Understanding the photocurrent transportation within porphyrin-containing metal–organic frameworks (PMOFs) will be a critical step in applying these materials in light-harvesting molecular devices in ...the future. Two copper porphyrin paddle-wheel frameworks (Cu-PPFs) were employed to study the influence of metal ions coordinated into the porphyrin ligands on conductivity and photoelectron transfer capability. To compare the electronic and optical properties of both materials, we prepared an ultrathin film of each PPF via a Langmuir–Blodgett method. The resulting films exhibited uniform morphology and single-crystalline domains, in addition to photoelectric conversion capabilities. We confirmed that both Cu-PPFs have semiconducting properties with an optical band gap of around 2.7 eV. The current density generated by both Cu-PPFs was studied through a mercury drop junction approach. We observed a slightly higher conductivity from the Cu-PPF film consisting of metalloporphyrins than the one without copper doping in the porphyrin centers. In addition, the copper-ion-coordinated porphyrins were found to be more favorable for facilitating photoinduced electron transfer from the Cu-PPF film to a conductive glass substrate. This work presents a new approach of combining thin film fabrication and electro-heterojunction measurement to study electron transfer within an ultrathin film.
Near-field fluorescence spectroscopy in conjunction with far-field fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy has been applied to investigate the aggregation states of cyanine dye of ...2-5-(1,3-Dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1-octadecyl-2H-indol-2-ylidene)-1,3-pentadienyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-octadecyl-3H-indolium perchlorate (NK3175) molecules in the depth direction, from the nanometer-scale top surface to the bulk, in the hybrid films consisted of NK3175 and a clay compound (SWN). The far-field Raman spectra reveal that these hybrid films contained both NK3175 molecules which did not take part in the adsorption and those adsorbed on SWN. The near-field photoluminescence (PL) spectra in the outermost surface within ca. 30 nm exhibit a significant blue shift for the hybrid films as compared to their respective PL spectra in the bulk, implying that the top surface of these hybrid films becomes more polar and/or rigid in terms of the microenvironment around NK3175 molecules compared to the bulk of them, in contrast to the case for the other hybrid film which was prepared by the alternative method. These results provide new information on the aggregation states of organic dye molecules not only in the bulk but in the nanometer-scale top surface of organic-inorganic hybrid systems.
The Brazilian Cerrado is considered a biodiversity hotspot highly threatened by human activities. Recently, many studies have demonstrated how underestimated is Cerrado’s biodiversity considering ...squamate species, and the identification of divergent and cryptic lineages is essential for the formulation of effective conservation strategies. The transition areas between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest are even less known and, consequently, often dismissed in conservation policies. As previous studies suggested the presence of cryptic diversity within
E. capetinga
, we investigated patterns and processes in the geographic distribution of its genealogical lineages. We used DNA sequences from individuals collected in six localities and sequences publicly available from three mitochondrial markers (CYT-B, 16S and ND4) and one nuclear marker (C-Mos). We tested if the core and ecotone regions of the Cerrado show differences in biotic and abiotic characteristics that could promote genetic structure and divergence among lineages within
E. capetinga
. We found evidence for divergent lineages within the species, but not congruent with our hypothesis. Similar divergent patterns were observed in other Cerrado lizards, including interspecific divergences within the
Enyalius
genus. Molecular characterization of field-collected individuals (previously identified as
E. bilineatus
), allowed us to update the geographic distribution of the species to include the ecotone between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest, an area where species distribution overlap.
The present study assessed the ability of optogenetics techniques to provide a better understanding of the control of insulin secretion, particularly regarding pancreatic β-cell function in ...homeostasis and pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM). We used optogenetics to investigate whether insulin secretion and blood glucose homeostasis could be controlled by regulating intracellular calcium ion concentrations (Ca(2+)i) in a mouse pancreatic β-cell line (MIN6) transfected with the optogenetic protein channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). The ChR2-transfected MIN6 (ChR2-MIN6) cells secreted insulin following irradiation with a laser (470 nm). The increase in Ca(2+)i was accompanied by elevated levels of messenger RNAs that encode calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta and adenylate cyclase 1. ChR2-MIN6 cells suspended in matrigel were inoculated into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice that were then subjected to a glucose tolerance test. Laser irradiation of these mice caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, and the irradiated implanted cells expressed insulin. These findings demonstrate the power of optogenetics to precisely and efficiently controlled insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells 'on demand', in contrast to techniques using growth factors or chemical inducers. Optogenetic technology shows great promise for understanding the mechanisms of glucose homeostasis and for developing treatments for metabolic diseases such as DM.
•Levels of the minor FA DGLA are 2-fold higher than AA in term rabbit placentas.•In rabbit placentas, FADS2 and ELOVL5 are expressed at higher levels than in livers.•FADS1 and ELOVL2 are expressed at ...lower levels in rabbit placentas than in livers.•These gene expression changes may facilitate DGLA production and healthy pregnancies.
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are essential for both fetal and placental development. We characterized the FA composition and gene expression levels of FA-metabolizing enzymes in rabbit placentas. Total FA compositions from term rabbit placentas (n = 7), livers, and plasma (both n = 4) were examined: among LCPUFAs with more than three double bonds, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) was the most abundant (11.4 ± 0.69 %, mean ± SE), while arachidonic acid was the second-most rich component (6.90 ± 0.56 %). DGLA was barely detectable (<1 %) in livers and plasma from term rabbits, which was significantly lower than in placentas (both p < 0.0001). Compared with the liver, transcript levels of the LCPUFA-metabolizing enzymes FADS2 and ELOVL5 were 7- and 4.5-fold higher in placentas (both p < 0.05), but levels of FADS1 and ELOVL2 were significantly lower (both p < 0.01). Our results suggest a placenta-specific enzyme expression pattern and LCPUFA profile in term rabbits, which may support a healthy pregnancy.
Summary
Background
The aetiology for nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced small intestinal injuries has not been well characterised.
Aim
To determine the risk factors of symptomatic ...NSAID‐induced small intestinal injuries, including diaphragm disease.
Methods
Of the 1262 symptomatic patients who underwent videocapsule endoscopy and/or double‐balloon enteroscopy, 156 consecutive patients were verified as having taken NSAIDs. Their CYP2C9*2, *3 and *13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined by allelic discrimination with Taqman 5’‐nuclease assays.
Results
Of the 156 NSAIDs users, 31 patients (20%) were diagnosed with NSAID‐induced small intestinal injury. Multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of comorbidities and the use of oxicams (meloxicam, ampiroxicam and lornoxicam) or diclofenac were associated with an increased risk of NSAID‐induced small intestinal injury (adjusted OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.05–8.41, P = 0.041 and adjusted OR: 7.05, 95% CI: 2.04–24.40, P = 0.002, respectively). The combination of aspirin and non‐aspirin NSAID was more damaging than aspirin alone. Age, sex, concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors, indications for NSAIDs use, duration of NSAIDs use and CYP2C9*2, *3 and *13SNPs were unrelated. The use of meloxicam and CYP2C9*3SNPs were significantly associated with an increased risk for diaphragm disease (adjusted OR: 183.75, 95% CI: 21.34–1582.38; P < 0.0001 and adjusted OR: 12.94, 95% CI: 1.55–108.36, P = 0.018, respectively).
Conclusion
The use of specific NSAIDs and the factors interfering with NSAIDs metabolism might associate with small intestinal injury, especially with diaphragm disease.
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