Integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome reveals the regulatory mechanism of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in response to Nocardia seriolae infection.

Nocardia seriolae is a severe bacterial pathogen that has seriously affected the development of aquaculture industry. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a commercially significant freshwater fish that suffers a variety of environmental threats, including bacterial pathogens. However, the immune responses and metabolic alterations of largemouth bass to N. seriolae infection remain largely unclear. We discovered that N. seriolae caused pathological alterations in largemouth bass and shifted the transcript of immune-related and apoptotic genes in head kidney after infection. To answer the aforementioned question, a combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis was employed to explore the alterations in genes, metabolites, and metabolic pathways in largemouth bass following bacterial infection. A total of 3579 genes and 1929 metabolites are significant differentially changed in the head kidney post infection. In response to N. seriolae infection, host modifies the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TCA cycle, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism. The integrated analysis of transcriptome and metabolome suggested that with the arginine metabolism pathway as the core, multiple biomarkers (arg gene, arginine) are involved in the antibacterial and immune functions of largemouth bass. Thus, we hypothesized that arginine plays a crucial role in the immune responses of largemouth bass against N. seriolae infection, and increasing arginine levels suitably is beneficial for the host against bacterial infection. Our results shed light on the regulatory mechanism of largemouth bass resistance to N. seriolae infection and contributed to the development of more effective N. seriolae resistance strategies.

[Multiplex PCR method for simultaneous identification of Xanthii Fructus and its adulterants].

The purpose of this study is to establish a molecular method to identify Xanthii Fructus and two adulterants, the fruits of Xanthium mongolicum and X. italicum. Xanthii Fructus is the fruit of X. sibiricum, which is a Chinese herbal medicine used clinically to treat allergic rhinitis. The fruits of X. mongolicum and X. italicum have strong morphological similarities with Xanthii Fructus, while their safety of medication cannot be guaranteed. The genomes of X. sibiricum, X. mongolicum, and X. italicum were sequenced, which generated sequences of 2.21, 2.24, and 2.54 Gb, respectively. Based on the 76 specific contigs screened out by BLASTN and Bowtie 2, the corresponding primers were designed by Primer 5.0. Three pairs of primers with stable amplification efficiency and good reproducibility were screened out to establish a multiplex PCR method based on the PCR amplification results. Further, the annealing temperature, the amount of DNA template, the number of cycles, different DNA polymerases, and different PCR thermal cyclers were optimized. Fragments of 262 bp and 458 bp from X. sibiricum, 260, 454, and 927 bp from X. mongolicum, and 260 bp and 926 bp from X. italicum were amplified under the following conditions: the annealing temperature of 52 ℃, 35 cycles, 30 ng template DNA. Then, the established method was used to detect 18 samples of X. sibiricum, 17 samples of X. mongolicum, and 12 samples of X. italicum. The results showed that all the samples had positive results, which were consistent with the morphological identification results, thus proving the stability and reliability of the established method. Combining genome sequencing technology and multiplex PCR method to identify Xanthii Fructus and its adulterants can not only obtain the difference in genetic background but also facilitate the design of reliable primers. The multiplex PCR have high specificity and repeatability, providing a new method for the molecular identification of Xanthii Fructus.

Hexokinase II Inhibitory Effect of Secondary Metabolites Derived from a Streptomyces sp. Associated with Mud Dauber Wasp.

Insect-microbial symbioses have vast biochemical diversity, which is beneficial to produce bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, chemical examination of a Streptomyces sp. associated with a mud dauber wasp led to the isolation of fourteen compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and comparison with literature data. Among the isolates, compounds 1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(1H)-one and 4-(2-aminoethyl)phenyl acetate were first reported from this species. Bioactivities of the isolated compounds were assayed for the first time against hexokinase II. 4-(2-Aminoethyl)phenyl acetate, germicidin B, phenylacetic acid, isogermicidin A and germicidin C displayed significant inhibitory activity against hexokinase II, with the IC50 values of 5.11, 7.11, 7.15, 8.45 and 8.78 µM, respectively.

[Progress in the mechanisms of neural modulation of innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans].

The innate immune system is an important defense barrier against invasive microbial threats in plants and animals. The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans is a classic model to investigate the genetic and cellular mechanisms of the interaction between host and pathogens. In the past years, many studies have elucidated the machinery of host-pathogen interactions using C. elegans. Neurons secrete/release neuropeptides and neurotransmitters such as NLP-20 and dopamine, which in turn mediate microbial recognition, promote pathogen avoidance, activate innate immune response signaling to stimulate antimicrobial peptide expression and kill microbes, and ultimately protect organisms from pathogen infection. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the mechanisms of neural modulation of innate immunity in C. elegans, which provide important knowledge not only for machinery of functional interaction between nervous and immune system, but also for pathological mechanisms of nervous and immune system related diseases.

Exploration of the BF2*15 major histocompatibility complex class I binding motif and identification of cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes from the H5N1 influenza virus nucleoprotein in chickens.

The binding motif of BF2*15 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I was explored by analyzing the interaction between an infectious bronchitis virus octapeptide and BF2*15, and the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope from the nucleoprotein (NP) of H5N1 virus was identified using experimental methods. Computational methods, including homology modeling, molecular dynamics simulation, and molecular docking analysis, were used. The recombinant plasmid pCAGGS-NP was constructed, and NP expression was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot in transfected 293T cells. Antibodies against NP in pCAGGS-NP-inoculated specific-pathogen-free chickens were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Interferon γ (IFN-γ) mRNA was quantified, and IFN-γ production was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription PCR and capture ELISA, respectively. CD8(+) T-lymphocyte proliferation was detected using flow cytometric analysis. The BF2*15 MHC class I binding motif "x-Arg/Lys-x-x-x-Arg/Lys" was explored. Quantification of chicken IFN-γ mRNA, evaluation of IFN-γ production, and measurement of CD8(+) T-lymphocyte proliferation confirmed that the peptide NP67-74 of H5N1 was the BF2*15 MHC-class-I-restricted CTL epitope.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate alleviates spatial memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice by restoring IRS-1 signaling defects in the hippocampus.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) fundamentally represents a metabolic disease associated with brain insulin resistance. TNF-α/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling plays a central role in serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant, has been verified to attenuate peripheral insulin resistance by reducing IRS-1 signaling blockage. This study aimed to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of EGCG on central IRS-1 signaling in vivo. APP/PS1 mice were treated with EGCG, and spatial memory was assessed by the Morris water maze test. Levels of soluble and insoluble Aß42 in the hippocampus were determined by ELISA. The activation of NF-α/JNK and IRS signaling was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Our results showed that EGCG ameliorated the impaired learning and memory in APP/PS1 mice. Notably, we found a significant reduction of IRS-1pS636 level accompanied with decreased Aß42 levels in the hippocampus of 13-month-old female APP/PS1 mice after treatment with EGCG (2 or 6 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Furthermore, EGCG treatment inhibited TNF-α/JNK signaling and increased the phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that long-term consumption of EGCG may alleviate AD-related cognitive deficits by effectively attenuating central insulin resistance.

catena-Poly[[[di-aqua-cobalt(II)]-bis-{µ-2-[3-(4-carboxyl-atophen-yl)pyridin-1-ium-1-yl]acetato}] dihydrate].

In the title polymeric coordination compound, {[Co(C14H10NO4)2(H2O)2]·2H2O} n , the Co(II) ion resides on an inversion center and exhibits a distorted o-cta-hedral coordination geometry defined by four O atoms from two pairs of equivalent monodentate carboxyl-ate groups from 2-[3-(4-carboxyl-atophen-yl)pyridin-1-ium-1-yl]acetate ligands and by two O atoms from two equivalent coordinating water mol-ecules. The zwitterionic di-carboxyl-ate ligands serve as bridges with two monodentate carboxyl-ate and the metal ions are linked by double bridges, forming polymeric chains running along [01-1]. The chains are further stabilized and associated into layers parallel to (011) through intra- and inter-chain hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking inter-actions [inter-planar and centroid-centroid distances of 3.658 (3) Šand 3.653 (2) Å, respectively].

[Experimental study of radiofrequency ablation of liver in swine].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and efficacy of multiple-radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in swine liver. METHODS: One swine undergone percutaneous and intra-operative RFA for three times in succession (an interval of 5 days) guided by real-time ultrasound. Then 6 ablated lesions formed. The outcome of RFA and the change of tissues adjacent to ablated lesions (biliary, liver vascular and abdominal wall) were observed by trans-abdominal ultrasonography (US), contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), intra-operative ultrasound (IOUS) and contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT). RESULTS: Bile duct dilatation was found beside primary porta hepatis on US, CT, IOUS after RFA. There was no thrombus in liver vein through the ablated lesion with electrodes parallel to primary porta hepatis. Two ablated lesions were incompletely fused together. Small thermal injury was observed on abdominal wall after an injection of saline into subcapsular gap. Subcapsular hepatic tissue around ablation lesion changed into coagulative necrosis from hyperemia with elapsing time. Carbonizing granule formed during RFA on the top of intro-operative radio-frequency electrode easily caused bleeding along the withdrawing passage. Gelfoam was helpful to stop bleeding during intro-operative RFA. Occluding blood flow into liver definitely enlarged ablated area with the same amount of RFA energy. CONCLUSION: Multiple-RFA is feasible and efficacious for patients with RFA indication. But the complications of RFA increase if the ablation areas are adjacent to such organs as bile duct, stomach, intestine and diaphragm, etc.

[Targeted sequencing identifies a hotspot mutation SNRNP200 p.S1087L correlates with novel phenotypes in retinitis pigmentosa].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the pathogenic mutation in a four-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) and to analyze its associated clinical phenotypes. METHODS: Twelve participants from the index family were recruited, including 5 patients, 6 asymptomatic siblings, and one spouse. All participants underwent ophthalmic examinations, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field (VF) testing, fundus photography, and full-field flash electroretinography (ERG). Targeted sequence capture array technique with next-generation of high throughput sequencing(NGS) was performed to detect variants in 189 hereditary retinal disease (HRD) related genes, comprising 179 identified HRD-causing genes and 10 potential causative genes which were involved in pre-messenger RNA(pre-mRNA) splicing. Variants detected by targeted sequencing were filtered by bioinformatic analyses, validated by Sanger sequencing and intra-familiar analysis.Genotype-phenotype correlation was also analyzed. RESULTS: SNRNP200 p.S1087L was identified as the disease causative mutation for this family by targeted sequencing and optimized bioinformatic analyses. This family demonstrated early onset of the disease by presenting nyctalopia among 6 to 8 years old, performed rapid disease progression and severely impaired visual function by displaying loss of VF among 14 to 17 years old and decreased central vision among 21 to 28 years old. The fundus presentations and ERG results showed typical RP presentations. CONCLUSIONS: SNRNP200 p.S1087L is identified as a hotspot mutation but correlates with distinct phenotypes in the present family, including early onset of the disease, rapid disease progression, and severely impaired visual function. This study also give evidence to that molecular diagnostic platform for HRD can improve the detection rate of causative genes/mutations in HRD patients, thus providing important approaches for further investigation of the genetic causes for HRD.

Impacts of artificial reef on community structure and functional traits of macrobenthos near Furong Island, Shandong, China.

To evaluate the ecological restoration effect of artificial reefs and explore the impacts of artificial reefs age on the structure and functional traits of the macrobenthos community, two artificial reef areas with different reef ages in the coastal waters of Furong Island, Laizhou Bay were investigated in May, August, and October 2019. A total of 120 macrobenthos species were identified in the three seasons, including 72 species in the control area, 74 species in the artificial reef with short age (1 year), and 80 species in the artificial reef with greater age (4-5 years). Nihonotrypaea harmandi was the dominant species in all areas. The biomass, abundance, Shannon diversity index, Margalef species richness index of macrobenthos communities were all in order of reef area with greater age > reef area with lower age > control area, and the biomass and abundance in the reef area with greater age were significantly higher than those in the other two areas. The composition and relative abundance of functional traits of macrobenthos communities in the reef area and the control area were different. However, the dominant categories of traits in different areas were consistent, including deposit-feeder, burrower, medium body size, medium life span, high body flexibility and infauna. The composition and relative abundance of functional traits of macrobenthos communities in the reef area and the control area were different mainly in feeding mode, habitat, and body size. The relative abundance of smaller individuals (1-3 cm) and suspension feeders in the reef area was higher than those in the control area, while predator abundance was lower, and such effect became more pronounced with increasing reef age. The reef area was significantly higher than the control area in functional diversity, but without significant difference in functional redundancy. The results of abundance/biomass comparison curve and marine biotic index showed that the benthic ecological quality in the study area was good. The macrobenthos community was slightly disturbed after 1 year of reef construction, while the conservation effect of macrobenthic resources and the benthic ecological quality were significantly improved after 4-5 years of reef placement.

Thermally activated bipyridyl-based Mn-MOFs with Lewis acid-base bifunctional sites for highly efficient catalytic cycloaddition of CO2 with epoxides and Knoevenagel condensation reactions.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become preferred heterogeneous catalytic materials for many reactions due to their advantages such as porosity and abundant active sites. Here, a 3D Mn-MOF-1 [Mn2(DPP)(H2O)3]·6H2O (DPP = 2,6-di(2,4-dicarboxyphenyl)-4-(pyridine-4-yl)pyridine) was successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions. This Mn-MOF-1 possesses a 3D structure constructed by the combination of a 1D chain and the DPP4- ligand and features a micropore with a 1D drum-like shaped channel. Interestingly, Mn-MOF-1 can maintain the structure unchanged by the removal of coordinated and lattice water molecules, whose activated state (denoted as Mn-MOF-1a) contains rich Lewis acid sites (tetra- and pentacoordinated Mn2+ ions) and Lewis base sites (Npyridine atoms). Furthermore, Mn-MOF-1a shows excellent stability, which can be used to catalyze CO2 cycloaddition reactions efficiently under eco-friendly, solvent-free conditions. In addition, the synergistic effect of Mn-MOF-1a resulted in its promising potential in Knoevenagel condensation under ambient conditions. More importantly, the heterogeneous catalyst Mn-MOF-1a can be recycled and reused without an obvious decrease of activity for at least 5 reaction cycles. This work not only paves the way for the construction of Lewis acid-base bifunctional MOFs based on pyridyl-based polycarboxylate ligands but also demonstrates that Mn-based MOFs hold great promise as a heterogeneous catalyst toward both CO2 epoxidation and Knoevenagel condensation reactions.

Optimizing surgical outcomes for elderly gallstone patients with a high body mass index using enhanced recovery after surgery protocol.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation of elderly patients with a high body mass index (BMI) after cholecystectomy carries risks and requires the adoption of effective perioperative management strategies. The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol is a comprehensive treatment approach that facilitates early patient recovery and reduces postoperative complications. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of traditional perioperative management methods with the ERAS protocol in elderly patients with gallbladder stones and a high BMI. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study examined data from 198 elderly patients with a high BMI who underwent cholecystectomy at the Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital from August 2019 to August 2022. Among them, 99 patients were managed using the traditional perioperative care approach (non-ERAS protocol), while the remaining 99 patients were managed using the ERAS protocol. Relevant indicator data were collected for patients preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively, and surgical outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The comparison results between the two groups of patients in terms of age, sex, BMI, underlying diseases, surgical type, and preoperative hospital stay showed no statistically significant differences. However, the ERAS group had a significantly shorter preoperative fasting time than the non-ERAS group (4.0 ± 0.9 h vs 7.6 ± 0.9 h). Regarding intraoperative indicators, there were no significant differences between the two groups of patients. However, in terms of postoperative recovery, the ERAS protocol group exhibited significant advantages over the non-ERAS group, including a shorter hospital stay, lower postoperative pain scores and postoperative hunger scores, and higher satisfaction levels. The readmission rate was lower in the ERAS protocol group than in the non-ERAS group (3.0% vs 8.1%), although the difference was not significant. Furthermore, there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative nausea and vomiting severity, postoperative abdominal distention at 24 h, and daily life ability scores. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that the ERAS protocol confers significant advantages in postoperative outcomes following cholecystectomy, including reduced readmission rates, decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting, alleviated abdominal distension, and enhanced functional capacity. While the protocol may not exhibit significant improvement in early postoperative symptoms, it does exhibit advantages in long-term postoperative symptoms and recovery. These findings underscore the importance of implementing the ERAS protocol in the postoperative management of cholecystectomy patients, as it contributes to improving patients' recovery and quality of life while reducing health care resource utilization.

Expression patterns, activities and carbohydrate-metabolizing regulation of sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase and neutral invertase in pineapple fruit during development and ripening.

Differences in carbohydrate contents and metabolizing-enzyme activities were monitored in apical, medial, basal and core sections of pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. Comte de paris) during fruit development and ripening. Fructose and glucose of various sections in nearly equal amounts were the predominant sugars in the fruitlets, and had obvious differences until the fruit matured. The large rise of sucrose/hexose was accompanied by dramatic changes in sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose synthase (SuSy) activities. By contrast, neutral invertase (NI) activity may provide a mechanism to increase fruit sink strength by increasing hexose concentrations. Furthermore, two cDNAs of Ac-sps (accession no. GQ996582) and Ac-ni (accession no. GQ996581) were first isolated from pineapple fruits utilizing conserved amino-acid sequences. Homology alignment reveals that the amino acid sequences contain some conserved function domains. Transcription expression analysis of Ac-sps, Ac-susy and Ac-ni also indicated distinct patterns related to sugar accumulation and composition of pineapple fruits. It suggests that differential expressions of multiple gene families are necessary for sugar metabolism in various parts and developmental stages of pineapple fruit. A cycle of sucrose breakdown in the cytosol of sink tissues could be mediated through both Ac-SuSy and Ac-NI, and Ac-NI could be involved in regulating crucial steps by generating sugar signals to the cells in a temporally and spatially restricted fashion.

Synthesis With Guaranteed Cost and Less Human Intervention for Human-in-the-Loop Control Systems.

This article studies the problem of synthesis with guaranteed cost and less human intervention for linear human-in-the-loop (HiTL) control systems. Initially, the human behaviors are modeled via a hidden controlled Markov process, which not only considers the inference's stochasticity and observation's uncertainty of the human internal state but also takes the control input to human into account. Then, to integrate both models of human and machine as well as their interaction, a hidden controlled Markov jump system (HCMJS) is constructed. With the aid of the stochastic Lyapunov functional together with the bilinear matrix inequality technique, a sufficient condition for the existence of human-assistance controllers is derived on the basis of the HCMJS model, which not only guarantees the stochastic stability of the closed-loop HiTL system but also provides a prescribed upper bound for the quadratic cost function. Moreover, to achieve less human intervention while meeting the desired cost level, an algorithm that mixes the particle swarm optimization and linear matrix inequality technique is proposed to seek a suitable feedback control law to the human and a human-assistance control law to the machine. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a driver-assistance system to verify its effectiveness.

Clinical Efficacy of Glucosamine plus Sodium Hyaluronate for Osteoporosis Complicated by Knee Osteoarthritis and Its Influence on Joint Function and Bone Metabolic Markers.

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) associated with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is common in older men and postmenopausal women, and it is important to find reliable and effective treatments for this disease to improve joint function and bone metabolism in this population. Objective: To clarify the clinical efficacy of glucosamine (GlcN) plus sodium hyaluronate (SH) for OP complicated by KOA (OP + KOA) and its influence on joint function and bone metabolic markers (BMMs). Methods: Admitted from July 2019 to July 2021, 126 patients with OP + KOA were selected, including 76 cases (observation group) treated with GlcN plus SH and 50 cases (control group) given GlcN alone. The pain, joint function, BMMs, and clinical efficacy were evaluated and compared. Pain and joint function assessments employed the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) plus Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, respectively. BMMs mainly measured bone gla protein (BGP), serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase variant (TRACP)-5b, type I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX-1), and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP). Results: Higher posttreatment VAS scores were determined in observation group as compared to control group; observation group showed lower WOMAC scores of joint function and higher Lysholm scores than control group; in terms of BMMs, TRACP-5b and CTX-1 were lower while BGP and BALP were higher in observation group; the curative effect was also higher in observation group. All the above differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: GlcN plus SH has definite clinical efficacy in the treatment of OP + KOA, which can not only significantly improve patients' joint function and bone metabolism but also relieve pain, with high clinical popularization value.

Identification of phenolics from miracle berry (Synsepalum dulcificum) leaf extract and its antiangiogenesis and anticancer activities.

Miracle berry is well-known for its ability to convert sour foods to sweet. In this study, the secondary metabolites of miracle berry leaves (MBL) were identified by UPLC-DAD-MS, and its antiangiogenesis and anticancer activities were evaluated by using a zebrafish model and the MCF-7 xenograft mouse model, respectively. The result showed that 18 phenolic compounds were identified in MBL extract, and dominated by the derivatives of quercetin and myricetin. The MBL extract showed low toxicity and high antiangiogenesis activity, it significantly inhibited the subintestinal vein vessels development in zebrafish at very low concentration. Furthermore, the MBL extract could promote the apoptosis of tumor cells and significantly inhibit the growth of MCF-7 xenograft tumor. In addition, the analysis of metabolites revealed that the MBL extract inhibited tumor growth by activating the metabolic pathways of unsaturated fatty acids and purines. Overall, this study suggests that MBL extract can be used as a natural anticancer adjuvant in the fields of functional foods.

Synthesis, structures, and magnetism of copper(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers with azide and pyridylbenzoates.

Three transition-metal coordination polymers with azide and/or carboxylate bridges have been synthesized from 4-(3-pyridyl)benzoic acid (4,3-Hpybz) and 4-(4-pyridyl)benzoic acid (4,4-Hpybz) and characterized by X-ray crystallography and magnetic measurements. Compound 1, [Cu(4,3-pybz)(N(3))](n), consists of 2D coordination networks in which the uniform chains with (µ-EO-N(3))(µ-COO) double bridges are cross-linked by the 4,3-pybz ligands. Compound 2, [Cu(2)(4,4-pybz)(3)(N(3))](n)·3nH(2)O, consists of 2-fold interpenetrated 3D coordination networks with the α-Po topology, in which the six-connected dinuclear motifs with mixed (µ-EO-N(3))(µ-COO)(2) (EO = end-on) triple bridges are linked by the 4,4-pybz spacers. Compound 3, [Mn(4,4-pybz)(N(3))(H(2)O)(2)](n), contains 2D manganese(II) coordination networks in which the chains with single µ-EE-N(3) bridges (EE = end-to-end) are interlinked by the 4,4-pybz ligands, and the structure also features a 2D hydrogen-bonded network in which Mn(II) ions are linked by double triatomic bridges, (µ-EE-N(3))(O-H···N) and (O-H···O)(2). Magnetic studies indicated that the mixed azide and carboxylate bridges in 1 and 2 induce ferromagnetic coupling between Cu(II) ions and that 3 features antiferromagnetic coupling through the EE-azide bridge. In addition, compound 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering below 6.2 K and behaves as a field-induced metamagnet. A magnetostructural survey indicates a general trend that the ferromagnetic coupling through the mixed bridges decreases as the Cu-N-Cu angle increases.

Magnetic systems with mixed carboxylate and azide bridges: slow relaxation in Co(II) metamagnet and spin frustration in Mn(II) compound.

Two coordination polymers formulated as [{[Co(2)(L)(N(3))(4)]·2DMF}(n) (1) and [Mn(2)(L)(H(2)O)(0.5)(N(3))(8)](n) (2) (L = 1,4-bis(4-carboxylatopyridinium-1-methyl)benzene) were synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. In compound 1, the anionic uniform Co(II) chains with mixed (µ-EO-N(3))(2)(µ-COO) triple bridges (EO = end-on) are cross-linked by the cationic bis(pyridinium) spacers to generate 2D coordination layers. It was demonstrated that the triple bridges mediate ferromagnetic coupling and that the compound represents a new example of the rare systems exhibiting the coexistence of antiferromagnetic ordering, metamagnetism, and slow magnetic dynamics. Compound 2 features the magnetic Δ-chain formed from isosceles triangular units with single µ-EE-N(3) and double (µ-EO-N(3))(µ-COO) bridges (EE = end-to-end). The Δ-chains are interlinked by long organic ligands into a 3D framework with novel net topology and 3-fold interpenetration. The magnetic properties of 2 indicate the presence of spin frustration characteristic of Δ-chains with antiferromagnetic interactions.

[Logistic regression analysis of clinical and ultrasonic features of breast nodules].

OBJECTIVE: To create a breast nodule estimation model based on grayscale and color Doppler ultrasonography using Logistic regression that can screen out the specific features for distinguishing breast malignancy from benignancy. METHODS: From July, 2009 to May, 2010, 217 patients were enrolled in the study in peking university first hospital. Clinical data and ultrasonic features were evaluated in 219 breast nodules of 217 patients confirmed by surgical pathology. Logistic regression model was established to screen out significant ultrasonic indexes for differentiating breast malignancy from benignancy. A receiver operating characteristics curve was made to assess diagnostic value of the Logistic regression model. Correlation was analyzed between the Logistic regression model and surgical pathology. RESULTS: Logistic regression model: Logit(p) = -16.884 + 0.037 × age + 3.228 × longitudinal-transverse axis ratio + 1.412 × border + 2.663 × halo + 1.813 × microcalcium + 1.157 × resistance index + 2.204 × enlarged axillary lymph node (χ(2) = 167.107, P = 000). The areas of ROC curve for probability and identification of breast malignant and benign nodule were 0.948 and 0.882 respectively. Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 91.6%, 84.9% and 88.9%. Logistic regression model positively correlated with surgical pathology (r = 0.768, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Our Logistic regression model can effectively differentiate malignant breast nodules from benign and can identify the ultrasonic features associated with breast cancer.

Multifunctional Zn-Ln (Ln = Eu and Tb) heterometallic metal-organic frameworks with highly efficient I2 capture, dye adsorption, luminescence sensing and white-light emission.

A new family of isostructural 3d-4f heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (HMOFs), [Zn3EuxTb2-x(TZI)4(DMA)5(H2O)3]·4DMA [x = 0 (1), 0.3 (2), 0.6 (3), 0.9 (4), 1 (5), 1.2 (6), 1.5 (7), 1.8 (8), 2 (9)], has been synthesized using the 5-(4-(tetrazol-5-yl) phenyl)isophthalic acid (H3TZI) ligand, LnIII ions and ZnII ions under solvothermal conditions. All HMOFs exhibit a (3,3,4,5,5)-connected 63·63(42·62·82)(4·65·8)(4·66·83) topology, which features three different types of motifs: one is a mononuclear ZnII ion and the other two motifs are binuclear [Zn(COO)3Ln] clusters. The adsorption experiments indicate that Zn3Tb2 (1) could efficiently remove almost all I2 from cyclohexane solution after 12 h and also showed better adsorption towards neutral red (NR) dye (adsorption: only the Zn3Tb2 (1) was taken as one representative). Simultaneously, the luminescence sensing showed that Zn3Tb2 (1) and Zn3Eu2 (9) have excellent response and sensitivity towards pollutants such as Fe3+ ions and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) with high selectivity and a fairly low limit of detection through luminescence quenching effect. Moreover, seven trimetallic-doped HMOFs 2-8 analogues of Zn3Ln2 (single) HMOFs were designed and prepared, showing different changes of luminescent color. More interestingly, Zn3Eu1.5Tb0.5 (7) with white-light emission was fabricated by doping relative concentrations of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions. To the best of our knowledge, Zn3Eu1.5Tb0.5 (7) represents a novel kind of heterometallic Zn3Ln2 HMOFs with white-light emission. It could be deduced that the excellent characteristics, namely strong typical luminescence emission of ZnII and LnIII ions, microporous channels, active open metal sites (tetra-coordinated ZnII-metal sites), and uncoordinated carboxylate O atoms and uncoordinated tetrazolate N atoms, made the above HMOFs an ideal platform for adsorption, luminescence sensing, and white-light emission. More significantly, these HMOFs are the first reported Zn-Ln heterometallic materials with the H3TZI ligand.