Whole mitochondrial genomes are often used in phylogenetic reconstruction. However, discordant patterns in species relationships between mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies are commonly observed. ...Within Anthozoa (Phylum Cnidaria), mitochondrial (mt)-nuclear discordance has not yet been examined using a large and comparable dataset. Here, we used data obtained from target-capture enrichment sequencing to assemble and annotate mt genomes and reconstruct phylogenies for comparisons to phylogenies inferred from hundreds of nuclear loci obtained from the same samples. The datasets comprised 108 hexacorals and 94 octocorals representing all orders and > 50% of extant families. Results indicated rampant discordance between datasets at every taxonomic level. This discordance is not attributable to substitution saturation, but rather likely caused by introgressive hybridization and unique properties of mt genomes, including slow rates of evolution driven by strong purifying selection and substitution rate variation. Strong purifying selection across the mt genomes caution their use in analyses that rely on assumptions of neutrality. Furthermore, unique properties of the mt genomes were noted, including genome rearrangements and the presence of nad5 introns. Specifically, we note the presence of the homing endonuclease in ceriantharians. This large dataset of mitochondrial genomes further demonstrates the utility of off-target reads generated from target-capture data for mt genome assembly and adds to the growing knowledge of anthozoan evolution.
•We report a new low temperature solvothermal method to synthesize MoS2 nanomaterials.•The morphology of MoS2 solids depends on the electrolyte concentration (ionic strength).•Formation of MoS2 ...nanospheres occurs at low electrolyte concentration.•At higher electrolyte amounts, MoS2 nanotubes are preferentially formed.
Different MoS2 nanostructures have been obtained following an innovative one-step solvothermal method by changing the concentration and type of the electrolyte while avoiding the use of surfactant. It was found that the chemical nature of the studied electrolyte ((NH4)2CO3 or KCl) do not significantly affect the morphology and structure of the obtained MoS2 nanomaterials. Nevertheless, increasing the electrolyte concentration yields to a remarkable modification of the morphology of the resulting MoS2 from nanospheres to worm-shaped then finally to nanotubes. All the obtained nanomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), Fourier transformation infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
•Graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes were chemically modified by treatment with an aniline derivate or by incorporating nitrogen-adatoms.•An unusual activity for 1,3-butadiene was obtained ...with the gold amine functionalized graphene catalyst.•Different behaviour was observed for the graphene samples after recycling experiments.
Graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes were chemically modified by treatment with an aniline derivate or by incorporating nitrogen-adatoms. These materials were used as supports for gold nanoparticles and the resulting catalytic materials have been applied as catalysts in the 1,3-butadiene hydrogenation reaction. Supports and catalysts were exhaustively characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric studies, temperature programmed desorption and transmission electron microscopy. The incorporation of nitrogen groups on surfaces modifies the gold precipitation–deposition process, giving place to different nanoparticle sizes and amounts of gold. From the point of view of catalytic behaviour an unusual activity for 1,3-butadiene was obtained with the gold amine functionalized graphene catalyst. The gold nanoparticles supported on graphene modified by p-phenylenediamine are more active than when supported either in the other samples. In particular, gold supported on graphene modified with amine like groups becomes active at near ambient temperatures, which is unusual for gold catalysts. Especially interesting is the variation of the gold catalytic properties, after recycling experiments.
Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS, progeria) is a rare genetic disease characterized by premature aging and death in childhood for which there were no approved drugs for its treatment until ...last November, when lonafarnib obtained long-sought FDA approval. However, the benefits of lonafarnib in patients are limited, highlighting the need for new therapeutic strategies. Here, we validate the enzyme isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase (ICMT) as a new therapeutic target for progeria with the development of a new series of potent inhibitors of this enzyme that exhibit an excellent antiprogeroid profile. Among them, compound UCM-13207 significantly improved the main hallmarks of progeria. Specifically, treatment of fibroblasts from progeroid mice with UCM-13207 delocalized progerin from the nuclear membrane, diminished its total protein levels, resulting in decreased DNA damage, and increased cellular viability. Importantly, these effects were also observed in patient-derived cells. Using the Lmna G609G/G609G progeroid mouse model, UCM-13207 showed an excellent in vivo efficacy by increasing body weight, enhancing grip strength, extending lifespan by 20%, and decreasing tissue senescence in multiple organs. Furthermore, UCM-13207 treatment led to an improvement of key cardiovascular hallmarks such as reduced progerin levels in aortic and endocardial tissue and increased number of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The beneficial effects go well beyond the effects induced by other therapeutic strategies previously reported in the field, thus supporting the use of UCM-13207 as a new treatment for progeria.
