Amphetamine-like Deferiprone and Clioquinol Derivatives as Iron Chelating Agents.

The accumulation of iron in dopaminergic neurons can cause oxidative stress and dopaminergic neuron degeneration. Iron chelation therapy may reduce dopaminergic neurodegeneration, but chelators should be targeted towards dopaminergic cells. In this work, two series of compounds based on 8-hydroxyquinoline and deferiprone, iron chelators that have amphetamine-like structures, have been designed, synthesized and characterized.

Recent Advances in High-Rate Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation.

Recent advances in solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) have led to high evaporation rates that open promising avenues for practical utilization in freshwater production and industrial application for pollutant and nutrient concentration, and resource recovery. Breakthroughs in overcoming the theoretical limitation of 2D interfacial evaporation have allowed for developing systems with high evaporation rates. This study presents a comprehensive review of various evaporator designs that have achieved pure evaporation rates beyond 4 kg m h, including structural and material designs allowing for rapid evaporation, passive 3D designs, and systems coupled with alternative energy sources of wind and joule heating.

4-Chloroisocoumarins as Chlamydial Protease Inhibitors and Anti-Chlamydial Agents.

4-Chloroisocoumarin compounds have broad inhibitory properties against serine proteases. Here, we show that selected 3-alkoxy-4-chloroisocoumarins preferentially inhibit the activity of the conserved serine protease High-temperature requirement A of . The synthesis of a new series of isocoumarin-based scaffolds has been developed, and their anti-chlamydial properties were investigated.

Organic impurity profiling of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) synthesised from helional.

The organic impurity profile of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) synthesised from helional via the "twodogs" method was examined to identify route-specific and condition-specific impurities. The synthesis used a condensation reaction, followed by a Beckmann rearrangement, then Hofmann rearrangement, and then conversion to a hydrochloride salt. Two chlorinating agents were investigated for the Hofmann rearrangement reaction, trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) and sodium hypochlorite.

Highly stable gold nanolayer membrane for efficient solar water evaporation under a harsh environment.

Interfacial solar water evaporation has attracted tremendous attention for sunlight harvesting for water purification. However, salt formation and stability of the photothermal materials (PTMs) remain a challenge that need addressing before bringing this technology to real-world applications. In this work, a nanoscale thin film of gold (Au) on a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane has been prepared using a magnetic sputtering technique.

A long-life lithium-oxygen battery via a molecular quenching/mediating mechanism.

The advancement of lithium-oxygen (Li-O) batteries has been hindered by challenges including low discharge capacity, poor energy efficiency, severe parasitic reactions, etc. We report an Li-O battery operated via a new quenching/mediating mechanism that relies on the direct chemical reactions between a versatile molecule and superoxide radical/LiO. The battery exhibits a 46-fold increase in discharge capacity, a low charge overpotential of 0.

Organic impurity profiling of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) synthesised from catechol and eugenol via 4-allylcatechol.

This work examines organic impurity profiles of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) that has been synthesised from the "pre-precursors" catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) and eugenol, via a safrole intermediate. MDMA was synthesised from the catechol- and eugenol-derived safrole intermediate via two routes, which resulted in the synthesis of MDMA from catechol via two routes (Route 1A and 1B) and from eugenol via two routes (Route 2A and 2B). Twelve organic impurities were identified in MDMA synthesised via Routes 1A and 1B, and eleven organic impurities were identified in MDMA synthesised via Routes 2A and 2B.

Natural Hydrogels Applied in Photodynamic Therapy.

Natural hydrogels are three-dimensional (3D) water-retaining materials with a skeleton consisting of natural polymers, their derivatives or mixtures. Natural hydrogels can provide sustained or controlled drug release and possess some unique properties of natural polymers, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility and some additional functions, such as CD44 targeting of hyaluronic acid. Natural hydrogels can be used with photosensitizers (PSs) in photodynamic therapy (PDT) to increase the range of applications.

Correction: Alopecia areata patients show deficiency of FOXP3+CD39+ T regulatory cells and clonotypic restriction of Treg TCRβ-chain, which highlights the immunopathological aspect of the disease.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Alopecia areata patients show deficiency of FOXP3+CD39+ T regulatory cells and clonotypic restriction of Treg TCRβ-chain, which highlights the immunopathological aspect of the disease.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a hair loss disorder resulting from an autoimmune reaction against hair follicles. T-helper 1 cells are a major contributor to this disorder, but little is known about the role of T-regulatory cells (Tregs) in AA. Here, we analysed the distribution of circulating Treg subsets in twenty AA patients with active hair loss and fifteen healthy subjects by flow cytometry.

Genome-wide association study in frontal fibrosing alopecia identifies four susceptibility loci including HLA-B*07:02.

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a recently described inflammatory and scarring type of hair loss affecting almost exclusively women. Despite a dramatic recent increase in incidence the aetiopathogenesis of FFA remains unknown. We undertake genome-wide association studies in females from a UK cohort, comprising 844 cases and 3,760 controls, a Spanish cohort of 172 cases and 385 controls, and perform statistical meta-analysis.

A versatile functionalized ionic liquid to boost the solution-mediated performances of lithium-oxygen batteries.

Due to the high theoretical specific energy, the lithium-oxygen battery has been heralded as a promising energy storage system for applications such as electric vehicles. However, its large over-potentials during discharge-charge cycling lead to the formation of side-products, and short cycle life. Herein, we report an ionic liquid bearing the redox active 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy moiety, which serves multiple functions as redox mediator, oxygen shuttle, lithium anode protector, as well as electrolyte solvent.

