BO3 Groups Research Articles

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate improves the biocompatibility of bone substitutes in dental pulp stem cells

BackgroundThe Biocompatibility between osteoprogenitor cells and bone substitutes is necessary for cell differentiation and osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro effect of bovine (Geistlich BioOss®), porcine (OsteoBiol Gen-Os®) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (Cerasorb M®) bone substitutes, and their combination with polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), upon cultured dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). MethodsThe DPSCs were isolated from third molars extracted from healthy individuals and seeded with 5 mg/ml of Bio-Oss® (BO), Gen-Os® (GO) and Cerasorb® (CE) in combination with EGCG 1 μM. The effects were evaluated based on cell viability / cytotoxicity assay (MTT, cell viability staining test), cell migration, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. ResultsBO and CE produced negative effects upon cell viability and migration, and GO and CE resulted in deficient cell adhesion. On the other hand, all the biomaterials exerted no negative effects upon ALP activity. Interestingly, the addition of EGCG reverted the cytotoxic effect and the loss of migration capacity in the BO and CE groups, and improved cell adhesion in the GO and CE groups. Furthermore, EGCG promoted an overall increased in ALP activity. ConclusionThe addition of EGCG to the tested biomaterials BO, GO and CE reverts their negative impact on DPSCs, and improves their biocompatibility with cultured DPSCs. The use of EGCG, thus, appears to be a promising strategy for restoring and enhancing the osteoconductive properties of BO, GO and CE in bone regeneration treatments.

Physical, structural, thermal, and mechanical features combined with neutron and gamma radiation attenuation qualities of Sm2O3 doped transparent borate-rich glasses

Current work presents the synthesis of B2O3–Gd2O3–Li2O–Na2O–LiF‒Sm2O3 glass system via melt-quench approach and scrutiny of its mechanical, thermal, structural, physical, and nuclear radiation attenuation aspects. Raman scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed B–O stretching modes of BO4 groups linked to BO3 units with nonbridging oxygen atoms and BO3 and BO4 units' existence in the glass structure. By differential scanning calorimetry, glass transition and crystallization temperatures are identified. Relevant analysis showed all glasses' good thermal stability where glass transition temperature varied at 372–407 °C range. ΣR (fast neutron removal cross-section) and for energy 0.025 eV neutrons σT (total cross-section) are computed. In all glasses, 49.25 B2O3–10Gd2O3–10Li2O–10Na2O–20LiF-0.75Sm2O3 (mol%) sample holds higher ΣR (= 0.10207 cm−1). 48B2O3–10Gd2O3–10Li2O–10Na2O–20LiF–2Sm2O3 (mol%) glass possesses greater σT (= 736.675 cm−1) for thermal neutrons, hinting at added Sm2O3's favorable influence as Sm owns a better ability for neutron absorption than B. By Phy-X/PSD, μ/ρ (mass attenuation coefficient) is obtained at photon energy extent 15 keV‒15 MeV. Sm2O3 inclusion from 0 to 2 mol% minorly enhanced the μ/ρ values. Buildup factors estimated via geometric progression fitting method at 1–40 mean free path and energy 0.015–15 MeV span are maximal at medium energy region owing to Compton scattering process. 48B2O3–10Gd2O3–10Li2O–10Na2O–20LiF–2Sm2O3 (mol%) sample shows superior γ-ray blocking capacity in all glasses, suggesting Sm2O3's positive effect. Elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio are computed theoretically by bond compression and Makishima–Mackenzie models. It is identified that all glasses could tolerate longitudinal stress over shear stress.

Decentering the Symmetry via Docking B and F in the KBe2BO3F2-Family Structure.

