动态轴向压应变促进丝素蛋白支架内MC3T3-E1细胞成骨分化

目的 观察动态轴向压应变对三维丝素蛋白支架内成骨细胞成骨相关基因表达的影响。方法 应用动态力学加载仪对实验组小鼠胚胎成骨细胞MC3T3-E1加载动态轴向压应变（5%应变幅度,1 Hz,30 min/d,共21 d）,对照组细胞常规静置培养,不施加力学刺激。应用定量PCR检测细胞成骨基因碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、I型胶原（COLⅠ）、骨特异性转录因子（Runx2）、成骨相关转录因子（Osx）、骨钙蛋白（OCN） mRNA表达量。结果 成骨细胞在周期性轴向压应力刺激下,Runx2、Osx及COLⅠ表达分别增加280%、68.9%和79.6%,ALP及OCN表达也分别增加10.7%和26.9%。实验组成骨相关基因mRNA表达与对照组比较,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 成骨细胞复合丝素蛋白生物支架材料在周期性轴向压应力刺激下,成骨基因COLⅠ、Runx2、Osx及OCN表达明显上调,可能是生理状态下压应力刺激促进骨折愈合的重要机制之一。研究结果对于以力学信号为基础的细胞疗法修复骨缺损等疾病具有重要临床价值。     

Anti-phytopathogenic sesquiterpenoid-xanthone adducts from potato endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines

A bioguided separation on the cultures of the potato endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines led to the isolation of two anti-phytopathogenic (Alternaria solani) sesquiterpenoid-xanthone adducts, namely bipolins I and J (1 and 2). Their structures were established via extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit potent inhibitory activity against A. solani with MIC values of 8 and 16 μg mL⁻¹, respectively.

Two sativene sesquiterpenoid-xanthone adducts from potato endophytic fungus Bipolaris eleusines     

Interaction of oxalic acid with methylamine and its atmospheric implications

Oxalic acid, which is one of the most common dicarboxylic acids, is expected to be an important component of atmospheric aerosols. However, the contribution of oxalic acid to the generation of new particles is still poorly understood. In this study, the structural characteristics and thermodynamics of (C₂H₂O₄)(CH₃NH₂)_n (n = 1–4) were investigated at the PW91PW91/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory. We found that clusters formed by oxalic acid and methylamine are relatively stable, and the more the atoms participating in the formation of a ring-like structure, the more stable is the cluster. In addition, via the analysis of atmospheric relevance, it can be revealed that clusters of (C₂H₂O₄)(CH₃NH₂)_n (n = 1–4) have a noteworthy concentration in the atmosphere, which indicates that these clusters could be participating in new particle formation. Moreover, by comparison with (H₂C₂O₄)(NH₃)_n (n = 1–6) species, it can be seen that oxalic acid is more readily bound to methylamine than to ammonia, which promotes nucleation or new particle formation. Finally, the Rayleigh scattering properties of clusters of (C₂H₂O₄)(CH₃NH₂)_n (n = 1–4) were investigated for the first time to determine their atmospheric implications.

Oxalic acid, which is one of the most common dicarboxylic acids, is expected to be an important component of atmospheric aerosols.     

4-Phenylpyrimidine monolayer protection of a copper surface from salt corrosion

4-Phenylpyrimidine (4-PPM) containing N heteroatoms can easily form compact and uniform layers on metallic surfaces. In this work, the protection of a copper surface from corrosion in 3 wt% NaCl by a 4-PPM layer was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization methods. Under optimum conditions, the inhibition efficiency of a 4-PPM layer for copper corrosion reached 83.2%. Raman analysis in conjunction with calculations using density functional theory (DFT) based on the B3LYP/LANL2DZ basis set suggested that the 4-PPM molecule anchored on the copper surface via the N₁ atom to construct a uniform layer.

The efficiency of a 4-phenylpyrimidine monolayer optimally self-assembled on a copper surface against corrosion by a 3 wt% NaCl solution could reach 83.2%.     

Electrochemical oxidizing digestion using PbO2 electrode for total phosphorus determination in a water sample

Total phosphorus is one of the key water quality parameters in environmental monitoring. To precisely determine the total phosphorus, water samples have to be pretreated to convert the various forms of phosphorus to orthophosphate. Conventionally, pretreatment is accomplished by heating, acidification, and oxidation in a digestion equipment, which is dangerous, time-consuming, and complicated. Herein, we propose a novel high-performance electrochemical oxidation protocol for phosphorus digestion based on a PbO₂ electrode. The electrode, which has a hydrophobic and stable surface, was prepared by electrochemical deposition on a titanium substrate and has high hydroxyl radical utilization when digesting total phosphorus. As a result, 90% of sodium glycerophosphate was digested within 30 minutes, and high digestion ratios of acephate, glyphosate, and inland water samples were obtained as well. In addition, this electrochemical digestion protocol does not required heating and acidification steps, which shortens the digestion time. Therefore, a rapid quantification of total phosphorus in the water sample was achieved.