Epigallocatechin-3 Gallate Inhibits and Reduces CD8 MKG2D Lymphocytes of Alopecia Areata Patients.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is associated with Interferon- γ (IFN-γ) mediated T-lymphocyte dysfunction and increased circulating Interleukine-17 (IL-17) levels. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) specifically inhibits IFN-γ pathways and unlike Janus Kinase 1 and 2 (JAK1/JAK2) inhibitors (tofacitinib, ruxolitinib), EGCG is safer, more cost-effective, and is a topically active agent. Our objective is to test the mode of action of EGCG in vitro and ex vivo using HaCat, Jurkat cell lines, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AA patients and healthy controls (HCs), respectively.

Whole Genome Sequencing in an Acrodermatitis Enteropathica Family from the Middle East.

We report a family from Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, previously screened for Acrodermatitis Enteropathica (AE), in which two siblings presented with typical features of acral dermatitis and a pustular eruption but differing severity. Affected members of our family carry a rare genetic variant, p.Gly512Trp in the SLC39A4 gene which encodes a zinc transporter; disease is thought to result from zinc deficiency.

In situ study of the precursor conversion reactions during solventless synthesis of CoS, NiS, Co and Ni nanowires.

Synthesis of Co9S8, Ni3S2, Co and Ni nanowires by solventless thermolysis of a mixture of metal(ii) acetate and cysteine in vacuum is reported. The simple precursor system enables the nanowire phase to be tuned from pure metal (Co or Ni) to metal sulfide (Co9S8, Ni3S2) by varying the relative concentration of the metal(ii) acetate. The growth environment facilitates new insights through in situ characterization using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and thermogravimetric analysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TGA-GC-MS).

Meta-Analysis of Autoimmune Regulator-Regulated Genes in Human and Murine Models: A Novel Human Model Provides Insights on the Role of Autoimmune Regulator in Regulating STAT1 and STAT1-Regulated Genes.

Autoimmune regulator (AIRE) regulates promiscuous expression of tissue-restricted antigens in medullary epithelial cells (mTEC) of the thymus. To understand the diverse effects of AIRE, it is crucial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the process of AIRE-regulated gene expression. In this study, we generated a recombinant AIRE expression variant of the TEC 1A3 human cell line, TEC 1A3 AIRE, to determine genes targeted by AIRE, and using microarray analysis, we identified 482 genes showing significant differential expression ( < 0.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Circulating Cell-Free DNA Copy Number Detects Active Melanoma and Predicts Survival.

Background: A substantial number of melanoma patients develop local or metastatic recurrence, and early detection of these is vital to maximise benefit from new therapies such as inhibitors of BRAF and MEK, or immune checkpoints. This study explored the use of novel DNA copy-number profiles in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a potential biomarker of active disease and survival.

Patients And Methods: Melanoma patients were recruited from oncology and dermatology clinics in Sheffield, UK, and cfDNA was isolated from stored blood plasma.

Photomechanical photochromism in a cetyltrimethylammonium isopolytungstate.

The photochromic properties of a hybrid compound comprised of the surfactant cation cetyltrimethylammonium [(CH)N(CH)] (CTA) and the isopolytungstate anion [HWO] is investigated. The compound, which has the nominal formula (CTA)[HWO]Cl·2HO, changes from white to blue when exposed to UV radiation. The sample returns to the bleached state if stored in the dark-ambient.

From Lead(II) Dithiocarbamate Precursors to a Fast Response PbS Positive Temperature Coefficient Thermistor.

PbS submicron crystals were formed by thermolysis of two different lead dithiocarbamate complexes. These precursors were readily synthesized and fully characterized, and in situ synchrotron powder diffraction experiments were performed to characterize their decomposition. The structure and purity of resultant PbS was examined using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies, powder X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy.

Photocatalysis of estrone in water and wastewater: Comparison between Au-TiO nanocomposite and TiO, and degradation by-products.

Gold-modified TiO (Au-TiO) photocatalysts were utilised for the degradation of estrone (E1), a major endocrine disrupting chemical in water and wastewater. Au-TiO catalysts were synthesised by a deposition-precipitation method with gold loadings of 0-8% (wt%). The Au-TiO nanocomposite exhibited superior activity compared to P25 TiO under UVA (λ=365nm), cool white (λ>420nm) and green (λ=523nm) light emitting diodes (LEDs), for treating 1mgl of E1.

Synthesis and organic impurity profiling of 4-methoxymethamphetamine hydrochloride and its precursors.

4-Methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) was synthesised from star anise and from 4-methoxytoluene and the organic impurity profiles examined. These two starting materials are unrestricted chemicals in many jurisdictions and contain the requisite functional groups and are thus well suited for clandestine manufacturers. trans-Anethole was extracted from star anise and oxidised to 4-methoxyphenyl-2-propanone (PMP2P).

Organic impurity profiling of methylone and intermediate compounds synthesized from catechol.

This work examined the synthesis and organic impurity profile of methylone prepared from catechol. The primary aim of this work was to determine whether the synthetic pathway used to prepare 3,4-methylenedioxypropiophenone could be ascertained through analysis of the synthesized methylone. The secondary aim was the structural elucidation and origin determination of the organic impurities detected in methylone and the intermediate compounds.

High-Capacity Aqueous Potassium-Ion Batteries for Large-Scale Energy Storage.

A potassium iron (II) hexacyanoferrate nanocube cathode material is reported, which operates with an aqueous electrolyte to deliver exceptionally high capacities (up to 120 mA h g ). The cathode material exhibits excellent structural integrity, leading to fast kinetics and highly reversible properties. All of the battery materials are safe, inexpensive, and provide superior high-rate, long-cycle-life electrochemical performance.