Deep-ultraviolet (DUV; <200 nm) nonlinear optical crystals arouse a great research interest in modern optical material science as they are key parts of solid-state lasers. Since KBe2BO3F2 (KBBF) still is the only crystal which can generate DUV coherent light practically, exploring other available structures in the DUV region by revising KBBF-family structure templates is necessary. In this paper, two KBBF-family structures are designed by adjusting the directions of BO3 groups or docking B and F atoms in known β-Be2BO3F (BBF). The first BBF structure with a P6322 space group is designed by strictly aligning the BO3 groups of even layers and odd layers in β-BBF. It is very interesting that docking B and F atoms forms novel B-F bonds, which destroy the inversion symmetry of the structure, making the centrosymmetric β-BBF structure with the R3̅c space group convert to a noncentrosymmetric BBF structure having the R3c space group. This noncentrosymmetric BBF structure exhibits a DUV cutoff edge shorter than 150 nm and a second harmonic generation effect comparable to that of KH2PO4 (KDP; d36 = 0.39 pm/V), indicating its feasibility as a frequency-doubling crystal in the DUV region. Our conversion design provides an effective way for uncovering noncentrosymmetric structures in KBBF-family structures.

Prophylactic role of olive fruit extract against cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Cigarette smoke exposure increases the production of free radicals leading to initiation of several pathological conditions by triggering the oxidative stress and inflammatory cascade. Olive fruit owing to its unique phytochemical composition possesses antioxidant, immune modulatory, and anti-inflammatory potential. Considering the compositional alterations in olive fruits during ripening, the current experimental trail was designed to investigate the prophylactic role of green and black olives against the oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoke exposure in rats. Purposely, rats were divided into five different groups: NC (negative control; normal diet), PC [positive control; normal diet + smoke exposure (SE)], drug (normal diet + SE + citalopram), GO (normal diet + SE + green olive extract), and BO (normal diet + SE + black olive extract). Rats of all groups were exposed to cigarette smoke except "NC" and were sacrificed for collection of blood and organs after 28days of experimental trial. The percent reduction in total oxidative stress by citalopram and green and black olive extracts in serum was 29.72, 58.69, and 57.97%, respectively, while the total antioxidant capacity increased by 30.78, 53.94, and 43.98%, accordingly in comparison to PC. Moreover, malondialdehyde (MDA) was reduced by 29.63, 42.59, and 45.70% in drug, GO, and BO groups, respectively. Likewise, green and black olive extracts reduced the leakage of hepatic enzymes in sera, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by 23.44 and 25.80% and 35.62 and 37.61%, alanine transaminase (ALT) by 42.68 and 24.39% and 51.04 and 35.41%, and aspartate transaminase (AST) by 31.51 and 16.07% and 40.50 and 27.09% from PC and drug group, respectively. Additionally, olive extracts also maintained the antioxidant pool, i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione in serum. Furthermore, histological examination revealed that olive extracts prevented the cigarette smoke-induced necrosis, pyknotic alterations, and congestion in the lung, hepatic, and renal parenchyma. Besides, gene expression analysis revealed that olive extracts and citalopram decreased the brain and lung damage caused by stress-induced upregulation of NRF-2 and MAPK signaling pathways. Hence, it can be concluded that olives (both green and black) can act as promising antioxidant in alleviating the cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress.

Structural and temperature-dependent luminescence of Terbium doped YAl3(BO3)4 phosphor synthesized by the combustion method

A series of Y1-xAl3(BO3)4:x Tb3+ (x = 0.5 to 7 wt%) phosphors synthesized by a gel combustion method have been systemically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and photoluminescence (PL) as a function of temperature from 300 K to 10 K and 300 K–550 K. An XRD analysis confirms that the phosphors crystallized, and its crystal structure was analysed. The synthesized phosphor matches the XRD pattern provided in the ICSD File No 96-152-6006. The FTIR analysis indicates that nitrates and organic matter have been completely removed and the BO3 groups are present. The broad PL band peaked at 420 nm with a shoulder circa 460 nm of YAl3(BO3)4 is associated with hydrous components which attached to the sample in environmental conditions after synthesis. The PL spectra of YAl3(BO3):Tb3+ phosphors exhibit a bright and narrow green main emission peak at 543 nm corresponding to the 5D4 →7F5 transition under 359 nm excitation. The PL intensity increases with increasing Tb3+ ion concentration up to 5 wt %, followed by evidence for concentration quenching. There is a possibility that higher concentration quenching could be from confinement effects of localised resonant energy transfer. PL data revealed that activation energies for thermal quenching at 485 nm and 543 nm were found to be 0.659 and 0.092 eV, and 0.585 and 0.087 eV, respectively.

