Selective solid-phase microextraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water based on oriented phosphorus-containing titanium oxide nanofibers grown on titanium support prior to high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A novel solid-phase microextraction coating of phosphorous-containing titanium oxide composite was developed using titanium fiber as a support and a titanium source by hydrothermal oxidation in a phosphoric acid solution containing hydrogen peroxide. The morphology of the fiber coatings was controlled by the conditions of the hydrothermal oxidation reaction. The oriented nanofiber coating was employed to extract several types of representative aromatic analytes. The experimental results demonstrated that the as-prepared fiber exhibited excellent extraction efficiency toward polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Combined with high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, main extraction conditions were optimized, including pH, ionic strength, extraction temperature, stirring rate, extraction time and desorption time. The established method presented good linearity from 0.05 to 200 μg/L with limit of detection ranging from 0.012 to 0.126 μg/L. This convenient and green procedure was suitable for the selective extraction and determination of typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water samples. The relative recoveries of 85.8–112% were obtained for the determination of target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples spiked with 5.0 and 15.0 μg/L. Moreover, the as-prepared fiber showed at least 210 extraction/desorption cycles due to its high mechanical and chemical stability.     

Enhanced Crystal Quality of Perovskite via Protonated Graphitic Carbon Nitride Added in Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

The quality of perovskite layers has a great impact on the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, defects and related trap sites are generated inevitably in the solution-processed polycrystalline perovskite films. It is meaningful to reduce and passivate the defect states by incorporating additive into the perovskite layer to improve perovskite crystallization. Here an environmental friendly 2D nanomaterial protonated graphitic carbon nitride (p-g-C\begin{document}$_3$\end{document}N\begin{document}$_4$\end{document}) was successfully synthesized and doped into perovskite layer of carbon-based PSCs. The addition of p-g-C\begin{document}$_3$\end{document}N\begin{document}$_4$\end{document} into perovskite precursor solution not only adjusts nucleation and growth rate of methylammonium lead tri-iodide (MAPbI\begin{document}$_3$\end{document}) crystal for obtaining flat perovskite surface with larger grain size, but also reduces intrinsic defects of perovskite layer. It is found that the p-g-C\begin{document}$_3$\end{document}N\begin{document}$_4$\end{document} locates at the perovskite core, and the active groups -NH\begin{document}$_2$\end{document}/NH\begin{document}$_3$\end{document} and NH have a hydrogen bond strengthening, which effectively passivates electron traps and enhances the crystal quality of perovskite. As a result, a higher power conversion efficiency of 6.61% is achieved, compared with that doped with g-C\begin{document}$_3$\end{document}N\begin{document}$_4$\end{document} (5.93%) and undoped one (4.48%). This work demonstrates a simple method to modify the perovskite film by doping new modified additives and develops a low-cost preparation for carbon-based PSCs.     

DCE-MRI参数联合IFIT1基因对腰椎间盘突出患者椎间盘退变程度的评估价值

探讨DCE-MRI参数及IFIT1基因对腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)患者椎间盘退变(IDD)程度的评估价值。随机选取确诊的66例LDH患者作为研究对象,根据改良Pfirrmann分级法将患者分为2组:轻中度IDD(Ⅰ~Ⅲ级)组(46例)和重度IDD(Ⅳ~Ⅴ级)组20例。通过DCE-MRI检查考察患者的K-trans值,采用日本骨科学会评分(JOA)评估腰椎功能,采用视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评估腰部疼痛,采用RT-PCR检测外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)中IFIT1的mRNA表达。轻中度IDD组的K-trans值显著低于重度IDD组。轻中度IDD组患者PBMC中的IFIT1 mRNA相对表达量显著低于重度IDD组。K-trans值与PBMC中的IFIT1 mRNA水平和VAS评分正相关,与JOA评分负相关(P<0.05)。PBMC中的IFIT1 mRNA水平与VAS评分正相关,与JOA评分负相关(P<0.05)。K-trans值和PBMC中的IFIT1 mRNA水平联合诊断重度IDD的AUC值、敏感性和特异性分别为0.991、91.3%和100.0%,AUC值和特异性均高于单独诊断。DCE-MRI检查中的K-trans值联合PBMC中的IFIT1 mRNA水平可用于LDH患者IDD程度的诊断。     

Cross-dehydrogenative Coupling of N-Aryl Tetrahydroisoquinolines Catalyzed by an Anthraquinone-containing Polymeric Photosensitizer

This work reports the photocatalytic application of an anthraquinone-containing polymeric photosensitizer (AQ-PHEMA) in the visible light-induced cross - dehydrogenative-coupling of N-aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines with several nucleophiles, including nitromethane, 1-methyl-2-alkyl ketone and dialkyl (aryl) phosphine oxide. The results revealed that the reaction could be catalyzed by AQ-PHEMA efficiently to afford a series of 1-substituted-2-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines in good to excellent yields with nice substrate tolerance under aerobic conditions at room temperature. The practical application potential was also showcased by a gram-scale synthesis. More importantly, the utilization of AQ-PHEMA as a heterogeneous photosensitizer also showed nice recyclability and reusability of the catalyst, whereas AQ-PHEMA can be easily separated and reused for at least 8 times without significant loss of photocatalytic activity.     

