Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Graphene/Aluminum Nanocomposites via Microstructure Design Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

This study explores the mechanical properties of graphene/aluminum (Gr/Al) nanocomposites through nanoindentation testing performed via molecular dynamics simulations in a large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator (LAMMPS). The simulation model was initially subjected to energy minimization at 300 K, followed by relaxation for 50 ps under the NPT ensemble, wherein the number of atoms (N), simulation temperature (T), and pressure (P) were conserved. After the model was fully relaxed, loading and unloading simulations were performed.

Analysis of the effects of early screening combined with blood lactate on the severity of patients with sepsis.

This work aimed to investigate the adoption value of blood lactic acid (BLA) combined with the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) in the early screening of sepsis patients and assessing their severity. The data and materials utilized in this work were obtained from the electronic medical record system of 537 anonymized sepsis patients who received emergency rescue in the emergency rescue area of Liuzhou People's Hospital, Guangxi, from July 1, 2020, to December 26, 2020. Based on the 28-day outcomes of sepsis patients, the medical records were rolled into Group S (407 survival cases) and Group D (130 dead cases).

Methylprednisolone or dexamethasone? How should we choose to respond to COVID-19?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Methylprednisolone (MP) and dexamethasone (DXM) are commonly prescribed hormone drugs for treating coronavirus pandemic disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, but conflicting results from previous studies and meta-analyses on their efficacy and safety necessitate further investigation. Therefore, in this study, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to enhance the level of evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of MP and DXM in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to retrieve randomized clinical trials.

Aerosol Inhalation of Heat-Killed CGMCC0313-1 Alleviates Allergic Airway Inflammation in Mice.

Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to beneficial microorganisms can reduce the risk of asthma, but the clinical use of live probiotics is controversial due to the risk of infection. As heat-killed probiotics can also exhibit immunomodulatory activity, this study is aimed at investigating whether heat-killed (HKCB) CGMCC0313-1 could reduce allergic airway inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced mouse model. Mice received aerosol inhalation of HKCB, oral administration of HKCB, or oral administration of live (CB) during sensitization.

Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Heterogeneity Anti-Biofouling Hydrogels with Well-Regulated Rehydration.

Hydrogels, as a representative of soft and biocompatible materials, have been widely used in biosensors, biomedical devices, soft robotics, and the marine industry. However, the ir-recoverability of hydrogels after dehydration, which causes the loss of original mechanical, optical, and wetting properties, has severely restricted their practical applications. At present, this critical challenge of maintaining hydrogels' accurate character has attracted less attention.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of three novel ginsenoside M1 derivatives with 3'-ester modifications.

Ginsenoside M1 (M1) was considered to be the main antitumor component of ginsenoside metabolites in the body. In order to enhance its potency on antitumor effect, three novel M1 3'-ester derivatives (1c, 2c, 3c) were synthesized and evaluated. The yield of these derivatives was between 41% and 69%.

Design of hierarchical comb hydrophilic polymer brush (HCHPB) surfaces inspired by fish mucus for anti-biofouling.

Anti-biofouling surfaces are of high importance owing to their crucial roles in biosensors and biomedical devices, especially in the marine industry. However, traditional anti-biofouling surfaces based on either the release of biocidal compounds or surface peeling will contaminate the environment. The outstanding performances of natural anti-biofouling surfaces motivate the development of new bioinspired antifouling surfaces.

Experimental Investigation of Compression Properties of Composites with Printed Braiding Structure.

A kind of composite was designed and additive manufacturing (AM) technology was utilized in the braiding structure fabrication. The printed polylactic acid (PLA) braiding structures were integrated with two types of resins (Epon 828 resin and urethane dimethacrylate/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (UDMA/TEDGMA) resin) used as the matrix to make composite specimens. The compression test of the composite specimens showed that the printed PLA braiding structures had the effect of varying the compression properties of pure resins: it decreased the compression properties of Epon 828 resin, but increased those of UDMA/TEGDMA resin.

Rearrangements of α-Diazo-β-hydroxyketones for the Synthesis of Bicyclo[m.n.1]alkanones.

Rhodium-catalyzed decomposition of fused bicyclic α-diazo-β-hydroxyketones results in good yields of bridged bicyclo[m.n.1]ketones via a rearrangement pathway.

Copper-Catalyzed Dimerization/Cyclization of Itaconates.

A copper-catalyzed domino reaction between itaconate esters and diethyl zinc (or silane) is developed, affording itaconate dimerization products, multi-ester-substituted cyclopentanones, in moderate to high yields.

Copper-catalyzed cascade reactions of α,β-unsaturated esters with keto esters.

A copper-catalyzed cascade reaction of α,β-unsaturated esters with keto esters is reported. It features a copper-catalyzed reductive aldolization followed by a lactonization. This method provides a facile approach to prepare γ-carboxymethyl-γ-lactones and δ-carboxymethyl-δ-lactones under mild reaction conditions.

Synthesis of esters of ginsenoside metabolite M1 and their cytotoxicity on MGC80-3 cells.