Natural Forsterite Strongly Enriched in Boron: Crystal Structure and Spectroscopy

Boron is a typical crustal element and largely incompatible in olivine. Most natural olivine samples have very low concentrations of boron. Recently, forsterite with high boron content (up to 60.53 wt% MgO and 1795.91 ppm B) has been discovered in the Jian forsterite jade in the Jian area of northeast China. In this study, B-rich forsterite was examined by electron microprobes, Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, Single crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The B-rich forsterite is orthorhombic, existing in space group Pnma, and its unit-cell parameters are: a = 10.1918(7) Å, b = 5.9689(4) Å, c = 4.7484(3) Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°, and V = 288.86(3) Å3. The results of single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that the unit-cell parameters (a, b, and c) and unit-cell volume of forsterite in Jian forsterite jade are much smaller than those of known olivine. An equivalent set of Raman and infrared spectra were measured for the natural B-rich forsterite and compared to the results for mantle forsterite with a Fo value of ~91. The Raman spectrum of B-rich forsterite is similar to that of mantle olivine. We conclude that the systematic peak position shifts towards higher Raman shift with increasing Fo content. The infrared spectrum of B-rich forsterite crystals is characterized by strong absorption bands at 761, 1168, 1259, and 1303 cm−1, which are assigned to stretching vibrations of BO3 groups. Our data further confirm the existence of the B(F, OH)Si–1O–1 coupled substitution in natural B-rich forsterite.

EFFICACY OF Nigella sativa OIL TO RELIEVE EFFECTS OF THE LEAD MONOXIDE TOXICITY ON TESTICULAR EFFICIENCY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR DISORDERS IN ALBINO RATS

The prevalence of testicular toxicity induced via contamination with heavy metals is increasing worldwide, and a close connection between testicular toxicity and lead has recently been identified. The present study demonstrated the possible therapeutic and protection properties of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) against dangerous testicular toxicity and sexual behaviour disorders in rat models induced by lead monoxide (PbO) food poisoning. A total of 24 male rats were used and divided into four groups, consisting of Group 1: Control (1 mL of distilled water); Group 2: PbO (80 mg/kg); Group 3: NSO (0.5 mL/rat); and Group 4: (NSO+PbO) 0.5 mL/rat of NSO, followed by PbO (80 mg/kg/day) respectively for 60 days. The testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (17β-HSD), sperm parameters, and sexual behaviour (copulation behaviour test) were measured. The results showed that sex hormone levels were significantly decreased (p&lt;0.05) in rats exposed to PbO, while the levels of these hormones were significantly higher in rats exposed to NSO and NSO+PbO. The sperm parameters (numbers, concentrations, motilities, and abnormality) were lower in rats exposed to PbO compared to those in the control, NSO, and NSO+PbO groups that showed significant increases. Sperm abnormality and 17β-HSD activity showed a significant increase at p&lt;0.05 in the group exposed to the PbO compared to those of the control, NSO, and NSO+PbO groups. The results also significantly suppressed sexual behaviour in rats exposed to PbO compared to those in the control, NSO, and NSO+PbO groups, rats were administered NSO+PbO showed improvement in sexual behaviour parameters compared to PbO groups. PbO toxicity was obvious in the reproductive tract through severe histopathological changes. The impact of lead on tissues was partially mitigated by NSO. The study showed protective effects of N. sativa oil against changes in sex hormones, sperm characteristics, and sexual behaviour in male rats exposed to lead monoxide-induced testicular toxicity.

