Molecular dynamics study of the swelling patterns of Na/Cs-, Na/Mg-montmorillonites and hydration of interlayer cations

Over the last two decades, the swelling properties of montmorillonite (MMT) have been studied in many experimental and simulation works, but less attention has been given to MMT containing a mixture of monovalent/monovalent and monovalent/bivalent cations in the interlayer spaces. We carried out a molecular dynamics simulation of the swelling patterns of Na-, Mg-, Na/Cs-, Na/Mg-MMT in an isobaric isothermal ensemble (NPT) at T = 300 K and p = 1 atm. The simulation reproduced a swelling pattern of Na-, Mg-, Na/Cs-, Na/Mg-MMT and the swelling curves obtained showed the difference between the hydration mechanisms of the type of MMT used in this study. We also found out that the differences in size and hydration energy of Na, Cs and Na, Mg ions have strong implications on the structure of interlayer water. This has led to the difference in the swelling curves of the simulated Na-, Mg-, Na/Cs- and Na/Mg-MMT. For Na/Cs-MMT, the hydration energy of Na cations increased compared to that in Na-MMT, the hydration energy of Cs cations decreased in Na/Cs-MMT compared to that in Cs-MMT and also for Na/Mg-MMT, the hydration energy of Na cations increased compared to that in Na-MMT and that of Mg cations decreased in comparison with that in Mg-MMT. The diffusion coefficient of Cs cations obtained in this simulation was higher than that of Mg and Na cations in Cs-, Mg- and Na-MMT, respectively. Cesium cations have been seen to have a low hydration energy compared to Na and Mg cations and can be used as a good inhibitor of Na-MMT swelling process.     

Overview of bacterial cellulose composites: A multipurpose advanced material

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has received substantial interest owing to its unique structural features and impressive physico-mechanical properties. BC has a variety of applications in biomedical fields, including use as biomaterial for artificial skin, artificial blood vessels, vascular grafts, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and wound dressing. However, pristine BC lacks certain properties, which limits its applications in various fields; therefore, synthesis of BC composites has been conducted to address these limitations. A variety of BC composite synthetic strategies have been developed based on the nature and relevant applications of the combined materials. BC composites are primarily synthesized through in situ addition of reinforcement materials to BC synthetic media or the ex situ penetration of such materials into BC microfibrils. Polymer blending and solution mixing are less frequently used synthetic approaches. BC composites have been synthesized using numerous materials ranging from organic polymers to inorganic nanoparticles. In medical fields, these composites are used for tissue regeneration, healing of deep wounds, enzyme immobilization, and synthesis of medical devices that could replace cardiovascular and other connective tissues. Various electrical products, including biosensors, biocatalysts, E-papers, display devices, electrical instruments, and optoelectronic devices, are prepared from BC composites with conductive materials. In this review, we compiled various synthetic approaches for BC composite synthesis, classes of BC composites, and applications of BC composites. This study will increase interest in BC composites and the development of new ideas in this field.     

持留菌及其对微生物膜的耐受性影响研究进展

持留菌（persisters）是细菌种群中所占比例不到0.1%的一类特殊亚群,具有与种群内普通菌、抗性突变菌所不同的特征,其形成机制复杂,不易分离培养.持留菌可通过“休眠-生长-增殖”应对逆境的胁迫,维持自身生存和菌体结构稳定,在生物膜的多药耐受性与多金属耐性中发挥着重要作用,对于维持微生物群落结构稳定具有重要意义.本文从持留菌的研究历程、特点、基因调控机制及其对微生物膜的耐药性与多金属耐性的影响等方面进行了综述,并对今后的研究方向进行了展望.     

Polymorphism G861C of 5-HT receptor subtype 1B is associated with heroin dependence in Han Chinese

The serotoninergic (5-HT) system regulates neuronal activity in broad brain regions, and appears to be particularly important for modulating behavioral and physiological functions such as mood, emotion, sleep and appetite. Central 5-HT deregulation may be involved in many neuropsychological disorders, which include substance abuse and addiction. Previous studies suggest that genetic polymorphisms in some 5-HT receptor genes may relate to heroin dependency. Here we examined potential association between heroin dependence and four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of 5-HT receptors (A-1438G and T102C of HTR_2A, and G861C and A1180G of HTR_1B) in a cohort of Han Chinese. Participants included 303 heroin-dependent subjects who were recruited into the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) Program in the Xi’an Mental Health Center, and 300 healthy controls. The resulting data yielded a significantly higher frequency of the HTR_1B G allele with G861C among the heroin-dependent subjects relative to controls (p = 0.001 after Bonferroni correction). Further genotype and clinical phenotype correlation study of the G861C carriers showed that the amount of heroin self-injection was higher in patients with the GG genotype relative to CC and CG genotypes (p < 0.01). These findings point to a role for HTR_1B polymorphism in heroin dependence among Han Chinese, and may be informative for future genetic or neurobiological studies on heroin dependence.     

Manganese neurotoxicity: A bioinorganic chemist’s perspective

Manganese is an essential metal for life, yet chronic exposure to this metal can cause a neurodegenerative disease named manganism, with symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s disease. Mn accumulates in the striatum and damages this brain structure that controls motor function; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this neurodegenerative disease are poorly understood. In this short review, a summary of the current knowledge on the mechanisms involved in Mn neurotoxicity is given, with a special emphasis on the features that suggest specific protein-manganese interactions. The mechanisms of Mn uptake into the brain are discussed, displaying its similarities to Fe metabolism. Cellular trafficking of Mn is also reviewed, pointing out at its connection to Ca homeostasis, and its relevance for understanding Mn-induced neuronal death. The main purpose of this review is to provide a glimpse of an unexplored bioinorganic facet of a Mn-induced neurodegenerative disease.