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BackgroundPrevious studies, in which the data were collected about half a century ago, suggested that elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is not associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients over 70 years old. However, what is the relationship between LDL-C and CVD risk in a contemporary population aged over 70 years has not been well examined in China.MethodsThe China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) is an ongoing nationally representative study. In this analysis, participants of CHARLS who did not taking statins and did not have heart disease and stroke at 2011 were include and were followed up to 2018. The outcome of this analysis was occurrence of CVD at follow up, which include heart disease and stroke. Cox regression was used to assess the harmful effect of LDL-C on CVD occurrence. We calculated e-values to quantify the effect of unmeasured confounding on our results.ResultsOf the 9,631 participants, 15.2% (N=1,463) were aged over 70 years and 52.5% (N=5,060) were female. During the 7 years follow-up, 1,437 participants had a first CVD attack. Risk of CVD occurrence increased 8% with each 10 mg/mL elevation in LDL-C in whole participants (adjusted HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10) and age groups of ≥70 years, 60-69years and ConclusionsIn contemporary society of China, elevated the level of LDL-C also increased the risk of CVD in participants over 70 years old as in the relatively younger participants. These results should strengthen guideline recommendations for the use of lipid lowering therapies in those elderly.

A new family of isostructural 3d-4f polymetallic complexes, formulated as [Cu(6)Ln(5)(mu(3)-OH)(9) (C4H8O2N)(6)(C5H4ON)(6)(H2O)(9)].(ClO4)(6).(H2O)(22) (Ln = Pr, 1; Nd, 2; Sm, 3; Eu, 4; Gd, 5), was successfully isolated through the simple hydrolysis reaction of 2-aminoisobutyric acid, 2-hydroxypyridine, Cu(CH3COO)(2).H2O, and Ln(ClO4)(3).6H(2)O. Notably, the [Cu(6)Ln(5)] clusters with high molecular symmetry of D3h are rare examples of 2-aminoisobutyric acid-based 3d-4f clusters. The successful theoretical modeling of 5 yielded that the Gd-Gd exchange is of order 0.2 K, whereas the Gd-Cu exchange is an order of magnitude larger. Magnetization data collected for complex 5 yield a magnetic entropy change (-Delta S-m) of 19.6 J kg(-1) K-1 at 3 K and 7 T, which may be attributed to the weak magnetic interactions between the component metal ions. (C) 2020 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Summary Design criteria for dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnets (SMMs) with large thermal energy barriers to magnetic reversal have been established and proven, and the challenge to enhance performance is in understanding and controlling electron-vibration coupling that is the origin of magnetic reversal. We have prepared an SMM, [Dy(L)2(py)5][BPh4] 1 (HL = (S)-(-)-1-phenylethanol), based on the archetype [Dy(OtBu)2(py)5][BPh4] 2. Compounds 1 and 2 have similarly large energy barriers of Ueff = 1,130(20) cm−1 and Ueff = 1,250(10) cm−1, and yet 1 shows magnetic hysteresis at a far higher temperature of 22 K cf. TH = 4 K for 2. Ab initio calculation of the electron-vibration coupling and spin dynamics shows that substitution of the alkoxide ligand in fact enhances relaxation over the energy barrier for 1 compared with 2, in agreement with experiment, and that the higher temperature of magnetic hysteresis likely owes to reduced quantum tunneling at low temperatures.

Summary Toroidal molecular magnets represent promising candidates for next-generation ultra-dense information storage. These wheel-like molecules are able to store one bit per molecule because of their insensitivity to homogeneous magnetic fields—one of the main sources of magnetic perturbations. However, synthesis of molecules possessing a well-defined and stable vortex arrangement of the on-site magnetic moments in the ground state represents a challenge. Here, we show that 16 magnetic metal ions can be alternately arranged into a macrocycle named {Fe8Dy8}. The net toroidal moment can be experimentally determined at 0.23 Tesla. Moreover, ab initio calculations were performed to reveal that ferromagnetic exchange interactions between the FeIII and DyIII metal centers are the key to generate this toroidal moment. This feature is significantly distinguished from the previously described dipole-dipole interaction-based single-molecule toroics (SMTs), showing the importance of exchange-coupling interactions in the design of next-generation SMTs.

