Fluoride-Responsive Organogel Based on Hydrazide Derivatives

An organogelator named N-[3-(hydroxy)-4-(dodecyloxy)-benzoyl]-N’ (4’-nitro-benzoyl) hydrazide (D12) was synthesized. It could form stable gels in some of the tested organic solvent. SEM images revealed that the molecules self- assembled into fibrous aggregates in the xerogels. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the xerogel exhibited a layered structure. FT-IR studies confirmed that intermolecular hydrogen bonding between C=O and N-H groups was the major driving force for gelation of organic solvents. The gel exhibited gel-sol transition and color change upon addition of F- . An extended conjugated system formed through the phenyl group and a five-membered ring based on intramolecular hydro-gen bonding between the oxygen atom near the deprotonation nitrogen atom and the other NH, which is responsible for the dramatic color change upon addition of F- .

Preventive effect of Shenkang injection against high glucose-induced senescence of renal tubular cells

Shenkang injection (SKI) is a classic prescription composed of Radix Astragali, rhubarb, Astragalus, Safflower, and Salvia. This treatment was approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China in 1999 for treatment of chronic kidney diseases based on good efficacy and safety. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of SKI against high glucose (HG)-induced renal tubular cell senescence and its underlying mechanism. Primary renal proximal tubule epithelial cells were cultured in (1) control medium (control group), medium containing 5 mmol/L glucose;(2) mannitol medium (mannitol group), medium containing 5 mmol/L glucose, and 25 mmol/L mannitol;(3) HG medium (HG group) containing 30 mmol/L glucose;(4) SKI treatment at high (200 mg/L), medium (100 mg/L), or low (50 mg/L) concentration in HG medium (HG+ SKI group);or (5) 200 mg/L SKI treatment in control medium (control+ SKI group) for 72 h. HG-induced senescent cells showed the emergence of senescence associated heterochromatin foci, up-regulation of P16INK4 and cyclin D1, increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and elevated expression of membrane decoy receptor 2. SKI treatment potently prevented these changes in a dose-independent manner. SKI treatment prevented HG-induced up-regulation of pro-senescence molecule mammalian target of rapamycin and p66Shc and down-regulation of anti-senescence molecules klotho, sirt1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-g in renal tubular epithelial cells. SKI may be a novel strategy for protecting against HG-induced renal tubular cell senescence in treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

The soil configuration on granite residuals affects Benggang erosion by altering the soil water regime on the slope

A permanent collapsing gully,locally called Benggang,formed on slopes with deep granite red soil and is a type of unique gully erosion widely prevalent in southern China.Three different soil configurations(SC),ie,red-transition-sandy(SC I,the transition is the soil layer between the red soil and the sandy soil layer),transition-sandy(SC II)or sandy(SC III)are usually present in the soil profile of the Benggang slope.However,little attention has been paid to impacts of SCs on the triggering of Benggang erosion.In this study,we aimed to explore the relationships between soil water content(SWC)and triggering of Benggang erosion under different SC conditions.The soil properties of different soil layers were measured and the SWC at depths of 20,40,60,and 80 cm were monitored at 5-min intervals along a typical Benggang(SC I)during 2016-2018.The SWC of Benggang slopes with different SCs were simulated by VADOSE/W model.Results showed that the red soil layer had a higher water retention capacity and shear strength than the sandy soil layer.Even if the SWC is higher(e.g.,0.42 cm^(3)/cm^(3))at red soil layer or transition layer,the corresponding shear strength is greater than that of sandy soil layer with a lower SWC(e.g.,032 cm^(3)/cm^(3)).Relationships between shear strength and SWC of different soil layers indicate that Benggang erosion is triggered by an increase in the SWC in the deep sandy layer.Results also showed that differences exist in the SWC distribution among the different SCs.The SWC is higher in topsoil than in deeper soil in SC I and SC II,while in SC III,the opposite trend is observed.These results revealed that the presence of the red soil or transition layer can reduce the infiltration of rainwater into the deep sandy layer,thus can reduce the possibility of collapse.Our results show that the SC affects the stability of the headwall,and results provide great significances to guide the mitigation of Benggang erosion.