-
Nutrients Jun 2024Gut microbiota might affect the severity and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We aimed to characterize gut dysbiosis and...
Gut microbiota might affect the severity and progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). We aimed to characterize gut dysbiosis and clinical parameters regarding fibrosis stages assessed by magnetic resonance elastography. This study included 156 patients with MASLD, stratified into no/mild fibrosis (F0-F1) and moderate/severe fibrosis (F2-F4). Fecal specimens were sequenced targeting the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and analyzed using bioinformatics. The genotyping of , , and was assessed by allelic discrimination assays. Our data showed that gut microbial profiles between groups significantly differed in beta-diversity but not in alpha-diversity indices. Enriched and , and depleted were found in the F2-F4 group versus the F0-F1 group. Compared to F0-F1, the F2-F4 group had elevated plasma surrogate markers of gut epithelial permeability and bacterial translocation. The bacterial genera, polymorphisms, old age, and diabetes were independently associated with advanced fibrosis in multivariable analyses. Using the Random Forest classifier, the gut microbial signature of three genera could differentiate the groups with high diagnostic accuracy (AUC of 0.93). These results indicated that the imbalance of enriched pathogenic genera and decreased beneficial bacteria, in association with several clinical and genetic factors, were potential contributors to the pathogenesis and progression of MASLD.
Topics: Humans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Liver Cirrhosis; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Membrane Proteins; Lipase; Aged; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Dysbiosis; Fatty Liver; Feces; Adult; Genetic Variation; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Bacteria; Acyltransferases; 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; Phospholipases A2, Calcium-Independent
PubMed: 38931155
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121800 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The direct 1,6-nucleophilic difluoromethylation, trifluoromethylation, and difluoroalkylation of -quinone methides (-QMs) with MeSiRf (Rf = CFH, CF, CFCF, CFCOOEt, and...
The direct 1,6-nucleophilic difluoromethylation, trifluoromethylation, and difluoroalkylation of -quinone methides (-QMs) with MeSiRf (Rf = CFH, CF, CFCF, CFCOOEt, and CFSPh) under mild conditions are described. Although MeSiCFH shows lower reactivity than MeSiCF, it can react with -QMs promoted by CsF/18-Crown-6 to give structurally diverse difluoromethyl products in good yields. The products can then be further converted into fluoroalkylated -quinone methides and -fluoroalkylated diarylmethanes.
PubMed: 38930971
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122905 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024A mild, efficient and practical protocol for the preparation of 2-sulfonylquinolines through CS/EtNH-induced deoxygenative C2-H sulfonylation of quinoline -oxides with...
A mild, efficient and practical protocol for the preparation of 2-sulfonylquinolines through CS/EtNH-induced deoxygenative C2-H sulfonylation of quinoline -oxides with readily available RSOCl was developed. The reaction proceeded well under transition-metal-free conditions and exhibited a wide substrate scope and functional group tolerance. The preliminary studies suggested that the nucleophilic sulfonyl sources were generated in situ via the reaction of CS, EtNH and sulfonyl chlorides.
PubMed: 38930928
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122863 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The growing demand for wearable and attachable displays has sparked significant interest in flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). However, the challenges...
The growing demand for wearable and attachable displays has sparked significant interest in flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). However, the challenges of fabricating and operating QLEDs on flexible substrates persist due to the lack of stable and low-temperature processable charge-injection/-transporting layers with aligned energy levels. In this study, we utilized NiO nanoparticles that are compatible with flexible substrates as a hole-injection layer (HIL). To enhance the work function of the NiO HIL, we introduced a self-assembled dipole modifier called 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoic acid (4-CF-BA) onto the surface of the NiO nanoparticles. The incorporation of the dipole molecules through adsorption treatment has significantly changed the wettability and electronic characteristics of NiO nanoparticles, resulting in the formation of NiO(OH) at the interface and a shift in vacuum level. The alteration of surface electronic states of the NiO nanoparticles not only improves the carrier balance by reducing the hole injection barrier but also prevents exciton quenching by passivating defects in the film. Consequently, the NiO-based red QLEDs with interfacial modification demonstrate a maximum current efficiency of 16.1 cd/A and a peak external quantum efficiency of 10.3%. This represents a nearly twofold efficiency enhancement compared to control devices. The mild fabrication requirements and low annealing temperatures suggest potential applications of dipole molecule-modified NiO nanoparticles in flexible optoelectronic devices.
