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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024MnO has attracted much attention as the anode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its high specific capacity. However, the low conductivity limited its large...
MnO has attracted much attention as the anode for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its high specific capacity. However, the low conductivity limited its large application. An effective solution to solve this problem is carbon coating. Biomass carbon materials have aroused much interest for being low-cost and rich in functional groups and hetero atoms. This work designs porous N-containing MnO composites based on the chemical-activated tremella using a self-templated method. The tremella, after activation, could offer more active sites for carbon to coordinate with the Mn ions. And the as-prepared composites could also inherit the special porous nanostructures of the tremella, which is beneficial for Li transfer. Moreover, the pyrrolic/pyridinic N from the tremella can further improve the conductivity and the electrolyte wettability of the composites. Finally, the composites show a high reversible specific capacity of 1000 mAh g with 98% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 100 mA g. They also displayed excellent long-cycle performance with 99% capacity retention (relative to the capacity second cycle) after long 1000 cycles under high current density, which is higher than in most reported transition metal oxide anodes. Above all, this study put forward an efficient and convenient strategy based on the low-cost biomass to construct N-containing porous composite anodes with a fast Li diffusion rate, high electronic conductivity, and outstanding structure stability.
PubMed: 38931003
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122939 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In-depth insights into the oligomers of carbon dots (CDs) prepared from small-molecule precursors are important in the study of the carbonization mechanism of CDs and...
In-depth insights into the oligomers of carbon dots (CDs) prepared from small-molecule precursors are important in the study of the carbonization mechanism of CDs and for our knowledge of their complex structure. Herein, citric acid (CA) and ethylenediamine (EDA) were used as small-molecule precursors to prepare CDs in an aqueous solution. The structure of oligomers acquired from CA and EDA in different molar ratios and their formation process were first studied using density functional theory, including the dispersion correction (DFT-D3) method. The results showed that the energy barrier of dimer cyclization was higher than that of its linear polymerization, but the free energy of the cyclized product was much lower than that of its reactant, and IPCA (5-oxo-1,-2,3,5-tetrahydroimidazo [1,2-a]pyridine-7-carboxylic acid) could therefore be obtained under certain conditions. The oligomers obtained from different molar ratios of EDA and CA were molecular clusters formed by short polyamide chains through intermolecular forces; with the exception of when the molar ratio of EDA to CA was 0.5, excessive CA did not undergo an amidation reaction but rather attained molecular clusters directly through intermolecular forces. These oligomers exhibited significant differences in their surface functional groups, which would affect the carbonization process and the surface structure of CDs.
PubMed: 38930988
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122920 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Conformations in the solid state are typically fixed during crystallization. Transference of "frozen" C=C conformations in...
Conformations in the solid state are typically fixed during crystallization. Transference of "frozen" C=C conformations in 3,5-bis((E)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)methylbenzene (CH-3,5-bpeb) by photodimerization selectively yielded cyclobutane and dicyclobutane isomers, one of which (Isomer 2) exhibited excellent in vitro anti-cancer activity towards T-24, 7402, MGC803, HepG-2, and HeLa cells.
Topics: Cyclobutanes; Humans; Molecular Conformation; Antineoplastic Agents; Stereoisomerism; Cell Line, Tumor; HeLa Cells; Hep G2 Cells; Isomerism
PubMed: 38930974
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122909 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic, is effective against various solid tumors, but its use is often limited by its nephrotoxic effects. This study evaluated...
Cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic, is effective against various solid tumors, but its use is often limited by its nephrotoxic effects. This study evaluated the protective effects of trametinib, an FDA-approved selective inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. The experimental design included four groups, control, trametinib, cisplatin, and a combination of cisplatin and trametinib, each consisting of eight mice. Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg to induce kidney injury, while trametinib was administered via oral gavage at 3 mg/kg daily for three days. Assessments were conducted 72 h after cisplatin administration. Our results demonstrate that trametinib significantly reduces the phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), mitigated renal dysfunction, and ameliorated histopathological abnormalities. Additionally, trametinib significantly decreased macrophage infiltration and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the kidneys. It also lowered lipid peroxidation by-products, restored the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio, and downregulated NADPH oxidase 4. Furthermore, trametinib significantly inhibited both apoptosis and necroptosis in the kidneys. In conclusion, our data underscore the potential of trametinib as a therapeutic agent for cisplatin-induced AKI, highlighting its role in reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and tubular cell death.
