Immunoregulatory role of the gut microbiota in inflammatory depression.

Inflammatory depression is a treatment-resistant subtype of depression. A causal role of the gut microbiota as a source of low-grade inflammation remains unclear. Here, as part of an observational trial, we first analyze the gut microbiota composition in the stool, inflammatory factors and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in plasma, and inflammatory and permeability markers in the intestinal mucosa of patients with inflammatory depression (ChiCTR1900025175). Gut microbiota of patients with inflammatory depression exhibits higher Bacteroides and lower Clostridium, with an increase in SCFA-producing species with abnormal butanoate metabolism. We then perform fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotic supplementation in animal experiments to determine the causal role of the gut microbiota in inflammatory depression. After FMT, the gut microbiota of the inflammatory depression group shows increased peripheral and central inflammatory factors and intestinal mucosal permeability in recipient mice with depressive and anxiety-like behaviors. Clostridium butyricum administration normalizes the gut microbiota, decreases inflammatory factors, and displays antidepressant-like effects in a mouse model of inflammatory depression. These findings suggest that inflammatory processes derived from the gut microbiota can be involved in neuroinflammation of inflammatory depression.

Phenothiazine Derivatives as Small-Molecule Organic Cathodes with Adjustable Dropout Voltage and Cycle Performance.

Compared with conventional inorganic materials, organic electrodes are competitive candidates for secondary battery cathodes due to their resourcefulness, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. Much effort is devoted at the level of chemical structure, while ignoring the impact of molecular aggregation on battery behavior. Herein, this work designs a series of organic molecules with two electrochemically active phenothiazine groups linked by different lengths of alkyl chain to regulate molecular symmetry and crystallinity. The results emphasize the equally important role of molecular aggregation and chemical structure for battery performance. Among them, 2PTZ-C7H14|Li cell exhibits the most impressive cycle and rate performance. At the high rate of 50 C, it can still deliver a capacity of 63.4 mA h g-1 and 74.5% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles. Besides, the dropout voltage of 2PTZ-C9H18|Li cell is only 52 mV, which is among the lowest reported for lithium-organic batteries to the best of the author's knowledge.

Gut microbiota composition in depressive disorder: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Studies investigating gut microbiota composition in depressive disorder have yielded mixed results. The aim of our study was to compare gut microbiome between people with depressive disorder and healthy controls. We did a meta-analysis and meta-regression of studies by searching PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Ovid, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and PsycINFO for articles published from database inception to March 07, 2022. Search strategies were then re-run on 12 March 2023 for an update. We undertook meta-analyses whenever values of alpha diversity and Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes (relative abundance) were available in two or more studies. A random-effects model with restricted maximum-likelihood estimator was used to synthesize the effect size (assessed by standardized mean difference [SMD]) across studies. We identified 44 studies representing 2091 patients and 2792 controls. Our study found that there were no significant differences in patients with depressive disorder on alpha diversity indices, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes compared with healthy controls. In subgroup analyses with regional variations(east/west) as a predictor, patients who were in the West had a lower Chao1 level (SMD -0.42[-0.74 to -0.10]). Subgroup meta-analysis showed Firmicutes level was decreased in patients with depressive disorder who were medication-free (SMD -1.54[-2.36 to -0.72]), but Bacteroidetes level was increased (SMD -0.90[0.07 to 1.72]). In the meta-regression analysis, six variables cannot explain the 100% heterogeneity of the studies assessing by Chao1, Shannon index, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Depleted levels of Butyricicoccus, Coprococcus, Faecalibacterium, Fusicatenibacter, Romboutsia, and enriched levels of Eggerthella, Enterococcus, Flavonifractor, Holdemania, Streptococcus were consistently shared in depressive disorder. This systematic review and meta-analysis found that psychotropic medication and dietary habit may influence microbiota. There is reliable evidence for differences in the phylogenetic relationship in depressive disorder compared with controls, however, method of measurement and method of patient classification (symptom vs diagnosis based) may affect findings. Depressive disorder is characterized by an increase of pro-inflammatory bacteria, while anti-inflammatory butyrate-producing genera are depleted.

Highly Efficient Blue Organic Light Emitting Diodes Based on Cyclohexane-Fused Quinoxaline Acceptor.

Exploring blue organic light emitting diodes (OLED) is an important but challenging issue. Herein, to achieve blue-shifted emission, cyclohexane is fused to quinoxaline to weaken the electron-withdrawing ability and conjugation degree of the acceptor. As a result, blue to cyan fluorescent emitters of Me-DPA-TTPZ, tBu-DPA-TTPZ, and TPA-TTPZ were designed and synthesized with donors of diphenylamine and triphenylamine, which exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields and good thermal stability. In OLEDs with emitters of TPA-TTPZ, the sensitized and nonsensitized devices demonstrate deep-blue (449 nm) and blue (468 nm) emission with maximum external quantum efficiency and CIE coordinates of 6.1%, (0.15, 0.10) and 5.1%, (0.17, 0.22), respectively, validating their potential as blue emitters in OLEDs.

