ISODISTROTLaMTeO6 (M = Ga3+ and Mn3+): the critical role of electronic configuration and cation ordering in crystal structures.

In this work, PbSb2O6-type oxides LaMTeO6 (M = Ga3+ and Mn3+) were synthesized and structurally characterized by Rietveld refinements against high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction data. The Ga3+/Te6+ partial ordering within the honeycomb-like two-dimensional [GaTeO6]3- anionic layer leads to the loss of the inversion center between Ga3+ and Te6+; however the inversion center on the 3̄-roto-inversion axis is preserved, thereby resulting in a 2-fold PbSb2O6-type superstructure by doubling the c-axis associated with a structural symmetry descending from the original P3̄1m to P3̄1c symmetry. In contrast, LaMnTeO6 (P21/c) adopts a monoclinically distorted 4-fold superstructure with lattice dimensions of a ≈ aH, b ≈ √3aH, c ≈ 2cH, where aH and cH represent the lattice parameters of trigonal PbSb2O6. The formation of this P21/c-superstructure is attributed to the combination of complete Mn3+/Te6+ ordering and the first-order Jahn-Teller distortion of Mn3+ with the electronic configuration of d4. Such a monoclinic distortion can effectively lift the Mn3+ spin moments arranged on the triangular sublattice, resulting in a sharp peak for antiferromagnetic transition, which is in stark contrast to subtle magnetic transitions for PbSb2O6-type tellurates AMn(VI)TeO6 (A = alkaline earth and Pb2+) and LnCrTeO6 (Ln = rare earth) with higher structural symmetry. Our findings highlight that the electronic configuration effects of M-cations play a critical role in controlling the structure symmetry of LaMTeO6, providing a strategy to fine-tune the crystal structures and physical properties.

Novel Sprayable Antioxidative Dressing Based on Fullerene and Curdlan for Accelerating Chronic Wound Healing.

The effective treatment of chronic wounds represents a critical global medical challenge demanding urgent attention. Persistent inflammation, driven by an excess of reactive oxygen radicals, sets in motion a detrimental cycle leading to chronic wounds and impeding the natural healing process. This study develops a sprayable wound dressing by covalently grafting amino fullerene to carboxymethylated curdlan (CMC-C). This novel dressing exhibits excellent biocompatibility, antioxidant, and reactive oxygen species scavenging properties. Furthermore, it demonstrates a targeted affinity for HEK-a cells, efficiently reducing the inflammatory response while promoting cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Moreover, the animal experiment investigations reveal that CMC-C significantly accelerates chronic wounds healing by regulating the inflammatory process, promoting collagen deposition, and improving vascularization. These results demonstrate the potential of the sprayable dressing (CMC-C) in curing the healing of chronic wounds through the modulation of the inflammatory microenvironment. Overall, the sprayable hydrogel dressing based on water-soluble derivative of fullerene and curdlan emerges as a potential approach for clinical applications in the treatment of chronic wounds.

Analysis of lower limb muscle strength characteristics of amateur runners with patellofemoral pain: A cross-sectional study.

To analyze the lower limb muscle strength characteristics of amateur runners with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Sixty amateur runners (30 in the knee pain group, 30 in the control group) underwent measurements of hip abduction strength, knee extension strength, and knee flexion strength. Additionally, the hamstring/quadriceps ratio and limb strength symmetry index were calculated for all participants. Statistical analyses were conducted using linear mixed models. The hip abduction and knee extensors strength of amateur runners with PFP was significantly lower than that of the control group. The hamstring/quadriceps ratio was significantly higher in the male knee pain group compared to the control group, while no significant difference was found between the female knee pain group and the control group. Furthermore, both the hip abduction strength symmetry index and knee extensors symmetry index were significantly lower in the knee pain group compared to the control group. Amateur runners with PFP exhibit distinct lower limb strength characteristics compared to non-knee pain runners. Additionally, differences in lower limb strength characteristics between male and female amateur runners with PFP were observed. These findings emphasize the importance of considering functional and gender differences in PFP rehabilitation training.

Effect of esketamine on the ED50 of propofol for successful insertion of ureteroscope in elderly male patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Propofol is effective and used as a kind of routine anesthetics in procedure sedative anesthesia (PSA) for ureteroscopy. However, respiratory depression and unconscious physical activity always occur during propofol-based PSA, especially in elderly patients. Esketamine has sedative and analgesic effects but without risk of cardiorespiratory depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether esketamine can reduce the propofol median effective dose (ED50) for successful ureteroscope insertion in elderly male patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 49 elderly male patients undergoing elective rigid ureteroscopy were randomly divided into two groups: SK Group (0.25 mg/kg esketamine+propofol) and SF Group (0.1 µg/kg sufentanil+propofol). Patients in both two groups received propofol with initial bolus dose of 1.5 mg/kg after sufentanil or esketamine was administered intravenously. The effective dose of propofol was assessed by a modified Dixon's up-and-down method and then was adjusted with 0.1 mg/kg according to the previous patient response. Patients' response to ureteroscope insertion was classified as "movement" or "no movement". The primary outcome was the ED50 of propofol for successful ureteroscope insertion with esketamine or sufentanil. The secondary outcomes were the induction time, adverse events such as hemodynamic changes, hypoxemia and body movement were also measured. RESULT: 49 patients were enrolled and completed this study. The ED50 of propofol for successful ureteroscope insertion in SK Group was 1.356 ± 0.11 mg/kg, which was decreased compared with that in SF Group, 1.442 ± 0.08 mg/kg (P = 0.003). The induction time in SK Group was significantly shorter than in SF Group (P = 0.001). In SK Group, more stable hemodynamic variables were observed than in SF Group. The incidence of AEs between the two groups was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The ED50 of propofol with esketamine administration for ureteroscope insertion in elderly male patients is 1.356 ± 0.11 mg/kg, significantly decreased in comparsion with sufentanil. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, No: ChiCTR2300077170. Registered on 1 November 2023. Prospective registration. http://www.chictr.org.cn .

