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•A new manganese MOF is synthesized and fully characterized.•The MOF shows interesting ferrimagnetic behavior.•The MOF can efficiently catalyze cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides to ...cyclic carbonates.
A new three-dimensional (3D) metal–organic framework (MOF) Mn3(bqca)2(DMF)4n (1) is constructed based on a tricarboxylate ligand 2,3-di-(4-carboxyphenyl)-quinoline-6-carboxylic acid (H3bqca) through solvothermal reaction. The structure, composition and stability of the complex were fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrum and thermogravimetric analysis. The results show that 1 has a 3D microporous framework and exhibits high thermal stability up to 450 ℃. Direct-current magnetic susceptibility reveals that 1 is a rare ferrimagnetic homospin system. Importantly, 1 can effectively catalyze the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 with epoxides to generate cyclic carbonates with high yields and selectivity, and it can also be recycled at least five times without a noticeable change in catalytic efficiency.
A new corticioid fungal species, Hyphodermella zixishanensis, is described based on a combination of morphological features and molecular evidence. The species is characterized by an annual growth ...habit, resupinate basidiomata with reddish hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with generative hyphae bearing simple septa, IKI–, CB– and ellipsoid, colorless, thin‐walled, smooth basidiospores. Sequences of ITS and nLSU gene regions were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analyses showed that the species belongs to Hyphodermella and is placed as sister to H. aurantiaca.
There are six different classes of endomorphisms for a graph. The sets of these endomorphisms always form a chain under the inclusion of sets. In order to study these different endomorphisms more ...systematically, Böttcher and Knauer proposed the concept of the endomorphism type of a graph in 1992. In this paper, we explore the six different classes of endomorphisms of graph P(3m+1,3). In particular, the endomorphism type of P(3m+1,3) is given.
With the growing number of traditional posterior open surgery, the incidence of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) increases gradually. We aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors for ...FBSS following open posterior lumbar surgery for degenerative lumbar disease (DLD).
A multivariable regression analysis was performed for 333 consecutive patients to identify potential risk factors for FBSS. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the validated North American Spine Society (NASS) Questionnaire and numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain. Demographics, diagnostic characteristics, surgical data, radiographic parameters for each patient were analyzed.
16.8% of the included patients were classified as FBSS. Univariate analysis showed that age, hypertension, symptom location, intermittent claudication, preoperative pain NRS-leg, HIZ, Modic changes (MCs), surgical strategy and postoperative rehabilitation were related to FBSS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative NRS-leg (OR:0.80, 95%CI:0.71-0.91, P = 0.001), hypertension (OR: 2.22, 95%CI: 1.10-4.51, P = 0.027), intermittent claudication with waking distance > 100 m (OR: 4.07, 95%CI: 1.75-9.47, P = 0.001) and waking distance ≤ 100 m (OR: 12.43, 95%CI: 5.54-27.92, P < 0.001), HIZ (OR: 8.26, 95%CI: 4.00-17.04, P < 0.001), MCs (OR: 3.41, 95%CI: 1.73-6.71, P < 0.001), postoperative rehabilitation (OR: 2.63, 95%CI: 1.13-6.12, P = 0.024) were risk factors for FBSS.
Open posterior lumbar surgery is an effective treatment for DLD which provides pain reduction and lumbar curve improvement with a considerable satisfaction rate. Lower preoperative NRS-leg, hypertension, intermittent claudication, HIZ, MCs and postoperative rehabilitation are risk factors for FBSS, which can serve as a tool for clinicians to identify at-risk population and provide more effective management to mitigate the doctor-patient contradictions and further occupation of medical resources.
Recently, the production of renewable biogas such as biohydrogen and biomethane from wastewaters through anaerobic fermentation has gained worldwide attention. In the present study, a mobile ...bioenergy generation station had been constructed based on a high-efficiency hydrogenesis & methanogenesis technology (HyMeTek) developed by Feng Chia University, Taiwan. The substrate was a beverage wastewater having chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration of 1200 mg/L. This bioenergy station had a feedstock tank (3.8 m3), a nutrient tank (0.8 m3), an acidogenesis tank (AT, 2 m3), two methanogenesis tanks (MT, 4 m3 for each), a membrane bioreactor and a control room. Biogas production rate, methane concentration, COD removal efficiencies, energy efficiency and economical interest of the plant were assessed. The peak total methane production rates for AT (at hydraulic retention time, HRT, 4 h) and MT (at HRT 8 h) were 430 and 7 mL/L·d, respectively. A strategy of shortening HRT was a promising method to enhance biogas quality and energy efficiency. This mobile bioenergy system has commercial potential because it could bring good economic benefit of initial rate of return (58.84%) and payback time (2.68 y).