Association analysis of gut microbiota and efficacy of SSRIs antidepressants in patients with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Relevant studies have shown that gut microbiome plays an important role in the occurrence, development and treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Many studies have also shown that, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) antidepressants can improve the symptoms of depression by changing the distribution of gut microbiome, Here we investigated whether a distinct gut microbiome was associated with Major depressive disorder (MDD), and how it was modulated by SSRIs antidepressants. METHOD: In this study, we analyzed the gut microbiome composition of 62 patients with first-episode MDD and 41 matched healthy controls, before SSRIs antidepressants treatment, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. MDD patients characterized as treatment-resistant (TR) or responders (R) to antidepressants by score reduction rate were ≥50 % after SSRIs antidepressants treatment for eight weeks. RESULTS: LDA effect size (LEfSe) analysis found that there were 50 different bacterial groups among the three groups, of which 19 genera were mainly at the genus level. The relative abundance of 12 genera increased in the HCs group, 5 genera in the R group increased in relative abundance, and 2 genera in the TR group increased in relative abundance. The correlation analysis of 19 bacterial genera and the score reduction rate showed that Blautia, Bifidobacterium and Coprococcus with higher relative abundance in the treatment effective group were related to the efficacy of SSRIs antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MDD have a distinct gut microbiome that changes after SSRIs antidepressants treatment. Dysbiosis could be a new therapeutic target and prognostic tool for the treatment of patients with MDD.

The Effect of Molecular Conformations and Simulated "Self-Doping" in Phenothiazine Derivatives on Room-Temperature Phosphorescence.

The research of purely organic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials has drawn great attention for their wide potential applications. Besides single-component and host-guest doping systems, the self-doping with same molecule but different conformations in one state is also a possible way to construct RTP materials, regardless of its rare investigation. In this work, twenty-four phenothiazine derivatives with two distinct molecular conformations were designed and their RTP behaviors in different states were systematically studied, with the aim to deeply understand the self-doping effect on the corresponding RTP property. While the phenothiazine derivatives with quasi-axial (ax) conformation presented better RTP performance in aggregated state, the quasi-equatorial (eq) ones were better in isolated state. Accordingly, the much promoted RTP performance was achieved in the stimulated self-doping state with ax-conformer as host and eq-one as guest, demonstrating the significant influence of self-doping on RTP effect.

Theta oscillations: A rhythm difference comparison between major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder.

Background: Due to substantial comorbidities of major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety disorder (AN), these two disorders must be distinguished. Accurate identification and diagnosis facilitate effective and prompt treatment. EEG biomarkers are a potential research hotspot for neuropsychiatric diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in EEG power spectrum at theta oscillations between patients with MDD and patients with AN. Methods: Spectral analysis was used to study 66 patients with MDD and 43 patients with AN. Participants wore 16-lead EEG caps to measure resting EEG signals. The EEG power spectrum was measured using the fast Fourier transform. Independent samples t-test was used to analyze the EEG power values of the two groups, and p < 0.05 was statistically significant. Results: EEG power spectrum of the MDD group significantly differed from the AN group in the theta oscillation on 4-7 Hz at eight electrode points at F3, O2, T3, P3, P4, FP1, FP2, and F8. Conclusion: Participants with anxiety demonstrated reduced power in the prefrontal cortex, left temporal lobe, and right occipital regions. Confirmed by further studies, theta oscillations could be another biomarker that distinguishes MDD from AN.

Characteristics and Mediating Effect of Gut Microbiota With Experience of Childhood Maltreatment in Major Depressive Disorder.

Gut microbiota and childhood maltreatment are closely related to depressive symptoms. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of gut microbiota in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with childhood maltreatment experience and explore the correlation between gut microbiota, childhood maltreatment, and depressive symptoms. A total of 37 healthy controls (HCs) and 53 patients with MDD were enrolled, including 18 MDD patients without childhood maltreatment experience and 35 MDD patients with childhood maltreatment experience. The Hamilton's Depression Scale (HAMD-24) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) were used to evaluate their depressive symptoms and childhood maltreatment experience, respectively. The composition of gut microbiota was evaluated using 16S rRNA sequencing. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between different gut microbiota, depressive symptoms and childhood maltreatment. The mediation analysis was used to evaluate the mediating effect of gut microbiota. In the α-diversity analysis, we found that the Simpson index and Pielou's Evenness index differed significantly between MDD patients without childhood maltreatment experience and HCs. In the ß-diversity analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed significant differences between MDD patients without childhood maltreatment experience, MDD patients with childhood maltreatment experience and HCs. Twenty-seven different bacteria were identified through Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis at different levels of classification. The analysis of the correlation showed that Blautia, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Roseburia, and Phascolarctobacterium were significantly correlated with HAMD and CTQ-SF scores. The mediation analysis showed that childhood maltreatment had a significant direct effect on the patients' depressive symptoms, and Blautia, Bifidobacterium, Roseburia had a significant mediating effect. The findings of this study suggested that MDD patients with childhood maltreatment experience had different gut microbiota, which might have a mediating effect on the influence of childhood maltreatment on depressive symptoms.

