Strain-Induced Robust Exchange Bias Effect in Epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/LaFeO3 Bilayers.

The ground state of correlated electrons in complex oxide films can be controlled by applying epitaxial strain, offering the potential to produce unexpected phenomena applicable to modern spintronic devices. In this study, we demonstrate that substrate-induced strain strongly affects the coupling mode of interfacial magnetic moments in a ferromagnetic (FM)/antiferromagnetic (AFM) system. In an epitaxial bilayer comprising AFM LaFeO3 (LFO) and FM La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO), samples grown on a LaAlO3 (LAO) substrate exhibit a larger exchange bias field than those grown on a SrTiO3 substrate. Our results indicate a transition in the alignment of magnetic moments from perpendicular to collinear due to the large compressive strain exerted by the LAO substrate. Collinear magnetic moments at the LSMO/LFO interface generate strong exchange coupling, leading to a considerable exchange bias effect. Thus, our findings provide a method for tailoring and manipulating the orientations of magnetic moments at the FM/AFM heterogeneous interface using strain engineering, thereby augmenting methods for exchange bias generation.

Fabrication of a Molybdenum Dioxide/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposite as an Anodic Modification Material for High-Performance Microbial Fuel Cells.

A nanocomposite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) nanoparticles is fabricated through the reduction of phosphomolybdic acid hydrate on functionalized MWCNTs in a hydrogen-argon (10%) atmosphere in a tube furnace. The MoO2/MWCNTs composite is proposed as an anodic modification material for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). MWCNTs have outstanding physical and chemical peculiarities, with functionalized MWCNTs having substantially large electroactive areas. In addition, combined with the exceptional properties of MoO2 nanoparticles, the synergistic advantages of functionalized MWCNTs and MoO2 nanoparticles give a MoO2/MWCNTs anode a large electroactive area, excellent electronic conductivity, enhanced extracellular electron transfer capacity, and improved nutrient transfer capability. Finally, the power harvesting of an MFC with the MoO2/MWCNTs anode is improved, with the MFC showing long-term repeatability of voltage and current density outputs. This exploratory research advances the fundamental application of anodic modification to MFCs, simultaneously providing valuable guidance for the use of carbon-based transition metal oxide nanomaterials in high-performance MFCs.

Antidepressant-like effects of Z-ligustilide on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in rats.

Depression is a significant public health issue and its neuropathogenesis is associated with the dysfunction of progesterone and allopregnanolone biosynthesis. Z-ligustilide (LIG), one of the main components of the herb Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (AS), is reported to have antidepressant activities. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of LIG via behavioral tests and to measure the levels of progesterone and allopregnanolone in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The results demonstrated that LIG (20 and 40 mg/kg) exerted antidepressant-like effects, confirmed by increased mobility, locomotion, rearing frequency and preference to sucrose. Furthermore, the levels of progesterone and allopregnanolone in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were markedly increased following treatment with LIG (20 and 40 mg/kg), indicating that both neurosteroids could serve a significant role in the antidepressant-like effects of LIG.

A label-free electrochemical aptasensor based on the core-shell Cu-MOF@TpBD hybrid nanoarchitecture for the sensitive detection of PDGF-BB.

As one of the significant serum cytokines, platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) is a crucial protein biomarker overexpressed in human life-threatening tumors, the sensitive identification and quantification of which are urgently desired but challenging. Herein we report a novel core-shell nanoarchitecture consisting of Cu-based metal-organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (denoted as TpBD-COFs), which was used to prepare an aptasensor for the detection of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). The central Cu-MOFs function as signal labels with no need for extra redox media, whereas the porous TpBD serves as the shell to immobilize the PDGF-BB-targeted aptamer strands in abundance via strong interactions involving π-π stacking, electrostatic, and hydrogen bonding interactions. The proposed aptasensor based on Cu-MOF@TpBD can achieve a detection limit as low as 0.034 pg mL-1 within the dynamic detection range from 0.0001 to 60 ng mL-1. The hybridization of MOFs and COFs, together with the immobilization with the specific analyte targeted aptamer, provides a promising and propagable approach to prepare an aptasensor for the simple, sensitive, and selective detection of a specific biomarker in clinical diagnosis.

Topical application of temperature-sensitive caerin 1.1 and 1.9 gel inhibits TC-1 tumor growth in mice.

Genital warts, which are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), result from persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially subtypes 6 or 11. Topical application of 5% imiquimod cream is currently recommended as a first-line treatment choice for genital warts, but the clearance and patient compliance rates remain less than sufficient. In the current study, we developed a temperature-sensitive gel that contains the host-defense peptides caerin 1.1 and 1.9, which were originally isolated from Australian tree frogs of the genus Litoria. Growth of HPV16 E6/E7-transformed TC-1 cells was inhibited in vitro and in vivo following injection of the tumor with the caerin gel in a TC-1 tumor mouse model. Furthermore, when the caerin gel was topically applied, the inhibitory effect remained, and T, NK cells were attracted to the tumor site. In addition, the gel maintained a similar level of bioactivity after incubation at room temperature for 30 days. Our results suggest that this caerin gel, following further optimization, may provide an alternative method for the management of genital warts.