Characteristics of aerosol aminiums over a coastal city in North China: Insights from the divergent impacts of marine and terrestrial influences.

Aminium ions, as crucial alkaline components within fine atmospheric particles, have a notable influence on new particle formation and haze occurrence. Their concentrations within coastal atmosphere depict considerable variation due to the interplay of distinctive marine and terrestrial sources, further complicated by dynamic meteorological conditions. This study conducted a comprehensive examination of aminiums ions concentrations, with a particular focus on methylaminium (MMAH+), dimethylaminium (DMAH+), trimethylaminium (TMAH+), and triethylaminium (TEAH+) within PM2.5, over varying seasons (summer, autumn, and winter of 2019 and summer of 2021), at an urban site in the coastal megacity of Qingdao, Northern China. The investigations revealed that the total concentration of particulate aminium ions (∑Aminium) was 21.6 ± 23.6 ng/m3, exhibiting higher values in the autumn and winter compared to the two summer periods. Considering diurnal variations during autumn and winter, concentrations of particulate aminium ions (excluding TEAH+) exhibited a slight increase during the day compared to night, with a notable peak during the morning hours. However, it was not the case for TEAH+, which was argued to be readily oxidized by ambient oxidants in the afternoon. Additionally, the ∑Aminium within the summer demonstrated markedly elevated levels during the day compared to night, potentially attributed to daytime sea fog associated with sea-land breeze interactions. Positive matrix factorization results indicate terrestrial anthropogenic emissions, including vehicle emission mixed with road dust and primary pollution, as the primary sources of MMAH+ and DMAH+. Conversely, TMAH+ was predominantly emitted from agricultural and marine sources. With the dominance of sea breeze in summer, TMAH+ was identified as a primary marine emission correlated with sea salt, while MMAH+, DMAH+, and TEAH+ were postulated to undergo secondary formation. Furthermore, a notable inverse correlation was observed between TMAH+ and methanesulfonate in PM2.5, consistent with dynamic emissions of sulfur-content and nitrogen-content gases reported in the literature.

Mechanism of multi-organ compensation under different iodine intake in pregnant rats: results from a repeated-measures study of iodine metabolism.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the differences in iodine metabolism and expression of NIS and Pendrin in pregnant rats under different iodine nutritional status. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: low iodine (LI), normal iodine (NI), ten fold high iodine (10HI), and fifty fold high iodine (50HI). The intervention began after one week of adaptive feeding. Iodine metabolism experiments were performed beginning on the 15th day of pregnancy. 24-h iodine intake and excretion were calculated. The concentrations of iodine in urine, fecal, thyroid, and placenta were measured by ICP-MS. PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the mRNA levels and cell membrane protein of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and Pendrin in the small intestine, thyroid, kidney, and placenta. RESULTS: Fecal iodine excretion (FIE) and urinary iodine excretion (UIE) in the 50HI group were significantly higher than those in the NI group (P < 0.05). The NIS protein and mRNA in the kidney and small intestine have an upward trend in iodine deficiency and a downward trend in iodine excess. Thyroid and placental iodine storage in the 50HI group were significantly higher than those in the NI group (P < 0.05). NIS, Pendrin protein, and mRNA in the thyroid and placenta tend to increase when iodine is deficient and decrease when there is excess. CONCLUSION: Iodine excretion and iodine stores in the placenta and thyroid gland are positively correlated with iodine intake. NIS and Pendrin are also regulated by iodine intake.

Impacts of ocean acidification and warming on the release and activity of the barnacle waterborne settlement pheromone, adenosine.

The effects of ocean acidification (OA) and warming on the physiological processes of many marine species have been well documented. However, far less is known about the impacts of these global variables on chemical communication. In this study, we identified the barnacle waterborne settlement pheromone (BWSP) of Balanus albicostatus as adenosine (Ado). Our results showed that neither elevated temperature (30 °C vs. ambient 26 °C) nor elevated pCO2 (1000 µatm vs. ambient 400 µatm) significantly affected the release of Ado from B. albicostatus adults. Exposure to elevated temperature and OA did not impair larval cue perception for settlement in B. albicostatus; however, OA inhibited settlement under elevated temperature in the absence/presence of BWSP, and elevated temperature induced larval settlement only in the presence of BWSP under ambient pCO2 condition. These results provided important insights into barnacle aggregation behavior in changing oceans and may help to predict the consequences of climate change on barnacle populations.