Eco friendly synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots for the sensitive detection of ferric ions and cell imaging

This study established a ferric ion (Fe³⁺) detection method as a result of the fluorescence quenching effect of Fe³⁺ on carbon dots (CDs). Specifically, we proposed, a green microwave synthesis route towards fluorescent CDs that requires only the brewer’s spent grain as starting materials. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to investigate the CDs characteristic: morphology, size distribution, functional groups, and composition, respectively. The experimental results, which were run under optimal experimental conditions, indicated that the fluorescence intensity and concentration of Fe³⁺ were within the desired linear range (0.3–7 μM). The detection limit of this assay towards Fe³⁺ was 95 nM. The proposed method showed significant selectivity with respect to interfering ions. We evaluated the potential application of this method with tap water, lake water and fetal bovine serum as real samples. Additionally, the CDs could be served as superior bioimaging probes in Hela cells as a result of their excellent optical stability and good biocompatibility. In a word, the present study provides a new idea for CDs derived from the waste of agricultural products for detecting food or environmental contaminants and cell imaging.     

Triple-Layered Metal-Organic Framework Hybrid for Tandem Response-Driven Enhanced Chemotherapy

The precise release of drugs is essential to improve cancer therapeutic efficacy. In this work, a tandem responsive strategy was developed based on a triple-layered metal-organic framework (MOF) hybrid. The MOF nanoprobe was stepwise fabricated with a telomerase-responsive inner, a pH-sensitive MOF filling and H₂O₂-responsive coordination complex shell of Fe³⁺ and eigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In the tumor microenvironment, the shell was dissociated by endogenous H₂O₂ and simultaneously produced highly reactive hydroxyl radicals by a Fenton reaction. Meanwhile, the released EGCG could downregulate the expression of P-glycoprotein responsible for drug resistance. After the dissociation of the framework by protons, telomerase could trigger the release of the drug from the DNA duplex on the exposed inner shell. By integrating confined drug release, inhibited efflux pump and chemodynamic therapy, the all-in-one chemotherapy strategy was identified with enhanced therapeutic efficacy in drug-resistant cancer cells.     

An insight into the electrocatalytic properties of porous La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3−δ electrodes towards oxygen reduction reaction

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The electrocatalytic properties of porous La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.7Cr0.3O3−δ electrodes towards oxygen reduction reaction were investigated as a function...     

Four New Gallate Derivatives from Wine-Processed Corni Fructus and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Four new gallate derivatives—ornusgallate A, ent-cornusgallate A, cornusgallate B and C (1a, 1b, 2, 3)—were isolated from the wine-processed fruit of Cornus officinalis. Among them, 1a and 1b are new natural compounds with novel skeletons. Their chemical structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopy methods including NMR, IR, HRESIMS, UV, ECD spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of all compounds were assayed in RAW 264.7 cells by assessing LPS-induced NO production. As the result, all compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory activities at attested concentrations. Among the tested compounds, compound 2 exhibited the strongest anti- inflammatory activity.     

Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Dots and Their Application in Ascorbic Acid Detection

Water-soluble fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using citric acid as the carbon source and ethylenediamine as the nitrogen source. The repeated and scale-up synthetic experiments were carried out to explore the feasibility of macroscopic preparation of CDs. The CDs/Fe³⁺ composite was prepared by the interaction of the CDs solution and Fe³⁺ solution. The optical properties, pH dependence and stability behavior of CDs or the CDs/Fe³⁺ composite were studied by ultraviolet spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Following the principles of fluorescence quenching after the addition of Fe³⁺ and then the fluorescence recovery after the addition of asorbic acid, the fluorescence intensity of the carbon dots was measured at λex = 360 nm, λem = 460 nm. The content of ascorbic acid was calculated by quantitative analysis of the changing fluorescence intensity. The CDs/Fe³⁺ composite was applied to the determination of different active molecules, and it was found that the composite had specific recognition of ascorbic acid and showed an excellent linear relationship in 5.0–350.0 μmol·L⁻¹. Moreover, the detection limit was 3.11 μmol·L⁻¹. Satisfactory results were achieved when the method was applied to the ascorbic acid determination in jujube fruit. The fluorescent carbon dots composites prepared in this study may have broad application prospects in a rapid, sensitive and trace determination of ascorbic acid content during food processing.     

A Novel Dual Drug Approach That Combines Ivermectin and Dihydromyricetin (DHM) to Reduce Alcohol Drinking and Preference in Mice

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) affects over 18 million people in the US. Unfortunately, pharmacotherapies available for AUD have limited clinical success and are under prescribed. Previously, we established that avermectin compounds (ivermectin [IVM] and moxidectin) reduce alcohol (ethanol/EtOH) consumption in mice, but these effects are limited by P-glycoprotein (Pgp/ABCB1) efflux. The current study tested the hypothesis that dihydromyricetin (DHM), a natural product suggested to inhibit Pgp, will enhance IVM potency as measured by changes in EtOH consumption. Using a within-subjects study design and two-bottle choice study, we tested the combination of DHM (10 mg/kg; i.p.) and IVM (0.5–2.5 mg/kg; i.p.) on EtOH intake and preference in male and female C57BL/6J mice. We also conducted molecular modeling studies of DHM with the nucleotide-binding domain of human Pgp that identified key binding residues associated with Pgp inhibition. We found that DHM increased the potency of IVM in reducing EtOH consumption, resulting in significant effects at the 1.0 mg/kg dose. This combination supports our hypothesis that inhibiting Pgp improves the potency of IVM in reducing EtOH consumption. Collectively, we demonstrate the feasibility of this novel combinatorial approach in reducing EtOH consumption and illustrate the utility of DHM in a novel combinatorial approach.