Monoesters of ginsenoside metabolite M1 at the 3-OH, 4-OH and 6-OH positions of the glucose moiety at M1 were synthesized via the reaction of M1 with acyl chloride, or acid-N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide in the presence of DMAP. Their structures were fully characterized by spectral methods. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against then MGC80-3 human gastric cancer cell line was also assessed.

Suzuki-Miyaura reactions catalyzed by C₂-symmetric Pd-multi-dentate N-heterocyclic carbene complexes.

Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions are promoted by Pd complexes ligated with C₂-symmetric multi-dentate N-heterocyclic carbenes derived in situ from Pd(OAc)₂ and imidazolium salts. Good to excellent yields were obtained for aryl bromides as substrates. Turnover numbers of up to 10⁵ could be achieved with 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol% of Pd(OAc)₂/1 × 10⁻³ mol% NHC precatalyst in 24 h.

Crystalline amidocerium(IV) oxides and a side-on bridging dioxygen complex.

Complexes [Ce(NR(2))(3)] (1) or [Ce(NR''(2))(3)] (2) were cerium(III) precursors to the X-ray characterised crystalline oligomeric oxygen-containing amidocerium(IV) compounds [{Ce(NR(2))(2)(mu-O)}(n)] (3, n = 2; 4, n = 3), [{Ce(NR''(2))(2)(mu-O)}(4)] (5), [{(R(2)N)(3)Ce}(2)(mu-[upper bond 1 start]OMOM[upper bond 1 end])] (6, M = Na; 7, M = K), [{(R(2)N)(3)CeOCe(NR(2))(2)}(2)(mu-[upper bond 1 start]OKOK[upper bond 1 end])] (8), and [{Ce(NR(2))(3)}(2)(mu-eta(2):eta(2)-O(2))].2C(n)H(2n+2) (9, n = 6; 9', n = 5) [R = SiMe(3), NR''(2) = TMP = [upper bond 1 start]NC(Me)(2)(CH(2))(3)C[upper bond 1 end]Me(2)]. Each was isolated in low, or for 5 very low, yield.

Nicotinamide overload may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To investigate whether nicotinamide overload plays a role in type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Nicotinamide metabolic patterns of 14 diabetic and 14 non-diabetic subjects were compared using HPLC. Cumulative effects of nicotinamide and N(1)-methylnicotinamide on glucose metabolism, plasma H(2)O(2) levels and tissue nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) contents of adult Sprague-Dawley rats were observed.

Cerium(III) dialkyl dithiocarbamates from [Ce[N(SiMe3)2]3] and tetraalkylthiuram disulfides, and [Ce(kappa2-S2CNEt2)4] from the Ce(III) precursor; Tb(III) and Nd(III) analogues.

The synthesis and characterisation of the first neutral cerium dialkyl dithiocarbamate complexes, using a novel oxidative displacement of the amido ligands of [Ce[N(SiMe3)2]3] by tetraalkylthiuram disulfides [R2NC(S)S]2(R = Me, Et) in thf solution, are reported. In the absence of other donors, the complexes [Ce(kappa2-S2CNMe2)3(thf)2] and Ce(kappa2-S2CNEt2)3) 3 were obtained. The addition of a polypyridyl ligand allowed easy access to a range of complexes of general formula [Ce(kappa2-S2CNR2)3(L[intersection]L)][R = Me and L([intersection])L = 2,2'-bipy (4), or 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (6); or R = Et and L[intersection]L = 2,2'-bipy (5)].

Synthetic and structural experiments on yttrium, cerium and magnesium trimethylsilylmethyls and their reaction products with nitriles; with a note on two cerium beta-diketiminates.

The yttrium, cerium and magnesium bis(trimethylsilyl)methyls [Ln[CH(SiMe3)2]3][Ln = Y (1), Ce (2)], and the known compound Mg[[CH(SiMe3)2]2 (C) and [Mg(mu-Br)[CH(SiMe3)2](OEt2)]2 (D) formed the crystalline nitrile adducts [1(NCBut)2] (5), [2(NCPh)] (6), [C(NCR)2][R = But (8), Ph (9), C6H3Me2-2,6 (10)] and [Mg(mu-Br)[CH(SiMe3)2](NCR)]2 [R = But (11), Ph (12), C6H3Me2-2,6 (13)], rather than beta-diketiminato-metal insertion products. The beta-diketiminato-cerium complex [Ce[(N(SiMe3)C(C6H4But-4))2CH][N(SiMe3)2]2] (16) was obtained from [Ce[N(SiMe3)2]3] and the beta-diketimine H[[N(SiMe3)C(C6H4But-4)]2CH]]. The cerium alkyl 2 and [Ln[CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2OMe)]3][Ln = Y (3), Ce (4)] were obtained from the appropriate lithium alkyl precursor and [Ce(OC6H2But2-2,6-Me-4)3] or LnCl3, respectively.

A novel stereoselective one-pot conversion of alcohols into alkyl halides mediated by N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide.

Alcohols can be converted in high yields to the corresponding alkyl halides in a one-pot procedure via the corresponding O-alkylisourea; very short reaction times are possible when microwave irradiation is used.