Geomagnetic signals are susceptible to random magnetic signals and short-term, high-amplitude magnetic signals. These interferences can bring nonlinear error and degrade the navigation accuracy. Traditional Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) can reduce the nonlinear error of geomagnetic signal. However, with the mode mixing and the poor stability of finding dividing point by using energy criterion, traditional EMD filter is limited. In this paper, multi-scale eigenvalues EMD (ME-EMD) is proposed. To solve the problem of mode mixing, multi-scale eigenvalues are analyzed to extract the interference signal. To find the precise dividing point, autocorrelation ratio is defined. ME-EMD estimates the SNR of intrinsic mode function (IMF) and finds the dividing point. Experiments demonstrate that ME-EMD can restrain the mode mixing and find the optimal dividing point, and the filter effect of ME-EMD is better than EMD with morphology, and Modified Ensemble EMD, etc., when the geomagnetic signal is interfered by transient signal. ME-EMD reduced the Root Mean Square Error from 23.3041 µT to 1.2689 µT.

Direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) is increasingly used in the management of pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON). However, it still remains unknown which patients will fail to respond to DEN with LAMSs and require additional surgical intervention. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore predictors of successful DEN with LAMSs for pancreatic WON.This is a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. All consecutive patients who underwent DEN with LAMSs for pancreatic WON were included. Collected data were demographics, disease severity, morphologic features, and procedure characteristics. Potential factors affecting DEN outcome were predefined and analyzed.One hundred one consecutive patients undergoing DEN with LAMSs for WON were identified, among whom 4 patients were excluded for technical failure (n = 1) and previous debridement without LAMSs (n = 3). In the 97 included patients, clinical success was achieved in 79 patients (81.4%). In logistic multivariable regression, 3 independent factors were negatively associated with success of DEN with LAMSs: increasing Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (odds ratio [OR], .70; 95% confidence interval [CI], .55-.90; P = .005),50% pancreatic necrosis (OR, .16; 95% CI, .03-.77; P = .022), and paracolic gutter extension (OR, .08; 95% CI, .02-.42; P = .003). A receiver-operating characteristic curve of the prediction model with these 3 factors demonstrated an area under the curve of .926.Paracolic gutter extension, increasing Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and50% gland necrosis are negative predictors for success of DEN with LAMSs in WON. This prediction model with nomogram may be helpful in clinical decision-making and prognostication.

The hippocampus is one of the two niches in mammalian brain with persistent neurogenesis into adulthood. The neurogenic capability of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) declines with age but the molecular mechanisms of this process remain unknown. In this study, we found that fibroblast growth factors 13 (FGF13) is essential for the postnatal neurogenesis in mouse hippocampus and FGF13 deficiency impairs learning and memory. In particular, we found that the nuclear isoform of FGF13, FGF13A, is involved in the maintenance of NSCs and the suppression of neuron differentiation during postnatal hippocampal development. Furthermore, we found that FGF13A interacts with ARID1B, a unit of Brahma-associated factor chromatin remodeling complex, and suppresses the expression of neuron differentiation-associated genes through chromatin modification. Our results suggested that FGF13A is an important regulator for maintaining the self-renewal and neurogenic capacity of NSCs in postnatal hippocampus, revealing a novel epigenetic function of FGFs in neurogenesis.

Through-the-Earth Communication (TEC) is very vulnerable to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and the conventional signal enhancement techniques employing local primary and remote reference antennas are unfeasible for downlink signal reception due to the limited space and complicated terrain on the receiving sites. In this paper, a novel magnetic field sensing system for downlink reception, in which multiple reference sensors are deployed locally and orthogonally with the primary receiving sensor, is introduced and the signal model is constructed from a perspective of array reception. A modified minimum variance distortionless response (MVDR) beamformer is designed by exploiting the TEC operating conditions for suppressing the EMIs and enhancing the signal. Real tests with power line harmonic interferences (PLHIs) from household wiring in laboratory and an additional wideband jamming demonstrated a great reduction of the EMIs and thus reliable downlink signal reception could be obtained.

The early effects of three accelerators on a Ca(OH)2 activated ground granulated blast-furnace slag binder at low curing temperatures are discussed. The compressive strength, hydration kinetics, hydration products, and microstructures were investigated by isothermal calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Results show that accelerators continue to promote the strength development of pastes in the early stage during low-temperature curing, especially with sodium sulfate, which exhibits a higher strength and hydration degree in the early stage. However, accelerators cannot effectively improve the pore structure at low-temperature curing, which severely restricts the development of strength, compared with that at 20 °C. Furthermore, a good correlation was found between the initial strength development and the limit equivalent ionic conductivity (LEIC), suggesting that LEIC influences the reaction acceleration of blast-furnace slag at an early age.

