An alternative efficient redox couple for the dye-sensitized solar cell system

A series of new cobalt complexes [Co(LLL)(2)X(2)] were synthesized and evaluated as redox mediators for dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO(2) solar cells. The structure of the ligand and the nature of the counterions were found to influence the photovoltaic performance. The one-electron-transfer redox mediator [Co(dbbip)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (dbbip = 2,6-bis(1'-butylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine) performed best among the compounds investigated. Photovoltaic cells incorporating this redox mediator yielded incident photon-to-current conversion efficiencies (IPCE) of up to 80%. The overall yield of light-to-electric power conversion reached 8 % under simulated AM1.5 sunlight at 100 W m(-2) intensity and more than 4% at 1000 W m(-2). Photoelectrodes coated with a 2 microm thick nanoporous layer and a 4 microm thick light-scattering layer, sensitized with a hydrophobic ruthenium dye, gave the best results.     

Δ4,4' -4-chalcogenapyranyl-4h-chalcogenapyrans : Synthesis,electrochemical oxidation,and esr investigations of radical-cation states

The O-, S-, Se- and Te-containing Δ^4,4' -2,2?,6,6'-tetramethyl-, -tetra-t-butyl- and -tetraphenyl-4-(chalcogenapyranyl)-4H-chalcogenapyrans were prepared from the corresponding chalcogenapyran-4-ones. The thia-, selena- and tellurapyran-4-ones were prepared by sodium borohydride reduction of the appropriate chalcogen and addition of the disodium chalcogenide to a 1,4-diyn-3-one. The comparative electrochemistry of all three series was examined by cyclic voltammetry. Within each scries the first oxidation (E₁) became more difficult with increasing chalcogen size. The radical-cation states of the tetra-t-butyl analogues were examined by ESR. The O and S analogues gave well-defined five-line spectra, but the Se and Te analogues gave broad single lines. The g value increased with increasing size of the heteroatom. A linear correlation exists between g value and spin-orbit coupling constants λ for the chalcogens, suggesting that the electron densities on the heteroatoms are similar in each heteroatom analogue.     

Identification and screening of active components from Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. in regulating autophagy

This study investigated the flavonoid constituents of a traditional Chinese medical plant Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry and screened the active components in regulating autophagy.Normal rat kidney (NRK) cells transfected with green fluorescent protein- microtubule-associated protein 1 light Chain 3(GFP-LC3) were treated with Z. clinopodioides flavonoids and its chemical compositions. After 4 h of treatment, the auto-phagy spot aggregation in NRK cells was photographed and observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The following 10 flavonoid components of Z. clinopodioides were identified: baicalein(1), quercetin(2), hyperoside(3), quercetin3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside(4), apigenin(5), kaempferol(6), chrysin(7), diosimin(8), linarin(9) and rutin(10). Among these flavonoids, chrysin, apigenin and quercetin were identified as the active principles in activating autophagy. This research may provide a reference for further developing and utilizing Z. clinopodioides.     

Novel 1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives containing a hydrazide moiety: Design,synthesis and bioactive evaluation against phytopathogenic fungi in vitro and in vivo

A series of novel 1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives bearing a hydrazide moiety were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their biological activities against phytopathogenic fungi. The antifungal bioassays indicated that the title compound 5b impressively displayed the obvious selectivity and specificity aganist Rhizoctonia solani (Rs) in vitro and in vivo. The above researches provide a significant reference for the further structural optimization of 1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione derivatives bearing a hydrazide moiety as potential fungicides.     

ZIP8 exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis by increasing pathogenic T cell responses

Zinc is a trace element that is essential for immune responses. Therefore, changes in cellular zinc levels in specific immune cells may influence inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the regulation of zinc mobilization in immune cells and its role in the pathogenesis of RA are not fully understood. Thus, we investigated the roles of zinc transporters in RA pathogenesis. We demonstrated that ZIP8 was specifically upregulated in CD4⁺ T cells that infiltrated the inflamed joint and that ZIP8 deficiency in CD4⁺ T cells abrogated collagen-induced arthritis. ZIP8 deficiency dramatically affected zinc influx in effector T cells and profoundly reduced T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated signaling, including NF-κB and MAPK signaling, which are pathways that are involved in T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation. Taken together, our findings suggest that ZIP8 depletion in CD4⁺ T cells attenuates TCR signaling due to insufficient cellular zinc, thereby reducing the function of effector CD4⁺ T cells, including Th17 cells. Our results also suggest that targeting ZIP8 may be a useful strategy to inhibit RA development and pathogenesis.Subject terms: Autoimmunity, Immunological disorders     

Speciation analysis of aluminium(III) in natural waters and biological fluids by complexing with various catechols followed by differential pulse voltammetry detection

