QKL injection ameliorates Alzheimer's disease-like pathology by regulating expression of RAGE.

The onset of Alzheimer's disease is related to neuron damage caused by massive deposition of Aß in the brain. Recent studies suggest that excessive Aß in the brain mainly comes from peripheral blood, and BBB is the key to regulate Aß in and out of the brain. In this study, we explored the pathogenesis of AD from the perspective of Aß transport through the BBB and the effect of QKL injection in AD mice. The results showed that QKL could improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice, decrease the level of Aß and Aß transporter-RAGE, which was supported by the results of network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. In conclusion, RAGE is a potential target for QKL's therapeutic effect on AD.

Causality of anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG levels on myocardial infarction and potential pathogenesis: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous observational studies have shown that a potential relationship between anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) IgG levels and Myocardial Infarction (MI). Nevertheless, the evidence for the causal inferences remains disputable. To further clarify the relationship between anti-H. pylori IgG levels and MI and explore its pathogenesis, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Methods: In this study, we used two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) to assess the causality of anti-H. pylori IgG levels on MI and potential pathogenesis, 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to anti-H. pylori IgG levels were obtained from the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). Summary data from a large-scale GWAS meta-analysis of MI was utilized as the outcome dataset. Summary data of mediators was obtained from the FinnGen database, the UK Biobank, the EBI database, MRC-IEU database, the International Consortium of Blood Pressure, the Consortium of Within family GWAS. Inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis under the fixed effect model was identified as our main method. To ensure the reliability of the findings, many sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Our study revealed that increases of anti-H. pylori IgG levels were significantly related to an increased risk of MI (OR, 1.104; 95% CI,1.042-1.169; p = 7.084 × 10-4) and decreases in HDL cholesterol levels (ß, -0.016; 95% CI, -0.026 to -0.006; p = 2.02 × 10-3). In addition, there was no heterogeneity or pleiotropy in our findings. Conclusion: This two-sample MR analysis revealed the causality of anti-H. pylori IgG levels on MI, which might be explained by lower HDL cholesterol levels. Further research is needed to clarify the results.

Causality of particulate matter on cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular biomarkers.

Background: Previous observational studies have shown that the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is related to particulate matter (PM). However, given the methodological limitations of conventional observational research, it is difficult to identify causality conclusively. To explore the causality of PM on CVDs and cardiovascular biomarkers, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Method: In this study, we obtained summary-level data for CVDs and cardiovascular biomarkers including atrial fibrillation (AF), heart failure (HF), myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke (IS), stroke subtypes, body mass index (BMI), lipid traits, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and blood pressure from several large genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Then we used two-sample MR to assess the causality of PM on CVDs and cardiovascular biomarkers, 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for PM2.5 and 6 SNPs for PM10 were obtained from UK Biobank participants. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) analyses under the fixed effects model were used as the main analytical method to calculate MR Estimates, followed by multiple sensitivity analyses to confirm the robustness of the results. Results: Our study revealed increases in PM2.5 concentration were significantly related to a higher risk of MI (odds ratio (OR), 2.578; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.611-4.127; p = 7.920 × 10-5). Suggestive evidence was found between PM10 concentration and HF (OR, 2.015; 95% CI, 1.082-3.753; p = 0.027) and IS (OR, 2.279; 95% CI,1.099-4.723; p = 0.027). There was no evidence for an effect of PM concentration on other CVDs. Furthermore, PM2.5 concentration increases were significantly associated with increases in triglyceride (TG) (OR, 1.426; 95% CI, 1.133-1.795; p = 2.469 × 10-3) and decreases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR, 0.779; 95% CI, 0.615-0.986; p = 0.038). The PM10 concentration increases were also closely related to the decreases in HDL-C (OR, 0.563; 95% CI, 0.366-0.865; p = 8.756 × 10-3). We observed no causal effect of PM on other cardiovascular biomarkers. Conclusion: At the genetic level, our study suggested the causality of PM2.5 on MI, TG, as well HDL-C, and revealed the causality of PM10 on HF, IS, and HDL-C. Our findings indicated the need for continued improvements in air pollution abatement for CVDs prevention.

Facile preparation and dielectric properties of BaTiO3 with different particle sizes and morphologies.

BaTiO3 nanoparticles were prepared by the hydrothermal method, and the effect of 1-(propyl-3-methoxysilyl)-3-methylimidazole chloride on the size of BaTiO3 particles was investigated. The obtained BaTiO3 was characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy; and the dielectric properties of BaTiO3 ceramic sheets were tested. The results indicate that the spherical BaTiO3-N prepared without an ionic liquid was in a tetragonal phase with an average particle size of 129 nm. When an ionic liquid was added, the size of the BaTiO3-IL decreased and the degree of agglomeration increased. In addition, with increasing quantity of ionic liquid, the tetragonal-phase content of BaTiO3-IL gradually decreased until complete transformation into cubic phase. The dielectric constant of the BaTiO3-N ceramics was the highest, and the dielectric constant decreased with decreasing BaTiO3 particle size. Moreover, two types of BaTiO3 nanoparticles (bowl- and sea urchin-shaped) were prepared by changing the hydrothermal conditions and additives. The average particle size of the former was 92 nm, the tetragonal-phase content was ca. 90%, and the dielectric constant was large; whereas the sea urchin-shaped BaTiO3 consisted of small particles in the cubic phase, and the dielectric constant was small.

Transesterification of Glycerol to Glycerol Carbonate over Mg-Zr Composite Oxide Prepared by Hydrothermal Process.