Impact effect of gamma irradiation on the optical, FTIR, ESR spectral properties and thermal behavior of some mixed (PbO + Bi2O3) borate glasses searching for shielding effects

Four borate glasses with mixed and equal heavy metal oxides PbO+Bi2O3 ranging from 70→55% were prepared by routine melting and annealing technique. These glasses were selected to identify the effects of gamma irradiation on glasses combining two heavy metal oxides (PbO, and Bi2O3) which are known to be of shielding nature towards irradiation. Collective measurements of the optical, structural FTIR and ESR. spectral properties of the prepared equal mixed glasses were carried out before and after a relatively high dose of gamma rays (6 M rad). Optical spectra of the glasses reveal before irradiation strong UV absorption due to trace ferric ions present as impurities in the chemicals used for the preparation of the glasses. After irradiation, an extra small induced near-visible band at 420 nm has been identified and is attributed to the creation of an induced boron- oxygen hole center (BOHC) or nonbridging oxygen hole center (NBOHC). FTIR spectra reveal distinct vibrational bands due to triangular (BO3 groups) and tetrahedral (BO4 groups) within their variant characteristic wavenumbers. Also, the condensed intensities of the FTIR bands refer to the sharing of vibrations due to PbO or BiO within their specific sites as evidenced by the deconvoluted spectra. Gamma irradiation causes no variations on the FTIR and ESR spectra confirming the shielding effect of the heavy metal oxides present in mixed percentages.

Correlating structure with mechanical properties in lithium borophosphate glasses

AbstractConnecting structure with mechanical properties is needed for improving the mechanical reliability of oxide glasses. Although the mechanical properties of silicate and borosilicate glasses have been intensively studied, this is not the case for phosphate and borophosphate glasses. To this end, we here study the structure, density, glass transition, hardness, elasticity, and cracking behavior of lithium borophosphate glasses. The glasses are designed with different B/P ratios to access different boron and phosphorus speciation. The introduction of boron in the phosphate network increases the average network rigidity because of the reduction in the fraction of nonbridging oxygens as well as the exchange of phosphate groups with more constrained BO4 groups. These structural changes result in an increase in density, Vickers hardness, glass transition temperature, and Young's modulus, and a decrease in Poisson's ratio for higher B2O3 content. Furthermore, the increase in network rigidity and atomic packing density results in a lower ability of the glasses to densify upon indentation, resulting in an overall decrease in crack initiation resistance. Finally, we find an increase in the fraction of trigonal boron units in the high‐B2O3 glasses, which has a significant effect on atomic packing density and Vickers hardness.

The Development of Er3+/ Yb3+ Co-Doped Li2O-Bi2O3-Al2O3-B2O3 Glass for Laser and Fiber Optics Applications

The lithium bismuth aluminum borate glasses doped with Er3+ ion (LiBiAlB:Er) were investigated for laser and optical amplifier applications by the Judd–Ofelt and MacCumber theory. The LiBiAlB:Er glass with optimum Er2O3 concentration, 1.0 mol%, then was selected to enhance the luminescence properties by co-doping with the Yb3+ ion. The Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped glasses (LiBiAlB:ErYb) were prepared and studied in the physical, optical, glass network, absorption, and luminescence properties. The glass density tends to increase with addition of Yb2O3 concentration. The FTIR spectra perform the main glass structure which composes of the trigonal BO3 and tetrahedral BO4 borate groups mixing with AlO6 complex. The improvement of absorption coefficient around 977 nm by doping with Yb3+ results in the enhancement of Er3+ emission intensity at 1536 nm wavelength (4I13/2 → 4I15/2). The Yb3+→ Er3+ energy transfer is a significant factor of luminescence development in LiBiAlB:ErYb glass. The MacCumber analysis confirms the high potential for using LiBiAlB:ErYb glass, with Er2O3 1.0 mol% and Yb2O3 2.0 mol%, as an infrared laser medium and a fiber optics amplifier.