•Highly efficient hydrogenesis and methanogenesis technology (HyMeTek) developed.•HyMeTek as a basis for the construction of mobile bioenergy generation station.•Shortened hydraulic retention time strategy enhanced the biogas production efficiency.•Positive economic and energy gain using two-phase anaerobic fermentation system.
Geniposide is an active ingredient with anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was to examine the effects of geniposide on a cell model of spinal cord injury (SCI). PC12 cells ...were administrated with geniposide before subjected to LPS. The effects of geniposide were analyzed by utilizing CCK-8 assay, apoptosis assay, ELISA, RT-qPCR and Western blot. We found that PC12 cells viability was unchanged by treating with geniposide. However, geniposide with concentrations of 200 or 300 μg/mL significantly mitigated LPS-evoked viability loss. Meanwhile, apoptosis driven by LPS was mitigated by geniposide, which accompanied with p53, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 down-regulation, and Bcl-2 up-regulation. Besides this, the expression and release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α evoked by LPS were mitigated by geniposide. miR-145-5p was a target of geniposide. miR-145-5p expression was up-regulated by geniposide, and geniposide did not protect PC12 cells against LPS injury when miR-145-5p was silenced. Moreover, geniposide inhibited NF-κB and JNK pathways via up-regulating miR-145-5p. In short, the present work described the neuroprotective effects of geniposide by targeting miR-145-5p. Further mechanisms involved in geniposide's beneficial effects are correlated with the inhibited NF-κB and JNK pathways.
Highlights
Geniposide prevents LPS-induced injury in PC12 cells;
Geniposide up-regulates miR-145-5p;
Geniposide protects PC12 cells via up-regulation of miR-145-5p;
Geniposide inhibits NF-κB and JNK pathways via up-regulation of miR-145-5p.
Background Many species of the genus Caragana have been used as wind prevention and sand fixation plants. They are also important traditional Chinese medicine, and ethnic medicine resource plant. ...Thus, chloroplast genomes (cp-genome) of some of these important species must be studied. Methods In this study, we analyzed the chloroplast genomes of C. jubata, C. erinacea, C. opulens, and C. bicolor, including their structure, repeat sequences, mutation sites, and phylogeny. Results The size of the chloroplast genomes was between 127,862 and 132,780 bp, and such genomes contained 112 genes (30 tRNA, 4 rRNA, and 78 protein-coding genes), 43 of which were photosynthesis-related genes. The total guanine + cytosine (G+C) content of four Caragana species was between 34.49% and 35.15%. The four Caragana species all lacked inverted repeats and can be classified as inverted repeat-lacking clade (IRLC). Of the anticipated genes of the four chloroplast genomes, introns were discovered in 17 genes, most of which were inserted by one intron. A total of 50 interspersed repeated sequences (IRSs) were found among them, 58, 29, 61, and 74 simple sequences repeats were found in C. jubata, C. bicolor, C. opulens, and C. erinacea, respectively. Analyses of sequence divergence showed that some intergenic regions (between trnK-UUU and rbcl; trnF-GAA and ndhJ; trnL-CAA and trnT-UGU; rpoB and trnC-GCA; petA and psbL; psbE and pebL; and sequences of rpoC, ycf1, and ycf2) exhibited a high degree of variations. A phylogenetic tree of eight Caragana species and another 10 legume species was reconstructed using full sequences of the chloroplast genome. Conclusions (1) Chloroplast genomes can be used for the identification and classification of Caragana species. (2) The four Caragana species have highly similar cpDNA G+C content. (3) IRS analysis of the chloroplast genomes showed that these four species, similar to the chloroplast genome of most legumes, lost IRLC regions. (4) Comparative cp-genomic analysis suggested that the cp genome structure of the Caragana genus was well conserved in highly variable regions, which can be used to exploit markers for the identification of Caragana species and further phylogenetic study. (5) Results of phylogenetic analyses were in accordance with the current taxonomic status of Caragana. The phylogenetic relationship of Caragana species was partially consistent with elevation and geographical distribution.
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•The surface layer proteins (SLPs) from Lactobacillus buchneri were extracted and applied.•A novel kind of SLP-coated liposome loaded with β-CD loaded with Car was introduced.•SLP ...coating enhanced the stability and slow-release characteristics of β-CD-Car liposomes.•β-CD inclusion, liposome encapsulation and then SLP coating increased antibacterial activity of free Car.•SLP-coated liposome can be used as a delivery system for novel applications such as active packaging.