The biological effects of aluminium have received much attention in recent years. Speciation of Al is of basic relevance as it concerns its reactivity and bioavailability. A differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) procedure is proposed for speciation analysis of Al(III) in natural waters and biological fluids using six catechols (L-dopa, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, caffeic acid and o-benzenediol) as electroactive ligands. The decrease of the DPV anodic peak current for each catechol ligand is linear with the increase of Al concentration. This speciation analysis idea is based on the measurement of the complexation capacity, namely, different affinities of Al(III) for catechols and organic ligands under two pH conditions. The labile monomeric Al fraction (mainly inorganic aluminium) is determined at pH 4.6, while the total monomeric Al fraction is determined at pH 8.5. The principle for Al(III) speciation analysis by an electrochemical method is discussed. This sensitive and simple fractionation method is successfully applied to the speciation analysis of Al in natural waters and the results agree well with those of Driscoll's method. The speciation analysis of Al in biological fluids is also explored and the results are compared with those obtained by ultrafiltration and dialysis. Compared with other speciation protocols the electrochemical method possesses some remarkable advantages: rapidity, high sensitivity, cheap instrumentation and a simple operation procedure.     

Inter-method comparison for the determination of antimony and arsenic in peat samples

Four analytical approaches, based on different physical principles, for the determination of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) in ancient peat samples were critically evaluated: (a) open vessel digestion/hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS), (b) closed-pressurized digestion in a microwave oven followed by sector field-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS), (c) digestion in a microwave autoclave and subsequent quadrupole-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) measurements and (d) instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The quality control scheme applied, always included the use of adequate plant reference materials to ensure the accuracy and precision of the analytical procedures. Additionally, two internal peat reference materials were analyzed using all four analytical approaches, generally showing good agreement for both elements. Method detection limits for As and Sb provided by all procedures were approximately 5 and 2 ng g⁻¹ which is sufficiently low for the reliable quantification of both elements in ancient, pre-anthropogenic peat samples. A comparison of As and Sb concentrations in a set of peat samples determined by INAA, HG-AAS and SF-ICP-MS revealed that INAA underestimated the values in a systematic manner, whereas HG-AAS and SF-ICP-MS data agreed very well. Best precision of the results was obtained by analytical procedures involving HG-AAS or Q-ICP-MS and varied from 3.6 to 4.3% and 7.1 to 7.5% for As (at about 0.5 μg g⁻¹) and Sb (at about 0.1 μg g⁻¹), respectively. The highest sample throughput (40 samples per run accomplished in 2 h) combined with low risk of sample contamination could be realized in the high-pressure microwave autoclave. The amount of sample required by all approaches was 200 mg, except for INAA which needed at least 25 times more sample mass to achieve comparable detection limits. For the quantification of As and Sb, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was preferred over INAA and HG-AAS, mainly because (a) less sample is needed and (b) As and Sb can be determined simultaneously. In addition, ICP-MS offers the possibility to measure concurrently a wide range of other elements which also are of environmental interest.     

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of bismuth(III) using a Tosflex-coated mercury film electrode

A Tosflex-mercury film electrode (TMFE) was prepared by spin-coating a solution of the perfluorinated anion exchange polymer Tosflex onto a glassy carbon electrode surface followed by electrodeposition of mercury film on this electrode. This electrode was used for the determination of trace bismuth(III) which was preconcentrated onto the TMFE as anionic bismuth(III) complexes with chloride in a chloride medium. The preconcentration was carried out at a potential of-0.2 V, and the preconcentration of the bismuth(III) was enhanced significantly by the anion-exchange feature of Tosflex. The accumulated bismuth(III) was then determined by anodic square-wave stripping voltammetry (SWSV). Various parameters influencing the determination of bismuth(III) were examined in detail. With 2 min accumulation, the analytical signal versus concentration dependence was linear up to 50 ppb, and the detection limit was 0.58 ppb. This modified electrode showed good resistance to the interferences from surface-active compounds and common ions.     

Applications of benzotriazole methodology in heterocycle ring synthesis and substituent introduction and modification

Applications of benzotriazole methodology for the preparation of heterocyclic compounds are reviewed. The characteristic advantages of benzotriazole as a synthetic auxiliary are first briefly considered. This is followed by a summary of its use in ring synthesis in which the construction of small; five-membered; six-membered; and larger heterocyclic rings using benzotriazole methodology are each examined separately. Finally, consideration of the use of benzotriazole in the ring annulation - particularly benzannulation - of heterocycles. Subsequent sections deal with the introduction of substituents into aromatic heterocycles; the ring substitution of saturated heterocycles; and benzotriazole assisted modification of heterocyclic substituents. The present review supplements a recent comprehensive review of benzotriazole chemistry [1] which covers the literature through 1996.