Kahweol inhibits adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes through downregulation of PPARγ

Kahweol, a compound from Coffea arabica, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumour properties. However, an anti-adipogenic effect has not yet been reported. In this study, we have shown that kahweol has an anti-adipogenic effect on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Kahweol significantly inhibited the differentiation of intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, without being cytotoxic. It also downregulated the expression of adipogenesis-related gene, including an adipocytokine, adiponectin. This anti-adipogenic effect stems from an ability to inhibit key adipogenic regulators, including PPARγ and C/EBPα. These results demonstrate that kahweol significantly inhibits the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, and suggest that it has potential as a novel anti-obesity treatment.     

Molecular Encapsulation of Trimeric Chromium Carboxylate Clusters in Metal–Organic Frameworks and Propylene Sorption

Oxo-bridged trimeric chromium acetate clusters [Cr₃O(OOCCH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ have been encapsulated for the first time in the mesoporous cages of the chromium terephthalate MIL-101(Cr). The isolated clusters in MIL-101(Cr) have increased affinity towards propylene compared to propane, due to generation of a new kind of pocket-based propylene-binding site, as supported by DFT calculations.     

Stoichiometry-Controlled Synthesis of Nanoparticulate Mixed-Metal Oxyhydroxide Oxygen Evolving Catalysts by Electrochemistry in Aqueous Nanodroplets

Mixed-metal oxyhydroxides—especially those of Ni and Fe—are one of the most active classes of materials known for catalyzing the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, nanoparticulate mixed metal oxyhydroxides (of Ni, Fe, and Co) were prepared on an electrode surface by electrochemical reaction of a precursor solution encapsulated in aqueous nanodroplets (AnDs), with each of the droplets containing 10 s of attoliters of fluid. Electrode reactions and synthesis can be monitored in situ by electrochemistry as single AnD stochastically lands and interacts with the working electrode. Resultant metal oxyhydroxide nanoparticles can be size and composition controlled precisely by modulating the precursor solution stored in the AnD. Nanoparticulate metal oxyhydroxides were implemented as catalysts for the OER and exhibited superior catalysis compared to their thin-film counterparts, demonstrating a hundred-thousand-fold enhancement in atom efficiency at comparable turnover rates.     

A Compact Representation for Modular Semilattices and Its Applications

Order - A modular semilattice is a semilattice generalization of a modular lattice. We establish a Birkhoff-type representation theorem for modular semilattices, which says that every modular...     

Ligand Control of Palladium-Catalyzed Site-Selective α- and γ-Arylation of α,β-Unsaturated Ketones with (Hetero)aryl Halides

This study describes the first palladium-catalyzed, site-selective α- and γ-arylation of α,β-unsaturated ketones with (hetero)aryl halides. A wide range of hetero(aryl)halides coupled with α,β-unsaturated ketones, and transformation into the arylated products proceeded with excellent to good yields. The site selectivity of the reaction is switchable by simply changing the phosphine ligand to access either α-arylated or γ-arylated products in good to excellent yields by using a low catalyst loading, and the method demonstrates good functional-group compatibility.     

Synthesis of new di-anchoring organic sensitizer based on quinoxaline acceptor for dye-sensitized solar cells

New quinoxaline-based organic sensitizer bearing di-anchoring group for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was synthesized from diethyl 4,5-diaminophthaltate, in which was prepared under mild condition by using Takehito’s method. The synthesized sensitizer was compared with mono-anchoring sensitizer through absorption spectra, emission spectra, J-V curve, and IPCE spectra, indicating the di-anchoring group leads to a noticeable improvement of J_sc value owing to more efficient intramolecular charge transfer and channel number increment.