Synthesis and Growth of Rare Earth Borates NaSrR(BO3)2 (R = Ho-Lu, Y, Sc).

NaSrR(BO3)2 (R = Ho-Lu, Y, Sc) compounds were obtained for the first time. Their structures exhibit disordered positions of Sr2+ and Na+ atoms while RO6 polyhedra are connected through the BO3 groups. Large distances between R atoms and high transparency in the range of 250-900 nm make them promising for phosphor applications. A pathway to obtain single crystals was shown by growing NaSrY(BO3)2 and NaSrYb(BO3)2 by the top seeded solution growth method with Na2O-B2O3-NaF flux.

The Study on Eu3+ Doped Lithium Bismuth Aluminum Borate Glass: New Red Luminescence Medium

The lithium bismuth aluminum borate glasses doped with Eu3+ ion were studied on the physical, structural network, optical and luminescence properties. The glass density fluctuates by following the Eu2O3 content due to the variation of BO4 group in glass network. The FTIR spectra indicate the main glass structure units which occupies by the trigonal BO3 and tetrahedral BO4 borate groups mixing with AlO6 complex. The Eu3+ acts as the glass modifier in glass as the Eu2O3 concentration is higher than 1.00 mol%. The glasses more absorb photons in visible light – near infrared region with addition of Eu2O3 content. Under 394 nm excitation, glasses represented the strongest emission at 613 nm by the 5D0→7F0 transition of Eu3+ and overall color of this emission is red. The optimum concentration of Eu2O3 for this developed glass is 3.00 mol% that owns the highest emission intensity. The Eu3+ doped lithium bismuth aluminum borate glass performs the high potential for using as a red luminescence medium in light sources and display devices.

Preparation and characterization of glasses from the binary sodium fluoroborate system NaF–B2O3 within the range (10–50 mol% NaF) assessed by structural FTIR, optical and thermal properties and effects of gamma irradiation

Extended glasses from the binary system (NaF-B2O3) with (10→50 mol% NaF) were synthesized by the traditional melting-annealing route. These unfamiliar glasses with high extended NaF contents than Na2O were characterized by multi-techniques including optical and FTIR spectral analysis beside measurements of their thermal expansion parameters. The optical (UV–visible) spectra of the glasses reveal obvious transparency except for the appearance of distinct UV absorption due to unavoidable trace ferric ions impurities present within the laboratory chemicals. Structural FTIR spectra indicate that NaF primarily acts the same as Na2O progressively converting some of the BO3 units to produce tetrahedral (BO3F) units and then at a high percent of NaF is assumed to form additional (NaF4) groups and hence the intensity of the bands within the range 800–1200 cm−1 due to combined tetrahedral groups (BO4 + NaF4) is always higher than that for the peaks at the range 1200–1600 cm−1due to vibrational BO3 groups. The thermal expansion data reveal that the dilatometric softening temperature primarily increases due to the formation of compact tetrahedral (BO3F) groups. It is obvious that this unfamiliar (NaF–B2O3) glass does not show an anomalous behavior as that reported for (Na2O–B2O3) glassy system and other alkali-B2O3 glasses in their thermal expansion properties. Gamma irradiation did not show any distinct variations in the FTIR spectra indicating the stability of the structural building groups in this NaF–B2O3 glass system. On the other hand, the optical spectra show the displacement of one of the two broad bands in the UV spectra which is assumed to be due to a photochemical reaction between some Fe3+ ions present as trace impurities and formed freed electrons during the irradiation process.