PubMed: 38930893
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122828 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024A straightforward and efficient methodology has been developed for the synthesis of 3-cyano-2-pyridones via the C-C and C-N bond formation processes. A total of 51...
A straightforward and efficient methodology has been developed for the synthesis of 3-cyano-2-pyridones via the C-C and C-N bond formation processes. A total of 51 diverse 3-cyano-2-pyridone derivatives were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. This reaction featured advantages such as a metal-free process, wide functional group tolerance, simple operation, and mild conditions. A plausible mechanism for the reaction was proposed. 3-cyano-2-pyridones as ricinine analogues for insecticidal properties were evaluated, and the compound (LC = 2.206 mg/mL) showed the best insecticidal property.
PubMed: 38930857
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122792 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Since its discovery, the Julia-Kocienski olefination reaction has over past 30 years become one of the key C-C connective methods that is used in late-stage natural... (Review)
Review
Since its discovery, the Julia-Kocienski olefination reaction has over past 30 years become one of the key C-C connective methods that is used in late-stage natural product synthesis. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions, with a wide substrate scope and functional group tolerance range and with high () selectivity. In this focused review, we discuss the reaction from a mechanistic point of view and disclose key features that play an important role in reaction selectivity. Finally, the mechanistic aspects of the newly developed modification of the Julia-Kocienski reaction, which allows the formation of both () and () olefins from the same reaction partners, are discussed.
PubMed: 38930785
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122719 -
Micromachines May 2024The development of nanocomposite photocatalysts with high photocatalytic activity, cost-effectiveness, a simple preparation process, and scalability for practical...
The development of nanocomposite photocatalysts with high photocatalytic activity, cost-effectiveness, a simple preparation process, and scalability for practical applications is of great interest. In this study, nanocomposites of TiO Degussa P25 nanoparticles/activated carbon (TiO/AC) were prepared at various mass ratios of (4:1), (3:2), (2:3), and (1:4) by a facile process involving manual mechanical pounding, ultrasonic-assisted mixing in an ethanol solution, paper filtration, and mild thermal annealing. The characterization methods included XRD, SEM-EDS, Raman, FTIR, XPS, and UV-Vis spectroscopies. The effects of TiO/AC mass ratios on the structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties were systematically studied in comparison with bare TiO and bare AC. TiO nanoparticles exhibited dominant anatase and minor rutile phases and a crystallite size of approximately 21 nm, while AC had XRD peaks of graphite and carbon and a crystallite size of 49 nm. The composites exhibited tight decoration of TiO nanoparticles on micron-/submicron AC particles, and uniform TiO/AC composites were obtained, as evidenced by the uniform distribution of Ti, O, and C in an EDS mapping. Moreover, Raman spectra show the typical vibration modes of anatase TiO (e.g., E, B, E) and carbon materials with D and G bands. The TiO/AC with (4:1), (3:2), and (2:3) possessed higher reaction rate constants () in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) than that of either TiO or AC. Among the investigated materials, TiO/AC = 4:1 achieved the highest photocatalytic activity with a high of 55.2 × 10 min and an MB removal efficiency of 96.6% after 30 min of treatment under UV-Vis irradiation (120 mW/cm). The enhanced photocatalytic activity for TiO/AC is due to the synergistic effect of the high adsorption capability of AC and the high photocatalytic activity of TiO. Furthermore, TiO/AC promotes the separation of photoexcited electron/hole (e/h) pairs to reduce their recombination rate and thus enhance photocatalytic activity. The optimal TiO/AC composite with a mass ratio of 4/1 is suggested for treating industrial or household wastewater with organic pollutants.
PubMed: 38930684
DOI: 10.3390/mi15060714 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Ni-base superalloys operate in harsh service conditions where cyclic heating and cooling introduce deformation fields that need to be investigated in detail. We used the...
