Cardioprotective Potential of Cymbopogon citratus Essential Oil against Isoproterenol-induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy:Possible Involvement of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Oxidative Phosphorylation Complex Subunits

Objective:Cymbopogon citratus(DC.)Stapf is a medicinal and edible herb that is widely used for the treatment of gastric,nervous and hypertensive disorders.In this study,we investigated the cardioprotective effects and mechanisms of the essential oil,the main active ingredient of Cymbopogon citratus,on isoproterenol(ISO)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Methods:The compositions of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil(CCEO)were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Cardiomyocytes were pretreated with 16.9µg/L CCEO for 1 h followed by 10µmol/L ISO for 24 h.Cardiac hypertrophy-related indicators and NLRP3 inflammasome expression were evaluated.Subsequently,transcriptome sequencing(RNA-seq)and target verification were used to further explore the underlying mechanism.Results:Our results showed that the CCEO mainly included citronellal(45.66%),geraniol(23.32%),and citronellol(10.37%).CCEO inhibited ISO-induced increases in cell surface area and protein content,as well as the upregulation of fetal gene expression.Moreover,CCEO inhibited ISO-induced NLRP3 inflammasome expression,as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase content and downregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3,ASC,CASP1,GSDMD,and IL-1β,as well as reduced protein levels of NLRP3,ASC,pro-caspase-1,caspase-1(p20),GSDMD-FL,GSDMD-N,and pro-IL-1β.The RNA-seq results showed that CCEO inhibited the increase in the mRNA levels of 26 oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits in ISO-treated cardiomyocytes.Our further experiments confirmed that CCEO suppressed ISO-induced upregulation of mt-Nd1,Sdhd,mt-Cytb,Uqcrq,and mt-Atp6 but had no obvious effects on mt-Col expression.Conclusion:CCEO inhibits ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and the regulation of several oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits.

Catalytic epoxidation of olefin over supramolecular compounds of molybdenum oxide clusters and a copper complex

The catalytic epoxidation of olefin was investigated on two copper complex-modified molybdenum oxides with a 3D supramolecular structure, [Cu（bipy）]4[Mo15O47].2H2O （1） and [Cu1（bix）][（Cu1bix） （δ-MoVl8O26）0.5] （2） （bipy = 4,4＇-bipyridine, bix = 1,4-bis（imidazole-1-ylmethyl）benzene）. Both compounds were catalytically active and stable for the epoxidation of cyclooctene, 1-octene, and styrene with tert-butyl hydroperoxide （t-BuOOH） as oxidant. The excellent catalytic performance was attributed to the presence of stable coordination bonds between the molybdenum oxide and copper complex, which resulted in the formation of easily accessible Mo species with high electropositivity. In addition, the copper complex also acted as an active site for the activation of t-BuOOH, thus im- proving these copper complex-modified polyoxometalates.

Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Rice-Duck and Rice-Fish Complex Ecosystems and the Evaluation of Their Economic Significance

Rice-duck （RD） and rice-fish （RF） ecological systems are major complex planting and breeding models of rice paddy fields in southern China. Studying the methane （CH4） and nitrous oxide （N2O） emissions and their economic value from these two ecosystems can provide theoretical and practical basis for further development and utilization of these classical agricultural techniques. CH4 and N2O emissions from RD and RF ecological systems were measured in situ by using static chambers technique. Using global warming potentials （GWPs）, we assessed the greenhouse effect of CH4 and N2O and their economic value. Results showed that the peaks of CH4 emission fluxes from RD and RF appeared at full tillering stage and at heading stage, and the average emission fluxes were significantly （P〈 0.05） lower than that from CK. N2O fluxes remained low when the field is flooded and high after draining the water. Compared with CK, the total amount of N2O emissions was significantly （P〈0.05） higher and slightly lower than those from RD and RF, respectively. In 2006 and 2007, the total greenhouse effect of CH4 and N20 from RD and RF were 4 728.3 and 4 611 kg CO2 ha^-1, 4 545 and 4 754.3 kg CO2 ha^-1, respectively. The costs of greenhouse effect were 970.89 and 946.81 RMB yuan ha^-1, and 933.25 and 976.23 RMB yuan ha^-1, respectively, which were significant lower than those from CK （5 997.6 and 5 391.5 RMB yuan ha^-1）. Except for the environment cost of CH4 and N2O, the economic benefits from RD and RF were 2 210.64 and 4 881.92 RMB yuan ha^-1; 3 798.37 and 5 310.64 RMB yuan ha^-1, respectively, higher than those from CK. Therefore, RD and RF complex ecological planting and breeding models can effectively decrease and control CH4 and N2O emissions, and they are two of the effective strategies to reduce greenhouse gases from rice paddy fields and contribute in alleviating global warming. Thus, their adoption is important to the environment together with their economy benefits.