Cd4InO(BO3)3: A New Nonlinear Optical Crystal Exhibiting Strong Second Harmonic Generation Effect and Moderate Birefringence

A new noncentrosymmetric cadmium indium borate, Cd4InO(BO3)3 (CIBO) has been successfully developed via a standard solid-state reaction. Its crystal structure was confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction, which shows that CIBO belongs to the non-centrosymmetric and polar space group Cm. Its structure contains the distorted InO6 and CdOn (n = 6, 8) polyhedra, which link together by sharing an edge or corner to build a three dimensions framework with BO3 triangles accommodated in tunnels. Benefiting from the approximately parallel configuration of BO3 triangles, CIBO exhibited a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) effect (3 × KDP), and moderate birefringence of 0.077@1064 nm. Further optical and thermal characterizations suggest that CIBO possesses a wide transparent window and good thermal stability. Theoretical calculation reveals that the macroscopic SHG coefficients of CIBO results from the synergistic effect of the parallel arrangement of BO3 groups and d10 Cd2+ cation.

Introducing a New d0 Sc3+ Asymmetric Ion for Functional Materials: Large Birefringence Enhancement by ScO6 in Ba3 Sc2 (BO3 )4.

Transition metal ions with d0 electronic states (Ti4+ , Zr4+ , Nb5+ and Ta5+ ) are widely investigated as functional materials. This work first illustrates that Sc3+ ion, long-time ignored, displays a second-order Jahn-Teller (SOJT) effect similar to asymmetric oxide-coordinated transition metal ions, thus providing a new ground to seek for asymmetric functional materials with enhanced performances. In Ba3 Sc2 (BO3 )4 , BO3 groups are parallelly arranged, satisfying the ideal arrangement to produce large birefringence. Importantly, distorted octahedral ScO6 with Sc3+ ion in its d0 electronic state enlarges birefringence unexpectedly up to 0.149 @ 550 nm, which is larger than previously reported borates containing solely BO3 , even to B3 O6 units. Subsequently, the SOJT influence of distorted ScO6 octahedra on birefringence is verified by a comparison between experimental data and theoretical calculations. In addition, Ba3 Sc2 (BO3 )4 also displays a high transmittance in the range of 230 nm-3.5 μm with a UV cut-off wavelength at 198 nm and a large laser induced damage threshold (2.7 GW/cm2 ), comparable to α-BaB2 O4 . Above characteristics imply that the title compound may be a promising birefringent material.

New double nonlinear-optical borate Rb3SmB6O12: Synthesis, structure and spectroscopic properties

New noncentrosymmetric alkali rare-earth double borate Rb3SmB6O12 was found in the ternary system Rb2O–Sm2O3–B2O3. The Rb3SmB6O12 powder was prepared by the solid state reaction method at 750 °C for 40 h and the crystal structure was obtained by the Rietveld method. Rb3SmB6O12 crystallized in space group R32 with unit cell parameters a = 13.4874 (3) and c = 30.9398 (6) Å, V = 4874.2 (2) Å3, Z = 15. In the three-dimensional framework structure of Rb3SmB6O12, each [B5O10]5− group is linked to four different Sm-O polyhedra and, likewise, each Sm-O polyhedron is connected to four neighboring [B5O10]5− groups. The Sm-O polyhedra are formed by the face-sharing linked SmO6 octahedra. Rb+ cations are located in large cavities of the framework structure. From the thermal stability measurements, the incongruent melting of Rb3SmB6O12 is observed at 1104 K with as high melting enthalpy as Hm = –161.5 J/g. The nonlinear optical response of Rb3SmB6O12 tested via SHG is estimated to be similar to that of K3YB6O12. The Raman spectrum of Rb3SmB6O12 is mainly governed by the vibrations of BO4 and BO3 borate groups observed over the wavenumber range of 287–1550 cm–1. The spectral bands below 270 cm–1 were attributed to rotational, translational and mixed vibrations of Rb3SmB6O12 structural units. The luminescence spectrum of Sm3+ ions in the specific local environment of the Rb3SmB6O12 crystal lattice shows the ability to control the individual band intensity ratio originating from 4G5/2 level.

Optical, magnetic and structural analysis of new 2AO-CoO-B2O3 (A = Ba, Sr) glasses.

