Facile preparation of polyethylene glycol/wood-flour composites as form-stable phase change materials for thermal energy storage

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The polyethylene glycol/wood-flour (PEG/WF) composites were synthesized as novel form-stable phase change materials (PCMs) using PEG as phase change...     

Investigation on the structure,fluoride vaporization and crystallization behavior of CaF2–CaO–Al2O3–(SiO2) slag for electroslag remelting

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The structure, vaporization behavior and crystallization of CaF2–CaO–Al2O3 slags with different SiO2 contents for electroslag remelting...     

Alleviation of Ulcerative Colitis Potentially through th1/th2 Cytokine Balance by a Mixture of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng Extract and Persicaria tinctoria

Ginseng is a vastly used herbal supplement in Southeast Asian countries. Red ginseng extract enriched with Rg3 (Rg3-RGE) is a formula that has been extensively studied owing to its various biological properties. Persicaria tinctoria (PT), belonging to the Polygonaceae family, has also been reported for its anti-inflammatory properties. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is inflammation of the large intestine, particularly in the colon. This disease is increasingly common and has high probability of relapse. We investigated, separately and in combination, the effects of Rg3-RGE and PT using murine exemplary of UC induced by DSS (Dextran Sulfate Sodium). For in vitro and in vivo experiments, nitric oxide assay, qRT-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Western blot, ulcerative colitis introduced by DSS, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and flow cytometry analysis were performed. The results obtained demonstrate that treatment with Rg3-RGE + PT showed synergism to suppress inflammation (in vitro) in RAW 264.7 cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor κB pathways. Moreover, in C57BL/6 mice, this mixture exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects in restoring colon length, histopathological damage, pro-inflammatory mediators, and cytokines amount, and decreasing levels of NLRP3 inflammasome (in vivo). Our results recommend that this mixture can be used for the prevention of UC as a prophylactic/therapeutic supplement.     

Evaluation of an Element-Tagged Duplex Immunoassay Coupled with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Detection: A Further Study for the Application of the New Assay in Clinical Laboratory

Background: Element-tagged immunoassay coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection has the potential to revolutionize immunoassay analysis for multiplex detection. However, a further study referring to the standard evaluation and clinical sample verification is needed to ensure its reliability for simultaneous analysis in clinical laboratories. Methods: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) were chosen for the duplex immunoassay. The performance of the assay was evaluated according to guidelines from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Moreover, reference intervals (RIs) of CEA and AFP were established. At last, 329 clinical samples were analyzed by the proposed method and results were compared with those obtained with electrochemiluminescent immunoassay (ECLIA) method. Results: The measurement range of the assay was 2–940 ng/mL for CEA and 1.5–1000 ng/mL for AFP, with a detection limit of 0.94 ng/mL and 0.34 ng/mL, respectively. The inter-assay and intra-assay imprecision were all less than 6.58% and 10.62%, respectively. The RI of CEA and AFP was 0–3.84 ng/mL and 0–9.94 ng/mL, respectively. Regarding to clinical sample detection, no significant difference was observed between the proposed duplex assay and the ECLIA method. Conclusions: The ICP-MS-based duplex immunoassay was successfully developed and the analytical performance fully proved clinical applicability. Well, this could be different with other analytes.     

Controllable Synthesis of Porphyrin‐Based 2D Lanthanide Metal–Organic Frameworks with Thickness‐ and Metal‐Node‐Dependent Photocatalytic Performance

Synthesizing 2D metal–organic frameworks (2D MOFs) in high yields and rational tailoring of the properties in a predictable manner for specific applications is extremely challenging. Now, a series of porphyrin‐based 2D lanthanide MOFs (Ln‐TCPP, Ln=Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, TCPP=tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl) porphyrin) with different thickness were successfully prepared in a household microwave oven. The as‐prepared 2D Ln‐TCPP nanosheets showed thickness‐dependent photocatalytic performances towards photooxidation of 1,5‐dihydroxynaphthalene (1,5‐DHN) to synthesize juglone. Particularly, the Yb‐TCPP displayed outstanding photodynamic activity to generate O₂^? and ¹O₂. This work not only provides fundamental insights into structure designing and property tailoring of 2D MOFs nanosheets, but also pave a new way to improve the photocatalytic performance.     