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) are ubiquitous and diverse molecular chaperones. Found in almost all organisms, they regulate protein refolding and protect cells from stress. Until now, no sHsp has been characterized in Eimeria tenella. In this study, the novel EtsHsp20.4 gene was cloned from E. tenella by rapid amplification of cDNA ends based on a previously identified expressed sequence tag. The full-length cDNA was 1019bp in length and contained an open reading frame of 558bp that encoded a 185-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular weight of 20.4 kDa. The EtsHsp20.4 protein contained a distinct HSP20/alpha-crystallin domain that is the key determinant of their function as molecular chaperones and belongs to the HSP20 protein family. EtsHsp20.4 mRNA levels were higher in sporulated oocysts than in sporozoites or second-generation merozoites by real-time quantitative PCR, the transcription of EtsHsp20.4 was barely detectable in unsporulated oocysts. Immunolocalization with EtsHsp20.4 antibody showed that EtsHsp20.4 was mainly located on the surface of sporozoites, first-generation merozoites and second-generation merozoites. Following the development of parasites in DF-1 cells, EtsHsp20.4 protein was uniformly dispersed in trophozoites, immature schizonts, and mature schizonts. Malate dehydrogenase thermal aggregation assays indicated that recombinant EtsHsp20.4 had molecular chaperone activity in vitro. These results suggested that EtsHsp20.4 might be involved in sporulation in external environments and intracellular growth of the parasite in the host.

Summary Ten lanthanacarborane complexes were synthesized to study the rare B−Hδ−∙∙∙Mn+ inverse hydrogen bonds (IHBs). The average bonding energy of B−Hδ−∙∙∙Ln3+ is theoretically determined to be larger than 24 kJ/mol, which is comparable to moderately strong hydrogen bonds (21–56 kJ/mol). In addition to NMR and IR, magnetometer was used to study the exchange-coupling interaction via such B−Hδ−∙∙∙Ln3+ IHBs in detail, and the coupling constant is determined to be −2.0 cm−1, which is strong enough to compare with single-atom bridged dysprosium(III) complexes. Two imidazolin-iminato incorporated complexes have shown energy barrier for magnetization reversal larger than 1000 K, and the exchange-biasing effects are evident. Moreover, the bonding strengths of B−Hδ−∙∙∙Mn+ IHBs are cation-dependent. If M = Na, the B−Hδ−∙∙∙Na+ bonding energy is reduced to 14 kJ/mol, and the dimerization process is no longer reversible. The exchange-biasing effect is also disappeared. We believe such a finding extends our knowledge of IHBs., Graphical abstract, Highlights • Cation-dependent inverse hydrogen bonds are found in lanthanacarborane complexes • The lanthanacarborane dimeric assembly via inverse hydrogen bonds is reversible • The average bonding energy of B−Hδ−∙∙∙Ln3+ is larger than 24 kJ/mol • Inverse hydrogen bonded dysprosiacarborane dimers are single-molecule magnets, Chemistry; Inorganic chemistry; Molecular inorganic chemistry; Magnetism.

Summary: The hippocampus is one of two niches in the mammalian brain with persistent neurogenesis into adulthood. The neurogenic capacity of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) declines with age, but the molecular mechanisms of this process remain unknown. In this study, we find that fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13) is essential for the post-natal neurogenesis in mouse hippocampus, and FGF13 deficiency impairs learning and memory. In particular, we find that FGF13A, the nuclear isoform of FGF13, is involved in the maintenance of NSCs and the suppression of neuronal differentiation during post-natal hippocampal development. Furthermore, we find that FGF13A interacts with ARID1B, a unit of Brahma-associated factor chromatin remodeling complex, and suppresses the expression of neuron differentiation-associated genes through chromatin modification. Our results suggest that FGF13A is an important regulator for maintaining the self-renewal and neurogenic capacity of NSCs in post-natal hippocampus, revealing an epigenomic regulatory function of FGFs in neurogenesis.