A series of Mg-Zr composite oxide catalysts prepared by the hydrothermal process were used for the transesterification of glycerol (GL) with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) to produce glycerol carbonate (GC). The effects of the preparation method (co-precipitation, hydrothermal process) and Mg/Zr ratio on the catalytic performance were systematically investigated, and the deactivation of the catalyst was also explored. The Mg-Zr composite oxide catalysts were characterized by XRD, TEM, TPD, N2 adsorption-desorption, and XPS. The characterization results showed that compared with the co-precipitation process, the catalyst prepared by the hydrothermal process has a larger specific surface area, smaller grain size, and higher dispersion. Mg1Zr2-HT catalyst calcined at 600 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere exhibited the best catalytic performance. Under the conditions of reaction time of 90 min, reaction temperature of 90 °C, catalyst dosage of 3 wt% of GL, and GL/DMC molar ratio of 1/5, the GL conversion was 99% with 96.1% GC selectivity, and the yield of GC was 74.5% when it was reused for the fourth time.

A highly efficient rod-like-CeO2-supported palladium catalyst for the oxidative carbonylation of glycerol to glycerol carbonate.

A rod-like-CeO2-supported Pd catalyst (Pd/CeO2-r) was prepared using two-step hydrothermal impregnation and used in the oxidative carbonylation of glycerol to produce glycerol carbonate. The characterization results showed that the Pd was highly dispersed on the surface of the CeO2-r, and metallic Pd was the main species in the catalyst. The Pd/CeO2-r exhibited good catalytic performance for the oxidative carbonylation of glycerol. Under optimized reaction conditions, the glycerol conversion and glycerol carbonate selectivity were 93% and 98%, respectively, and turnover frequency was 1240 h-1. However, because of the leaching of Pd and the growth of Pd particles, the catalyst was gradually deactivated throughout reuse.

Prognostic value of lipoprotein (a) level in patients with coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Elevated lipoprotein (a) is recognized as a risk factor for incident cardiovascular events in the general population and established cardiovascular disease patients. However, there are conflicting findings on the prognostic utility of elevated lipoprotein (a) level in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of elevated lipoprotein (a) level in CAD patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted until April 16, 2019. Observational studies reporting the prognostic value of elevated lipoprotein (a) level for cardiac events (cardiac death and acute coronary syndrome), cardiovascular events (death, stroke, acute coronary syndrome or coronary revascularisation), cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality in CAD patients were included. Pooled multivariable adjusted risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the highest vs. the lowest lipoprotein (a) level were utilized to calculate the prognostic value. Seventeen studies enrolling 283,328 patients were identified. Meta-analysis indicated that elevated lipoprotein (a) level was independently associated with an increased risk of cardiac events (RR 1.78; 95% CI 1.31-2.42) and cardiovascular events (RR 1.29; 95% CI 1.17-1.42) in CAD patients. However, elevated lipoprotein (a) level was not significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.43; 95% CI 0.94-2.18) and all-cause mortality (RR 1.35; 95% CI 0.93-1.95). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated lipoprotein (a) level is an independent predictor of cardiac and cardiovascular events in CAD patients. Measurement of lipoprotein (a) level has potential to improve the risk stratification among patients with CAD.

Pd catalyst supported on CeO2 nanotubes with enhanced structural stability toward oxidative carbonylation of phenol.

Ordered CeO2 nanotubes (CeO2-T) were prepared via a hydrothermal synthesis process using the triblock copolymer polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide-polyethylene oxide (P123) as a morphology control agent. CeO2-T characterization demonstrated the formation of single crystal structures having lengths between 1-3 µm and diameters < 100 nm. A supported Pd catalyst (Pd/CeO2-T) was also prepared through hydrothermal means. H2-temperature reduction profile and Raman spectroscopy analyses showed that the oxygen vacancies on the CeO2 surface increased and the reduction temperature of the surface oxygen decreased after Pd loading onto CeO2-T. Pd/CeO2-T was employed as a catalyst toward the oxidative carbonylation of phenol and the reaction conditions were optimized. Phenol conversion was 53.2% with 96.7% selectivity to diphenyl carbonate under optimal conditions. The integrity of the tubular CeO2 structure was maintained after the catalyst was recycled, however, both activity and selectivity significantly decreased, which was mainly attributed to the Pd active component significantly leaching during the reaction.

Peanut Shell-Derived Carbon Solid Acid with Large Surface Area and Its Application for the Catalytic Hydrolysis of Cyclohexyl Acetate.

A carbon solid acid with large surface area (CSALA) was prepared by partial carbonization of H3PO4 pre-treated peanut shells followed by sulfonation with concentrated H2SO4. The structure and acidity of CSALA were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), 13C cross polarization (CP)/magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), titration, and elemental analysis. The results demonstrated that the CSALA was an amorphous carbon material with a surface area of 387.4 m²/g. SO3H groups formed on the surface with a density of 0.46 mmol/g, with 1.11 mmol/g of COOH and 0.39 mmol/g of phenolic OH. Densities of the latter two groups were notably greater than those observed on a carbon solid acid (CSA) with a surface area of 10.1 m²/g. The CSALA catalyst showed better performance than the CSA for the hydrolysis of cyclohexyl acetate to cyclohexanol. Under optimal reaction conditions, cyclohexyl acetate conversion was 86.6% with 97.3% selectivity for cyclohexanol, while the results were 25.0% and 99.4%, respectively, catalyzed by CSA. The high activity of the CSALA could be attributed to its high density of COOH and large surface area. Moreover, the CSALA showed good reusability. Its catalytic activity decreased slightly during the first two cycles due to the leaching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-containing SO3H groups, and then remained constant during following uses.