A Molecular Thermochromic Ferroelectric

Molecular ferroelectrics have attracted considerable interests because of their easy and environmentally friendly processing, low acoustical impedance and mechanical flexibility. Herein, a molecular thermochromic ferroelectric, N,N′‐dimethyl‐1,4‐diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octonium tetrachlorocuprate(II) ([DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄) is reported, which shows both excellent ferroelectricity and intriguing thermochromism. [DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄ undergoes a ferroelectric phase transition from Pca2₁ to Pbcm at a significantly high Curie temperature of 413 K, accompanied by a color change from yellow to red that is due to the remarkable deformation of [CuCl₄]^2? tetrahedron, where the ferroelectric and paraelectric phases correspond to yellow and red, respectively. Combined with multiple bistable physical properties, [DMe‐DABCO]CuCl₄ would be a promising candidate for next‐generation smart devices, and should inspire further exploration of multifunctional molecular ferroelectrics.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Regioselective Borocarbonylative Coupling of Unactivated Alkenes with Alkyl Halides: Synthesis of β‐Boryl Ketones

The borocarbonylative coupling of unactivated alkenes with alkyl halides remains a challenge. In this communication, a Cu‐catalyzed borocarbonylative coupling of unactivated alkenes with alkyl halides for the synthesis of β‐boryl ketones has been developed. A broad range of β‐boryl ketone derivatives was prepared in moderate to excellent yields with complete regioselectivity.     

The Fe‐N‐C Nanozyme with Both Accelerated and Inhibited Biocatalytic Activities Capable of Accessing Drug–Drug Interactions

Emerging as a cost‐effective and robust enzyme mimic, nanozymes have drawn increasing attention with broad applications ranging from cancer therapy to biosensing. Developing nanozymes with both accelerated and inhibited biocatalytic properties in a biological context is intriguing to peruse more advanced functions of natural enzymes, but remains challenging, because most nanozymes are lack of enzyme‐like molecular structures. By re‐visiting and engineering the well‐known Fe‐N‐C electrocatalyst that has a heme‐like Fe‐N_x active sites, herein, it is reported that Fe‐N‐C could not only catalyze drug metabolization but also had inhibition behaviors similar to cytochrome P450 (CYP), endowing it a potential replacement of CYP for preliminary evaluation of massive potential chemicals, drug dosing guide, and outcome prediction. In addition, in contrast to electrocatalysts, the highly graphitic framework of Fe‐N‐C may not be obligatory for a competitive CYP‐like activity.     

Dual‐Mode Antibacterial Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles for Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy

In this work, dual‐mode antibacterial conjugated polymer nanoparticles (DMCPNs) combined with photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are designed and explored for efficient killing of ampicillin‐resistant Escherichia coli (Amp^r E. coli). The DMCPNs are self‐assembled into nanoparticles with a size of 50.4 ± 0.6 nm by co‐precipitation method using the photothermal agent poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole‐thienothiophene) (PDPPTT) and the photosensitizer poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐((2‐ethylhexyl)oxy)‐p‐phenylenevinylene] (MEH‐PPV) in the presence of poly(styrene‐co‐maleic anhydride) which makes nanoparticles disperse well in water via hydrophobic interactions. Thus, DMCPNs simultaneously possess photothermal effect and the ability of sensitizing oxygen in the surrounding to generate reactive oxygen species upon the illumination of light, which could easily damage resistant bacteria. Under combined irradiation of near‐infrared light (550 mW cm^?2, 5 min) and white light (65 mW cm^?2, 5 min), DMCPNs with a concentration of 9.6 × 10^?4 µm could reach a 93% inhibition rate against Amp^r E. coli, which is higher than the efficiency treated by PTT or PDT alone. The dual‐mode nanoparticles provide potential for treating pathogenic infections induced by resistant microorganisms in clinic.     

Photoinduced Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Decarboxylative Alkynylation with Terminal Alkynes

We describe a photoinduced copper‐catalyzed asymmetric radical decarboxylative alkynylation of bench‐stable N‐hydroxyphthalimide(NHP)‐type esters of racemic alkyl carboxylic acids with terminal alkynes, which provides a flexible platform for the construction of chiral C(sp³)?C(sp) bonds. Critical to the success of this process are not only the use of the copper catalyst as a dual photo‐ and cross‐coupling catalyst but also tuning of the NHP‐type esters to inhibit the facile homodimerization of the alkyl radical and terminal alkyne, respectively. Owing to the use of stable and easily available NHP‐type esters, the reaction features a broader substrate scope compared with reactions using the alkyl halide counterparts, covering (hetero)benzyl‐, allyl‐, and aminocarbonyl‐substituted carboxylic acid derivatives, and (hetero)aryl and alkyl as well as silyl alkynes, thus providing a vital complementary approach to the previously reported method.