Using electrochemical oxidation for digestion when testing total phosphorus with a digestion ratio of about 90%.     

A synthesis and performance evaluation of a highly efficient ecological dust depressor based on the sodium lignosulfonate–acrylic acid graft copolymer

In this paper, a highly efficient and environmentally-friendly dust depressor was developed based on the sodium lignosulfonate–acrylic acid graft copolymer. Using the grafting ratio as an index, a three-factor and four-level orthogonal experiment was conducted to optimize the fabrication conditions of the graft copolymer. At a reaction temperature of 60 °C, feed ratio m_SLS–AA of 1 : 3, and FeSO₄·7H₂O content of 2.5%, the prototype produced the highest grafting ratio. The microstructure of the graft copolymer was measured using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR). Furthermore, the influence of glycerol and the JFC penetrant on the contact angle between the compound solution and coal powder was investigated. Finally, four formulas of dust depressor were selected based on the experimental results. The dust-control performance of the four dust depressors was then tested on a large-scale spray dust suppression simulation platform. The results show that after applying formula 1 at various distances from the spray field, the average dust reduction rates of the total dust (respirable dust) at each point increased. Compared to the water-spraying dust suppression technique, the dust concentration is significantly reduced after the graft copolymer dust depressor is applied.

In this paper, a highly efficient and environmentally-friendly dust depressor was developed based on the sodium lignosulfonate–acrylic acid graft copolymer.     

Acetone vapour-assisted growth of 2D single-crystalline organic lead halide perovskite microplates and their temperature-enhanced photoluminescence

We adopt an acetone vapour-assisted method to grow high quality single-crystalline microplates of two-dimensional (2D) perovskite, 2-phenylethylammonium lead bromide [(C₆H₅C₂H₄NH₃)₂PbBr₄]. The microplates, converted from the spin-coated films, are well-defined rectangles. Temperature dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy shows that the band gap PL is enhanced markedly with increasing temperature up to 218 K, accompanied by the quenching of the PL related to the trap states, which perhaps results from the exciton–phonon couplings. The optical phonon energy around 50 meV and the exciton binding energy around 120 meV are derived by fitting the band gap PL linewidths and intensities at different temperatures, respectively.

We report an acetone vapour-assisted method to grow single-crystalline 2D perovskite microplates and find their temperature-enhanced photoluminescence.     

Retracted Article: Chrysin attenuates myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury by inhibiting myocardial inflammation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chrysin (CH) on myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury. Cytokines were reduced by CH in coronary artery occlusion-induced rats and also in H9C2 cells. The ST segment was also restored by CH. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and pathological analysis showed that CH could alleviate myocardial injury. Results in H9C2 cells showed that CH improved heart injury in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) of H9C2 cells. In addition, the expressions of the HMGB1-related inflammation pathway in rats and H9C2 cells were significantly decreased by CH. The present study shows the protective effects of CH on myocardial injury via inflammation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chrysin (CH) on myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury.     

An In‐House Prevocational Training Program for Newly Discharged Psychiatric Inpatients: Exploring Its Employment Outcomes and the Predictive Factors

Individuals with severe mental disorders continue to experience low employment rates. Occupational therapists play an important role in helping these individuals develop the skills and obtain the supports necessary for productive living. This retrospective cohort study aimed to explore employment outcomes and identify factors predictive of the outcomes of an in‐house prevocational training program designed for newly discharged psychiatric inpatients. Data retrieved from the files of 58 participants including demographics, diagnostic history, physical fitness, functional assessment results, the use of vocational counselling service and employment status were analyzed. The overall employment rates among the participants were high (67.2–79.3%) within the 6 months following the prevocational training program. No significant differences were found in the employment rates across the 1, 3 and 6‐month time periods post‐training. Vocational counselling service post‐training and hand function were two factors predictive of participants' employment outcomes. Occupational therapists should attend to the clients' need for continuous vocational support and carefully identify the personal, functional and environmental factors contributing to successful employment. Caution in interpreting the results is warranted because of the lack of control and randomization in this retrospective study. Additional longitudinal cohort or experimental studies would add further certainty to the current findings. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.