The glasses with formula 2AO-CoO-B2O3 (A = Ba, Sr) were prepared successfully by the conventional melting method. The amorphous state of these glasses was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The thermal investigation conducted by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirms their vitreous nature. Infrared spectroscopy approves the existence of both BO3 and BO4 groups. The transmittance shows the different optical transitions of the Co2+ in 2AO-CoO-B2O3 (A = Ba, Sr) glasses. The calculated gap energy shows that these glasses have wide-band-gaps and can be classified as semiconductor materials. The magnetic measurements were studied as a function of the field and temperature. The predominant interactions in these glasses are antiferromagnetic.

Na3YB8O15: a new rare-earth borate with an infinite one-dimensional [B8O15]∞ chain and a short ultraviolet cutoff edge.

A new rare-earth borate Na3YB8O15 was fabricated by the flux method. The compound crystallizes in the P1̄ group, and shows a three-dimensional network built by [B8O17] fundamental building blocks (FBBs) with [NaO6], [NaO7], and [YO7] polyhedra. The [B8O17] FBBs are composed of five planar BO3 and three BO4 tetrahedra and connected via corner-sharing to construct a unique one-dimensional (1D) [B8O15]∞ infinity chain that is observed for the first time in the Na2O-Y2O3-B2O3 system compound, enriching the structural diversity of rare-earth borate. The title compound exhibits a short ultraviolet (UV) cutoff edge of ∼195 nm and a wide experimental band gap of 5.50 eV. DFT calculations indicate that Na3YB8O15 is a direct band gap compound with a calculated GGA band gap of 5.14 eV, and the band gap is mainly determined by B 2p and O 2p orbitals. The results update the phase diagram of Na2O-Y2O3-B2O3 and enrich the diversity of rare-earth metal borates.

Ba3(BO3)2: the first example of dynamic disorder in a borate crystal.

Based on ab initio molecular dynamic simulations, dynamic disorder of [BO3] groups in the Ba3(BO3)2 compound has been established. This is the first example of dynamic disorder in borates. It has been shown that static disorder of BO3 groups in the Ba3(BO3)2 crystals [Bekker et al., J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2018, 101, 450] can be the result of quenching of dynamically disordered high-temperature modifications.

Effects of Ozone on Hippocampus BDNF and Fos Expressions in Rats with Chronic Compression of Dorsal Root Ganglia.

The effects of ozone on hippocampal expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and c-fos protein (Fos) were evaluated in rats with chronic compression of dorsal root ganglia (CCD). Forty-eight adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 4 groups (n = 12): sham operation (sham group), CCD group, CCD with 20 μg/ml of ozone (CCD + AO3 group), and CCD with 40 μg/ml of ozone (CCD + BO3 group). Except the sham group, unilateral L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) compression was performed on all other groups. On days 1, 2, and 4 after the operation, the CCD + AO3 and CCD + BO3 groups were injected with 100 μl of ozone with concentrations of 20 and 40 μg/ml, respectively. Thermal withdrawal latencies (TWLs) and mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWTs) were measured at various time points before and after the operation. BDNF and Fos expressions were examined in the extracted hippocampi using immunohistochemistry. The TWLs and MWTs of CCD model rats that received ozone were lower with decreased BDNF and increased Fos expression levels, on day 21 after the operation, compared to those of the sham group (P < 0.05). The TWLs and MWTs of the CCD + AO3 and CCD + BO3 groups were higher with increased BDNF and decreased Fos expression levels, on day 21 after the operation, compared to those of the CCD group (P < 0.05). The TWLs were longer and the MWTs were higher in the CCD + BO3 group at each time point with increased BDNF and decreased Fos expression levels, on day 21 after the operation, compared to those of the CCD + AO3 group (P < 0.05). Our results revealed that ozone can relieve the neuropathic pain caused by the pathological neuralgia resulting from DRG compression in rats. The mechanism of action for ozone is likely associated with changes in BDNF and Fos expression levels in the hippocampus.