A Self-Assembled ZnII-NdIII Heterohexanuclear Dimer Based on a Hexadentate N2O4-Type Ligand and Terephthalic Acid: Synthesis, Structure, and Fluorescence Properties.

A self-assembled ZnII-NdIII heterohexanuclear coordination compound [Zn4Nd2(L)4(bdc)2]·2NO3 based on a hexadentate Salamo-like chelating ligand (H2L = 1,2-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneaminooxy)ethane]) and H2bdc (H2bdc = terephthalic acid) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV/Vis spectra, and X-ray crystallography. Two crystallographically equivalent [Zn2Nd(L)2] moieties lie in the inversion center linked by two (bdc)2- ligands leading to a heterohexanuclear dimer in which the carboxylato group bridges the ZnII and NdIII atoms. The heteropolynuclear 3d-4f coordination compound includes four ZnII atoms, two NdIII atoms, four completely deprotonated (L)2- units, two fully deprotonated (bdc)2- units, and two crystalling nitrate ions. All of the ZnII atoms in the ZnII-NdIII coordination compound possess trigonal bipyramidal geometries and the NdIII atoms possess distorted bicapped square antiprism coordination arrangements. In addition, the fluorescence properties of the ligand and the ZnII-NdIII coordination compound were investigated.

Translocator protein mediates the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of midazolam.

The translocator protein (18 kDa) (TSPO) plays an important role in stress-related disorders, such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), caused by neurosteroids (e.g. allopregnanolone). The present study sought to evaluate the significance of TSPO in anxiolytic and antidepressant effects induced by midazolam. The animals were administrated midazolam (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to behavioral tests, including Vogel-type conflict test, elevated plus-maze test, forced swimming test. Midazolam produced anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects Vogel-type conflict test (1 mg/kg, i.p.), elevated plus-maze test (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.), and forced swimming test (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.). These effects of Midazolam were totally blocked by the TSPO antagonist PK11195 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). To evaluate the role of allopregnanolone in the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of midazolam, the animals were decapitated at the end of the behavioral tests. The allopregnanolone levels of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The allopregnanolone level of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was increased by midazolam (0.5, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) and the increase was reversed by PK11195 (3 mg/kg, i.p.). Overall, the results indicated that the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects of midazolam were mediated by TSPO, via stimulation of allopregnanolone biosynthesis.

Free and Easy Wanderer Plus (FEWP) improves behavioral deficits in an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder by stimulating allopregnanolone biosynthesis.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe psychiatric condition defined as a "trauma and stress-related disorder". Dampened allopregnanolone biosynthesis has been implicated as a possible contributor to PTSD aetiology. Free and Easy Wanderer Plus (FEWP) is a traditional Chinese medicine previously shown to be effective in PTSD treatment. However, little is known about the role of allopregnanolone in the anti-PTSD effects of FEWP. To evaluate this, the single prolonged stress (SPS) model was used in the present study. SPS-induced rats were administered FEWP (at doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, p.o.) after induction of SPS from days 2 through 15. After exposure to SPS, behavioral assessments were determined, including the open-field test, the contextual fear paradigm, and the elevated plus-maze test. The experimental model rats were decapitated at the end of the behavioral tests and the level of allopregnanolone in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The behavioral deficits of the SPS-induced rats were significantly reversed by FEWP (at doses of 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, p.o.). The level of allopregnanolone was increased by administration of FEWP. In summary, this study indicated that the anti-PTSD effects of FEWP were associated with allopregnanolone biosynthesis.

The role of allopregnanolone in the anxiolytic-like effect of free and easy wanderer plus (FEWP), a polyherbal preparation.

Anxiety disorders are the serious and burdensome psychiatric illnesses, which are closely correlated with allopregnanolone. The down-regulation of allopregnanolone biosynthesis has been implicated as the possible contributor to the aetiology of anxiety disorders. Free and easy wanderer plus (FEWP) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that had been shown to be effective in various mood disorders. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the anxiolytic-like effect of FEWP and its association with the level of allopregnanolone in the brain. The animal behavioral tests were processed by the acute FEWP (2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg, p.o.) treatment. It had been shown that FEWP produced anxiolytic-like effects in behavioral models, including novelty suppressed feeding (5, 10mg/kg, p.o.), Vogel-type conflict test (10mg/kg, p.o.), elevated plus-maze test (5, 10mg/kg, p.o.). The animals were decapitated after the end of the behavioral tests and measured the allopregnanolone level of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The allopregnanolone level of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus was increased by administration of FEWP (5, 10mg/kg, p.o.). Overall, these results indicated that FEWP exerts anxiolytic-like effects that were associated with the stiumlation of the allopregnanolone biosynthesis.