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The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to value‐added chemicals would be an efficient way to utilize CO2 and mitigate greenhouse gas emission. However, the associated competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in aqueous electrolytes usually leads to poor selectivity for the CO2 electroreduction reactions (CO2RR). Due to their high specific surface areas and tunable single active sites, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as promising candidates for CO2RR. Herein, the Fe‐porphyrin based Zr‐MOF, PCN‐222(Fe), was treated with perfluorocarboxylic acid to afford the hydrophobic Fn‐PCN‐222(Fe) (n = 5 and 7, n is the number of fluorine atoms in the perfluoroalkyl chain) for improving the selectivity CO2RR via inhibiting the HER. Owing to the single active Fe sites were positioned in a hydrophobic microenvironment, the optimal F5‐PCN‐222(Fe) shows a high Faradic efficiency of 97% toward production of CO at −0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Meanwhile, F5‐PCN‐222(Fe) achieved a high turnover frequency value of 3850 h−1 at −0.8 V, which was almost 3.6 times higher than that of PCN‐222(Fe) and surpassed most of other reported MOFs. This study paves a new way to improve the selectivity of the CO2RR via inhibiting the associated HER by increasing the hydrophobicity of the electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid metabolism disorder is related to an increased risk of tumorigenesis and is involved in the rapid growth of cancer cells as well as the formation of metastatic lesions. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) are closely associated with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other malignancies, suggesting that LDL and ox-LDL play important roles during the occurrence and development of cancers. LDL can deliver cholesterol into cancer cells after binding to LDL receptor (LDLR). Activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway induces transcription of the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs), which subsequently promotes cholesterol uptake and synthesis to meet the demand of cancer cells. Ox-LDL binds to the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) to induce mutations, resulting in inflammation, cell proliferation, and metastasis of cancer. Classic lipid-lowering drugs, statins, have been shown to reduce LDL levels in certain types of cancer. As LDL and ox-LDL play complicated roles in cancers, the potential therapeutic effect of targeting lipid metabolism in cancer therapy warrants more investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of cobalt(ii) coordination polymers {[Co(L1)2(H2O)2]·4H2O·2DMF}n (1; HL1 = 4-(3,5-(dicyano-2,6-dipyridyl)dihydropyridyl)benzoic acid; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), {[Co(L1a)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (2, HL1a = 4-(3,5-dicyano-terpyridyl)benzoic acid), and [Co3(μ3-OH)2(L1a)2(TP)(H2O)2]n (3, TPA = terephthalic acid) are reported, in which the conformation of the primary ligand L1− has been regulated by in situ oxidative dehydrogenation into L1a− in different solvent systems. Single crystal structural analyses reveal that compound 1 exhibits a 44-sql coordination layer structure constructed from cobalt centres and parent L1− ligands; compound 2 is constructed from Co2+ cations doubly connected by L1a− anions, which are generated in situ through oxidative dehydrogenation of L1−; while compound 3 features a rod-packing 3D network with a pcu-type topology, in which cobalt–oxygen chain units are interconnected by L1a− and TP2− mixed ligands. The formation mechanism of L1a− ligand via an in situ oxidative dehydrogenation reaction has been briefly discussed. This current study confirms that in situ ligand transformation is viable for controlled coordination polymer assembly, and is also adaptable to a more complexed ligand system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,4-Naphthoquinone (1) and a new coumarin (3) were isolated fromAjania salicifolia, together with two known compounds (2,4). The structures and stereochemistry of new compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic methods. Two compounds exhibited potent ABTS cation radical scavenging activities with IC50values ranging 7.97–8.44 μM. Two quinones (1,2) exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against the human cancer cell lines (Hela, HepG2, and K562) with IC50values of 11.24–35.15 μMin vitro. This is the first report of naphthoquinone in the genusAjania. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Gold catalysts supported on high surface area CeO2 were synthesized and tested for low temperature formaldehyde oxidation. It was found that the reactivity was greatly enhanced by increasing surface area of the support. Complete conversion of formaldehyde was obtained on a 3.0Au/CeO2-270 catalyst with a surface area of 270m2 g−1 at 50°C, and a conversion of 92.3% was obtained at 37°C over the same catalyst, which made it promising for indoor formaldehyde removal. Detailed characterizations of the catalyst showed that the enhancement could be attributed to two factors. One was that Au species mainly in high oxidation states formed on the high surface area CeO2 resulted in a high degree of HCHO adsorption, as revealed by in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. The other was the high surface area CeO2 provided more oxygen vacancies by the nano effect and the formation of Au x Ce1−x O2−δ solid solution as revealed by Raman spectroscopy, on which oxygen molecules could be transformed to active species for the reaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For almost 150 years, the two monotypic genera Trochodendron and Tetracentron (Trochodendraceae) have been considered to share an unusual and primitive feature in angiosperms – the lack of vessels in their wood. Therefore, they have been classified in a basal position in the angiosperms. Our observations by light microscopy, low-vacuum environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and high-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (SEM) both in fresh and FAA-fixed materials consistently showed the presence of tracheary elements differentiated into two types in both genera. In Trochodendron, the tracheary elements can be divided into perforate vessel elements and imperforate fiber-tracheids and tracheids. The vessel elements show end and lateral walls. The pits on the end walls are elongate- broadened and do not have membranes or only a few remnants of them forming the perforation plates. The fiber-tracheids show crossfield pit pairs and sharp ends, and the tracheids show bordered pits. In Tetracentron, the tracheary elements comprise vessel elements and fibers. The vessel elements are similar to those of Trochodendron, whereas the fibers have no crossfield pit pairs but, rather, elliptical pits and sharp ends. Thus, both Trochodendron and Tetracentron are vessel bearing rather than vesselless, although their vessel elements are primitive. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) is necessary to demonstrate presence or absence of pit membranes in possible perforations or the type of pit membrane remnants in perforations in vessel element end-walls of angiosperms, but it was unconfirmed and questionable whether pit membrane absence in pits was affected by the processing and handling before SEM observations. To solve this question, the secondary xylem of four woody species from primitive angiosperms, Illicium henryi Diels. (Illiciaceae), Schisandra rubriflora (Franch.) Rehd. et Wils. (Schisandraceae), Tetracentron sinensis Oliv. and Trochodendron aralioides Sieb. & Zucc. (Trochodendraceae) was chosen and the following techniques were used: (1) fresh materials were examined in low-vacuum with ESEM. (2) Air-dried materials were examined both in low- and high-vacuum with ESEM. (3) Fresh materials fixed in several different fixatives were observed in low-vacuum, respectively. (4) Smooth surface of the material by paraffin section methods was examined in high-vacuum. (5) Materials treated by Jeffrey''s Fluid were observed in high-vacuum. Pit membranes and remnants in perforations of fresh material were little different from that of treated materials. Absence of the pit membrane in perforations (pits) in the end-wall was not attributed to the processing and handling. Information of pit membranes and remnants in perforations in end-wall based on the SEM observation might be validly claimed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of a lamellar framework with water clusters and organosulfonate guests trapped in the interlamellar region, [Co(H2O)2(4,4′-bpy)2]·(ps)2 ·10H2O 1 (4,4′-bpy=4,4′-bipyridine; Hps=pyridine-4-sulfonic acid), are presented. The structure is made up of cationic square-grid cobalt-4,4′-bipyridine layers with lamellar separation of ca. 8Å, which is comparable to the hydrotalcite-like solids. The structure also contains intercalated charge-compensating ps− anions and water molecules defining it a hydrotalcite analog. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Slow-release fertilizers have been widely used to promote agricultural production with less losses to the environment. However, further achievement of fertilizer with precisely regulable release performance is still full of challenges, especially for the most used nitrogen fertilizer – urea. In this study, we provide a strategy for regulating performance of slow-release urea fertilizer (SRUF) based on inclusion complexation between biodegradable copolyester and urea via simply changing chain composition. The units of butylene adipate (BA) are copolymerized into the main chains of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) to obtain a series of random copolyesters of poly(butylene succinate- co -butylene adipate) (PBSA). The crystallizability of PBSA declines with increasing BA content, leading to the longer slow-release time for corresponding PBSA/urea inclusion complex fertilizer. The monotonous, nearly linear relationship between chain composition and the slow-release performance of SRUF has been demonstrated, revealing the great potential to design SRUF with precise slow-release time. Consequently, pot trails in the lab are employed to evaluate the promotion effect of SRUF on Brassica chinensis L.. The growth indexes of plants significantly increase with increasing BA content in PBSA chains used in SRUF of inclusion complex. The plants reach about twice of dry weight in optimized group by referring to neat urea group when the SRUF shows a release duration closely matching to the growth cycle of Brassica chinensis L. ga1 • Poly(butylene succinate- co -butylene adipate)s with different chain compositions are synthesized. • SRUF of Inclusion complexes between polyesters and urea are prepared using industrial instruments. • Slow-release performance of SRUF is monotonously dependent on the content of comonomeric unit in copolyester chains. • Dry weight of plants harvested from the optimized group is almost twice of that from neat urea group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizotrogini are one of the most typical phytophagous scarab beetles, named primarily for their larvae attacking plant roots. Miridiba trichophora is the most widely distributed