Catalytic ammonia decomposition for the generation of high purity CO
x free hydrogen has been performed in a multifunctional membrane reactor with Pd membrane walls for the hydrogen separation and a ...high performance Ru-carbon catalyst. By adjusting the experimental conditions an enhancement of the efficiency of the system for the hydrogen production has been achieved. The chemical thermodynamic equilibrium conversion has been exceeded using an improved catalyst, at temperatures lower than those reported in the literature. In addition, both the membrane and the catalyst components were very stable. The system showed no loss of performance after having been operated for several cycles.
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► Graphite, zirconia and KL as supports of Ru-catalysts for hydrogenation of citral. ► Graphite promotes formation of Run− species and favors formation of geraniol and nerol. ► ...Stabilization of Ru0Zrn+ species in Ru/zirconia activates the carbonyl group of citral. ► Geometrical effects within Ru/KL enhance the selectivity toward unsaturated alcohols. ► KL-zeolite improves formation of unsaturated alcohols more than graphite and zirconia.
Ruthenium catalysts supported on KL zeolite, ZrO2 and graphite, prepared by incipient wetness impregnation, were characterized by N2 adsorption, H2 chemisorption, TEM and CO adsorption microcalorimetry and tested in the selective hydrogenation of citral in the liquid phase, at 5MPa and 323K. Characterization studies reveal that graphite promotes formation of electron-rich metal species (Run−) that difficult hydrogenation of the conjugated CC double bond of citral and indirectly favor the production of geraniol and nerol. For Ru/ZrO2 catalyst, the Ru↔ZrO2 interaction at the interface, with formation of Ru0Zrn+ species as evidenced by the TEM and CO adsorption microcalorimetry measurements, activates the carbonyl group of citral and enhances the selectivity towards unsaturated alcohols. Characterization measurements of Ru/KL evidence that metal nanoparticles placed inside of the zeolite channels block part of ruthenium loading and hinder the free transit of citral through the channels, thus reducing the overall hydrogenation activity of the catalyst. Furthermore, this steric hindrance impedes adsorption the conjugated CC double bond of citral and forces hydrogenation of the carbonyl group in terminal position. On the other hand, the fact that active sites on occluded particles are more resistant to poisoning than those easily accessible to citral enhances the selectivity towards geraniol and nerol, as the reaction time increases. The comparative analysis of the results indicates that, in order to increase the selectivity towards unsaturated alcohols, geometrical effects derived from the size, shape and location of ruthenium particles in the KL structure are more effective than the electronic modifications induced by graphite or zirconia on the ruthenium particles.
Summary
Objective
Clinical research on cortisol response to stress in patients with eating disorders has provided controversial and even contradictory results. As this might be the consequence of the ...inclusion in the studies of heterogeneous clinical populations, 3 highly selected samples were studied.
Methods
Dexamethasone suppression test was performed on 15 restricting anorexia nervosa patients without history of bulimia nervosa (BN), 17 BN patients with normal weight and no history of anorexia nervosa, and 22 healthy controls. Three days later, the Trier Social Stress Test was applied, and 8 saliva samples were collected along the trial for cortisol assessment.
Results
When the patients were considered as a single group, a slightly blunted cortisol response to stress was observed, but when the 3 groups were considered separately, the blunted response was observed only in the BN patients.
Discussion
The results support the association between blunted cortisol response and bulimic features.
Three Ru catalysts supported on SiO
2, ZrO
2–SiO
2 and ZrO
2–La
2O
3 have been prepared, characterized and tested in the methane steam reforming (SR) reaction, and for comparative purposes a Ni/SiO
2 ...catalyst has also been studied. Conditions of catalytic studies have been selected for the subsequent application in a hydrogen extraction Pd membrane reactor. That is, reaction temperatures in the range of 400–550
°C and with different amounts of catalyst in order to work under and/or close to the equilibrium conversion conditions. All the supported Ru samples exhibit high catalytic activity and similar CO and H
2 yields. Finally these catalysts are fully stable under reaction conditions at 550
°C for 15
h, while the Ni/SiO
2 sample suffers a significant deactivation. The main deactivation process affecting this latter catalyst is the carbon deposition of partially dehydrogenated intermediates as detected by Raman spectroscopy. Hence, these Ru catalysts appear to be suitable for application combined with metallic (Pd) membrane.
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