Covalent Organic Frameworks for Neuromorphic Devices.

Neuromorphic computing could enable the potential to break the inherent limitations of conventional von Neumann architectures, which has led to widespread research interest in developing novel neuromorphic memory devices, such as memristors and bioinspired artificial synaptic devices. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as crystalline porous polymers, have tailorable skeletons and pores, providing unique platforms for the interplay with photons, excitons, electrons, holes, ions, spins, and molecules. Such features encourage the rising research interest in COF materials in neuromorphic electronics. To develop high-performance COF-based neuromorphic memory devices, it is necessary to comprehensively understand materials, devices, and applications. Therefore, this Perspective focuses on discussing the use of COF materials for neuromorphic memory devices in terms of molecular design, thin-film processing, and neuromorphic applications. Finally, we provide an outlook for future directions and potential applications of COF-based neuromorphic electronics.

Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on 661W cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion via keap1/nrf2 pathway.

AIM: To construct an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) induced injury to the optic nerve and to study the oxidative damage mechanism of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in 661W cells and the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1. METHODS: The 661W cells were treated with different concentrations of Na2S2O4 to establish OGD/R model in vitro. Apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured at different time points during the reperfusion injury process. The injury model was pretreated with graded concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of cytochrome C (cyt C)/B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2)/Bcl2 associated protein X (Bax), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), caspase9, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (nrf2), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (keap1) and other genes. Western blot was used to detect the expression of nrf2, phosphorylated nrf2 (pnrf2) and keap1 protein levels. RESULTS: Compared to the untreated group, the cell activity of 661W cells treated with Na2S2O4 for 6 and 8h decreased (P<0.01). Additionally, the ROS content increased and SOD levels decreased significantly (P<0.01). In contrast, treatment with ginsenoside Rg1 reversed the cell viability and SOD levels in comparison to the Na2S2O4 treated group (P<0.01). Moreover, Rg1 reduced the levels of caspase3, caspase9, and cytC, while increasing the Bcl2/Bax level. These differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed no significant difference in the protein expression levels of keap1 and nrf2 with Rg1 treatment, however, Rg1 significantly increased the ratio of pnrf2/nrf2 protein expression compared to the Na2S2O4 treated group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The OGD/R process is induced in 661W cells using Na2S2O4. Rg1 inhibits OGD/R-induced oxidative damage and alleviates the extent of apoptosis in 661W cells through the keap1/nrf2 pathway. These results suggest a potential protective effect of Rg1 against retinal I/R injury.

A metal-free direct C (sp3)-H cyanation reaction with cyanobenziodoxolones.

A metal-free protocol of direct C(sp3)-H cyanation with cyanobenziodoxolones functioning as both cyanating reagents and oxidants was developed. Unactivated substrates, such as alkanes, ethers and tertiary amines, were thereby transformed to the corresponding nitriles in moderate to high yields. Mechanistic studies indicated that the cyanation proceeded with two potential pathways, which is highly dependent on the substrates: (1) a free radical case for alkanes and ethers and (2) an oxidative case for tertiary amines.