Topics: Animals; Cisplatin; Acute Kidney Injury; Pyridones; Oxidative Stress; Mice; Pyrimidinones; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation; Male; Cell Death; Apoptosis; Kidney Tubules; Lipid Peroxidation; Cytokines; MAP Kinase Signaling System
PubMed: 38930946
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122881 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Aurones, particular polyphenolic compounds belonging to the class of minor flavonoids and overlooked for a long time, have gained significative attention in medicinal... (Review)
Review
Aurones, particular polyphenolic compounds belonging to the class of minor flavonoids and overlooked for a long time, have gained significative attention in medicinal chemistry in recent years. Indeed, considering their unique and outstanding biological properties, they stand out as an intriguing reservoir of new potential lead compounds in the drug discovery context. Nevertheless, several physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic (P3) issues hinder their progression in more advanced phases of the drug discovery pipeline, making lead optimization campaigns necessary. In this context, scaffold hopping has proven to be a valuable approach in the optimization of natural products. This review provides a comprehensive and updated picture of the scaffold-hopping approaches directed at the optimization of natural and synthetic aurones. In the literature analysis, a particular focus is given to nitrogen and sulfur analogues. For each class presented, general synthetic procedures are summarized, highlighting the key advantages and potential issues. Furthermore, the biological activities of the most representative scaffold-hopped compounds are presented, emphasizing the improvements achieved and the potential for further optimization compared to the aurone class.
Topics: Nitrogen; Humans; Sulfur; Benzofurans; Biological Products; Structure-Activity Relationship; Drug Discovery; Animals; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 38930878
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122813 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In this research, with an aim to develop novel pyrazole oxime ether derivatives possessing potential biological activity, thirty-two pyrazole oxime ethers, including a...
In this research, with an aim to develop novel pyrazole oxime ether derivatives possessing potential biological activity, thirty-two pyrazole oxime ethers, including a substituted pyridine ring, have been synthesized and structurally identified through H NMR, C NMR, and HRMS. Bioassay data indicated that most of these compounds owned strong insecticidal properties against , , , and at a dosage of 500 μg/mL, and some title compounds were active towards at 500 μg/mL. Furthermore, some of the designed compounds had potent insecticidal effects against , , or at 100 μg/mL, with the mortalities of compounds , , , , , , , , , , and against , in particular, all reaching 100%. Even when the dosage was lowered to 20 μg/mL, compound also expressed 50% insecticidal activity against , and compounds , , , , , and displayed more than 60% inhibition rates against . The current results provided a significant basis for the rational design of biologically active pyrazole oxime ethers in future.
Topics: Pyrazoles; Oximes; Insecticides; Animals; Drug Design; Structure-Activity Relationship; Ethers; Molecular Structure; Pyridines; Moths
PubMed: 38930832
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122767 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The current article reports the investigation of three new Ni(II) complexes with -donor dithiocarbazate ligands: [Ni(L)PPh] (), [Ni(L)PPh] (), and [Ni(L)Py] ()....
The current article reports the investigation of three new Ni(II) complexes with -donor dithiocarbazate ligands: [Ni(L)PPh] (), [Ni(L)PPh] (), and [Ni(L)Py] (). Single-crystal X-ray analyses revealed mononuclear complexes with a distorted square planar geometry and the metal centers coordinated with a doubly deprotonated dithiocarbazate ligand and coligand pyridine or triphenylphosphine. The non-covalent interactions were investigated by the Hirshfeld surface and the results revealed that the strongest interactions were π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions and non-classical hydrogen bonds C-H···H and C-H···N. Physicochemical and spectroscopic methods indicate the same structures in the solid state and solution. The toxicity effects of the free ligands and Ni(II) complexes were tested on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and non-malignant breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC) values, indicating that the compounds were potent in inhibiting cell growth, were obtained for both cell lines at three distinct time points. While inhibitory effects were evident in both malignant and non-malignant cells, all three complexes demonstrated lower IC values for malignant breast cell lines than their non-malignant counterparts, suggesting a stronger impact on cancerous cell lines. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were performed showing the complex () as a promising candidate for further therapeutic exploration.
