Structural patterns found in living organisms have long been inspiring biomimetic materials design. Here, it is suggested that a rich palette of patterns occurring in inanimate Nature, and especially in the Earth’s lithosphere, could be not less inspirational for design of novel architectured materials. This materials design paradigm is referred to as lithomimetics and it is demonstrated that some of the patterns found in the lithosphere can be emulated by established processes of severe plastic deformation. This opens up interesting avenues for materials design in which potentially promising structural patterns are borrowed from the lithosphere’s repository. The key aim here is to promulgate the “lithomimetics” paradigm as a promising approach to developing novel architectured materials.

The Periploca sepium bark root (PSBR) has been regarded as a potential botanical insecticide because of its significant insecticidal activity of secondary metabolites. Several periplocosides were isolated from it as promising pesticides to control crop pests in agriculture.

In our research, two new periplocosides, along with four known periplocosides were isolated from PSBR. The names of new periplocosides were periplocoside T (PST) and periplocoside U (PSU) while another four periplocosides were known as follows periplocoside A (PSA), periplocoside F (PSF), periplocoside E (PSE) and periplocoside D (PSD). All periplocosides were evalulated for insecticidal activity against 3rd Mythimna separata (Walker) and Plutella xylostella. The biometric data showed that periplocoside T, PSD and PSF had remarkable insecticidal activity against tested insects. Its values of LD

were 1.31, 3.94 and 3.42 μg·lavare

against 3rd M. separata respectively, while the activity of those compounds against 3rd P. xylostella were 5.45, 12.17 and 13.95 μg·lavare

, respectively. It was apparent after further study of the mechanism of action against M. separata was conducted that PST possessed the most significant insecticidal activity. The results of enzymatic activity displayed that powerful activation of tryptase, especially weak alkaline tryptase might be a dominant factor causing death of M. separata in vivo.

We herein report isolation and the mechanisms of action of insecticidal periplocosides, which established the fundamental development of natural agents to prevent pest damage to crops. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

We herein report isolation and the mechanisms of action of insecticidal periplocosides, which established the fundamental development of natural agents to prevent pest damage to crops. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

To determine whether single endometrial polyp (EP) or multiple EP (polyp number ≥ 6) are associated with chronic endometritis (CE).

From June 2017 to December 2018, this study enrolled a total of 277 patients, including 92 patients with multiple EP, 82 patients with a single EP and 103 patients without polyps who underwent hysteroscopic examination and polypectomy. Polyps and endometrium samples were obtained and subjected to immunohistochemistry for CD138 to identify plasma cells and CE was diagnosed as CD138-positive plasma cells greater than or equal to 5/high power field. The prevalence of CE was compared and analyzed using the logistic regression model.

All baseline parameters were comparable among the three groups except that the prevalence of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) was much higher in both polyp groups than the non-polyp control. The prevalence of CE was significantly higher in the multiple EP group than in the single EP group (58.7% vs 28.0%, P < 0.001). Selleckchem FX11 There was no difference on the prevalence of CE between the single EP and the non-polyp groups (28.0% vs 29.1%, P = 0.872). Multivariable analysis revealed that AUB (adjusted OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.35-5.87) and multiple EP (adjusted OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.38-4.82) were independently associated with CE, while the single EP did not increase the odds of CE compared to the non-polyp group (adjusted OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.38-1.45).

Multiple EP were positively associated with CE among reproductive-aged women, suggesting a possible hidden etiopathogenetic link between chronic inflammation and multiple EP.

Multiple EP were positively associated with CE among reproductive-aged women, suggesting a possible hidden etiopathogenetic link between chronic inflammation and multiple EP.Signal sequence receptor protein 4 (SSR4) is a subunit of the translocon-associated protein complex, which participates in the translocation of proteins across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, enhancing the efficiency of N-linked glycosylation. Pathogenic variants in SSR4 cause a congenital disorder of glycosylation SSR4-congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). We describe three SSR4-CDG boys and review the previously reported. All subjects presented with hypotonia, failure to thrive, developmental delay, and dysmorphic traits and showed a type 1 serum sialotransferrin profile, facilitating the diagnosis. Genetic confirmation of this X-linked CDG revealed one de novo hemizygous deletion, one maternally inherited deletion, and one de novo nonsense mutation of SSR4. The present subjects highlight the similarities with a connective tissue disorder (redundant skin, joint laxity, blue sclerae, and vascular tortuosity). The connective tissue problems are relevant, and require preventive rehabilitation measures. As an X-linked disorder, genetic counseling is essential.Ion dissociation has been identified to determine the intrinsic stability of perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), but the underlying degradation mechanism is still elusive. Herein, by combining highly sensitive sub-bandgap external quantum efficiency (s-EQE) spectroscopy, impedance analysis, and theoretical calculations, the evolution of defect states in PVSCs during the degradation can be monitored. It is found that the degradation of PVSCs can be divided into three steps 1) dissociation of ions from perovskite lattices, 2) migration of dissociated ions, and 3) consumption of I- by reacting with metal electrode. Importantly, step (3) is found to be crucial as it will accelerate the first two steps and lead to continuous degradation. By replacing the metal with more chemically robust indium tin oxide (ITO), it is found that the dissociated ions under light soaking will only saturate at the perovskite/ITO interface. Importantly, the dissociated ions will subsequently restore to the corresponding vacancies under dark condition to heal the perovskite and photovoltaic performance.