Organic microporous crystals driven by pure C-H⋯π interactions with vapor-induced crystal-to-crystal transformations.

Organic porous crystals constructed by only a single kind of weak molecular interaction are invaluable to understanding the nature of the formation of organic porous materials and developing new types of porous materials. Here, we designed and synthesized two pure organic compounds of PBO and PBS through integrating planar dibenzothiophene/dibenzofuran and two phenothiazine groups together with twisted C-N bonds, which form organic microporous crystals with very good stability against strong acids and bases VIA pure C-H⋯π interactions. Accordingly, the effective absorption of toluene has been successfully realized with an adsorbing capacity of 6.20 mmol g-1, regardless of the interference of water vapor. Excitingly, these microporous materials exhibit interesting crystal-to-crystal transformation (CCT) properties accompanied by changed pore size on being exposed to different organic vapors. Therefore, the desorption process of toluene could be completed through a simple exposure to dichloromethane (DCM) vapor and the second transformation of the crystal occurred in this process.

Multistage Stimulus-Responsive Room Temperature Phosphorescence Based on Host-Guest Doping Systems.

Compared with inorganic long-lasting luminescent materials, organic room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) ones show several advantages, such as flexibility, transparency, solubility and color adjustability. However, organic RTP materials close to commercialization are still to be developed. In this work, we developed a new host-guest doping system with stimulus-responsive RTP characteristics, in which triphenylphosphine oxide (OPph3 ) acted host and benzo(dibenzo)phenothiazine dioxide derivatives as guests. Turn-on RTP effect was realized by mixing them together through co-crystallization or grinding, in which the efficient energy transfer from host to guest and the strong intersystem crossing (ISC) ability of the guest have played significant role. Further on, multistage stimulus-responsive RTP characteristics from grinding to chemical stimulus were achieved via introducing pyridine group into the guest molecule. In addition, the anti-counterfeiting printings were realized for these materials through various methods, including stylus printing, thermal printing and inkjet printing, which brings RTP materials closer to commercialization.

Dynamic interaction mechanism of environment, microorganisms, and functions in anaerobic digestion of food waste with magnetic powder supplement.

The reutilisation of food waste for the production of clean energy was promoted by supplementing magnet powder in anaerobic digestion (AD). This study found that adding 5% magnet powder optimally increased the amount of biogas produced by 61.9%, and the pH and volatile fatty acids (VFA) content had the greatest correlation with biogas production. A further metagenomics analysis in the early, middle, and late stages of the AD revealed that interaction between bacteria and archaea had highest explanation rate for pH and VFA changes rather than enzymes. Moreover, the 5% magnet powder increased the proportion of the CO2 methanogenesis and decreased the acetate methanogenesis on day 15 of peak biogas production. And it was an innovative discovery that conversion of tetrahydromethanopterin S-methyltransferase to methane increased, which is an important common node of methanogenesis metabolic and may be the fundamental reason for the increase in biogas production caused by magnetic powder.

Gut Microbiome Composition Linked to Inflammatory Factors and Cognitive Functions in First-Episode, Drug-Naive Major Depressive Disorder Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The microbiota-gut-brain axis, especially the inflammatory pathway, may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, studies on the microbiota-inflammatory-cognitive function axis in MDD are lacking. The aim of the present study was to analyze the gut microbiota composition and explore the correlation between gut microbiota and inflammatory factors, cognitive function in MDD patients. METHOD: Study participants included 66 first-episode, drug naïve MDD patients as well as 43 healthy subjects (HCs). The composition of fecal microbiota was evaluated using16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The cytokines such as hs-CRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in peripheral blood were detected via enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); assessment of cognitive functions was performed using the Color Trail Test (CTT), The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Stroop Color-Word Test (SCWT). RESULTS: We found that compared with HCs, MDD patients had cognitive impairments and showed different α-diversity and ß-diversity of gut microbiota composition. LDA effect size (LEfSe) analysis found MDD have higher Deinococcaceae and lower Bacteroidaceae, Turicibacteraceae, Clostridiaceae and Barnesiellaceae at family level. Deinococcus and Odoribacter was higher in the MDD group, however, Bacteroides, Alistipes, Turicibacter, Clostridium, Roseburia, and Enterobacter were lower at genus level. Furthermore, In MDD patients, the Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides were both positively correlated with hsCRP, CCT1, CCT2. Alistipes was positively correlated with IL-6, Word time, Color time, Word-Color time, Color-Word time and negatively correlated with Delayed Memory, Total score and Standardized score. Turicibacteraceae and Turicibacter were both negatively correlated with IL-1ß and IL-6. CONCLUSION: The present findings confirm that the gut microbiota in MDD patients have altered gut microbes that are closely associated with inflammatory factors and cognitive function in MDD patients.