Topics: Humans; Nickel; Molecular Docking Simulation; Antineoplastic Agents; Ligands; Coordination Complexes; Cell Line, Tumor; Crystallography, X-Ray; MCF-7 Cells; Molecular Structure; Cell Proliferation; Drug Design
PubMed: 38930825
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122759 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 20242,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (DPA) is an exceptional biomarker of notorious anthrax spores. Therefore, the rapid, sensitive, and selective quantitative detection of...
2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (DPA) is an exceptional biomarker of notorious anthrax spores. Therefore, the rapid, sensitive, and selective quantitative detection of DPA is extremely significant and urgent. This paper reports a Zn(II) metal-organic framework with the formula of {[Zn(NDA)(DPBT)] 2HO·3DMF} (MOF-1), which consists of 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (2,6-NDA), 4,7-di(4-pyridyl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (DPBT), and Zn(II) ions. Structural analysis indicated that MOF-1 is a three-dimensional (3D) network which crystallized in the monoclinic system with the 2/c space group, revealing high pH, solvent, and thermal stability. Luminescence sensing studies demonstrated that MOF-1 had the potential to be a highly selective, sensitive, and recyclable fluorescence sensor for the identification of DPA. Furthermore, fluorescent test paper was made to detect DPA promptly with color changes. The enhancement mechanism was established by the hydrogen-bonding interaction and photoinduced electron transfer transition between MOF-1 and DPA molecules.
Topics: Metal-Organic Frameworks; Zinc; Thiadiazoles; Biomarkers; Anthrax; Picolinic Acids; Bacillus anthracis; Models, Molecular
PubMed: 38930821
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122755 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Jun 2024Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver tumor. Orthotopic liver transplant is one of the best treatment options, but its waiting list has to be... (Review)
Review
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary liver tumor. Orthotopic liver transplant is one of the best treatment options, but its waiting list has to be considered. Bridge therapies have been introduced in order to limit this issue. The aim of this study is to evaluate if bridge therapies in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma can improve overall survival and reduce de-listing. We selected 185 articles. The search was limited to English articles involving only adult patients. These were deduplicated and articles with incomplete text or irrelevant conclusions were excluded. Sorafenib is the standard of care for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and increases overall survival without any significant drug toxicity. However, its survival benefit is limited. The combination of transarterial chemoembolization + sorafenib, instead, delays tumor progression, although its survival benefit is still uncertain. A few studies have shown that patients undergoing transarterial chemoembolization + radiation therapy have similar or even better outcomes than those undergoing transarterial chemoembolization or sorafenib alone for rates of histopathologic complete response (89% had no residual in the explant). Also, the combined therapy of transarterial chemoembolization + radiotherapy + sorafenib was compared to the association of transarterial chemoembolization + radiotherapy and was associated with a better survival rate (24 vs. 17 months). Moreover, immunotherapy revealed new encouraging perspectives. Combination therapies showed the most encouraging results and could become the gold standard as a bridge to transplant for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Topics: Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Liver Transplantation; Sorafenib; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; Combined Modality Therapy; Antineoplastic Agents; Bridge Therapy
PubMed: 38929627
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60061010 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024The emerging concern about chemicals in electronic cigarettes, even those without nicotine, demands the development of advanced criteria for their exposure and risk...
The emerging concern about chemicals in electronic cigarettes, even those without nicotine, demands the development of advanced criteria for their exposure and risk assessment. This study aims to highlight the sensitivity of lung nuclear receptors (NRs) to electronic cigarette e-liquids, independent of nicotine presence, and the influence of the sex variable on these effects. Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to electronic cigarettes with 0%, 3%, and 6% nicotine daily (70 mL, 3.3 s, 1 puff per min/30 min) for 14 days, using the inExpose full body chamber (SCIREQ). Following exposure, lung tissues were harvested, and RNA extracted. The expression of 84 NRs was determined using the RT profiler mRNA array (Qiagen). Results exhibit a high sensitivity to e-liquid exposure irrespective of the presence of nicotine, with differential expression of NRs, including one (females) and twenty-four (males) in 0% nicotine groups compared to non-exposed control mice. However, nicotine-dependent results were also significant with seven NRs (females), fifty-three NRs (males) in 3% and twenty-three NRs (female) twenty-nine NRs (male) in 6% nicotine groups, compared to 0% nicotine mice. Sex-specific changes were significant, but sex-related differences were not observed. The study provides a strong rationale for further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Female; Male; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pilot Projects; Mice; Lung; Aerosols; Nicotine; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Sex Factors
PubMed: 38929056
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060810