species of its genus. Its larvae are the main harmful stage and the primary target for control efforts. However, identifying M. trichophora larvae in the field is difficult due to the serious lag in larval classification work. In this study, the larvae of M. trichophora were obtained through rearing and observed using light and scanning electron microscopy. The larvae of M. trichophora are peculiar for the labrum possessing two curved horizonal ridges, the epipharynx equipped with 14 heli and a proplegmatium, the raster furnished with numerous prominent setae pointing the inconspicuous palidia, and the spiracles on the seven- and eighth abdominal segments being comparative larger than the other abdominal spiracles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to multicarbon (C2+) products with added value represents a promising strategy for achieving a carbon‐neutral economy. Precise manipulation of the catalytic interface is imperative to control the catalytic selectivity, particularly toward C2+ products. In this study, a unique Cu/UIO‐Br interface is designed, wherein the Cu(111) plane is co‐modified simultaneously by Br and O from UIO‐66‐Br support. Such Cu/UIO‐Br catalytic interface demonstrates a superior Faradaic efficiency of ≈53% for C2+ products (ethanol/ethylene) and the C2+ partial current density reached 24.3 mA cm−2 in an H‐cell electrolyzer. The kinetic isotopic effect test, in situ attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations have been conducted to elucidate the catalytic mechanism. The Br, O co‐modification on the Cu(111) interface enhanced the adsorption of CO2 species. The hydrogen‐bond effect from the doped Br atom regulated the kinetic processes of *H species in CO2RR and promoted the formation of *COH intermediate. The formed *COH facilitates the *CO–*COH coupling and promotes the C2+ selectivity finally. This comprehensive investigation not only provides an in‐depth study and understanding of the catalytic process but also offers a promising strategy for designing efficient Cu‐based catalysts with exceptional C2+ products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supply chain design is essential while considering environmental and economic issues in order to prevent negative environmental impacts induced by increasing levels of industrialization. A novel sustainable supply chain design strategy is offered in this research to address the trade-offs between environmental and economical concerns. One of the most important operational tasks in the construction of a green SCM is the identification of sustainable suppliers. Although many studies have considered economic criteria like cost, quality and lead time to select suppliers, just a few have taken environmental and social factors into account. This study suggests a number of integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods for choosing and assessing environmentally and economically responsible suppliers. Various approaches of MCDM such as SAW, WASPAS, TOPSIS, and GRA are used in the suggested methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ixekizumab, a human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antagonist, selectively blocks IL-17A, is an effective and safe biologic option for patients with psoriasis.[1] Here, we present a patient with psoriasis developing to PN after receiving ixekizumab treatment. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and largely driven by interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 immune pathway. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information that Nanoscale drug delivery systems have emerged as promising carriers for combinational therapy by co-delivery of multiple drugs and modalities.

Background and Aim. Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus share the potential to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Increased fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 secreted by hepatocytes is an important self-help behavior in NAFLD. We investigated the effects of GLS (Coptidis Rhizoma-Evodiae Fructus 2 : 1) for both their clinical effect and their serum FGF-21 levels in NAFLD patients. Methods. In a 12-week, open-label, exploratory clinical trial, 126 NAFLD patients were randomly divided into the GLS group (lifestyle intervention plus GLS) or the polyene phosphatidylcholine (PPC) group (lifestyle intervention plus PPC). Random numbers generated by DPS software were used in combination with opaque, sealed envelopes for allocation concealment. At baseline as well as at the end of the study, anthropometric parameters, glucose, lipids, hepatic enzymes, and FGF 21 were measured, with hepatic fat accumulation assessed by ultrasound (US) and US-based controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Results. 119 patients completed the study. Baseline parameters did not significantly differ between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared with PPC, GLS decreased more significantly in hepatic fat accumulation, body weight index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and FGF 21 (P < 0.05). The effects of GLS on waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, CAP, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were positively correlated with serum FGF 21 (r = 0.343, 0.342, 0.315, and 0.374, respectively, P < 0.05). The GGT and FGF-21 changes were also confirmed by multiple linear regression analysis (B, 0.777; 95% CI: 0.307–1.247, P < 0.05). Conclusion. GLS has a significant hepatoprotective effect on NAFLD patients, causing a decrease in FGF-21 secretion in response to the damage itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]