Synthesis of a new ordered mesoporous NiMoO_4 complex oxide and its efficient catalytic performance for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane

Highly ordered mesoporous NiMoO4 material was successfully synthesized using mesoporous silica KIT-6 as hard template via vacuum nanocasting method. The structure was characterized by means of XRD, TEM, N2 adsorption-desorption, Raman and FT-IR. The mesoporous NiMoO4 with the coexistence of a-NiMoO4 and fl-NiMoO4 showed well-ordered mesoporous structure, a bimodal pore size distribution and crystalline framework. The catalytic performance of NiMoOa was investigated for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. It is demonstrated that the mesoporous NiMoO4 catalyst with more surface active oxygen species showed better catalytic performance in oxidative dehydrogena- tion of propane in comparison with bulk NiMoO4.

Preparation and characterization of Ce_(1-x)Fe_xO_2 complex oxides and its catalytic activity for methane selective oxidation

A series of Ce1-xFexO2 （x=0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1） complex oxide catalysts were prepared using the coprecipitation method. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD and H2-TPR. The reactions between methane and lattice oxygen from the complex oxides were investigated. The characteristic results revealed that the combination of Ce and Fe oxide in the catalysts could lower the temperature necessary to reduce the cerium oxide. The catalytic activity for selective CH4 oxidation was strongly influenced by dropped Fe species. Adding the appropriate amount of Fe2O3 to CeO2 could promote the action between CH4 and CeO2. Dispersed Fe2O3 first returned to the original state and would then virtually form the Fe species on the catalyst, which could be considered as the active site for selective CH4 oxidation. The appearance of carbon formation was significant and the oxidation of carbon appeared to be the rate-determining step; the amounts of surface reducible oxygen species in CeO2 were also relevant to the activity. Among all the catalysts, Ce0.6Fe0.402 exhibited the best activity, which converted 94.52% of CH4 at 900 ℃.

Separation and Manipulation of Rare-earth Oxide Particles by Dielectrophoresis

A challenge in chemical engineering is the separation and purification of rare-earth elements and their compounds. We report the design and manufacture of a dielectrophoresis(DEP) microchip of microelectrode arrays. This microchip device is constructed in order to use DEP to capture micro-particles of rare-earth oxides in petro-leum. Dielectrophoretic behavior of micro-particles of rare-earth oxides in oil media is explored. The dielectropho-retic effects of particles under different conditions are investigated. It is showed that the prepared microchip is suit-able for use in the investigation of dielectrophoretic responses of the rare-earth oxides in oil media. The factors such as frequency,particle size and valence of rare-earth metal are discussed. When the frequency is fixed,the transla-tion voltage decreases as particle size increases. Lower frequencies are more effective for manipulation of inorganic particles in oil media. Particles of the same rare-earth oxide with different size,as well as particles of different rare-earth oxides,are captured in different regions of the field by regulating DEP conditions. This may be a new method for separation and purification of particles of different rare-earth oxides,as well as classification of particles with different size.

Catalytic performance of cerium iron complex oxides for partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas

The cerium iron complex oxides oxygen carrier was prepared by the co-precipitation method. The reactions between methane and lattice oxygen from the complex oxides were investigated in a fixed micro-reactor system. The reduced oxygen carder could be re-oxidized by air and its initial state could be restored. The characterizations of the oxygen carders were studied using XRD, O2-TPD, and H2-TPR. The results showed that the bulk lattice oxygen of CeO2-Fe2O3 was found to be suitable for the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas. There were two kinds of oxygen species on the oxygen carrier： the stronger oxygen species that was responsible for the complete oxidation of methane, and the weaker oxygen species （bulk lattice oxygen） that was responsible for the selective oxidation of methane to CO and H2 at a higher temperature. Then, the lost bulk lattice oxygen could be selectively supplemented by air re-oxidation at an appropriate reaction condition. CeFeO3 appeared on the oxygen carrier after 10 successive redox cycles, however, it was not bad for the selectivity of CO and H2.

Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of ketones with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by Sn-aniline complex

Sn-aniline complex was prepared by a simple procedure. Cyclic and acyclic ketones were oxidized into lactones or esters with very high selectivity and yield with 30% hydrogen peroxide in the presence of Sn-aniline complex.

Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Properties of Complex Oxides Containing Lanthanum

A series of perovskite-type complex oxides LaNi1-xRuxO3 were prepared and studied by means of XRD. The effects of some factors on th complex oxides were discussed. Each kind of those perovskite-type complex oxides was used to prepare cathode by composite-electroplating technique. The cathodes were electrochemically charactrized. The results show that these novel cathode exhibit high activities and excellent stabilities during long-term continuous electrolysis with some current interruptions.

RANDOM COPOLYMER OF PROPYLENE OXIDE AND ETHYLENE OXIDE PREPARED BY DOUBLE METAL CYANIDE COMPLEX CATALYST

Copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO) and ethylene oxide (EO) using double metal cyanide (DMC) complex as the catalyst was carried out. The structure of random copolymers was confirmed by C-13-NMR and IR spectra. H-1-NMR analysis shows that the EO content in the copolymer is the same as that in the initial monomer feed. Moderate molecular weight copolymers with various EO content were obtained and their values of molecular weight distribution (MWD) fell in the range of 1.21-1.55. It was found that the molecular weight of copolymers is controlled by the mass ratio of EO+PO to initiator moles used, The reaction rate as well as polymer yield decrease with increasing EO content in the feed composition.

Effect of temperature on leaching behavior of copper minerals with different occurrence states in complex copper oxide ores

The effect of temperature on leaching behavior of copper minerals with different occurrence states in complex copper oxide ores was carried out by phase analysis means of XRD, optical microscopy and SEM-EDS. The results indicated that at ambient temperature, the easily leached copper oxide minerals were completely dissolved, while the bonded copper minerals were insoluble. At lukewarm temperature of 40℃, it was mainly the dissolution of copper in isomorphism state. With increasing temperature to 60℃, the copper leaching rate in the adsorbed state was significantly accelerated. In addition, when the temperature increased to 80℃, the isomorphic copper was completely leached, leaving 11.2% adsorbed copper un-leached. However, the copper in feldspar-quartz-copper-iron colloid state was not dissolved throughout the leaching process. Overall, the leaching rates of copper in different copper minerals decreased in the order: malachite, pseudo-malachite > chrysocolla > copper-bearing chlorite > copper-bearing muscovite > copper-bearing biotite > copper-bearing limonite > feldspar-quartz-copper-iron colloid.

Eu(Ⅲ) complexes involving 1,3,5-triazine diphosphine oxides

The 1,3,5-triazine diphosphine oxide ligands with donor-acceptor properties formed strong complexes with europium（Ⅲ） ion in acetonitrile. Spectrophotometric titrations and mass spectra indicated that two ligands coordinated to one europium ion. The stability constants varied from 11.64 to 14.60 （log 13）. Binary complexes exhibited rather weak luminescence in solution. 1,3,5-triazine diphosphine oxides engaged as co-ligands in Eu（Ⅲ） （2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate）3 complex contributed to the overall photoluminescence and allowed for excitation with longer wavelengths than the parent complex.

Metal–Oleate Complex?Derived Bimetallic Oxides Nanoparticles Encapsulated in 3D Graphene Networks as Anodes for Efficient Lithium Storage with Pseudocapacitance

In this manuscript, we have demonstrated the delicate design and synthesis of bimetallic oxides nanoparticles derived from metal–oleate complex embedded in 3D graphene networks(MnO/CoMn_2O_4  GN), as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. The novel synthesis of the MnO/CoMn_2O_4  GN consists of thermal decomposition of metal–oleate complex containing cobalt and manganese metals and oleate ligand, forming bimetallic oxides nanoparticles, followed by a selfassembly route with reduced graphene oxides. The MnO/CoMn_2O_4  GN composite, with a unique architecture of bimetallic oxides nanoparticles encapsulated in 3D graphene networks, rationally integrates several benefits including shortening the di usion path of Li^+ ions, improving electrical conductivity and mitigating volume variation during cycling. Studies show that the electrochemical reaction processes of MnO/Co Mn_2O_4  GN electrodes are dominated by the pseudocapacitive behavior, leading to fast Li^+ charge/discharge reactions. As a result, the MnO/CoMn_2O_4  GN manifests high initial specific capacity, stable cycling performance, and excellent rate capability.

Study of engineering electronic structure modulated non-noble metal oxides for scaled-up alkaline blend seawater splitting

Scaled-up industrial water electrolysis equipment that can be used with abundant seawater is key for affordable hydrogen production.The search for highly stable,dynamic,and economical electrocatalysts could have a significant impact on hydrogen commercialization.Herein,we prepared energy-efficient,scalable,and engineering electronic structure modulated Mn-Ni bimetal oxides(Mn_(0.25)Ni_(0.75)O)through simple hydrothermal followed by calcination method.As-optimized Mn_(0.25)Ni_(0.75)O displayed enhanced oxygen and hydrogen evolution reaction(OER and HER)performance with overpotentials of 266 and115 mV at current densities of 10 mA cm^(-2)in alkaline KOH added seawater electrolyte solution.Additionally,Mn-Ni oxide catalytic benefits were attributed to the calculated electronic configurations and Gibbs free energy for OER,and HER values were estimated using first principles calculations.In real-time practical application,we mimicked industrial operating conditions with modified seawater electrolysis using Mn_(0.25)Ni_(0.75)O‖Mn_(0.25)Ni_(0.75)O under various temperature conditions,which performs superior to the commercial IrO_(2)‖Pt-C couple.These findings demonstrate an inexpensive and facile technique for feasible large-scale hydrogen production.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Zinc(II) Complex Salt with the Schiff Base of Picolinaldehyde N-oxide and Semicarbazone

The title zinc（Ⅱ） complex salt [Zn（H2O）6]（ClO4）2-（PNOS）4, where PNOS is derived from picolinaldehyde N-oxide with semicarbazone, has been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray single-crystal analysis. It crystallizes in triclinic, space group PI with a = 7.529（3）, b = 10.206（4）, c = 14.678（6）A, a = 86.293（6）, β= 87.686（7）, γ= 81.382（6）°, C28H44Cl2N16O22Zn, Mr = 1093.06, V = 1112.3（8） ,A^3 Z = 1, Dc = 1.632 g/cm^3, S = 1.089, μ（MoKa） = 0.773 mm^-1, F（000） = 564, the final R = 0.0438 and wR = 0.1076 for 3888 independent reflections with Rint = 0.0224. The crystal structure possesses a [Zn（H2O）6]^2＋ cation, two ClO4^- anions and four PNOSs. In the crystal structure, Zn^2＋ cation is located at the symcenter and coordinated by six water molecules. In [Zn（H2O）6]^2＋, an elongate octahedral complex cation, the average Zn-O bond length is 2.087（2） A. There exist a lot of H bonds in the structure, linking the cation [Zn（H2O）6]^2＋, anion ClO4^- and PNOS to form a 3D network.

Mass Transfer-Promoted Fe^(2+)/Fe^(3+)Circulation Steered by 3D Flow-Through Co-Catalyst System Toward Sustainable Advanced Oxidation Processes

Realizing fast and continuous generation of reactive oxygen species(ROSs)via iron-based advanced oxidation processes(AOPs)is significant in the environmental and biological fields.However,current AOPs assisted by co-catalysts still suffer from the poor mass/electron transfer and non-durable promotion effect,giving rise to the sluggish Fe^(2+)/Fe^(3+)cycle and low dynamic concentration of Fe^(2+)for ROS production.Herein,we present a three-dimensional(3D)macroscale co-catalyst functionalized with molybdenum disulfide(MoS_(2))to achieve ultra-efficient Fe^(2+)regeneration(equilibrium Fe^(2+)ratio of 82.4%)and remarkable stability(more than 20 cycles)via a circulating flow-through process.Unlike the conventional batch-type reactor,experiments and computational fluid dynamics simulations demonstrate that the optimal utilization of the 3D active area under the flow-through mode,initiated by the convectionenhanced mass/charge transfer for Fe^(2+)reduction and then strengthened by MoS_(2)-induced flow rotation for sufficient reactant mixing,is crucial for oxidant activation and subsequent ROS generation.Strikingly,the flow-through co-catalytic system with superwetting capabilities can even tackle the intricate oily wastewater stabilized by different surfactants without the loss of pollutant degradation efficiency.Our findings highlight an innovative co-catalyst system design to expand the applicability of AOPs based technology,especially in large-scale complex wastewater treatment.

Photopolymerization of Cyclohexene Oxide Initiated with Iron-arene Complex

Two iron-arene complex photoinitiators with different substituents in arene ligands were synthesized, their activities in initiating photopolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) were compared with that of IRGACURE 261, a commercialized photoinitiator from Ciba-Geigy. A higher activity was found when the arene ligand was substituted with a stronger electron donating group. For the system initiated by IRGACURE 261 the concentration of active centers in CHO polymerization was determined and it was found that the concentration is maximum at around 35℃. The post (dark) polymerization was significant, the polymerization yield decreased with the increase of irradiation temperature and increased with the increase of post polymerization temperature. The results are interpreted based on the mechanism proposed by Lohse, et al..

Synthcsis, Structure and Magnetochemistry of a New Hexanuclear Manganese Oxide Complex of the Formula [Mn_6O_2 (O_2CPh)_(10)(CH_3CN)_4]

The reported X-ray structure and magnetochemical properties of [Mn6O2 (OCPh)10, (CH3CN)4], effectively derived from [NBu4][Mn4O2(O2CPh)9 (H2O)] with equivalent of tren in CH3CN is shown.

Synthesis and X-Ray Diffraction Study of All Rare-Earth Series Oxides REE_2Ti_2O_7

The pyrochlore supergroup natural minerals are the oxides for formula A2-xB2O7. In this formula, A typically is Ca, Na, TR, Ba, Fe and Mn cation. B is Ta, Ti, Nb, W, Sb. The pyrochlore supergroup is divided into five groups basis of the atomic proportions of the B-site atoms Nb, Ta, Sb, Ti, and W. They are pyrochlore, microlite, roméite, betafite, and elsmoreite, respectively. Some of these minerals containing rare-earth elements species or synthetic oxides have important applications in materials, as for optical materials, light catalyst materials, magnetoelectric materials and radioactive waste treatment etc.

Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Fluorescent Property of a Cd(Ⅱ) Complex Based on Biimidazole and Isonicotinate-N-oxide

A new complex [Cd（H2biim）2（H2O）2]·（ino）2·4H2O （H2biim = 2,2＇-biimidazole, ino = isonicotinate-N-oxide） has been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, IR and fluorescence spectra analysis. The crystal is of triclinic system, space group P1 with a = 7.5380（6）, b = 8.0402（7）, c = 13.5094（11） , α = 104.269（1）, β = 93.604（1）, γ = 98.349（1）°, V = 780.93（11） 3, Mr = 765.00, Dc = 1.627 g/cm3, F（000） = 390, μ = 0.776 mm-1 and Z = 1. The final R = 0.0322 and wR = 0.0825 for 7038 observed reflections with I 2σ（I） and R = 0.0341 and wR = 0.0832 for all data. The title complex exhibits an infinite chain-like structure through bridging isonicotinate-N-oxide. Strong interchain hydrogen bonds between isonicotinate-N-oxide and H2biim result in the robust 3-D supramolecular architecture. Moreover, the complex shows strong photoluminescence with emission maximum at λ = 401 nm upon λex = 330 nm.