for managing liver health in athletes, given the critical role of bile acid metabolism in overall physical performance and recovery (AU)

Evaluation of potential drug interactions of oral anticoagulants in outpatients based on pharmacy information databases

The interactions between hypoglycemic drugs and other drugs were retrieved based on the pharmacy information database to evaluate the X-level/contraindication and D-level/serious potential drug interactions (pDDIs) of outpatient anticoagulant prescriptions, so as to provide a guarantee for clinically safe drug use. METHODS: Based on the interaction of 5 oral anticoagulants recommended in the "China Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Thrombotic Diseases (2018 Edition)" retrieved from the two databases of Lexicomp and Micromedex, statistics of a hospital from January 1,2021 to 2022 During March 31st,200 outpatients with anticoagulant prescriptions for grade X/contraindication and grade D/severe pDDIs were analyzed by multivariate Logistic binary regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 200 athletic patients, there were 0 pairs of grade X/taboo pDDIs,and 67 pairs of grade D/severe pDDIs, mainly due to grade D/serious potential bleeding caused by the combination of anticoagulants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) risk. Multivariate Logistic binary regression analysis found that multiple drug combination (≥5 kinds) and concomitant cardiovascular disease were risk factors for the occurrence of grade D/severe pDDIs. CONCLUSION: for athletic patients with multiple diseases coexisting and needing to take multiple drugs, it is necessary to pay attention to the pDDIs of anticoagulant drugs, select appropriate drugs, and avoid fatal risks such as severe bleeding. Adverse reactions after medication were closely monitored. (AU)

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry based urine metallome to construct clinical decision models for autism spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise, and high levels of exposure to toxic heavy metals may be associated with this increase. Urine analysis is a noninvasive method for investigating the accumulation and excretion of heavy metals. The aim of this study was to identify ASD-associated urinary metal markers. METHODS: Overall, 70 children with ASD and 71 children with typical development (TD) were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study. In this metallomics investigation, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was performed to obtain the urine profile of 27 metals. RESULTS: Children with ASD could be distinguished from children with TD based on the urine metal profile, with ASD children showing an increased urine metal Shannon diversity. A metallome-wide association analysis was used to identify seven ASD-related metals in urine, with cobalt, aluminum, selenium, and lithium significantly higher, and manganese, mercury, and titanium significantly lower in the urine of children with ASD than in children with TD. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) machine learning method was used to rank the seven urine metals in terms of their effect on ASD. On the basis of these seven urine metals, we constructed a LASSO regression model for ASD classification and found an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.913. We also constructed a clinical prediction model for ASD based on the seven metals that were different in the urine of children with ASD and found that the model would be useful for the clinical prediction of ASD risk. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that altered urine metal concentrations may be an important risk factor for ASD, and we recommend further exploration of the mechanisms and clinical treatment measures for such alterations.

Echinacoside (ECH) suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion of human glioblastoma cells by inhibiting Skp2-triggered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

BACKGROUND: Echinacoside (ECH) is a phenylethanoid extracted from the stems of Cistanches salsa, an herb used in Chinese medicine formulations, and is effective against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the cornerstone of tumorigenesis and metastasis, and increases the malignant behavior of GBM cells. The S phase kinase-related protein 2 (skp2), an oncoprotein associated with EMT, is highly expressed in GBM and significantly associated with drug resistance, tumor grade and dismal prognosis. The aim of this study was to explore the inhibitory effects of ECH against GBM development and skp2-induced EMT. METHODS: CCK-8, EdU incorporation, transwell, colony formation and sphere formation assays were used to determine the effects of ECH on GBM cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. The in vivo anti-glioma effects of ECH were examined using a U87 xenograft model. The expression levels of skp2 protein, EMT-associated markers (vimentin and snail) and stemness markers (Nestin and sox2) were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blotting experiments. RESULTS: ECH suppressed the proliferation, invasiveness and migration of GBM cells in vitro, as well as the growth of U87 xenograft in vivo. In addition, ECH downregulated the skp2 protein, EMT-related markers (vimentin and snail) and stemness markers (sox2 and Nestin). The inhibitory effects of ECH were augmented in the skp2-knockdown GBM cells, and reversed in cells with ectopic expression of skp2. CONCLUSION: ECH inhibits glioma development by suppressing skp2-induced EMT of GBM cells.

Knockdown of zinc transporter ZIP8 expression inhibits neuroblastoma progression and metastasis in vitro.

Neuroblastoma is one of the leading causes of cancer­associated mortality worldwide, particularly in children, partially due to the absence of effective therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers. Therefore, novel molecular targets are critical to the development of therapeutic approaches for neuroblastoma. In the present study, the functions of zinc transporter ZIP8 (Zip8), a member of the zinc transporting protein family, were investigated as novel molecular targets in neuroblastoma cancer cells. The proliferation rates of neuroblastoma cancer cells were significantly decreased when Zip8 was knocked down by lentiviral­mediated RNA interference. Study of the molecular mechanism suggested that Zip8 modulated the expression of key genes involved in the nuclear factor­κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, Zip8 depletion suppressed the migratory potential of neuroblastoma cancer cells by reducing the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that Zip8 was an important regulator of neuroblastoma cell proliferation and migration, indicating that Zip8 may be a potential anticancer therapeutic target and a promising diagnostic biomarker for human neuroblastoma.

[Puerarin alleviates cognitive impairment and tau hyperphosphorylation in APP/PS1 transgenic mice].

To observe the effect of puerarin on learning and memory function and tau phosphorylation in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, drugs were administered to 3-month old APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Learning and memory function of mice were assessed by Morris water maze test 3 months after treatment. Animals were decapitated after behavioral test. The levels of Aß were detected by ELISA, the expression of protein [tau, phosphorylated tau, GSK3ß and p-GSK3ß(Ser9)] were assessed by Western blot. Morris water maze test showed that the escape latency of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice was significantly longer than that of the normal control group, and the residence time of the original quadrant was significantly shorter. The escape latency of puerarin group was significantly shorter and the residence time of the original quadrant was prolonged compared with the model group. Compared with the normal control group, the levels of Aß in the cortex of APP/PS1 transgenic mice were increased, the expression of phosphorylated tau was significantly increased, and the expression of phosphorylated GSK3ß(Ser9) protein was decreased. Treatment with puerarin, the latency of APP/PS1 transgenic mice was significantly reduced, the level of Aß was decreased, the expression of phosphorylated tau was significantly decreased, and the expression of phosphorylated GSK3ß(Ser9) protein was increased. Puerarin improves the learning and memory impairment by reducing the formation of Aß, activating the GSK3ß signaling pathway, inhibiting the phosphorylation of tau in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice.