Large Perpendicular Magnetocrystalline Anisotropy at the Fe/Pb(001) Interface

The search for ultrathin magnetic films with large perpendicular magnetocrystalline anisotropy (PMA) has been inspired for years by the continuous miniaturization of magnetic units in spintronics devices. The common magnetic materials used in research and applications are based on Fe because the pure Fe metal is the best yet simple magnetic material from nature. Through systematic first-principles calculations, we explored the possibility to produce large PMA with ultrathin Fe on non-noble and non-magnetic Pb(001) substrate. Interestingly, huge magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (MAE) of 7.6 meV was found in the Pb/Fe/Pb(001) sandwich structure with only half monolayer Fe. The analysis of electronic structures reveals that the magnetic proximity effect at the interface is responsible for this significant enhancement of MAE. The MAE further increases to 13.6 meV with triply repeated capping Pb and intermediate Fe layers. Furthermore, the MAE can be tuned conveniently by charge injection

Ginsenoside Rk3 Regulates Tryptophan Metabolism along the Brain–Gut Axis by Targeting Tryptophan Hydroxylase and Remodeling the Intestinal Microenvironment to Alleviate Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice

Depression is a neuropsychiatric disease that significantly impacts the physical and mental health of >300 million people worldwide and places a major burden on society. Ginsenosides are the main active ingredient in ginseng and have been proven to have various pharmacological effects on the nervous system. Herein, we investigated the antidepressant effect of ginsenoside Rk3 and its underlying mechanism in a murine model of depression. Rk3 significantly improved depression-like behavior in mice, ameliorated the disturbance of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, and alleviated neuronal damage in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice. Additionally, Rk3 improved the abnormal metabolism of tryptophan in brain tissue by targeting tryptophan hydroxylase, thereby reducing neuronal apoptosis and synaptic structural damage in the mouse hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, Rk3 reshaped the composition of the gut microbiota of mice and regulated intestinal tryptophan metabolism, which alleviated intestinal barrier damage. Thus, this study provides valuable insights into the role of Rk3 in the tryptophan metabolic cycle along the brain–gut axis, suggesting that Rk3 may have the potential for treating depression