This article describes the development of a novel liposome nanocarrier system. Carvacrol (Car) is first embedded in β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) by the freeze-drying method to form the β-cyclodextrin-carvacrol inclusion compound (β-CD–Car), and then β-CD–Car liposomes (β-CD–Car-LPs) and β-CD–Car liposomes coated with S-layer proteins (SLPs) from Lactobacillus buchneri 20023 (SLP/β-CD–Car-LPs) were prepared. The liposomes were characterized, and their stabilities, in vitro release characteristics, and antibacterial activities were investigated. Results showed that the fabricated liposome SLP/β-CD–Car-LPs was nanosized, oval and homogenous, with the particle size of 229.1 ± 6.81 nm, the polydispersity index of 0.139, and the zeta potential of 27.9 mV. Measurements based on Triton X-100 resistance indicated that the SLP-coated liposomes were more stable than naked liposomes. The in vitro release study results showed that the rate of release from SLP-coated liposomes was much lower than that from uncoated liposomes. The minimum inhibitory activity (MIC) of SLP/β-CD–Car-LPs (0.05 mg/mL) was 6.4 times higher than that of the free carvacrol (0.32 mg/mL) and was twice that of β-CD–Car-LPs (0.1 mg/mL). In general, the stability, antibacterial activity, and sustained release effect of β-CD–Car-LPs modified with SLPs were improved. Findings suggested that SLP-coated liposomes could be developed as a favorable delivery system for potential applications in the food industry.
Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) often exhibit neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), particularly delusions. Previous studies have shown an association between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) ...and specific NPS. This study aims to explore the relationship between WMH volume and delusions in AD patients by comparing the WMH volumes of delusional and non-delusional subgroups.
80 AD patients were divided into a delusion group (n = 36) and a non-delusion group (n = 44) based on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The brain cortical volume and WMH volume were quantitatively calculated for all 80 patients, including total WMH volume, periventricular WMH (PVWMH) volume, deep WMH volume, as well as bilateral frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and occipital lobe WMH volumes. Firstly, we compared the differences in WMH volumes between the delusion group and non-delusion group. Then, within the delusion group, we further categorized patients based on severity scores of their delusional symptoms into mild (1 point), moderate (2 points), or severe groups (3 points). We compared the WMH volumes among these three groups to investigate the role of WMH volume in delusional symptoms.
There was a significant difference in left occipital lobe WMH volume between the delusion group and non-delusion group(P < 0.05). Within the delusion group itself, there were significant differences in overall WMH volume as well as PVWMH volume among patients with mild or severe levels of delusions(P < 0.05).
Left occipital lobe WMH volume may be associated with the occurrence of delusional AD patients, and the total volume of whole-brain WMH and PVWMH volume may affect the degree of severity of delusional symptoms.
Few studies have been conducted to simulate watersheds with insufficient meteorological and hydrological information. The Jiyun River watershed was selected as the study area. A suitable catchment ...area threshold was determined by combining the river network density method with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models, which was driven using the CMADS dataset (China Meteorological Assimilation Driving Datasets for the SWAT model). Monthly runoff simulations were conducted for the basin from 2010 to 2014, and the calibration and validation of model parameters were completed with observed data. The results showed that the final expression for the density of the river network in the Jiyun River basin as a function of density (y) and the catchment area threshold (x) was obtained as y = 926.782x−0.47717. The “inflection point” of the exponential function was the optimal catchment area threshold. The catchment area threshold had an upper and lower limit of the applicable range and was related to the percentage of the total basin area. The simulation results would be affected if the threshold values were outside the suitable scope. When the catchment area was 1.42% of the entire watershed area, increasing the threshold value had less effect on the runoff simulation results; decreasing the threshold value would cause the simulation results to be unstable. When the catchment area reached 1.42% to 2.33% of the total watershed area, the simulation results were in good agreement with the observed values; the coefficient of determination (R2) and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE) were more significant than 0.79 and 0.78 for the calibration periods evaluation index. Both were greater than 0.77 and 0.76 for the validation period, which met the evaluation requirements of the model. The results showed that the CMADS-driven SWAT model applied to the runoff simulation and the river network density method adoption to determine the catchment area threshold provided a theoretical basis for a reasonable sub-basin division in the Jiyun River basin.
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