The design criteria for single-molecule magnets (SMMs) of dysprosium(III) to show large thermal energy barriers to magnetic reversal have been established and proven, and the challenge to enhance their performance is understanding and control of vibrational modes that govern slow relaxation. We have prepared a new SMM, [Dy(L)2(py)5][BPh4] 1 (where HL = (S)-(-)-1-phenylethanol), which is based on the archetype [Dy(OtBu)2(py)5][BPh4] 2. Compounds 1 and 2 have similarly large energy barriers of Ueff = 1130(20) cm-1 and Ueff = 1250(10) cm-1, and yet 1 shows magnetic hysteresis at a far higher temperature of 22 K (cf. TH = 4 K for 2). Ab initio calculation of the spin dynamics show that substitution of the alkoxide ligand in fact enhances relaxation over the energy barrier for 1 over 2, in agreement with experiment, and that the higher temperature of magnetic hysteresis owes to reduced quantum tunnelling at low temperatures.

Summary Unpaired electrons which are essential for organic radicals and magnetic materials are hardly to align parallel, especially upon the increasing of spin numbers. Here, we show that the antiferromagnetic interaction in the largest Cr(III)-RE (rare earth) cluster {Cr10RE18} leads to 96 parallel electrons, forming a ground spin state ST of 48 for RE = Gd. This is so far the third largest ground spin state achieved in one molecule. Moreover, by using the classical Monte Carlo simulation, the exchange coupling constants Jij can be determined. Spin dynamics simulation reveals that the strong Zeeman effects of 18 Gd(III) ions stabilize the ground ferrimagnetic state and hinder the magnetization reversals of these spins. In addition, the dysprosium(III) analog is an exchange-biasing single-molecule magnet. We believe that the ferrimagnetic approach and analytical protocol established in this work can be applied generally in constructing and analyzing giant spin molecules., Graphical abstract, Highlights • The largest {Cr10RE18} molecular clusters were assembled for RE = Gd, Dy, and Y • The {Cr10Gd18} cluster shows a large ground spin state of ST = 48 • The exchange coupling constants were determined by Classical Monte Carlo simulation • Spin dynamics simulation reveals a ferrimagnetic ground state of {Cr10Gd18}., Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; Molecular Inorganic Chemistry; Magnetism

This work aimed to develop an integrated process for production of gasoline fraction bio-fuels from bio-oil under atmospheric conditions. This novel transformation process included the catalytic cracking of bio-oil to light olefins and the subsequent synthesis of liquid hydrocarbon bio-fuels from light olefins with two reactors in series. The yield of bio-fuel was up to 193.8 g/(kg bio-oil) along with a very low oxygen content, high RONs (research octane numbers), high LHVs (lower heating values) and low benzene content under the optimizing reaction conditions. Coke deposition seems to be the main cause of catalyst deactivation in view of the fact that the deactivated catalysts was almost recovered by on-line treating the used catalyst with oxygen. The integrated transformation potentially provides a useful way for the development of gasoline range hydrocarbon fuels using renewable lignocellulose biomass.

The initiation of translation in eukaryotic cells is stimulated by proteins known as initiation factors (eIFs). A structurally complex eIF composed of multiple subunits, eIF3 has been shown to have various functions in translation in a variety of eukaryotes. Until now, little is known about eIF3 in Eimeria tenella. Based on a previously identified expressed sequence tag(EST), we cloned the eIF3 subunit 7 gene (EteIF3s7) from E. tenella by rapid amplification of the cDNA ends(RACE). The 2278-bp full-length complementary DNA of EteIF3s7 contained a 1716-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encoded a 571-amino acid (aa) polypeptide. The EteIF3s7 protein contained the subunit 7 domain that is characteristic of members of the eIF3 zeta superfamily. The levels of EteIF3s7 messenger RNA and protein were higher in second generation merozoites than in sporulated oocysts, unsporulated oocysts, or sporozoites, and the EteIF3s7 protein was barely detectable in unsporulated oocysts. Our immunofluorescence analysis showed that the EteIF3s7 protein was uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm of sporozoites. After sporozoites were incubated in complete medium, the EteIF3s7 protein localized to the anterior region of the parasite. Following the first schizogenous division, the protein was uniformly dispersed in trophozoites, immature schizonts, and mature schizonts, and the EteIF3s7 protein was observed to be closely associated with the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. An anti-rEteIF3s7 polyclonal antibody inhibited the ability of E. tenella to invade DF-1 cells, which suggested that EteIF3s7 might be involved in host cell invasion and required for the growth of the parasite in the host.

