Photocatalytic TiO(2) powders impart ultraviolet light-induced self-cleaning and antibacterial functions when coated on outdoor building materials. For indoor applications, however, TiO(2) must be modified for visible-light and dark sensitivity. Here we report that the grafting of nanometer-sized Cu(x)O clusters onto TiO(2) generates an excellent risk-reduction material in indoor environments. X-ray absorption near-edge structure using synchrotron radiation and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic analyses revealed that Cu(x)O clusters were composed of Cu(I) and Cu(II) valence states. The Cu(II) species in the Cu(x)O clusters endow TiO(2) with efficient visible-light photooxidation of volatile organic compounds, whereas the Cu(I) species impart antimicrobial properties under dark conditions. By controlling the balance between Cu(I) and Cu(II) in Cu(x)O, efficient decomposition and antipathogenic activity were achieved in the hybrid Cu(x)O/TiO(2) nanocomposites.

We have prepared a TiO 2 -based novel visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst, in which Fe(III) species were grafted on a rutile TiO 2 surface (denoted as Fe(III)/TiO 2 ). With use of X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, the grafted iron species were determined to be in the 3+ state and adopt an amorphous FeO(OH)-like structure. Fe(III)/TiO 2 displayed optical absorption in the visible light range over 400 nm, which was assigned to the interfacial charge transfer from the valence band of TiO 2 to the surface Fe(III) species. Its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol under visible light (400-530 nm), which revealed a high quantum efficiency (QE) of 22%. Monochromatic light experiments indicated that the effective wavelength region was extended as far as 580 nm while maintaining a QE of greater than 10%. On the basis of the analogy to Cu(II)-grafted TiO 2 photocatalyst et al. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2008, 457, 202), we speculate that the high performance of the present photocatalyst is derived from the photoproduced holes that are generated in the valence band of TiO 2 and contribute to the oxidative decomposition of 2-propanol, and the catalytic reduction of oxygen (presumably multielectron reduction) by photoproduced Fe(II) species on TiO 2 .

BackgroundMitochondrial dysfunction is associated with obesity and various obesity-associated pathological conditions including glucose intolerance. 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a precursor of heme metabolites, is a natural amino acid synthesized in the mitochondria, and various types of cytochromes containing heme contribute to aerobic energy metabolism. Thus, ALA might have beneficial effects on the reduction of adiposity and improvement of glucose tolerance through its promotion of heme synthesis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ALA combined with sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) on obesity and glucose intolerance in diet-induced obese mice.MethodsWe used 20-weeks-old male C57BL/6J diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice that had been fed high-fat diet from 4th week or wild-type C57BL/6J mice. The DIO mice were orally administered ALA combined with SFC (ALA/SFC) for 6 weeks. At the 4th and 5th week during ALA/SFC administration, mice were fasted for 5 h and overnight, respectively and used for oral glucose tolerance test. After the ALA/SFC administration, the plasma glucose levels, weight of white adipose tissue, and expression levels of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes were examined. Furthermore, the effects of ALA/SFC on lipid content and glucose uptake were examined in vitro.ResultsOral administration of ALA/SFC for 6 weeks reduced the body weight by about 10% and the weight of white adipose tissues in these animals. In vitro, ALA/SFC reduced lipid content in mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose dependent manner, and enhanced glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by 70–90% and rat L6 myoblasts by 30% at 6 h. Additionally, oral administration of ALA/SFC reduced plasma glucose levels and improved glucose tolerance in DIO mice. Furthermore, ALA/SFC enhanced the expression of OXPHOS complexes III, IV, and V by 40–70% in white adipose tissues of DIO mice, improving mitochondrial function.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that ALA/SFC is effective in the reduction of adiposity and improvement of glucose tolerance, and that the induction of mitochondrial OXPHOS complex III, IV, and V by ALA/SFC might be an essential component of the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. ALA/SFC might be a useful supplement for obesity and obesity-related metabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40360-016-0108-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Micron-sized diamond anvils with a 3 μm culet were successfully processed using a focused ion beam (FIB) system and the generation of high pressures was confirmed using the double stage diamond anvil cell technique. The difficulty of aligning two second-stage micro-anvils was solved via the paired micro-anvil method. Micro-manufacturing using a FIB system enables us to control anvil shape, process any materials, including nano-polycrystalline diamond and single crystal diamond, and assemble the sample exactly in a very small space between the second-stage anvils. This method is highly reproducible. High pressures over 300 GPa were achieved, and the pressure distribution around the micro-anvil culet was evaluated by using a well-focused synchrotron micro-X-ray beam.

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The effects of high-energy phosphate contents in muscles on glucose tolerance and glucose uptake into tissues were studied in rats and mice. Enhanced glucose tolerance associated with depleted high-energy phosphates and elevated glycogen content in muscles and liver was observed in animals fed creatine analogue beta-guanidinopropionic acid (beta-GPA). Distribution of infused 2-[1-14C]deoxy-D-glucose in tissues especially in the soleus muscle, kidney, and brain was greater in mice fed beta-GPA than controls. The glucose uptake was decreased when the contents of ATP and glycogen were normalized following creatine supplementation. Plasma insulin in animals at rest was lower and its concentration after intraperitoneal glucose infusion tended to be less in animals fed beta-GPA than controls (p > 0.05), although the pattern of insulin response to glucose loading was similar to the control. The daily voluntary activity in beta-GPA fed mice was also less than controls. These results suggest that improved glucose tolerance is not related to elevated insulin concentration and/or decreased glycogen following exercise. Such improvement may be due to an increased mitochondrial energy metabolism caused by depletion of high-energy phosphates.

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