Ni-base superalloys operate in harsh service conditions where cyclic heating and cooling introduce deformation fields that need to be investigated in detail. We used the high-angular-resolution electron backscatter diffraction method to study the evolution of internal stress fields and dislocation density distributions in carbides, dendrites, and notch tips. The results indicate that the stress concentrations decay exponentially away from the notch, and this pattern of distribution was modified by the growth of cracks and the emission of dislocations from the crack tip. Crack initiation follows crystallographic traces and is weakly correlated with carbides and dendrites. Thermal cycles introduce local plasticity around carbides, the dendrite boundary, and cracks. The dislocations lead to higher local stored energy than the critical value that is often cited to induce recrystallization. No large-scale onset of recrystallization was detected, possibly due to the mild temperature (800 °C); however, numerous recrystallized grains were detected in carbides after 50 and 80 cycles. The results call for a detailed investigation of the microstructure-related, thermally assisted recrystallization phenomenon and may assist in the microstructure control and cooling channel design of turbine blades.
PubMed: 38930191
DOI: 10.3390/ma17122821 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease that is often associated with itch and pain. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of skin pain among...
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease that is often associated with itch and pain. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of skin pain among patients with psoriasis. A total of 106 patients diagnosed with psoriasis were included in the study (34% female; mean age 42.1 ± 13.0 years). Disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Itch severity was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and 4-Item Itch Score (4IIS). The intensity of skin pain was measured through the NRS, short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), visual analog scale (VAS), and Douleur Neuropathique-4 questionnaire (DN4). In the past week, 84.9% of psoriasis patients reported itch, while 50% of them reported skin pain. The average NRS for itch was 4.52 ± 2.88 points, and the 4IIS yielded a mean score of 6.79 ± 4.37 points. In terms of the intensity of cutaneous pain, the mean NRS was 2.42 ± 2.96 points; the SF-MPQ score averaged 4.84 ± 7.51 points; and the VAS score was 1.92 ± 2.65 points. Furthermore, 17% of adult psoriasis patients reported neuropathic pain. In 84.9% of the participants, skin pain was concurrent with areas affected by itch, while 18.9% of patients exhibited cutaneous pain encompassing all itchy areas. The pain NRS demonstrated significant correlations with the SF-MPQ (r = 0.531, < 0.001), VAS (r = 0.779, < 0.001), itch NRS (r = 0.551, < 0.001), and 4IIS (r = 0.569, < 0.001). No association was found between the pain NRS and PASI or disease duration. Skin pain of mild intensity and itch of moderate intensity are prevalent symptoms in psoriasis patients. Strong correlations between skin pain and itch can be explained by the process of neurogenic inflammation.
PubMed: 38930137
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123610 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a tool of growing interest in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) oligo- symptomatic ILD to avoid. : We aimed to evaluate (i) the prevalence of pleural...
: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a tool of growing interest in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) oligo- symptomatic ILD to avoid. : We aimed to evaluate (i) the prevalence of pleural (PLUS) and parenchymal (PAUS) abnormalities in LUS in the RA population and their possible correlation to biomarkers; (ii) the predictivity of gender, smoking habits, previous infections (past COVID-19 tuberculosis), and treatments; (iii) the differences in LUS between sexes. : We collected the data of 155 (15 early and 140 late) RA patients with mild respiratory symptoms, evaluating PLUS and PAUS, in fourteen lung areas and also summing the scores (LUS-T). : Only 13/155 (8.4%) were completely negative; LUS correlated to age (all parameters 0.0001), rheumatoid factor IgM (PLUS 0.0006, PAUS 0.02, LUS-T 0.001) and ACPA ( 0.001, 0.006, 0.001, respectively), and PLUS also correlated to IL6 ( 0.02). The male gender was predictive of all LUS evaluations ( 0.001, 0.05, 0.001, respectively), which were higher than in women ( 0.001, 0.01, 0.001, respectively). Other potential risk factors were independent, except biological treatments, which showed a low predictivity to PLUS ( < 0.05). We can conclude that LUS is a useful technique in RA low respiratory symptoms and correlates with age, the most important RA biomarkers, and male sex.
PubMed: 38930065
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123534