Parkinson's disease (PD), one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Increasing epidemiological evidence has indicated that type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. However, the exact association and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In the present study, ob/ob and db/db mice, the well accepted T2D models, were acutely treated with MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine) to mimic PD-like neural injury. We found that insulin signaling impairment occurred not only in pancreas and livers, but also in the midbrain of ob/ob and db/db mice. Notably, the expressions of monomeric and oligomeric α-synuclein as well as endoplasmic reticulum stress markers (CHOP and GRP78) were significantly upregulated in both pancreas and midbrain of T2D mice, accompanied by the increased activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes to produce excess IL-1β. Furthermore, we found that acute MPTP administration aggravated the loss of dopaminergic neurons and increased the activation of glial cells in the substantia nigra of db/db mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that α-synuclein accumulation and neuroinflammation are aggravated in the midbrain of T2D mice and T2D mice are more susceptible to the neurotoxicity induced by MPTP. Our study indicates that metabolic inflammation exacerbates DA neuronal degeneration in the progress of PD, which will provide a novel insight into the etiology of PD.

Transformation of lignin to ethylbenzene can provide an important bulk raw material for the petrochemical industry. This work explored the production of ethylbenzene from lignin through the directional catalytic depolymerization of lignin into the aromatic monomers followed by the selective alkylation of the aromatic monomers. For the first step, the aromatics selectivity of benzene derived from the catalytic depolymerization of lignin reached about 90.2 C-mol% over the composite catalyst of Re-Y/HZSM-5 (25). For the alkylation of the aromatic monomers in the second step, the highest selectivity of ethylbenzene was about 72.3 C-mol% over the HZSM-5 (25) catalyst. The reaction pathway for the transformation of lignin to ethylbenzene was also addressed. Present transformation potentially provides a useful approach for the production of the basic petrochemical material and development of high-end chemicals utilizing lignin as the abundant natural aromatic resource.

Biomass conversion into benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) can provide basic feedstocks for the petrochemical industry, which also serve as the most important aromatic platform molecules for development of high-end chemicals. Present work explored a new route for transformation of bio-oil tar into BTX through current-enhanced catalytic conversion (CECC), involving the synergistic effect between the zeolite catalyst and current to promote the deoxygenation and cracking reactions. The proposed transformation shows an excellent BTX aromatics selectivity of 92.9 C-mol% with 25.1 wt.% yield at 400 °C over usual HZSM-5 catalyst. The study of the model compounds revealed that the groups such as methoxy, hydroxyl and methyl in aromatics can be effectively removed in the CECC process. Present transformation potentially provides an important approach for production of the key petrochemicals of BTX and the overall use of bio-oil tar derived from bio-oil or biomass.

Catalytic conversion of rice husk, sawdust, sugarcane bagasse, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin into olefins was performed with HZSM-5 containing 6 wt.% lanthanum. The olefins yields for different feedstocks decreased in the order: cellulose > hemicellulose > sugarcane bagasse > rice husk > sawdust > lignin. Biomass containing higher content of cellulose or hemicellulose produced more olefins than feedstocks with higher content of lignin. Among the biomass types, sugarcane bagasse provided the highest olefin yield of 0.12 kg olefins/(kg dry biomass) and carbon yield of 21.2 C-mol%. Temperature, residence time and the catalyst/feed ratio influenced olefin yield and selectivity. While the HZSM-5 zeolite was catalytically active, the incorporation of lanthanum at 2.9, and 6.0 wt.% increased the production of olefins from rice husk by 15.6% and 26.5%, respectively. The conversion of biomass to light olefins potentially provides an alternative and sustainable route for production of the key petrochemicals.

In this paper, the voltammetric method was used for the first time to study the effect of Cisplatin-liposome on Hela cells. The results showed the voltammetric behavior of Hela cells was irreversible and the peak current had linear relationship with the cell number. With both Cisplatin-liposome concentration and treating time increasing, the peak current decreased. The peak current decreasing was in accordance with the nuclear damage and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential revealed by two-photon laser scanning microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. This voltammetric method may provide a simple way to study the electron-transfer mechanism in drug-treating cells.